I'm Looking Forward to 2012 Because...

I am very much looking forward to the New Year!! I know my friends have heard me say this before, or seen me post this on my facebook. I just love the whole idea of "New Years"...beginning again... starting fresh... clean slate. Those things just sound really nice, I think!

BUT...this year I have another reason to be very excited about! June 29th, 2012 will be Danny & my 10 year wedding anniversary!!! I can not even explain how exciting that is to me!! I can not put into words how grateful I am that this wonderful man chose to spend the last 10 years of his life married to me! I love him so so SO much!

Our plan is to make this a WHOLE YEAR of celebrating our 10 year wedding anniversary!! On the 29th of each month, we will be going out for a special date night! I'm *REALLY* looking forward to these!! Time with my Hubby...out on a REAL date...not just going grocery shopping together while Arlee watches the boys!! OMGosh...it's going to be fabulous!! And with this being Leap Year...we even get to go out on February 29th!! BONUS!!

I also have been planning little gifts to give to Danny on our "anniversa-dates" ....but, sorry, I can't tell you anything about them just yet!! In case my Husband might just get bored enough one day to read thru my blog! Wouldn't want to ruin the surprise! But, I will post all about them AFTER our dates!

Some other things I'm looking forward to in 2012...

**Getting my house clutter free and organized!! Found a couple websites to help me along with that goal. Gotta love Pinterest...these are both sites a friend had pinned.

First one is...

http://www.mysimplerlife.com/2012.htm ~ This one you can print out calendars, and it gives little suggestions each day of 2012.

AND

http://www.cleanmama.blogspot.com/2011/12/clean-and-organized-2012.html ~ This is the blog, but I will probably mostly be following along using their facebook page. New challenges/ideas every day. Plus deep clean Mondays, and on Fridays they will be sharing ideas for organizing!

**I'm also going to be making myself a new Homemaker's Binder!! My current one is falling apart...so I thought I could revamp the whole thing if I need to transfer it all over to a new binder anyway!

Another sort of "sub goal" that goes along with this one will be keeping better records of donations, medical, etc...so I need to find a way to incorporate this into my Binder so it will make it easier to keep it all organized-like.

**Getting our family more involved in community service. Now that the boys are a little older, I'm really hoping to be able to do this as a family whenever we can. I'm hoping to...fingers are crossed...that I can fit it into our budget...taking out a certain amount of money each month that will go towards community service projects. The flannel to make blankets for Project Linus, the yarn to make scarves & gloves, and other supplies that are needed to help out with Wrapping Clermont Together.

**Planning Arlee's Sweet 16 Party!!

**Midwest Homeschool Convention!! Last year was so much fun when me and 4 other moms went together! This year, I'm hoping to go all 3 days...take in a bunch of great seminars/speakers...and just have an amazing time with some awesome friends!

**Maybe, just maybe, getting our house to the point where we can put it on the market...AND actually SELL it...AND find us a house that our family can fit into a little better! PLUS, a smaller mortgage payment would be a much welcomed blessing!!


2012 is going to be an amazing year!!


What are you looking forward to in 2012??

Cheddar Bacon Ranch Pull Bread

Along with many others...I have been sucked in by Pinterest! I can admit it...I LOVE PINTEREST!! I have already found 296 things that have peaked my interest!

One of the recipes I found on Pinterest was the Cheddar Bacon Ranch Pulls. OMGosh...when I first saw the picture of this...I think my mouth instantly started watering! It just looked sinfully DE-lish! I could not wait to try it!!

Here is the website with the recipe...

http://www.plainchicken.com/2011/07/cheddar-bacon-ranch-pulls.html
{if it doesn't work by clicking the link above, just copy and paste link into search bar}

For us though, when I hit up the stores, I could NOT find sourdough bread for the life of me. :/ {Is that like a seasonal bread, or something??} So instead, we bought a round pan of dinner rolls from Kroger bakery. I did all the same stuff in the directions.

Here are a couple pics of ours BEFORE it went into the oven...










And here is a couple AFTER the oven...








This stuff, even with the bread substitution was A*M*A*Z*I*N*G!!!! Everyone here LOVED it!! We found out that ONE thing of it is NOT enough for all of us! {Making a mental note for next time :) }

If you love these kinds of flavors...soft bread, melted cheese, BACON, ranch flavor...you HAVE TO make this!!!!!! I for sure TOTALLY recommend it!!

ENJOY!!

Wrapping Clermont Together: All Year Give List

January:

Wrapping supplies…Christmas wrapping paper, bows, tape

Paper Towels

February:

Paper plates/cups

Toilet Paper

March:

Dish Soap

Shampoo/Conditioner

April:

Cleaning Supplies {dish liquid, garbage bags, all purpose cleaners, etc.}

Air Fresheners

May:

Toothpaste/Toothbrush

Mouthwash

June:

Bath Soap

Deodorant

July:

Razors/Shaving cream

Combs/Brushes

August:

Aluminum Foil, Plastic Wrap

Hand lotions

September:

Kleenex tissues

Baby bottles

October:

Baby Care Products {diapers, onesies, wipes, bottles, infant toys, etc.}

November:

Detergent/Dryer Sheets

Socks/Underwear {ALL SIZES}

*******

Also needed:

New/Unopened Gifts for infants thru 12 years old.

New/Unopened Gifts for Teens.

Scarves, gloves, hats, coats, etc...all sizes.

**Arlee and I will be knitting scarves & fingerless gloves to donate next year...if anyone would like to help out with this...by knitting themselves, donating yarn, etc....please let me know!

Motivation Always Hits at Unpredicted Times...

So here I sit at 4:34am...why I thought it was a good idea to start a new blog, I have no idea, but felt motivated to do so...so here I am! :)

As I'm sure you have noticed...this blog is still "under construction", so please don't forget your hard hat when you come visit!