Antiquing for our anniversary

After a summer of busy travels and lots of football madness we decided to stay close for our anniversary. I introduced my hubby to the idea of a stay-cation, and we decided to hit a great historic shopping district not too far from here. 

If you ever get a chance to visit Gardner's Historic Village give yourself a few hours and explore freely.

In the old mill at Archibald's Restaurant original gears and products are on display and woven into the shopping experience. 

I adored the different sections of decor and ideas

Love the signs and colors

The painted wood walls and cottage looks were lovely

The shops range from decor to Victorian clothing to toys and whimsy.  

We ended up with a few exciting things.

This super cool repurposed shelving was a MUST in my husband's eyes

I fell for this romantic mini dress (okay, think sweater tights and high boots????)

but that's not all..

the dress form was also on sale, because the store was closing to become a restaurant.

I can't wait to shabby that baby up and use it around the place!

We added a few necessary accessories to the hutch and we're ready to go

On the way home we stopped at another great consignment store called Home Again.

It was beautiful also, with a lot of great priced items.

We ended up grabbing a few more little things from there,

but we were pretty worn out at this point.

On the home front we have a new little friend to keep the kids busy...

so all was well for our day of celebration.

I kind of liked having a day to shop and enjoy each other's company some place far enough

to be 'away', but close enough to not cost much to get there.

I highly recommend the stay-cation shopping day.

Marriage has it's rewards, right???

Random Catch Up

Life is kind of like this in the summer-

I move from one moment to the next and hardly have time to stop and reflect

So, welcome to my random catch up.

I am so in love with the 4th of July,

I really can't say it enough

This year it was all about the food, the folks, and the photography.

A day trip to the "Twilight Zone" (Forks and La Push, Wa)

ended up being a surprise highlight of our trip.

All the men involved were much obliging to my silly photos and squealing. I am not above enjoying a completely pointless book on occasion.

And stomping on the stomping grounds was a fun indulgence.

(When is the next movie out, anyway?)

My niece's wedding gave me a chance to extend my vacation,

and spend some real downtime (16 days!) with my family.

Everything was fairy tale perfect, from the bride and groom, to the candle lit tables,

and all the pretty pinks.

Can I just say....I LOVE WEDDINGS!

On that note, I must simply say how precious my religion is to me at this moment in time.

Not only because of the beautiful weddings and belief

in families being together, as a unit, in the next life, but also because

of the precious gift of freedom and agency.

I feel the world would be a better place if people believed in a higher purpose and a higher power, and lived accordingly.

To love something on the level that most religious people do only means one thing;

it makes sense to share it with others.

For my church, that means two years of service.

What a day it was when my nephew came home from his two tough years in Paraguay.

Our family went from screaming, to crying, and back again,

as he came through that lobby.

It is great to have him back, but he is going through withdraws of not serving others and being back in the 'real world'.

One cool thing that impressed me while waiting there was the applause that spread through the airport as a service man or woman came off the flight.

I think when our eyes are open we see more than enough around us

to know we are blessed

to know we are loved

and to know these gifts must be defended with all our hearts.

Anniversary

Happiness is finding someone to love

Joy is having a family

Growing is making it through the good, and the bad

Fun is seeing the world

and satisfaction is knowing today is as great as every other day
no grand parties
no big trip
no huge gifts

Just enjoying each other

17 years and going.....

Why I love these pics

I got my disk today- a gift of the universe- and have spent way too much staring at each picture. I am so deliriously happy to have this little moment of my life captured with a touch of coolness. Yeah, a few of the pictures I may look dorky (I really don't love seeing myself in most photos, and I didn't smile very much for some reason ) but Carrie at DC Photobooth got pictures for me that I will cry over for years to come.

I love so many, I am only sharing a few at a time, with why I love them. A little peek inside my wacked brain and what makes it happy.

This was one of my preview shots, but I really love this one because it is a little nod to one of my first tastes of reading outside of the box. Richard Bach has a book called The Bridge Across Forever that once had a couple holding hands like this in the cover. I used to read his books and ponder the concept of soulmates and families.... now here I am on my own bridge.... and this shot kind of completes it in a weird sappy and mystical way.

