The Bench & Art

I recently posted about an update to my white bench in our foyer. I liked the addition of the canvas, but I felt like it needed a little something else. 

So, I purchased these Virginia and North Carolina prints from this Etsy shop and framed them with simple black frames from Michael's. Total cost for prints and frames was $42.

I like the simplicity of the black and white with the colorful prints. Love adding something around the house that is a little different.

InstaFriday

I'm linking up with Life Rearranged for a little InstaFriday look at my week in Instagram photos.

A stack of magazines that I really need to read. Magazines stack up around here and I end up reading January's issue in the middle of the summer by the pool.

On Monday the girls were out of school. We spent the day shopping and went out to lunch at Steak 'N Shake...fun day!

Shelly's new leopard Toms...love them. I think I may want a pair for myself, as well.

The corner by our front door got a little makeover. I moved the coat rack to the left and added a canvas above the white bench.

John helped Lily study for her Spanish test. Oh, and she aced it!!!

Facebook Update

I heard this report on the news yesterday and thought it was interesting on the heels of my FB departure. Just wanted to share it here on the blog.

Missing Mom

I'm always thinking of my mother, but this time of the year she is on my mind a bit more. I'm not a fan of the dark winter months and never have been. So, I think that makes me wish I could sit on my couch and chit chat with her even more. I know it always helped to make the winter seem less lonely and dark.

My great grandmother, my mom, my aunt, and my great grandfather

I miss talking with her about Shelly's birthday plans. Telling her all about the party decorations and the friends she has invited. I miss telling her about the gifts I've found for Shelly and getting her advice on what I should do for a craft at the party.

My mom and dad

I miss telling her about Lily's experiences with the volleyball club. And, letting her know about Lily's progress and teammates. 

I wish I could tell her about the trials and tribulations of our lives. I miss that part of our relationship. I love the memories I have of my life with her, but I so desperately wish that we could chat again.

My parents and my grandparents

As I reflect on what I miss about my mom, I can see the strength of our relationship. Loving her so fully has made me miss her even more. And, that's a good thing, I suppose.

Snow Day

On Thursday night the snow began to fall and by Friday morning we had about 2 inches and no school. So, that meant the girls needed to dig up their variety of snow gear and head out for some fun.

Ready for the hill

Chillin' on the sled

Sisters in Snow

Sunny snow day

Heading back up the hill

Getting a push

That's me on the sled
I think she's watching in disbelief!

Big snowball

Uh Oh...somebody isn't too happy

She recovered and went back up for more

Friends

Facebook

I've been thinking quite a bit about my decision to leave Facebook back in December. It has been like a breath of fresh air for me. I tend to have an all-or-nothing personality and had a difficult time backing away from Facebook. So, I had to just quit cold turkey.

I was finding that many of my conversations revolved around what people were saying, doing, and posting on Facebook. Boring! I wasn't even close friends with many of the people I was discussing. 

I was also becoming a little put off by the bragging and boasting that was taking place. And, guess what? I was doing it, as well. That's not a good thing! I would post all of the cute and fun pictures of my family and all of the cool and interesting things we did. I wasn't including the boring, mundane, and not so great aspects of our lives. I call it the Facebook Self-Edit Project, where people only post the great things about their lives and portray the "perfect" image of their so-called "perfect" lives. It no longer seemed like an authentic place to go and have fun, but more like a competition to see who's lives were more exciting.

Plain and simple, I was no longer interested in "playing the game". So, I deactivated my account in early December and I've never looked back---both figuratively and literally. 

I am working on living a fuller life that's FB free and I am concentrating my thoughts, pictures, and ideas here on my blog. It just feels happier and safer here in my tiny little blog spot.

So, to anyone else thinking of leaving Facebook, give it a try and don't worry about the things you might be missing. Instead think about all of the time you've reclaimed and go out and live YOUR life and don't just read about other's.

Disclaimer: I never say never and who knows I might just hop back onto Facebook one day. But, until then, I'm pleased with my decision.

Celebrating the Birthday

Wow, this has been the never-ending birthday celebration. But, that's just how it goes around here. We love to make a big deal out of the girls' birthdays and they love it. There's only one day out of the year that you can call your own and we make the most of that.

Last night we had the gift opening extravaganza along with a bit of birthday cake. And, the cake came before dinner (due to our schedule). Fun!!!

Reading a card from sissy

Pandas!!!

The bathing suit

Leggings

Jewelry

Lily helping the birthday girl who is wrapped in a blanket (she was chilly)

A call from grandpa while opening gifts

Ready to buy some new Toms

A one layer cake that is supposed to look like a doughnut

Ready to blow out the candles!

And, here she is blowing out the candles:

Happy 9th

She brings so much joy and happiness into our lives. I am always impressed by her loving attitude and her warm heart. She is creative. She is talented. She loves animals, school,  and macaroni and cheese. She adores her sister. She is great at snuggling. And, today she is 9!

Happy Birthday, Shelly.

The day they met for the first time: