CUTE CRAFT

Here's a super cheap super easy idea! I had two cheapo dollar store picture frames lying around. They didn't match and I didn't really know what to do with them. I got together with a friend and with the help of some modge podge and scrapbook paper we shabby chiqued our frames!
We used a paint brush to smear on the modge podge and then we layed the glued side down on the wrong side of the paper. We took a credit card and used that to smooth out any wrinkles and then let it sit for 10 minutes. When the time was up we cut the paper out with an exacto knife and sanded the edges. And voila...here are my new frames! Now if only I was allowed to put more holes in my walls!

BASKETBALL

This basketball hoop was a gift from Santa to Peyton at Christmas time. I think Santa must have known that Peyton's mom (ME) would be pregnant and tired....he must have put a lot of thought into this gift cause while I sit/sleep on the couch, this is what Peyton does to keep himself busy!

JACK'S SURGERY

So Jack was born with an unusual mole on his left shoulder blade. It consisted of one large looney-sized mole with about ten smaller moles inside of it. At about 3 or 4 months the mole started growing larger and it sprouted hair - alot hair. After seeing a few specialists we decided to have it removed. So on Tuesday Jack and I had a date at the Children's Hospital at 6:30 am. He did great! at 7:45 a.m. they took him in and gave me a buzzer and at 9:30 they buzzed me and said he was just waking up. We stayed at the hospital for an hour afterward just to make sure the bleeding had stopped and that his vitals were all good. And at 11 a.m. we came home. I still can't believe how well he did. I am so impressed. I thought there would be "after affects" but he is sleeping well and is back to his usual hungry self.

the NEVUS



All ready to go!



All stitched up!

DATING YOUR HUSBAND

So maybe some of you can relate. This year when Cory and I sat down to discuss our joint new year's resolutions (yes we have personal and joint ones) the first thing that came to mind was that we needed to set weekly date nights. Don't you think it's somewhat comical that we need to make a goal to "date" eachother. I mean we have only been married for four years....shouldn't it be natural and easy to want to spend time together away from the kids? Here's my opinion on what happened to "us" lol.

1. We are both super financially aware. We base a lot of decisions primarily on cost. If we decide to go out for dinner we know it will cost us at least $50 for our meal and $20 for a baby-sitter. Cory will take this one step further and conclude that $70 for a night out means that he worked for such and such hours. In the end we usually decide that it's much more economical for us to eat a home cooked meal and save on the baby-sitter.

2. We are always so tired. Actually, maybe just me. As much as I love going out, I am usually exhausted by the end of the day. Two tots and being prego might have something to do with it. Cory is naturally a home body and likes to stay in anyway, and the last thing I want to put energy into is convincing Cory that we should go out and spend money.

3. We are so not creative. I know there must be things you can do for free on a date...but we just can't think of them. (We are at least trying harder now).

So here's what I've come up with so far. Again, I never thought I would have to think so hard when it comes to dates with my husband.

1. Friday is officially DATE NIGHT
2. Once a month we will go out for dinner and yes we will pay for a baby-sitter...lol.
3. The other three or four Fridays we will have an inexpensive at-home date. We will rotate between the following activities.
- Rent a movie
- Family history work (neither of us have ever done it before so we thought it would be a good thing to start together)
- Yoga or some other excercise DVD (Cory doesn't actually know about this yet...lol)

Obviously we need ideas. Cory doesn't really like card games....but if you have any other suggessions PLEASE help. LOL!

CANCER

Earlier in December Cory's grandfather died of cancer at the age of 82. Before he passed away, he stopped eating and then finally went in to the ER. After some tests, doctors discovered cancer in his liver, stomach, and lungs. Originally the family thought he would make it past Christmas, but unfortunately he passed away on November 25, 2010. I thought I should post something in his honour. I only met him once, so I don't know him well, but Cory's family says he was an honourable man with good morals and work ethic. Before passing he shared with his children that he was ready to die because he had lived a good life. I hope I can say the same thing when my time comes. Here is a somewhat recent picture.

Laurie VanWart Lockhart

Just last week my young women's leader Christy Humphreys passed away of cancer. I feel like I've been hearing that word a lot lately. I call it the "C" word now. She was a wonderful leader and I definitely remember as a really fun, "cool" leader who also set a spiritual example for me to follow. She was only 41-years-old and I am so sad that her life is over, but as Cory tells me...."She's with people she loves and who love her." I am so grateful for temples and the sealing ordinance. It's so nice to know that this life is not the end. They read the following poem at her funeral. What a beautful way to view life.

The Weaver

My life is but a weaving
Between my Lord and me;
I cannot choose the colors
He worketh steadily. 

Ofttimes He weaveth sorrow
And I in foolish pride,
Forget that He seeth the upper,
And I the under side. 

Not till the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly,
Shall God unroll the canvas
And explain the reason why. 

The dark threads are as needful
In the Weaver’s skillful hand,
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned. 

He knows, He loves, He cares,
Nothing this truth can dim.
He gives His very best to those
Who leave the choice with Him
-Al Bryant