twenty eleven

I spent the day yesterday in bed, well, all expect for the time I spent helping Tess with her science project, sick with a headache and sore throat, taking it easy so hopefully I would be able to celebrate the new year with style today. Happily it worked. I am feeling more myself, even though I could go for a nap right now.

Anyway, it gave me amble time to think about this past year -- my ups and downs, the goals I saw through and the ones where I fell short. I thought about this new year, 2012, my hopes and dreams. What I want to accomplish, and where I want to be at years end.



This past year, 2011, I spent my days focused on living my truth and after thinking it through yesterday I will say I am pleased with my efforts. I mean, of course there is a lot I hoped I would do differently -- I wanted to do more projects, get off sugar, I need to do better at focusing on the light, and I'm still haunted with the same lessons time and again, but it was definitely an abundant year full of growth and goodness. Friendships were strengthened, dreams came true, and I was again reminded how much we need one another.

I think that was one of the biggest lesson I learned or I should say was reminded of because I've learned it plenty, that life was not meant to be journeyed alone and we certainly can't do it without each other. And you know what, I'm glad because I don't want to. Another big lesson I learned was living my truth took courage, but when I let go of my fears and focused on the light added strength was given to me and I was able to do what I needed/wanted.

Tonight I will be ending the year full of gratitude in my heart for the individuals (some new, some old) that made an impact on my life, for the continued closeness that I found with Adam, for the bonds I forged with my girls, and for all the lessons I learned, even if for the fourth or fifth time, that I will take with me as I continue on with twenty twelve.

Happy New Year friends! May this new year bring with it an abundance of joy and goodness.

xoxo

christmas eve and morning | holiday highlights

I'm not sure what it was this year that made this Christmas extra magical, but I can't remember loving Christmas as much as I loved this one. Even though Adam was ill (that is less than ideal) and none of my siblings were in town, it was simply wonderful. I loved it.

Here are a few of the highlights.



CHRISTMAS EVE
-We always start the festivities with a birthday party for Austin.
-The kids shared their talents with the family before we opened gifts.
-When I look through the photos it sort of feels like an opening frenzy, but it was nice and calm (to a point, it is Christmas) and we all took our time watching each other open gifts. It's possible to do since our family is so small. I love it that way.
-It's always a highlight to watch Andrew (Adam's brother with down syndrome) open up his gifts. It's so hilarious to see him discard the clothes -- he has no interest.
-When Megan got the mini pillowpet pig from Landon she attacked him to say thank you. Not entirely sure he knew how to deal with it.
-Jill liked the earrings and necklace I made her.
-Good food was constantly around -- we never walk away empty.

-Whitney generously gave multiple stuff animals to all her girl cousins. My girls were loving it!



CHRISTMAS MORNING
-I heard the girls around 6am so I joined them downstairs and we hung out until 7am. I was trying to hold them off to give Adam a little more time to sleep. He was not feeling well.
-We spent time talking about and remembering all the little things we had done throughout the month to make it special. Loved that part.
-Once Bella opened up her ipod touch (adam's old iphone) we lost her for the rest of the morning. Good thing it was the last gift she opened.
-Tess, poor girl broke her little toe, and had a hard time getting on the Rollerblades. She eventually did though, sheer will power, and skated throughout the house.
-The girls gave me glasses and Adam got me an instant camera plus found me Polaroid film.
-Megan never does disappoint, she loves everything she is given. We did however, have some tears over her lost kitty. It's been six months and she's still talking about it.
-I am always a huge fan of the handmade gifts the girls make for us every year.
-I finally found that gift I had lost, it was under the tree wrapped. What a great surprise. I'm loosing it.
-We had a big Christmas breakfast and then went to church and continued our celebration of the holiday.
-We Skyped with my sister.
-I loved seeing my girls give to each other this year. It is the first year they really did it on their own. I have loved watching the three of them grow into the best of friends.

It is nice that we spent so much time throughout the month of December doing things for others and remembering what Christmas is really about because it seems like these two days are chock full of gifts and then I remind myself that even though we are getting, we are giving as well. I'll say it again, I loved Christmas and am really sad to see all the good cheer end -- but then again, I suppose it doesn't have to.

