11 months of Axel

Those chubby fingers.  Those mile long lashes.  That ticklish baby belly.  His barely there hair.  

Eleven Months.  Seriously.  I can't take that it is to this point already.  I'm not ready for 1.  

Friendsgiving 2013

 I hosted the first Friendsgiving brunch this week.   It was a chance to get together and enjoy a peaceful morning with a few friends before the craziness of the holidays begins.  I think technically Friendsgiving means having Thanksgiving Dinner with your friends, but I thought brunch the week before sounded like a fun twist.  

It is potluck style,  so I encouraged my guests to bring something they have been dying to try. Maybe something fancy that their families would never eat, or a trial run on a new recipe for the holidays.  I had them let me know what they were bringing to make sure we didn't have only muffins and to help me decide what to make.

As hostess I also provided the drinks, a clean house and a cute baby for entertainment.  We had really yummy food and it was fun to hear how Thanksgiving ttraditions are so different for everyone.  And even though our views on turkey are different we all agreed that we are already looking forward to our new tradition of friendsgiving.

Giving Thanks to you.

{free 16x20 download here}

Normally in November I do a daily thankful.  I've missed it a little bit this year but I think saying I'm grateful for Axel every day might get a little repetitive.   And while I have so many things to be thankful for, he is always the first thing that pops in to my head.  When I look back over the past few years and think about where my heart was when I started an I'm Thankful month it kind of seems like a lifetime ago, and a different me.  I feel like I am whole these days.  I feel happy and amazed that I feel happy.   Its good.  So this month I'm giving thanks.  To my friends and my family.  To everyone who has been a part of this story.  I couldn't have done it without you.  

: rustic graphics via 

2013 Spiritual Goals

About a month ago in Relief Society we had a lesson about being good moms.  And the teacher referenced a talk that said "be brilliant at the basics".  Just that one little quote struck something in me and it has helped me decide what my spiritual goal is for this year.  

So I got out my notebook and I started making a list of the basic things in my life.   I kind of got overwhelmed.  Because under each basic thing is a million things to do to be brilliant at that one simple thing!  And next thing I knew, my list wasn't basic anymore. It was something like this.  

Be a brilliant mom

 -dont do that

 - do more of this

- teach her this

- a

-b

-c

-d

all the way to z.

And it was that way with each thing I thought I wanted to be brilliant at!  So I had to take a step back and decide what were the most important things to be brilliant at.  I want to be a brilliant mom, wife and friend/sister/daughter.  The tricky part seemed to be figuring out how to be brilliant at those things without having 1000 things on my to do list every day.  

Then I was reading in the Book of Mormon when Alma is talking to his sons.  And a scripture leaped out at me.  Its Alma 37:44 and it says...

O my son, do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way; for so was it was with our fathers; for so was it prepared for them, that if they would look they might live; even so is it with us.  The way is prepared and if we will look we might live forever.

I've thought a lot about this and it is how I came up with what I need to be brilliant at.  Every week at church there are those Sunday School answers to just about every question -- read your scriptures and say your prayers. It sure sounds easy but I'll be honest I've gotten pretty lazy about those things.   I was counting reading those picture scriptures with Ivy before bed as scripture study.  And family prayer, plus little prayers here or there in my head counts as personal prayer right?   Uh, not so much.  

SO, long story short.  My spiritual goal this year is to become brilliant at personal scripture study and personal prayer. I really feel that doing these to things will help me be the kind of mom, wife, and friend that I want to be.  It will help me make better decisions every day to bring me and those around me closer to Heavenly Father.   I've pulled out my actual scriptures and I read and I ponder.  I try and take notes.  It is keeping me so much more focused.  I'm trying to say my prayers before I get in to bed, actually saying them out loud so my mind doesn't wander.  I'm not perfect at it every day thats for sure, but hopefully by the end of the year I can be kind of brilliant at it.  

