If we did send cards...

We didn't send out Christmas cards this year. If we did, it probably would have looked similar to what's above because that was the only decent photo of us for the year.

Since most Christmas cards show how adorable everyone is and how the children have grown, we decided to spare you the sight of seeing how much weight we have gained over the past year. 

Thank you to all of our wonderful friends and family who have sent us beautiful cards filled with an update on your life. We love knowing all of the exciting things going on.

Here's our quick update:

Jake is still loving insurance and staying busy with it. He saves the majority of the people who contact him $ on their insurance, so please spread the word.

I've been working as a teller at Chase bank since July and it's wonderful. I work about 30 hours a week and I feel like I have a life outside of my job.

My job at chase has been a huge blessing because the health insurance is wonderful. We are looking forward to trying invitro one last time this year and are grateful that it will be affordable with our new insurance. 

We are grateful for our Savior, whose humble beginnings remind us that life is sometimes difficult but that miracles happen every day. Hoping you and your family have a wonderful holiday.

Love, Kris & Jake 

Recent activities

Any of you who follow me on instagram get more updates than I am sure you want to see on my projects. But, for those of you who don't all you need to know is that my life is kind of like a boring old woman- I go to work and I sew and eat and sleep and watch netflix and hulu.

But you can go to Sisterview.com to see some of my recent projects.  I'm trying to post finished projects on that blog and help it eventually grow my Etsy shop (as soon as I get things organized to promote it more.).

In the mean time, here's a recent project that hasn't been posted on Sisterview. It's a ruffle backdrop made for a friend and, although the ruffles are super tedious, I love how it turned out and I might be crazy enough to do another one again soon.

This project also made me now have a desire to get a serger one day too.  I borrowed the serger from our stake and now I want one. It doesn't help that it happened to be a Bernina serger either. :) 

real

Here's a real life update. Warning: there may be plenty of deep emotional and also petty things in this post. And run on sentences.

I turned 30 at the end of May and I'm still trying to accept it. It was a long day but fun because Emily and her kids showed up on my doorstep in the morning to surprise me. She and Jennifer and my mom had put together a gift of 30 things and each had a little note on it that made my day. They are so kind and I felt so loved. Then, in the evening Jake pulled off a small surprise party with some friends that overwhelmed me and made me feel so loved.

I quit my job the first week of June. It wasn't planned and we weren't well prepared for it. I just physically could not go in any more and deal with the drama. I couldn't deal with being told "even if you are working hard it doesn't mean you are accomplishing anything" and just had to get out.

I'm still unemployed and really hope I can find a good job soon.  And I know that decisions have consequences... like the fact that we may not be able to afford our annual trip to Newport Beach next week.

But, I have been so much happier. I have been able to finish some things that I haven't touched for months and have started exercising and eating better. I clean my house now, fold and put the laundry away on the very same day I do it and don't wake up every morning dreading my work day. I'm feeling more balance in life.

I've been thinking a lot over the past few months how much our lives change and that sometimes the nature of those changes cause us to drift apart from people we love. Or to pull back.  At the beginning of this year I pulled back a lot, especially with friends who have children or who are expecting them soon. I am so incredibly happy for them and admire them, but I don't know how many social events I can go to where all I hear is talk about labor and nursing and experiences while being pregnant.
I'm trying to become more engaged and to focus on how exciting those feelings and experiences are for those I love and get over myself.

I can't believe how much was lifted off my shoulders when I quit my job. And how much weight has come crashing down again as I realize that we aren't prepared to live off of one income just yet. And how much that crushes me in thinking that if we can't even live off of one income, we are soo much further than being able to afford more fertility treatments or adoption.

I have wonderful, kind and caring friends. I know we are where we are supposed to be because of the incredible friendships we have found.  I love that all of our weeknights are often filled because of plans with friends. I love that I have now been able to have sewing days with 4 different friends since I have been unemployed and it has been so much fun. I posted two things I have been sewing on Sisterview today.

My husband is wonderful and takes on so many burdens that I, with my protections learned from the Columbine shooting of being able to ignore so many things, don't focus on.

I love going to garage sales and thrift stores. It is so much fun. We have had two friends come with us this summer and were also able to go with my brothers and parents in Colorado, which makes it even more fun.

I've been accomplishing so much more and yet, have so much that I am behind on. If you don't believe me, just go here to see how many weeds I need to pull in my garden.

I've been listening to Brené  Brown's book, Daring Greatly and it is great. If you have never seen her TED talk, you should.  She talks about shame and vulnerability; and I'm feeling extra vulnerable because I'm unemployed and trying to start to eat gluten free to see if it will help with our infertility issues.

Hopefully, in the near future I will have a job that I can start after we get back from our trip to the beach (I have my fingers crossed.) I have an interview tomorrow so say a little prayer for me!

