Project Life

These 2 pics are some of my all-time favorite ones of the girls. I saw an episode on HGTV where they took pictures and turned them all black/white and had them made into square canvases. This is on my project list "to-do." I would really love to have pictures of our family all over our house.



I love to scrapbook. But, the really sad thing is I hardly have any "scrapbooks." I have a huge box of pages that are done, but no completed books. I finally did go through all my pictures from 0-marriage and put them chronologically in just plain acid-free photo albums. That was a huge load off, because I finally feel like they are protected. But, there is no story associated with them........yet. I have some big ideas, but who knows when I'll actually get around to doing them. I thought I was going to "catch-up" this winter, but with this Air Force/civilian life roller coaster ride my husband has taken me on, I haven't scheduled time to do these projects. In writing this, it makes me a little frustrated that there are so many memories that I have yet to tell. I really am not doing it for my kids (although I do hope they at least appreciate looking through them one day), I do them for me. I would love to have a bookcase one day of all our life's pictures and memories to go through.

So about 2 years ago, I came across this really great scrapbook "kit" that covers an entire year-all the supplies you need (except your own photos)-in 1 box! It is called Project Life. The basic idea is that you take a picture a day and write on one 2X3 card the story behind it. Some days it might be that breakfast at IHOP (yesterday's) or a more exciting event like Disney world (coming in just a few weeks-yes!). This is my new way to scrapbook and so far I am LOVING it! Avery's first year album (the larger one pictured above) is made by using the contents of the kit. The other smaller album, I just picked up at Target and use cardstock I already had in my stash to make 4X6 journaling cards. This is Kate's 2-yr album. Since Kate doesn't have-as many-milestones and changes this last year, I simply put a journaling card and picture above it, or in this case a piece of paper that she drew with her name on it. (That's how she wrote her name;) Anyway, hope that all makes sense.

Here are 2 links that might explain it a bit better (if ya really want to know.....)
Becky Higgins-the creator of this kit and concept
Ali Edwards (here and here)-a scrapbooker/designer who is also doing the Project Life

Since I'm so OCD, here are some things that have worked for me:
1. Instead of doing this every single day, I just simply take as many pictures as can throughout the day or week as moments come up. (Keeping in mind that ideally I would like 1 picture a day) It helps that I have my iphone camera (thank you Santa) and one camera on the main floor and one upstairs, always handy.

2. Since our main family room was too small to house our ginormous dining room table, we put it in one of the bedrooms and use it as my project table. So far, so good. I love that I can just keep this project out all the time. I am definitely an "out of sight, out of mind" person.

3. I keep 2 "inboxes" that I go through weekly. They hold scraps of paper that might contain a thought OR a receipt OR a coloring page, etc. (Avery's is green and Kate's is yellow-top right corner of pic)

4. The other 3 baskets are: BLUE-Kate's journaling cards, PINK-basic supplies that I need like tape or scratch paper and GREEN-little items I need to put away in this room.

5. I actually "schedule" time now to work on this project. I know some people do this daily, but that never worked out for me, something always came up. So now, every Sunday (thank you early church), after naps and dinner, I retreat to my "studio" and catch up on the previous week. I edit and choose the pictures that I want to use. Then I dump them into a folder on the desktop of my computer. I sort through the little papers and memos I've made throughout the week. Then I plug in the cards with their journaling-and viola!-the week is done.

6. I have learned by doing this, that I'm not so much a "creative" being as I thought I was. I must be organized first or I cannot function! That is why I LOVE this set and idea-it's already organized and has a cute creative side, too. I just get to plug in the pictures and stories.

7. EVERNOTE is my new favorite app. I have this on my iphone and when I have an idea, I just simply jot it down in this app. I "tag" it with the name "project life" and then simply go through my phone on Sunday to see if I had any moments/ideas to record.

*At least with this, I am telling the story of now. And I have learned a huge lesson by doing this: to be grateful for the great life I currently have and live in the moment. It has once again re-affirmed the idea that life is about all the tiny little moments that lead us to great decisions and things. I guess kind of like how people do a gratitude journal, this helps me be grateful for these moments.

Story Telling

I love taking pictures because they tell such great stories; like this next one. Forgive me babe...

Once there was an orange bear.



A boy saw the bear.

The boy came closer to have a look.



