Trials.

 Picture from our getaway last weekend. More on that soon! // Quote from this talk.

It's been on my mind for weeks. Every article I read and talk I hear seem to take my thoughts in a new direction; giving me new insights. I've prayed about and pondered the subject until I started to feel more at peace with my conclusions.

Two weeks ago, we turned on the tv to see Mitch Albom (the author of Tuesdays with Morrie) give the commencement address at the University of Utah. (Which, by the way, was wonderfully inspiring!) At the conclusion of the address, the administrators did as they always do, and awarded the graduates their degrees. As I watched the masters and doctorate students walk across the stage to accept their diplomas, I burst into tears.

I'm not sure that I've ever fully disclosed our education situation before. Jason and I met during my first year of college. We were so young. We had so many dreams that we were certain would come true. I graduated with my bachelor's degree after only 3 short years of college. I flew through my major by taking 20+ credits a semester. I imagined that we would be done with school and settling in a home of our own in no time.

But, that didn't happen. Jason's education has been a challenge. He is a wonderful student. An "A" student, to be exact. I'm so proud of him. But, we've been through a series of unfortunate events. Schools losing applications, majors proving to be unfruitful, Heavenly Father telling us we chose the wrong path. We've had door close after door close. It's been almost 10 years of changing plans. And my husband is still trudging on. (More than trudging. Soaring. He is amazing.) He's working on his third degree and will be starting his forth soon. It's been a long, hard road. The end seems so far away. And I'm tired.

I'm not writing this to complain. We've been blessed in so many other ways. I just wanted to point out that we all have trials. No one can compare their loss to another's. Because of our different personalities, the difficulty of a trials depends on the person. I believe that God will stretch us all to our limits. To humble us. To help us grow. For some, it will be fertility, for others, death. Others will deal with financial problems, misunderstandings with relatives, caring for a sick loved one, a mental illness or divorce. But for all, our individual trials will cause heartbreak. We cannot compare, nor can we judge. We never know what another person is dealing with.

I believe that our true character is shown as we handle these trials. If we choose to be offended, and by how quickly we are to forgive and forget. But especially by what we do and to Whom we turn to in our hour of need.

I know that God cares that my heart is broken with every shut door. I know He is mindful of our struggles. I also know that he is directing my little family's path. He is helping me develop virtues that I wouldn't have otherwise. Patience. Humility. Compassion. I know that God loves me and you.


// I love this talk. I've listened and read it multiple times over the past couple weeks. Highly recommended.

27

What Matters Most.

Christina and I took our kids to a local farm last week. It was a beautiful day spent on horse-back rides, feeding ducks, and checking out the darling baby bunnies. Baby D insisted that all large animals were "cows" and used all his energy trying to wriggle out of my arms to touch the giant Clydesdale horses, "moo"-ing all the way. My son and his best friend proved themselves to be expert escape artists. We found ourselves searching for one or both of the little explorers every 10 minutes. The older girls are at the perfect "friend" age. They held hands and whispered secrets. A constant giggle streamed from their direction. It was a relaxing, peaceful afternoon. Out in the sun. Away from all the little distractions and projects that seem to loom over me when I'm within 20 feet of my home office.

Christina and I can talk for hours upon hours. That's one reason why I love her so much! Everyone needs a friend like that. We usually make our way through the topics of family, church and our kids every time we are together. The best thing about talking to Christina? I am always inspired to be a little better.

Amidst to torrents of topics discussed, I mentioned what a lame blogger I've been since coming home from our Disneyland getaway. I haven't been motivated. Christina, with her signature wisdom, told me that a little space isn't a bad thing. That we sometimes need to give up doing good things for doing those things that are better. She also reminded me of a talk given by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf called "Of Things That Matter Most."

I've listened to and read the talk a few times since then; it is wonderful. He begins by talking about trees and how they grow. During ideal seasons, trees can grow quickly and normally. But, when the conditions are tough, the tree will stop it's rapid growth and use all its energy to focus on the basics of survival. Elder Uchtdorf compares this to life. When we are struggling though a rather rough patch, we need to give up some of those extra, unnecessary things. We need to focus on what matters most.

My favorite quote from the talk spoke directly to my to-do-list-making heart. "It is said that any virtue when taken to an extreme can become a vice. Overscheduling our days would certainly qualify for this. There comes a point where milestones can become millstones and ambitions, albatrosses around our necks."