Now all you mommies out there know,any picture of your child is precious, but when you get all of them together, and no one is pinching or punching the other one, and they all seem so serene and of course, beautiful, well....let's just say it kind of makes the rest of it all worth it. So this picture makes the mom in me happy.

Last is a little fun shot of me and my hubby. I love it because it just looks like US- and it has been a long time since we had interesting photos of the two of us together....my new attempt at adding more journaling and art to my scrapbooking also made me crave some cool pictures of us together. I am so happy to have this:


One little surprise is that the disk had each photo in a straight shot, diffused shot, and black and white (lay man terms here, I don't know what they are called in the photo world) so you can see the different feeling in each type.
And this is how sick I really am....

I HAVE MY CHRISTMAS CARD PLANNED OUT ALREADY!!!

that makes me very very giddy

My life is complete

I can die happy

I have met with the most amazing girl who took the most amazing photos of my family.

I don't have my own CD yet, so for now you will just have to go on over and click to see a few previews from our photo shoot for yourself...

Dc Photo Booth

And yes...I totally am aware that my kids STOLE THE SHOW...isn't that the way it should be?

Maybe if you hurry you can book a photo session with Carrie before she gets so busy you can't get in any more.

I LOVE THEM!

How to Have a Great Valentine's Day

Here are the instructions for a fabulous Valentine's Day.

1- Plan for Book Club to meet at your house. Once you get past the panic that you must host it on a special day, the ideas and excitement begin to flow. Reading Jane Eyre give you a valid excuse to break out the china and enjoy the moment. Great conversation about Jane Eyre (the covered book) and Atlas Shrugged makes you feel excited to be alive and free and have friends. Hubby is shopping with kids and going to Basketball....relax and relish in the adult conversation..

NEXT-
2- Have your husband and kids walk in at the end of book club carrying a balloon, roses, chocolate cake, a giant kiss, (I always wanted one of those!) and the new David Cook CD. These all score major points in the Valentine's Day score book, especially when we 'celebrated' the night before and went to dinner. Bonus. I felt like Phyllis, on The Office.


3- Declare you are exhausted from all the excitement of the day and plop on the couch with a quilt, by your Valentine's side where you both fall into a long winters nap. Naps. What a gift.

4- Be woken from your nap by a phone call from your cool cop little sister that is visiting from out of town and decide to join her and her husband for dinner. Yum. (plus this means you don't have to cook and clean!) Double Bonus!

5- Hang out, kick back, send kids to bed, and head up to your bed with your Valentine for a night of proving your love......well, you get the idea.

Valentine's Day. Awesome.

Easy Breezy Beautiful 2008

This will be by far the most self indulgent post I have yet to type. I can't help myself, and after flipping through the pages of my blog book preview, I am going to take the time to really post about my life.

Last year may have possibly been one of the best years ever. After years of mocking my sisters (and other people) who run, I gave it a shot. It was hard, it hurt, it made me tired....but I got better.

This picture was taken on Thanksgiving morning, when my family decided to run in the races- the fact that 2 of my kids signed up made me very proud- feeling like a bit of fitness is seeping into our lives. Let me explain one other thing- by nature I am extremely competitive. To run with my sisters and only keep up with them when they are pushing strollers with TWO kids up a hill goes against everything I am. If I can not win at something, I refuse to participate. This hobby has forced me to relax, enjoy the process, and celebrate my own milestones. Almost sounds like maturity.

My family brought me so much joy this year I could burst. My boys are growing up, and in spite of my motherly anxiety and outbursts they have sweet moments of tenderness and responsibility that amaze me. This year we had a baptism and I also got to enjoy the warmth of having a son really utilize his priesthood and become a servant to others. These are moments that words will just ruin, so I won't even try.
Are they perfect- well, if you have been following my blog you know that is a big fat NO- but it gives me so much happiness and contentment to wrap my arms around them every night and kiss them, hug them, squeeze them, and tell them I love them. Motherhood is truly so satisfying for me I am overwhelmed by humility to live it daily. (Except for the days when I hide in my bedroom and watch Lifetime.) But most of the time I am happy to report I appreciate what I have with them.