The boy came to eat the bear!



Oh no bear!



Go away boy!!



Good thing that boy went away.

That's a Casey Taylor original folks! Pictures capture so many fun/silly/important memories in life. They make it so much easier to remember things and times and places. Taking pictures is one of the best ways to preserve our lives, (at least I think so). Besides being fun, pictures of us now will one day give our children proof that we were not born OLD!!!

I think pictures add a lot, for example: when I'm in the market for a cook book, the more pictures it has the better! I don't like books that are just filled with recipes and that's it, I need to see what the end product looks like so I know whether or not it's worth my time!

I always loved reading stories as a child and even now I'm drawn to books with great illustrations-pictures really make a difference. They make the stories come alive!

I know I have hardly any pictures of me growing up, I want to make sure that I document my girls lives and my own life. One day I won't be around, but-hopefully-pictures of me still will be.

Picture This!

So, YAY for us! My husband and I are new homeowners (again!). We purchased a beautiful home about 30 minutes north of Tampa, FL and love just about every aspect of our state, our city, our neighborhood and our home. One of the coolest features of our home is all of the niches and unique architecture in our house. I especially love the three niches, just like the one pictured, in the "grand" hallway.

For months and months I have been trying to think of what I was going to put in these niches. Then I realized...I hardly have any family pictures hanging in my house! (Which is sad, because I take a lot of pictures and I think I'm pretty good at it!). Sooooo. After much thinking, I had the perfect idea! I went through all of my photos that were on my computer from the time Kami was born, until now. Then using Picasa, I edited my photos so that they were all black and whites. Then, I uploaded and ordered them through one of the online photo companies.

Meanwhile, I scoured the Sunday paper for Michales ads and waited for the photo frames to go on sale (which is like, what? every other week?) PLUS, I used the handy-dandy 25% off your entire purchase coupon they had in their ads for a while and purchased my collage frames for a pretty decent price.

Viola! I now have my own "portrait" gallery that is going to be easy to move around, add to and even switch the pictures out as the kids grow and I run out of room! I hope this can be a place for our family and our friends to come, and as they enter our home be assured that our home is a loving, comfortable home where lots of memories are made (and kept!)

Shout out to my peeps (or in this case, ladies...)

So, I was just writing in my journal (which hardly EVER happens anymore, but I decided I needed a little relaxing time while the girls were BOTH asleep-also hardly EVER happens;) and I just wanted to let you ladies now that I really am grateful to have you in my life. Even if was just for a brief period that we were all geographically close, each of you have left a great impression on my life.

We are joking about "not judging" on here, but it's true, we won't judge each other. I am grateful for friends like you guys who really do lift me up and give me great ideas. I've never felt lesser by being around any of you, but instead you all make me want to do better. (Sorry for the extreme cheese...) I was making Casey's wraps on Saturday for lunch and Justin loved the new recipe! All I did was put turkey, tomatoes, celery, cheese, and ranch dressing-all chopped up and then mixed in a bowl first into a tortilla. Then, today I made one with chicken, green pepper, tomato, cheese and italian dressing. It really is simple to do (like Casey told us), but I would never have come up with it on my own, especially the mixing it up first thing. It is healthier than what I typically have been eating for lunch (Kate's scraps of Mac&Cheese) and definitely tastes better! So, I know this isn't about recipes, or your dream vacation, but more a place where we can all feel like we can be ourselves with no judgements and still get great ideas and learn from one another.

So, thanks ladies!

Let's stick with the no judging rule cause...

it would really help me out right now! I'm a bit embarrassed to admit my favorite show, well shows really because I have two and I couldn't decide between them. So, the first one probably shouldn't be my favorite show because probably I shouldn't be watching it and I know for certain I shouldn't love it the way I do but I DO!!! The second, I feel like such a dork and it's kind of a dorky show, okay a really dorky show, but I LOVE it too, so...here goes;

Number Uno: Mad Men

Number Deux: Drop Dead Diva

And there you have it. :)

Will you please accept this rose?

WORST LINE-EVER! That's ok...I still watch it.
No judgements, right? (ahem....Jessica! I didn't put anything about Britney, so no judgements here...)

