Follow Your Bliss

Merry Christmas

2010-12-18T11:13:00.000-08:00

This Family is...

2010-06-17T15:19:00.000-07:00

special,
loving,
incredibly faithful,
and have been successful at stealing our hearts in just two short years!

We will miss them more than they know!
We love you, Sheltons!

This Monkey Means Business!

2010-06-04T15:36:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday (Memorial Day weekend), Meredith participated in Brevard's annual Squirrel Box Derby race. She did AWESOME!! She came in 4th place overall in her age class. But missed third by 1/10th of a second! Man! Here's an excerpt from the website: "This gravity race is the only legal opportunity in Brevard where you can try to break the speed limit down Jailhouse Hill! All vehicles were hand built and decorated to please the crowd, as well as designed for speed. Contestants competed for trophies for the fastest critter, the squirreliest theme, and the nuttiest design."

In addition to 4th place, she won the Nuttiest Design and the Village People award (people's choice).

I actually bought the "derby car kit", partially assembled at a yard sale. It had to be modified to meet competition requirements. So Mark, and several handy family members, went to work on making it the speed machine that it is today! They added a new braking system, a roll bar plus fresh paint on the metal and wooden parts. Then we had to come up with a design for the shell.

Meredith has loved her sock monkey for a long time, so we thought it would be cool to incorporate that into the car. We took her sock monkey to Signs and More in Brevard. They photographed it and made the giant decal for the body. It turned out great. Old and young alike seemed to really take to the design!

We also had t-shirts made that had the monkey on the front and "This Monkey Means Business". We wore them the day of the race and everyone loved them. We even had several people ask if we were selling the t-shirts, because they wanted to buy one!

She and her Daddy prayed together before the trial run. She was pretty nervous, but she did amazing!

Cruising down the hill, she hit about 31mph! By the end, she was loving every minute of the race!

Biltmore/Kiwanis 5K Classic

2010-06-03T17:35:00.000-07:00

Wow! It does feel good to have accomplished this goal. My friend Sherrie, and I set a goal back in January to begin training for this 5K. So we began walking/running at intervals of 90 seconds. We worked our way up to running over two miles before walking. On Sunday, May 16th we (Me, Mark, Sherrie, Dave and Katie) ran the race. Sherri and I finished in 36 minutes! These are a few shots from before the race. Very early...very foggy!

And a few from after:

We were so excited to be finished! And really proud of our accomplishment!

Here's the whole gang! Shortly after this we went to Cracker Barrel for a celebratory Pig Out!

This is a test....only a test!

2010-01-12T15:13:00.000-08:00

Just messing around trying to get the "undefined...undefined" to go away on my blog posts. From what I hear, it bothers some people! ;) And what's a blog post without a picture, so here ya go!

Why this picture you ask? I wish I was cool enough to get away with this hairstyle!

**Edited to Add** It didn't work. I can still see undefined undefined. Does anyone know what to do to fix this?

**ETA2** Ha! I got it! Exported old blog into a new blog with same title, etc. and was able to fix everything! Whoohoo!

This is so cool

2010-01-11T16:40:00.000-08:00

I came across this on Facebook tonight, and it is so cool! This website makes words from photos of objects that look like letters of the English alphabet. I "made" one that spells Hooper. Now, I want one, or two....or three different ones. I thought to myself, why didn't I think of that! Really cool! Here's the website so you can make one too! www.alphabetphotography.ca

Why? Oh Why? Maybe when pigs fly!

2010-01-06T16:33:00.000-08:00

Can't I figure out how to get my blog header to look right!?!?!? I know I have already asked 50% of the people who read this blog that question (and by that I mean 1 out of the two people, who read this blog). LOL! But honestly, I cannot get it to change. Wonder if it's a glitch? I have tried changing the template, changing the background, adding a picture from my computer, adding a picture or graphic from the internet. And NOTHING! It stays the same...little...hard to read...very boring...header that it has always been. So, if someone happens to come across this blog and has an answer for me, please enlighten me. Then, I promise, I will post daily (okay semi-daily, or..semi-weekly) about real things happening right now, in or sometimes interesting daily life.