I hope it was a magical Christmas for all of you.

Holiday memories

I remember like it was yesterday. The anticipation of Christmas morning, leaving out cookies for santa, waking up way too early and waiting with my brother and sister wondering if it was late enough to wake up our parents, seeing my stocking for the first time chock full of goodness, the christmas morning fire, the smell of pine, eating lifesaver candies, enjoying my siblings gifts as much as my own.

I will never forget what it felt like to be there, all of us together, and even though these days of my youth are long since past, I pray Adam and I are helping to creating these same kind of memories with our girls that will last a lifetime.

Merry Christmas! May your holiday be merry & bright!

xoxo

it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

a tree decorated by the girls


a visit from santa


meandering through the lights


early family gatherings


friend and family greetings lining the walls of our family room


sugary holiday goodness


first gifts under the tree


more magical lights

favorite apps

First of all I wanted to thank you all for your thoughtful comments and emails you sent regarding my seeing the everyday class at squam. I am most grateful for your support, encouragement, and love. It means more to me than you know. Thank you!

So I've had several people ask me lately what apps I use the most (I'm thinking maybe a tablet is in their immediate future--good for them). Aside from some of the apps that come with the iphone/ipad, like maps, web, & calendar, here are a few of my favorites.

All apps free unless specified.

2Do paid
I've owned this app longer than any of the others and I'd say it's by far the one I use the most. It's my go to, the thing that keeps me organized, on time, and on top of my life. It's sad, but I'm not sure how I'd do it all without it.


instagram
So far it's been my favorite way to share my iphone photos and have quite enjoyed catching up with friends through their iphotos. Of course there is always a lot of greatness to find on there as well. It can be easy to get lost.

SketchBook Express
My favorite app for drawing or doodling or just messing around. My girls are quite fond of it as well. I only have the free version, which is perfect for someone like me, but I know the paid version gives you so much more. I have watched a ton of speed drawings on youtube lately and it's amazing to see what some artists can do with just an ipad and their finger.

Moviefone
The best way, in my opinion, to look up movies past, in theaters, and coming soon. It's got an easy interface and lets you rate movies like goodreads.

Pulse
The perfect way to stay up to date with your favorite websites, news, and/or blogs. It is much like a reader where you can quickly scan for articles you want to read and it presents the article in a pleasing clean interface. You can share the articles and easily save them for future reading. The only downside I have seen is it limits the amount of blogs you can follow. Perhaps they have a paid version, I've never looked.

Yelp
I have never been disappointed when using this app to locate a delicious restaurant, even if it does take you to an Indian restaurant attached to a convenient store. I have to admit, I was a little intimidated (Adam not so much), but it was some of the best Indian.

Scriptures paid
Love having this on the go.

imapmyrun
This app was invaluable to me when training for my 1/2 marathon. I never needed to drive my route ahead of time to figure out how far to go--it tracked me through gps. I loved how it would tell me my pace and how far I had gone (a function you can have on/off). I haven't used it since November, but I will when I get back into it.

Ringtone Maker
A free way to make your own unique ringtones. Super easy and addicting.

Pinterest & Etsy
Need I say more? Both of these can be very dangerous.

Moodboard or Corkulous
These two apps I am currently debating about. They are both excellent ways to collect ideas which is what I'm in the market for. I wish I could combine the two--Corkulous looks more appealing (I love the file cabinet), but moodboard has more functions I want, like making a pallete and pulling ideas from the web. What to do? Do any of you have one of these apps??


Do you use apps, if so, what are you favorites??

fifteen

1996 | till forever


1997 | graduation & 1998


2000 | we became parents


2001 | the Christmas we found out we were having another girl


2002 | meeting tess


2003


2004 | megan arrived


2005 | I wish I knew why we were laughing


2006 | lighthouse tour


2007 | game on


2008 | pastime


2009 | sunday naps


2010 | date night


2011 | favorite place to be

"The secret is not in your hand or your eye or your voice, my aunt told me once. The secret is in your heart. Of course, she said, knowing that doesn't make it any easier." ~storypeople

Through the good times and bad, and there have been plenty of both, we've come to understand that it doesn't matter how long we're together, each day is a new day and another opportunity for us to learn and grow together -- because just when we think we've got it, we realize, we're not even close.

