10 Things I LOVE about MY LIFE right NOW: 5/10 Magnet Chalkboard

Dear Bundle of Joy,

I know that I can be happy now, and it would be sad and selfish if I lived with the attitude of "when I have kids I'll be happy", or "when ____ happens, then I'll be happy". (Plus, don't we all know that there's hard things at every stage in life??? I thought I wanted to be done with college and be a real adult... until I realized all the responsibility it held! haha) 

So, here's to things that I love about my life RIGHT NOW!

NUMBER 5: Magnet Chalkboard for Quotes

So, the only thing that has gotten me though this whole "infertility" madness is reading the words of the prophets: from the Bible, Book of Mormon, and current-day. I love quotes and scripture that help to build faith, give comfort, offer advice, or are answers to specific prayers (I have fun searching here for scriptures, General Conference talks, Mormon Messages, etc). Since I find comfort and the ability to "keep going" after hearing these quotes, I decided that I needed a board dedicated to that. However, I love them so much that one quote just will not suffice; no it will not. 

With much help from your Dad, we were able to concoct this wonderful chalkboard magnetized wall of framed goodness :) 

Step 1- Screw a LARGE piece of sheet metal into the wall. (We ended up going to Main St to some random business since it was WAY cheaper than the hardware stores.) This beats putting a bazillion holes into your wall for your individual frames... only to see that it ended up crooked.... grrr. We wanted to save the stress on that. We only had to measure/ level one thing, the sheet metal.

Step 2- Paint your piece of sheet metal with chalkboard paint. At first, since the metal is shiny, the chalkboard paint doesn't adhere too well. We probably should have primed it, but the paint said it could adhere to metal, so we didn't. We ended up painting about 3 coats total. After the last coat, we waiting 24 hours before attempting to touch it with magnets/ frames.

Step 3- Glue magnets onto the backs of your frames. We used thin circle magnets. We estimated on the number of magnets we needed in order to hold the frames up. For the 5x7in frames, we used about 4 magnets. For the medium frames we used around 6-8 magnets. For the ginormous wood one on the bottom right of the chalkboard, we used about 20... no joke. I had to keep adding more and more otherwise it was just sliding off because of its weight. It was a guess and check game. Needless to say, we spent WAY MORE on the magnets than I thought--- oops!

Step 4- BEFORE writing anything on the chalkboard, you will need to "prime" it first. This means you will take a piece of chalk and lay it flat (on its side) on the chalkboard and "color" the whole chalkboard. After about 5 minutes, you should erase it all. Sounds kind of silly, right? Well, this will prevent a ghost shadow lingering after you erase your text/design/picture off. You don't want your chalkboard to not erase fully now, do you? After all your hard work? No, definitely not. So, do this. Don't. Skip. This. Step. (P.S. In the future, if you want to wipe down your board with a wet cloth to clean it, make sure you "prime" it again before using it.)

Step 5- After you've primed the board and erased it, you are now able to create whatever you want! Have fun! I know I do! :)

 

This is when Uncle Scott came home from his mission from Japan. I took off all my frames and drew this banner for him. Not perfect, but it was fun making it!

(In the picture from left to right: Gi-gi, Ba-ba, Kurt, Jordan, Scout, Me, Clay, Tiffany, Hana)

For Thanksgiving, we were able to have everyone write down what they were "thankful for" on a leaf and put it on our magnet board where Jordan drew a tree.

You can't see this too well, but we outlined a tree with lights and put all the Christmas cards that we received from our friends and family inside that tree. 

Love, 

Mom 

10 Things I LOVE about MY LIFE right NOW: 4/10 Careers/ Education

Dear Bundle of Joy,

I know that I can be happy now, and it would be sad and selfish if I lived with the attitude of "when I have kids I'll be happy", or "when ____ happens, then I'll be happy". (Plus, don't we all know that there's hard things at every stage in life??? I thought I wanted to be done with college and be a real adult... until I realized all the responsibility it held! haha) 

So, here's to things that I love about my life RIGHT NOW!

NUMBER 4: Careers/ Education

I'll start with my story: So, I had the privilege to be able to receive a scholarship from Arizona State University upon graduating from high school. It was worth $26,000, so I was fortunate to get a couple hundred to a thousand dollars back after every year after tuition, books, materials, etc were paid. It was a HUGE blessing to not have to worry about paying for college and just focus on completing college. 

