coulda, shoulda, woulda... 2013

I coulda come up with some sort of Christmas card this last year...
I really shoulda come up with something...
I woulda but...

UGH!

Every year I begin thinking about Christmas cards well in advance.  And for whatever reason the idea never materializes... EVER!

I kind of chuckled this year when a friend of mine posted this as her status on fb...
We are horrible at sending Christmas cards so, Merry Christmas and best wishes for the New Year in 2013!

What a brilliant idea!  Can I just do that too?

I actually really love Christmas cards.  I love, love, love getting them.  I'm sure I would love sending them.  It's one of those things that should just happen right?  And when it doesn't happen I'm left feeling guilty about it... again!  Maybe I should start now for this next Christmas?  Or I was thinking of just maybe doing what Gretchen Rubin does in her book The Happiness Project.  It's actually a really cute idea, but I fear that I won't do it then either and then I'll be left with the guilty feeling twice a year instead of just the one time. :)

I just realized earlier this week that this blog actually started 5 years ago with this post, which oddly enough was a Christmasy-ish, Christmas card post.  Which was followed by this, this, this and this, which was my version of a Christmasy-ish photo recap of the year.  This is when I used to make things simple.  Maybe I should have just stuck with what worked then. :)

Lately I've desperately wanted to return to that time, or maybe just a time, when things seemed so much simpler.  I may have had a life that some would view as hard, difficult or something of the like... but honestly that time in my life was an incredibly happy time.  It was a time when I did what I loved.  My time was so very precious that I spent it wisely and used each minute to the fullest.  I miss that time in my life.

Sorry about that little off track blip there, sometimes my heart just needs to get things out there.

Well, had I produced some magnificent Christmasy-ish, Christmas card post for this past year, it would have gone a little like this...

2012.  We blinked and it was over.  The end.

Just kidding!

What can I say?  I am truly blessed!  I have 4 amazing children, friends that are incredibly supportive, loving and understanding, a home, ward and community that I absolutely love, and am completely aware of the Lord's love for me and His hand in my life.

Well, feeling that desire to return to what I used to do and love, I'm realizing I have strayed away from writing about the things I love the most in this world... my children.  One of my favorite things lately has been re-reading past posts about the girls.  I'm so glad I wrote about their likes, dislikes, loves and current happenings because a lot of it I had forgotten about.  I'm so thankful now for capturing those memories and moments.  So, in an attempt to return to capturing the NOW moments in their lives I thought I'd do something I haven't done it quite a while and just write about them. :)

Kayla is 17, going on 22 {very shortly}. I still have no idea where all the time went.  I can't believe I'm even old enough to have a 17 year old (I am... don't be starting any rumors people).
What can I say about my not so little, little girl?  She began this school year as a senior {Ugh... I'm feeling old}, graduation is right around the corner!  She was elected as the drama council secretary for the 2012-2013 school year, which came as a huge surprise to her because it wasn't a position she even applied for.  The drama department chair at CHHS hand picked Kayla for the position, which was a big deal to her.  She's been working at Ab's Drive In, well, since she turned 16... and was recently promoted to a supervisor position.  It was such a proud mama moment walking into the restaurant and watching her work in a leadership role.  She is amazing as a leader and I had no idea she had this natural ability to lead and manage... she amazes me!  What's in the near future for my "little girl", well she is a soon to be UVU student (deaf studies program).  Last school year, Kayla took an ASL class and things just took off for her.  She seriously is gifted in sign language.  She picked it up like it was nothing and then decided on her own that she wanted to pursue a career in interpreting.  Oddly enough, there are a few repeat customers that come into Ab's that are deaf and Kayla happily and effortlessly takes their order... again, this was another one of those proud mama moments where I'm watching my daughter in complete awe.  Kayla and I have also talked about the possibility of her serving a sign language mission, and now that young women can go 2 whole years earlier, it makes the possibility even greater.

