Thursday, May 19, 2011

Pinterest {my new interest}

A.K.A. My Favorite Things...

Who has heard of "Pinterest?"
Well, it's my new MAJOR interest, and I'm
already hooked.
I've seen this across blogs and
facebook, but my friend
Whitney invited me this morning
and I've probably spent a total of
2 hours on it already...great. Not so great.
But that does go to show how WONDERFUL it is.
As Pinterest describes it...
"it's a place to catalog the things you love."
It's kind of like another social network,
but you "pin" anything and everything you
ever saw and love on the
internet to your "boards." Your boards can
consist of your home ideas, your style and
clothing, any products you love,
cooking & baking ideas and so on.

Here are some things I've found and posted on
on my different boards:

{It wouldn't let me switch my pictures around, so sorry they're out of order}

This is in my "Products I Love" board

These items are in my "For the Home" Board

Oh this bed and headboard is my dream.

This item is my "Products I Love" board and it's
the most amazing leave-in hair product
that you will instantly fall in love with!
And these are also in my "For the Home" Board
This CHAIR!

Tell me you love this couch and pillows! They are made out of old sweaters. Amazing.

So! It might sound confusing right now, but if you'd like to be invited, just ask me or if Whit if you know her...and then explore away on the website! So much fun!

Love, Whit

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

The Grapefruit Syndrome

A couple weeks ago I was preparing my visiting teaching lesson and came across this article in the Ensign again. I remember reading it when I was single, (it was originally published in April 1993, but is a favorite so they have re-publihed it) so it didn't have much meaning since I didn't have a husband yet! Now that I do, I can apply it to my own marriage and I think it's the cutest story. I love it. So I read it to Dane for our FHE lesson and expressed to him how much I love every little thing about him. Now days, if I make a small complaint he says, "Grapefruit Syndrome, babe." It's a fun little reminder that the "taste of marriage" can always be a little sweeter.

{"As a young wife, I learned that the taste
of marriage could be sweeter if I
didn't focus on my husband's faults...}

My husband and I had been married about two years--just long enough for me to
realize that he was normal rather than a knight on a whit charger--when I read a magazine article recommending that married couples schedule regular talks to discuss, truthfully and candidly, the habits or mannerisms they find annoying in
each other. The theory was that if the partners knew of such annoyances, they
could correct them before resentful feelings developed.

It made sense to me. I talked with my husband about the idea. After some hesitation, he agreed to give it a try.

As I recall, we were to name five things we found annoying, and I started off. After more than 50 years, I remember only my first complaint: grapefruit. I told him that I didn't like the way he ate grapefruit. He peeled it and ate it like an orange! Nobody else I knew ate grapefruit like that. Could a girl be expected to spend a lifetime, and even eternity, watching her husband eat grapefruit like an orange? Although I have forgotten them, I'm sure the rest of my complaints were similar.

After I finished, it was his turn to tell the things he disliked about me. Though it has been more than half a century, I still carry a mental image of my husband's handsome young face as he gathered his brows together in a thoughtful, puzzled frown and then looked at me with his large blue-gray eyes and said, "Well, to tell the truth, I can't think of anything I don't like about you, Honey."

Gasp.

I quickly turned my back, because I didn't know how to explain the tears that had filled my eyes and were running down my face. I had found fault with him over such trivial things as the way he ate grapefruit, while he hadn't even noticed any of my peculiar, and no doubt annoying, ways.

I wish I could say that this experience completely cured my of fault finding. It didn't. But it did make me aware early in my marriage that husbands and wives need to keep in perspective, and usually ignore, the small difference in their habits and personalities. Whenever I hear of married couples being incompatible, I always wonder if they are suffering from what I now call the Grapefruit Syndrome.

By: Lola B. Walters

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

My Beautiful Mother's Birthday...

