New in Livs' Room

The gilder we have had since baby Bentley arrived:

pictured in its butter cream glory with my tiny 2 year-old Cares back in 2008

The glider after a colorful update
(my amazing birthday gift from my parents):

All I had to do was choose out the fabrics, drop off my old cushions and let Calico Corners handle the rest.

I love this striped trim and bought extra fabric to make a small lumbar pillow for the rocker (haven't made it yet because I want it to look really good...and I have never sewed a pillow with a zipper before...daunting).

Thank you mom and dad--I love my "new" glider!

Latest Reads

Who hasn't read these yet, right? Joseph read them last summer and ever since I have had the books sitting on my bedside table. Why it took me that many months to finally dig in I honestly don't know--maybe I was overwhelmed by all 3 books stacked up together or maybe I knew once I started reading it would be hard to spend my freetime doing anything else.

While in Phoenix I finally started reading and in 2 weeks I was done with all 3. Done and done. They were great books with a very cool storyline--which I especially enjoyed in book 1. I just wish that after all those pages and all that occurred between Katniss and Peeta that the ending could have done them some justice. I am definitely a romantic and expect great drama and powerful moments between people in love--which the last book failed in miserably. One paragraph to describe how they end up together was not enough--I'd prefer a whole chapter, thank-you.

Anyone know when the movies are coming out? They could be captivating...

Temple FHE

Following President Monson's counsel, we read some sections of his talk from conference for FHE last night and then snuggled around my laptop and looked through our pictures from visiting various temples so the kids could each choose one to hang in their rooms.

Bentley's

Caroline's

Olivia's

From President Monson:

To you parents of young children, may I share with you some sage advice from President Spencer W. Kimball. Said he: “It would be a fine thing if … parents would have in every bedroom in their house a picture of the temple so [their children] from the time [they are] infant[s] could look at the picture every day [until] it becomes a part of [their lives]. When [they reach] the age that [they need] to make [the] very important decision [concerning going to the temple], it will have already been made."

Our children sing in Primary:

I love to see the temple.
I’ll go inside someday.
I’ll cov’nant with my Father;
I'll promise to obey.

I plead with you to teach your children of the temple’s importance.

The world can be a challenging and difficult place in which to live. We are often surrounded by that which would drag us down. As you and I go to the holy houses of God, as we remember the covenants we make within, we will be more able to bear every trial and to overcome each temptation. In this sacred sanctuary we will find peace; we will be renewed and fortified.

Bentley's Weekend

Such fun for this little guy the past few days! Joseph surprised him Friday morning by getting him all packed up in the car, ready for school, and then driving not up to the school but up to The Canyons for his very first ski day. Kids ski free with a ski rental (for $25) and Joseph just hung out with Bentley on the little kiddie hill all morning. I hear it was certainly a learning process--our Beans does not like to be anything less than awesome when he tries new things and gets easily frustrated when it takes some practicing. Good life lessons awaiting my little man on the slopes :)

My guy was a huge fan of riding the gondola and
hanging out in the orange chair lift turned bench

On Saturday Bentley and Joseph joined my dad and Ethan and Will for a Cougar football preview practice and some tasty lunch at Brick Oven down in Provo. Beans was (is always) in heaven hanging with his cousins (and his daddy too).

To Try

I'm listing a few sites that have sewing/crafting ideas I'd like to try so I can gather them in one place and close the random internet windows clogging up my dock:

1. Fabric keychain

2. Camera Strap Cover

3. Pom Pom Headband

4. Binky Chains

5. Magnetic Paper Dolls

Some that I have already tried but will be going back to because I love how they turned out:

1. Small Oilcloth Bags

2. Peek-a-boo Toy Bags

How darling is this collection of bags? This picture alone has made me crave polka dotted fabric (i.e. my kids PJ pants last month)

3. Kids Aprons

My aprons weren't made of oilcloth but I still got my inspiration from the link above. I don't have pics of most my creations because I keep giving them away!

My goal is to use the material I already have for some more fun creations before I go out and purchase more...who thinks I'll be able to stick to that plan?

Easter Egg Trees

For FHE last night, we had a little lesson on Easter. Joseph helped the kids think of many reasons why an egg is symbol of that holiday (it holds new life, is pure white like the Savior, it symbolizes going from darkness to light...)

Then we created our own paper egg ornaments to hang on craft trees as decoration around our house (and hopefully a little reminder of what Easter is all about). I borrowed the paper egg ornament idea from my sis--such an easy craft for small kids and so colorful in the end.

the aftermath last night (but how we do love crafting around here!)

Soccer

Practices and games are back on the calendar. It makes life a little busier but the exercise is so good for the kids. Neither or them really love the sport though--so we're planning on some new sports starting in the summer and fall (like golf and swimming and basketball and ballet...oh boy...)

Caroline's game:

It was quite cold at 9:00 in the morning so Cares snuggled up with her Daddy to keep warm


Bentley's Game:

By 10:00 it had warmed up considerably as the sun came out

This is his newest "smile for the camera" pose...hmmm