Cammy is a sassy, super talented 15 year old.  She reminds me every other day that she gets a permit in a few months and a drivers license shortly thereafter.  Every time she talks like this all I am thinking in my head is, NOOOOOOO!!!  I'm really not ready to start this process with one of my children again.  Cammy is my 9th grader {again, making me feel a little old}.  She found a spot on the concert choir again this year, which she absolutely loves.  I could sit all day and listen to her sing, she has a beautiful voice.  She was chosen to serve as the historian at school and is constantly taking pictures... mostly of herself. ;)  She began taking tumbling this year, which has been quite the workout, but she loves it.  She is looking forward to trying out for the CHHS volleyball team this next school year too.  I can't believe she heads off to high school later this year.  I'm not sure how I feel about this yet.  Cammy also recently recorded a song in an actual recording studio, which was a fun experience.  Cammy's goals for the future... well, it changes almost daily, but usually revolves around being a tattoo artist, hair stylist or a doctor... um, she's 15 so I guess she's got time to figure this one out.  She is my ultimate organizer/baby sitter/mini-mom... I really couldn't survive without her.

Little Miss {aka: Krystian} is my super social 11 year old, 5th grader.  She's not much taller than she was as a 3rd grader, which was my secret plan to keep her as my little girl for as long as possible.  It's worked out in her favor though.  After only 9 months of taking gymnastics, Krystian was invited to join the competition team at AW.  Saying she is excited is an understatement.  She found out right before Christmas that she had been chosen for the team and was bouncing off the walls for the 2 weeks that the gym was closed... she just couldn't wait to get back to the gym and get back to work.  She has to be at the gym almost everyday, so I have now taken on the role of "gym mom" {it's similar to a dance mom, just less drama ;)}.  Of course with her current love for gymnastics she wants to be a gymnast for, well, forever and eventually wants to be a veterinarian.  She's super excited to turn 12 this year and has already made plans for a mom and daughter temple date when she is able to get her recommend.  I'm so excited to experience this with her, and although I don't want her to grow up anymore, I am so excited for her future.  It's ironic, I want her to stay little, but I loving watching her grow up! :)

Zachary {aka: Z, Zach or Zach-attack} is my all over the place, almost 2 year old.  He seriously is the most joyous little soul.  He LOVES music and sings songs he hears from pretty much anywhere... nursery, mom, his sisters and even the radio.  His favorite songs these days: Once There Was a Snowman, The Snowflake Song, and I Won't Give Up (by Jason Mraz).  It's funny how some songs just stick.  His oldest sister loves that Jason Mraz song and listens to it A LOT and Zach just picked it up and started singing it one day... probably the cutest thing ever!  He is my cookie monster.  I don't know how he does it, but he always seems to find ways to get his hands on a cookie {I blame his sisters  :)}.  He is the absolute best at giving kisses and cuddles and is seriously the most loving little boy.  Z loves being the little brother and totally loves having big sisters who are constantly making a big deal about him... he loves being the center of attention let's just say.  He loves making friends, playing with trucks, reading stories and playing with his cousins.

Well, that's the latest here at our house.  I'm committing to writing more about my family, now to find the time................ and I'm trying to have fewer of those coulda, shoulda, woulda moments. Bare with me. :)

thanks for enduring the longest of long posts. :)

an Attitude of Gratitude...

I L.O.V.E. November!  I don't know if it's the crispness in the air, the crunchy leaves under my feet, that one Sunday where we gain an hour of sleep, or the fact that Thanksgiving comes and Christmas is close behind.  Whatever it is exactly, this is definitely my most favorite time of the year.

This year I wanted to foster an attitude of gratitude with my family.  I feel like my kids are very grateful for all that they have, but I thought that taking time to notice those blessings was something I wanted to do with them this year.  This year we created a Thankful Tree...  I followed the idea I found here.

Kayla and I went out on a walk one afternoon to find the perfect branches for our tree... they are a rich red tone.  So perfect for our Thanksgiving~ish decor.  I love them and am so thankful we found them.

It was fun to see what the kids would come up with each day.  Here are some of the things my family is thankful for this year...

    

 

I think this is something we will continue to do every year.  I love the tree!  I think it will be fun to look back each year at the things we were all grateful for the previous year.
It truly is one of my favorite fall decorations.

To keep this perspective year round and encourage the kids to be thankful during prayer, I've posted this saying in our home...

"What if you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday?"

Be thankful EVERYDAY for everyone and everything in your life... I know for me it changes my attitude about everything and helps me be a little more grateful for the little things {which are usually the most important things}.