Day 1:: The Library

Today I'm thankful for the Library.  Especially on rainy days.  And especially for books about whales and animals.  Ivy has decided she is going to be a marine biologist, specifically studying orcas.  It sounds so grown up of her, doesn't it.  Sigh.  She is in heaven at the library and obviously makes herself right at home when we are there.  She discovered the beginnning reader science section today and we came home with a big stack of books about dolphins and whales.  I think we will be experts by this time next week!  

{I'm joining the gals at eighteen25 for #novemberthankful on instagram this month.  You can get all the details and read about their fun idea to make a thankful book at the end of the month here.}

A love note for Ivy.

Do you forgive me for one more post about kindergarten?  But sometimes I wonder if doing things like this is going to be the only time I do them so I want to love every second of it.  

Dear Ivy...

You are all grown up.  Kindergarten is a big deal but you are doing it effortlessly.  Today {the second day of school}  you went to the bus stop ahead of me and when I tried to cross the street you said Mom, you don't need to come, I don't need you.  I just chuckled when the other mom's said that would break their heart.  I laughed because I know that while you may not need me at the bus stop, that bravery flies out the window in your own home and you can't go in to the bathroom or even your own room by yourself. Especially if its dark.  It has driven me crazy all summer but now I will take the time to turn on the light in the bathroom for you.  Because you aren't going to need me for that very much longer either.  Ivy you are a strong girl with smart ideas and a beautiful smile.  Watching you go away from me on the bus I realized that I need you probably more than you need me.  You have made me the luckiest girl and I love you.  

But do you think you could stay little for just a while longer?  

Sunshine Makes Me Happy

March and I aren't really friends.  Its the month where I look outside and see beautiful sunshine and think how pretty it is and geez wouldn't it be nice to go to the park?  And then I step out the door and I'm nearly blown away by the crazy wind.  And its not warm at all... DANG IT!  See? how can I be friends with such a tricky little month.  But all that sunshine has me dreaming of days when we can go to the park and it is warm outside.  Its got me actually smiling in the mornings instead of dreading getting up in the dark.

  And its making me happy.  

The Icing On My Cupcake

  The card is always the best part.  

Those two, Ivy and Darin, they are the jelly to my peanut butter...

The cheese to my macaroni...

The strawberries to my shortcake.  

Loving them and having them love me is the icing on my cupcake.

Five Gratefuls

... my cozy home and Christmas tree lights.

... not just learning new things, but using what I learn.

... black ink + kraft paper

... a friend that braves the cold every morning.

... little girls that cuddle up on my lap and are snoring 2 minutes later.  

+++

{inspired by Passionista}

Day 21. I'm Thankful with Modern Marigold

You guys remember Amanda right?!!  My partner in crime from the Friendship Bracelet Swap?  I heart her, I really do so of course she had to visit for I'm Thankful week...

Happy Thanksgiving week, beautiful Ruffle-lets! 

I am so excited to be here -- Jenn is my favorite, did you know?

Thanks for having me over today!

I knew right away what I wanted to write about for this series, but I kept pushing it away.

really, amanda? lame. obvious. booo-ring.

But I just can't push it away. I think it would eat a hole in my head if I kept it inside any longer.

And so today...

I am thankful for the gift of 

c r e a t i v i t y .

And I'm not talking about the sewing/mod podge/stamping/scrapping kind of creativity

{though that is nice, too}. 

I'm talking about the creativity we each were born with--

The creativity that lets you make 

a smile -- a bouquet of dandelions -- a symphony of crackling leaves -- a jump-on-the-bed wild rumpus --

--that lets us make joy.

{children are so good at knowing this intuitively.}

Here is what I believe about creativity:

I believe that we are the children of the most creative being in the universe.

and whether our talents lie in friendliness or flowers, concertos or kazoos, 

I think we've each inherited some irresistible want

to create something of substance and beauty --

even if it's just a joyful noise on a little red kazoo.

Loves + hugs + I hope you are having a marvelous week of creating!

Love + Hugs + Thanks to you too Amanda!  

Day 18. I'm Thankful with Lyssa Beth

Hey folks!  I hope you are enjoying I'm Thankful Week so far!  Today we have Lyssa here to tell you what she is thankful for.  I met Lyssa last year and she is always so kind and thoughtful.  