Where we're going....where we've been....

2009-10-17T09:29:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update on what's been up with us lately. I know it's been a bit since I last posted. Since school started it seems that our days have been flying by. Meredith is so enjoying 4th grade. Some days it's hard to believe that she is nine years old! She is doing well and really loving her new teacher! I am so glad that school is fun for her again. She is enjoying children's choir at church. They recently began practicing for their yearly Christmas program. Should be fun! She has a singing solo this year too! In addition she is singing with the school chorus. That girl loves her music!

I have been busy with the Acteens group at church. They have been working hard to plan and organize the Fun Run/Walk to benefit the Sharing House and the Bread of Life (Soup Kitchen) here in Brevard. Sadly, it was too cold and rainy today to do the walk. So we had to postpone until the first weekend in November. I am so proud of their efforts and dedication to helping others in the community. Also, Mark had his Deacon ordination at church back in August. He is really enjoying serving the church members and community in that new capacity. And I could not be more proud of him and his dedication and passion to grow in the faith.

I have mostly just been plugging along at work. The class this year is filled with fun personality. The kids never cease to amaze me with the silly little things they say and do! Also, I had another birthday! Why does it seem that they get closer and closer together the older you get?? Mom, Dad, Ashley, David, Savannah, Mark and Meredith had a nice little party for me last weekend. It was nice to have time with family.

We are looking forward to our upcoming trip to Disney World. We have never been as a family so we are super excited to get to go. I will share pictures from that adventure when we get back!

Well, that turned into an epic post! LOL! Teaches me that I should post more often!

Meet Annie!

2009-09-01T13:45:00.000-07:00

For those of you who know me....I know what you are thinking....SHE CAVED!! For years I have said I would never have a pet in the house. Dog, cat...whatever. Well, one day I saw this face and that changed.
Meredith has been asking for a puppy since we gave Sydney away almost two years ago. She wanted a little dog to cuddle with, to live in the house with us. I kept saying "uh, no way", "I don't think so", "who will take care of it?", etc. But her birthday was approaching and that was one of three things she had on her wish list. So, you got it....I caved, and we now have a new family member. She's a Yorkie Poo. Which means she's a mix between a Yorkshire Terrier and a miniature Poodle. Right now she is twelve weeks old and weighs in under 2.5 lbs. We are trying to house train her and she is doing okay. A few mishaps now and again. But for the most part, she's a good little puppy. Meredith is happy! And I have to admit, I am too! (Judith...can you believe that?)

Deep Impact - Fort Caswell

2009-08-14T06:30:00.000-07:00

Spent last week @ Fort Caswell (Oak Island, NC) with the middle school youth from church. We had a fantastic time on this trip. Deep Impact was the name of this camp, which was missions oriented. There was a wonderful worship/celebration time with music and an awesome speaker daily. We ate all meals there on the campus and slept in barracks. The bunks weren't great...but they weren't awful either. Sleeping in an open barracks room w/ 49 other people was a real experience! Daily we got to go out to Kure/Carolina Beach and do "beach missions". This consisted of giving out cold water bottles w/scripture on the side, painting faces for kids and sharing the good news of Jesus. It was really an AWESOME time. Most people were really receptive, others not so much. But overall, I think our group really enjoyed the time they had there. Oh, did I mention we "got" to ride the ferry daily?!?!? It was cool, the first day....but after that it got a bit long. Most of our time was literally spent riding on the ferry! Oh well, it was all part of the experience. And I am so greatful to God for allowing me to have this wonderful journey!

All Stars!

2009-07-02T08:14:00.000-07:00

We have been traveling to Canton since Monday of last week for All Stars Softball. Meredith and the team have had such a wonderful, exciting time playing in this tournament. They had some ups and downs! Lots of exciting plays that had us all up on our feet. They didn't win last night, but we were all so proud of their effort and dedication, night after night. I counted up in my calendar and found that Meredith has been practicing or playing softball for 14 weeks straight now. I am kinda glad that it's over. But on the other hand a bit sad. Watching her play and enjoy this has really been a joy for me!