I am trying to take his advise to heart. Doing what I must do, giving up some of the unnecessary.  I'm learning to post when I have time: when my kiddos don't need me and my home is in order. I'm learning to prioritize and to make more doable to-do lists. I'm learning to be satisfied with what I can accomplish and not focus on what I can't. It has been wonderful for my little family. We feel closer. There is a greater peace in our home and in my life.

Simplifying is not in my nature. I think I'll always struggle with cutting back. But, in the end, I don't want regrets. I want to look back on my life knowing I put the most important things first. In the end, my blog, career, and possessions won't matter. But my relationships and faith will.

13

Nuggets During a Post Vacation Slump.

one // Guess where we were last week? Yes, it is true. Celebrating my husband's spring break on Space Mountain. My parents treated us to this little vacation and it was fantastic.

two // We actually returned last Sunday, but I haven't been able to get back into the swing of blogging.

three // I haven't been able to get back into the swing of life, actually. I hosted a party at my house last night and didn't even do the dishes before the guests arrived! Oh, my.

four // Gained three pounds eating Disneyland's amazing chocolate covered bananas. The party food last night didn't help, either. (Someone brought a yummy, sweet Chex-mix that I couldn't stop munching on.) I'm thinking another sugar fast is in order. An internal battle is raging.

five // Speaking of the party, Bunco is a super fun game. (In case you are wondering, twelve people played. I think I had the third lowest score.)

six // I talked a couple of my friends' ears off about my favorite kind of literature: Asian history.  Hope they will let me talk to them again...

seven // The ladies stayed talking until well after midnight. I could have talked longer. So, my husband had to listen to my bantering for another hour.

eight // I've a goal to catch up on missed work, laundry and cleaning this weekend.

nine // Will be back next week with a book report series. My office shelf is full of non-fiction & craft books that are too wonderful not to share.

ten // Thank you for all of your Formspring questions. It was fun to come home from vacation to several new beauty questions to answer. I'll be posting a few more beauty-answers soon.

Happy Weekending!

13

Some Saturday Nuggets.

 Image from here. It's been my motto for the past couple days.

• The most commonly asked questions for me on Formspring are about photography and makeup. I think it is funny since I don't often post about either. I've decided to dedicate next week to all things beauty. Will be using some unanswered questions in Formspring as inspirations for posts. (If you have any questions, you can ask me, anonymously or not, over there.)

• My son, who has been walking for months, FINALLY decided to make it his primary mode of transportation. I love the Frankenstein stance. Pictures to come! It's too cute not to share.

• I needed a new headshot for *something* very exciting. I'll post all about it in a couple months. (I hate when bloggers do that, too. So sorry for the teaser, but I wanted to share my excitement.)

• I actually sorta-kinda like the headshot my husband took of me in our front yard. That NEVER happens.

• Why, yes. That is grass. Our snow is almost melted. It's about time.

• I needed to vent yesterday. The good ol' journal came to the rescue. I'd forgotten how cathartic writing your feelings out on paper can be.
The journal regained it's prominent location on my nightstand; we are going to be spending a lot more time together.

• I've been thinking a lot about words. How they can cut someone down or raise someone up. I've decided that there is no room for sarcasm or mean people in my life. I've also decided that I need to be aware of my own use of words. I only want to say things that are uplifting and loving.

• I've also decided that chatting online can really stink. Too easy to be misinterpreted.

• Sorry for the bit of silence on this blog of mine. The mini-break was unintentional. Life got in the way. And honestly, I just didn't feel like blogging. I've been a little down in the dumps over a silly, little thing. I'm not sure why I let it affect me so.

Hope you all have a lovely weekend. Next week will be fun.

20

On Contentment.

Am I allowed to change my word-of-the-year? Can I throw out my new year's resolutions and not be disappointed with myself?

Making goals is a part of who I am. Lists. Time lines. Planners. Schedules. Planning out every aspect of my life in detail. That is me. I am a perfectionist. A self-nitpicker. Someone who is never quite settled with who I am or what I am doing. I want bigger, better and more success. "Grow" was a natural word-of-the-year for me to pick. It wasn't hard to choose. "Grow" was in my comfort zone.

I recently came across an old goal journal of mine from age 8. In it, I wrote down goals for myself and then consequences for not accomplishing them. (Completely hilarious, I might add.) They said things like "Dust your room every day. If you don't, you must clean, dust and vacuum Sarah's room for a week." There were around 50 little goals and punishments in that binder. Oh, what an odd child I was. (And, I highly doubt I accomplished any of them.)