Hi guys!  My name is Lyssa Beth.  You can find me over HERE where I blog about my life as a mom, photographer, crafter, and organizer in the making.

I am so so excited to be part of Thankful Week over here with Jenn.  

I was lucky enough to meet and craft next to Jenn last year.  She's so genuine and kind!  It's just fun to be here and share with you something I made:)

So today, I am thankful for organization!

Can you imagine life without it?!  I can!  I've been there!

I am an infant hoarder with a love for garage sales and thrift store.  There is always something to be organized at my house!

Today, i'm tackling my headbands.  

I love to make these babies but how do you store them!?

Like this:

Fun huh?!  Well it's pretty simple but the end result goes a long way!

First you start with an oatmeal bin, some paper and a old candle holder:

Found this baby for a quarter at the local thrift store:

You add scrapbook paper around the oatmeal bin and you can even add fun embellishments like so: (did that with my fun ecraft machine...have you heard of it?  if not, check it out!)

Inside, you can even store other things that can't be hung or stuck on something.

Wha-la!  How easy is this?  But I love how it looks.  Very feminine and useful :)

Thanks again for stopping by and letting me share this fun idea with you over here at Ruffled Sunshine.  And Thanks Jenn for having me!

Thanks Lyssa.  Someday Ivy might wear something in her hair besides the once in a blue moon pontyail  so I will have to remember this idea for that day!

Day 15. Tender Mercies

Source: myconcretesky.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

I'm thankful for tender mercies . Right now they are those tiny fleeting moments when I know so clearly which way my path needs to go.  Those moments when I truly feel its ok to leave the path I want my life to be on and go the way He wants me to.  

I really want to share a little bit more about how I'm feeling friends but I'm afraid its going to have to wait for another day.  We are out of tissues ;)

+++

On two totally unrelated notes... tomorrow I'm kicking of I'm Thankful Week.  I had lots of requests to have it come back and I'm excited to share from so many others about what they are thankful for.  And its kind of turned in to I'm Thankful for two weeks with just a spot or two left.  If you want to share what you are so thankful for will you let me know?  I'd love to hear it.

Also I've added a new thing here or there to my shop {all to help us raise money for adoption} so you can go check it out and keep checking cuz more will be trickling in over the next couple weeks.  Thanks so much!

Day 8. Each + Every season.

I've been thinking about what this little girl teaches me.  What I learn from her is just as important as all of the things she learns from me.  Today I'm thankful I have learned to enjoy each + every season.  

I try and cherish each + every season because I know how fast each season will go by.  How each + every year she and I get older they pass me by even faster.

  We love each + every season to the last drop.  We love every holiday that comes our way. It is magical to experience each + every  holiday with her.

I try and capture in my heart the special-ness that is our each + every day.  Because this season of little Ivy is going by too quickly  and we'll be on to the next season before I know it.

 So I'm not rushing it.  I'll take each season as it comes.

+++
"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year."  -Emerson  

Day 6. Good Examples

My friend Julie is an amazing example of not just being good but DOING good.  I need a little push in the doing part sometimes.  So I'll be joining her in making someone's day every day this week.  Is a week long enough to make it a habit?  I hope so.

You can find more information about the Happy Day Project at Joys Hope and Life Rearranged.

Day 5. Finished Projects

Pictures of me and my boyfriend finally hung on the wall are making me smile today.  

Day 2. Snow.

I'm thankful for snow.  Especially the, * Oh what we are visiting Colorado isn't it so fun that it snowed 6 inches and magically didn't stick to the roads so we can go get some gloves to play in it * kind .

Especially the * So pretty and white and sparkly you just have to eat it * kind.

And ESPECIALLY the *our whole family is going snowboarding today* kind of snow that we will have this winter.  Can she really be big enough? Geez.  Darin took me snowboarding on our first date... 12 years ago.  My how the days fly.  

{Yep thats me!  I totally rocked it back in the day. HA!}