This past week...

Lots has happened this past week.

But first of all, I never want to forget how much I love that my fridge looks like this every other day:

The girls put their own pictures up on the fridge. We do art every day. I love it because it keeps them busy. And I usually have a handful that I put in the recycling bin every day. I try to keep the cutest ones.

 And Jonathan got to ride in a small plane and actually fly a small plane.

The doctor he is standing next to is his attending this month and owns part of this plane. It's like a plane time-share thing. So he does a clinic in Show Low once every month, so he can fly his plane and write it as a tax write off. 

But small planes are scary. They go down all the time. So I was praying like crazy for him. But he just thought it was fun.

And Sami participated in her first talent show this morning. It was in her preschool, and she sang "I am a Child of God." She rocked it. I am so proud of her.

And the biggest thing in my life that happened this past week is that I got released from Young Women and called as the first counselor in the Primary.

Being released was very bittersweet. I have been in YW for so long that it was just a part of me and what I did. I loved, loved, loved working with the other leaders and getting to know the girls on a personal level. But I don't think I will miss how busy it can be. Young Women can be pretty relentless as far as planning and meetings and programs because there is always something coming up. But it is good and important for the teenage girls. It is truly an inspired program. And I am so glad to have been a part of it in this ward.

And now I am in primary. This will be a huge adventure for me because I have never been in primary. I have helped out in nursery a lot, but there is so much I am going to need to learn. I am excited to learn the primary songs that my girls know (and sing only a line or two of) that I don't know. I have loved reading the manual and feeling the spirit of primary. When I told my dad I was now in primary, he told me that he loves primary and feels it is one of the most spiritual places in the church. I feel this is really going to help me grow spiritually and as a person. And I am excited. And a little nervous. 

Digital Art Journaling

I have seen art journaling a lot recently. And I have been interested. But I don't have an art studio, which is pretty much what you need to keep all the paint, brushes, canvases, and other supplies needed handy.

So when Jessica Sprague offered a digital version, and it was on sale in December, I signed up with some Christmas present money. 

To tell you the truth, this is a hard class for me. 

The style is so different. So different that I often struggle liking it.

My creativity is stretched, for sure. 

So I am behind in my  online class. Because a lot of nights I just don't have the mental energy to go there.

But it is good for me. 

So here is some (ok, almost all) I have done so far.

I love this one. I pretty much just copied what the teacher did. (You will see that there is a big gap between what the teacher does and I copy, versus what I come up with on my own. But, hey, that's why she's the teacher, right?!) 

The quote says "It is not easy to separate ourselves from what we think we should do and walk in the direction of what we know we must do."

 This next one needs...something. Not sure yet, a border?  But of course we love this quote.

 This next one I do like. It is from a book by Trina Paulus called "Hope for the Flowers."  

Wendy Watson Nelson gave this synopsis: A story is told of a caterpillar named Yellow who was trying to discover what she should do with her life. In her wanderings she came upon another caterpillar caught in some gauzy filament. Concerned, she asked if she could help. The other caterpillar explained that the filament was all part of becoming a butterfly. When Yellow heard the word butterfly, her whole insides leaped. "But what is a butterfly?" she asked. The cocooned caterpillar explained, "It's what you are meant to become." Yellow was intrigued but a bit defiant: "How can I believe there's a butterfly inside you or me when all I see if a fuzzy worm?" After further reflection she pensively asked, "How does one become a butterfly?" The answer? "You must want to fly so much that you are willing to give up being a caterpillar."
 (Synopsis by Wendy Watson Nelson, Increasing Intimacy In Marriage," page 82.)

Our girls camp theme is "Becoming," using the butterfly as the imagery. And we have been talking a lot about the idea of becoming more like the Savior at Young Women and our meetings. So with those two things in mind, I came up with the poster. I love the colors, and I love the message. I am going to frame it in my room to remind myself to not hold myself back with assumptions or negative thinking, or whatever. :)

 And lastly, home. I again copied Jessica Sprague on this one. But I like it. I think.

Even though I don't love everything I make with photoshop, I love the possibilities. 

Our vacation is over...

Having Jonathan home, all to ourselves, for a whole week was heaven. He hurt his back and Sami had diarrhea  (drinking tub water), but other than those two unfortunate events, it was awesome! We didn't do anything other than the everyday, but it was so nice to have constant help. When I was making dinner or busy and the girls needed something, I sent them to their dad. We stayed up late because Jonathan knew he could sleep in and I knew I could have a nap. Jonathan vacuumed, did the dishes, and helped put the kids to bed. I steamed cleaned our carpets and cleaned out the girls' toys-two things that are really hard without him here entertaining the girls. 

I could get real used to having him home a lot more.

The thing about his schedule is that he has to submit his vacation at the beginning of the residency year, so he planned this vacation last year. And for some reason, he took all his vacation at the beginning of this year, so he has another week off in March. Can't wait!!

And a few more random things about Janie. Her hair looks like this, or worse, every morning. Poor thing. Even when I put in in a little pony tail, it still is out of control. Do you have any tricks for hair problems like this?

Janie is now in Sunbeams. (Sniff, sniff. I don't have anyone in nursery anymore. Except Jonathan-he's a nursery worker ☺) So I took her to the bookstore and let her pick out a Book of Mormon to take to church with her. She wanted the cute mini one (which is oddly more expensive than the big ones??). 

Later that day, I saw her outside "reading" her new scriptures. I love that. You go, girl! Scripture power! :)

It's a New Year

Ah, 2012. I hope you are good to us.

A new year feels refreshing. 

So far, it's been a good year. Jonathan is officially half way done with residency!! This means it's down hill from here. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. We are grateful for that light.

And Jonathan has this next week off. Which means respite for me.

Whenever I find myself overly frustrated and overwhelmed with motherhood and life in general, I know I need some respite. It's amazing how just one afternoon off every once in a while makes me a better mother. But it does. This afternoon I went into my bedroom, by myself, climbed into bed and read a book for an hour. It was glorious. And I took a little nap. It's going to be a great week, I can already tell.

And I did make some resolutions.

As I thought of things I wanted to happen this year, I realized that there is just some stuff that I can't totally control. So I crossed them off the list. I kept the stuff that I do have control of.  

Basically I want to be a better, nicer person. :)

I want to be better about keeping a scripture journal, I want my family to feel like they are my top priority by my actions and my attentiveness, and I want to exercise more (of course, don't we all?!), among other things. 

The thing I realized about resolutions, is that they are basically the goals I have all the time. A new year just allows me to get more focused on how to get there, and I appreciate that.

I hope it's a good year. I am excited to see what it brings our way!