Seeing a whole new perspective!

The last few weeks I have had multiple doctor appointments for my eye. They are just the routine ones, just to make sure that my good eye is in great condition. It has now been two years since I lost the vision in my right eye (if you're new to this information you can read about this here)

The doctors are really confident that things are going really well. In fact my Optic-Neurologist said that my good eye looks better than ever. Although all of these appointments have good news, it still is a little blistering ... having to kind of re-live the news that I won't ever get the site in my right eye back again.

So the rain has been CRAZY, as it has everywhere, this spring. It has kinda put me into a funk, and almost a little bit of a depression. Waiting to get into my house; having our ward split; letting my contract go with Creating Keepsakes; not working for any company for the first time in years; lets just say ... this has been a wild a crazy few months.

I have had a lot of time to ponder. On Easter Sunday I was asked to speak in church. I spoke on renewal, and how I am looking forward to the Savior coming again. I am so excited be resurrected and to someday have my vision back. It was something I really needed to study, and be reminded of my important belief.

My sister Tiffany has been helping me buy and prepare my garden for this year. Being reminded of the possibility of loosing my eye site permanently someday, makes me want to plant as many flowers as I can. By doing this, I am hoping that I will get to enjoy these beautiful flowers, and vegetables not only this year, but for many more years to come. This past week I have been spending a lot of time at my new house (well in the yard), preparing an area to grow a garden. It has made me feel purpose, and excitement to start this new chapter of my life! (Thanks so much for all the help Tiff!)

All of these experiences led up to the feeling I had today. It was the same feeling I felt, the day I was driving down the street in Albany, New York ... finally adjusted, and loving missionary life. It was the same feeling I felt when Adam told me he loved me, and wanted to marry me! It was the same feeling I had the day I found out I was pregnant with Bryson. It was the same feeling I had as I snugged my little Chad while reading scriptures tonight, feeling so much love for this little soul. What my life would be like without him? It knowing that I have a Heavenly Father ... who loves me! I have purpose in this world and I am who I am. Regardless of eye, my life matters.

I am so grateful for the life I have, and although everyone has their challenges ... I am grateful for all I have learned through mine, and continue to learn. Everyday may not be hunky dory ... however it is my life. I am surrounded by so many that love me, by two little boys that are my world, by a husband who loves me, and think ... I couldn't possibly want anything more!

LAST MINUTE NOTICE!!

So in preparation of moving ... I am cleaning out my scrapbook room. I was planning on having a Yard Sale, however my sister told me she is doing one TOMORROW (MAY 21) with some of her neighbors!!! I figured I would jump on the Ban Wagon, rather than just do my own!

I am going to be selling some of my "extra" stuff :) One of which is a Big Shot from Sizzix! Here is the information if you're local and want to come and take a look. TRUST ME, you won't be disappointed! (Plus, I get to meet some of you awesome bloggers!) I am also told that her neighbors have some good stuff!

(7:30 am - 2:00 pm)
It is approximately at:
10300 North 6580 West
Highland, Utah

** Just south of Freedom Elementary, and about 1 mile North of Costco in Lehi!

Bath Time!

I just love putting these two in the bath!
It's their favorite thing in the world!

I have had a little time on my hands to finish up projects I have wanted to do for years! So here is one that I will get to use in our new house! I am super excited!I love doing stitchery, and haven't finished a project in a long time! (copyright original design my Mandy Douglass)

So here's to Bathtime ... and those extra cute hooded towels!What am I going to do when they grow out of them ?

Service brings BLESSINGS!

So I don't agree to do things for people to receive things in return, however I graciously accepted this return ... here is the scoop!

The house we live in now, (not our new house yet ... one month to go, YIPPEE!) Has had a huge ward (congregation) at church. I was serving the Young Woman and we had close to 60 girls! It was a lot of work! So a month or so back, they decided to split the wards. It was something we all knew was coming, but it was still sad to see people you are used to seeing a few times a week, and had become friends with, kinds stripped away from you.

