Another year has passed by and it is still not easy to put all those memories from year 2011 in one blog. 

The year 2011 started out with the Christmas tree from 2010 still up (it was undecorated though!!)  So really it was more like an indoor plant..tree…. and it stayed a little while longer  then it should I suppose.   We did take it out into the backyard and for the longest time it smelled like Christmas every time I went on to the back porch.   The year 2011 was a year of the “Super Moon”  which apparently was very awesome but it was cloudy here so I didn’t get to see the moon be super that night.  I really had looked forward to seeing a “Super Moon”  but hopefully some year I will get to see it be Super!  

The year 2011 was full of life changing events, some very happy and some very hard.   May 18^th was a day my Nanny (my grandmother) passed away.   She had a stroke and died within days of having it..so it all seemed to happened quickly … we just didn’t see it coming.  It was very hard to deal with losing her, Its hard to put into words what she meant to me…she meant the world to me.  My Nanny was a special lady who I spent lots and lots of time with growing up..and even when I got married I got a great opportunity to live 2 houses down from her.  It was kinda funny because she was very nosey and liked to know everything happening around.  My Nanny’s health got to the point where she wasn’t able to do much for herself anymore and so I would cook and take her dinner or lunch and usually my sister would pick her up something for lunch and she would have easy things she didn’t have to do much work to for breakfast.   I wish I would have sat down and spent more time with her in those days, but I always seemed to have stuff I needed to do at my home.   She learned to use a computer and the internet because I taught her and its was funny to me how she would send me emails and talk about stuff she had read lol  She eventually went to a nursing home after one of her last big falls.  She really hated it at first but then she made the best of out the situation and really enjoyed socializing with people she knew.  My sisters and I visited her for Easter that we spent a lot of time outside with her (which she loved being outside!)  and I am glad we took that day to cherish her,  it was one the last times I went to see her that I got to hang out with her. There is good in all of this I know with out a doubt that my Nanny is in Heaven today,  running around enjoying not having any more knee pains and being able to walk and lift her arms and surrounded by loved ones.  She is the one who made sure I knew who Jesus was and she took me to church every Sunday when my parents did not.   So it was tough to loose her and I still miss her today, but I know some day I will see her again.   

 

 

Another life changing event was my baby sister Kaitlynn graduating from high school!  I am so proud of her!  She is a wonderful  and I love her passion for Jesus.   God has great plans in store for her  I am sure!

Other big things happened too… Chandler got a new job which was a total God thing!   Chandler also got a motorcycle during the summer and so this past summer he really enjoyed that!  I also started to enjoy riding with him some too!   Then towards the end of the year we traded in my civic for a crv (small suv)  which we both really love it drives nice and I don’t have to drive a stick (Manuel)  anymore…well unless I drive the truck. 

  

This past year I hit the big 25yrs and also Chandler and I celebrated 3yrs of Marriage on Nov 8^th ! 

This past summer more things got done around the house, still more to do… but I changed the kitchen cabinets by staining them a dark color and because “Rustoleum”  is awesome and makes counter top paints I finally got to do something with our old and yucky counter tops too!  So the kitchen looks so different and all under $100 (which includes new cabinet hardware!) 

This past year we welcomed the newest member to the Holmes family a pup named Max.  He is very awesome!  I found him near my work on a Saturday morning, he was very small and around 8weeks old it was kinda funny because this happened on Chandlers birthday lol  I checked around the building thinking his mother or family was around some where and he just wondered off because he was so small but someone had abandoned him.  I put up a sign, posted it on fb and put an add in Craigslist but no one claimed him.  I called him Buddy for awhile because I didn’t want to name him but after taking him to the vet we decided to name him Max (Maxwell)  but he just goes by Max.   We are in love, he is a great!  The other dogs play very well with him and even my in laws boxer does too.   He is a perfect addition to the family! 

 

^ above is a photo the day we found Max 

the photo below is a more current photo of Max today!

