I thought about doing a recap of our 2011, but I honestly don’t know how I could whittle through the past year and pick out just a few things.  Every moment of this past year was a blessing, it was another year spent with my family.  Loving my husband.  Watching my son grow into his own.  I like how he’s able to communicate more now.  I can’t say I loved the infant stage.  I like being able to interact with Connor and he’s so sweet and loving at this age. 

I don’t make resolutions.  Well, maybe I do, but they aren’t just because the calendar says it’s a certain day and the newspapers are filled with diet and workout ads.  I don’t think I am really a “gym” person.  I do like getting outdoors and doing things with my family like hiking.  That is why sometimes I wonder what it would be like to live some place where the temps aren’t 115+ degrees in the summer! Ugh!

I think about the future a lot.  I have dreams, hopes, and ambitions of my own.  I want my son to have all the things I never had as a child….what parent doesn’t?

I want to lose 20-30 pounds and lose this Jello jiggler belly.  It’s there trust me.  I don’t feel has hot as I once did, but I do feel comfortable and I enjoy life.  Terence and I both try to motivate each other to be healthier and keep one another on track.  I know I couldn’t do this alone because I am not as disciplined as he is.  I couldn’t live this life without my boys. 

So my resolution is not really a resolution at all….I just want to slow down…enjoy the small things.  Quit stressing if Connor drops a crumb on the floor, or if Terence doesn’t put a dish in the dishwasher.  Try and tame my OCD a little bit eh???  Not let my anxiety get the best of me. 

Try and be the best wife and mother I can. 

Speak positive words & not negative ones. 

We are not promised tomorrow.  Live, laugh, love, rejoice with your families and make the best of the life you have.  It’s YOUR life.

Own it.  Live it.  Be present.

Breathe.

We need to say a thank you to Granddaddy for all our new cars!

Oh and become I am a lover of all thing GAWDY…love this link up!

 Link up and see all the other lovely ladies bling!

This is my engagement ring and wedding band my honey gave to me over 10 years ago!

Engagement Ring:  Platinum cathedral band with 1/2 carat princess cut diamond

Wedding Band:  Platinum with baguettes

I still love my ring with all my heart <3
And let me tell ya platinum has gone WAAAAAY up in value over the last 10 years!
Score for me 🙂

Do you keep a pair of tweezers in your purse? Are you constantly checking your face for the occasional hairy straggler? When someone says “peach fuzz” do you think of your chin, cheeks, and upper lip instead of a fruit? Ahem…guilty.

I recently got to try the New Olay Smooth Finish Facial Hair Removal Duo.

I have dreaded unwanted facial hair I know all you gals envy! Ha! Even my husband notices sometimes, and it doesn’t make me feel attractive at all. I’ve tried several hair removal products in the past. I’ve used creams and waxes galore.

The creams have always had an awful smell and left my skin feeling raw. Waxing hurts like crazy, and I’ve even been burned from waxing before! Who wants to go through all that? Not me.

I want to feel smooth and pretty without the hassle.

That’s why New Olay Smooth Finish Facial Hair Removal Duo was the perfect solution. First of all ladies, it smells GREAT! I didn’t have to sit there and hold my breath while the cream was working on my face.

My skin felt soft, smooth, and moisturized afterwards, not raw and dry. I was left with silky smooth skin in 6-8 minutes with no hassle at all! It takes just two easy steps:

1. Condition your skin with the skin guarding balm. This keeps your skin from drying out and getting red.

2. Rub on the Hair Removal Cream and leave on for 6-8 minutes. Gently rub off with a wet wash cloth. You’ll have silky, smooth, hair free skin in no time.

I feel better about how I look, my makeup goes on smoother, and I don’t feel like every time the sun hits my face my “beard” will show. I love this product, and it was so easy to fit into my busy weekly routine.

If you have unwanted facial hair on your chin, cheeks, or upper lip then you will want to try New Olay Smooth Finish Facial Hair Removal Duo! I promise you’ll love it! It worked great for me and I know it will work great for you too!

How would like to win a $50 gift card, courtesy of BlogHer and Olay?

Leave a comment to be entered for your chance to win. Tell me how what inspires your inner beauty, and let me know how your beauty routine reflects that.

Rules: No duplicate comments. This sweepstakes runs from 1/3/2012 – 2/3/2012. You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.

Be sure to visit the Promotions & Prizes page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!

While we’re on the subject of looking good, you might want to check out the “Looking Your Best” posts in the Life Well Lived section of BlogHer.com. There are some great tips and expert posts!

If you want to download this yourself just click on the photo and then right click to save to your computer then print.  HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Most of the time I don’t carry my big honking camera with me everywhere I go.  I am loving my new phone camera, so a lot of the pictures I took over Christmas were with my phone.  I wanted to post these on the blog so I can cherish them forever 🙂

Candid Christmas recap:

Starbucks with my twinkie:

 Road trippin like a champ:

 Meeting one of my favorite blog friends for coffee:

 My kid running around the Buck like a mad man… :

 Eating the BEST Christmas cookies EVER! :

 Christmas get together with the besties:

 Christmas family self photo :

 Playing with cousin Jarrett and getting into mischief:

 Seeing lots of cows on the farm and learning to “mooooo” :

 Winning a beautiful Marley Lilly‘ scarf for twittering 🙂 :

We had a great Christmas on the farm with Nannie, Nana, Poppy, Aunt Bonnie, Jarrett, Aunt Karli, and Lindsey.  It was so nice to be home and the farm is always so peaceful and a great place to eat and then go take a long nap!  No city noise out there for sure! 

The boys got spoiled rotten by their grandparents and had the best time playing with each other.  I’ll definitely remember this Christmas fondly and I’m so glad we all got to be together as a family.

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas too and may the good Lord bless you all in 2012!!!

The beautiful scenery

Watching A Christmas Story and playing….the year went by too fast.  I want Connor to grow up and have the best childhood I can possibly provide for him.  He’s my lovey.  Terence and Connor are the best things in my life and I thank God every day for the gifts they are to me.  I love you with all my heart!  Here is to many more great memories over the next year!