over the weekend

annual school art night: the girls got to showcase their many forms of art. It is always so enjoyable to walk through the halls and see what the kids have been working on all year.



project: I made this for my friends sister (she came up with the phrase) and then took photos of said sister Saturday. Enjoyable afternoon.



Soccer game: spent a windy morning at the park watching Megan. With comments like, is the game over yet, I'm thinking she's mentally come to the end of her season even though she still has one game left. She did get her first goal though.

penciled in with pen

You know when you don't do something a lot and you get out of the habit and your yearning to do it wanes? I have been feeling like that creatively. I think about creating all the time, learning new things, using my hands, getting deep into a project, but for whatever reason am finding other things to do with my free time and not giving myself over to the creative need inside me. I can't really explain my hesitation, but suffice to say, it feels like years since I've gotten my hands dirty and I'm putting my foot down...i miss it.

Ok, so it hasn't been years, but it feels like a really long time since creating has had a regular occurrence in my life. It's time to change that...and I'm being realistic. I've taken a good look at myself and realize I'm a "schedule" person. I like to believe I'm a "fly by the seat of my pants" kind of gal, there are times I spontaneously decide to do something completely random, but for the most part I stick to a schedule. So now that I understand that about myself I have decided I need to pick a day dedicated to creating, cement it in my daily schedule so it doesn't get over looked by other non-essential activities.

After 4 weeks of school we are pretty set in our routine and Wednesday seems to be my one day of the week I don't have anything permanent where I can devote a good portion of time creating. I've penciled it in with pen and have even set reminders so I can't possibly forget. And so creative Wednesdays begin.

I'm so giddy about this my wheels are turning with all the things I want to do and try. The cool thing is I'm already on track and can count this week as week 1. Wednesday I did something creative...imagine that. Remember how I mentioned I wanted to make jewelry, well, I follow through. I went to my friend Amy's, used her knowledge, and made these earrings.


It's not what I had planned to do, but I loved them so much I decided to make another pair and give them away. I figured having a giveaway is the best way I know to celebrating this new commitment I have to getting back to doing what it is I love. Plus, I would love for what I create to have more of a purpose...so giveaway it is.

So you know what to do. If you would like to have a chance to win the earrings just comment. I'll announce the winner Saturday evening.


Have a fabulous weekend. We are heading to game night for the first time in months and no one is more excited then my girls...or maybe their counsin Whitney.

Enjoy!
xxox, amy

the letter

Have you ever been asked to do something that you're not quite sure you can do and for starters you don't know how you got asked to do it in the first place, but it's the kind of thing you can't say no too?

Ya. I got asked to do something like that and it's so hard to keep the I'm not worthy and really what can I offer feelings away...

Last week I got a letter in the mail. I should have taken the letter a little more seriously after seeing the BYU symbol in the left hand corner, but I opened it as if it was junk mail. Man, how I wish it would have been junk mail. So you can imagine my utter shock when instead it was a one page letter asking me if I'd be willing to participate in Woman's Conference at the end of April as a presenter to discuss the topic: "She....Worketh Willingly with Her Hands" (Proverbs 31:13)

I know, after you've whipped the shocked look off your face let me just tell you how shocked I was when I first read it. I was literally motionless. When I was finally able to compose myself I read the letter over and over, double checking to make sure it was really address to me (it was) and then felt the panic set in. Tears welled up in my eyes and I stared pacing the house, they want me to do what? I can't do this! There are so many more woman out there who are more qualified than me that could do this. Can I do this?

Deep breath...

I just got off the phone with the woman who sent me the letter telling her, Yes, I would be willing to participate. It's a good thing I've had some time to think about this, I'm calm now and feel peaceful about the whole thing. I have a different understanding today than I did the moment I opened the letter. I've been praying for some time, over a year in fact, to find ways to use my talents for good. I know I have a desire to create for a reason and I keep searching for the answer. Whether or not this is it, perhaps part of it, I'm not sure, but I do know I cannot let this opportunity pass me up. I'm grateful for someone believing in me enough to think I could do this and grateful that I feel peaceful today knowing that I can.