My marriage has done a complete turn around. Most of you who know me in real life may assume that my marriage has always been just right. Most of the time, it has been. But we have had a year or two here and there of pain and heartache, and struggles ( of which I am willing to take the blame) and stupidity. We made it through them, God willing.I read the Dr. Laura book, and I swear to you, it has revitalized my love and passion for marriage more than any other single thing I have ever done. My hubby has even made comments that both surprise me and make my day- he appreciates that I appreciate. And with all the thugs in this world why shouldn't I? He loves me, supports me, whisks me around the world, can be incredibly romantic, and more than anything else- he just GETS ME. I would not be the person I am without him, and I am so in love with him!

I also hit a wall in my calling. Sundays were spent anxious and nervous, the week was long and I would worry. I spent and afternoon crying to the Bishop. "I am not the one for this job"......but somewhere between then and now someone else has taken over the reigns and I am not driving this cart anymore..... it has been an amazing experience (I highly recommend it) and I can be happy again with the children I work with.

I did laundry without complaining.........

I planned meals a week at a time (on good weeks) ......

I got fired up over politics and wrote letters to leaders.....

I have traveled,I have paid off debts and bought new things with cash, I have ran in the rain, I have sang with the Shape Note Singers, I have read 47 books, I have tried to keep my sink clean, I have napped with a soft fuzzy eye mask on, I worked and been given GREAT tips, I have seen family, had long talks, downloaded crazy music and danced around my house, ate FABULOUS cake and meatloaf and sea food, I have hiked the hills in Japan,I have talked to Dave Ramsey, I have walked through the Scared Grove, I have ridden The Mummy 4 times in a row, I have boogie boarded and smelled the beach, hosted a party, learned how to text, hosted book club, volunteered at school, spent a week with sisters shopping and crafting, fought for my child's rights, witnessed stitches and teeth pullings and ortho adjustments, learned how to make charms, sewn an apron, made a fool of myself and said things that I shouldn't have......

I didn't lose all the weight I would like to, or win a jackpot of money, or dirve a fancy car, or move into a new fancy house.....but it is so strange how those things are mattering less to me as they years sneak up on me......

I can't even come close to finishing the reasons why this year has been so wonderful to me, but if I could just ask for the gift of more years like this one....or at least the wisdom to enjoy what the year deals me, I will continue to still consider myself

"Better Than I Deserve".

Notes from my Vacay

Wow.... you know December is busy anyway, but add an over sea trip to the mix and I am really just a bit behind. I will be posting about this surprise vacay over the next few days.... enjoy!



This is my honey and Masty G enjoying their Bento Boxes for lunch.....my little guy was so cute working with the chopsticks (I sucked, and my hubby was embarrassed to ask for a fork and knife for me). I took this picture because they looked so happy and cute. I, on the other hand, was recovering from a small breakdown of sobbing and starving. Apparently in Japan you don't just eat anywhere....you find a proper bench or table to eat at respectfully. It took us a LONG time to find this little sitting area, and I was tired and hungry, and well, I am kind of like a toddler like that. Sorry honey...I promise I will do better next time.



At the Giant Buddah, in Kamakura, this was one of my favorite stops. The courtyard was empty so we had lots of time to roam and take pictures and sniff the giant pots of incense that were burning. Yummy. (seriously, I loved it). Surprisingly, my son said this was one of his favorite stops as well. You can go inside it, and it looks like the Statue of Liberty from inside (just smaller, but same material). The overall feeling of this shrine was just beauty and peace......I was so glad I got to see it.


At the mall, it was the 15 year anniversary and Christmas all rolled into one. I kind of got a kick out of the Christmas "I Love You" theme of the mall.....it reminded me of Valentine's Day, but hey....who's going to say anything? Another thing I saw was "Happy Merry Christmas" which struck me as funny. (But more on the English signs later). This was on the last night, as we were heading out to dinner (the best Katsu and Tempura ever!) a bittersweet night. I was anxious to get home and see my 2 boys, but so sad to see my Japanese adventures end.