Sure has been a memorable fifteen years. I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

seeing the everyday

[september 2006]

I'm sharing this photo with you today because it was this moment I started seeing life from behind my lens. We were walking to the car after an afternoon of fun at the school carnival and I urged my girls to sit on the hillside so I could take their picture. My objective was to get a lovely picture of the three of them, together, smiling, and what I got was this -- Bella sitting austere, seemingly unaware of the other two who were busy freaking out about a fly (Tess is attempting to swat at it, not trying to hit Megan).

After going through my contact sheet of the photographs I took that afternoon the photo above is what stood out to me. It depicted so perfectly the story of what our life was like on a regular basis. It was REAL and I loved it. It was then I realized I want to capture life as it's happening. I want the good and the ugly. I want the crazy hair and the mismatched clothes. I want the family games, evening with friends, and the unbridled laughter. I want the snuggles and the quiet moments. I want the morning light streaming in from my window and our faces first thing in the morning. I want the messy house and what it's like inside our car on the way to get ice-cream. I wanted to capture us.

And it was all of that, that lead me here.

Next year, 2012, I'm going to be teaching a photography class at Squam Art Workshops.

pause :: do a little dance

It's called Seeing the Everyday. I'll be teaching in New Hampshire in June and September, and in Outer Banks North Carolina in October.

I don't even have the words to try and explain what this means to me. I've wanted this. I've been working toward this, to be able to share with you my passion for really seeing life, and to finally have it within reach, I am speechless.

All I have in my heart this morning is gratitude. Gratitude for those who got me and saw my vision. Gratitude for those who helped me get to where I am today. Gratitude for God's hand in my life. Gratitude for my family for inspiring me. Gratitude to be given the opportunity to share something important to me. Gratitude for my three girls (Hannah, Jenica, and Amy) who got my ball rolling. Gratitude for those who saw in me what I could not see in myself. Gratitude for the support and encouragement from people like you.

Thank you.

I would love more than anything to see you there. Come. Let's play with our cameras together. Squam is a life changing experience you will take with you for the rest of your life. I know. It has changed mine forever.

xoxo
amy gretchen

sock arm warmers 101

Arm warmers are one of my favorite accessories when it starts getting cold. Even when I'm wearing sweaters my lower arms/wrists/hands are always cold. It's not really practical to be wearing gloves around my house, especially since I need my fingers exposed, so arm warmers are the perfect solution for me.

Lately, I've had a lot of inquires about them so I thought I would show you the quickest, easiest, and cheapest way I like to make them.

All you need are a pair of long socks (I'm sure you could use smaller, but I like them long) and a cutting implement.



I'm telling you this is so easy you'll wonder why I'm even doing a tutorial. Anyway, I usually buy the inexpensive socks from Target or Forever 21, that way I don't feel bad about cutting them up.

step 01: placement


Decide where you want to make the cut at the top. I place my thumb where the heel is and mark the place I want the sock to hit on my fingers. Keep in mind when deciding, the the raw edge will roll down a bit so it will be slightly smaller than your initially cut.

step 02: make the cut


I have found it to be so much easier when you use the sharpest scissors or rotary blade you have. (p.s. if I was using a rotary cutter I would cut both at the same time and eliminate step03. p.s.s i didn't this time because my blade is not sharp)

step 03: second cut
Align the cut sock perfectly on top of the other, and while using the cut sock as a guide, cut the other sock.

step 04: thumb hole

With the socks still stacked, find the heel and cut off about a 1" opening. I eyeball it, but basically I'm just cutting off the curve of the heel like I've shown in the photo above. Be careful you don't need to cut that much off.



That's it! Takes about, I don't know, 15 seconds. It's honestly the quickest project I've ever done. Not only are they functional, they keep me quite warm, but there are some really cute socks right now so it's fun to play around.