Two posts in one day...

2009-01-31T20:19:00.000-08:00

don't fall over Judith! I am posting twice in one day. What can I tell you..it's 111:20 and I am not sleepy. So, I am on the computer just fooling around. I saw this on Heather's blog and decided to do it. It's a "photo tag". You go to your photo editing software, open it, go to the 8th folder, then go to the 8th photo. Post it on your blog and share the story behind it. So here's mine. It's a photo from this summer's trip to Charleston. As most of you know, I LOVE me some Charleston! I took this photo of Meredith with another photo in mind. I wish I had it on this computer and could post it for comparison. But, it's a photo of her sitting on the beach, facing the ocean, when she was just 11 months old. This day on the beach, I just couldn't believe how fast she had grown and changed. This isn't a posed picture, she just stopped for a moment to gaze out at the vastness of the ocean, and I was lucky enough to have my camera ready!

Tagged!

2009-01-31T19:25:00.000-08:00

Well, Erin tagged me on her blog. And I have been tagged several times on Facebook too, so I am going to post 10 Honest Things about me here:
1. I would love to have a job that involves my passion for creating. While I enjoy my current job, and have lots of fun doing it...my heart longs to do something "crafty" and creative and make money at it!

2. I love food, but I hate grocery shopping! Go figure!

3. I find motherhood to be the most challenging and rewarding thing I have done in my life, so far. Being Meredith's mom is certainly harder most days than I anticipated it would be. But I wouldn't trade it for anything.

4. I wish that I would have finished college. I had no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up, so picking a major and working towards a career seemed impossible, at the time. It sure would have been easier if I had had a bit of life experience to guide me back then.

5. I am so thankful for my friends! As I grow older, I realize it's not the quantity of friends that I have, but the quality! And wow...I can say I have some high quality friends!

6. I am trying daily to be more faithful. I want to pray more, read the Bible more and learn more.

7. I enjoy teaching classes at our church on Sunday and Wednesday nights. Although I have worries that I am not "qualified" to do it. **Refer to #6**

8. I am proud to be married to Mark for 15 years. I joke that I was a "child bride", but wouldn't change a thing about the road that we have traveled together!

9. My weight is a daily struggle for me. I wish that it wasn't always on my mind.

10. I love American Idol, The Biggest Loser and Clean House. I guess I am sucker for "reality" tv. Somehow it makes me feel a little better about myself...seeing how messed up some people are. That's sick, isn't it?

So, there you have it! A few little nuggets of truth about me. And here's a silly photo to go along with it. It was taken by one of the Acteens girls at church!

Sugar coated

2009-01-27T14:37:00.000-08:00

We loved having the snow the other day. I just wish it would REALLY snow. You know, the kind we used to get when we were kids?!? I felt so bad for Meredith, though. It was a snow day AND a workday at school for me. So, she had to go to school in the snow! What a bummer. But, as soon as we got home she layered up so she could go outside. This was such a powdery, dry snow here. After rolling and jumping on the trampoline, she looked almost like she had been dusted with sugar. Hopefully, the next snow will amount to enough for school to be called off (for me too), and we can stay out and play all day.

Christmas outtakes

2008-12-24T08:34:00.000-08:00

Well, this is what I get when I try to get a decent photo of me and Meredith in front of the Christmas tree. She will not, can not, keep a straight face. I just want one nice, pretty smile. But she either has her eyes closed or her tounge out. Silly girl! Still, it's all in good fun!

