life in general

a tale of three bathrooms: part three

Since we are moving in less than 2 weeks, I thought it would be a good idea to wrap up this series.

First there was the kids' bathroom.

Then came the master bathroom.

And finally, I give you the guest bathroom.

It's tiny, but the ceilings are tall.

I took advantage of the tall ceilings and moved my collection of B's to this bathroom.  All the way to the ceiling!  As you may or may not notice, I also painted a few of the B's.  I decided to go with a grey and yellow color scheme and made that happen with a few cans of spray paint.

It's such a small space, with very little light so I needed a paint color to brighten things up.  The creamy white wall & ceiling color is Marscapone -- Pottery Barn for Benjamin Moore.  It looks yellowish in some photos, but I promise it is white.  The lighting in this bathroom is just horrible.

After seeing something similar on pinterest I picked up another one of my favorite IKEA frames, spray painted a yellow B, and attached it to the front of the glass with Command Picture Hanging Strips .  They are pretty awesome.  

And that, is the guest bath.

 

14 days

packing fuel 

I need a break from packing . . . chocolate.  The kids are so noisy . . . chocolate.  I'm walking through the kitchen . . . chocolate.

First, there was the Valentine's Day box of Lindor milk chocolate truffles from my dad.  Love those little babies.

When my stash was depleted and I thought I might need to hit up the store for more . . . . but then Scott arrived home with this:

It was perfect timing.  And let me tell you, these chocolates are in a category all their own.

The flavors are extraordinary.  So pure.  And fresh.

The Strawberry Cheesecake -- tastes like fresh strawberries mixed with cream.

Creme Brulee - I'm convinced that somewhere in the chocolate factory they made a batch of creme brulee, flame torch to the top and all, and then injected it into this candy.

There is Peanut Butter and Jelly, Cinna-Swirl, Strawberry Ganache . . . I could go on and on.  And I did all weekend.  Maybe it's the "no preservatives" thing because, man they are just so tasty.  It's a good thing they have a factory in Vegas because I'll be needing more, please.

3 days later I received this in the mail:

Aren't they pretty?  And isn't my husband thoughtful?

because we needed just one more thing

On Saturday, Anna decided that she wanted to channel her inner spiderman.  She tested her abilities (while I was on the phone, mind you) by bracing herself between the walls in the narrow hall off of the entryway.  An entryway that has a ceiling all the way to the second floor.  She made it to "the top" (the 2nd floor banister) and then dropped down to the bottom where she and Payton had laid out all the couch pillows as a safety net.

I finished my phone call upstairs and was walking toward the stairway when I heard:  "Payton, I touched the top!"

What are you kids doing?

Thud.

I made it down the stairs, rounded the corner and see her sitting on the pillows.

She looks at me, startled.  Pause.

Cry.  And she's grabbing her ankle.

Luckily, it wasn't broken.

Just a really bad sprain.  With lots of swelling and fluid in there.  She's wearing a fiberglass brace that is really helping to make her feel more comfortable and more confident in being mobile.  When we take it off for a bath or an icing session she begs for it to go back on.

Even though this little injury has brought unlimited TV and ipad time for her, it's not a party.  She'll often say, "I wish I hadn't done that."  Yes, we wish you hadn't done that either.

But other sweet moments have popped up.  I can't deny the melt your heart sweetness of seeing your husband carry his daughter into church, with an Ace bandage on one foot.  

Her current mobility:  She is really good at hopping on one foot.  She can hop to and from the bathroom and take care of herself in there.  When she isn't hopping she is crawling with one foot up in the air.  She gets up and down the stairs by scooting on her bum (sometimes a little too quickly for my liking)

Highlights of this experience for her:   1) getting an x-ray sticker that glows in the dark,  and 2) riding in a wheelchair.

link: on becoming

I'm not really sure what to title this post.  Basically I just want to share & bookmark a few blog posts and articles I have read recently.  Things that made me think about little adjustments I should make on this path to becoming.  Things that have enlightened and inspired.

