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I know its not much but I can't help to be proud of this!!! I've been wanting to make Avery a hair bow holder for her bathroom since seeing one at a fair a couple months ago and thinking, "that would be so easy to make." Sure enough, it took some ribbon, a hot glue gun, and a cute little wooden floor decal from Michaels since I already had the letter 'A' from Ave's baby decor. Avery really loves it and can put her bows away herself.The big thing is- I think this little project has inspired me for more. I really want to start scrapbooking (if 3 years later is not too late) and more crafts. I'm can't wait to have a house to decorate and more time to complete my own creations (usually me trying to copy all the cute things I see elsewhere)-I love it!
I have been asked to give a talk this Sunday on this wonderful topic. I wish I could say this has always been my specialty, but it has not. From what I've gathered, it seems that I have only recently learned that blessings come after we make good choices. I must have been rotten in my youth because I don't remember sacrificing in order to be obedient. For example, I didn't graduate from seminary. I was LAZY and the hour of sleep was too much to give up...How sad- I think my life would've been a little different had I been more willing to do the right thing. Fortunately, I have learned a thing or two since my younger days and now understand the bigger picture a little better.
Anywho, I'm sure I'll be able to find the riveting and inspiring talk that is deep within me. In the meantime, here is a story I love on obedience that I personally can strongly relate to.
http://www.sugardoodle.net/Faith/Gods_Embroidery.shtml
My Texas cowgirl finally has some cowgirl boots. April and I hit up the kid's consignment stores this weekend for some super sales. These were a steal at $3.50- I'm only worried that Ave is going to want to wear them everywhere and they are a size too big...Oh well. They're undeniably adorable.
I love shopping with my sister. She helps me consider my purchases as I still manage to over-indulge my only child who just happens to be a little girl, which means cute clothes are virtually mandatory. April is incredibly reasonable and frugal, with good reason. I usually consider myself to be too until I see her instinctive habits in action. For instance, we're at Once Upon a Child, and we're weeding out what we should/should not buy when April (who makes more than I will ever make and saves more than I will ever save) says, "What do you think of this shirt? Its cute but I don't know and its $6.50." The shirt was actually included in the 60% off sale, which she knew and was super cute.
That is my sister and I love her dearly. I should also mention (in case she's really mad at me at this point) that April's conscious ways of saving, even as a teenager, were what gave me my first real independence, aka my first car. April loaned me $3000, while she was a freshman in college, for me to buy my little green Toyota Tercel (I made good car choices even back then-that was a good car). I paid her back within a year but can not help but still be amazed at her love and generous offerings that have remained consistent throughout our lives.
So, April...Even though mom still tells you how perfect you are, right in front of me...It doesn't bother me like it used to...I am grateful to be your friend and younger sister that will forever be learning from you and watching you in wonder. I love you. -Chels
So...I've been slackin on my posts and trying to enjoy the most of my life- for some of the following reasons.....Here is the latest with us.Me-I made it out of the fall semester...and on the President's List no less, which means a 4.0 GPA. I am happy with this and will try to do this again next semester. I am more pleased that no major catastrophies/illnesses occured during this time- I only missed one day of clinical- and Avery loved school almost as much as me. -I got a new calling/job in our ward/church. I was called to nursery a couple weeks ago. I am super excited about this. I love the kids in this age group (18months-3 years) and feel like I am needed here. I may miss going to the adult classes but it makes me try to get more out of sacrament meeting and on my own personal time...for my own spiritual nourishment.-I made the most of my time off from school. Trip to Kansas, Christmas family time, and time for me. I read some books I've been wanting to read for ages, such as The Peacegiver by James L. Ferrell. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone. It is a fictional story, an extended parable, about the atonement and forgiveness. It honestly gave me multiple new perspectives on issues that I have been struggling with for some time. One of the main focuses of the book is how Christ is the practical answer in a strained relationship and how he can heal our hearts and homes....Well, this lesson never comes too late and I learned so many insights that have helped me feel more at peace with my life, choices, relationships, etc and I probably be re-reading this book for years to come. -School started again last Thursday. I am kinda unsure how the whole semester will go but am excited at the same time. We are more independent this semester and get to go to clinical sites where we are working 1:1 with a RN with such specialties such as:dialysis, home health, hospice, school nursing, occupational nursing, rehab, etc. We're also going to the state psych hospital in the next couple weeks and I'm looking forward to this as well.-My parents are still moving. My dad will actually go ahead and move next Saturday and my mom will stay here for a month or so. They have had one family from church showing some interest in the house. If that doesn't work out, they are putting the house on the market. Originally, my dad offered to let Avery and I stay in the house while trying to sell it. I was interested in it as it would be a great opportunity for me to save money (after school, ofcourse) for our own house but was not looking to moving during the semester, finding Ave a new school, etc. Long story short, one of my younger brothers was upset that he would not be given the same chance to live in the house and maybe rent it with some friends (can we say frat house?). I did not want this to turn into some family fight and this brother happens to hold serious grudges. I suggested my parents keep the house vacant as it was not fair to let one person have the house and not another...So, I'm pretty sure this is now the plan but it is ultimately up to my parents' discretion...Now, for my Avery girl--After graduating from nursery, Avery is now a sunbeam in our church! She loves going to primary and her teacher tells me she pays attention very earnestly as she tries to learn all the songs during sharing time. The first Sunday I took her, I dropped her off and she was a little hesitant. One of the girls in the class was sitting right by her and said, "Oh, Avery. I've been waiting for you!" Avery smiled and then gave me a hug goodbye. I felt this tug in my heart as I gave her one last glance, before leaving. The thought came to me that Avery was in the best place she could be and that I was too...-We are still playing with Christmas toys at our house which means Santa did well, right? Avery is a puzzle genius. She has a 48 piece princess puzzle that has put together tens and tens of times. I copied the patterns of the puzzle pieces on the board and wrote numbers for each piece so she can match the #1 puzzle piece to the #1 puzzle piece on the board and so forth. Well, this helps her with her numbers at the same time and she doesn't get so frustrated. She doesn't even need this most of the time now. I love that she has toys that can keep her attention for a good span of time...and that she can play independently. Well, if that wasn't enough great info for you, here are a couple cute videos of Avery...The first, Avery is singing and dancing to one of her own original songs...If songwriting and choreography is not in her future, storytelling is. The second video is one in which I find her reading stories in the bathroom. She is a very dramatic storyteller and will no doubt be thrilling audiences with her many talents soon.
So, some may already know this and its not the newest news....But, my parents are moving to Seattle, Washington. My dad has accepted a wonderful job opportunity he is very excited about and will be moving the end of this month, taking only my mom with! I can't believe they're actually moving without any kids!Last night, it just hit me. I started crying thinking about it. It just doesn't seem fair that Ave won't be able to see her grandparents whenever she wants. She is really close to both of them but I am mainly worried about my mom and how this will affect her overall well-being. Growing up, we moved a lot. We never lived anywhere more than six years. I did expect them to stay in Texas. I know there is a reason why they are moving and that it may be good for our family...I just feel like I have to have back up support for Ave and I. My sister, April, is the perfect friend, help, aunt, everything but I don't want to have to rely on her for so much. One more semester in school...And then I will feel more self-reliant. In the meantime, it makes you appreciate your family so much more when they aren't so accessible. Who knows... I may end being closer to my mom and dad when they live on the other side of the country.