Life is real and raw and hard and wonderful and in the midst of it, we have those around us who are living real lives too who help get us through. I am so thankful for that.

currently

We are loving watching Leverage.  I recently got several seasons on dvd from our library so we've been watching episodes every evening.  It is seriously soo funny!  My favorite character is Hardison.

This show, along with White Collar are our favorites.  We are seriously laughing out loud during so much of it.

When I'm not too tired after work, I love to sew. Although I am starting to wonder if there will ever be a time when I don't have to work or if I should just get over that wish and accept the fact that I will never have a life.

I'm so far behind in reading all of my books that it's stressing me out.

I don't want another week of work, even though I do have a great job.

yesterday

 I tried to get rid of a bunch of box elder bugs 

 enjoyed the beautiful fall weather 

stopped by Down East to check out their clearance. 

 got a package of fabric to finish a quilt 

made yummy dinner

watched Romney rock it in the debate

and had a lovely book club phone chat with the girls in my family.

remember when

...I used to blog?  Well, I really have no excuse. But I also know that there is no one out there constantly checking and waiting for me to post. Life has been sailing by, as it does for all of us.  I'm loving my job and enjoying the people that I work with. Our ward is wonderful and Jake and I are staying busy with our new callings: (1st Counselor in RS and EQ President).  I'm still constantly trying to fit in reading, sewing and my other hobbies while spending time occasionally with my Mr. Wonderful.

Life is good, although some days it's hard. I know that God answers prayers and that life goes on, whether we are enjoying it or not.

I started a book club with my sisters and sisters-in-law and I'm excited for that. I'm also trying to start one with people in my area.

Seed is in the back yard so hopefully next spring we will have grass.

Listening to Elder Holland makes me happy.

Exercise is good. I enjoy it when I do it and miss it when I'm too lazy.

This is the time of year when I want to make my garden bigger next year.  The problem is, I usually don't feel that way when I'm planting it.

I love being with family. And holding babies. The end.

life

So much has happened since I last posted. I celebrated my 29th birthday, which was wonderful. Jake took me to a pedicure, a massage and then had a surprise party waiting for me afterward.

On my birthday I got called for a second job interview and it was scheduled for Wednesday. On Wednesday I got the job, Thursday I went in for paperwork and Friday was my first day.  I work at a non-profit foundation called Sunshine Terrace and am the executive assistant to the CEO.

We have been driving down to Salt Lake for a few appointments. We were able to spend Saturday and Sunday down in Salt Lake and then returned Monday for Memorial day to work in the yard and get a few things taken care of. Saturday we went to our first SLC Real game with a good friend.  I love watching soccer and we had a great time, although it was a little chilly.

As we often do when we go to SLC, we went to the overstock outlet store and found this great rug for our hallway.

Sunday we visited some grave sites for both sides of our family. Some Grows and Sheffields in Orem as well as Perschons and others in Salt Lake. It was a wonderful day; I am so thankful for my ancestors who have passed on.

It was wonderful to see the cemeteries full. What a wonderful weekend.

And, of course it was a lot of fun to go with my cute nieces and nephews. A few of them rode with us each way and we enjoyed some laughter and fun jokes. 

This week I am back in training for my job and trying to stay awake until 9pm after getting home at 6. This has been a huge adjustment for me since before this job I worked from home for 4 years.  I have to dress up more from work and physical go to work, which makes coming home a lot harder since I am so exhausted and not very motivated to do much.  I certainly need to figure out how to use my time and how to have energy to do so when I get home. 

May 12of12

Saturday was a good day. 

1. you would get front row parking too if you had to be somewhere at 4am

2. attempted self-portrait 3. riding in the truck

4. baby shower invites for a friend 5. love this dresser at down east 

6. fixing the lawn mower 7. my hubby is such a handy man 

8. finally making time to work on the stairs 

9. the temple 10. snickerdoodle from noodles & company= the best snickerdoodle ever

11. White Collar is by far my favorite tv show 

12. our stairs have looked like this for months but we finally got everything to redo them. 

In addition to Saturday, this week was spent working, doing some reading (I am behind on my library books and won't be able to renew all of them + other books I've been reading)

sewing; I had quilt guild this week I've been going to Cache Valley Modern Quilt Guild in Preston, ID and have a friend in my ward who goes with me too. 

Reflecting on our wonderful mothers, spending time with my amazing husband, and my failed attempt at making snickerdoodles for the first time. 

I'm so thankful for my beautiful mother. ( pictured here with my oldest sister). She is kind, loving, understanding, supportive and a wonderful friend and example. I love this picture of her.

a week of instagrams

having some chill time

new fabric for my birthday (which isn't until the end of May, but there was a sale)
It's Summersville. 

an afternoon of sewing with a friend= finishing some things up. Quilting really has brought me new friendships.  

making dinner and dessert at the same time.  pasta + golden grahams s'mores.

outside Jake's office, I found a feather on my windshield.

from this month's Southern Living I was thumbing through while waiting at the dr's office. Love the curtains.

same magazine-  I want this door.

dinner with my honey after The Avengers.

reading in the sunshine- keeping Jake company while he fixed the sprinklers.

