Thank you, mom

It's Mother's Day, and I've been reflecting on my mom and her influence in my life.

Because my mom taught me to love motherhood, I always knew I wanted to be a mother.

Because my mom knew how tender my feelings were, I have a tearful journal entry from when I was 7 years old over a fear I had that I might not be able to bear children one day.  She knew that sharing feelings is a way we work through them.

Because my mom wanted to be at full capacity while giving birth, I wanted to be.  I wanted awareness over the whole process, physically and spiritually, because I watched her do it.  I knew I was strong enough to labor without medication because she had been.  Because my mom knew how valuable my journal would be to me, she insisted on me recording my birth stories immediately following all five babies.  I now have a priceless treasure of the moments I partnered with God.

Because my mom had a large family, she taught me how to look for bargains to stretch money, and how to cook for a big brood.  My husband had to endure many leftovers when we were first married, because I was taught to cook for 8, not 2.  Now it's second nature to me.

Because my mom loved my dad, I have learned to be fiercely loyal in marriage and to put my husband first.  I cook for him, I pick up the house while he's gone so he can be greeted without chaos (usually) and I try to show my gratitude for what he does for the family.

Because my mom stayed home with us, I knew I would do whatever was necessary to make the same arrangements for my children.  And that would mean old cars, and used clothing, and probably no trips to Disneyland.  And that's ok.

Because my mom found the gospel as an adult, her testimony is based on truth as a contrast to the world's way of teaching.  Some derided her for her choice to join, but she knew what was right in her heart.  I try to honor that heritage by teaching my kids right from wrong and to never doubt nor waiver. I know that the opportunity to be baptized is a gift, and I teach my kids to not take the decision lightly.

Mom, thank you not only for what you did for me and my siblings, but for the positive influence your teachings continue to have over the generations following you.  Love you!

Hello! Living room redo

 

Hi readers!  I hope 2013 is treating you well thus far.   I am too pleased with Strider's hard work on the living room to not share.  He spent several weeks painting and installing a wall treatment and I love how it makes the room feel.

 

 

 

Here's a before:

 

 

and after: 

We used Valspar's Gravity above, and a semi-gloss white on all trim below. 

 



 

What a change. 

 

 

Next to the board and batten on the wall, my favorite thing is my window.  We got white roman shades for a steal at Lowe's on clearance.  The curtains are actually a queen sheet cut in half and hemmed.  Ta-da!

 

 

 

 

Still on the agenda:

I am constantly on the hunt for a black coffee table that can store our scriptures and magazines and is cheap.  Till then we have this beat up storage ottoman.  But its days are numbered.  The end tables also need painted.  And that mismatched floral chair?  We got it from my mom for free.  The size is fantastic.  The fabric doesn't work in here at all.  Any suggestions on what we should do with it?

 

 

 

It's also not a *true* room reveal since we have no artwork up yet, but I am trying to slowly compile inexpensive frames for a gallery wall.  We'll get there someday.

 

 

I also love the entry.  We got rid of the aquarium and photo inside the front door seen here:

 

...and here is the spot a few years earlier: Backpacks in a tiny house. 

 

I liked that door strap a lot but the problem is that as the kids grow, the weight of their backpacks does as well!  Way too heavy for that strap.  They all just slid to the bottom. 

 

We mounted these hooks into studs and it's quite sturdy.  Still a narrow wall for 4 kids in school but for now it will work.  We may have to add another row of hooks.

 

So, there is a quick update on Strider's true labor of love in Jan/Feb.

 

Till next time...

 

 

 

Closing a chapter

We had a marvelous Christmas and had our fill of family and gatherings and love and laughter.

 

It started with my brother and his new wife coming into town to be sealed in the SL Temple.

We overwhelmed her with our loudness and sheer numbers, but it was great to have them here.   Also visiting were aunts and uncles from across the country.

 

The sealing was very special.

 

 

Christmas Eve this year was with Strider's family.  Three of our kids took part in the program.

 

Bugs played three songs on the sax.

 

Potter and Princess split T'was the Night Before Christmas.  Princess learned the entire thing in school, and it was a proud moment for me as she recited perfectly from memory.  Potter crammed and learned the first half of it in an hour (the day prior).  He asked her to do the second half LOL.