Source: simplemom.net via Shannon on Pinterest

 

10 Steps to Courageous Hospitality -- About putting fears aside, stop worrying about perfection, and just invite people into your home.  I'm not afraid to invite people into my home, but I love what she says about the relationship building that happens when we do.

Quote:   "#2 Know that you are unique and that people want to know you more."

Take home:  Take the risk to get to know new people.

Source: myshineproject.com via Shannon on Pinterest

 

Shyness, or whatever --  She shares how she, once a very shy person, made a choice to become more outgoing.  Reading her backstory (kindergarten to college) I felt like she was writing about me!  Just eery the similiarity of experiences and thoughts/feelings.

Quote:  "I knew that being shy was trapping my talents inside me, I wanted to change."  "Sometimes you have to pack your bags and bid farewell to the thing you have become comfortable with that you know holds you back."

Take home:  Say hi & talk to the old lady walking by, it just might make her day.  Break out of your comfort zone.

 

Source: lilblueboo.com via Shannon on Pinterest

little blue boo - comfort shower

A Comfort Shower:  I found Lil Blue Boo earlier this week, and it is my new favorite.  This gorgeous young mom is battling cancer, going through chemotherapy, and has the best attitude.  "Choose Joy".  So inspirational.  Her MIL and SIL threw a comfort shower for her - a gathering for her closest family & friends to celebrate love, friendship, encouragement, laughter.  And she was showered with gifts of comfort: magazines, pjs, comfy clothes, books, tea, essential oils, scarves, sharpies, snacks, comfy quilts....even frozen meals.

Quote:  "I'm truly blessed to be surrounded by such love.  I've never once felt alone in this journey."

Take home:  Deep, sincere, thoughtful, supportive, with-you-through-highs-and-lows friendship is absolutely beautiful.

His Grace Is Sufficient:  As I read through the Winter 2012 issue of BYU Magazine this past month I came across this article.  It was originally a BYU Devotional given by Brad Wilcox.  I once took a religion course from him at BYU and he has the most amazing talent for speaking, teaching, engaging his class/audience, and every subject he touches suddenly becomes clear and makes perfect sense.  This article was just wonderful.  Go to the link and you can listen or download a free PDF.

Quote:  "When learning the piano, are the only options performing in Carnegie Hall or quitting?  No.  Growth and development take time.  When we understand grace we understand that we never have to face challenges alone, that Christ's strength is perfect in our weakness and that he offers us his enabling power."

Take home:  The blessings of the Atonement don't come to us just at the end of our lives, but rather they are continuous, constant, right here, right now.

19 days

I just made a calendar to hang on the fridge, listing all the upcoming important events, all the lasts, all the firsts.  I think we (especially the kids) need something visible to help understand & process all this change and to see when it is coming at us.  I'm doing good this week.  All the packing & organizing is keeping me busy & occupied enough that I'm not thinking about "the day".  But as the red "X's" begin appearing, I may be telling a different story!

packing progress

Packing, packing, sorting, vacuuming, and packing some more.  I've been taking photos & posting them on instagram to track my progress.  Even though the living room and hallways appear to be a disaster, this helps reassure me that progress is being made in other areas of the house.

laundry room . . . check

bookshelves . . . check

playroom . . . big check!

big upstairs closet . . . 80% done, just need to carefully wrap & box up the china.

getting rid of stuff

All this packing + sorting has also produced a massive pile that is bound for Goodwill.  Oh my heavens, I can't believe the size of the pile right now.  And I have yet to touch the bedrooms!  The first of many loads is heading out tomorrow.  But for now my living room serves as a collection center and a storehouse for moving supplies.

I am thankful for this opportunity to sort through everything and get rid of a lot of stuff that really isn't necessary.  It's nice to know that when we eventually unpack in our new home I will only find things that I use and/or love.