In many ways, I haven't outgrown that. I am constantly setting new goals for myself. My day begins and ends with a new, insanely long to-do list. And although I don't write the consequences for not accomplishing them in a journal like my 8-year-old self, I still punish myself when I don't get them all checked off. I start thinking that I'm not creative enough, that I'm failing as a mother, that I'm not successful, that my housekeeping skills are lacking, that I'm not a good sister, friend, or neighbor. I often can't accomplish the lofty goals I set for myself, and am left feeling discouraged at the end of the day.

And so, I'm throwing out my goal to "Grow." Ripping up my resolutions. I've picked a new word. One that is much more challenging for a person like myself. One that will truly stretch me.

My new word-of-the-year is "Content."

This word isn't a ticket to give up on being a good mother, friend, or employee. On the contrary. It is to make me more present and alive in the moment. To relish the here and now. To appreciate where I am in life and find joy in the journey. I don't want to overlook the sweet, small things happening today while wishing for the future.

I have a feeling this is going to be a very, very good year.

30

Friday Lovin'.

:: Lovin' that I've proclaimed today to be "Pajama Day." (Probably not going to admit how many self-proclaimed pajama & sweat days there were in my home this week.) I'll also be sporting the makeup-less, unbrushed hair, just out of bed look. I'm hoping to start a new trend.

:: Lovin' our new G12. I pulled it out of the box yesterday. This will be our vacation camera; much more portable for hikes and amusement parks. Can't wait to put it to work!

:: Lovin' Christina's new blog. She is one of my best and most inspiring friends. I always come away from time together with a new conviction to be a better person. Her new blog is all about "Beeing" better, a very appropriate topic for her to write about. Working towards your best self. It is a must-read already; she is amazing. (I designed the blog, by the way...)

:: Lovin' that I've been asked to speak at a local University (BYU) about my life as a graphic designer. I'll be speaking about logo, web and print layout design. I'm not sure why I can teach at something like the Art Weekend without fear, but get me in front of a college crowd and I start trembling. 11 more days to prepare....I can do this!

:: Lovin' my job. Finishing up designing a few logo orders and May's edition of CARDS magazine this weekend. It's going to be a busy one and my postings may be sparse over the next few days.

:: Lovin' that both my daughter and husband have the day off on Monday. Trying to think of something extra-fun to do with the fam on this rare occasion. Happy President's Day!!

What are you lovin' today?

20

Some Thoughts on Blogging.

 I love blogging. I love writing and sharing. I love the friends I’ve met and enjoy because of this space. I love documenting my life. Remembering favorite recipes and sharing my attempts at creativity.

However, I’ve been thinking a lot about this little blog of mine. At times, I feel like I’m at a crossroads. A point of opportunity to grow. To expand. To earn a little money. I’ve watched friend’s blogs take off as I held back hesitantly. They travel and attend conferences and get to earn money doing what they love. It seems so appealing; the traveling and swag bags so glamorous.

I’m not going to say that building my little blog hasn’t crossed my mind. It has. Many times, actually. It seems that I am always fighting an internal struggle with myself. One week, I am gung-ho about building it up. I have a list of companies to contact, bloggers to question, series to organize, giveaways to post, and conferences to attend. I’ve planned out 3 months of blog posts, packed with recipes and tutorials and pretty eye-candy.

But then, a nagging voice inside of me reminds me of why I started blogging in the first place. Not as a place with emotionless schedules, but as a place where I can share who I am. This blog was created to be my place. To vent. To enjoy. To share creativity and crafts. To narrate my everyday, simple life. A place that I was hoping to inspire others, but also to encourage myself forward. Turning Sherbet Blossom into a business doesn’t seem to accomplish my initial goal. I want this to be a casual blog where I don’t have to feel restricted in what I post. Where I can blog when and what I desire. I want my blogging to be about enhancing my life as a mother, wife, friend and person; not a spot that takes up time I should be spending doing better things.

I spent the weekend reevaluating my blogging goals and thinking about blogger anxiety. I erased that blog schedule and thought about content.  I’m not sure that many will even notice a change on this blog, but I already do. No pressure. Just me being me.

Above, I've posted my long-standing blogging motto: "Blog what you live. Don’t live to blog."

31

Friday Lovin'.

 :: Lovin' February. Hearts. Pink. Love notes. I've received no less than 12 valentines already from my daughter. I love any holiday that encourages the eating of chocolate; even if I won't be eating any this year. (It has been 32 days since I've eaten sugar...am DYING for something sweet.)