 

 

This past year God has used us in many ways in April we went on a mission trip to Savannah,Ga to do some work for a teen pregnancy center… it was so great just to help out in any way we could, it was rewarding and it was the last S.M.A.S.H  event we attended.  I  really enjoyed being apart of the young adults ministry, it was certainly eye opening and a wonderful experience.   God called us to move into another group that year which was more targeted for married couples and (some not)  but it was definitely were God has called us to be… We have learned so much.   This past year we still kept doing the media ministry at church, still do today!   Chandler and I both started getting involved at our church’s Store House Ministry  which is great to volunteer and give our time to.   People who are in need can get help getting food and clothing and other things too..  Most times I help find clothes for  the people who come in there.  While some may take advantage of this place there are so many who are just grateful to get some things to wear and keep them warm.   I am still reading my bible from front to cover,  I know it was the goal to have it read by now…but there is just so much to take in and I also missed out on reading a lot towards the end of the year.   I plan to get back into that this year. 

So here it is the first day of the new year  and so far its been great!  I went to church this morning and then have spent the day with my awesome hubby!  I don’t know what this year holds for me yet and there are many things I would like to happen this year but only if its Gods will for me. 

If you have made it this far through my very long rambling blog, I Thank you friend!  I hope you have a wonderful New Year!

Christmas Cards

 Last year was the first year that we did photo Christmas cards, and we really enjoyed them and loved being able to send them out to our friends and family, which they loved very much too!   This year I have been looking through the Christmas Card selection at TinyPrints     and  They have a very nice selection of cards to choose from!!   I have posted a few I like below but they have many more great cards to choose from so you can go to Tiny Prints and check them out for yourself!!

Jeep Adventures...

 Lately we have been blessed to have some really nice spring like days, while others have been typical February cold days.  Monday was a lovely day so with both hubby and I being off we decided to enjoy it.  So we borrowed my dad's Jeep and we went driving in the mountains...we ended up in Highlands,NC which is a really cute place.. we ate at "The Pizza Place"  and got a pizza to share... it was delicious! There was an ice cream place we were told was the best... but it was closed for the winter season...so we walked around the town.. and then went to check out some of the local  water falls!


So first we came to  "Bridal Veil Falls"   which was very cool to see it was right on the side of the road... you can even drive underneath the falls, but due to the snow pile they had road blocks on both sides of the fall... but it was was still cool! 

 Next was "Dry Falls"  I know kinda ironic name for a water fall... but very pretty!  They also had a path where you could walk down to the fall and behind it... but that path was also closed... due to "Ice"  but I was still able to manage a photo from a viewing spot. 

The next fall was not "photoed"  but did have a rather funny name " Bust your Butt Falls"   so as we continued down the curvy mountain roads...

We came to Cullasaja Falls... which was amazing!!  So worth finding a small place to stand behind the guard rail to take the photo... Its very tricky to get a shot of this water fall because as you see above... its a curvy mountain road...not much room for a pull off area... there was a tiny strip of asphalt that barely fits a jeep..and very very uneven pavement... but my awesome amazing hubby managed to stop for me...Thank goodness we were in a jeep!!! 

We stopped at this place it had a cute mountain view...

but it was a lovely day and we had a wonderful time... I recommend going to Highlands and also checking out the cool waterfalls (they are all very close to town... 2-9miles away) 

Anyways Thanks for reading!! 

 

Back to the daily

 It has been awhile since I have felt like myself... I was sick with the flu...and it made me feel like a zombie  (I am sure I didn't look much like a human either... good thing I stayed inside..someone may have gotten scared and tried to give me the double tap)  but now I am feeling much better, still not 100% myself yet...seems I am getting back to myself again ... Thankfully!!

 This weekend we had some very nice weather... and it felt so great outside... very spring like feel... my husband and I went on a long drive just to get out and enjoy the nice weather ... it was lovely. 

This past Sunday I was reminded of how easy it is forget about God and what He has done and is doing and can do... in my life.. one example I seen this weekend was ...It can be as simple as having a bad day instead of talking to God about it... we long to talk to our loved ones.. people who we are close to... its like we forget how we can talk with God and He will always listen... He always has the time to stop and listen...  How many times do we feel ignored by our loved ones because they aren't listening or they rushing through the conversation because they have other things that need to get done and God is not like that He always has the time for us.. how awesome is that!