Source: dearinspirationblog.blogspot.com via Shannon on Pinterest

 

a mildly embarrassing / funny story

Last week I was able to sell several larger items on Craigslist, including our sectional couch.  On pick-up day I had Conner vacuum under the cushions so it would be all clean and ready for the new owners.

So they arrived to pick up the couch, we pulled it apart into thirds, and made a plan to get it down the long hallway to the front door.  As we tilted the first section back we hear this "jingle, jangle, swoosh, clink, clank."  We all look at each other and laugh.  He set it upright, then tilted it back again, "jingle, jangle, swoosh, clink, clank."  Holy cow, there is a whole lot of something in that couch.  I am  befuddled because we just cleaned out the couch cushions!  Somehow all this . . stuff . . has made it's way into the innards of the couch.

As we titled the section all the way back to the floor we inspected the bottom of the couch, and sure enough, through the transparent mesh-type lining there is a whole lot of kid-something in the couch.  We carefully loostened a section of lining and began pulling stuff out.  In handfuls.

All of this came out of our couch.

I'm just in shock as I see parts and pieces of toys that we got rid of years ago, pretzels (to be expected), hair items, lots of dominioes, and a Nintendo DS game that Conner lost last week.

With all the by-standers watching and participating in this revealing look into our lives, I have to say I was mildly embarrassed.  I made sure to place blame where blame was due:  "Oh my goodness, I can't believe my kids!"  "Look all this junk from my kids!"  "I'm going to have a talk with my children!"

Sharing this reminds me of a similar discovery that occurred the last time we moved.  This is what we found when we pulled the bunkbeds away from the wall:

I remember it just made me laugh.  Even the dusty bunnies.  Which I am also going to blame on the children.

the moving binder

This is my moving/packing/labeling system:

Scott would say, "Nerd alert" in his best Austin Powers voice.

My friends might say, "We should just call you Bree."

I say, "I'm awesome."

This system is going to be especially helpful because 90% of our stuff is going into storage for a few months, and if we ever need something we'll know exactly where to find it.

entertaining Anna

Or rather, not.  The poor girl has been assigned quite a bit of "quiet tv time" after school this week as I try to take care of business.  Although, there was one day I took her to lunch at McDonald's and we stayed to play for 2 hours.  

Today she was whiny, "I'm so bored, there is no one to play with me."

So I came up with another pacifier today.  I downloaded a few educational apps on my ipad, plopped her on the love sac, and I got back to work in the playroom.  We were in the same room and she was very happy with this arrangement (we don't let the kids play on our ipads very often ever, so this was a treat).

 

making plans

We signed a contract with movers.  We have signed with a property management company and there is a "For Rent" sign in our front yard.  Scott is currently living in our 3-bedroom apartment.  He reserved a storage unit that is practically next door to our apartment complex.  And we have purchased one-way plane tickets for Anna and I.  (The boys will drive the van chock full of stuff.)  This is really happening, people!  

Saying or thinking words like "countdown" and "one-way" are the things that make me hold my chest as it beats a little faster.  Or a little pit of sick stirs in my stomach.  And other times I'm totally at peace.  Or excited about embarking on an adventure of living with less.  And always, happy that we'll be together again everday (M, T, W, Th, F, Sa, Su).  

My mom told me that I will feel a whole range of emotions and holy cow she is right.  So much going on in my head and heart (up and down, left and right) in such a short period of time, sometimes moment to moment.  Maybe that's why my acne is going nuts.  Or maybe it's from all the chocolate breaks.

a miracle

After 6+ years not a single piece of Perfection is missing.  Shock and amazement.

the pool party

At age 9 our kids get to have a friend birthday party.  When we originally brainstormed ideas Payton wanted a Mario Party at home.  As we discussed the guest list I learned there were a few girls he wanted to invite.  Hmm.  A Wii party with a bunch of 9 year old boys and girls.  I'm not sure how that is going to work.

