Connectagons

This toy looks like so much fun that parents might end up playing with it more than their kids!

Symphony

I'm so excited to see that a new Sarah Brightman album has just been released! It's been a four-year wait, and it sounds like it was worth it.

Valentine Book

Love the cute little Valentine's book how-to on this blog. This or something similar would make a great, personal spouse gift for V-day!

President Hinckley

I'm so sad President Hinckley is gone. I loved his sense of humor and his many words of wisdom.

After Apostle Russell M. Nelson gave a laudatory speech about Hinckley at LDS General Conference in 1997, Hinckley returned to the podium and quipped, "I thought we were conducting General Conference. It's turned out to be a funeral."
Hinckley continued: "He's taken extreme liberty. I challenge him to a duel down in the basement of the tabernacle after this session." At the end of the session, Hinckley apparently thought better of the idea. "I've repented," he said. "Thank you for your kind words. We'll postpone the duel."
"I am an old man given to meditation and prayer. I would enjoy sitting in a rocker, swallowing prescriptions, listening to soft music, and contemplating the things of the universe. But such activity offers no challenge and makes no contribution. "I wish to be up and doing. I wish to face each day with resolution and purpose. I wish to use every waking hour to give encouragement to bless those whose burdens are heavy, to build faith and strength of testimony. If in the process I should die on some distant strand while speaking to my friends in the church, it would be better than if I were to spend my days, looking out languidly upon the world without purpose or design." April 5, 1997

Stay Tuned For...

Olivia's birth announcement. My sister-in-law Nicole is working on it and I am so excited to see the final result! Here's a sneak peek at some of the cute photos Nicole took (none of these are going on the announcement, but there were so many cute pics to choose from!)

West Elm and An Art Debate

I love these prints from west elm. My husband and I really don't argue that much, but we have had several surprisingly heated discussions about whether photography is art. I totally think it is and cannot believe that anyone would argue with me, but he claims it's not. He says that because the photographer is only taking a picture of something that someone else created, they aren't really creating anything new and so it's not art. What do you think? We have had to agree not to talk about this anymore because he won't give in and admit I'm right, even though I think I have presented plenty of valid points that prove I am! haha

Mothology Bags

Cute little bags from Mothology.

Mr.Clean Is No Longer Bald

Starting out this new year, I've had the goal to get our home completely clean. The idea is that once it's really deep-cleaned, I should just have to do daily touch-ups here and there so it won't be so time-consuming and unpleasant for me. In the process of doing this deep-cleaning, I learned a valuable lesson. Yesterday, my husband came home from work earlier than expected. As he walked in the front door, he found me on my hands and knees scrubbing some small stains out of the carpet. Now, I usually try and do the cleaning while he is at work so that when he comes home, I can spend more time with him. But, when he saw me, he immediately bent over and removed his shoes before walking on the carpet! Then, I moved on to the bathrooms which desperately needed cleaning. He would have to come in every now and then to grab Katie, who was trying to get at the toilet to satisfy her burning curiosity since the bathroom doors usually remain firmly shut while she is awake. Later on in the evening, he commented to me that he had sat down when he went to the bathroom just for me "since you worked so hard cleaning in there." After these two instances, a light went on in my head. I always work that hard to clean the house, but if he sees me doing it, he tries to help keep it clean! I think I'm going to have to re-think the whole do-all-the-cleaning-while-husband-is-at-work plan. It reminds me of that saying about a tree falling in the woods when no one is there and brings me to ask my own question: If a woman cleans and her husband doesn't see it, did it really happen?


Image found here.

Baby Goes Vintage

These vintage-style blocks are adorable and so fun to look at!

Found here, where there are tons of fun vintage finds including this beautiful book I'd like to get for my girls (oh, okay, mostly for me!!)

Mealtime Fun

I love these fun dishes from Christopher Jagmin.

If You Ever Go To San Francisco

I, personally, have never been to San Francisco, but it's on my list of places to see before I die. I'd love to see the famous steps where the car chase scene from What's Up Doc? was filmed! ("I thought you wanted to go to San Francisco on your honeymoon?" "This is San Francisco Howard") This is another place I would love to visit. The Candy Store has at least 300 varieties of sweets ranging from childhood classics like Pixie Sticks and candy lipstick, to fancy imports. Not only does this place sound yummy, it looks yummy too!

And This

I love these file folders. They'd be a perfect catch-all for everything I need to file eventually, but don't have the time for at the moment! Found here.

Remember

As I am starting on all new resolutions and trying to accomplish a lot, this is a good reminder that I don't have to do everything all in one day!

Fun Photos

While we were in Spokane, my sister-in-law Nicole did a photo shoot of Olivia. We also got some pics of Katie and her cousin Ella together. I mentioned in a previous post that I couldn't wait to see their pictures together because they were crying most of the time. Well, Nicole sent me a few today and I have to say they're pretty funny. They're crying for themselves and wondering why we're trying to take their picture!!! I'm amazed that you got so many great shots from such a chaotic shoot Nicole - you're wonderful!!!

Reading List

One of my resolutions for this year is to make a really good reading list and finish every book on it. Any suggestions??? What are some books and/or authors that you really enjoy? I would love to hear from you! I am looking forward to discovering some new authors to love. I've never read anything by Jodi Picoult or Anita Shreve, but I've seen a lot of their books around and have been curious - does anyone know if they're worthwhile?


Image via Flickr

Global Bazaar

Speaking of Target, while I was there, I came across the Global Bazaar display. It is so cool. There's home decor in every color imaginable - green, blue, red, black and white, purple, yellow etc. It's an amazing collection of home furnishing items that range from vases and bowls to furniture to art. I loved looking at all of it. With all that vibrant color, it's really visually appealing.