If any of you know my Mom...You will agree with the following. First of all, my mom is beautiful. She is so stylish, so stylish that I love to shop in her closet every now & then. Her closet it amazing. My mom is a woman of service. One of the quotes she always had by the calendar says, "As long as you love, you serve. As long as you serve, you love." It's definitely something I have strived to do, thanks to her for implementing it into our family. My mom is so funny and a joy to be around! I love being with my mom. She really has a sense of humor that just makes you want to laugh with her nonstop! She is CREATIVE. My mom has an eye like you've never seen. She can write the cutest poems in the world, scrapbook anything, and even hang pictures on the wall perfectly, ha ha. Oh, and my parent's new home, she decorated it. She should start her own business and be an interior designer. My mom is so caring, loving, and is an example to everyone. My mom and dad love each other so much, and you can just see it. She is an example of love! I strive every day to follow in her footsteps. I would LOVE to have every quality she has...Happy Birthday Mom! I love you with all my heart!
We ate at MACARONI GRILL. Yummmm.
Baby Camille (my niece) & My mom


Cute Mom & Dad...

My dorky brother & husband & me. I just love them! Ha ha.


Case & Marla (my oldest brother)

We missed Cub, Em, Colb, Steph and the other kids!

Mom & some of her grandkids! (Carsen, Camille & Scotty)

The present Scotty picked out for G-ma all by himself! He wouldn't leave until he saw it hung up-so my Mom replaced it with something already hanging, ha ha.

After dinner we went to Jaxon's b-ball game that Dane coaches. John Schmidt's son plays with him, so we invited them over for cake & ice cream. And then...he played "Love Story." Oh, he played! It was unreal & it gave me the chills! I tried posting the video and it didn't work. I'll figure it out. But he is one talented man and he was fun with the kids too. I want him to come back and play for FHE and play more than one song, ha ha. AMAZING. It was a good ending for my Mom's birthday.

Happy, Happy Birthday Mom! You are the best & we love you!

Friday, February 4, 2011

TEXAS...the best present ever.

My sister,Steph had her very first baby on December 13, and I was just heartbroken that I wouldn't be able to be there to meet and greet baby to the world, or to be there for my sister. I knew that flight tickets would be pricey so I never asked once to fly out to TX, well maybe I did, but I just did not think it could happen...being Christmas time and everything. It's a busy time of year. Well, on Christmas Eve, which was my birthday, Dane sent me off to bed around midnight so "he could wrap all of my many, many, many presents!" He didn't want me to get a "sneak peak" of anything that was being put under that tree. So, I tried to fall asleep while things were running through my mind and what kind of things he was wrapping...taking two hours! I finally drifted off to sleep, and he came to bed...it was almost 3 am. The next morning we woke up and he said, "Ok babe, I have something I want you to open before you walk out of the room..." He reaches over to grab an envelope...{I feel like this sounds like a proposal story, ha ha.} He hands it to me, and I get all shakey. I open it and he says, "read this first." It says, "Merry Christmas my Love, It's our second Christmas together. Can you believe it? Well I know you were hoping to get lots and lots and lots of presents, but I hope you can forgive me because I only got you one. I hope you like it. Love you." Then I open the next paper folded up..........

It was a TICKET TO TEXAS!

Oh it was a happy, happy moment! Dane was so excited, and he bought the ticket the day baby Keller was born! He kept it a secret the entire time, and the only people that did know were my mom and dad, and then it got to Steph, which she wasn't supposed to find out about, ha ha. But that's ok because it was a surprise to her that day. It was the best thing to be able to fly to TX and finally meet my nephew. I left December 27 and stayed for 4 days...back in time for New Years. What made it better is that my parents and Jax were leaving the same day! ...different times. What could've made it better is if Dane could've come! We had such a fun time and I can't wait for Steph, Colb and baby Keller to come on the 19th!
Keller Colby Stringham
Born December 13, 2010
Weighed 6 lbs.

First time meeting my newest little nephew

My sister's first baby!


Diaper changing...

Keller & Grandpa (my dad)


Some more diaper changin...

We were there for his first bath!

All clean! Ha ha I LOVE this picture...

Doing some shoppin in TX!

And eating in TX

They ZONKED out so fast, ha ha...the new parents!


