Mini Clipboards

I found the tutorial for these cute mini clipboards over at.......can't find the link anymore. Sorry! We did these for Christmas gifts but they would make great end of the year teacher gifts, fridge notepads, bathroom clipboards (why do all my to-do lists come to me when I'm in the shower or getting ready in the morning, no where near a notepad?)etc...many great possibilities! We thought they were perfect for the girls teachers as Montessori teachers are notorious note takers! They were well received and fun and easy to put together. The mini clipboards were $1.69 at Office Max. I cut scrapbook paper to size put a layer of mod podge on the clip board and carefully laid the paper in place, making sure to smooth out any bubbles. When it dried I sprayed a layer of matte finish clear acrylic Krylon over the top to give it a waterproof finish, you could modpodge over the top too, but, I liked the look of the Krylon better.

2010 Family Home Evening

Yes, I know I have been absent from blogging for some time. I have had lots of ideas for posts but never seemed to get to them. So at the urging of the hubby, I'm back, with a disclaimer about the frequency, I'll try my best. I thought there may be a few of you who might benefit from this, so I'm sharing our FHE idea for 2010. Years ago when I was putting FHE lessons together I wanted to put together FHE outlines of the Gospel Principles manual. I did one or two but never got around to finishing them as it was a long arduous process figuring out how to put the info into an outline that would be suitable for our young family. Boy am I glad I didn't finish, the new updated manual makes it a lot easier to do this. The info in the manual is condensed and easy to understand. I have long felt the lessons in this manual would be great for FHE lessons to give our children a solid basic understanding of the gospel, so in keeping with the council of the brethren to get back to the basics, our family is going to have a Gospel Principles focused FHE in 2010. Our schedule of study will follow the church schedule; the monday after the lesson is taught in Relief Society and Priesthood, we will have that same lesson in FHE, leaving plenty of mondays for us to pick and choose other topics or just have some family fun. My outlines are basic, but I have incorporated lots of pictures as I have found they are essential to a successful Family Home Evening in our home. All the pictures I pulled from various locations of lds.org. In case you want to start this tradition with your family too, I'm going to add the lesson outlines (hopefully I can figure out how) as I come up with them for you to print and use too. Enjoy!

Edited: Okay so I can't figure out how to add a button on the side to be able to click on and download the pdf files, anyone know how to do this? I've seen it done on other sites, but mostly on typepad, am I going to have to switch?

Edited again: Okay I think I got it working, click on the button on the right hand side of the page that says Family Home Evening and you should be able to get to it. The files are .pdf, I figured that would be the most universal. Let me know what you think!

Identity and Teeth

Strange title I know, but some are bound to notice that I've changed the names of my girls. I have always been careful about not mentioning identifying details in my posts, but I read an article about how easy it is for an identity thief to get your info, by piecing together info from blogs, Facebook, email, etc.. and hack into your email and bank accounts. It was  surprisingly simple, birthday from one site, hometown, and maiden name from another, kids names, etc... so I maybe paranoid, but I'd rather be safe than sorry, because getting your identity back and undoing all the damage is really difficult.  So now you know.

Now on to teeth.  Saw this and love it. An official tooth fairy kit complete with letterpress documentation, ummm, can you say beautiful. I know I'm crazy, but I love letterpress. I think I just may need to order this before the teeth start coming out. FUN! Here's the link in case you think it's as fun as I do. The Official Tooth Fairy Kit

EFY High

• 
  
• Just returned from a whirlwind three days at EFY for the FNS youth. It's been 12 years since I was at this same EFY as a youth and it was just as amazing, actually more so!! I feel so blessed to have been asked to return as an adult, and serve with my husband. We partook of the overwhelming spirit that was there, enjoyed interacting with the youth and being uplifted by them.  It was a joy to hear Kenneth Cope speak and sing every day we were there. I am exhausted, but renewed in my dedication to my family, the church and my testimony of the gospel and my Savior Jesus Christ.  My parents were wonderful and watched the girls, serving us as we served elsewhere.  I am filled with gratitude for them and all they do for our family. I feel overwhelmingly blessed, and I am so thankful for the many blessings my Heavenly Father has given me.  Happiness abounds!!!!!

This is a clip of the theme song from EFY.  