Enjoy!

12of12 | December

[click here to enlarge]

01. Overhearing the conversation in the morning between my girls. Megan was discussing the likelihood that she could win the prizes offered on the back of the Pops cereal box.
02. The days are slipping away. It won't be long now.
03. My Monday always includes several loads of laundry.
04. Tess diligently practicing the piano for her group lesson next week.
05. Poinsettias for my hilarious elderly neighbor. I went to visit her today at the health care center, but unfortunately it was quick because she was sleeping. I wish I had an instant camera so I could have left a photo with the flowers. I did leave a card, but she knows my face not my name.
06. Megan came in the laundry room to do her homework while I was ironing. Long after I was done I found her in the same position working away. I believe that's what you call in the zone.
07. I went out on errands and passed a park along the way. Had to get out and walk around, it was such a warm December day.
08. Wrapping.
09. We went downtown to see the lights at temple square. Always one of our favorite traditions during the Christmas season.
10. Our Christmas card came in the mail today, freshly printed. I am so happy with them. Thanks for taking the photo Jill.
11. The view of the lights from inside the tabernacle.
12. Lights, lights, and more lights.

As I'm finishing up this post I'm having the hardest time believing this is our last 12of12 of the year. This is my third straight year doing this challenge and it's still one of my favorite ways to document my life.

I love that no matter how similar your day to day can be each 12of12 comes out looking completely different. A lot of that has to do with you, the viewer, and how you're seeing the world on that particular day. It's what makes each day uniquely yours.

I hope when you take the time to look back at your year of twelves collectively it paints a beautiful picture of your everyday life. I hope the challenge has given you the opportunity to see details that often go unnoticed because they're always around you. I hope you'll be ready to do it all again in January.

I'm up for it--are you?

happiness is...a day full of art

Tess has been taking an art class since the school year started in September. She is, needless to say, loving it. She told me she feels more like herself when sees doing art than at any other time. A sentiment I completely understand. I suppose when we pursue those things that speak so deeply to the soul, it becomes easier to find yourself the more you work at it each day.

She can often be found sketching in her notebook or on my ipad, but she does enjoy the getting messy part to art (jenica you would be proud) and will, as much as time will allow, pull out the paints. Usually Adam will join her in her endeavor and they will enjoy creating together. I think she loves that most--doing it together.



Last Saturday Tess' teacher had an art gallery at her house. It was set up to showcase her instructors newest pieces, but also to highlight her students. What a great learning experience for Tess to not only learn how to get her work ready for a show, but she was able to show and talk about her work. It was enjoyable to watch her excitement as she shared with her family and friends what she loves most. She was on cloud 9. It was definitely her moment to shine.

sunday thought + 12of12 reminder

This quote stood out to me while reading this morning.



"God is interested in what you are becoming as a result of your choices. He is not satisfied if your exercise of moral agency is simply a robotic effort at keeping some rules. Your Savior wants you to become something, not just do some things. He is endeavoring to make you independently strong—more able to act for yourself than perhaps those of any prior generation. You must be able to be righteous, even when He withdraws His Spirit, or, as Brigham Young said, even “in the dark.”

Using your agency to choose His will, and not slackening even when the going gets hard, will not make you God’s puppet; it will make you like Him. God gave you agency and Jesus showed you how to use it so that eventually you could learn what They know, do what They do, and be what They are."

~Elder D. Todd Christopherson (Moral Agency | 31 Jan 2006)


*********************************************************************************

Also I want to quickly remind you all that tomorrow is the twelfth. Yep, it's that time again and hard to believe our last opportunity this year to play along with the 12of12 challenge.

Have a great day capturing your everyday. I look forward to seeing your holidays in full swing.

randoms

-For starters I completely missed the lunar eclipse this morning. I am way bummed because I was up in time I just plum forgot, which is sad because I went to bed talking about it. Oh well I suppose there is always 2014.
-We're all anxious for the snow. Megan keeps saying, "it's going to snow, the weather people are always wrong" in hopes that she will be right and it will start snowing at anytime. It just doesn't feel like the holidays without a blanket of white covering the ground.
-Speaking of which, today would be the perfect day to go sledding if only there was snow.
-I am officially done with Christmas shopping and now get to enjoy wrapping it all up. I'm glad it's giving me a chance to focus on what this season is all about.
-Did you realize we only have 15 more days?