:: Lovin' that my husband couldn't stop talking to me last night. I kept nodding off when he'd bring up another "Remember when..." He was reminiscing about our dating & early marriage for 2 hours. It was cute. I love being married to a sentimental guy.

:: Lovin' my new fleece electric blanket. A gift from my husband. I haven't been sleeping well because of the cold. My husband told me I was keeping him awake saying "I'm so cold" in my sleep. It was a lovely, welcome gift.

:: Lovin' nude nails. Light pink and glossy. I'm all about Zoya's nail polish lately and the barely there look. (Current favs? Erika, Dovey and Mia. 2-3 coats for maximum opacity. And by the way...the picture above is much closer to the true color than what they show on the Zoya website.)

:: Lovin' my neighbors. So sweet and supportive. I had multiple friends stop in unexpectedly to see how we were doing while we were sick. We had meals, popsicles, medication and balloons all dropped off. Errands were run. My mother's best friend, Elaine, delivered a giant care package to the kiddos full of toys and treats. We are feeling very loved and fortunate to live where we do.

:: Lovin' that my kiddos, though feeling better, are still in a cuddly mood.

:: Lovin' Kelly Purkey's window decor idea. Am thinking about blog-lifting it this weekend.

:: Lovin' my new cookbook. I'm not vegan, nor do I plan to be, but the recipe book helps me to avoid the foods I'm allergic to. (wheat, eggs and milk.)

:: Lovin' new-to-me books. Plugging away at my Book Challenge.  (Read "The Giver" for the first time yesterday and can't stop thinking about it.)

:: Lovin' my talking baby. He says "Wow!" as he points to this and that. Says "bye-bye" and waves to his school-bound sister every morning. He gives open mouth kisses while saying "Mmmah!" That boy! He is a joy.

:: Lovin' that we have no plans this weekend. Our Idaho road trip to see Hil&Co was canceled due to illness. And, because of the daunting weather and temperatures up there, we aren't too sad. March sounds like a much nicer time to visit.

:: Lovin' the Canon G12. Yes-sir-ee, it's true: I'm a point and shoot owner again. Excited to have this as a side-kick to my well-loved Rebel XSi. Lugging an SLR around our family vacay just doesn't sound fun. I'll tell you all about the upcoming trip later. We are very excited. Very.

:: Lovin' all the twine lovin'! If you haven't entered already, tomorrow is your last chance.

12

Hair Woes.

So, my hair is falling out. Majorly thinning. (Thank you, babies.) I am always shocked by the amount of new hair in my brush each morning. It's bad. And I have new little hairs coming in everywhere.  I've always loved having long hair. My hair has always been one of my favorite features, actually. It's been a little tragic for me to see it fall out. (How come no one warned me that I'd have to deal with hair-loss after each child??)

Yesterday, my hair was really long; a couple of inches above my elbows. (Which looked exceptionally ridiculous on me. It made my hair look even more lifeless and thin.) So...last night I went to my wonderful hairdresser and had her chop it off. (And I didn't even cry this time!) Shoulder length now, and I think it suits my current hair situation.

My hairdresser advised me to get back on Nioxin. (One of my favorite shampoo/conditioner/hair treatment brands.) She also suggested drinking "green shakes" and trying Equate's version of Rogaine. (She likes the Walmart brand better, so I'm headed to pick it up today. You can find me in the aisle  with the balding men.)

Rogaine at 28. This is not good.

51

103.5.

Albuterol steroids to open the airway. Nebulizer and gas masks. Throat spray to ease painful swallowing. Humidifiers to help with breathing. Tylenol and Ibuprofen to bring down all the 103.5+ fevers. Shakes, moans, crying, nausea, aches. As a mother, it is painful to watch.

I remember being a mother of one. She would get sick; we thought it was exhausting. (And it was!) Little did I know that the exhaustion from one sick child pales in comparison to having three sick at once. I literally haven't slept for 2 days.

Motherhood is never ending. No breaks. No vacations. Constant worrying.

And yet, motherhood is my greatest joy. I have a secret that I must confess: I kind of enjoy my kids being sick. (Well, other than their pain. I never want them to be in pain.) The overabundance of kisses, hugs, cuddles I've received over the past two days makes my lack of sleep worth it. My older daughter, who is getting a little old for cuddling, wants me to hold her. My darling, crazy redhead boy is finally calm enough to sit on my lap and watch a movie. My baby falls asleep on my shoulder; something he NEVER does on a normal day.