At first, I was toying around with the idea of going to school for a degree in Architecture. I loved seeing your Ba-ba and Gi-gi create, design, and build homes for us growing up. However, after some thought, I knew I wasn't passionate about it. I then decided to go to school for Photography... after ONE semester, I knew it wasn't for me. The stereotypical "art" student in movies is totally NOT fictional. I swear I could find at least one person in each class that: had dread locks, was wearing a Bob Marley t-shirt, was wearing a beret, and/or was probably into drugs or, at least, Hookah. I could only take so much with interpreting how lines and colors show feelings; during every art critique that I had, I was totally faking every minute of it. Don't get me wrong, I loved creating art but I HATED having to explain it so figuratively. Sometimes I drew something because I liked it, not because I had some abstract symbolism behind it...sheesh. 

So, during my winter break, I did some serious contemplating. I prayed and fasted for ideas: it came down to nursing and teaching. Money-wise, I was leaning more toward nursing (and think I would still be interested in it somewhat today), but I couldn't get away from the idea of me becoming a teacher. As I prayed to know if this is the right choice, I couldn't deny the power and emotion that overcame me during my prayer. It was an answer that I couldn't deny. I could barely finish my prayer. I KNEW that this was the right choice. I knew there was something I had to do or someone I had to help during this journey. This led me to think that you, my future child, might have special needs of some kind and this was a blessing to get in some "training" or something. Who knows, I guess it could still be true. However, in the past 4 years of teaching, whatever the reason was that lead me to this path, I know that I have learned SOO much with handling children and their difficult behaviors, teaching them in creative ways, speaking with parents, leading meetings, managing multiple tasks and being mindful of their due dates, etc. I know that I can handle a full-time career... and I know that I can be GREAT at it. I love my kiddos that I've had and each one has taught me patience as well as something so invaluable and unique in their own way. 

This career choice has also given me the great opportunity to interact and work with children, even though I don't have you here yet. If I would have chosen another path, I would most likely be working with adults and have little to no interaction with children throughout my days. 

It was a tough choice to quit and take a less stressful position, but it was worth it to have more time for church callings, family, and having less stress overall in my life. :)

Now, for Jordan. AKA: Dad: A couple of years ago, Jordan was working as a regional manager for a health care staffing company. They weren't compensating him enough for the time he was putting in and so this lead to him thinking of other career options that could better support a family. On our drive home from California, he mentions that he wanted to be an airline pilot when he was younger. After talking about this thought and option the whole way home, we were excited and nervous about this huge change that might be taking place in our lives. After researching, we found out that the flight school in our area would cost around $65,000 for only about 4 months of training + his private pilot's license. HOLY COW! He could go to a university that offered a bachelors degree plus a commercial pilot's license but it be even more expensive and we'd have to move. (At this point, Jordan still has about 1.5 years of his bachelor's degree left since he took a break while working at the health care staffing company). After thinking about the amount of debt and loans we'd get ourselves into... we were thinking of selling our house. In the end, that's exactly what we did. I didn't really want to move- I loved our ward and I loved our house (and we got it for a smokin' deal!). Buuuut, I'd rather sell my house than get into a TON of debt where, as a school teacher, we obviously we couldn't afford that! We were so BLESSED to be able to sell in within about 3 months and receive the funds to cover Jordan's school. I don't know why it's "worked out" for us, but it has. I just know that we aren't "lucky"--- but God is blessing us in ways that is setting us up for our future and I am ever so thankful for that. 

So, we were able to send Jordan to school. :) He was gone everyday for like 8-10 hours each day for around 5 months. Even though it was the most stressful thing he's ever done, he said that its the first time that he has actually enjoyed studying and learning in his life (other than studying the scriptures/ doctrine). I was happy to hear this. All I want is for him career-wise is for him to gain an education, love what he does, and for him to be able to support our family. And I know that he wants the same as well. We think that this path he has taken will be able to fulfill all those expectations eventually in our life. 

My first time flying with Jordan

Jordan flew us to Laughlin, NV for his first independent flight! We ate at a yummy place on Lake Havasu and stayed the night... it was a fun little get-away! :)

Love, 

Mom

10 Things I LOVE about MY LIFE right NOW: 3/10 Scouter Girl

Dear Bundle of Joy,

I know that I can be happy now, and it would be sad and selfish if I lived with the attitude of "when I have kids I'll be happy", or "when ____ happens, then I'll be happy". (Plus, don't we all know that there's hard things at every stage in life??? I thought I wanted to be done with college and be a real adult... until I realized all the responsibility it held! haha) 

So, here's to things that I love about my life RIGHT NOW!

NUMBER 3: Scout

I was NEVER a dog person. I thought they looked cute in pictures, but never really enjoyed petting them in real life. Jordan grew up with a couple dogs and always wanted a bigger dog. I started to warm up to the idea once I realized that his career would have him gone sporadically. I liked the idea of having another protection for my safety and a companion while he was away. I started to get obsessed with looking at Belgian Malinois pictures on the internet.... and then we eventually found our Scout!

