It's the most wonderful time of year...

I am not going to lie...I TOTALLY get into Christmas cards. I love receiving them, I love sending them, and I love creating them!

This year, I will be ordering our Christmas cards through shutterfly. I will be completely honest here, I have only used shutterfly once. And that was to order my sister-in-law large prints of the pictures I took of my niece and nephew. But, let me tell you, I was soooo happy with my decision! The coloring was amazing, the edges didn't cut off the image and there wasn't any distortion what-so-ever! Besides their Christmas cards, there are some other products I'd love to try of their's. Their photo albums and calendars. I know from my experience with their prints that the quality of these two products would probably be fabulous! And the other product I cannot wait to use is their photo story cards. And the reason I use the term "cannot wait" is because, I would never use them until I have an active family. Who wants to hear about the best chicken I ever made? Yep, no one...that's what I thought!

I have a few different things that are important to me when creating my Christmas cards.

The first thing:

It must say "Christmas" within the card or at least reference to "Christmas". I know, I know, some of you may choose to disagree but, my reasoning... we are Christians. And this is the reason we celebrate this holiday...for Christ. So, :P

The second thing:

I like to have a signature of some sort. Such as, "The B's", "Love, The B Family", or "Merry Christmas from M, H & R". I like to make it personal that way...and show that it's directly from us. Plus, as a newly married woman, I like to see my "new" last name everywhere! ;)

The third thing:

We don't have children...so, yes, I am "one of those people". I prefer to have our pooch on the card. He is family. And everyone that receives our card knows this too -- so, why not show a picture of our "child"? What? He's cute too!

So, with all of those standards...here are a few of the cards that I think our family would select as our Christmas card for 2010. What do you think?

This one I'd probably be more likely to choose...why? Because it meets all of my criteria :)

I love, love, love this one. But, if I were to choose it, I would want a different picture. One a bit fancier...prettier...don't you think?

And this one was just so simple. Like us...it got the message across. Plus, it fit the picture the best. Oh, now the choices!

Where will you be making your Christmas cards? Do you send out Christmas Cards? Do you have criteria for your cards?

Photography...

I am super excited about possibly advancing my photography hobby. And by doing that, I mean taking more pictures. I have been keeping extremely busy with it, and I am loving it!!

But, I have no clue on where to start! Someone, please help me!? Guide me?! HOLD MY HAND!

Desperate, huh?

Anyways, so much going on. We are getting closer and closer with our upstairs remodel. I can't wait to post pictures!

Until then, check out my super cute niece who just turned three today.

Adorable, right?

Kids are wayyyy too cute!

What a hot day...I love it!!

This weekend, my sister-in-law and her husband are spending the weekend in Michigan - that means we got to have the kids for the weekend! So, since I knew I would have the kids for a couple of day I called my brother and asked if I could borrow a few of his SLR lenses. Man, I captured all of this in about an hour...LOVE THEM!

Little A looking very innocent...behind the lense she kept pouring very COLD water on me. BRRRR...but, like I said it was hot and it felt nice!




















We also had a fish fry for lunch...and tonight maybe cook up some homemade pizza. I really could get used to the genuine laughs that come from having little people around 24/7 -- their imagination is incredible...and the random comments that come from their mouth. *Sigh* I love being an Auntie!!

My (Second) Man

This is my second favorite man in my life...

Introducing: Riley

How we met: Before Husband was Husband...I lived alone while Husband was working on the road. Booo. I needed someone to keep my sane.

Except, that someone turned into a dog.

I try not to be that crazy dog lady...but, seriously...this dog knows me better than some humans. Okay, so, maybe that did sound a bit crazy...

But, look at those puppy eyes ;)

Re-model Progress...

Well, we are currently in the middle of a remodel.

Our first one.

Errrr. Good idea?


I have been inspired by wayyyy too many bloggers, google finds, and magazines. I really can't wait to show you the before and after pictures.

The thing that is weighing heavy on my mind is...we might not even get to enjoy it ourselves. Which, to be completely honest would be the greatest thing in the world!

No, really.

Do you think I'm crazy yet?!

Well, you see...Husband has a job interview. For the.dream.job. Yupp, really didn't think that opening would happen for 3+ years. So, now here we are. Frantically trying to get the upstairs done. Praying like crazy. Ironing shirts, buying pants, shining shoes, printing resumes. Oh, brother!

Our plan if he gets the job? Quickly finish the remodel...and let someone else enjoy it. :( Really, it would be the best thing that could happen. I promise.

For now, here is the "before"...















Soon to come...widened doors, bigger room, 1/2 bath, and walk-in closet...oh my!

Motivated...

I have been really motivated lately -- no, really.

You don't believe me this time...do you?

Well, let me get you caught up with my life. It's not busy, I promise. It's not even exciting, not one bit.

I am so motivated to make my home beautiful, get tan and skinny, get my act together and blog more. But, I don't..

Here is my goal:
1. To blog at least once a week.
2. To lose 20 pounds by the end of summer.
3. To take more pictures, edit them, and post them.
4. To make our dreams come true.
5. Cook more, try more recipes, and blog about them.
6. To blog about our remodel (Oh, I havent told you?!)
7. To be more organized.

Yes, I know very well that I don't have any followers...but, maybe if I meet these goals...just maybe people will want to read about me??

Life...

It's crazy that the lovely holidays have come and gone! Our first Christmas as a married couple was an interesting one with all of the snow. But, of course it was a great time as always. We have such a wonderful family on both sides and we were lucky enough to spend Christmas with both during the storm!

Shortly before Christmas, I signed up to start selling Scentsy! I am so excited as Scentsy is a product I use myself. Scentsy is a warmer that is plugged in and warmed by a 25 watt light bulb. You then place one of the wax cubes, from your choice of over 80 scents, into the warmer. It makes your house smell wonderful! The warmer doesn't get hot enough to start a fire and the wax won't get hot enough to burn...therefore being home, child, and pet safe!!

Check out my website at http://www.hbumgardner.scentsy.us/ for more information!

Oh, I've also decided that while blogging I am going to be calling my husband Lineman (for his privacy). The reason being...well, he is an electrical lineman -- that is his lovely career that also is his passion...

Lineman and I have been gearing up for our Spring remodel. We plan to make our upstairs -- which is entirely a bedroom -- into a pretty sweet bedroom. We have plans for a taking out all the plaster and updating it with sheet rock, adding a walk-in closet, updating the wiring, and re-doing the floors. I hope it goes smoothly when we start as we will be doing it allllll on our own! We have been pricing everything out and purchasing tools!

Well, until next time!