find joy in the journey

dress to skirt refashion

Months ago I came across the most ingenious sewing project.  It lit a little light bulb in my head as I realized all the possibilities.  This weekend I finally got around to making it happen.

The idea is to take a perfectly fine little girl's dress that has gotten a little too small . . . . . 

(Anna, May 2009)

and stretch it's life by turning it into a skirt . . . . 

(Anna, today)

Basically, you can take any empire waisted dress that has some gathering, cut off the top (I cut it right at the seam), sew a casing and add elastic.  Wah-la!  It's a new skirt!  This was perfect because I still loved the dress, the colors, and the stripes.  The bodice, though, had gotten a little too tight on this girl.  Now we can enjoy this skirt for quite a while to come.

embrace the camera: april 28th

this one captured by Scott on Easter Sunday after church.  After a couple "nice" pictures he said, "okay, give mom a kiss."  Anna is always mooooore than happy to offer a smooch.  I was laughing at just how quickly she swooped in for a kiss - not quite ready!

all your heart, might, mind, and strength

In honor of my brother Mason who is completing his mission today (!) . . . . I thought I would share a talk that Conner gave in Primary this Sunday.  This is the one that I had him write a few weeks ago while we were watching general conference.  He wrote this completely on his own -- his own thoughts, words, ideas.  (I only added the first two sentences once he finished it, to create an introduction.)  

Earlier this month my family and I listened to the leaders of our church speak in general conference.  Our prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, spoke about contributing to the missionary fund and the importance of temples.  

For many years, missionaries have traveled the world and brought people to the gospel.  Even some girls have volunteered.  Once at my grandma's house, my grandma gave hospitality to two girl missionaries.  They volunteered their time even when they didn't need to.

The prophet announced in general conference that there was going to be a new temple in Idaho and Colorado!  The Church of Jesus Christ spreads every day.  I think that we should follow the example the missionaries have set for us in determination to bring the whole world to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In Doctrine & Covenants 4:2 it reads -- Therefore O ye that embark in the service of God see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind, and strength that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.

I'm thankful for missionaries and the work that they do to spread the gospel.  I want to bear my testimony that I know this church is true.  In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

I think that he was pretty proud of himself as well.  Afterwards he asked me if this is the kind of talk an adult would give.  "Yep.  Maybe just a little longer, but you've got the right idea."

And Mason, we'll see you in a few days.  Get ready for some big hugs!

easter fun

just a quick run through of some of our easter FUN . . . . . 

1.  Easter baskets.  I think the theme this year was DVDs.

2.  Dyeing eggs and that wonderful, magical white crayon.

Today Conner opened the fridge and said, "I think I'm going to eat some dynamite."

3.  Hello?  Can you hear me now?

Sorry, son.  I think that chickie is cooked.

4.  Aww, and an wittle ducky . . . 

5.  This year, thanks to a recent trip to the dentist, we have our very own bunny in the house.

6.  One girl who is uber excited to sleep with pink foam rollers in her hair for the very first time.  Ahhh, brings back so many memories of my childhood.  :)

easter dresses, rolls, and tissues

all dressed in our Easter best . . . . we wanted to wish you a very Happy Easter!  We have had a great day.  The Easter bunny visited us yesterday (maybe a post on that later) and today we enjoyed a nice day at church.  Conner gave a talk in Primary about missionary work.  We came home and I cooked up a storm -- seriously, 3 solid hours making stuff and washing dishes in the kitchen.  But I was happy to do it.  Ham, scalloped potatoes, deviled eggs, and these amazing rolls . . . 

  {recipe found in Our Best Bites: Mormon Moms in the Kitchen cookbook}

They are huge and so filling.  We didn't even make it through one pan.  Which is shocking because Scott is a lover of rolls.  Maybe it's because he's feeling a little under the weather today.

After dinner it is tradition in our family to watch The Testaments.  And keeping with tradition the kids ask lots of questions throughout and mom & dad cry like babies at the end.  (This time I was smart and had Conner fetch me a tissue before it started.)  It's a good movie.  It reminds us of all that Jesus Christ taught, how he served and loved, and the sacrifice he bore for us.  But more importantly it teaches that he arose from the tomb and that he lives again.  We have hope and the promise of eternal life through Him.