It was so much fun to fly to Texas and meet my adorable nephew. I love him so much. A part of me almost didn't like going, only to be sad to say bye! I loved seeing my big sister as a Mom to her first baby. She is a perfect example to learn from! Colby is such a cute and protective Dad too. They make the perfect little family and I am so happy for them, and happy to call them mine.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Christmas...

Oh Christmas...I absolutely love it. What is better than the spirit of giving? I truly look forward to this time of year. Spending time with family, reflecting on our Savior's birth and enjoying the season while shopping crazily in time for Santa to arrive! I have lots of pictures of my nephews, and I noticed that as I was uploading them, but that's what makes opening presents so exciting! I can't wait to have kids...anyways, here are some pictures from Christmas at my parents and Dane's parents...

...Christmas at the KELLERS...

My mom & Dad and the grandchildren, except

we are missing new baby Keller who is in TX!

Grandma K talking to the boys about their presents! They

were listening very carefully, so cute.


Every Christmas we draw names between the old kids and the grandkids...My sister-in-law Marla had Dane, and she got him the perfect gifts...A shrine of MOUNTAIN DEW everything! It was the funniest thing ever! He was in heaven. He loves mtn. dew...4 bottles of mtn dew, a mtn. dew key chain, mtn. dew lip gloss, mtn dew hat, and mtn dew glass cups! Satisfy him with some dew and he is a happy man. Hilarious.

The boys reading their new Christmas books

in their new Christmas pajama's...


I adore these boys...



...Christmas at the NELSONS...

My MIL opening her new Itouch!!


Brad & Julie got us the KINECT...sweet!! We LOVE IT.


Lots & Lots of presents!


And the aftermath of all the Christmas present
opening at the Nelson household...



We hope you all had a very Merry Christmas...spreading Christmas cheer for the all the world to hear!

xoxo

My Birthday {Christmas Eve}

My birthday actually began on December 23...my sweetheart of a husbandand Mom & Dad took me out to Cheesecake Factory! Afterwards, Dane sent me into the Mall to buy a birthday outfit. That was really fun, too. Of course.The mall is happy place, so why not spend some time in there for your birthday??
Me & Dane on my BIRTHDAY!

Opening some lovely birthday presents!


With my beauty of a mother!

Camille & D.C. Cuties.


The Christmas stocking I came home in the

day I was born...and now my newest nephew, Keller, has one too!

Turning 23 was an eye-opener. I have lived for 23 years! That just seems crazy. It has definitely been a good 23 years, and I had such a fun and special day. Having my birthday on Christmas Eve is the best. I HONESTLY love it, and if you don't believe me, ask my husband or my family, or my friends. They will tell you I LOVE IT. Ha ha. Hey, double the presents...but you have to know, Christmas presents in Christmas wrapping ON Christmas day...and Birthday presents in Birthday wrapping ON my Birthday...So, all you mothers who have kids whose birthdays are close to Christmas, that's the way to do it and then they will love it too!
Also, another good thing about having a Christmas Eve birthday is the reminder of our Savior's Birth.

XOXO

Thanksgiving...

Yes, Thanksgiving was 3 months ago, oh well. Atleast I'm reaching my goal of getting caught up, right? I am grateful for motivation. It was a fun Thanksgiving day for sure, and it was the first at my parents new home. Being with family is always the greatest thing in the world. I love it.
I am grateful for my husband.
I am grateful for my family.
I am grateful to be apart of the LDS church.
I am grateful for my education.
I am grateful for mine and my families health.
I am grateful for good friends.
For a home.
For Food.
For clothing.
I am grateful for happiness, faith, and love.
I have SO many things to be grateful for, I could go on & on.
Hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving (3 months ago...)

My nephew D.C. & I...

My mom & Kyson making the yummy, famous biscuits! YUM!
Camille loves Uncle Dane!

My nephews Carsen & Scotty & Me!

Cousins on the Keller side...

Grandma Keller with the famous pomegranite salad, so good!

My parents preparing the FEAST!

Give Thanks Everyone...Even if it's not November!

...xoxo...