God does not want to be forgotten! I have been reading in Deuteronomy lately.  Moses is giving a farewell address to the people before they enter the promise land....the main thing he keeps reminding the people not to forget God.. his comandments, laws, and decrees... Not to forget what God had done for them.. and is doing for them.. 


Its hard to believe that we put God in a box... we like to think we do not do such things... why would we do that to God?  but we do it... and alot of times it is so very easy to do so...

White Monday

Snow...that fluffy white powdery stuff...the icy cold stuff snow people are made of ... it was there when I woke up this morning early at 6:30am all 8in and I think its about 10in now?  I usually am such a kid when it comes to snow... I really do enjoy it but today all I wanted was more sleep...but hubby insisted that I wanted to get up early with him and drink coffee and so I did.. but today I was not happy about the snow.. I had to go to work while it seemed like everyone else got to stay home and sleep or go play in the snow... and the crazy part is my truck driver who delievers the mail to the post office couldn't make it here...so there was no mail to work...and really no point of me  being here...

Reflecting on the year past...

Its hard to put a year worth's of stories, memories that occurred in the year 2010 ... like any year ...ups and downs occur but its been a year of learning to be content even when your going through something hard... because God will get you through it... and I have learned a lot about how God provides for my needs... and while I am still learning and growing in Christ.. in the year 2010 I have done lots of awesome eye opening things like I went to feed the homeless, help repair some one's home,  worked at Pizza Inn for a night to get money for the Kentucky Mission trip (where we spent a week in the rain and sunshine putting new roofs on 2 houses)  a lot of those eye opening things happened because of getting involved with my church group... stepping out of my comfort zone is really hard... and I am so glad that did I am still learning to step out of my comfort zone but this past year I also went on my very first women's retreat with the ladies from my church... it was a great experience... one thing I took away from it was that I learned that one of my spiritual gifts is encouragement... and while I was at the women's retreat I met a lady who God put it on my heart to encourage her as she went through this hard time and I got her address and have wrote her a few times.  and I even started to send messages of encouragement to others, something I need to work on this year too though...

This past year my husband and I have got to do lots of fun house projects... we put up a chain link fence for our dogs and we also built them a dog house (I admit my husband did a lot more of the work ...but I contributed too!)  we finally got around to putting down a new floor in our living room, and we also had to get a new furnace which was not the best experience but the outcome is great...so far we are staying warm this winter!  I am very greatful for having heat it really is a blessing.  We also have new electrical in the house thanks to my awesome Hubby :)

Also this past year I started back working out, Thanks to my friend who made me lots and lots of new work out routines...I really enjoyed working out and it also helped me face another goal.. of drinking more water... I started off slow ....since I didn't drink much water and really didn't care for the taste of it... but now I have got where I drink a soda or tea or something like that every now in again but mainly stick to water... I am still working on my diet (Thanksgiving and Christmas did not help with that haha!)
Also I started reading my bible beginning to End... still working on that though so this will carry on in 2011 but I am really enjoying reading it from beginning to end..
I also learned to knit (well still learning...) but I have made few scarfs and I must say I am really loving it...it seemed so difficult in years past but I tried it and now I love it...  I really want to make hats so that is a 2011 goal.
I also made my first sock monkey for my husband, but I admit its became ours and we named him Paul.
another first for me was I went indoor rock climbing and it was fun and a little tough but something I want to do again ...
plus lots of new food experimenting went on this year ... so many new favorites!
and this past year was my first year with my new camera which has been lots of fun and I have learned alot about photography and different techniques... I am still growing and improving but I dream of quitting the postal world some day and just take photos all day long...

This past year I had enjoyed doing fun things around the Holidays that I haven't in along time.. like carving pumpkins with my sisters.. that was so much fun and they turned out so well...  and This year my husband and I went to a Christmas tree farm and picked our own Christmas tree...and of course the tree we got was on top of the hill haha!  It was a fun experience though..it was snowing when we went to get our tree ... and its so fun to have a real tree again... the house smells amazing (still)

Anyways... bloggy friends those are just some of my reflections of the year 2010...  What are some that stand out to you and your 2010 year?