"Scratch at the Veil" explained:
Scratch at the veil, It sounds so odd, I know. I thought I would explain since Janelle asked and I'm sure it will appear like an odd phrase to anyone else who reads it and was not at EFY. It was a phrase Kenneth Cope used. He told a story about when he had kidney stones and was crawling across the floor in severe pain, not knowing what it was at the time and he had this image come to him of the savior in the garden of gethsemane crawling, scratching at the ground, and crying out "Abba" or Papa in agony. He spoke of the veil covering our minds but that it didn't have to be permanent, others like the Brother of Jared and Joseph Smith had broken through the veil because of their faith, their commitment to truth. He challenged us to "scratch at the veil" doing everything we can to be faithful, constantly scratching our way through trails and challenges, crawling if we have to, closer and closer to our "Papa" even through the veil. Of course the full impact of his talk is lost in my few short words, but hopefully you get the idea.

Fun P.S.: Ryan forwarded my wordle to our stake president and he liked it so much that with a few requested changes for the upcoming year,  I sent it off to be printed onto envelopes that each YM and YW in our stake will get to help them save for next year's EFY. Fun!

Lots of blog thoughts, not enough time.

So we've had lots going on and I have often though hey, I should blog about that, but do I ever get to it? Nope! Good intentions, right?  I'm all about enjoying spring right now, hope you are too!!!!

Here are a few highlights of what we've been up to.

Montessori Activities:

The shelves I set up at home in our office. Which I am painting and decorating, YAY! 

The office, not the shelves!

Beginning Letter sounds and matching pictures.

Working on the knobbed cylinders, 

"No, No, No, No, Yes" as she tries to place each cylinder from left to right, till she finds the right spot.

The moveable alphabet I made from die-cuts and fun foam, this has been a big hit!

The knobbed cylinders and letter puzzles I checked out from the Children's Services Network, an amazing lending library for parents and daycare providers! Amazing Find!!!

We welcomed two new baby girls to our family, Ryan's sister and mine each had little girls within a month of each other. Welcome, Maddi and Alli!!!

And now I'm out of time, so to be continued....

Desire, Trust, Rely, CREATE

Moved to tears,

Inspired,

Watch it, you will be too!

"Mom, This Is How Nephi Wears His Shirt"

Let's just say that this phrase was uttered quite often recently in our house, usually with a pulled down shirt collar and bare shoulder. But this outfit was by far the best one to match the statement. This was taken during Lovebug's "Nephi and the Brass Plates" animated video phase, back in December, but I just took the pic off my camera and thought you all would enjoy it as much as I have!!!

Birdnest

So I happened upon this blog http://birdnest.typepad.com and the following post. It put into words so beautifully the feelings I have often felt as a mother. So I thought I would share. Mothering especially is all about perspective, and I find myself continually stepping out and eventually back in, to proper perspective with every change in life, especially the constant change that comes with growing children. On second thought, stepping out implies, I am conscious of the change and willingly take steps to leave the proper perspective, which is not the case at all, in fact SO far from it. It's more like I blink and suddenly I hear myself yelling in frustration at a child who has written on the wall for the umpteenth time, in spite of the many conversations (some in the same day) where she readily states that we write only on paper and not walls, or for a myriad of other situations where I probably should have kept perspective and found a more patient, quiet tone to deal with such situation.  I found comfort in the words of this woman who's face I couldn't pick out of a crowd and yet who's words I know and understand as if they were my own.  It's the comfort of commonality that I am sure many of you will find as you read her words as well. Sometimes all it takes is knowing your not the only one to help you step back in.

Happy Reading!!

November 21, 2008

Cells Divided

I started this post at the beginning of the month, and then the days just passed over like thick, daily clouds before I came back here to catch up. Seems it's still relevant, still appropriate. Even more so when I count the days between last posting.

I barely write anymore. I barely think either. It's just that it's not that kind of life right now. For now, it's in the active details, it's in the moment, it's in the gray space where there is no time for reflection and insight. Instead it's all about care-taking. It's nursing. It's dressing, diapering, washing, cleaning, guiding, peacemaking, gathering, driving, pushing, holding, picking up, chopping, simmering, serving. Oh and a bit of yelling, stewing, glaring and festering. And when all that is done, it is time for rest, or at least something like that. My brain needs to be massaged and my heart needs company and community, but god help me if that takes one more bit of doing. One more ounce of effort that I just can't find very often.