-We created the saddest gingerbread house I dare say has ever been made. At least it gave us a chance to laugh, a lot. I suppose that's all that counts anyway--that you're having a good time.
-I am loving each day as holiday greetings fill up our mailbox. It's one of my favorite parts of the season.
-Off all the rooms in our home that shouldn't be cold is my bedroom. It about the only room with insulation, but it's freezing or at least it was. Finally Adam decided the air was getting in through the door so he taped it up. Sure we can't use the door, but at least it feels like you're indoors again.
-Cinnamon roasted almonds are such a weakness of mine.
-Just finished The Little Book and need to find something else to read. What are you reading?


-Bella and Megan had a violin performance at the festival of trees last Friday. So glad I brought my heavy camera along without a means to record the photos (no cf card). Luckily I had my iphone with me.
-Lately I've been in such an organizational mood. I literally want to throw 30% of everything we own away. Problem is in order to pull off such a feat I need to have someone with me. I am more attached to stuff I never use than I thought. Why do we always feel like we will, at some point, need it?
-Have you noticed that more and more people are scheduling their parties for weekday nights fearing you'll be busy on the weekends. This is the first year a full weekend in December has been open for us. I am grateful for a completely schedule free Saturday.

live nativity

It was cold and we had to stand in line, but it was well worth it for the experience. My girls got to taste dates and flat bread and get an idea of what it could have been like back in Romans times, with camels and street venders, and shepherds abiding in the field. I personally am fond of the atmosphere down in the glen with nothing but candle light to guide our way.

This was our second year going to the live nativity and hope it will continue to be apart of our Christmas tradition.

photobooth

"We must not, in trying to think about how we can make a big difference, ignore the small daily differences we can make which, over time, add up to big differences, that we often cannot forsee."
~Marian Wright Edelman


a funny note about these photos: we went to the mall a few days before thanksgiving and happened upon a photobooth which we were all drawn too. after we jammed ourselves inside (not easy to do) ready to pay our $2, we realized it wasn't working. leave it to mom to save the day--i pulled out my camera and we took pictures ourselves.

Christmas tradition | advent

One of my girls most memorable holiday tradition is our advent calendar. I'm not sure if it's the daily candy, the fact that each one comes with a little note, or counting the days til Christmas. If it were me it would be the latter. When I was a kid I loved watching the days melt away and the Christmas season unfold.


The girl's job was to fill the bags with candy, and of course they decided eating the candy was part of the job description as well.




A couple years ago we introduced an activity associated with each day. Instead of merely just eating the candy we thought doing a little something each day would help us get in the holiday spirit. The days so far:

Day 01: read a Christmas book
Day 02: share your talent with a neighbor
Day 03: make someones bed

Adam was in charge of making the notes so I'm just as surprised as the girls each day when we dip into the bag.


The other tradition we're doing this year that's sort of advent-ish is our chain of service. Anytime we do something for someone else we write it down and chain them up together. We hope by the end of the month the chain fills our walls and will be a reminder throughout the month of the good that comes when we give. (i can totally see doing this all year long)

So far it's been the best thing. Each day the girls jump in the car after school and blurt out the times they did something helpful. Even in just the short time we've been doing it, it's created a great feeling around our home. Seems they wake up each day looking for a way to add another piece to the chain. We have loved it.

Do you have an advent or and advent-ish type tradition to celebrate the holiday season?

everydayness | november

We watched the leaves fall


and cleaned them up.


We spent a week just the four of us without dad,


and enjoyed, very much, his homecoming.


We made straw art,


and created snowmen.


We danced till we dropped with our new apple tv,

and mellowed out while learning something new.


We entertained ourselves during early morning violin, enjoyed toasty fires at night,


and found time to do something we love.

It was a good month.