I Gotta Feelin'.....

tonight's going to be a good night....

Happy 2010!

{Life Is A Highway....

Lynn made this video for us....she is a good friend and has a small addiction to Animoto. I love it and have wanted to do something like this for years. Thanks my friend!

This Christmas...

Mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Write a love letter. Share some treasure. Give a soft answer. Encourage youth. Keep a promise. Find the time. Forgive an enemy. Listen. Apologize if you were wrong. Think first of someone else. Be kind and gentle. Laugh a little. Laugh a little more. Express your gratitude. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love. Speak it again. Speak it still once again.

{One thing I miss

about Christmas in Salt Lake City...

picture from Flickr

{and our family of course!} Temple Square is beautiful this time of year....and was a Christmas tradition throughout my childhood. It continued after I was married and had kids. Until we moved to Iowa

It is the tradition that I miss the most. Even on the coldest of nights, it is beautiful and brings the spirit of Christmas into your soul instantly.

I remember one year, very early in our marriage. We had a huge arguement....a big fight. We didn't live very far from downtown SLC. I drove down alone and walked through Temple Square. I also walked the streets surrounding the temple. It was beautiful and humbling. I knew that I wanted to swallow my pride and have the Christmas spirit in my heart. I walked and walked alone for hours....thinking....and soaking in all the beautiful lights and sounds of Christmas. I needed that feeling then and I need it again now...

This, the spirit of Christmas, that forever and ever endures. May it leave its richest blessing in the hearts of you and yours.
Author Unknown

{Apron Strings...

After attending Spark and being inspired by Kelly McCaleb and all her vintage fabric goodness....I asked my mom for some of the 'goods' that she had stored away. Tablecloths, quilts, & aprons....all handmade by women that I love. She had a bunch of aprons....some from my Aunt Dot, & one that my mom made in ninth grade.

So when Thanksgiving came around...we each chose an apron and wore it! I really think it made our meal so yummy. Many times in the kitchen, I get overwhelmed. I am not a good cook, nor will I ever be. I am very impatient. I cook most things on high and watch them bubble over.

But on this day, I was calm and enjoyed every item that we made. It took all day and into the night to clean up, but I think the apron made me happy to be cooking for my little family. Craig even laughed when later that night, long after all the dishes were clean; I was sitting on the couch, still wearing the apron.

I especially love the one that Ella is wearing..don't you?

TaLaisa's BeAd DraWer

This gal is not just an amazing jewelry designer...she was my across-the-street neighbor growing up! Her mom was also my 2nd grade teacher and the reason I became a teacher myself. We reconnected like so many old friends and neighbors on Facebook. I love her bead drawer & all the amazing pieces she creates! Last month, I won a pair of earrings {the top left in the picture}and have worn them everyday since! They go with every piece of jewelry I own. I love them! Check her out...you will be inspired.....

Christmas Piano Recital

*A Weekend of Awesomeness: Spark*

I know it has been over a month since this event. I have gone over and over in my mind what I wanted to say about it, and do it justice.

Sometimes you just have to take a break and do something for yourself. I knew that I needed this event. I needed to fill my empty soul with new creative ideas and feelings. For 2 days I did just that. After Spark, I felt an overwhelming feeling of love for my creative soul. But when I arrived home & fell back into the day to day mix of life...it was slipping again. I know there are certain things in my life that I need to let go of to feel that Spark again. Things that make me scared. Things that make me nervous. But I want that feeling from Spark to be with me all the time. I want to feel that I can create on my own terms and share with others. To believe in myself....and what I create.

I also was privledged to attend SPARK with my best friend in the entire world. She has been my best friend since the moment we met in Kindergarten. Our relationship has not always been perfect, we had our moments in high school where you regret your selfish teenage attitude and wish you could go back and change everything. But I am grateful for humility and maturity and time that brings friendships to life once again. We had a wonderful 2 days together. We could be ourselves and learn from each other. My friend is uber-creative and I loved just seeing her in the elements that make her happy! I loved that we didn't rely on each other at every moment. We could go 'do our thing' then come back together and share.

I also need to say something about the creators of SPARK. Margie, Elizabeth, Rhonna, & Jefra. These 4 women orchestrated the most beautiful event! There was not one aspect of the weekend that was overlooked. They are creative. They wanted to share their creativity. SPARK was such an unconditional gift to everyone in attendance from these ladies. I felt their love everywhere!

This is what one of my new friends said about SPARK. I hope she doesn't mind that I shared it here, since when I read her words I felt the exact same way:

"SPARK taught me to EMBRACE my ideas...own it, love it, share it! Then VENTURE to new places...be bold, be brave... Fill my life with TREASURES, embellish them, and let the process REPLENISH my well.
My mind is spinning, my heart is overflowing and my creative soul is bursting with energy, delight, and SPARKLE! Sisterhood is a sweet, necessary morsel that makes us better, brighter and stronger. Together we bouy each other to heights that can't be reached alone. Nothing sparks another's light better than a sincere compliment. When women are strong and filled, there is PURPOSE. There is JOY. There is UNITY!
I want to spread the ENERGY. I want to PLAY. I want to SHINE! I want to create lovely things for others." HOLLA!