I'm excited for May.  I did pretty good on my April goals this month, although I didn't finish a quilt like I had planned. I still have one more room to tackle and organize, but I feel like I haven't been home much.

This week we also had a game night with friend's from the ward and it was soo much fun. I took the camera down to take pictures and, of course forgot to do so.
I also made this yummy popcorn- a new recipe of mine! 

another weekend

the family

We had another weekend filled with some of the same but also with some fun mixed in. Saturday morning was spent at the temple as usual. Saturday evening we met the Perschons in Kaysville for dinner and fun at Boondocks. We take turns planning a family event each month with Jake's siblings and parents so it gives us a chance to see each other. It's a lot of fun and it was so nice of Jake's family to meet us half way in Kaysville.

Jake and his sister Ashlee

of course we need one shot of us actually bowling:

We finished the weekend off on Sunday when we had some wonderful friends over for dinner and went to bed early to get started on another week.  

Easter weekend

We had a wonderful weekend, as it sounds like most of you did. Friday night we had date night with some wonderful neighbor friends. We played games, talked and had dessert. It was great.

 Saturday we worked in the temple and, although it was extra crazy, we loved it as always. We came home, took a nap and then organized the garage. I also painted a few more items.

Jake made shelves for his workbench in the garage and in the process told me that I can't buy anymore paint until all of it is used. I'm not worried, because I'm pretty sure I'm done with paint for a few years.

We went to bed exhausted on Saturday night and looking forward to Easter morning.  Easter was a wonderful day- filled with the spirit and a great day of reflection.  I'm glad we didn't have to lead and play the music- that always makes my day less stressful.

Easter morning I listened to this wonderful talk on the Resurrection of our Savior.


These words bring me comfort and peace.

I think of how dark that Friday was when Christ was lifted up on the cross.
On that terrible Friday the earth shook and grew dark. Frightful storms lashed at the earth.
Those evil men who sought His life rejoiced. Now that Jesus was no more, surely those who followed Him would disperse. On that day they stood triumphant.
On that Friday the Apostles were devastated. Jesus, their Savior—the man who had walked on water and raised the dead—was Himself at the mercy of wicked men. They watched helplessly as He was overcome by His enemies.

On that Friday the Savior of mankind was humiliated and bruised, abused and reviled.
It was a Friday filled with devastating, consuming sorrow that gnawed at the souls of those who loved and honored the Son of God.
I think that of all the days since the beginning of this world's history, that Friday was the darkest.
But the doom of that day did not endure.
The despair did not linger because on Sunday, the resurrected Lord burst the bonds of death. He ascended from the grave and appeared gloriously triumphant as the Savior of all mankind.
And in an instant the eyes that had been filled with ever‐flowing tears dried. The lips that had whispered prayers of distress and grief now filled the air with wondrous praise, for Jesus the Christ, the Son of the living God, stood before them as the firstfruits of the Resurrection, the proof that death is merely the beginning of a new and wondrous existence.
Each of us will have our own Fridays—those days when the universe itself seems shattered and the shards of our world lie littered about us in pieces. We all will experience those broken times when it seems we can never be put together again. We will all have our Fridays.
But I testify to you in the name of the One who conquered death—Sunday will come. In the darkness of our sorrow, Sunday will come. 



The Resurrection transformed the lives of those who witnessed it. Should it not transform ours? 


For personal reasons, I have felt recently like I have had some dark "Fridays". But, because of Christ's resurrection, I have hope that Sunday will come. 

Sunday update

This weekend we relaxed and enjoyed General Conference. It was amazing, as always and my spirit was nurtured by eternal truth.  We were also able to spend Saturday night with some great friends.  I finally got some baby gifts ready for 3 of my friends who recently have had or who are ready to have babies- all boys!

We also had some yummy popcorn- my new favorite treat.

Friday night we drove down to Salt Lake for a mission reunion in the Salt Lake City temple. It was wonderful and great to see such wonderful people.

Wednesday-Friday I was in Idaho Falls hanging out with my mom and Grandma. I was also able to see a brother and 2 nephews so it made for a great week.

while in Idaho Falls, we enjoyed some yummy frozen yogurt- have you ever had snicker doodle frozen yogurt? It was amazing! 

I am excited for a new month, along with new goals and warmer weather.

a wasted week

This has been a hard week. I have felt like crap since Monday. Well, I didn't feel super good a few days before that but one day it all hit.  I know you don't need all the details, but I'm tried, sore, nauseous, bloated and did I mention that I hurt everywhere?