At the train station- please note the CROWD of people pushing their way onto the train. It was not unusual to see a few small school children running to and fro on and off the trains alone- that freaked me out. I was so worried for them. Then we stepped into the middle of this mess to ride a train to Tokyo, and I was worried for US! It was JAM PACKED, and I tend to get a bit anxious and claustraphobic, so this took some effort to remain calm, but it was so funny, being squished in this train, where not a person spoke or whispered (well, except for me, the LOUD AMERICAN). They were so polite they even wore a doctors mask if they were feeling under the weather- which looked weird and took some getting used to also, like being surrounded by a bunch of Asain Michael Jacksons or something. It was all a bit of an adventure- and I would never had made it from one place to the next without my hubby and his Japanese skills....
Well, enough for now. I am off to an Activity Days field trip. Be PATIENT as I try to catch up on blogs. I swear, I will be a nice bloggy friend once again very soon!

Sappy Sunday

Well, since I did not have a copy of Brittany's Bingo to get me through Fast and Testimony meeting, I had nothing better to do than recall the past month and some of my experiences.

I had a sappy moment of reflection on the gift of marriage....



Mike and I were shopping at LL Bean where couples of all ages flocked through the store looking for comfy outdoor wear. Mike was having a hard time picking out shirts, when I noticed a cute elderly man slip on a sweater- much like the ones Mr. Rogers used to change into.
As he pushed his arms through the sleeves, his bony wrists dangling awkwardly like a puberty stricken boy, he looked to his little wife and shrugged and shook his head. He was completely overwhelmed.
She hobbled over and quickly straightened the shoulders, pulled the sleeves down gently, and smoothed the sweater around down his chest. He was fine.....

This little moment of tenderness caught me off guard, and I found my eyes filling with tears (thus, the sappy Sunday story) and I quickly vowed to be nicer while I helped my husband shop.

I will never forget the vulnerable look on that sweet old man and the way his wife 'fixed him right up.' I hope to be shopping and smoothing sweaters with my hubby for many, many years.

BINGO! (travel log, sight seeing, marriage, senior citizens, and free space)

Palmyra New York

IN honor of our Conference weekend...... a few religious photos from vacation.

The first is taken in the Sacred Grove. I will be in big trouble if I don't inform you MIKE took this picture. I loved walking through the grove.... I learned some amazing things while pondering there. Maybe someday I will be inspired to share them here, but for now let it be said... I am so happy to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Second photo was taken of a display in the HIll Cumorah Visitors center. The Hill Cumorah was beautiful, too. I would love to go back to see the pageant someday.

We went to the temple in Palmyra that night (after the Mona Lisa chocolate cake). It was so small and intimate- with gorgeous stained glass sparkling windows of the grove in every window. Mike and I were called as the witness couple- which is always fun on a trip (except for the time I passed out in St.George during the session while kneeling. That wasn't cool.But I did get free crackers.)

I was so glad that we added this to our trip- we did not include it in our original plan, but my traveling man was sure he could get me there. I am so grateful that he did.
The whole feeling at the Smith family farm, the grove, and the hill is so serene and solid. In today's times, I found that extremely invigorating.

If you ever travel with Mike

Before divulging the has beens of my vacation, I want to give you all a few travel tips for traveling with my husband. (Janna- this is especially for you and your Amazing Race hopes with Mike).

1~ Forget about "what time it is at home". It doesn't matter if your two hours ahead, so getting up at 6 is like getting up at 4, there is no 'home' time. The time is what is, no excuses. Even if that means curling up in a fetal position for a nap on the back seat while you drive across 3 states.....you get up and get it done.

2~ When you have a chance to eat, take it. If you are not a 'breakfast person' you are now. You sit down at that hotel breakfast and get your fill. You do not know for sure when the next meal may be. Hunger is no excuse for bad attitudes or crankiness of any kind. Adding a huge breakfast to my daily meals has always meant gaining an instant 5 lbs on every trip we have gone on. Oh well.