A blog update this is for you Erin

2008-11-25T17:27:00.000-08:00

Okay, I have heard the message...this ol' blog is so stale! So I have copied Judith, yet again, and tracked this blog template down. But I must say it's my pal, Erin, that prompted me to make a change and a post! I loved your blog template so much Erin, and ofcourse the darling little LM's video. So here's a photo of my girl...although not so little anymore.
:) B

June TwelveFridays

2008-06-25T07:46:00.000-07:00

A few layouts completed with the June Twelvefridays kit. It always feels good to get a bit o' scrappin' in here and there. :)

The Graduate

2008-06-23T08:13:00.000-07:00

Well, it's official. Meredith is a 2nd grade graduate. I can hardly believe that she is now half way through her elementary school experience! Granted she has probably only completed the easier half, but half none the less. We are so proud of her accomplishments throughout this year. Especially her reading achievements. She actually read 100 AR (accelerated reader) books this school year. Not to mention the ones that she just read for fun. I am so glad that she enjoys reading and I know it will only enrich her life.

I just loved their little graduation ceremony. The homemade mortar boards, the yarn tassels and the fact that the principal presented each of them with their "diploma". It was a special day!

Nature's Beauty

2008-05-21T13:53:00.000-07:00

Just some random thoughts and a photo to share today. I realized I hadn't posted anything in a month. So I thought I would share this photo taken on Mother's Day. As you may recall, Mother's Day was windy and cool here, and we did get a quick rain shower here too. On our way home that evening, Mark spotted the rainbow coming down right near this old silo. It's near the house, and I have photographed it before. But luckily I had my camera this day and I got a few shots before the rainbow faded away. Can you see it? I know it's faint, but it's there.

A few layouts

2008-04-21T14:05:00.000-07:00

I picked up my April DT kit for 12Fridays from Heather on Thursday. I finally got a few layouts completed over the weekend. So, I thought I would put them here for anyone who wanted to check them out. The "80's girl" layout is a crazy, goofy pic of me from the late eighties. It's not the best, but the only one I had on hand, so I went for it. I loved the list of things from the 80's. I admit I am an 80's girl...still love the music....listen to it daily. Then there's a layout of Miss M, on Easter. She wasn't wild about the little crown stamp on her head, but I think it's kinda fun.

Sneak Peek

2008-04-07T15:57:00.000-07:00

Finally getting a moment to post a few shots from yesterday! Amy and Steve are a really sweet, recently engaged couple. I had a blast with them, and really feel honored that I had the opportunity to work with them on these. Hope you like them, Amy and Steve! Amy, I will be seeing you in a few days.

Hello Digi

2008-03-27T19:49:00.000-07:00

Another digital layout. I am really getting into this. This layout was totally inspired by a layout in the book "Scrapbooking Digitally". I don't remember the artist name (sorry)! But I love the design of her layout called "delightful". So I wanted to see if I could recreate it for myself. I added a few things...not much. Patterned paper is my own design and circle brush was downloaded from the internet. Love how this turned out! :)

Digital layout!

2008-03-26T16:54:00.000-07:00

My first time attempting a digital layout! Whoo hoo! It was fun and pretty easy to do. I think I could get used to not having to clean up a big mess when I am finished scrapbooking. Used the papers that I designed (again) on this layout. I guess I will have to either create more papers or buy some digital kits so I can play some more. Photo of Meredith from this Easter. Loved her in her baby blue Easter dress! She had a blast hunting eggs at both grandparent's houses. She was an 'ol pro by the time she hunted eggs with her cousins. She found 48 eggs! Can you believe that. She was pretty excited, needless to say. And now we have more Easter candy than one household really should.

A few layouts

2008-03-18T18:48:00.000-07:00

Just a few layouts/projects completed for TwelveFridays, this month. Glad to have some photos from the summer scrapbooked....finally!

Ready to Ride

2008-03-10T14:16:00.000-07:00

Well, trying this post again. I put it all on there yesterday and then my pics disappeared. Weird! Anywho, this is Meredith on her 4-wheeler. Her Pop had told her months ago that she could have this little 4-wheeler to ride up on the mountain. She and Mark promptly went out and bought her a helmet. That was in December. Now, finally...in March she has gotten her first taste of riding. She has been the passenger many times, but never the driver. Our nieces, Brooke and Laura have been riding for a while now. They are much more brave on theirs than Meredith. Which was totally fine with me! She had a great time, all the same.

