a confession...

So...I have a confession.

Something that hit me last night at a PTF meeting...

Are you ready???

.

.

.

I

miss

school...

I know it is quite absurd; and  maybe I was just caught up in the moment of listening to the high school choir (who might I add, sounded AMAZING), or saying the pledge, or maybe it was the awards they handed out.  I really don't know what did it for me, but suddenly I felt this wave of schoolsickness sweep over me.

No, I do not miss the tests or the papers and quizzes.  What I do miss is the learning...  Learning from an instructor in classes like Composition, Public Speaking, English Literature, American Literature, Accounting, and Biological Issues. 

I actually am in the process of getting my CDA, which entails going to a 3-4 hour class every other Saturday for 9 months.  But, unfortunately I don't feel as if I am learning anything there.  The teacher is nice and all, but more than 75% of class time is discussion; and truly I would rather hear what she has to say than my peers.  I also am in the middle of a 6 week online photography class; but it still isn't cutting it for me. :)

All this to say that TODAY (who knows how long this feeling will last; afterall I am a girl and entitled to changing my  mind) I miss school.  I have this desire to suddenly pull out my College notes and notebooks I put together and pour over them...is that weird??  

Maybe I should just settle and re-read A Tale of Two Cities or Pride and Prejudice.  I always seem to find some nugget of information in the works of Charles Dickens and Jane Austen...

Ahh...decisions, decisions...

In the Bleak Mid Winter

{Join in the fun or view more mosaics over at Mary's}

January is here, with eyes that keenly glow,

A frost-mailed warrior,

striding a shadowy steed of snow.

Edgar Fawcett

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I recently discovered from here that those who embed a photo card they made through Shutterfly will receive a $25 Shutterfly gift certificate!  Of course, I could not pass up this promotion, since I am a HUGE fan of their website.  You too, can get this great deal which expires on January 31st...:)

On days like this...

I overslept this morning.

I stepped outside to see a dark blue sky with gray wispy clouds, and I thanked God for another day from Him; all the while wishing I had the extra time to run back into the house and grab my camera to capture the moment.

A child got a black eye on my shift.

I "played" tug-a-war with a little girl who refused to give up her toy when I told her to.

I had a splitting headache and was exhausted.

Despite the frigid weather, I squinted from the direct sunlight as I drove home on my lunch.

I came home checked my email and discovered a wonderfully encouraging and wise letter from my Daddy.  I read it once.  I read it twice.  And then I read it again.

I realized something...that even on days like this when everything does not go the way Nicole wants that I am encouraged and all the better because of the family the Lord has blessed me with.

And so it is that on days like this God reminds me that He takes thought of me and He used my amazing Father to show me that!

{Sister.Winterize.Senior}

I LOVE that I have gotten to take my littlest sister's senior portraits.

We had been waiting for the weather to cooperate; and yesterday was the 

perfect {winter} day!

We went to a local favorite spot.

 We ran through the snow drifts,

taking pictures, 

laughing, 

and having more fun 

than should be allowed.

Love that girl; love my sister!

{Beautiful}

{Linking up for my first Sweet Shot Tuesday!}

Oh the places you'll go...

when you get crafting ideas from blogland!

Below is a compilation (is that even a word??) of some recent

crafts I have done in the last couple of months.  As I stated 

previously, I have never been a crafty type of gal.

 But, that all changed when I got addicted to blog stalking...

 I have come across so many amazing diy projects; 

mainly from Ashley (who I absolutely adore!) as well as Traci.  