John 3:16 -- For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

I hope that you have enjoyed a wonderful Easter Sunday as well.  

me right now

what I ate for breakfast today:  honey bunches of oats with peaches

who I last spoke to on the phone:  Scott, in the SLC airport, about to board his plane.

the last web site I looked at:  facebook

the last book I read:  all the way through . . . Tuck Everlasting.  I've got 3 others that I'm in the middle of right now (Room, Life of Pi, and The Indian in the Cupboard).

my last itunes purchase:  Dog Days Are Over, Glee Cast

the last meal I cooked for dinner:  Chicken Carbonara on thursday night.  Last night it was leftovers for me and mac & cheese for the kids.

what I'm wearing right now:  a bold & flowery sundress, coral t-shirt, and denim leggings

my current favorite tv show is:  How I Met Your Mother

the last person I sent an email to:  Katie @ Creole Wisdom.  Weighing in on a question she had about a popular blogger's changing looks.

something I recently learned:  how to operate a lawn mower.  I've never ever ever done this before.  Growing up as the only girl in a family with 4 boys means you never have to mow the lawn.  But ours was getting loooong and it's been so rainy.  We had 2 glorious days of sunshine (with more rain on the horizon) and Scott was out of town for those 2 days.  I thought this would be a nice surprise.

something I'm not looking forward to:  the scale monday morning after throwing caution to the wind and ingesting as much Easter candy as my blood sugar levels would allow.

something I'm thankful for:  beautiful spring days filled with sunshine.  We were driving home from an egg hunt today and I pointed out a field covered with blue wildflowers.  The kids thought it was great and Payton said, "I love springtime."  I hear ya.

how I'm feeling overall:  good.  Currently feeling like I've got a decent grip on "my plate."  Although, needing to take action on a few things quickly or else that grip will slip.  And the sunshine is a definite mood-lifter.  I'm ready to get things done!

oh and I just wanted to share two pages from my December Daily album.  (everything is reversed)

I'm lovin' it.

{post inspiration from Cathy Zielske's hybrid layout, Me Right Now}

6 easter parties later . . .

Yesterday I helped out at Anna's preschool Easter party.  As I left I realized that this was my last preschool holiday party. Ever.  I quickly did the math and figured that I have helped coordinate, provide a game, craft, prizes, nametags, treat bags, or snack at 20+ parties over the 6 years my kids attended preschool.  (There were 24 parties total - halloween, christmas, valentine's, easter - and I think, for whatever reason, I missed one party for each of my kids.)

I do enjoy the fact that I've been able to participate by squirting germy soap into little hands and listening to their little prayer before snack, getting to watch the glee and excitement that comes from playing the fishing game or m&m-on-a-spoon relays or the bean bag toss, and seeing my kids smiles and knowing they are so excited I am there.

I also enjoy the traditions that developed by having the same preschool teachers for all 3 kids.  It provides great photo collage opportunities like this:

The milk jug easter basket is a time-tested classic.  And yes, Conner and Payton are wearing the same shirt.  Hand-me-downs rock.

Yes, we are approaching the end of an era.  2 more months and we'll be done with preschool completely.  Do I feel sad?  No, not really.  A little nostalgic, maybe.  I think we've milked plenty of good memories out of preschool and we are ready to move onto the next thing.  Just look at Anna - she's 5 1/2 and sooo ready for kindergarten.

Before I go, a few more pictures from Anna's easter party:

saying it like it is

a couple recent, candid conversations with my kids . . . 

I was trying to pull together an outfit online, something to wear to the Mindy Gledhill concert.  I had all these images pasted into a word document so I could see it together.

I pulled Anna, my at-home style consultant, over and asked, "Do you think this will look cute on me?"

She said, "Yes, but only with your glasses off.  And maybe you should attach your head to the white stuff."

Ha ha!  Did you get it?  White stuff = the mannequin's body.

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We were scrolling through older pictures on iphoto and came across these

 ahhhh . . . sniff, sniff

to which the boys asked, "So how does the baby get out of your belly?  Do they have to cut you open?  Does it come out your butt or does it come out of your mouth?"

