Carolina Mama Review 2011

                        

As each New Year commences, I look forward with eager anticipation. A childlike wonder at what the year will hold. I set goals, yes, the old resolution type with a healthy dose of old-fashion resolve.

Chicago Summer 2011

There are usually a couple of things on the calendar. The routines and schedule will soon begin and then the fun of filling out the year - living. The expected and the unexpected. This year, my blog brought many amazing opportunities to work with incredible brands that represent America and family. I'm honored.

And the unpredictable. As a believer, the Christian life leads me to renew my faith and trust in the Lord of my life and His knowing the best plan for me regardless of the joy or pain it may bring. Sometimes it is not an easy road. Other times, it is a full year and life of activity. That was our 2011.

This I'll say with complete dependence on Christ our Savior, that I have no idea what is in store for us in 2012. And I do know God loves us the same this year as the years before and after. I know that he will see us through whatever circumstance comes our way:

"For we know that all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

May we trust Him, love Him, serve Him and praise Him the same regardless. Only He can give us the grace to do that.

Looking back on 2011, we were blessed indeed to spend great family time, grow the Carolina Mama writing and travel side of my blog, and see some awesome places in the process. And it was truly a wonderful year in the life of our family, Carolina Mama, travels and family time.

As I reflect on 2011, I am thankful for the amazing opportunities to work with so many outstanding brands. I have been honored to join the Hanes Comfort Crew this year and share, learn and grow this awesome "Crew!" I am psyched to continue as a Rayovac Power Blogger and champion along with this incredible and durable Brand that 'lasts longer' - really!  We get to test it and prove it.  Joining the eBay Parent Panel was a perfect match for me because I have always turned to eBay as a Buyer and a Seller.

These trusted family and consumer brands have welcomed each of us like family as we have shared their brands with you and lived life with their products.

For, oh, the amazing places we have gone and our awesome family time together. Here we go.  Looking forward to 2012 being the Best Year Ever!  

* Our 2011 Review *

January kicked off the year with an awesome time at Blissdom in Nashville, Tennessee. This was my first Blissdom Conference, and I loved it and got to see familiar faces and meet folks I had only met online prior.  And meet great brands and learn a lot.  Then I flew to Charlotte and met my family there where we launched an amazing new product Eat.Think.Smile with fabulous Moms there.  Awesome, healthy chocolate.  Life is good!

February Ocean Isle Inn, North Carolina hosted our NC Mom Bloggers Conference. This was an awesome time of learning, community and a great little fun on the beach. 

March - Again my heart was moved and inspired by Sally Clarkson of Mom Heart Conference in Raleigh, NC as a Retreat on Moms, Family and Home.  Then the  North Carolina Tourism Event invited Jen with One Mom's World and our children. Loved discovering and connecting with these phenomenal North Carolina families and learning about lot of NC family fun.

April  My family was honored to join the Hanes Comfort Crew to Disney;  what an incredible time of relationship and comfort in the middle of Disney with a brand that is all about people and comfort; this was truly memories of a life time for us.   We were invited to the Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, FL to have Lunch with an Astronaut and this was moving to see our boys dream of walking on the moon.  

May - Visit Kissimmee hosted us for the second year as we discovered the Wonders of Florida in Osecola County.  We love it there.  Then it was home to the Southern 

Carolina Inn, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, for a weekend rich in Southern culture, history and cuisine!  This included the famous High Tea even with the Tigers.  We're all hooked, now. 

May also took us to The Cove, Asheville, NC.  My husband and I loved our "get away" and what a refreshing time spiritually and physically.  We heard from heaven.   And we got to hear and meet the fabulous Shaun Groves!  Too fun!  And what a message he shares.

We culminated our May and Spring with a family vacation to the High Hampton Inn, Cashiers, NC - Truly an Inn to Remember.  Life is different there.

We connected as a family and with the outdoors and life in such a beautiful way here.  The European French daily feasts and Fly Fishing helped! :)  Or was it the ice cold Water Fall, Tennis, Swimming in the Lake....

June - I was so privileged to visit Minneapolis, Minnesota with General Mills for Box Tops University!  What a delight!  We have clipped and saved all these years and GM showed us all the good Box Tops for Education is doing for our schools and ultimately our children.  I was moved to participate.

For the 2nd year, I got to lead a Race for the Cure - Susan G. Komen Team of Carolina Bloggers and Friends sponsored by Hanes Comfort.  We had a great team and were able to dedicate our race to our own NC Mom Blogger, Chele Chestnut who was battling cancer.  This moved us all to tears especially when Chele crossed that finish line for the first time.  This is what life is.  This is why I blog. 

July - At home in NC - the July 4th Parade, a Family Wedding turned into a mini reunion.  Home in the Summer is beautiful. 

August - August took us to Chicago, Illinois ... to see family.   Lots of family and our 5 day old Great Niece!  And precious 9 month old Great Nephew!   We loved the Sears Tower, the Tigers were brave for the Sky Deck!  We are the Heartland - Our Family Reunion ages ranged from 5 days to 77 years, 4 generations.  Priceless.

Then it was an early Field Trip for the Homeschool:  What a quintessential field trip of all time - The Creation Museum, Cincinnati,OH/Lebron, KY.  This is a believers - Creationist's - delight!  

September -  It was a thrill to be invited to join the eBay Parent Panel and commence in Orlando, Florida with the eBay OnLocation; what a fun group on the eBay Parent Panel;  We wrapped the Summer with Boogie- Boarding on Wrightsville Beach, NC; we're in our element at the beach. I actually got to read and sip my Starbucks this year.  

A couple of weeks later Thomas Nelson invited me to join the ever-so-popular Women of Faith Conference, Charlotte, NC;  I was blessed and renewed in a mighty way that weekend.  And my friend Jen shared it with me.  Moms need that sometimes. 

October -  We were truly blessed with when Colorado Grandparents came to Carolina to visit; a beautiful family time.  We LOVED just spending time together.  And weft in a little NC family time Camping at the Lake - you know, light saber duals from the back yard to lake side.  And Tiger A and I couldn't take the cold, so we turned it into a car camp. Worked for us = a little bit of sleep. :) 

November - A Carolina Thanksgiving and Christmas Musical - home; I'm so very proud of Boulder Mountain Man and the Tigers for their hard work on our musical.  I was teary-eyed at their diligence. 

December - For the 2nd year, we celebrated A Carolina Christmas, Charlotte, NC; this was magical. The lovely and FUN Great Wolf Lodge, NC, hosted us and we indulged in Snowland the entire time we were there.  And one can never tire of the Howling Tornado! 

Then it was a surprise to the  NASCAR Hall of Fame for the Tigers, this after banking on the Charlotte Motor Speedway to see the Christmas lights the night before - this included seeing the largest outdoor Drive In!  How fun to see Polar Express in this manner. 

Great Wolf Lodge Christmas 2011

It was a blessed year y'all and we look forward to the blessings and lessons of 2012!  Happy New Year to you and Thank You all for doing life with us here at Carolina Mama.

Beautiful year, thankful girl!

Cheers and God Bless! 

Warmly, Carolina Mama