~Happy November~

{the decision...}

{the struggle}
I have struggled for months with this whole blogging thing. Actually I think I've been struggling with an identity thing.  I love writing about my family and keeping track of our journey throughout the year.  I love writing about interior design and have had a really strong desire to venture back into that world via blogging.  I was feeling like I was trying to mesh the family blog with a design blog and it just wasn't feeling right.  I love sharing my love for design with anyone and everyone, but sharing my family life with anyone and everyone just isn't for me.  I love my current following of close family and friends, but strangers... no.

{the solution}
Write another blog.  Duh... so simple.  I don't know why I have been so resistant to this idea.  I had a million excuses...  I just don't have time to maintain another blog, it takes me away from my family, I'm a mama right now not a designer, no one is interested in reading it, and on and on.  So, I sat down a few days ago & the inspiration just began to flow.  It came together incredibly quick.  I was so surprised.

{introducing...}
Imperfect Perfectionist {inspired design} Why start another blog completely devoted to inspiration and design?  Because it just makes me happy. :)  I need the creative outlet... desperately!  I also believe a lot of mamas out there get so caught up in being the wife and mom that they lose their identity without even noticing it's been lost.  There is nothing wrong with doing what you love while still being what you love to be {a wife and mama}.  It's funny how writing about your passion evokes a certain happiness.  Now I get to write about both passions... family & design.

What's with the imperfect perfectionist stuff?  I feel like it describes me perfectly.  I'm not only a perfectionist when it comes to being a mom.  I also get super caught up in the little details in design.  Sometimes that can be a good thing, but more often than not, I spend a lot of time focused on stuff that truthfully doesn't matter.  Realizing that perfection isn't realistic or necessary has been my saving grace!  I feel like there are a lot of imperfect perfectionists out there in the world... we tend to be creative people, with grand ideas & good intentions, who are insanely hard on ourselves all the time... when all we want is the best for our family.  So I guess this is my way of saying it's completely okay to be perfectly imperfect.  There, did you feel that?  ...I don't know about you, but I feel a little lighter somehow.

Anyway, thanks for following along as I recreate, reorganize and venture in new directions.

i'm back...

I love to write...
some of my favorite classes in college were the writing classes.  My love affair with writing keeps me coming back to the world of blogging over and over again. Does anyone actually read this... I don't know, but I do it because it's something I love to do, which is what really matters after all, right!?

Anyway, these pasts few months I've spent on hiatus have been renewing, refreshing and rehabilitating all in one.  It's been a bit of a bumpy ride, but in hindsight, a bumpy ride worth taking.

I rediscovered the joys of laughing as I took a lesson from this little guy as he took his first ride on a swing alone.  He laughed and laughed {one of those deep belly laughs} like it was the greatest thing he had ever experienced.  I just can't get enough of this little boy!
I need to laugh a lot more, just like this...

Then I rediscovered my love for beautiful places on a recent trip with my family to see the Brigham City temple.  This is probably one of the prettiest temples I have ever visited.  I was amazed by the intricate interior details mixed with the simplicity of the architecture.  The over all design, inside and out, was incredible.

I also rediscovered the joys of family as I spent an afternoon in Park City with my dad.  Lunch, Main Street and the outlet stores shopping for biking gear... yes, you read that right... shopping for biking gear.  Now this is when I wish I had remembered to take a camera with me, but my dad has taken up biking, so we went to the Izumi outlet store in PC so he could find a pair of riding shorts.  All was well until he burst from his dressing room wearing said shorts, while skipping around and singing a song about "men in tights".  $#!*&@#!!!  ...and of course there were other people in the store at the time.  I almost died.

And most recently I rediscovered my love for creating.  I'm not so much a crafter, but I do love creativity and artistry.  I found this lovely project and tutorial on a favorite site and decided to try it out.  I rediscovered why I love making things with my hands... it's incredibly therapeutic and it's always fun to learn a new technique.

Finally, I rediscovered authenticity.  Friends, family, neighbors {basically everybody} are always telling me that I should blog about tutorials, open an Etsy shop or do design work on the side {which is so sweet, kind and flattering btw}.  Maybe someday... but for now I'm enjoying life as a wife, mama, sister, daughter and friend.  My love for design and beautiful creations will take me somewhere wonderful someday, I know that, but for right now I'm loving right where I'm at. 