That is today. I'm quite certain it will be around the middle of March when I'll start crying again and will need lots of encouragement.

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P.S. If anything (stories, talks, quotes etc...) occurs to you about that topic please email me, I would love to hear what you have to say. I've decided not to even think about this until after the big meeting at the end of this month where they give me all the details and I meet the other 2 woman I'm presenting with, but I guess it can never be too soon to start compiling ideas.

finally giving PW a try

I've heard about Pioneer Woman for a long time now from Robyn and Hannah. Just recently after this post I decided it was time to give her a try...after all I want to be eating as well as the rest of you. The first thing I saw when I visited her site was this and I knew then that my family would never have boring same old meals again. Robyn she is my hero too.

I was intrigued by her site and so impressed by the amount of details she gives for each dish. Seriously, with her help anyone can be a cook. After searching through for a few minutes last week this recipe for strawberry jam caught my attention. I've always wanted to make jam, but was too afraid. I don't know, I guess I was intimidated by the inevitable jars not sealing properly and exposing my family and friends to botulism.

Enter domestic diva I can try anything (once) Amy...I tried it.


[photo by Adam. Check out my cute apron...first time wearing it. I knew I would have a hard time getting it messy.]

Round of applause please....I made jam, for the first time in my life. It feels like quite the accomplishment except I didn't follow her recipe exactly because I didn't have a big pot and didn't want to spend the money on it right now. Instead I did freezer jam. Definitely less complicated, but still intimidating nevertheless.



When I was done, took about 40 minutes, I had made 7 8oz jars of some fantastic raspberry jam if I do say so myself. Ok, so Megan doesn't like it, but Bella does and I do, so that's 2 out of 3 (Adam and Tess have still yet to try it). The best thing I have found about this jam, other than it tastes good and was easy to make, is they're perfect for sharing...I only have 1 jar left in my freezer! I think I'll be making a few more batches this weekend so we're stocked up this winter.

PS If you're not into cooking and never want to be still give Pioneer Woman a try. She's a great writer and is an amazing photographer with great tips. But I'm sure you already knew that...I think I'm the slow learner here.

5 hours, 0 kids, and 1 apron

You wouldn't believe it, I actually sewed today. I can't even remember the last time...I think it must have been Christmas. Anyway, I had a day to myself, thanks to Jill who has my girls, this cute fabric on hand and an apron pattern just waiting to be used.



Five hours later (it always takes way longer than you think) and a couple of British movies watched, thanks to instant play at Netflicks, and I have a cute apron at my disposal.

Now I just need a reason to wear it.

creating=happiness

As I alluded in my post yesterday, I have been struggling for a few weeks now to find the purpose of the everyday monotony...the waking up, getting the kids off, house work, more kids stuff, dinner, and then going to bed exhausted. Today after being reminded once again of President Uchtdorf inspiring words I realized what it was I've been missing.

The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul. No matter our talents, education, backgrounds, or abilities, we each have an inherent wish to create something that did not exist before....Creation brings deep satisfaction and fulfillment. We develop ourselves and others when we take unorganized matter into our hands and mold it into something of beauty.

A couple of weeks ago it occurred to me I haven't done much creating since the Christmas season. I don't know why I've chosen not to find time for something that has, in the past, brought me great joy, but as I sat listening to these words this afternoon I realized what an important part creating has been to my happiness, and it no doubt plays a huge part in the reason I'm feeling the way that I am.

When I got home the lesson of creating hit more home when I saw Bella starting to write a new story in her new notebook (thanks akenheads) and Tess making pottery with her pottery wheel (more photos to share when I get my computer back). They looked happy and content and I knew it's what I needed to do to get me feeling like me again.

So I start off my week with a renewed commitment to my earlier goal to find time everyday, even if it's only 20 minutes, to create. I use to think it was something I enjoyed doing and now I understand I need those little break during the day to help rejuvenate me.

Does creating make you happy too?