So I told him no.  I just can't come up with a good party theme that would work in our home (where we always hold parties) for boys and girls.

"I know!  Let's have it at the pool!", he said.

Sometimes that boy has some great ideas.

So a pool party was born!  I wanted to keep it simple.  I had already dodged the obligation to clean my house (and clean it again after the party ended), I wouldn't have to entertain the kids for 2 hours (entertainment is provided for me), and the whole moving thing was feeling eminent.  Keep it simple!

For invitations I printed these from TomKat Studio:

And for a personal touch I rounded up a few photos of Payton in and around the pool and put them on a teeny tiny photo strip.

Put it all together and wah-la!

Roller stamp across the front of the envelope

Now for the actual party . . . .

We held it during public swim hours and just reserved a space for our group on the bleachers.  Kids arrived, dropped their towels, and headed for the pool.  I had a few pool toys on hand as well.

Diving rings, inflatable shark (everyone went home with one), and underwater cameras.  I think the cameras were a real hit.  I had four cameras that the kids could play with and pass around.  At the beginning of the party I gave Conner the job of getting underwater photos of everyone in attendance.  We just got the photos developed and they are pretty fun!  It's also interesting to see the party from their perspective, in the water.

Payton finished writing his thank you cards yesterday (gotta get those in the mail) and we included each child's underwater photo in the envelope.  

While the kids swam I took photos and handed out snacks (Capri Sun, Goldfish crackers, shark fruit snacks).

After 45 minutes of swimming I gathered everyone out of the pool so we could sing happy birthday, eat cupcakes, and open presents.  I got the great idea for shark fin cupcakes here.  Card stock and toothpicks.

After another hour of swimming it was time to go home.  Everybody went home with a box of swedish fish and an inflatable shark.  The "thank you" tags" also came from TomKat Studio.

I think fun was had by all!  Payton had a great time, he was so excited to have his friends there, and so excited to open his gifts.  I'm not sure these kids have ever seen such a joyful reaction to present opening (I told you that he has a gift).  Which is awesome, because it makes the giver feel that much more special.

Party Supplies

Fujifilm Quick Snap Waterproof 35mm Single Use Camera (4 Pack)

Shark Inflatable Toys 24" (12 pack)

Swedish Fish Assorted Soft & Chewy Candy, 3.5-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 12)

I spy a heart

Happy Valentine's day!

I . . . prepared a valentines breakfast, balanced my checkbook, attended Anna's class party, enjoyed a fast food lunch with good friends, talked to movers, ordered more boxes & 400 sheets of packing paper (think it's enough?), was the recipient of a heart shaped pizza from a kind secret admirer, and taught my last piano lessons here. It's been a good day.

And tonight I'm going to eat a brownie.

I want to remember . . .

. . . when he sits in the front seat and gets his hands on the ipod his music of choice right now is Rumor Has It (the Glee mash-up)

. . . the odd lunches he packs for school.  There is never a sandwich.  Usually it is a mish-mash collection of whatever is appealing to him that morning: a fruit cup, go-gurt, chunks of cheddar cheese, a bagel (with a small container of jelly or cream cheese for dipping), sometimes carrots, and Sweet & Salty bars.  And sometimes he just fills his lunch with fruit and is stoked about it.

. . . his growing rock collection and how each one brings him such joy.

. . . his love for his stuffed animals Beary and Octopussy (a bear and an octopus).  For Christmas he asked for a rubber fish.  We had no idea why.  This boy is pretty random, so we didn't think too much of it.  When he found the rubber fish in his stocking on Christmas morning he ran up stairs to fetch Beary (who is a polar bear), brought him downstairs, and then "fed" the fish to him.  All this time Beary has been hungry and we didn't even know it!  :)

. . . the funny things he writes in his Diary of a Wimpy Kid Journal.  That one is a keeper.

. . . that he has the best random quotes.  Like this one, "Rule number 872 . . never give a chainsaw to a bear."

