2015 In Review...

2015 has come to a close.

I really can't believe it's over!

Our family is truly blessed.

I am halfway through my fourth term at WGU and am planning to graduate either in the winter of 2017 or spring of 2018.

Evan has finished his third semester at GVSU.

Nate is halfway through his freshman year in high school.

We are all buzzing along!

My baking business has slowed down a bit (by choice).  I am still taking limited orders, but with working full time outside of the home (oh, that's another story!) and going to school full time, it just doesn't leave the time for a lot of orders.  In January of 2015 we rang in the new year quietly.  I celebrated another birthday in February.  Nate had band concerts in March.  The winter came and went without much new.  In April, I attended a cookie baking conference where we learned loads about cookie decorating and even making cake pops.  It was great to meet all of the ladies I knew from our baking groups online in person.  There were ladies from Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Canada.  May brought Tulip Time once again.  Nate marched with the band in the parade and also in the Memorial Day parade.

 In June we went to Mackinac Island for a family vacation.  It was a lovely time.

July Fourth we stayed home this year due to Jamie's new job.  Oh yeah...he has a new job!  He has really  been blessed by the position he was offered and we were excited about that.  In August, we took another trip to the Island.  This time we went with my parents.  It was a lovely time.  August also brought about some challenges in our lives.  Although I have always heard and read a lot about spiritual warfare, I never knew the reality of it until this past year.  I never knew that the enemy could use people for such evil and wickedness to attack others.  We went through a real attack this past year.  I went through a period of anger, sadness, depression...and overall desperation, not eating or sleeping much.  Surrounded in prayer by our friends and family, we came through victoriously.  God was with us the whole time.  I will never fully understand why we had to endure such awfulness, but I have to believe that God has a plan in everything.  My challenge now is forgiveness.  What we went through was so awful...I know God wants me to forgive...but it's hard...and I'd appreciate your prayers.  It will take time...a lot of time...

August through October were tough...but God got us through.

On a happy note!

By October, I had been doing a lot of thinking...and decided it was time for change.

I decided to look for a new job.

Ever just KNOW that something is a "God-Thing"???

I applied online at a local company.

I was called the next day for an interview.

That day they asked me to come in for testing.

At the end of testing, I was told I was hired!

Originally, I was told that the way things worked was that I'd be hired in as a "temp" for three months and I'd have to work third shift.

I got a phone call the next day with an offer for a "direct hire" with the company on FIRST SHIFT!

Was that God or what?

It just doesn't happen like that people kept telling me!

Although I was hired in directly, for me, it's just a temporary job...two years max...until I finish my degree.  I will work here until I start my student teaching.

Pretty cool!

October was a pretty blessed month!

November we spent Thanksgiving evening with my family playing games and having desserts.  It was a great day.

December brings us to the end of the year...we had a lovely Christmas with extended family and also the four of us.

Tonight we close out 2015...

I am looking forward to 2016!

I do not make resolutions.

I tend to feel like a failure when I don't keep them, haha.

I just wake up each day and give God my best for that day...or at least I try! ;)

Wishing you and yours a very safe, healthy, and happy 2016!!!

TTFN...

Melody

Mackinac Island Trip #2...(long time, no post!)

 I know, I know.

I've become one of those bloggers who I always complain about...

They just disappear with no explanation.

I went on a little hiatus...from blogging, Facebook, all social media...pretty much...LIFE.

In August, we went on trip #2 to Mackinac Island with my parents as a little "end of summer celebration"...however, while there, we received a phone call that pretty much turned our life upside down for 3 months.  After 3 months of pure h---...I am praising God because...

IT. IS. OVER. 

Hallelujah!

But anyway...back to our trip!

Above is a picture I took on the way up.

I always try to get a picture of this tree and somehow miss it.

We refer to it as "Shoe Tree".

As you can see, there are a million shoes that people have randomly thrown up on it, LOL!

me and mom in Mackinac City...and a few views of the Mackinac Bridge...

