2014

It's a new year!  Time to make some new goals and commitments to myself. Here are 14 things I'd like to make happen in 2014:

1. Write a song, and perform it for someone.  I love music.  I'm happier when music is a part of my life, though I have always relied radio/iTunes/spotify to fill me up with new songs. Writing music has always seemed either too hard or too cheesy.  No more excuses!  I'm going to do it.  This year.
2. Recommit to making at least 3 healthy meals a week.  I did okay for about a month last year.  I'm trying again this year... plus now I have a big, beautiful kitchen!
3. Stay on-top of grading papers. Easily the worst part of being a teacher is grading papers.  I always procrastinate, but then kick myself later when I have a stack the size of Texas.  If I grade when they turn them in, I'll be happier in the long run.
4. Pursue an artistic hobby.  I've been dabbling in photoshop a bit, but I'd also like to learn how to use all of the CS5 programs.  I'd like to get more into print making, or sewing, or even blogging??  How do people make money at this?
5. Get into a sport, and do it several times a week. I think biking might be for me.  Or tennis?  Also, paddle boarding-- I at least want to try it this year!
6. Remember birthdays.  I love birthdays, but I always get distracted and miss them.  I'd like to send family and friends cards or pay them a visit on their birthday.
7. Go on a big vacation. Okay, this isn't really a goal, but I would like to go somewhere "big" this year.  Perhaps the East coast?  I had better start saving my pennies!
8. Organize the basement and garage. I just need to START.  Samuel and I had a talk a few nights ago about just getting rid of stuff, even if we still like it.  It's not worth it if we are not using it, or emotionally opposed to giving it away.  I'm giving myself permission to give things I like away.  They can be just as cool and likable in someone else's house.  
9. Do my visiting teaching.  The only time I've ever been good at this is when I had an awesome on-top-of-it companion.  I like visiting teaching... I resolve to be better at making it happen.  
10. Read at least 10 books, outside of school.  With book club last year, I did pretty well.  I still haven't decided if the "club" is going to continue this year, but I hope the reading will.  
11. Read scriptures every day.  I used to be awesome at this and have really slacked off for the past few years.  I need to get in the habit again.  
12. Have a NO SPEND month.  Has anyone ever done this before?  I want to try to go for a month without spending any money, except for our necessities (mortgage, utilities, gas, food).  I'm still working out the logistics in my brain, but I think this would be good for me.
13. Put the "screens" away for a few hours every day.  I love my computer, and use it for work, pinteresting, creating, etc.  Samuel got me an iPhone for an early birthday present, and I love it.  But I love him even more.  I want to put our phones away for a while each night so we can just talk, have a meal together, go for a walk, or have friends over without distractions.  
14. Get financially organized.  Samuel and I have tried several approaches to budgeting, but haven't found anything that "works" for us yet.  This is the year for us to track our spending, savings, and expenses, and to finally stick to a budget plan that works for our family.  

So, there you have it folks.  What are your goals for the year?  Any tips and tricks for accomplishing them?

its christmastime!

So... Samuel and I have been thinking about traditions we want to start in our family.  On Sunday we decided to come up with some fun activities to do during the Christmas season, and then try to do a few each day leading up to "the big one."   I'm excited to see how the list changes as our family changes.  Here are some things we came up with this year.  This is a personal invitation for YOU to join in on any that sound festive and appealing.

        Drink hot cider and put up Christmas decorations

        Bake cookies and deliver them to neighbors

        Go see the lights at temple square

        Pick out a Christmas tree and decorate it

        Watch It’s a Wonderful Life

        Open up new pajamas on Christmas eve

        Give service to a family member

        Find mistletoe, hang it in our house, and kiss under it

        Address and mail Christmas cards

        Go Christmas shopping for each other and for family

        Read the Christmas Story from the Bible and Book of Mormon

        Go to a cultural event like a play or concert

        Read the Polar Express and have hot chocolate

        Put up Christmas lights on the house

        Contribute to a Sub-For-Santa

        Make a homemade gift

        Dress up festive and go on a double date with friends

        Put together a Christmas playlist

        Host a party with friends

        Drive around and see the neighborhood lights

        Go skiing or snowshoeing or sledding… or all 3

        Get friends together to go caroling to neighbors

        Go to the temple together

feeling thankful

I know that Thanksgiving is technically over, but I have had so much gratitude in my heart these past few weeks, I decided I had better document a few things.

I am so thankful for a wonderful, supportive husband.  Samuel is a wonderful, hard working, sensitive guy.  I am so happy and grateful to be his wife, and to be working on life together.

I am thankful for the world's most incredible family.  Someone once told me that they were so jealous of my family because we all get along great and like to be with each other.  At the time I don't think I understood what a blessing that is, but as I grow older I realize what a rare and beautiful thing it is to love and be loved by amazing siblings and parents and in-laws.

I am thankful for my job.  I love my students and am grateful every day for the role that teaching plays in my life.  I learn so much.

I am thankful for the temple.  It was great to be there twice this week for Hilary's wedding.  Every time I go, I am reminded of God's love for all of his children, and that he knows and loves me personally.

I am thankful for our home.  Every night as my head hits the pillow--no matter what projects are left undone--I thank God for this opportunity to build our house into somewhere that we can start a family, help the Spirit to reside, and figure out what is truly important.