3~ Try to stretch the bladder. Even though your bladder may be naturally small, and you get a little antsy when the urge hits, you have got to buck up. Somedays are better than others for this, but it seemed easier this time since I was not downing Diet Cokes all day.

4~ Know your geography. Don't even embarrass him by suddenly clapping for joy and exclaiming "I think I finally get it! The Atlantic Ocean is on the EAST and they are both the closest to A in the alphabet!" Even if you have no idea what state (or country, for that matter) you are in, just pretend like you do.


If you can get these few little helpful hints down he will take great care of you. This includes impromptu stops at the local bakery, free reign while shopping for new boots, and cute souvenirs that everyone will drool over later.

And on top of all that....he will show you the world. That's a deal I'm taking.

How do you Blog Something like this....

Last night I was resting on the couch, enjoying my husband's company, when our phone rang. His 23 year old nephew was in a car accident that killed him instantly. The pale look on Mike's face, the pit in my stomach, the feeling that it just all a weird dream...all of those things took over. We are also on 'cell phone' duty- returning texts he received yesterday and answering to tell people the news. Mike has done a great job of that and didn't want his mom to have to deal with it.

Mike's parents have been taking care of this nephew since his mother (Mike's sister Carrie) died of cancer almost 3 years ago. He has always struggled and really leaned on my in-laws, and my mother in law promised Carrie she would watch over him and give him the help he needs. This is so hard for her, he was working graveyard shift at the grocery store and then driving, earning extra money and trying to make a life for himself. My mother in law is taking this so personal and this boy's dad has struggled with depression since he lost his wife. This puts a greater burden on those around him, and his brother he left behind. A family of four is now a family of two.

I have to look at it all and be reminded of the bigger picture. He had been visiting the cemetery and saying he missed his mom....the family is- as expected-pulling together. We are asking ourselves what we can learn from this, and feeling the peace that comes with knowing he is with his mother, who was so close to him during his life.

I don't want to be a downer and debated whether I should even post today, but how can I not? How can I not remind myself (and you) that life is precious, and that everything we have and experience is such a gift. The shock of an unexpected death is so surreal, but then the peace that comes when you ponder our true existence beyond this can not be explained.....I just wanted to let my feelings out and share this today. They have asked me to sing "Angels" at the funeral...I am not sure how you get through a song like this, it fits his little struggle through life so well...I am extremely honored but very overwhelmed.

Every day is a gift~ and there are greater forces around us at all times, and I hope I can be aware of that and do what I need to do.

Nurturing my Marital Status

Yep. I've really done it now. I decided to read this book by Dr. Laura- the "let me interupt you and tell it like it is in a totally witchy way" lady. (Can't listen to her becasue of the previously mentioned habit).

My sister in law had this book, and a freind had told me a year ago how it changed her perspective towards herself as a wife. I have wanted to read it, and now the pangs of gulit are stabbing me hard.

Think of it as this (I will summarize for you). 1- Make good food and look nice for your husband. 2-Give him lots of lovin' whenever he needs it. 3- He, then in return, will take care of you forever. Kind of like an eternal sugar daddy.

I am not at all opposed to this concept. The thing this book is doing though, is making me realize the truth us ladies have known all along. A good man is hard to find.

Well guess what... I have a good man. I have a great man. Why do I get mad if he doesn't take out the garbage quickly? WHy do I roll my eyes if he wants me to snuggle on the couch? Why do I act....ummmm, can I say it, ......like his mother some days? NO MORE!!!

I am going to "little wife" him so much he will think he is the luckiest man alive. Little cute texts? Sending them. Compliments? Giving them (not hard for me, he is a very hard worker.) Lovin? Consider me the gal.

Dr. Laura- I may hate the way you cut off your callers, but this book is the best reminder for a housewife like me, who tends to forget what a great thing a marriage is. Consider your point taken.