 

 

All of us with Strider's mom

 

 

Strider's Grandma

 

 

 

We did pjs at my mom's, and sibling gift exchange.  Then Santa came.

 

 

 

 

Ths morning was magical.  We were spoiled. 

 

 

 

 

 

None more than me and Strider, as we got a new Canon Rebel DSLR!  Years of wishing has come true.  We are thrilled to be able to record our family happenings in a richer way.  So if you noticed a little higher quality to these photos in this post, you're right.

 

 

 

 

Today the girls got to wear their new dresses from Grandma.

 

 

 

The best best part of the last two weeks has been sharing time with my sisters and their kids.

 

 

Baby Brooke

 

 

Rosebud with sweet Sugar

 

Add in Sam and you have a triple bundle of cousin joy!

 

And our feelings are mixed.  As one sister continues college, one has to get back to Cali, and the other moves home for good!  But for a brief stint, we were all together for the first time since August.  We feel so complete when we're with each other.

 

 

Speaking of feeling complete....

 

I feel like my time as an active blogger has wound down.  I will miss this creative outlet but I am ready to turn my attention elsewhere.  At least for a while.

 

Thanks to all who have read my thoughts for the last 5 years!

 

 

 

Family fest!

My siblings are starting to trickle back in town for Christmas, what JOY!

To recap what they mean to me, read So hard to say goodbye and The end.

Yep, life with my family spread all over is tough.  Merry Christmas!

Christmas prep

For a countdown to the big day, I went with candy this year.  We took an evening and put together little numbered packets.

 

They sit in a basket in the living room and the kids take turns each morning opening one and passing out a hershey kiss or miniature to each kid.

 

We took tubes of cardstock and taped them sour cream container style.  You know, flatten one end one way, then the other end the opposite way.  Before closing them up we included a joke in each one. 

 

Scrapbook number stickers mark each day's packet.  This photo was at the beginning.  I can't believe how empty the basket already looks now.  December is flying by!

 

 

I am beside myself - I think I neglected to post about my stockings last year.  Now that our family is done growing I was fed up with the mismatched stockings.  I hated them.  I also hated that all cute stockings were $8-20 each in stores.  That adds up. 

 

I found maroon and cream sheets at the thrift store and made my own pattern and made 7 monogrammed stockings with coordinating boy-girl colors for about $5.  Much better!  And this year I have them hung from the loft which I love.  It's working out well. 

 

 

How ever YOU prepare for the season, I hope it's enjoyable!

 

Now we need a tree...

 

It's all about the presentation

So, this week I had a chance to wrap some gifts.  I know there are those out there that hate that part of gift giving, but for me it's just about the BEST part.

I love adding simple touches to inexpensive items to make them look more substantial.  Who doesn't love getting something pretty?  It is a great way to use up craft stash.  And if it looks nice it can distract them from the fact that you didn't spend a lot of money!


Subject #1 - get well cookies

 

A neighbor of ours (and father of 4) fell at work and broke both arms at the elbow.  Both.  Treats were definitely in order.

 

 

I piled some cookies on the only disposeable plates I had, which happened to be floral.  Since these were for a guy I dug through my ribbon bits for a dark color to manly it up.

 

 

Use cellophane to make it look nicer than just plain ol' choc chip cookies.  Some cardstock scraps make an easy tag. 

 

 

 

Subject #2 - dollar store white elephant gifts

 

Strider was called to a new position at church this week.  He now is the Scoutmaster and serves the 12-13 year old young men (including Bugs).  This week they did a small gift exchange and I offered to wrap the stuff they picked up at the dollar store.

 

 

 

See, even tiny gifts can look adorable if you do it right.

Here they are all in a bin to travel to the party with. 

Until Bugs got home from school and told me that all those items were supposed to be for one person, wrapped together. 

So he got a plain larger gift bag and stuck them all in together before leaving.  So basically no one saw any of these cute wrappings. 

How fun.

Another teen!

Bugs turned 13 a couple days after Thanksgiving. 

 

I bit my lip and made this silly kid a Utah cake.  It almost made my eyes burn.  :)

 

We added 13 satellite cupcakes.

 

 

He got spoiled, totally.

 

 

 

 

We love him so much!