Whimsy by Victoria: December 2010

December 30, 2010

Looking back on 2010...

Another year is at an end and new beginnings ahead...I say, "bring it on"! I am more ready for this new year to begin than I was the last. I think I have been emotionally, physically and mentally drained...how did I survive this last year?! ;)

I decided to join in with Rhoda on Top Projects of 2010. Many other bloggers have linked up all their great projects as well...make sure to visit!

I feel there were many projects getting done here, being that my main focus (Of course my 1st priority is my family!) this year has been on remodeling our home. Many I have shared with you all, and many more still to come!

Here are some of my favorite projects of 2010...

Open Shelving

Started off the year with showing you a peek into my kitchen...

Hoping to show you the full reveal by February.

Then Kitchen Window Meets Character, with a ledge, trim and cottage shutters...

Mr. Wonderful built me a Farmtable Island,

painted in cream and distressed with a mahogany planked top...

Using some Burlap and Buttons, I added detail to a couple of linen shade's...

This sweet chair was on to it's 2nd makeover and now looking Fresh and Vintage...

I made this whimsy French sign using old weathered wood and a fun phrase, "Bon Appe'tit"!...

A great Craigslist find became Beautiful and useful again...

I shared how to make your own Faux Stain Glass...

Her Beauty Revealed when I painted and upholstered this curvy sofa...

Finished out this year making some beautiful stockings

out of linen, burlap and canvas with adding crocheted

snowflakes by my mother-in-law at Christmas Time...

Wow...I guess I do feel somewhat accomplished this year, seeing how many things did get done!

On to another new year full of possibilities and dreams...

Happy New Year to you all friends, may all your wishes come true in 2011!!!

Hugs and love,

December 28, 2010

Daughter of Mine...

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! I know we sure enjoyed ours!

Being that I am NOT a morning person, I love that our kids don't wake us up too early on Christmas morning. When the kids do come to wake us up, we have a tradition of me or the husband going to check to see if Santa came...this is a way for us to turn the lights on the tree so the kids will see the sparkley lights on the presents. It is also a priceless way to watch their faces as they finally see what Santa left them!

The thing I love...even though 4 of our kiddos are old enough to now know who brings the presents, they still go along with it for Lil' Bug. The older kids make sure to show Lil' Bug where Santa is at en-route on NORAD to our house. They make sure the cookies and milk are ready and our daughter, now 15 still writes the Santa "thank you" note before she goes to bed. Little things like this with our kids, we cherish.

We enjoyed the rest of our day, playing...or more like the husband now was building many things with the boys...K'NEX, Legos, and playing new video games. I love getting to sit back and take these moments in...trying to embed them in my memory forever.

My kids are growing up way too fast...where has the years gone?

Speaking of years...our daughter now lets us know often she only has a few years left until she graduates. I remember the day...more like the moment she was born...it seemed like it would be forever until she was this old.

Her and I...we are very close. Many times she has told me how her friends wished they could be as open and talk to their moms the way she and I can. I feel blessed, but I also know I have worked very hard as a parent to be this kind of mom with my kids. Everything is open for discussion in our home...that way the lines of trust and communication remain the foundation in our relationships.

One thing I enjoy so much about having a daughter, I did not get this closeness growing up. My birth mother left when I was 3. I did have mother figures in my life, but I still always felt a missing connection. Envied many of my friends that had this with their moms...the moment I found out I was having a girl, beyond excitement! I now have felt this connection I missed growing up. Our kids and family, they are everything!

With all the boys we have been blessed with, grateful to get to share girly things with at least one of my kiddos. I love that my daughter loves all things girly! She has such a fashion sense and confidence about who she is...I learn from her all the time. Here are a few photos I wanted to share about this amazing, beautiful daughter of mine...