Dear Lord, why can't I be Martha Stewart?

So for me, along with marriage and pinterest and domestication and blogs, came the idea (from God knows where) that I could be crafty. Those durn bloggers and super wives on pinterest have led me to believe that I can do anything with a little hot glue and glitter. The truth is, as much as I long to be the next Martha Stewart, it just ain't gonna happen. But just for the record, I'm not going down without a fight. Basically, what I've learned from this wannabe crafty season in my life is that EVERYTHING looks easier than it is and EVERYTHING takes longer than you think it will. It is at this point during my crafty endeavors that  I hit my wall.  If you have ever been with me during an attempt at craftiness, you know that I can't leave anything alone. I always have to add one more polka-dot or one more splash of glitter...why can't I just let it be? I enjoy being crafty. I just wish I was better at it. But like I previously stated, this wannabe crafter isn't going anywhere.

The holiday season really brought out my desire to be the next Martha Stewart. I think I just about drove Tyson crazy with hot glue stuck to the floor and unfinished projects everywhere. But what can I say, I was just trying to get festive for the arrival of our King Baby Jesus.

Here are a few of my semi-crafty holiday projects that I was semi-proud of...

front door wreath

Tyson was embarrassed of me asking for everybody's extra garland, but I know he was eating his words when he saw this masterpiece :)

Now, I must say that I was right proud of this little garland and bow. I just sat myself out on our porch one night and went to work. No pinterest tutorial or anything.

I didn't make the Merry Christmas sign (that was from Hobby Lobby, my shopping destination of choice), just the trees.

I just made the little trees with stars in the background. I really didn't care for the enormous size of the stars, but I had to let it go.

Apparently I think I can paint, too! Bahaha!!

Whitney

I feel the need to interrupt my review of the past year to honor the great Whitney Houston.

I was so sad and honestly distraught to hear the news of Whitney's passing. I am still mourning her death and have a weekly (at least) tribute to her in my car. As some of you may know, Whitney has been on my prayer list for a number of years. Her struggles broke my heart. I knew she knew better and so did she. What an example of the truth that all the money and fame in the world can never truly satisfy.

Whitney was just a tad before my time, but I learned of her greatness through Eliz. I distinctly remember getting in trouble on the playground at Holy Trinity Preschool for singing "I Want to Dance with Somebody." I share this special fact to prove that Whitney was indeed a part of my life. What can I say? I guess I was a mature 4 year old. Actually, I was just a 4 year old that listened to whatever her big sister listened to.

I was a fan of Whitney and her "clear as a bell" voice all the way from "How Will I Know" to "It's Not Right, but it's Okay".  She was one of the true talents of our generation. She had one of those voices that you do not even try to imitate. It is rule that you never audition or try to perform a Whitney song. Some people might think they can do a Whitney song justice, but the cold hard facts are that you simply cannot. I don't care who you are. Nobody can. If you have tried to sing a Whitney song, then I'm just sorry, but it wasn't a good idea.

I am sad that Whitney is no longer here with us on earth. And I am even more sad that her last days were filled with so much pain. I do, however, find joy in the fact that y'all know she is up there singing with the choir of angels like nobody's business! Go 'head, Whitney!

I will close with one of my favorite Whitney moments...

Miscellaneous Shower

I am truly blessed when it comes to the people in my life. From school friends, to teachers, to friends' parents, and family friends, I am convinced that I have the greatest group of support out there. I felt so unworthy of the many showers, gifts, and help that was given to me, but it all made me feel so loved and made this time that much more special. What a perfect way for me and Tyson to start our lives together...with way more love and encouragement than we could ever imagine. I know there is no way we could repay all the people that helped out and contributed to our wedding and the festivities that went along with it, but I hope they can understand some of what it meant to us.

In May, some of my mom's friends (who are my friends too, of course) and one of my best friends, Ashley,  gave me a great miscellaneous shower! My sister was able to come down from Arkansas for this one, which made it that much more fun and special! The food at the shower was delicious and the decorations and flowers were gorgeous and so well-done!

