Wrapping paper solution

Mine is not the great compared to the one I used as inspiration, but I wanted to keep it cheap. Someday I would like to have a wrapping station on the wall, but this works well for now. Much better than it used to be.

Book of Mormon stories

Remember that friend? She is the one who taught me how to do this! Like I said, she is amazing. But remember all the credit goes to her (Jen Lebel), although I did make these ones. She has a fabulous craft blog as well.

If you want to make them yourself, click here!

Advent Calendar

I have an amazing friend. And when I asked her if she would be willing to partner with me on this project (which was a little over my head), she agreed immediately. I never could have done it without her. She also posted about this on her awesome craft blog.

We found this on a ward website. They had made it as a Relief Society project. Now that we have done it, we have no idea how they could have done this in one afternoon. Obviously someone did a lot of prep work.

Ruler project

In attempt to actually do the things I find on Pinterest, I made this growth chart. Knowing I probably won't be in this house forever, I loved the idea of having something to take with me. I am certainly not a crafty person when it comes to wood, but I actually accomplished this! I was so proud of myself, especially since it semi-resemble the ones in the tutorial. To see the tutorial yourself go to this website:  517 Creations

High School Substitute

It really is as horrible as it sounds. My first day doing high school was yesterday. I had to monitor the computer lab. At first I actually tried to make them follow the rules. After serious teen attitude (meaning gigantic, ghetto, senior boy telling me to get out from behind his shoulder and questioning everything I did), I decided I don't get paid enough to be the bad guy. After first period I basically let them do whatever they wanted. By 5th period I was the "cool sub." A kid walked in and was surprised to see me; at which point another kid said "yeah, we have a sub today, but she's cool." I have been out of high school for 10 years, and I still get nervous around these kids!


Also on the upside, one girl complimented my outfit! Now that is a real success.

I'm blind and dumb

Scabooch is back (our Elf on a Shelf). Naturally I wanted to take a picture of him and LM together on his reappearance. I grabbed my camera and adjusted the settings. I looked through the viewfinder and noticed the lens wasn't focused correctly. I could hear it adjusting, but it wasn't focusing. I knew it had to be broken. I tried some different angles, but nothing was working. In a panic I took some pictures. I looked at the display screen, and the pictures were fine! What the heck was going on? Then I realized I wasn't wearing any contacts or glasses. My camera isn't broken...I am!

Some journaling

I was recently talking with a friend who is going through a very significant and difficult change in her life. Although quitting my job was very minor compared to what she is going through, we discussed some of the similarities. As we were talking she asked if I was journaling all of these important feelings and thoughts. I realized I hadn't taken the time to put it down in words thus far...

After 6+ months of freedom, I still wake up and give a sigh of relief that I don't have the stress of my job anymore. I go to lunch with friends from work and still give thanks that I don't have to go back to work with them afterwards. As different events happen at work, I still enjoy knowing I don't have to work long, long days in a row. I don't have the stress of preparing for and executing the event.

Leaving my job was hard, harder than last time because it was a complete break. Last time I was still employed as an on-call salesperson. Last time I quit to stay at home. This time I quit to seek other employment (at least initially). I left my dream job to work somewhere else!!

When I started working after college, I had absolutely no idea I could find so much satisfaction and fulfillment from a career. It was like the job was tailor made for me. Fast-paced, always, always changing, an amazing social environment with people I loved, challenging, and of course one of my true passions in life.

But there were negative things, as there always are. And overtime the negative started to outweigh the positive. And finally the negative outweighed the positive to a point where it became not my dream job, but "my own personal hell." (The friend I mentioned earlier described her current life situation this way; it seemed applicable, although maybe a little strong for my situation.) It was time to part ways.

I miss the best parts. I still ache when I remember the parts I loved. I sigh when I think of things I don't or can't do anymore. But the relief is stronger. And as I continue to reflect on what has come to past, I am grateful I made the decision. Come what may it was completely worth it.

And that is how the conversation ended.

Photo Book

Click here to view this photo book larger

Shutterfly photo books offer a wide range of artful designs and embellishments to choose from.

For those who want to order the photo book, just click to make the photo book larger and press order now!

On Spanish Immersion

LM on his Spanish immersion experience

Story 1:
"Mom, I think I'm turning Mexican."

"Really, why?"

"Well, I'm learning Spanish in school. And we eat Mexican food all the time. And now I'm all brown from being at the pool. If I get any browner I think I will be Mexican."

Story 2:
I was explaining to LM why learning Spanish will be such an asset to him when he is looking for jobs later in life. He got really excited.

"Oh yeah Mom! I can work at La Hacienda (local Mexican restaurant). And then I can eat there on my lunch break."

Not really the job opportunity I had in mind.

A little about Smarties

"Mom, I love Smarties! They are so tasty. They are like M&Ms with no chocolate."

Snapshots of a Good Life