I Heart Target

Last week my husband was gone for two whole days and nights, and I was left alone to take care of a one-year-old and a newborn. (gulp!) I actually survived and thankfully, so did my children, but by the time he came home, I was ready for a little alone time to regain my sanity! So, I went to Target for 3 glorious hours. I actually didn't mean to stay that long, but I swear Target is like being in a time-warp and three hours feels like one. Anyway, the point of this post is that I found some AWESOME Valentine's stuff! A lot of it was in the dollar section at the front of the store too. I love Valentine's Day and it's decorations, so I was in heaven! Check out all this pink and red cuteness:


I plan on using the little mailbox as a Family Valentine's Post where we can leave little love notes for each other. My family had one when I was younger and it was so fun to write out Valentine's and leave them for each other, and it was always exciting when the flag was up and we could check to see if it was something for us! I plan on making a cuter mailbox later on, but this one will do for now.

Your Very Own Book

I love the idea of making your own books from your cool vacation pics and other life events. This one is particularly cool. I love the styling of it; it looks like a coffee table book I would buy at Barnes and Noble! Now I just need to go to Europe so I can get the sweet book-worthy photos!!

Would You Rather...?

Would you rather be able to expedite the arrival of an elevator by pressing the button multiple times OR have the ability to sound incredibly natural and sincere on an answering machine?

This is just one example of the many questions in the book Would You Rather...? This book is a super fun way to liven up the family dinner table discussion, a road trip, or a party. It poses "would you rather" questions in categories such as "You've Been Cursed!" "Not-Quite-So-Super Powers" and "Mixed Blessings". This book has brought a lot of laughs and interesting conversation when I've whipped it out. The next book on my list that's along the same lines is this one:

Huka Lodge

I've had a magazine clipping about this place in my journal for years now. I really want to go there someday when we're nice and loaded ;) It's in New Zealand, and used to be a fishing lodge back in the 20's and was transformed into a luxury retreat.

"The main lodge boasts a mix of country antiques and woven wool carpets and fabrics, and features a roaring fire each evening. You can dine almost anywhere on the property- the terrace, library, wine cellar, riverbank, or cozied up in your room. The twenty identical and spacious guest rooms line up along the river...bathrooms have glass ceilings that look straight up into the soaring trees. When you aren't lounging in your chaise along the river, try heli-fishing, horseback riding, river rafting, or sailing."

After hearing that description, who wouldn't want to go???

Photo-opoly

I don't even really like playing Monopoly (I have an abiding dislike of really long, drawn-out games. Risk is out too!) But, this version really sounds fun. Photo-opoly allows you to personalize your own game with your family pictures!! This would be so fun to put together and then bring to a family party or reunion. It would make a swell gift idea too!

Gonna Be a Bear

My dad emailed this to me today and I thought it was so funny! Sorry it's so small...hopefully you can still read it!

Bright and Beautiful Indeed

I can't get this picture I saw on All Things Bright and Beautiful off my mind. I love it! It looks like it could be the cover of one of Libba Bray's books! And the flowers are gorgeous.

Today I Learned...

-That saying "we should do..." is not an effective way to get your husband to do something. Even when he agrees with you about whatever you think should be done. Even though it sounds slightly less bossy, it usually just translates in his male mind as you will do it since you brought it up! (Which is why his dad's b-day card was still sitting on the counter, stamp and all, when I got up this morning even though I left it on top of his wallet last night after my "we should mail this tomorrow" statement.

-Doing a one-year-old girl's hair is pretty much a waste of time. Cute pigtails that took about 10 whole minutes to do because of a constantly moving head end up looking like this after a nap...

and then like this after I took the trouble to re-do them - I can't decide which looks more crazy...no, actually, I think I can. But you know what? I'll keep doing her hair anyway even though I'm fighting a losing battle.

-I can still get really excited over simple things which I think means there's a little kid part of me inside that won't ever die. And that's not so bad. It's kind of fun actually.

-I am a good multi-tasker. Translation: I read while doing almost everything else because otherwise, I wouldn't read and I can't bear to give it up!

-Even with a newborn that is up at night, and a one-year-old that is going all day, I am still a night owl even though, for my own sanity's sake, I should just go to bed!

Atonement

I read this book by Ian McEwan in college and really enjoyed it. (My husband teases me that I've read the book of ALL the movies coming out lately!) I was intrigued by the style of writing, and the ending really took me by surprise. The movie is already generating a lot of Oscar buzz. I'd love to see it and form my own opinion. Too bad it's rated R. Love Keira Knightley's dress though!

The Sweet Far Thing

Just picked this up and am so excited to see what Libba Bray has in store for Gemma Doyle in the third book of the series! It's nice and thick too! I love a good, juicy read.

Katie's Newest Talents

So I actually managed to get a short video on our digital cam (we so need a video camera - anyone know where you can get a decent one for a reasonable price??) of Katie's latest talents. I thought it was so cute that I would attempt to share it. I've never posted a video before, so we'll see how I do! It's so crazy to realize that your baby is such a little person already and is learning so much so fast!

New Year and New Shoes

We are back from spending New Year's with Michael's family in Spokane. It was a super fun visit and we enjoyed seeing everyone. It was especially fun to watch "the birthday twins", Katie and Ella, play together (and cry together when we tried to get them to pose for a photo shoot- I can't wait to see how those pics turned out!) I also scored some way cute shoes for only nineteen bucks at Buckle while we were there- saaaaweet! Happy fresh start everyone and good luck with your dreams and goals!