. . . the way he recognizes and appreciates good design.  He likes things with nice patterns, order, symmetry, and colors that are pleasing to the eye.  One day while in the car, he looked down at my iphone and commented on how nice it looks.  Adding, "Ya, that one button looks so much nicer than other phones that have 2 or 3 buttons."  What 9 year old notices these things?

. . . he is such a comedian.  As if Brian Regan didn't provide enough material for him, every episode of Phineas & Ferb, Ninjago, Wipeout, and now Strongbad (the 6-DVD set came to our house this Christmas) just keep adding to his act.

. . . that he is such a happy, giggly boy.  Nearly everything sentence or story ends with a laugh.  I've actually heard other boys ask him (on several occasions), "Why do you laugh so much?"  It's because he is HAPPY!

. . . that he can also go from 0 to -60 in no time flat.  He responds quickly and emotionally to loss, mistakes, and hiccups in the day.  I'm trying to teach him to breathe, stay calm, and don't freak out.

. . . his wild imagination and creative story telling.  He has started writing a book about Aser (pronounced "ay-sir"), a character that he and Conner came up with.  They have spent a year or more telling "silly stories" about her each night in their bedroom.  Aser is an acronym for: Acrobatic Supergirl who Eats Ranch.  She hatched from an egg and she likes to blow things up.  Each time he finishes a chapter he likes to read it to me, but he can barely make it through because he is laughing so hard.  I'll let you know when he publishes his book.

. . . when we went to the dentist for a cleaning last week and all he did was talk and talk and talk.  The hygienist and I were laughing so much because we couldn't get him to stop talking and just open his mouth!

. . . the time we were driving in the car, just he and I.  I reached over and held his hand.  My hand was icy cold.  His was piping hot.  Upon grasp we both let out an "ahhhh, that feels good."  I told him that we were a good match.

 

the weekend

-bought Breaking Dawn
-took Anna to a birthday party
-sold the boys' bunk beds
-laundry
-printed moving labels: I am a type A packer
-dinner date with Scott: stuffed mushroom euphoria
-continue date at home: watch Breaking Dawn and make pizookies
-went to church (only 3 more Sundays here)

Currently,
-cooking pork ribs in the crockpot
-watching golf while cuddling on the couch
-receiving love notes from Anna
-hearing the boys laugh as they watch Strongbad upstairs
-happy

(testing the typepad app in my iPhone)

valentine preview

I just can't resist any longer.  There's no waiting until Valentine's Day, I just have to share!

LOVE IT!!  Doesn't this just make you smile?  

Yesterday I spent a few minutes with each kid to design their valentine cards for this year.  We browsed a bit through iphoto and each of them chose their photo, we collaborated on the text, and then I spent a few minutes designing each one.

Like I said, Payton selected the photo, we chose the text, and when he left the room I had some fun.  Wah-ha-ha. When I showed him the final result he laughed and laughed.  But he wasn't completely sold on the idea of passing these out to his classmates.  I begged and pleaded and bribed and eventually he gave in.  Such a perfect photo and sentiment . . . I would have been heartbroken if he passed up this opportunity.

Then there was Anna.  She was dead set on using this photo from the first day of school.

{Anna is known in her class as Anna B because there are two Anna's}

It's so perfectly pink, glittery, and girly.  The Glitter Heart is a free download from Design Editor.  And the Glitter Letters also come from her shop.  So cute.  With a little tutorial I even learned how to add a drop shadow to the digital elements!  I'm definitely feeling smarter today.

And finally, there is Conner.  Once again I must stress the fact that the kids chose their own photos.

And he also chose the text.  It is sooo Conner.  Which, I guess, is perfect.

embrace the camera: february 9th

Today I'm embracing the camera with Payton.

On his birthday I handed the camera over to Conner and asked him to take a photo.

Love this boy.

He's popping up in a lot of blog posts lately, I know.  And I've got 2 more in my head that will make it onto the blog when I have time.

Embrace the Camera