I'm so grateful to be a mom. Even when wiping noses, cleaning up who knows what off the floor, administering medicine and fighting to get my baby to sit still while I hold the nebulizer's mask over his mouth.

Motherhood. It is rewarding. Not glamorous. Not glamorous in the least, but nothing makes me happier. Nothing makes me feel more fulfilled. I wouldn't trade my life with these three sweet children for anything.

Am on strict doctor's orders to keep my baby home from church and other public locations until spring. (Apparently there are some nasty things going around and lots of babies are ending up hospitalized.) The doctor suggested that babies under the age of 1, and babies like mine, who've had pneumonia and are under 18 months, stay home until April rolls around. That puts a damper on a lot of plans. Perhaps it will give me more time for blogging and crafting, though...

20

On My Mind Lately.

I've had so much running through my mind lately that I've found writing to be very difficult. Jotting my scattered thoughts down in an understandable format is seemingly impossible. So...things have been rather quiet around here. Am starting to straighten out my emotions; realizing that my trials are a bit trivial compared to some. Trying to GROW from these experiences.

I'll be back in full force this week. Tomorrow, my uber-talented neighbor is going to giveaway some of her fancy-smancy jewelry. Be sure to leave a comment on that post!

The February Wplus9 release starts on Thursday and I've been in my craft studio getting ready. Seriously adorable stamp sets!

And then, of course, I'll probably try to sneak in a random post or three. Per my usual blogging style. Hoping my blogging mojo returns quickly.


Other random things that have been on my mind lately:

:: Loving my new Dark Diversion Fluidline from MAC. Haven't tried gel eyeliner? YOU MUST. I'd hurry and get your hands on the limited edition color before it disappears. It is a maroon-brown-purple color. Pretty, pretty. (Very similar in color to their Raven Eye Kohl or Sketch Eye Shadow.)

:: Totally obsessed with Pinterest since I joined in December. It's like a bulletin board. You can pin up all the fun/delicious/beautiful things you find around the web. (You can see my boards here.)

:: 1 house + 3 kids under 6 = A disaster area. Trying to rectify that equation. Spent my weekend organizing and cleaning. It is Monday morning, and my house is already in disarray. Have recommitted myself to my cleaning plan.

:: Have gone 3 weeks without eating sugar. My body feels so much better. Also avoiding all the things I am allergic to for a while; which may be helping a tad. (I'm allergic to eggs, wheat and dairy. It's not fair. Not fair at all. I ignore it most of the time. The tummy aches are worth it.)

:: Have started couponing. My husband is out of work, did you know? We are starting to feel the crunch. Major budgeting is in order. I've tried to coupon in the past, but never had a ton of luck. (Lack of organization and motivation, I suppose. I have a better motive now, so I'm hoping for some good success.)

:: Enjoying Miranda's menus of the week. Am going to join her as soon as my strict no-sugar challenge is over. She posts them on Fridays. I hope to see some of you playing along as well!

:: Booked a family vacation to Southern California. Looks like my resolution of taking the kiddos to the beach will actually come to fruition!

***Image via fffound; found by me via Pinterest.

13

My Resolutions.

As a child, I remember that a year seemed to last a lifetime. Christmas couldn't arrive fast enough, and the four months in between Christmas and summer vacation seemed an eternity. Now that I am a bit older, years seem to fly by.

2010 was memorable: babies, colic, first smiles, pneumonia, a little princess and a tiny super hero, road trips, picnics, swimming lessons, designing, gardening, kitchen experiments, concerts, anniversaries, job loss, kindergarten, new callings, back to college, weddings, new siblings, baby kisses. 2010 was good to us. Challenging, but good. It's nice being so in love with J. Having him at my side makes even the hardest of times hopeful and the simplest of moments joyful.

I have high hopes for 2011. Hoping for a bit of calm. For some stability and simplicity. More sleep. Hoping my kiddos don't become too old for my hugs or kisses. That I'll still be my the favorite girl of my three boys. That my daughter will still be my shadow. Hoping that my garden grows a little taller. That I get more use out of my over abundance of tomatoes. That my butternut squash plant will produce more than one squash.  Hoping for lots of family time. That we create some lasting memories.

My intention was to have only 11 goals for 2011. It turned into 18. I'm not very good at being concise. (My mother, an editor by profession, slices away at my papers when I ask her to edit. Apparently I'm too wordy.) But, alas, I couldn't decide which resolutions to nix. So they all stayed put.