Fast forward a few weeks. We now have our new ward all set up, and a new Young Women's president was called! (MERCY, no it wasn't me!) It is a sweet Japanese lady and she is as amazing as ever. Well she somehow thinks she is not creative, and so she asked if I would help put together a gift for the Young Women to give to them on their birthdays. After much thought, I came up with this:It reads "CHEWS" TO DO THE THINGS THAT WILL MAKE YOU HAPPY ON YOUR BIRTHDAY"
It then is followed by things that are written in the 13 Article of Faith (This is the theme for the Youth this year in the LDS Church). The Articles of Faith are thirteen statements describing the fundamental beliefs of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Click here to see what each Article of Faith is).

We wanted to give the girls something spiritual. There are so many gifts that others give you, and thought we could give them something different. All of the gum-balls I got at Orson Gigi in Salt Lake City, and they are the colors of the Young Women Values

I also did this really cute lanyard for a temple recommend holder ... however I forgot to take a picture! Don't worry, I have to make a few more, so I will be sure to post a picture when I get them done :)

So in return for doing this, Miwa (this cute Japanese lady I referred to above) told me she would make me some Japanese food! Tonight she brought me Okonomiyaki
I had a missionary companion that was Japanese and made this for me a few times. I LOVE IT, and would gladly accept Japanese food for crafts anytime!

THE WINNER IS ...

Olivia said...
Love your room, can't think of much else to add, except perhaps a door sign so you can be sure of peace when you're busy.

CONGRATULATIONS OLIVIA!

Be sure to email me your address so I can get you your Creative Spaces issue!

For the rest of you, MAN I wish I could just send one to all of you ... but since that isn't possible, there is a coupon code below if you would like to order it!

Finishing updating my computer! WHEW ... so excited to have my computer up to par again!
Hope you're enjoying your week and getting outside like we are to enjoy the sunshine!

Creative Space Evolution!

This past week I received this in the mail!
Not only did they feature my space, but they featured my sister-in-law too! (Sara Douglass)

Rather than shooting my office again, they featured the same article they did in the April 2009 Issue of CK. My office has taken 6 years to get where it is now, however it is still changing! It started as this:2005 - Newlywed and totally poor!
Then my temporary space when we moved to Page, AZ
and then moved again to another condo in Page:
After sheer panic when CK told me they wanted to feature my office ... I begged Adam and it evolved to this:We moved ... yet again ... are you counting?? And made this video of my new space:

copyright CK 2010
NOW moving again! Lets hope I don't have to do this again for a while!

I am SO excited to decorate my office and show you the additions. Thankfully I have this AWESOME issue "CREATIVE SPACES" to help me out!

I am also excited to announce a giveaway of this great issue of CREATIVE SPACES to one of my lucky winner! Maybe this will inspire you as much as it has inspired me!

Leave a comment of something you think I should add to my office! I will pick a winner this Friday! This is a contest for everyone, even international blog readers!!
GOOD LUCK!

OH and if you're too impatient to wait for the giveaway, here is some info on how to get it!
It goes on sale tomorrow! Here is some information on how to get it!

First click here to link you to the website!

Click here to get a sneak peek

And last, here is a coupon code if you're too impatient to wait to win it on my blog:
SPACESBB
(It’s good for free shipping in the US, expires 5/27/11)

I have the MOST Amazing mom

I have done quite a few scrapbooking pages about my mom, however I don't know if I have really ever told you much about my mom!She was Raised in Salt Lake City, Graduated from Hillcrest High School, Met my Dad at BYU, and got married when she was 19 years old. She had 5 children, all without an epideral ... 4 girls and 1 boy. (Printed in Creating Keepsakes Magazine 2010)
My mom was a stay at home mom, however she never had a moment that she was bored. I am much like my mom ... can't ever seem to relax without a project in hand. Let me just list a few of her MANY talents.

She is a watercolor artist and in fact I can remember many many days sitting by my mom water coloring with her as a young girl. She was so patient to let me create things myself, teach me techniques, and let my creativity soar!