I go out to escape, to force a breath, take in the fresh air with no children clinging to my arms, following me. And yet, I find nothing out there, I feel like I'm just wasting time until I get back, only to have make-ups to do. Back to the house, just in time to catch up on the laundry, the organizing, the care-taking and taking care. It's as if the outside has lost it's color.

I'm not sure how to write this without it sounding as if it's a burden, or that it's "bad." It seems our culture is so quick to make it black and white. That if it's not glorious, it's somehow crap. That if life can't alternate between different states of being, different moments of identity. Isn't that what we are all doing, complaining without meaning to complain, just voicing the drudge to see past it, just sharing the moments when our eyes tear up or our arms feel heavy, just to know that it is true, it is now?


My oldest boy, Jbird, is transforming every moment I see him. Children transform before your eyes. I will say it a million times. It's really not a cliche. Most days you are so sleepy and so frustrated and so busing care-taking that you just can't see it. But if you stop and observe, you can actually see the growth inch along, their small beings spread wider and deeper into the world. Every morning Jbird will stand up in the bed, or in front of the mirror and expresses with joy "Look how much I've grown" "Look how tall I've gotten" "Look how big my belly is today." And yes. It's true. It is apparent. I can see the cells divide and multiply at this very moment.

Posted on November 21, 2008 in day to day, rambling, the little birds | Permalink

FAMILY FUN

Check out these fun new LDS Videos. I aspire to this kind of creative family fun, but it's a work in progress! :) What's your favorite family fun time?

By the way, Thanks for all the blogging comments, they were so fun to read and gave me some new thoughts and ideas on blogging. I liked the thought of a blog being a sort of journal/memory book to help me remember the things we are doing right now as a family and as a means later for my kids to know my thoughts on the various subjects and activities.  I am terrible at keeping a journal, which is really sad since my weak memory is a major source of frustration, but this may be a good 1st step in solving those two problems. Hmm, something more to thing about.

BloGGinG wiTh a PurPosE

So I've been thinking lately about my purpose for blogging and realized I didn't have a specific purpose. Maybe that was the reason I just wasn't "feeling it" and didn't write anything new. Some people blog to share ideas about a particular subject, some blog to keep family and friends updated on life happenings, some blog I think just for the sake of blogging. Hmm, not sure I want to be in that last category. I've decided I need a purpose to my blogging to keep doing it. I'm trying to simplify, and use my time wisely, because lets face it, I can't fit it all in. Sooooo, if you read my blog, why, what keeps you coming back, what do you come here for? Life update, montessori ideas, craft ideas, my witty writing (ha! J/K), boredom, are you really interested in seeing the stuff I just make up, what? And lastly tell me why you blog? This could get interesting.

Time Off

I have been chastised for not updating lately. Okay, it's been longer than lately, I was surprised to see the thanksgiving background myself. Ooops. I just wasn't feeling it though and when you don't feel it, it's really hard to blog. I have lots of things that I thought may be blog worthy but just couldn't get the motivation up. Well I'm starting with updating the background and hopefully will post again soon. Perhaps something a little more interesting than this post to any one who reads this, if there is anyone left at this point. Ha!

Love/Hate Relationship

I have a love/hate relationship with the mail. Hate the junk and the bills that bring more paper and clutter into my house. But I love the joy that comes from finding an unexpected treasure sent by some sweet soul! Today that soul was my dad! He sent moonstruck chocolates to decorate my thanksgiving table and an extra little treat that if you read his note closely says, "4 Immediate consumption IF-OK".  The girls were ecstatic, Lovebug was dying as she had to wait for me to take these photos.  The immediately to be consumed were cookies n cream chocolates shaped like ice cream cones. The turkeys are vanilla and raspberry truffles. Mmmm, can't wait for turkey day!!!! Thanks Dad/Papa, we love you!!!!!!!!!