Obviously it's been a while (5+ years) since we've had to approach this topic in our house.  So I gave them a simple, honest explanation of where & how the baby comes out.  I noticed that Payton becomes very quiet, eyes straight on the computer screen -- I can tell that he's taking it all in.  The conversation continues to umbilical cords with Conner a little too excited over the prospect of being a father someday just because he'll get to cut it . . . and a compare/contrast between birthing a baby and a tough poop.  Hey, I'm talking to boys here.  We make it all the way through Anna's hospital pictures and Payton finally speaks up

"Oh man, I'm so glad that I'm not a girl."

why do you say that?

"Because that would hurt."

{oh my heavens, I cannot stop from laughing!  This is a boy who struggles in the bathroom so I can only imagine his inner thought process.  Pure horror, I'm sure!}

ten on tuesday

1.  Miraculously, I rolled out of bed at 5am this morning and made-up with Jillian.  We've been on a break for a few weeks.

2.  The sun is shining!  The sun is shining!

3.  Last night for FHE we did this Easter countdown (we read them all at once) and made Resurrection Rolls. It was perfect.

4.  I need to sweep and mop the floor.

5.  My brother finishes his mission in 9 days.  9 days.  Wow.  Since married, Scott and I have watched 7 brothers leave and then return home having served honorable missions.  That is quite a remarkable thing.  Mason is the last one for quite a while.  Next up . . . . . Conner in just 9 years.  Yikes!

6.  We are raising 8 butterflies in our family room.  I think they really enjoy the sunshine too.

7.  Back in December I started a December Daily album.  It's really really cute. But, as with a lot of projects I start, I didn't finish it.  I only got to day 12.  This weekend I got the itch to scrap and finished 13, 14, and 15.  Now I'm really itching to do more so it can be really really cute and finished.

8.  I bought a bunch of fabric last week.  No plans, no patterns, just a bunch of pretty fabric to add to my pile of unfinished / unstarted projects.  I think I have a disease.

9.  Anna calls me "adorable mommy" all the time and I call her "cutie Anna".  She says, "you're so adorable I could just die."  She has a bit of a flair for the dramatic.

10.  ipad2 . . . coming soon.  eek!

embrace the camera : april 14

Me and Anna hanging out for a bit this a.m.

She was feeling sniffly and coughy so we took the boys to school, picked up a redbox DVD, and settled in for a day at home.

-Embrace the camera -

It's a link-up party every thursday encouraging wives, mothers, and you to get in front of the camera.  Pose with your kids/spouse/family member/friend/whatever.  Set the camera timer.  Don't worry about looking cute.  Just do it.

I love what the challenge host wrote on her blog today.  About her mother in failing health and realizing all the more why it is important to document moments, memories, our lives.  And how she took a stinky mood and made a choice to change it and create a good memory with her son . . . dancing in the rain.

linking up here

yarn bowls

Okay, here's how it goes.  It's super easy and just a little bit messy.  ;)

Supplies:  yarn + glue + bowl

Prep:  Cover a bowl with plastic wrap.  Or use a balloon as your form.  (I think these look pretty.)  Cut yarn into long, but manageable, pieces.  Pour glue into a bowl.

Method:  Dip yarn into glue.  Use your fingers to squeeze off the excess glue.  Place the yarn on your bowl however you like.  Let dry overnight.

*Once the bowls were constructed I considered brushing on some liquid starch (just to help stiffen the yarn) but I didn't get around to it.

The kids had a fun time with this project.  Actually, I should back up and give the real account.  At first everyone freaked out over the glue.  Once the initial shock was over Conner got into a rhythm and really enjoyed this project -- he lasted the longest and put a lot of focused effort into it.  

The other two needed help from time to time.  One of them had a freak-out, but returned to finish the bowl the way he wanted it and I tried my best to step back and let it be.  Let it be.  And it turned out just fine.

The other one loved the project, repeatedly complimented everyone's "awesome" bowls, and made a good effort until she ran out of steam and I finished the bowl.  Simply because I couldn't let it be.  And she was more than happy for me to help.

Bottom line . . . it kept them busy for an hour, yes there was lots of hand-washing and wiping but the mess was contained to 1/2 of the dining table (not too bad), and they all ended with a project they were proud of.

wednesday

- still unable to pull myself out of bed for an early morning workout.  Muscles almost recovered from that 5K.