So, I am embarrassed to admit, I have done absolutely nothing this week. I laid on the couch but was too tired to read so only read a few chapters in my book.  The rest of the time was spent picking a tv series to watch on netflix and then (once I was caught up to the current show) picking another series.  So embarrassing. I don't even like tv.  And I watched all 17 episodes of the first show in one day- because I did NOTHING.

But at least I can tell you that White Collar is a good show (currently in season 2) and Once Upon a Time intrigues me because I want to see where this fairytale is going.

Hopefully I don't find out for a while though, because I don't want a repeat of this week.

Hoping you had a more productive week then me, enjoy your weekend.

weekly update

This week went by quickly with a lot of driving involved.  We had some family in town this weekend in Utah County so we spent the weekend with them.  Here are some of the things we did.

Friday night we went to dinner with the adults. I got to hold my newest nephew too, which is always great. 

Saturday morning we went to the Conference Center on Temple Square to watch my niece, Emmeline sing. She is part of a group singing in the YW meeting next Saturday and we were able to watch the rehearsal.

cute kids waiting. I love playing with nieces and nephews

we also had a fun time going shopping with the girls. 

my goals this week didn't go very well. The week got away from me and I didn't spend a lot of time focused on them.  My time is running out for March and I really want to get my house organized in time. 

this weekend

we spent Saturday morning at the temple as usual. It was a beautiful day- 17 weddings on Saturday (can you tell it was the start of spring break?)

lunch, pedicures, gas, kindle time 

I got to spend some time with my sister and her family- it is so fun to be able to sit on the couch and talk about pretty things that make us happy. 

went to church wearing sandals and sporting my pedicure

I had 3 nail polish colors I was deciding between. The first one I picked was almost gone, the second one was almost gone too, so I got the third one :)

went on a walk and enjoyed the beautiful sunshine

game night with yummy dessert. 

As far as my March goals go, they are going well.  I still have a lot to organize in our house, but I'm trying to start organizing small sections so that it isn't so overwhelming. We have been spending more time in Salt Lake for a few things so I've felt like I haven't been home much and am trying to take advantage of every moment when I am here. 

weekly update

Since it's Tuesday, I figured I would post my Sunday update :)

February wasn't that great as far as my goals go, but a new month brings a new opportunity to do better.
I'm simplifying the goals and hubby and I have one we are working on together-a better schedule for going to bed and getting up.

In March I'm going to try to organize my house and my life.  I'm starting slowly- so far I've done some drawers and cabinets in the kitchen as well as some of the files on my computer.  I'm also including in this goal the 10 minute clean up each day.

My bonus goal (if I can get myself to focus on four) is to floss daily.  I hate flossing. I detest flossing. Almost as much as I hate sweeping and mopping the floor. But especially with no dental insurance, I need to take care of my teeth so it's on the list.

Today is focused on accomplishing a nagging task that I actually want to do, it's just been something I've been avoiding because it's a bigger project.  Do any of you do that?  Have wonderful plans for a big project but then get too nervous to actually start it?  This is one I've started but never finished. I'm bad at starting and finishing projects. I just like the dreaming about them part :)

Well, have a great day!

sunday update

I can't believe how fast this week went. It flew by for me and I basically didn't do a lot even though I felt busy the whole time. wow- I need to do better at using my time wisely.

We had a great Valentine's day. My husband was craving sushi (don't die from shock) and luckily, a place near us is having half off all sushi rolls right now so it was affordable. $3 for a roll is not too shabby if I do say so myself.

I had my cake decorating class and although I am not great, I was able to make some flowers turn out decent and I was excited (see middle picture from wordless wednesday)

This week I did do better with making my daily to-do list and it helped me stay focused.  Exercise was not amazing, but it happened 3 days out of the week. Unfortunately, I am still sore from the awesome class I go to on Thursday nights.

I am enjoying reading the Book of Mormon right now, although I am so far behind on our stake's goal of finishing it by April. Lately I have been listening to it and it has been good. I love the people of Mosiah.

My nightly 10 minute clean up has been an epic fail this week and this month. I'm really not sure how I did so well in January and then feel like I am falling apart this month. However, I have 10 more days this month and I can accomplish my monthly goals perfectly for these last 10 days.


For some reason, my 15 minutes of sewing time hasn't happened this week. I don't know if it's just emotions, but I have been avoiding it this week. Luckily, last night I sat down and forced myself to work on a project for week 2 of my curves class. I've also noticed that on my to-do list I accomplish the easier things first and leave the harder ones for last (which sometimes means they don't get done). I think I need to do better at accomplishing a nagging task this week.

I've enjoyed some good reading time this week and finished Moon Over Manifest. I am now enjoying Graceling.  I also took some time to catch up on Downton Abbey this week (I don't know how I got sucked into a tv show, but I did). More job applications went out and even more prayers were said.

I am looking forward to a new week and new chances :)