So, I seriously have been watching this show since it started. This is the only show (I think) that I have watched it from the get-go and still watch every season, every first episode it comes on. The only time I had to catch up the day after via online webisodes was when I was in Hygiene school and I had a Microbiology class on Monday nights. That was my least favorite thing about that class, it was on the same nights as the Bachelor. Ha! So, here we are again. It's the same old story, man/or woman is presented with 25 members of the opposite sex (because let me just tell you, the day they do same sex will be the day that I QUIT watching) and they end up with one. Sounds like some crazy game show and maybe that's what I love.
Cheesy: extremely
fake: oh yeah
scripted: I'm sure
But, there are some honest-to-goodness parts where you can see 2 people talking/going on a date and just feel their chemistry. That is what I love and WHY I keep watching. Who doesn't love a good love story? And I'll be it, that wouldn't be my idea necessarily of falling in love, but it is fun to watch 2 people fall in love.

*And my family members (who I will not throw under the bus by naming them here) and I have Tuesday talks where we discuss the girls he chose/didn't choose. So cheesy and so lame, but kind of fun to talk about someone else's drama, because it definitely makes any you have in your own life not so big a deal!


Just for the record....Smallville would be my second. I didn't watch it from the start, just started watching it on DVD's and well...LOVED it! Justin thinks I am just watching it to stare and drool at Tom Welling. Although, somewhat true....I love watching the whole story of Superman unfold from his earlier days. You see him in high school learn about and develop his "abilities." Anyway, I have most all the seasons if anyone wants a look see ;)....

So if someone could just make my 2 worlds collide-Tom Welling as the Bachelor, I just might give up my first born to have a shot;)

The One With All The Friends

11 years! 11 years! Can you believe it's almost been 11 years since the TV sitcom 'Friends' went off the air? Yet, rerun after rerun I laugh just as much and as hard as the first runs. I own every single season on DVD and it's my "go to" show when I want something to watch, but I don't seem satisfied with what's currently on. Which is why 'Friends' is probably my all-time favorite TV show.

I was about a Junior in High School when I first started watching 'Friends', so it'd been on a few years before came in on it. Ross and Rachel were still on a break, Monica wasn't even thinking about Chandler, Phoebe was singing about a smelly cat and Joey was still trying to pick up on women (How you doin'?). Yet I knew that somehow, somewhere, sometime Ross and Rachel were destined to be together, Joey would always be the bachelor, Phoebe would find someone as quarky as she is and Monica & Chandler....well, I'm not sure anyone saw that one coming! :)

'Friends' was my BFF every Thursday nights for years. Even when I left home and moved out on my own. I remember working 7am-7pm shifts at the hospital; if I happened to be scheduled to work on Thursdays, I would run to clock out, book it to the breakroom, throw my dinner in the microwave and settle down on the couch; just so that I didn't have to miss an episode! It was the first show to ever make me laugh out loud.

So, if you have a minute or two and need a laugh, take a peek at one of my favorite episodes! (the Thanksgiving Episodes are the best!)

Strike a Chord

I would have to say my favorite thing about music is it’s ability to change your mood. How many times have I seen my 2 year old come running in the room, twirling and smiling because “Once Upon a Dream” was playing on her DVD? How many times have I heard “Eye of the Tiger” and wanted to go for little run? How many times do I hear the sacrament hymn begin and suddenly feel the Spirit re-enter my thoughts?

So, my “top ten” list consists of my favorite mood changers/thought provokers:

1. Fix You by Coldplay. (Coldplay is my number 1. The group that I would pay an undisclosed amount to go to their concert. Same group that I will always buy their latest release. Maybe if I didn’t have kids, the hubs and my morals, I would be a groupie;)
2. Let Go by Frou Frou. (My favorite for it's ability to really help me "jump in, whatcha waiting for" seize the moment song.)
3. All you need is love by the Beatles. (Best lyrics ever written-I think so. And thank you Apple for securing the rights to the Beatles-they really *rock* my world...)
4. Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond (My mom would have given all 6 of us up just to meet the man, I’m sure. Good ‘ol Neil always makes me think of my childhood which inevitably always puts a smile on my face.)
5. Come What May-Moulin Rouge soundtrack (this is one of “our” songs, it’s on the wedding DVD and always puts me in the mood;)
6. Let Love In by the Goo Goo Dolls. (Great news/belt it out- car jammer tune.)
7. Living on a Prayer by Bon Jovi. (When I really want to belt it out in my car.....I am after all a product of the 80’s. Until Kate yells from her car seat, “No Mommy not dat one.”)
8. By Your Side by Sade. (Sometimes I want to just lay down and think to reflect. This is my suffer in silence song.)
9. One by U2. (Is there a better group, well no not really...could this quite possibly also be the most overplayed song, too? I bet. But, what I love about this song is how everyone interprets it so differently. I think it’s about breaking up and realizing that you just can’t be together.....other people think it should go on the wedding video. A song about differences, and people totally interpret it differently...)
10. Sweeter than this by Katie Herzig. (I think the first time I heard this song I was pregnant with Kate. Getting pregnant was unplanned, but only by 6 months or so. I remember thinking all the time how I was a big ball of scared and excited. After I had her and this song came on....the words really rung true....”If it gets any sweeter than this, I don’t want to know....” I just re-heard this song the other day as I was editing some pics of Avery on the computer and I was once again reminded how sweet and great my life is as a mother to these 2 little girls. I guess one of those, “we may not have it all together, but together we have it all” kind of feelings.)

So that was a complete and total hodge podge BUT that would be my current “strike a chord” playlist.

Random Shuffle

In the last 4 1/2 years since my two children have come into my life, listening to anything other than the theme song to Sleeping Beauty or the silly songs of Hi-5 has become more and more scarce. In fact, listening to music is pretty much reduced to the time that I spend running or working out. Most of the songs on my iPod aren't necessarity my favorites overall, but rather, my favorites to exercise to.

So, at total random, here is a glimpse into what I listen to when I actually do listen to music (No judging! Remember....this is music I listen to when I'm pumpin' it up (or coolin' it down)!)!

1. In The End, Linkin Park
2. Kerosene, Miranda Lambert
3. Who Says You Can't Go Home, Bon Jovi & Jennifer Nettles
4. Head Over Feet, Alanis Morisette
5. Rhythm of Love, Scorpions
6. Crash and Burn, Savage Garden
7. Just Can't Get Enough, Depeche Mode
8. The Sweet Escape, Gwen Stefani
9. You Drive Me Crazy, Britney Spears
10. Walking in Memphis, Lonestar

Music to my ears

I LOVE music, all kinds too. I don't discriminate-I'm very progressive. :) Okay, that last part isn't totally true. I could NOT get behind the message of the lyrics while dining in Henry's Soul Cafe, (for true-I finally went before my sis moved, not that bad AND not that scary!) something about "it's cool girl, I love lots of fine ladies and even though I'm loving her I can love you too" etc. etc. Sorry buddy, not cool with all the lady loving going on, I prefer a man love only one lady at a time. Guess I'm not so progressive after all.

I love music for so many reasons, but one of the things that I love the most is it's ability to take you back in time-to different places and make you feel like you're really there. For example- you put on the "Macarena" (let's be honest- what iTunes library is really complete w/o the Macarena? None I tell you, none!) and I am instantly at my cousins wedding circa 1995. My sisters and I thought we were pretty hot stuff when the DJ played that winning number. Why you ask? Because it gave us a chance to showcase our talent! My mom knew we knew the moves, we were young hip kids, of COURSE we knew the moves. So, to the front of the half of the cultural hall that was designated for dancing we went and we BUSTED it out!!! Right arm, left arm flip them over, shoulder, shoulder, head, head, opposite hip then same side, swivel wiggle thing, jump clap!!! We knocked it out of the park. Are you impressed?? All the old people there thought we were pretty cool. And us, oh, we knew we were cool. We’d just schooled a bunch of nice old LDS couples in the Macarena!

Like I was saying, music takes you places. It connects you to certain people; I can’t hear a whole number of songs w/o thinking of a spring break trip from high school. We couldn’t find any radio stations so we listened to the same mixed tape over and over and over. Consequently, those songs will forever take me to Kauai. Not a bad a place to go I tell you what!

On to what everyone is really dying to know; what I’m listening to right now. The hubs and I just went to see Country Strong, (sad, sad, sad) and since then we discovered we’re country stars. We came home and promptly downloaded the soundtrack and have been singing our little hearts out since. There’s only one problem- we’re not very good!

My favorite songs are songs that I can just put on and hang out to. Songs like...