Now if you will excuse me I need to go straighten my bed and check to see if it is time to recolor my hair....little gray hairs so not sexy!

Spontaneous Trips and Low Expectations

This was taken a couple of years ago during a trip to the Grand Canyon. Rv-ing is fun, I will admit, but when your husband decides we MUST get in a trip and school is in and clients are coming is it really that fun?

See, Mike had to travel the night of Father's and Sons (best church program EVER) and my little Parker actually cried over missing it. Daddy promised a trailer trip before the year was through.....thus, we are going up the canyon TODAY. (but MOM gets to go. Hooray for me!)
We already disagreed on location (I wanted hook-ups, pavement is more important to him) and time ( I wanted another week entirely). I lost both arguments. So, with NO MEALS planned (I told him to decide what he wants. He said TIN DIN's every night), and NOTHING in the trailer- we are heading out.
To ease your grief for me I will remind you, I will be HOME every morning to send my kids off to school and work a couple clients in. There is food, clothing, and lots of sugary cereal in my house, so we can grab what we need and get ready for the day.
At best, this could turn into a great family time with walks, talks, laughter and love (think LDS commercial meets Go RV-ing.com). Maybe I can sit by the campfire and enjoy my book. At worst, we will freeze at night, the kids will be bored (no TV) and fight, and whine over burnt hamburger meat in tin foil (think Griswold's and Chevy Chase).
Any guesses on how it will be?

I am offically tagged

(and yes, by the way, I painted that picture as a child)

This tag is for 6 completely random facts about ME that most people do not know. I was tagged by CB2 at the link

http://egoandstuff.blogspot.com/

(which I highly recommend- amazing life affirming stories sprinkled with honesty and sarcasm. MMMMMM- my favorite)Here we go:

1- I think my teeth are too short. I have huge issues with this, and feel secret tooth envy anytime I meet someone with long front teeth.

2- I can read How the Grinch Stole Christmas with cadence, accents, voices and conviction. I have always wished I could be a story time teller at the library- or better yet- Timpanogas Story Telling Festival- which I have never actually been to, but I am pretty sure I'd be awesome if they let me take the stage.

3-I dance while I do the dishes with my Ipod on. I have some sweet moves, and back in my dancing days was told many a time I could bust it in the Soul Room. I relive this coolness often. Mike does not appreciate it.

4-I hate the feeling of clean towels that haven't been properly softened. There is something about the crunchy feeling of the towel on the edge of my fingertips that makes me crazy. We go through Downy AND Bounce sheets like they're going out of style.

5-I love to read the bottles of everything around me in the tub. I love the descriptions, the promises, the scents, and if I can figure out the English to French translation by the way a word looks I will even try to say it to myself. All this fun while soaking in the tub.... you should try it.

6- I feel really grossed out when I see 70's film and photos. I am not sure why- the weird orange tint, the greens and browns everywhere, the beards and long hair, the greasy skin, the look of the synthetic fabrics... it all makes me queasy, and I kid you not, I can not eat if there is anything 70's on TV. I may need therapy for that one.

NOW I am tagging Tiff in Blue, Shannon, Annette, Christy, Ashley, Teresa and Kristina. Like Cb2 I tagged 7- so if one of you doesn't do it the others may catch your fall.

but you will feel so guilty if you don't do it, right?

15 years of Laundry

Today marks my 15th anniversary. It feels strange because it really is just another day- including a phone call to calm down an unruly child who wouldn't listen before school.
I thought I might get on and say 15 great things about my husband, but they would all be pretty sappy like: I love that you tuck me in and kiss me while I am still sleeping every morning when you leave for work ;-)
so you can see, no one wants to read all of that. I'll save it for the Halmark.

Instead I am making a pledge. I pledge to do extra loads of laundry today. I promise, for anyone who knows me, this is a big deal. We have had more fights and hurt feelings over laundry than any other domestic issue. So today, in honor of our marriage, I will wash, fold, AND put away.

I was going to pledge to 15 loads... but hey... we must be realistic here. It's not like this is THAT big of a deal.