 

     

 

 

 

Better Prepared

So I promised to post a few of the ideas swirling around in my head, so as promised, here's the next installment. We were busy in the month of October trying to be better prepared. A family vacation took us to the California coast where we stocked up with 60 lbs of yummy, delicious fresh picked apples from Gopher Glen Apple Farm in See Canyon. Thankyou, Robertsons for sharing that little gem. And if you are wondering what a small family of four does with 60 lbs of apples, here's a look.

We dry them..

We slice and core them to cook down to applesauce and apple butter. And of course we eat them! And by we, I mean mostly Ryan and Lovebug, seriously, I think I got four apples, you gotta be quick around those two, they love apples!!!!

So many posts in my head....

We have been so busy during the last month or so, I have had many great ideas of things I'd like to blog about but haven't found the time or made the time I guess is more appropriate to post a single one. So I am vowing to be better and this is where I start. Thought I would share a great little find my mom sent to me. Thanks mom!! It's the Christmas organizer, from OrganizedChristmas.com 

I don't know about you but since motherhood began, Christmas became a more stressful time, the whole production of Christmas became fast overwhelming. Being a Christmas participant was much more fun when someone else was the planner. Again, Thanks Mom!  Well now I'm the planner and creating traditions and memories for my family is a lot of fun, but all the extra stuff that accompanies this season, left me a little stressed out at times.  I am not naturally very organized, it takes a lot of effort for me to pull it all together. So when I saw examples of Christmas Organizers, I had to make one. It's small enough to fit in my purse, and it keeps all my lists in one place. No more ideas scribbled on the nearest pad of paper, and later hunting down that particular pad of paper.  Now I go right to the planner jot down an idea and it's back in my purse ready to be pulled out at a moments notice for those spontaneous trips to target or where ever. It was simple to make the folder, I made 2 (one for mom) in about an hour and all the inserts were printed from Organized Christmas. Gotta love that! There were many printables to chose from, so I stuck in what fit my needs. I know it's still November, and December may be different, but for now, I feel more sane with my new little friend, and sanity at any time is priceless!!!!

I've been tagged...

So, it's funny how there are people who read your blog that you don't even know about until one day they make themselves known.  I think I fall into that category.... a blog stalker, I've referred to myself as such a few times. We lurk, catching interesting glimpses into others lives, it almost feels like snooping, only not really, because the person I'm reading about put it out there in cyberspace for anyone to read. So I was tagged by cute Terra Olsen, who I didn't even know lurked in my cyberspace. Ha! So welcome Terra, thanks for the tag I hope I get it right. Fourth File, Fourth Photo, I think was the challenge. Here it is. I didn't have a 4th photo in the 4th file so here is the closest one. It was taken at the pumpkin patch just about a week after Sugarplum was born. She was a teeny little thing. And now I tag Alyssa and Janey. 

Peek-a-boo I see you too!

I'm 5!!!!

My sweet girl turned 5 today and greeted me this morning with, "Mommy I'm 5 today!" This turning 5 seems to be a huge milestone in her mind.  When I think about it, it really is a huge milestone. When I think about the amount of time she has been with our family, those 5 years have flown by.  In the context of a lifetime, how short is the amount of time we have to "raise" our kids. Estimating they will live with us for 20 or so years, I realized that at this 5 year milestone, 1/4 of that precious window has already passed.  This baby gave me the title of Mommy and for that I will always have a deep connection and gratitude to her.  I love my Kennedy! She has taught me so much in 5 short years. She is beautiful, smart, compassionate, thoughtful, pensive, strong, independent, creative, helpful, reverent, and faithful!  She has brought great joy and growth to our family. I love you my sweet Sugarplum! Happy Birthday!

(Smooch: Chocolate, Blueberry, Raspberry, Marshmallow Cake!!!!!)

I'm in Love....

So I'm sure you already knew that, but I love these pictures. I have an obsession of sorts with beautiful photography, it just makes me happy!  These pics were taken by the talented seattle photographer, Desiree Swanson, see her work here: www.desireeswansonphotography.com

She is a friend of my sister-in-laws, who consequently now has beautiful pics of her girls all the time, and came blueberry picking with us when we were in Issaquah, she brings her camera just about everywhere and paused to take these pics of my girls. LOVE IT!!!  

