Year In Review

It's the last day of 2010...WOW. As I look back on this year, I guess I'd rate it a 5 on a scale of 1-10...not awesome, but it didn't totally suck either. :-) Considering the state of our economy, I feel we are blessed to have jobs that give us enough $ to pay our bills, a cute little home that keeps us safe & warm, and friends & family who are amazing. My desire for my personal growth is to examine the ups & downs of this year, learn from them, and continue a forward path toward being my best self. I compiled a list of all the baggage I wish to "leave behind" in 2010. What I discovered was that all the things I wanted to change about myself fell under the very first "issue" I had written down: Self doubt. I don't know if it's a fear of failure, a fear of success (or maybe even both), but I stay in mediocrity (hence the fact that I view this year as a 5?!) because it's safe. For example, I have a few business ideas swimming around in my brain, but I make NO attempt to pursue them. Also, I've pretty much always struggled with wanting to be thinner and in better shape...yet you haven't seen my a$$ at the gym, nor do I seem to have the willpower to put down the _______ (fill in the blank with any non-diet approved food). My family deserves more....I deserve more!
My sister-in-law Michele and her fiance Charlie are visiting us from upstate NY, & we've all made this "goodbye 2010" list. Tonight we're going to have a bonfire, roast marshmallows, and throw our list into the fire. Here's to a new year...Happy 2011!!!

Meeting Santa

What is your first memory of Santa? I've seen pictures of my sister and I on Santa's lap when we were really little, but I don't remember many of the actual interactions I had will Old Saint Nick. Last weekend we saw Santa greeting shoppers outside O.P. Taylors, a fantastic toy store in downtown Brevard, NC. Rich was excited to introduce Santa to Gage...I was expecting Gage to run the other way in fear. The outcome?!? Well, nothing melts your heart like seeing your 2 year old run up to Santa to get a hug...



I know Gage won't remember this first time meeting Santa, but in this case, a picture really IS worth a thousand words...let the holidays begin!!!

Being Thankful

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade through the eyes of a 2 year old...

I have SO much to be thankful for. I don't even need it to be Thanksgiving Day to be reminded of our blessings...Gage does it for me. He reminds me to enjoy the little things: dancing in the living room, playing in the dirt, singing in the car (current favorites include The Itsy Bitsy Spider and Baby Shark), sitting down at the table for dinner, reading a book (or a zillion books), splashing in the tub...the list could go on for miles...
I've seen the Macy's Parade on many Thanksgiving mornings, but I have never enjoyed watching it as much as today. Watching Elmo, Ernie, and BB (Big Bird) in the parade rocked. Thank you, my sweet boy, for bringing me once again back to the little things...

Back By Popular Demand :-)

I have this love/hate relationship with blogging...I love writing...I hate that it cuts into the time I have in the evening to spend with my family. That being said, I'm a night owl (Rich says I have vampire blood in me) & the men in my life are...well...not night owls. So rather than playing another round of Scrabble on facebook (but don't get me wrong, I LOVE my fb Scrabble games!) I'm going to give this blog another chance at life. :-)
Something that makes me very happy is to try recipes my mom has given me. I've been especially loving this recipe for Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins & I thought I'd share it...maybe it will make you happy too! :-)
Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins
1 1/4 c flour
1 c quick cooking oats
1/2 c packed brown sugar
2 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
1/2 t cinnamon
1/4 t baking soda
1/4 t nutmeg
1 egg, beaten
1 c plain yogurt (I don't usually keep plain yogurt around, so I've substituted it with blueberry yogurt and it is super yummy!)
1/4 c butter, melted
1 c blueberries
dash of lime or orange zest
*Combine first 8 ingredients. In separate bowl, combine egg, yogurt, & butter. Stir this mixture into dry ingredients until moistened. Fold in blueberries. Fill muffin tin 3/4 full. Bake @ 400 degrees for 18-22 minutes. Enjoy my friends...tell me what you think of them!

Happy Easter

We had a wonderful easter weekend with Rich's parents & brother...a little campfire time (complete with Peep roasting)...

easter egg coloring fun...


dinner outside on the deck...


and a visit to the Biltmore Estate to complete the weekend festivities...

hiatus

I've been in hiding from my blog for a bit...so sorry. (But I have some really good reasons!!!) I went home a few weeks ago to help welcome my new nephew into the world. Here's a glimpse of the handsome Cavin Michael Chapman...

We have also had our hands full with our little monster...he's SO close to walking. He did take a couple of steps on his own recently, but he still prefers to hold on to mommy & daddy's fingers for support. :-)

I wanted to mention that even though I failed (miserably) at blogging everyday for my 30 days of the Jabez Prayer, I did in fact manage to say the prayer..and I'm still praying it! I do believe there is power in prayer...especially when it is not confined to our will, but left up for His will to be done.

St. Patty's Day 16&17/30

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all! I feel myself falling quickly out of my blogging habit and I'm going to pull a David Letterman and give you a
"Top 10 Reasons Why Danielle Is Losing Her Blogging Focus" list:
10. Looking at the back of my eyelids appeals to me more than looking at the computer screen.
9. My crafting habit > my blogging habit
8. I haven't been keeping up with my book reading which was the catalyst for this 30 day blog...although I have been praying and seeing a LOT of blessings! :-)
7-2. Uh...I really don't have that many reasons...after all, I do enjoy blogging, I just need to get my head back in the game.
1. Nobody reads this anyway!