My word of the year? Grow.

I want to grow. Spiritually, socially, mentally, physically. I want to be stronger. A reliable employee. A trusted friend. A good wife and mother. I want to be better.

Wishing you the best in the year to come.

17

Happy New Year.

I'm still on vacation, but I thought I'd quickly post that my holiday has been marvelous. Family, friends, food and road trips galore. I am now sporting a new pair of leather boots, a pretty white watch and a few extra pounds.

I've been thinking about my resolutions. I usually have them written by New Years Eve. Rewritten a few times by the 3rd. But this year, I've been a little more reflective. I have a lot I want to work on. But I want to keep it simple. Simplifying is always a goal of mine. I'll reveal them soon.

I do, however, know my word for the year. I've never given myself a word before, so this will be a first. The word is perfect for me. I'll tell you all about that soon as well.

My husband's classes start in two days and my parents fly home to Hawaii tomorrow. I must spend every available moment with my favorite people before they are gone. Will be back soon. Maybe with a new blog look. A redesign is on the docket.

A special new years note to you, dear reader: Thank you for being such a wonderful part of my 2010. Blogging has uplifted and comforted me during a very challenging year. I've been amazed at the friendships I've been able to develop and the opportunities that have been given to me. Thank you for reading, for commenting, for emailing. Hope you stick around in 2011.

11

A Bullet List.

I've been running like crazy this month; this way and that. I had great plans for each of these bullet points to get their own post. But, with the pace this month has already set, I realized that a bullet list is the only way to go.

• I never did finish my advent calendar on time. (Am making this one.) It is almost done, and will be tucked neatly into our Christmas box for next year. My mother came through and saved the day, as always. She made the kiddos a darling advent featuring mittens hung on a clothes line. Each mitten is filled with treats or an activity. She also has big dates, such as birthdays or when family members from out-of-town arrive, highlighted with darling little flags.

• December is always a busy month in my line of work. Press day is press day for the magazine, regardless of the holidays. Companies want to revamp their identity for the new year. Packaging changes, blogs want a new look and Christmas card orders keep me hoping. I'm down to my last few custom design orders before Christmas. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

• I've been my church's activities committee co-chair for a while. The other committee chair, along with all our committee members and I have been busy, busy preparing for our Christmas party. A lot of time was put into the decor, advertising, food and program. It went without a hitch, but we are very glad to be done with it.

• I was overly involved in high school. I kept myself far too busy. (I haven't changed much, have I?) I was a senior class officer and we have just started planning our 10-year reunion. I can't believe it's that time already! Facebook is making finding our classmates a rather easy task. I don't know how student councils did it pre-social media times.

 • Heber Valley Railroad invited me and my family on the Polar Express. We had fun spending the evening together. If you want to go, you can get $5 off coach tickets on December 14, 15 and 16 by calling the train directly at 435-654-5601 and ask for the “Utah Blogger” discount.

• No release for Wplus9 this month. Dawn was kind enough to give the design team the month off. However, we'll be back with another fantastic release in January!

• Am nursing my sick family. I'm the only one left standing. Daughter is starting to recover from the flu just as the three boys start to show the symptoms. I've always prided myself in an abnormally strong immune system, but I don't think to odds are in my favor. I'm hoping my turn isn't over Christmas.

• Am giving myself the permission to post sparingly from now until New Years. Please excuse me as I may only pop in once or twice a week. My husband is on Christmas vacation and my parents are flying in from Hawaii. I need some quality family time.

7

Happy Thanksgiving.

Do you remember making turkeys by tracing your hand and coloring the fingers with brightly colored crayons? My daughter brings one home every year from school, and I always get a kick out of seeing the 5 things she is most thankful for. Last year her top 5 things were "Candy, Mom, Dad, Daddy Rarr (her teddy bear), and Hawaii."

I have so many things to be thankful for. My family most of all. Thanksgiving gives us all the opportunity to reflect on our blessings, and I truly feel blessed today.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

1

Thoughts.

BEAUTIFUL SNOW IN MY BACKYARD.  JAN 2010.

Snow is coming this week.
I'm excited.
It will make me feel more justified in putting up my Christmas decor a month early.
No, I haven't decorated yet.
But I think I will in a week.
Maybe two if I can hold out.