I got to see and visit with a number of people that I don't normally get to be around! And of course, got to open some very generous and ballin presents!

His and Hers Shower

In April, J.O. and Angie Conway gave us a shower in their AMAZING backyard. The Conways live a few houses down from my home in Auburn and their yard and gardens really are unbelievable. My friendship with the Conways began when I started taking care of their dogs when they were off on their many exciting adventures. Once Tyson was in the picture, he helped them out with random jobs as well. The Conways are very special to me and Tyson and we're so thankful for their part in our lives. They are two of the most interesting, wise, GOOD, down to earth people we know. 

We had so much fun at this party! A lot of our friends got to come and it was just laid back and perfect. We had BBQ, toured their beautiful yard and of course, opened some wonderful gifts! 

Us with the Conways!

Us with Aunt Rach and Uncle T

Us with the already MARRIED couple!

Just a few of my favorite girls on the planet. The two on either side of me are now engaged! How in the world did all this growing up happen? 

Getting ready to open presents!!

Us with Jaron and Erika (Tyson's brother and sister in law)

Us with Charity and Stanley who are now engaged, too!! So, so excited for them!!!

Us with MB...just like old times :)

PES Shower

My sweet friends and co-workers at Prattville Elementary School threw me my first wedding shower. It was on a monday afternoon after faculty meeting and everything was perfect! I was pretty nervous getting started because all the attention was on me, but once we get started, I had so much fun! 

I was lavished with more love and gifts than I deserved. It really helped me to get excited for Tyson and I to start our lives together! 

I miss PES and the people there so much! I hate that I only got to spend one year at such a wonderful school! It was a job that I absolutely loved and even when I woke up tired, thinking I couldn't sing one more song or clap-out one more rhythm, I knew that it was exactly where I was supposed to be.  I'm so thankful for the memories, relationships, and growing I got to experience during my year with the Prattville Elementary School Bobcats!!

FOOD! Why is shower food sooo good?! And why do they only have those little bitty plates? And why do I always hear my mom's voice saying, "don't pile your plate up" when I'm trying to figure out where in the world all that food is going to go? 

Delicious cake and punch!

Me and my mama! So glad she got to come!

MISS these people...

PRESENTS!!
(I'm sorry...does that make me sound greedy? I'm just trying to keep it real. You know you love some presents, too!)

REALLY excited about my roasting pan! Used it for our Christmas Ham :) 

Happy Birthday, Heart Friend!!

So, one of the 2 people that actually read this blog has been complaining about my lack of recent posts. I really would like to jump back on the wagon, but I'm so behind that I don't even know where to start. Baby steps, I know.

Anyway, this particular person claims that she checks this thing everyday only to be disappointed by another viewing of "Light Has Come." It also just so happens to be this person's birthday, so...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JENNY BARRANCO!!

It's really sad (for me) to be so far away on this special day. I've tried to communicate with her in every way possible today. Hopefully that will help ease the pain that my absence brings...:)

If you know me, you know how special my Jenny is to me. A heart friend relationship is unique. I have never had a friend like Jenny and I think it's pretty safe to say that I never will. So, so thankful for your life, Boo Boo!!

I wouldn't even know where to begin with pictures for this post. And let's be honest...it ain't no interesting blog without pictures. Here are some that I thought depicted our friendship most accurately...

well, this one isn't really about our friendship. I just thought it was a cute birthday picture of our girl.

Just a dance party at sonic after we got in trouble at wal mart. You know, because we were real cool like that. 

We took the "dress up to reveal yourself to your little sis" seriously. WAY more seriously than ANYBODY else. Typical.

Stuck in playground equipment on Spring Break. Let me tell you, we were wild AND crazy.

Just one of the many ways a heart friend comes in handy. Who else will wipe off deodorant stains with her panty hose?

Just real typical. Don't know how. It just is.

This was during our glory days of high school show choir. Definitely weren't heart friends at this point, but I like to think that this was a pretty good foundation for our friendship. 

Ultimate heart friend moments...

Light Has Come

Now, I am not a hand-raiser. But if I was, you better believe they would be up for this one. Halleluiah and enjoy!