1.  First off::

What to do with a picture frame...

a.  CHALKBOARD FRAME

(tutorial)

Supplies:  Clearance 8x10 frame from Target [$4]

Chalkboard paint from Michaels with coupon [$3]

Chalkboard markers from Hobby Lobby with coupon [$4]

Wood from Home Depot [$4]

Result:  I am not entirely happy with this project, but since

I have plenty of left over chalkboard I will probably attempt

to redo it.  Mainly, I foresee using it for photography shoots...

b. 18X20 FRAME

Supplies:  frame from local resale shop [$1]

white spray paint [$2]

Result:  I really wish I had taken a before shot of this frame...

it was gold metallic and quite ugly!  I got this idea from a photographer

I saw doing a shoot at a local Garden.  I absolutely love this $3 investment!

c.  CHICKEN WIRE FRAME

(tutorial)

Supplies:  Wood frame from resale shop [$1]

Spray paint [$3]

Chicken wire [$3]

Sm. clothespins [$2]

Result:  Presently I am using it as a display board,

but it can also be used to hang earrings on!

2.  JEWELRY

Not from a blog, but I do spend a lot of time beading so

I thought I would include my most recent pieces for a friend's wedding...

3.  PERPETUAL CALENDAR/JOURNAL

(tutorial)

My mom actually crafted this for one of her friends...

Love this idea!

Supplies:  4x6 cards cut in half (equaling 365)

vintage/antique postcards (12; 1 for each month)

basket/small crate

Result:  a daily journal to be used year to year and document

special daily happenings!

4.  DEVOTIONAL JOURNAL

(tutorial)

I made something very similar at Christmas; and so I
basically copied this idea for a devotional journal...
the only thing I added was velcro to keep it shut!

5.  POST-IT NOTE HOLDER
(tutorial)

My little sister, Lauren actually made a few of these

for my mom to give away to her coworkers at Christmas.

Being somewhat addicted to post-its, I totally love this idea, and 

need to get Lauren to make me one. :)

6.  TILE COASTERS
(tutorial)

I have previously blogged about this, so I won't go into detail.
These coasters I made for my parent's bed-stands...

7.  CAMERA STRAP
(tutorial)

I have also already blogged about this diy, but since

I recently made a new one I had to put in one here! :)

8.  CRICUT EXPRESSION

One of my favorite Christmas presents by far...

The possibilities are endless!

a.  MONOGRAMMED PLATTERS

Supplies:  vinyl from Hobby Lobby [$6]

Cricut Expression

Letter cartridge

Results:  a very pleased mother, happy to see me using

my Christmas gift to beautify her home...:)

b.  GAMES FOR CHURCH MINISTRIES

And that concludes the crafting experiences from a non-crafty gal!

Now, go get started on some great diy.  :)

An empty canvas

Well, we are now into the third week of 2011!

I cannot believe how quickly the last year went.  I looked into the archives of my blog and found this in my New Years post from last year:

2010 is sure to have its good times as well as its bad; but, I can rest assured for MY God is in control, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.

{ But the land, whither ye go to possess it,

is a land of hills and valleys, and

drinketh water of the rain of heaven:

A land which the Lord thy God careth for:

the eyes of the Lord thy God are always upon it,

from the beginning of the year

even unto the end of the year. }

(Deut. 11:11-12)

Little did I know when I wrote that post how true of a statement it was going to be...

In 2010, my family and I did go through a land of both hills and valleys.  A year with changes; for the better.  God knew what was best.  He knew it in the year 2010 and I can rest assured that He does in the year that lies before me.

So much of my life is undetermined right now; my life is a canvas awaiting the Master's paint strokes. 

What will 2011 bring? 

There used to be a time that I wanted to plan my life out; to be in control.  I did not cope well with the unexpected and I wanted things done my way.  

I am glad to say that God has changed me.  No longer do I HAVE to know what tomorrow brings.  I have no way  of knowing what 2011 will bring, despite all the planning and checklists I may do.  But, I do know that I serve an omniscient Creator who takes care for my future and it is because of that that I can be still and know that 2011 will be great!

Wedding Favorites

Nielsen-Hughes Wedding

The Groom with his sister

& parents

The Groomsmen.

[My Father is the one cheesin' on the far left :)]

Reception Hall and Cake

All of the bridesmaids were sisters of the bride

AND...

{They}

lived

happily

ever after!