+ seeing P happy, cheery, and silly this morning.  Yesterday afternoon was rough for him - massive coughing/shaking/teary fit at school sent him home early, trip to the doctor with no real answers, and so tired & achy he just wanted to crash. 

+ picking P up from school and seeing him even more happy, cheery, and silly.

- Anna running around in circles, getting in the middle of things, and being a complete distraction at cub scouts.  (all despite the coloring station I set up for her on the stage.)

+ a fun cub scout meeting with sharing (rock and pokemon card collections), learning (how to pull someone from an icy lake), playing (fireman, save my baby!), and celebrating (cookies for a birthday).

+ french toast for dinner.

+ tomorrow is thursday.  ahhhh.

(my plus and minuses today.  inspired by katie)

 

time

the kids just had a 4-day weekend and I was determined to do something with our time, rather than sitting around doing nothing which has become habit on days off during our rainy winter.

Friday

• played a game of Mario Party 8 altogether on the Wii
• mini blizzards at DQ.  The Caramel Toffee Cookie is yum!

• ride bikes & pull weeds in the front yard
• showed the kids how to make origami bunnies
• attended a baptism

saturday

• I ran a 5K for the first time ever and didn't die.
• helped Conner finish his fitness activity badge for Webelos.  He gets an hour on the ipad for each activity badge he completes so he's been motivated to wrap this one up for a while.
• helped the kids make yarn bowls.  Conner really got into this sticky project.  Here are a few pictures for now - 

They turned out pretty great!

Sunday and Monday weren't nearly as exciting.  Just church on Sunday.  And Monday morning was filled with parent-teacher conferences for both of the boys (always so good to hear how awesome they are doing in school) and a double tooth extraction for Payton.  The treatment plan listed 4 teeth to be pulled, but after enduring two novocaine shots in the roof of his mouth (those hurt), and an hour in the dentist's chair, the dentist thought it would be best to save the last 2 for another time.  We're thinking in a few weeks.

Here's a photo of Payton this morning.  Before all the dental trauma

But he took i relatively well.  From the waiting room I did overhear some screaming, but by the time they brought him out to me he was fine, engrossed in a DS game.  When we came home I gave him free reign on the Wii for the rest of the day, which made him (and his siblings) very happy.

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I love this print.  I either need to convince this etsy seller to put it back in their store or I need to make something on my own.

 

and it was all yellow

I have long been in the mood for a party.  

For the decorating, the details, the themes, the food . . . all of it.  Something happy, something to plan for, something to be creative with.

And I think I can account this craving to two things . . . . 

1. This has been a long, cold, rainy winter.  I swear, it feels like the longest winter we have experienced in all our years here.  We finally touched 60 degrees last week.  That set an record for the latest first-60 of the year.  Ever.  And there were 28 days in March with measurable rainfall (also a new record).  You get the picture.
2. I discovered pinterest.

Just in time there was a birthday coming up, she thought a lunch date would be nice, and I said "I'll do it!"  Within an evening I had the whole thing planned out.  Can you tell I was just a little excited?

The theme is yellow . . . 

tablecloth: Target

I love this little ribbon + doily trim.  This piece of yellow grosgrain ribbon came to our house on a birthday gift and I saved it in my stash.  After ironing out the wrinkles I sewed little paper doilies (folded in half) along one edge.  With the help of some double stick tape I adhered it to the lip of my kitchen island.

Cake stand (about to be holding mini yellow cupcakes):  Costco

Hanging above the island . . . . tissue pom poms from party city.  And a ribbon dowel inspired by this party.

Mason jars served as glasses for our delicious Brazilian lemonade with lots of ice.  Yum!  Refreshing, sweet, and just a touch of creamy.  (Thanks to sweetened condensed milk).  Blue striped paper straws - so fun!  

paper straws: Shop Sweet Lulu - I didn't get my straws from here, but I'll definitely be shopping here in the future for party supplies.

Following a lunch of paninis, we enjoyed some cupcake fondue.  Doesn't that sound fun?  Well this post (found via pinterest) looked like a lot of fun, so we decided to try it.  (The frosting fondue isn't meant to be kept warm -- but you can use a fondue pot just for looks.)  Toppings included sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, coconut, and chopped peanuts.

yellow tray: Target

*all pics taken before lunch-goers arrived.