 We were so blessed and excited that my parents came with us for the week!

 I don't usually buy souvenirs...but I found this adorable ring-watch at a cute little store for $1.00!  How could I pass it up?  Ha!

 I decided that next spring/summer, I'm going to build a Fairy Garden.

I think I'm going with a "Pure Michigan" theme.

So I started it off with purchasing a little "turtle" (Mackinac Island) made of shells.

 This year was the first year we ever visited the Peace Garden on the Island.

It is really beautiful!

 We celebrated my Nate's b-day while there!

Happy 15th Natee!

we went to the  "1852 Grill Room" for dinner for Nate's b-day...fancy!

 Playing cards one evening...

 Up at Surrey Hill...

 The flowers were AMAZING this year!!!

 We never have "plans" when on the Island.  We just start out each day and wander.

We love hiking through the forest.

The trees and greenery are amazing.

The newly constructed Ft. Holmes is awesome!

 We had so much fun with mom and dad.

And with the stress of the phone call we received early on in the trip...their prayers, support, and encouragement really helped us maintain "some" sense of fun on the trip despite the news.

 If you've never been to the Grand Hotel Horse Museum, you simply must go.  It's actually free too!  It has so many old fashioned carriages to look at.

I can't believe it's already November and it took me this long to get an August post out, LOL!

I'll try to get some more Sept/Oct updates out soon as well!

Hope you are having a blessed Autumn!

July And August...Family, Feasts, the Fourth, and Frivolous (stuff)...

Mom, cousin Tiffany, and me.

 I can't believe I didn't write one post during the month of July.  That can only mean one thing...either I'm TOO OVERLY busy...or...NOTHING AT ALL is happening.

I think it is the first.  Too much going on.

I will warn you...these events are COMPLETELY out of order because I posted the pictures backwards, LOL!

Last weekend, my cousin Tiffany and her family came up to Michigan from Illinois to visit.  On Saturday my sis invite my family and my parents up for a cookout so we could all visit and catch up.

Logan, Raegan, and Ben

 We had a fabulous time.  We had burgers and dogs, fresh veggies, watermelon, chips, and dip.  We all chatted and the kids played and then we took them down to the subdivision's pool later for a dip.

Me and Jess.

 Sisters...friends.

Raegan, my niece, with her "name cookie" that I baked.

 For dessert, my sister had butterscotch chewies, strawberry rhubarb crisp, ice cream, monster cookies...and then I brought along some of my decorated sugar cookies.

Summer Lovin' cookies!

 I went with a summer theme for this platter and made one with everyone's name as well.

You can check out all of my creations on my baking blog here:
http://sweetivyconfections.blogspot.com/

My flowers and patriotic decor

 Like I said, this post is out of order...forgive!

This year instead of planting my old stand-by (petunias)...I went with geraniums and dusty miller.  They have done really well, even though we haven't had much rain.  I've been consistently watering them daily, but they seem to be more forgiving than petunias if I miss a day.  This was the first July 4th in YEARS, that we haven't spent the week at Mackinac Island.  Due to hubby and Evan's work schedules, we had to take a June trip instead of a July trip (BUT WE'RE GOING BACK IN AUGUST!).  Anywho...I put out some patriotic decor since we were home this year.  Some little flags and red/white/blue hearts in the window box.

My garden flag and more flowers!

 Oh!  I also got marigolds!  I almost forgot.  They are doing exceptionally well too!

I put two pots of those on each side of the garage.

The deck

 Last year, we had to have all of the wood trim replaced around the sides of our garage.  That is where I had my bracket/holder for my flag.  Well, we had to take it down during the construction...and...it never got put back up.  Soooo...I now hang my American flag as a banner on the deck during the patriotic holidays.  I added some red/white/blue bows as well.

The front porch

 My hydrangea bush seems to be struggling each year.  A big threatening "weed" or "growth" of some kind took root in there and it is THICK.  I think it may be threatening my poor little hydrangea.  It is too thick to pull out, so I have cut it down to the ground, but it still grows back.  The hydrangeas have been holding their own though and blooming beautifully each year.  I got it as a tiny little plant and now it's quite large!