1. Wish you well by Katie Herzig, (anything by her really)
2. Flightless Bird, American Mouth by Iron & Wine,
3. I LOVE the song Falling Slowly from the Once soundtrack.
4. Miracle by Foo Fighters
5. Animal by Neon Trees (until 99.5 overplays it and I’m sick of it)
6. When you were young by The Killers (must be listened to LOUD)
7. Pork and Beans by Weezer (again anything by them is bound to be good)
8. The way I am by Ingrid Michaelson
9. The get go by Vita Chambers (it’s impossible not to boogie listening to this)
10. Give in to me from the Country Strong Soundtrack (Vance and I can lip sync like no other to this and trust me, that’s all you’d want us to do!!!!)

Give em a try, they’re pretty good tunes.

2011 already???

Time flies by, and it seems the older I get, (humor me while I wax philosophical at the ripe old age of 28) the quicker time passes. With this is mind, my main goal for this year is to slow down and try to enjoy it. While going through the conference edition on the Ensign I came across a talk by Elder Uchtdorf , “Of Things That Matter Most”. I’ve heard it quoted several times since and each time I’ve really felt the message being shared. My fav quote and what I’m trying to do this year is as follows: “My dear brothers and sisters, we would do well to slow down a little, proceed at the optimum speed for our circumstances, focus on the significant, lift our eyes, and truly see the things that matter most”.

I still have a LONG list of things I would like to accomplish this year; get organized, get healthy (really what I mean is lose weight, but saying “get healthy” somehow sounds easier) speak more lovingly and be more patient, meal plan and try new recipes, and last but not least (and certainly Vance’s favorite) do more baby making-with the intent to actually make a baby. Although, I think the hubs will be fine whatever the outcome. ;)

Mindful

I have never been great about following goals like I write them down. I remember one year looking at this list of goals I had made the year before on this small 3X5 card. There really wasn't many , but I didn't even accomplish one...maybe that was the moment I quit doing New Year's resolutions? Having said that, though I love the time of a new year and I love listening to other's take. (Maybe I'm not the self-motivated type, but more inspired by others) I "blog stalk" this scrapbook designer's blog-Ali Edwards. She chose a word last year as sort of a theme for that year. (clickety here)
I liked that idea and as I was playing around on Facebook one day, I saw this really great post by Peter Walsh who does the organizing shows on TLC and OWN. His personality kind of drives me nuts, but I love what he said for the new year.

It’s the end of a decade and (perhaps) the time for a new year’s resolution. Here’s mine for 2011-be more mindful. Before I buy something, so say something, or do something, or even eat something, the question will be, “will this action move me closer to the life, or home, or relationship, or body that I want.”
So that's it, my word: MINDFUL
I still plan to LET GO A LITTLE MORE AND ENJOY THE SIMPLE FUN THINGS IN LIFE:

BECOME A RUNNER (although sorry, Jess I will in no way be ready for the Princess half. Maybe next year?)

and just overall HAVE A BETTER ATTITUDE AND FAITH THAN I DID LAST YEAR.

*so excited for this new adventure, thanks for all the work, Jess!

K.I.S.

With every new year comes the age old tradition. Resolutions. As I've thought about New Years Resolutions this week, I can't help but remember back to old resolutions that, well, crashed and burned.

• go to the gym every day. (that lasted about as long as it did for the rest of the 50 people packed in the tiny gym the day after new years)
• write in my journal every night. (it'd be embarrassing to tell you how many journal entries since high school start with "...it's been a long time since I've written...I promise to do better....")
• spend less (ahahahahahahahaha!)
• finish school (how long can one drag out their undergrad? I'm going on 15 years, how 'bout you?)
• read the entire Book of Mormon, hold weekly Family Home Evenings, find better Sunday activities, give more service...

The list could go on and on of course, but, you get the picture, right? I guess in the past my goals have either been too generic, totally unrealistic or, hey, life gets in the way. So, as I was thinking about my New Years Resolution for 2011 (yeah, that's right, I'm just starting to think about it...I'm a procrastinator and that's how I roll), I guess the mantra I want to live by this year is: Keep It Simple. Instead of trying to become the worlds best seamstress, scrapbooker, photographer, decorator, gardener, etc., etc.; just become the best me and take each day as it comes. Keeping it simple.