It was also so good to see old and make new *Creative Friends* I can't wait to see them down the road...

When the event was coming to an end...after the bonfire and sparklers...as we walked down main street all together. As I walked arm in arm with my friend....with the lanterns and decorations throughout the trees...I had the biggest moment of gratitude. I was grateful for my life, for my husband and children, for all the good and bad experiences that I have been given...all to learn from. I was just so thankful to be in the moment. I needed that feeling in my life more.....a grateful spirit all the time.

{And Chris Brown was singing in the background 'Forever'...every time I hear that song now I can't stop crying! Even a month later!}
What a beautiful ending...

{I will be sharing my projects...as soon I finish them!}

{Christmas Quotes & Christmas Spirit}

You know I am a sucker for quotes....I write them down when I see them on billboards, or in magazines...I write them down when I hear them in songs....or see them on someones blog...I write them down.

25 Christmas Quotes

I also found this Christmas Spirit Prompts...lots of good ideas on how to find the Christmas spirit this season! I printed this out and have it on my refrigerator....ready for when we need to just stop and soak in the season of Christmas. Enjoy!

DoN't SmiLe & PeRleR BeAdS

This was the funnest family night that we have had all year! After I had given the lesson, about baptism. I held a rope across the room to show Sydnee how deep the water would be. This soon turned into a limbo game! Everyone had to try the limbo! Sydnee had the activity and wanted to play this game she called Don't Smile. One person sat with a serious face and another person tried to get them to smile. It was such a fun, spontaneous night! I love when it works out just like this...

Grandpa and Grandma were here and that made it even more fun! And there is only one thing to describe when Grandpa and Grandma are here:

PERLER BEADS! They brought these with them and my kids created for hours. We have so many perler bead creations, they are being used for gift tags this Christmas! Everyone was creating, including Grandpa.

Baptism Box

When Sydnee was baptized, I wanted her to remember her baptism and the meaning of the important step she was taking in her life. Being just eight years old, it is sometimes hard to understand. I used the idea of a baptism box. Small items that symbolize the meaning of baptism and the values and principles that she will learn throughout her life. This idea came from a box that a friend created for her daughter's baptism.....I just added my own twist to it!

P.S.} This is another creative idea from my friend. Anytime I call her and need a creative problem solved, she is my go-to gal! I had some beautiful fall flowers and did not want to spend lots of $$ for vases to decorate the church....one call to her and this is what we made! Fabulous Fall!

Christmas Is Coming...

Here a few layouts that I created for my November Rusty Pickle Design Team Requirements. The first one is for the Rusty Pickle blog challenge.

TFL!

Sydnee's Baptism

On October 27th, Sydnee chose to be baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It was a wonderful service. She had many friends that came to support her decision. Grandpa and Grandma Garner were there also. It is just one of those days, as a parent, that makes you very proud. I feel that since her baptism, Sydnee has been more sensitive to the world around her. She is making such good choices and continues to be a light in our lives!

Thanks to the Primary Pres. for this family picture. {Sydnee is not smiling because she had a brownie in her mouth.}

To learn more about baptism, visit here.

Strike That...Reverse It!

Ok...I am getting a little ahead of myself! I posted about our concert before I posted about my trip to Kansas City! I had to go to Kansas City for a Creating Keepsakes Convention and while I was there my bff came to visit her sister who lives in Kansas! So...what do you think this work weekend turned into?

lots of laughter and fun! Really, it was so much fun from the moment I arrived in Kansas City. Before I got there it wasn't very fun because it rained. It rained really HARD for the entire drive. But after I arrived it was F U N!

Oh yeah...I also forgot the moment I thought my hubby's GPS was stolen and I locked the keys in the rental car....

but the rest of the weekend was really....I mean it....FUN!

here's some proof:

I promised I wouldn't post any pictures here of our late-night crochet party...so I don't have a picture of my bff's sister...my friend....the most amazing gal! Just look at her decorating skills....I love her entire house and want it for my very own. She is a great decorator for two reasons....everything in her house is organized and looks fabulous....and she loves good deals and amazing finds! She loves to shop the thrift stores and has some amazing furniture that she has literally found on the side of the road and painted and made beautiful again.

What a great weekend....

Let's Start At The Very Beginning....

it's a very good place to start!

Today is the 3rd anniversary of this lil' blog of mine. I really thought it was only 2 years, but it has been three.

Three!

And I have been a terrible blogger the past few weeks....ok maybe months.

So this is my post of starting over again.....posting every day. Pinky promise!

I have a list of 7 posts {or more} that I am behind. So lets get right to it.....

The Imagination Movers! Have you heard of them? We really hadn't....BUT Ella's friend is a HUGE fan and had some extra tickets so we joined them for a great night of music and fun! They really are a great group of 'dads'! {11 kids between the 4 of them!} And they have a great story....when then decided to start a kids' band they wanted it to be a mix of Captain Kangaroo and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Love it!

And the girls love it too! Even the parents were up and dancing to the music. Really, their music is good...not like some of those kids' groups where you cringe when your kids want to listen to their CD.....I love it and even suggest it now. Thanks friends for a fun night!

{Happy Thanksgiving...

If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.

~ Meister Eckhardt

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.

~ Melody Beattie