She loves to scrapbook (and is the reason for me getting started!) She loves to create family histories that leave an impression on people. A few years back she made a "Mom, where did I come from?" Album and gave it all to us for Christmas. It was the written histories, pedigree charts, and pictures of many of my ancestors. It will forever be cherished!

She is an AMAZING cook, and my love for cooking came from her. Every night, at 6 pm on the dot (still haven't mastered that!) we had dinner on the table. It was always well balanced with a fruit and vegetable. Every Sunday it was usually Roast Beef and Potatoes (Dad's Favorite), and was always sure to let us help.(Printed in Creating Keepsakes Magazine 2010)
She has the most organized and clean home you have EVER seen! She prides herself on Cleanliness and makes her house a home. Because of the habits she taught all of us growing up, we have been able to stay organized and clean. I don't know if I will ever be as amazing as she is on keeping up on her house, but I sure do try!

She is an AMAZING seamstress! When she had young kids, my parents had a very low income. She would take old dresses of hers and make cloths for my older siblings! She always made us dresses for Easter, and Christmas. Even today she has become addicted to Quilting and stitchery. I am amazed by the awesome things she creates and not only that ... but how fast she does them.

She taught my dad to snow ski, and is the reason for all of us loving motorcycles! She taught me to ski at 3 and I even had my own dirt bike at 5 years old! She was always about creating memories for us and our family!

She always seeks to do things to make me happy. In Jr. High she told me if I saved up for my own airline ticket, she would take me to Disneyland. Well I did it ... and we went on vacation all by ourselves just she and I. For Mother's Day, Adam took the day off this past Friday, and so I could have a day to do whatever I wanted. My mom came with me and we enjoyed an incredible day in Salt Lake. I even had a Doctor's appointment at the University of Utah that lasted 4 hours. She was so patient to sit with me and calm my frustrations as the time was ticking away, and my shopping hours were decreasing by the minute!

She absolutely loves her Grandkids and spoils them rotten. Each Sunday she provides popcorn, dessert, and candy galore. She loves them so much and would do anything for them.

I am SO extremely lucky to have the mom I have and I love her more than I can express! I hope I can even be half the mom she was to me!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MOM!
I love you lots!

(This is my gift to her. She has 20 grandkids ... so it was hard to fit all the flowers). Sorry I did get it posted earlier. Idea for next year right??

I am a Mother!

Studio 5 ... A Utah Lifestyle show that I have been able to be on a few times is doing an awesome 10 day challenge on how Motherhood Matters. Today's challenge is to declare that
"I AM A MOTHER" with 5 women in my life.

So rather than sharing it with 5, I am sharing it with all of you!

I am a mother of two
cooker of dinner
cleaner of house
educator
religious teacher
wife of one :) tee hee hee
security
office / house manager
story teller
crafting fanatic
beautician / barber
walker - (or rather runner)
errand girl

I am a Mother ... and I love my job!
I Challenge all of you to do the same. Click on the link below for the challenge!
http://motherhood.ksl.com/

IT IS WORKING!

So after an entire last week full of rain and THIS on Saturday morning:
I was thinking this "crafting my way to spring" wasn't working. So while Adam was finishing his finals this weekend, and I decided to take one more stab at it and make a few springy ornaments for my spring tree. During Easter I have little eggs to hang from it, but in an effort to keep my spring decor up for at least another month, I decided to make it look like this:

Thank you to Bella Blvd. for sending me DARLING paper to work with and Studio Calico for the darling vintage paper flowers (yellow). I couldn't have done it without you.

I woke up this morning, and look what I found:YEAH! it finally worked. Can't wait until they are in full bloom. It is supposed to get to about 70 + degrees this week, by Mother's Day, and so lets keep on Crafting shall we?

We haven't quite moved yet, and it is still a little early to start packing boxes, and so I am finishing up projects that I have wanted to do for YEARS! Can't wait to show you what I have been up to! (OH and I have a really fun project I am doing for my mom for Mother's Day. I hope I can get it done in time to show you and maybe inspire you for a cute mother's day craft!
M