I am very excited for the Wplus9 release this week.
More this month than others because I designed 2 of the 4 stamp sets!
I tried to make sets that would appeal to even the non-scrapper/stamper.
So excited to see others stamp with designs I created. Oh my. What a thrill that will be!
My sets will be released in a couple days. I'll keep you informed.

Despite that exciting news, I've been quite weepy this weekend.
Remember how I was sad? And then never fessed up to why?
(Don't you hate when bloggers do that?)
I'm ready to confess; my husband lost his job.
Yes, this whole bad-economy thing stinks.
Royally.
Consequently, J decided to go back to school to get his third degree.
I'm feeling a little bit like a single mother right now.
Seeing him for one hour a day just doesn't cut it for me.
But, I'm sure it will be worth it in the end.
It better be.

I get to eat sugar today.
I don't know what to indulge in first.
My kids' Halloween candy is sitting on top of the fridge, out of their reach.
But cheap-o chocolate doesn't seem indulgent enough after a 3-month sugar fast.
I've been dreaming of Red Mango and chocolate cake.
Seriously, I have.
I eat one of those two things every night in my dreams.
It's been a nightmare, actually.
Cause I wake up worried that I've cheated.
I have a feeling that Red Mango will trump chocolate cake.

I teach the 6-7 year olds in my church.
Yesterday, we were practicing for our primary program.
One of the songs touches my heart every time we sing it.
And I get teary.
And the children in my class ask me why I'm crying.
And I tell them their singing is just so beautiful.
You can hear the song here.
It is powerful.
Especially when being sung by darling kids.

To make ourselves laugh, we've been watching this.
I can't tell you how many times I've watched it.
To quote my mother about the commercial:
"The popcorn was the coup de grâce."
I agree.
It never gets old.
In fact, I think I'll watch it again right now.

Happy Monday.

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I've Been Thinking.

• Back from our short vacation to Idaho. I think this is the most beautiful October that Idaho has ever seen. The weather was marvelous during our stay. Seriously spectacular. And being in a farm town during the harvest? There is nothing like it.

• Thank you for indulging me in a lengthy blog break. It's been a while since I actually wrote. I've been in a bit of a "blogger burnout." And busy with life. (Teaching my 5-yr-old to read. A school fun-run. Picking out books from the class book order. The local pumpkin and raspberry patches. Hugs. Kisses. Snuggling babies. You know...all the important things that cannot wait for me to write a post.) I don't want my life to revolve around my blog, but rather let my blog revolve around my life. I do love to blog. And I've missed it. Thank you for sticking around.

• Remember when I used to be crafty? Me too. It's been a few weeks since I've created anything but cards and I'm starting to get the itch. (Be prepared for some crafty posts!) I am a fickle hobbyist. Sometimes (a lot of the time) my time waster of choice is crafting. Then, something else pulls my attention and my craft scissors are put back on the shelf. Right now, my current distractants are books. I'm a bit obsessed, really. I can't stop. Every other day, I start a new one. Finished "Atonement" last night (meh) and picked up two more books today. (Crime & Punishment and Memoirs of a Geisha.)

• I've received quite a few emails asking about my allergies. Thank you, thank you for your concern. Here is your answer: I'm ignoring them. It is true. Last night, I had sour cream after being off dairy for 5-6 weeks. I was up all night with a severe stomach ache. I laid rolled up in a ball on my bed, holding my stomach all night. I panicked thinking my dairy allergy results must be right. I wasn't ready to give in, though. So, today...I ate leftovers with sour cream for lunch. (I know...stupid. But, I needed to confirm to myself that it was the sour cream causing the problems.) NO side effects today. It must have been a bug or food poisoning. I am rejoicing. And still ignoring my allergies. I'm not giving up.

• My sugar strike is still going strong. Have been off for 6 weeks now. 4 more to go. This is a huge feat for a sweet tooth like myself. I don't think I have ever made it even a week before now. Am very proud of myself. But, I do frequently have dreams of eating ice cream. And Costco's huge chocolate cake. (Have you had it? You SHOULD. It is the best.) I wonder how I'll survive Halloween. Maybe we'll be the annoying neighbors who hand out toothbrushes.

Have a fantastic week. Will be back. I have some cards, crafts and more thoughts to share.

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Weekend Wrap-up :: Welcome, Fall.