Even though she isn't technically a therapy dog, she definitely has become mine. She is so intuitive and can tell if I am not having my best day. She'll try to get me to play, cuddle with me, or even let me just hold and pet her (she totally hates it, but sometimes lets me so I can be happy!). She is always loving, excited to see me when I come home, etc. I really have grown attached--- I never thought I'd be a dog person, but I am. 

So, here's Scout in all her glory. :)

AKA: Scouty, Scouty Girl, Cutie-Cutie, Scouter Pup, Cutie Girl, Thin Mints (as Ji-Ji calls her sometimes). 

About 12 weeks old... LOOK at those ears!

Getting used to her new home...

Her first Christmas (we tortured her... hehe)

Her first camping trip. She LOVED exploring on her own.

Resting after going crazy at the park in our neighborhood.

Love, 

Mom

10 Things I LOVE about MY LIFE Right NOW: 2/10 Eternal Marriage

Dear Bundle of Joy,

I know that I can be happy now, and it would be sad and selfish if I lived with the attitude of "when I have kids I'll be happy", or "when ____ happens, then I'll be happy". (Plus, don't we all know that there's hard things at every stage in life??? I thought I wanted to be done with college and be a real adult... until I realized all the responsibility it held! haha) 

So, here's to things that I love about my life RIGHT NOW!

NUMBER 2: Jordan and our Eternal Marriage

               Excited to be married!                                                                        Always looking toward the temple!

His smirk gets me every time...

My wedding dress!

Sunset

My parents house where we held our wedding reception!

The receiving line before it started...

Our cake cutting area

Our beautiful cake!

He fed me...

...I smashed him...

...He tried to smash me back...

...Jordan gets his first scolding... Haha.

My Husband :)

Love, 

Mom

10 Things I LOVE about MY LIFE Right NOW: 1/10 God/ Christ/ Gospel

Dear Bundle of Joy,

Over the next 10 posts, I will be doing a "10 Things I LOVE about MY LIFE right NOW" (In no particular order). There are obviously days where I feel down, like I'm not making an impact on others' (like children) around me, and to be completely honest, left behind from "where I should be". However, the last couple months I haven't had a day like this and have been very happy. -Yay me!- I've noticed how much I have to be thankful for. I really have an awesome life; I love it.

There was a quote I found from President Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that I really enjoyed. His talk was mostly about how we as mortals fail but we must pick ourselves up and keep going. Not totally relevant, but I did like one of the last paragraphs he said:

"We acknowledge that your path will at times be difficult. But I give you this promise in the name of the Lord: rise up and follow in the footsteps of our Redeemer and Savior, and one day you will look back and be filled with eternal gratitude that you chose to trust the Atonement and its power to lift you up and give you strength."

I know that without Christ's atonement, that I would be in a very rough spot right now. I know that it is through His help and love that I have been able to have WAY more good days than sad. I'm happy to know that I chose and continually choose to trust in Him everyday and not let this trial/experience/"setback" take over my life and ruin a good thing. It is only by this trust and faith in Him that I can find many things to be joyful about, even when one of the most important things I've wanted in my life is not yet here, you. 

I know that I can be happy now, and it would be sad and selfish if I lived with the attitude of "when I have kids I'll be happy", or "when ____ happens, then I'll be happy". (Plus, don't we all know that there's hard things at every stage in life??? I thought I wanted to be done with college and be a real adult... until I realized all the responsibility it held! haha) 

So, here's to things that I love about my life RIGHT NOW!

NUMBER 1: Scriptures, the Gospel, and (of Course) God and Jesus Christ.

Okay, so I basically grouped all of the "Primary Answers" into one category and called it my #1. Well, the basics is what is important. I am so happy and grateful for my time that I have made a priority this year to re-read the Book of Mormon. (Side note: This year (2015) I have made the goal to read the Book of Mormon 3 times!... It's the end of April and I'm on track to be finished next week for the 1st read! Go me!) I have also kept a scripture journal where I can write down thoughts, feelings, insights, etc. It has focused my reading so that I can find nuggets of truth in every chapter. This way, I know that I am not just reading for speed or reading to "check it off" for the day. I really have learned so much in the past couple months during my 1st read, that I'm excited to see what else I can learn from it two more times this year!

By reading this book, I feel the daily comfort, strength, and power it lends me. I am able to receive daily revelation and insights by studying its pages. It is a great source of comfort as I relate gospel principals to my life and try and better myself. It is a source of strength to know that God and Christ are aware of me and He has performed the atonement so that I do not have to suffer alone. Because of the atonement, it is a true source of power to overcome my hardest days. This book is a book from God for our use and helps keep me  thinking "eternally" and that things are in God's timing. 

Love, 

Mom