 Some of you may remember me sharing, I was born in Tennessee, but grew up in Illinois before moving to Michigan at age 12.  When I lived in Illinois, we lived just the other side of the river from St. Louis...so we were always Cardinal fans growing up. (I've since been converted to a Detroit Tiger fan by my hubby, hehe!)  But anyway, my parents were headed back "home" for a family reunion and my aunt asked if I'd make her some cookies (what I do in my "free" time, lol).  These were a fun set to make and I think they enjoyed them.  They are buttery vanilla almond with royal icing.

 Ever since I got my fireplace for Christmas last year, I've enjoyed decorating it for all the holidays and seasons.  After July 4th, I didn't really have a season/holiday to go with.  So I did a "Pure Michigan" theme!

Smitten With The Mitten

Home

 Well...after many years...I finally retired "Rex".  "Rex" was my old cell phone.  The boys called it Rex (as in T-Rex) because it was as "old as a dinosaur" they told me.  I am a "little" late to the party, but I finally got a smart phone.  WOW.  Am I ever having fun, LOL!

And I am in love with my girly little case!  Ha!

Each month when I decorate my mantel, I try to coordinate my hallway chalkboard.  Thus...the "Smitten With The Mitten" (Pure Michigan) chalkboard!

 I am still plugging away at school!

I am almost done with my third term at WGU which will put me just over half way done with my degree!  If there is one thing I can instill in my sons, it's to FINISH COLLEGE immediately after high school.  I am proud of what I am doing in showing them that it's important to finish what you start and that anything is possible!  But I want them to know how important it is for them to do it right when they finish high school.  They see how hard it is for me now...working 55+ hours a week with my daycare business, running my part-time baking business, raising a family...PLUS going to school full time!  But I'm going to show them!  Dreams come true when you work hard!  I know that the day I get my diploma not only will I be excited...but I'm pretty sure I will cry...tears of joy, pure exhaustion, and gratitude.

Well...I think that catches us up 'til now!

We have one more trip to Mackinac we're taking.  I'll be sure to post pics of that when we get back.  I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer!

God bless!

Mackinac Island In June!

 In June, we took a trip to our favorite vacation destination, Mackinac Island.

People don't even have to ask us where we're going on vacation...they know.

Our love for the Island is evident.  Everyone knows.

Some folks have asked us, "Don't you get sick of going there? Don't you want to go somewhere else?"  And they always get a resounding (from all four of us) "NO THANK-YOU!"  Haha!

We stayed for five days and had a wonderful time.

One of my favorite signs on a trail.

 It rained a little, but we never let that dampen our spirits.  "That's what umbrellas are for!" we always say!  We still walk, hike, bike, and do every other thing we feel like doing.  No amount of imperfect weather stops us!

 We walked the entire perimeter of the Island (8 miles) and stopped off at British Landing at the CannonBall for fried pickles.

 I always love seeing all of these rock statues that people stop and build.  The boys stopped and created one during our walk.

 The flowers are always so beautiful on the Island.

 For June, it was actually quite cool (meaning jackets most days and even jeans for me on a few occasions).

 Naturally, being so cool...I didn't think about sunscreen (one of the few days I wore shorts).

So, my knees got a little fried as I was sitting outside by the lake.

 Me and my babes!

The boys on their electronics...

 We stayed at the Harbour View Inn.

 Me and my Natee!

 We always stop off at Sadie's for ice cream (at least once)!

 Gorgeous flowers at Mission Point.

 Jamie and the boys at Sugar Loaf.

 GORGEOUS lilacs!

My guys get sick of me...I stop at EVERY lilac bush to stop and smell them, LOL!

 Jamie and the boys hiking up Rifle Range to see the newly built Fort Holmes.

All of us at Round Island Bar & Grill for dinner.

We had an awesome time and will be headed back later this summer with my parents for a week!  I can't wait!