One Morning Hour

Yesterday morning, I got an idea. It spoke to my brain. "I bet that wire garden trellis thingy you stole out of your neighbor's garbage will stand up nicely inside the puzzle cabinet." So, I took an hour and put together this:

You'll have to just deal with the dark and shadowed pictures. It's a deep cabinet, this is as good as it gets, people.

This giant cabinet has always remained closed. In our old house it was the TV palace. In this house, it has been storage. My beloved puzzle storage, to be exact. Here's how it's looked for the last 3 years:

Nice, right? I pulled each puzzle out tenderly and hugged it. Oh, and I counted up my puzzle obsession. Guess how many? 37. 37! What a joy. My goal is 100.

First off, I cleaned it out.

Because this cabinet is so dark, I wanted to lighten it up. On the cheap. So I covered the back with wrapping paper I picked up on clearance at Target.

No fancy skills needed. I just measured and cut. I didn't even care if it fit perfectly. Getting the paper onto the cabinet by myself was a little tricky, but doable. At first, I started with double sided tape. But it wasn't strong enough. So I switched to these scrapbook stickers.

It took 2 sheets to cover the wall. By the second sheet, I discovered that it was easier to put the stickers on the wall first and then lay the paper over the top and smooth it all down.

It's a simple gray and white checked pattern.
Some of the edges had a little trouble sticking, so I just put some of that sticky tak stuff that teachers use, behind those edges.

Then I dusted and decorated.
Everything I had on hand. Because I hoard all things decorating (you should see my closet!).
And yes, I stole this trellis out of my neighbor's garbage after they went to work.

I placed an old window and an empty frame that I painted in the back. The pom poms are just trim from Hobby Lobby. I made the strands of black and white circles that I just draped on the trellis.

The basket is from Goodwill (my fave store evah!) And the feather board I made off an idea I saw somewhere on Pinterest. Child #1 made the sign and I put it in a Goodwill frame. Maybe I should start hiring out to make stuff for other people's homes. Mine is getting mighty full.

One hour and some wrapping paper.

Now I just have to figure out where to store 37 puzzles!

What A Few Hours Can Do

I've been busy. Like, really busy. Did you know that I'm in charge of crafts for 215 young women and adult leaders during girl's camp? Yes, indeed I am. It's hefty. And taking over my bedroom floor. But you know how I feel about crafts. They're from heaven. So pretty much, I'm doing God's work. Hallelujah and amen.

When my life gets going at full tilt, my writer's brain turns off. I don't really know why that happens. Maybe I'm just to busy to think of writing anything down. It's just been my go-to state lately.

But today, in a weird turn of events, I find myself with a few moments of free time. Sure, there are tons of things on my list to get done. I just don't want to do them. You too?

So, I decided to try and find an old picture. I know it's buried somewhere in my photo storage. But through my digging, all I could look at was my girls when they were so much smaller than they are now. I mean come on. I can't get enough.

Child #1:

Child #2:

Child #3:

You know what's interesting? I can't remember too much of the bad stuff. OK, I mean, I do, but it's not overpowering. I look at them and my heart melts. And I think about who they are and who they're becoming, and I'm motionless. Because, when I look at my life, I see them. Little, big and all the in between.

They are my very heartbeat. Through the good and the bad and the hard and the beautiful, I'm honored to be their mom. Truly. They are the greatest gift I never knew I needed. Thank goodness the Lord did. I'm telling you. They. Are. My. Very. Heartbeat. Love times 3.

What an extraordinary way to spend the afternoon.
You should give it a try.

20 and 50

20 years ago today, we said Yes to forever. I never could have imagined where life would take us on our journey. The good, the hard and the beauty of it all.

On the day we were married, right after the ceremony, we were taken to different rooms. To change? I can't really remember. I just know that we got separated for a bit. But on my way back to find him, I heard his voice before he rounded the corner. And that sound, the sound of him, became Home. In that very moment. The very best part of my life began in that hallway.

And now we are here, 20 years later. Older and more wrinkles. Some teenagers mixed in. And He is still Home. Every day. In all the ways. He is my light and my love and my everything.

For Always.

And just because we like to keep it interesting, Happy 50th Birthday, as well.
Man, I'm so grateful we're in this together.

 

How We Embark

We had a weekend that rather defies description. I'm not really sure how to label it or even tell you about it. Because it was awesome. And that's not even the surface truth of it.

The youth of our church gathered for 2 days and 1 simple cause. Service. Do you know what this many hands can do? They can change lives. Simple and powerful.

The Husband and I were privileged enough to be "assigned" 15 youth to parent and boss around. We called them our Foster Children. They were the bomb.

Our little crew repainted the house of a 92 year old woman. And spruced up her yard and the neighboring overgrown lot. We worked non-stop to bring beauty to a much needed part of town. It was inspiring.

Our own girls were off to their assigned families, working just as hard. Mormon Helping Hands at it's finest.

At the end of the day, when showers were completed, we all sat around on the floor and couches and talked about the effort and actions. No one was immune to the power of the service we rendered. Each and every youth spoke about forgetting themselves and learning what it feels like to give to another. Character was built within 24 hours. The air was electric with goodness. It just doesn't get any better than that.

If you ever find yourself wondering what's in-store for the future of our nation, let me tell you what I've seen first hand. They've got us covered. This generation of youth are noble and strong and pure and righteous. They stand for truth in all the ways that matter. We're in good hands. We really are.

Let's Embark.
Let's follow their example and serve.

Now is the time.

Moments In March and the Edges of April

1. I have a lingering urge to buy a cow head. A cool, metal one. I want to mount it somewhere majestic in our house. It'll be awesome, I just know it. Because The Husband spent his childhood milking cows. So this would be the perfect homage to him. Get it? Yah, he totally doesn't get it. He's so narrow minded sometimes.

2. If I can't have a cow head, I might just paint the whole house white. It's all the rage in the decorating world. White walls, white kitchen. By the time I get around to it, the fad will change. I'm sure of it.

3. This is what happens with Child #2 when she's in a car and bored:

She's texting and laughing all at the same time. You know what's even funnier? She got stuck like that and couldn't move. I almost peed my pants with joy.

4. Target is making a move into craft heaven. I'm serious. I mean, they used to have a piddly little lame section that was kindof crafty. But the other day I stumbled on an isle that is legit craft goodness. Ribbons, wood, etc. I almost had a seizure right there in the aisle. I had no idea Target could get any more amazing.

5. A new mantel. Of course.

This is the most minimal it's ever been. Rather weird for me. I'm not a minimal kind of decorator. If you want to download the print that I have framed, you can find it here.

6. The Baby Child cut her hair. 8 inches of her golden locks. Donated.

7. The other day I went on a walk. The entire time I made a list in my head of all the ways I'm weird. I walked for 40 minutes. The list was long. Here's a snippet: I hate, I mean hate, talking on the phone. I also hate having long conversations over text message. So, pretty much, I'm lame if you want to communicate with me. And guess what else? I eat chicken schwarma (Mediterranean food) almost every weekend. I would eat it even more if it didn't make me look like a crazy person.

8. Child #1 has declared that, "Senioritis is a real thing." She's done. With all the things. High school is now giving her physical pain as she walks it's halls. I've tried to warn her that real life is just on the other side, and it ain't much greener.

Welcome to a new month, my friends.
9 more weeks until school's out. Bless it.