round 2

Here's the other project that I've been wanting to do. Not too exciting, but it was fun. I never think mine look as cute as the inspiration ones, but oh well. And Hannah- you were right- you buy synthetic fabric and singe the edges to get them to curl! We also tried to do liquid starch- but those didn't turn out that great. Here's the pic.

I hope you are all enjoying a wonderful summer. Thank goodness for this time of year that puts a smile on my face.

our get away weekend

Last weekend was wonderful- we celebrated our 1 year anniversary and Jake planned a great time for us. Saturday we went down to Provo and stayed in the same bed and breakfast that we did after our wedding. It was really fun to relax and stay there Saturday and Sunday night. We also got a 1 hour couples massage, which was amazing!! It felt soooo good. And it was Jake's time for a massage-he enjoyed it- I think I can now convince him to do it more often :). We went to Macaroni Grill Saturday night after the massage (which is where we went the night he proposed to me) and we got to go to church with Brent and Christa on Sunday and hang out with them. It was a wonderful time, it felt so good to get away. We also finished the book we were reading together- The Wednesday Letters by Jason Wright. It is a cute book and was fun for us to read together. Here are some pictures, although they are not the best.



The wedding cake didn't taste the best- but it's tradition, right?


Playing games. Brent & Christa let us hang out with them :)

a year in our life

A year ago I was with my family having our last Family Home Evening 2 days before my wedding.
A year ago I had no idea all of the surprises marriage would bring. A year ago I was hanging out with my bridesmaids- (all wonderful ladies who don't get to keep touch with me now that I am married and living further away).
A year ago I could fit into my clothes and didn't worry about people asking me if I was pregnant even though I am not. A year ago Jake fit into his clothes too!
A year ago I had a lot more energy than I do now. And yes, I'm pretty sure I was more fun then.
A year ago I had no idea that living in Logan would be so hard for me.
A year ago I had no idea I would become a business owner.
A year ago I had no clue how to run a store, deal with employees, etc. - I am still trying to figure all that out!!
A year ago I had the energy (or thought I did) to work full time, go to school full time, and run a business- then I hit 25 and feel like my body gave up on me. Did anyone else feel like their body completely changed at age 25 or am I just majorly out of shape? :)
A year ago I was planning for our honeymoon to the beach- this year I can't wait for our 2 week trip to the beach.
A year ago I had no idea how difficult it was sometimes to live with a male :)
A year ago I didn't understand how much I would grow to love Jake even more.
A year ago I was looking forward to spending time with my best friend. - This year I am looking forward to a wonderful lifetime with my best friend.
This next year I want to be a better wife. I want to try to cook dinner more and be more patient and loving.
This year I look forward to all the new adventures and lessons we will learn.
This year I am going to find a better way to deal with the stress of life and not let it overwhelm me.
This year I am going to learn to focus on the most important things and ignore those things that are not important. I am going to learn to ignore them instead of wasting my time criticizing or talking about them.
This year I am going to take more time to stop and listen and care for those around me.
I want to make this year better than the last.
Here's to another year, Jake. I love you.

first one down

So my pictures may not be the best, but I was able to do my first project and it was really fun! I really want to do more and see if they will sell in our store- what do you guys think? Would you spend money on one of these?
After doing them, however, I spent some time going to local stores and I can't seem to find the glass pieces or the bails anywhere. Does anyone have any ideas? I can order them off of etsy but was hoping i could find them locally for less $.



Next project: the cute fabric flowers. However, I'm still waiting on inspiration and an idea on how to do them. My sewing skills are not that great, so I am afraid if I try to sew around the edges that I may ruin it. Ideas??

insuring life

yesterday Jake and I had someone come over to our place to test our blood and some other things for life insurance that we recently signed up for. As we were answering the questions, I kept thinking of how blessed I have been with my health. I wondered how many people in my family could have answered all of those questions as we did. My gratitude toward God for the blessing of good heath grew yesterday, as well as my prayers for those close to me who may not have that at the moment.
I am also glad that we have decided to start now- before we have children or other things that could affect our health. Although another $50 a month sometimes feels like a drain, I think this one is worth it.
It also made me ponder on the eternal perspective of things and how small this life is in God's time. And yet, this life is our time to learn and grow and be tested.
I know God has a better life insurance plan than anyone else, but I am thankful to be signed up for both right now. :)

creating

Dieter F. Uchtdorf said: "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.
Everyone can create. You don’t need money, position, or influence in order to create something of substance or beauty. 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...
You may think you don’t have talents, but that is a false assumption, for we all have talents and gifts, every one of us.The bounds of creativity extend far beyond the limits of a canvas or a sheet of paper and do not require a brush, a pen, or the keys of a piano. Creation means bringing into existence something that did not exist before—colorful gardens, harmonious homes, family memories, flowing laughter.
What you create doesn’t have to be perfect. So what if the eggs are greasy or the toast is burned? Don’t let fear of failure discourage you. Don’t let the voice of critics paralyze you—whether that voice comes from the outside or the inside.
If you still feel incapable of creating, start small. Try to see how many smiles you can create, write a letter of appreciation, learn a new skill, identify a space and beautify it."

As I usually do for the summer months, I have several goals that I hope to accomplish. While some of them seem so impossible (like fitting into my swim suit) I know that some are possible if I take the time to work at it. So this summer, besides my goals for reading certain books. I want to learn how to create. I have 2 specific things I want to learn.

1st. These adorable glass pendants. These are easy. I found a kit and ordered it. In a few days I will be working away.



2nd. These beautiful hair pins. Sooo CUTE! But I have NO IDEA how to make them. How do you get the fabric to be so cute and have that cute texture? Any Ideas? I would love to hear suggestions on how to get these beauties (besides just purchasing them off of etsy) :)

daffodil yard

Yes, I am painfully aware of my often lengthy time periods between posts. One of the things that has made me so happy lately are the beautiful tulips and daffodils that seem to somehow survive the long winter that never truly seems to go away. A week or so ago we found this daffodil yard close by and ever since then I try to make that street part of my route so I can drive by it. There is no grass in the front yard- it is all daffodils mixed in with a few tulips. The picture from my cell phone does not do it justice, but it makes me happy. :)

One day, when I grow up and have a house of my own, it will be so fun to see the tulips and daffodils and columbines come back every year. But for now, I'll just have to find joy in the flowers that others have in their yards.