Augh, Augh, Augh,

Okay, So who knows how to spell it to give it the right sound, but when you read the title of this post, just picture Tim Allen from the old show Home Improvement, and you'll get what I was going for.  I have to say, I now understand that male sound, and felt like making it myself when I did this........

Yes, that is a picture of my garbage disposal. It broke and I, yes me, fixed it. I flipped the switch the other morning and there was no sound, nothing but silence, not a good sign for a machine that supposed to sound like a monster. Hmmm, visions of horrifying plumbers cracks glaring out from under my sink and a bill that could really put a dent in the monthly budget sent me to the internet, my saving grace!!! I found this link http://www.ehow.com/video_112319_fix-jammed-garbage.html where a cute woman (easier to look at than the plumber I had envisioned) demonstrated how to fix my disposal.  Feeling empowered I went downstairs found my tools and went to work. 5 minutes later.... a fixed disposal, and great satisfaction that has me saying I did it..... argh, argh, aurgh, well you get it!!!

Summer Vacation August 2008

So I'm finally getting around to posting about our summer vacation. We took a road trip to Portland, Oregon. We braved the 13 hour car ride in one long day.  Ryan and I pulled the girls out of bed at 4:30 a.m. hoping they would stay asleep and wake at a normal hour. NO SUCH LUCK! We made stops along the way and they actually did great, thank goodness for portable DVD player! Lovebug only started to cry and melt during the last hour of the trip so it really wasn't bad at all. The trip home was even better, they knew what to expect and didn't fuss once, YAY! We had a great time, loved the weather (minus the record breaking heatwave), all the fun activities and enjoyed being with my dad. I love family vacations, can't wait for the next one. Here are some fun photo highlights from our two week trip. 

Best Part of our Trip

Sugarplum and Lovebug snuggle in with Grand-pa-pa as soon as we arrive.

The Portland Temple

See that little dot in pink, that's Sugarplum.

There she is.

Love this shot, Sugarplum was goofing off for me, and the camera.

The Pearl District

Sugarplum in random chair on the sidewalk.

Jameson Square Fountains. Evidently this is Portlanders idea of swimming. 

Since the climate doesn't really justify swimming pools, when the weather uncharacteristically warms, portlanders don their swimsuits and head to the public fountains. 

There are quite a few around town, it's a strange sight to see kids 

and adults alike "swimming" around town.

Mississippi Pizza, Great Food, Great Atmosphere!!!

Weekend in Issaquah, WA visiting my brother and family.

Cousin sleepover.

Virtual meets reality. My blogger friend, Stephanie. My sister-in-law introduced me to her cute blog, and I emailed her about some sewing projects. She was so gracious and mailed me japanese pattern books to try out and sample. I couldn't believe she would do that for a stranger. Well we finally got to meet in person two years later at the Issaquah Farmers Market.

See all the gorgeous bags, blankets and burp cloths behind us with all the yummy fabrics, she makes them and many other things as well. That was a fun meeting, thanks Steph!!!

Picking Blueberries off bushes taller than all of us, crazy!

My cute bro, his two girls on the left and their friend.

Sugarplum and Lovebug in the blueberry patch.

Portland Children's Museum in Washington Park

We could have spent all day here, it was fantastic! We've been to quite a few kids museums, (we seek them out on our vacations) and this is by far the best!! We should have gone earlier in the day, it literally could have been an all day event.

Two Cutie Pies

Lovebug and Ryan racing down the waterway.

Sugarplum pumping water.

Sculpting Clay

Tree House Reading Corner

Lovebug getting ready to fly, she loved it.

Doctor Sugarplum

International Rose Test Garden

This is the oldest garden for testing different varieties of roses. 

I'm not a big fan of roses but this garden is beautiful, and has a stellar view of the city.

Sugarplum stops to smell the roses.

Liked the quote on this plaque.

Me playing with my camera, this fountain is on the side of the restrooms, 

even the restrooms here are beautiful.

Cannon Beach, Oregon

We spent one day at Cannon Beach to escape the freak Portland heat wave.

Smith Berry Barn 

Sugarplum and Mom picking Organic Raspberries. SO GOOD!

Cute little Building on the Farm

Lovebug finding Boysenberries to eat, she emptied her bucket faster than we could fill it, and if it was empty she picked them herself and straight to her mouth they went. I love organic farms!