I am thankful for music! It helps me to feel things-- excitement, peace, silliness, hope.  I love discovering new-to-me songs, learning new chords on the guitar, or teaching my students new "lunchtime tunes."

As we head full-force into the Christmas season, I am reminded how grateful I am for the Savior and the joy he brings to my life.

the two more weeks club

We closed on our home on July 15th. I had grand ideas of getting the painting, woodwork, floor refinishing, and door painting done in two weeks--before we left on our Hebgen trip. Then we could move in, unpack, and start into the fun stuff--decorating!  It was a grand plan.  And we worked like crazy for two weeks, but it didn't happen the way I had imagined (surprise, surprise).  I resigned myself to the fact that it would probably take two more weeks.  We would get back from the cabin, keep working and THEN be able to move in.  Before school started, of course we could be "in."

Dad measuring for window sills.  Notice the periwinkle in the back ground, and the terra cotta wall in the foreground?  ...Two of the four different colored walls in the kitchen. 

New front door!  (Will soon be painted "moody blue.")

Nathan--sanding away!

Breanne helped us so much.

Sand. Mud. Vacuum. Repeat.

First coat of varnish.

 We got home from the cabin, and started working again.  Mom and Nana helped me with the garden.  Tom was our refinishing king.  My dad came and hung doors, knocked out walls, measured, ordered supplies, made our garage secure, and brought up issues and ideas that we would never have thought of otherwise.  Breanne, Nathan, and other friends and family members came and helped us sand, paint, caulk, putty, and prep.  Samuel was at the house every day after work, working his little tail off.  I pitched in where I could.  We told everyone at church that we would be finished enough to move in in just two more weeks.  

Sanding down doors.

Samuel's semi-permanent expression for the past 3 months.

So, we worked hard for another two weeks.  But we didn't get done.  We ended up needing new windows, getting the furnace and A/C replaced, needing another coat on the floors, and running into some lovely "gifts" from the previous owner (bless his soul).  We finally got a hold of the ever elusive electrician.  We made decisions, then changed our minds.  Sometimes we disagreed on things we envisioned.  We discussed, researched, and made decisions again.  We visited Ikea and Home Depot and Lowes several times.  People would ask, "When do you think you can move in?"  To which we would reply, "Oh two weeks.  Definitely.  Just two more."

Surprises left by the previous owner.

Primed walls!  This is before the new windows...

And so we continued. For two more weeks.  And then two more.  And here we are, three months later--October 14th--and I promise we will be moving in soon.  We are getting our counter tops in a week.  We get to go to Seattle to pick up some hand-me-down couches this weekend.  So we will finally be moving in!  Soon.  Probably in less than two weeks.

love this song

hoping to learn it-- perhaps for a friend's upcoming wedding?

so much to say

well.  it's been a while.

I have started several posts between the last one (may?!) and this one, but never finished any.  so today I'm just going to spill.  a lot has happened and there is a lot to say.  (I'll have to add pictures later).

summer was a dream and a whirlwind.  I loved going to the cabin, teaching a class at King's English, having friends over in the huge yard, and...

we bought a HOUSE.  it's a lovely little house on a corner (now) but it didn't start out that way.  Samuel and my dad--plus lots of other friends and family-- have spent eons of time over there building and sanding and ripping out and painting.  it has definitely been a learning process for me.  I have learned patience in a major way.  I have learned how to putty nail holes, refinish floors, and kill weeds.  I have learned how to stick to things that really matter, and let things that don't matter not bug me so much.  I'm still learning how to communicate my gratitude.  I'm still learning how to not care what other people think.  Samuel and I sometimes struggle with making decisions, but we've made some and it is finally all starting to come together.  hooray!  seriously. we are having a MAJOR party when this project is done.  pie for everyone.

school is back in session, and that part of my life is starting to take shape again.  my class is adorable.  I really love being a teacher-- every time I think of different career paths I considered, I always end up so happy that I stuck to my guns with education.  we all have our days (and I have many), but I think this is something that makes me happy and that I am good at-- and that's a great feeling in a career.

this time of year--fall--is my favorite.  with the start of school, it always makes me feel like making new goals and new beginnings.  Bryttin recently made her awesome goal list, and I've been thinking about goals I have for myself over the next few months.  that will have to be its own post, though.  there are still things mulling around in my head that I need to let simmer.  hopefully I can blog more regularly to keep myself reflecting on all of this stuff.

the air is crisp today-- a happy change of the seasons.  today is Dad's birthday.  what a guy!  and Bailey's birthday is on saturday.  I'm hoping we are to a point on our house project that I can go down and visit her. that would be another post in the works.  stay tuned... and thanks for not giving up on me (even though I haven't blogged since may).  LOVE.

it's coming...

This morning while we were getting ready for work, Samuel said, "Brynn.  It's May first! Guess what we get to do this month?"  And I said, "What?  Finish the school year?"  (Of course... I'm always thinking about school).  And he said, "No.  Memorial Day.  The CABIN."  And I said, "Yessssssssss."

the Madison Arm trading post

And then I started thinking about

• the books I want to read in front of the fire
• the delicious food we always enjoy
• will it rain?  will it snow?
• the smell of the trees
• the lake in the early morning before anything moves
• what projects will we do? what will we clean?
• should we go antiquing?
• it will be the twinners first time!
• should we bring our bikes?

Get ready.  It's May. (and you know what that means).