Fall has arrived. Our abnormally warm weather has fleeted and the conditions are now allowing for sweaters. And the heater. I have the heater turned up to 75 degrees. (I have a bad case of cold hands in temperatures under 65 degrees. I hate chilly fingers, and wearing gloves isn't really conducive to productive designing.) Our slight chill has actually been rather perfect. I've been collecting soup recipes, burning fall candles and harvesting squash. I think October is my favorite.

This last weekend past in a blur. On our weekend's docket:

Purse Party.  I attended. I love purses, so I really should be banned from purse parties. I'm proud to report that I came away with ZERO new purses. I was quite pleased with myself. My checkbook is still blank. Just the way it should be right now.

Work. J studied and I worked all Friday. We've combined our offices so we can do this sort of thing together. I love having him only feet away...even if we are busy doing our own thing. J occasionally breaks out a joke to make me smile and liven the too-serious moments.

My Class. Saturday morning was frantic as I prepared the last-minute details for my "Basic Blogger Design" class at Nicole Hill's SLC Art Weekend. Copying, stapling and uploading away. I left with plenty of time to spare and headed for the darling downtown-hotel location. Half way there, my tire blew. COMPLETELY blew. It was scary, and I hate being late. A sweet policeman saved the day, but once I arrived, my new MAC computer didn't have the right plugs for the projector. Seriously, MAC. The class went great, regardless of the comedy of errors. I had some really nice feedback and requests for an advanced class. Am thinking about it.

Corn Maze. J took me to a corn maze that night. We were desperately lost, even though we used the cheater text-for-clues signs. The "30-minute" maze took us a good hour. We decided against trying the hour maze. Who knows if we would have made it out alive.

Family Time. A yummy, made-up recipe that I hope to be able to replicate. (Why don't I ever write my creations down?) On Sunday, we all crashed on the living room floor. All five of us sleeping. It was a perfect ending to a busy weekend.

Am looking forward to a week of no plans. Maybe a weekend getaway is in order. Who knows. Sometimes living on the fly is a thrill. Especially for a girl who tends to over-plan.

Hope your week is lovely.

6

On My Mind Today.

 a. LDS General Conference was fantastic and uplifting. Am ready to re-watch many of my favorites. Motivated to be better and do better. The best thing about General Conference is it feels like a new start. I recommit myself to live more fully and be more kind. Hubby was home all weekend, which is better than Christmas for the kiddos. Even Baby D has developed a strong attachment for his sweet daddy. He crawled over to his sleeping-on-the-floor dad and put his cheek on J's cheek to cuddle. It was the cutest Baby D moment to date.

b. A call from my doctor on Friday. Am officially allergic to everything. Well...it feels like everything. Wheat, dairy and eggs. Seriously? I don't even know what to eat. I don't get sick when eating them, it is just causing some severe vitamin deficiencies because the allergies aren't allowing my body to absorb them. I really don't have motivation to avoid them. I don't know what to do.

c. Haven't eaten sugar in 5 weeks. Am excited for this challenge to be over. A few neighborhood friends keep mentioning their trips to Red Mango. I think that will be my first stop when this no-sugar challenge is over. I miss that place.

d. 5 days until the Art Weekend. I have some work to do before I am ready to teach. Am very excited to share my blog-designing knowledge with others.

14

Harvest Festival.

Early fall in Utah; my favorite time of the year. The weather is perfect, the food is fresh and fabulous, the sunshine is welcomed and abundant. And the smells! Oh, the smells. Utah's fall aroma is second to none.

We celebrated this lovely, late-September weekend by attending a local Harvest Festival. Farmers and artisans from all around the state gathered in one beautiful location for our shopping enjoyment. The produce was out-of-this world beautiful. The pumpkins were ginormous. My kids spent most of their time hanging around the pumpkin boxes, picking out their Halloween pumpkin. They decided white pumpkins are best.

I love these simple, slow days; my family just enjoys each other's company. These are the memories that will matter.


In other news...
:: I finished Harry Potter #5 in 2 days and have started #6. These books are completely addicting. I become immersed. I have to read when my kids are sleeping because I become a none-present-mother when reading. Not just HP books, any book. My imagination puts me right into the book's setting.

:: I am going to be a little bit of an absentee blogger over the next couple weeks as I prepare to teach at the Art Weekend. Please excuse me. I will be back with a giveaway or two, a new stamp release and May I Suggest posts. You won't even miss me.

:: Am impatiently awaiting my allergy test results. They were supposed to be here on Friday. Called this morning with no luck. Hoping for the results by tomorrow. Crossing my fingers. I'm not sure I'm strong enough to live without wheat.

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