I recently discovered this wonderful creation by a friend of mine {she always makes the cutest things} and I wanted to share.  Words of wisdom for sure and something I need to read every day.  Now to find a frame and a spot to display it...

xo, Heather

Makin' a splash...

{at the splash pad}
I kind of feel like splash pads are a hidden gem.  They're close to home, the kids get to cool off and play in the water, it's fun for any age, and they're FREE ---- and who doesn't L.O.V.E. free?!
This pad is particularly great because it's not super well-known {yet}, so it's not super crowded {yet}.
Z couldn't get enough... there was a point where he was freezing cold --- you know, teeth chattering, shivering cold, but that little boy did not want to quit for anything!  LilMiss was a great sport and toted her little brother with her everywhere...

Taking time to "warm" up and dry off at the playground...
{Z wasn't interested in the water-less playground}

My little gymnast and her pointed toes... cute.

Probably one of the best ways to spend a hot summer day...

to be 17 again...

My beautiful baby is another year older. I still can't believe she's already 17!!!  17 brings with it a bunch of fun... a years worth of driving {with a license anyway}, senior year, college classes, drama council secretary, a job {she's worked for nearly a year now}, a later curfew, a boyfriend and on and on.

My sweet girl has grown up to be this amazing, beautiful, outgoing, mature, responsible young woman {she's almost an adult... I can't believe it! }.  It's been so fun watching her grow and change over the years.  She went from this rambunctious, all over the place toddler to a tom-boyish little girl to a headstrong teenager.  What I love about Kaykay is her passion for life.  There is nothing she won't try.  She is one fearless girl.  She has always been my little drama queen.  She quickly found that dramatics got her attention and she has loved the spotlight since.  I can always count on my sweet girl for laughs and surprises.  I love you so much!!!

Current likes: Sprite, Razzles, Gateway, McBeetchens, her Nook, Austin {the bf}, running through sprinklers, driving,  her new bedroom, Drama Council, Ab's fry sauce, Hot Pockets, her friends, Twitter, Pasta Alfredo, going to breakfast, sleeping in, basketball shorts and dancing.

The decorations... because every party needs decorations. :)

 The walls were adorned with my favorite pics of my little girl.

 Cupcakes... and of course she gets the giant one in the middle.

We're going to pretend that I made them myself. :)

 The sisters and the bf.

Take a picture mom so I can eat my cake.

The cupcake matches the cupcake tee.
Totally accidental, but cute!

  Being the big kid that she is Kaykay chose to go to the zoo on her birthday.  I'm totally serious. :)

{Her love for the zoo is the reason why we purchased a season pass to this place for the year.}

Appeasing the mom by posing for a photo.
I love how LilMiss bent her arms to fit.

Enjoying an over sized snowcone...
It's almost bigger than her!

This is one of my favorite pics... 

Z was more interested in the little girl standing next to him than the giant polar bear on the other side of the glass!  This little boy LOVEs other little kids... clearly more than polar bears.

 Watching the polar bear dive under water over and over again was fascinating!  

We must have watched him for 30 minutes.

He looks like he'd be fun to swim with... from behind this glass anyway.

 Z takes Snoopy with him everywhere... and I do mean everywhere.

Z and Kaykay taking a walk...

 17 also brought gifts galore... a Nook {she bought herself}, a super cute satchel, a Smash Book to hold all of her senior year memories, a bracelet from LilMiss, a dress from Cam and a load of gift cards from grandparents, family and friends.  To be 17 again.... sounds kind of fun!

hip hip hooray...

...it's a get up and go kind of day!
Someone somewhere once said, "summer is for relaxing".  Who was this person, and really?  I wish summer was relaxing!  While summer is one non-stop run, I will say it's fun... but relaxing? no.
Here's what we've been up to so far.

 Awards banquets...

Gymnastics meets...

Hiking the "turtle preserve"...

Swimming...

 Trips to the zoo...

Fishing...

Hangin' with family...

Painting...

BBQs...

Picnics...

Playground fun...

Exhausted yet? ...... One month almost down and two to go.  Summer here we come!