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guess what?   . . . . . . . .  The sun is shining today!  And it's going to shine tomorrow!  And saturday!

general conference weekend

We had a lovely general conference weekend.  Did you?  I always enjoy this weekend when we can hunker down at home, with the help of BYUTV listen to the words of our prophet and other leaders of our church, and come out spiritually renewed and ready to move forward with new goals.

Here's a little peek in to our weekend.

On Sunday morning I made some monkey bread.

Note to self:  do this more often.  It was delicious.  Payton ate it for breakfast and lunch.

I printed out general conference activity/coloring packets to keep the kids occupied during the Sunday morning session.  (There are 4 two-hour sessions over the course of the weekend.)  We realize that 8 hours of talks is a bit much to ask of a 10, 8, and 5 year old so we simply require them to watch the sunday morning session, and then join us whenever the prophet speaks, and for the sustaining of church officers. 

Anna always loves the coloring pages.

Payton enjoys the packet too.  His face lit up when he opened it to this color-by-number page.

And Conner . . . . well, he uses the back-side of the paper to draw battles.

But the April Primary e-mail newsletter (thanks to the genius minds behind that) came out a few days before conference and I noticed that Conner has a talk later in the month.  So we gave him the assignment to take notes on what the prophet says and write a talk from that.  It was perfect.  He took his (mental) notes and wrote his talk down immediately after conference.  Hooray for that checkmark!

We listen, we learn, we sing . . . 

And we end the day with a happy feeling and a testimony in our hearts.

Lots of important lesson learned, lots of good reminders, lots of notes taken.  Let's see, about 10 pages of notes in my conference notebook.  And I even missed 2 of the talks on Saturday.  Need to go back and watch those soon.

Here are some thoughts, notes (not all verbatim) that stood out to me . . . .  

"No better way to be an example of the believers than in our observance of the Sabbath Day." -L. Tom Perry

"The women of our church are incredible not because they haven't faced challenges.  Our women are incredible because of the way they have faced the challenges of life."  -Quentin L. Cook

"No woman should feel the need to apologize or feel her contribution is less significant because she is devoting her primary efforts to raising children."  -Quentin L. Cook

Speaking of "celestial traditions" . . . . Children might not remember the family home evening lesson later in the week, but they will remember that it happened.  They might not remember the words read in the scriptures, but they will remember that they did it.  -Richard G. Maynes

"I plead with you to teach your children of the temple's importance."  - Thomas S. Monson

Several thoughts from Dieter F. Uchtdorf

• "Let us strive to be among those the Lord can rely on to hear his whispering and respond."
• It is vital we serve each other -- God often answers our prayers through another person.  By becoming the answer to someone else's prayer, we often find the answer to our own.
• "Perhaps the Lord's encouragement to open your mouths might today include: use your hands to blog and text message the gospel to all the world."  Please remember -- all at the right time and the right place.
• Quoting St. Francis - "Preach the gospel at all times.  And if necessary, use words."

"Time after time we see marvelous blessings on the heels of great trials."  -Paul V. Johnson

Richard G. Scott's stories of his sweetheart, Jeanine.

From David A. Bednar

• "We tend to emphasize marvelous and dramatic spiritual manifestations so much that we may fail to appreciate and even overlook the customary pattern by which the Holy Ghost accomplishes his work."
• Sometimes the sun rises on a cloud/foggy morning.  We many times receive revelation, not recognizing precisely when and how it happened.  The light comes, but we go about the day not recognizing it.

"We testify to every nation, kindred, and people that God not only lives, but he speaks."  -Jeffrey R. Holland

I have a testimony of all of these things and know them to be true.  I am grateful for this opportunity we have, twice a year, to hear directly from the Lord's chosen prophet.  It amazes me and excites me, to discover time after time that the messages prepared are so timely, necessary, and relevant to a worldwide audience.  And at the same time they manage to share something specific that may touch every individual.  Elder Holland shared, concerning the church leaders' preparation for their talks (again, not verbatim), "If we teach by the Spirit, and you listen by the Spirit . . . . someone will touch upon your circumstance, sending a little miracle to you."

I'm sure that anyone who listened this weekend received a little miracle.  I can't wait to read these talks again and discover more.