Introducing Riley Danielle

2008-03-05T15:24:00.000-08:00

So excited to share a few shots of our new niece, Riley Danielle. Daughter of Mark's youngest sister, Melissa and husband, Reese. I was so honored to have the opportunity of being present for her birth! What a dramatic and intense experience!

Her stats:
Born on: March 4, 2008
Time: 8:19 p.m
Weight: 6 lbs. 10 ozs.
Length: 20 inches

And ofcourse, Meredith couldn't be happier to welcome her newest cousin!

You Shine

2008-02-28T14:06:00.000-08:00

I scrapbooked last night, just for me. It felt good. I got out the stuff...printed the picture and just played! The photo of Meredith is from our one good snow. She had a blast sledding, making a snowman and having a snowball fight with her Dad. It was a fun day! The layout has papers on it that I designed. I had printed these out months ago and decided to finally do something with them.

Dreaming.....

2008-02-26T14:33:00.000-08:00

of warm weather and sunshine. I think I would feel better (and maybe get over this cold that I have had for over a week) if I could just feel the warm Charleston sunshine and smell the salt air. This is a photo of our trip there, last Spring Break. Which, it was actually very cold and windy the whole time we were there. Meredith still wanted to put on her bathing suit and enjoy the sand. I am dreaming today of our next trip to Charleston. Still one of my all time favorite places to visit!!

TwelveFridays!!!!!

2008-02-01T13:56:00.000-08:00

I am so excited to be a part of the Design Team for this NEW kit club. Each month the kit will include exclusive papers designed just for TwelveFridays. Along with a bunch of cool embellishments to make your scrapbook dreams come true! ;) This is a layout I did using the first month's kit. Check out the link to the right!

Daddy-of-the-Year

2008-01-28T16:44:00.000-08:00

It's official! Meredith and I have voted and we have decided that Mark is "Daddy of the Year"....for us, at least. Unfortunately, Meredith and I both had a nasty (repeat NASTY) stomach bug over the weekend and Mark came to the rescue. He took such good care of his two sick girls! I know in the wedding vows it says "for better or for worse". Well, this surely would fall into the worse category!

Then to top it all off, he even did the grocery shopping for the week! What a great guy. I knew it all along, honestly....but it sure is nice to be reminded how lucky I really am to have him.

Oh, and a photo that I love of our Daddy of the Year with his little girl! Taken on the Blue Ridge Parkway; Fall '07.

Blogging in reverse

2008-01-23T17:13:00.000-08:00

Well, since I have lots o' photos that have neither been scrapped nor blogged, I thought I would just do the year in review BACKWARDS! So you have seen a shot from December. Here are two from October that I really like. We'll call these "Good Witch" & "Bad Witch"!

I believe this is the third time she's been a witch for Halloween. And oddly enough, I like her best in this type costume. What does that say about her personality....or maybe mine! ?!?

Inspired.....

2008-01-22T16:48:00.000-08:00

Giving the "blog thing" another try, as I was inspired (as always) by my pal, Judith. I think you were right, Judith....about accountability and such. Should be fun! So let's start with a photo that I love from last month.

Follow Your Bliss

Merry Christmas

This Family is...

This Monkey Means Business!

Biltmore/Kiwanis 5K Classic

This is a test....only a test!

This is so cool

Why? Oh Why? Maybe when pigs fly!

Where we're going....where we've been....

Meet Annie!

Deep Impact - Fort Caswell

All Stars!

Two posts in one day...

Tagged!

Sugar coated

Christmas outtakes

A blog update *this is for you Erin*

June TwelveFridays

The Graduate

Nature's Beauty

A few layouts

Sneak Peek

Hello Digi

Digital layout!

A few layouts

Ready to Ride

Introducing Riley Danielle

You Shine

Dreaming.....

TwelveFridays!!!!!

Daddy-of-the-Year

Blogging in reverse

Inspired.....

A blog update this is for you Erin