Remembering 2011

It is going to be hard to catch up with a whole year of events for our family, especially since this was the year that we had many big events to remember - Molly's Wedding, as well as two of the cousins, Erika and Brock.  And then Ben and Cassidy's expectance of a baby!

Here are just a few photos from the year to remind me of some of the smaller things that were happening in our lives.

 Hannah and Mom got to go camping with our favorite neighbors up to Smith and Morehouse. A summer would just not be the same if we couldn't camp with the gang.

 We lost our big willow tree in the backyard this year.  Luckly the fall did not damage our house or the neighbor's.  But it was a huge mess to clear out.  I am ever grateful to all my friends who pitched in and hauled it away.

 One of my favorite times always is taking pictures on the first day of school.  Here is Lizzy above ready for her first year of High School and Chris below celebrating his last year!

 Hannah is just taking the big step into Junior High.  She seems pretty confident for the first day.

 One of the successes of the year for Hannah was learning to play the violin.  Here she is at her fall concert.  She did an excellant job of performing. She is very talented when it comes to music.

One of the successes of the year for Chris was he was always going to another dance.

And the year ended with the whole family being together for Christmas.  Here we are in our traditional family shot at the top of the banister.  I sure love this big bunch of wonderful people!  

So here is what I imagine myself doing.  I am interested in being surrounded with vibrant color. After looking at art blogs and searching the internet for watercolor portriats, I have found these two that I think would be similar to the style of painting I see myself doing.

This is my affrimation statement:

I am an artist, filled with passion, surrounded by vibrant color.

IF THERE IS NO PASSION IN YOUR LIFE, THEN HAVE YOU REALLY LIVED? Alan Armstrong

April 4, 2012

We all have plans to doing something big, like take a trip, lose some weight, fall in love, write a blog, things we are going to do when we get around to it. Well I have had one of those plans. I have always planned to go back to my artwork when I have time, when the kids are grown, when I'm older. 

I just finished an amazing development class (Power of Choice) and have decided that I need something in my life that I can be passionate about. I don't want to look back someday and ask "have I really lived". So I am setting a goal. In the next 90 days, I am going to fulfill my dream as an artist and complete a portriat of each of my children. Wow, big! Yes that is 7 portraits in 90 days and I haven't even picked up a pencil in the last 25 years. 

Follow my progress with me as I begin this journey.  And if you see me, don't forget to ask me how it's coming.