INVICTUS

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One of my life-long best buds happens to be my cousin, Lenita. I love her.
But actually, this post isn't about her.
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It's about her hubby, John Keller.
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Every family reunion includes an evening of jamming and singing along with the guitars of some very talented family members. John happens to be one of them.
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My favorite song he plays is one that he wrote while he was dating Lenita. She was young and uncertain...he was in love and...very certain. Poor John channeled all of his angst into this super, amazing original song.
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They eventually worked through the excitement of dating, (Isn't dating the worst? So much drama!So many emotional highs and lows! It's exhausting to even look back on. Reeeally glad to be married is all I'm sayin'. Anyways....) got married, and now have 2 beautiful little ones with another on the way. They are a super couple.
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Please listen to it. Don't automatically assume it reeks of whiny, emotional, broken-hearted crap. It really doesn't...a reason I like it so much. It deserves be be spread far and wide until a music producer picks it up and makes them obscenely wealthy.

Press that little play button below and ENJOY!
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So, what do ya think?
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IN OTHER RANDOM NEWS

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Good evening, and welcome to another post of random, insignificant news in the life Rexburg, Idaho.
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1. Well, this is all that is left of my tulip bouquet.

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Obviously, even these guys aren't gonna last much longer. Hopefully the ones outside will be blooming before the end of the month.

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2. I love the view of this tree from our kitchen window. I have an entire collection of random pictures on my computer that I've taken after stopping in the window to admire its splendor. Sadly, the camera fails to capture its wild beauty. Every single photo seems to look like a regular 'ol tree.
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3. I laughed out loud today when I realized my pile of dirty laundry is currently as tall as I am. Literally.

I did not include a picture of this for several reasons: a.) It's embarrassing and b.) It is too difficult for me to look upon without feeling very, very tired.
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4. These are the neighbors dogs...the neighbor's dogs who are allowed to roam free and poop when never and where ever they happen to feel the urge. Unfortunately, that urge seems to arise too often, on our lawn.

I hate their stinkin', discourteous guts.
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We've discovered that yelling, screaming, throwing things, and making loud noises doesn't work. They simply return the moment we leave. So, our strategy has changed. We will now earn the dog's trust, lull them into a false sense of security, and then...
EAT THEM FOR DINNER!!!
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WAHAHAHAH!
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Okay, fine. We're still working on the details of our diabolical plan. All suggestions are welcome. And don't automatically rule out anything that includes a paintball gun, a bazooka, and/or shovels.
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P.S. It's best that you don't mention anything about how cute they are. This situation has rendered us unstable, and at this point, eating YOU for dinner has not been entirely ruled out either.
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5. Oh, and in other random news...the other day, we were given a car. For free. As in with no payments. As in a '98 Miata convertible.
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Here's Andrew having just driven it home from work that first day. He doesn't look all that pleased now does he? I think he's in love.

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I'm not sure what to do with it. I mean, we can't drive it. It deserves to be in commercials and Hollywood movies...not transporting us to buy bread and milk from the local, small-town grocery store.

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But I'm sure we can find some use for it. How about a country drive in the spring? How about a summer star-watching date with my sweetheart? And why do I have this sudden, passionate desire to take a drive down the Oregon Coast when school gets out? Cow-a-bunga, baby!

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Anyway. Until next time, this has been another post of Other Random News.

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HOW ARE YOU FEELING TODAY?

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Isn't this poster great? I have it hanging in my classroom.

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At the present moment, I feel:

exhausted

depressed

shy

frustrated

anxious

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Wow. I should have picked a different day to post this. I sound like such a downer. It seems to stem from everything that isn't "home" right now. All I want in the world are navy blue sweat pants, leftover Easter Cake, and my man. Let's just say, Spring Break should have been another day.

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But don't worry--It'll probably change in a few hours. That's one of the joys of being a woman. My moods rise and fall with the tide, my friends.

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Anyway...How 'bout you?

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SPRING BREAK DAY 1

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I just lay in bed enjoying the morning until 9:00. Then I got up and ate cookies for breakfast.

This was partly out of celebration(no work), partly because they were easy access on the table, and partly because no one would have to deal with the hyper sugar rush that would follow, but me.

At least until 5:30.

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I recently used my Christmas gift card at Barnes and Noble, to buy a certain favorite movie of mine. I tried to watch it with Andrew last night, but fell asleep around 9:30. I think Spring Break has been a long time coming.
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So this morning, I watched it again. Okay, fine.
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Twice.
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The second time was with commentary.
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But the day wasn't entirely unproductive. At Barnes and Noble, I had also bought a recipe binder that now needed to be put together. My stacks of hastily scrawled note cards have quickly become unruly. It took both viewings of Nemo, before all of my favorite recipe cards were carefully organized.
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After a lunch of (ahem) cookies, I sat in the window, pondering with delight the green splashes beginning to appear in random corners of our lawn. But then, I watched as unexpected snow flurries worked to cover them up. Not even our tiki torches escaped the new blanket of snow.
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Spring: so close, and yet so far.
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But then, our friendly, neighborhood UPS guy saved the day with an unexpected delivery!
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Someone must know me very well. Oh, how I love tulips!
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I was happy to be celebrating spring indoors, even if Mother Nature wasn't cooperating without.
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Alright...this may be getting extreme. But I can hardly help it! I love them. As I type this, I pause every few moments, just to gaze at the vase sitting next to my computer.
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Yes. Somehow, the tulips managed to find themselves in this photo as well. But I did mention how I love them, right? Anyway...I digress.

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A few hours later, Andrew greeted me at the door, bearing the contents of our mailbox. This included a much anticipated package from a much admired dress-making-company! (the contents of which, will have to wait for another post...)
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Now I am off to deal with this sugar-induced headache . I think a candle-lit bath is in order. Note to self: Make oatmeal for breakfast tomorrow.

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Until tomorrow then!

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LOVE THE BLOG

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*The Koivisto Blog Header

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So, I want to pass on another favorite blog of mine. (Why not pass on a good thing?) See that guy up there? That is Jyri. He is an old friend/FHE brother from 4-5 years ago. His lovely wife, Katie, is seated next to him. I only met her once...briefly at an Albertson's grocery store back when they were engaged...an event, I'm guessing, she has no recollection of.
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However, I have been following their blog for a few months now, and I love it. Let me share why:

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1. Jyri is from Finland. Katie is from Kansas. They recently graduated college in Idaho before moving across the world to Finland, where they are pregnant with their first. I am drawn by the interesting and often humorous perplexities that arise as a result of their very different cultures. (You should read the post about picking a baby name. American or Finnish?)

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2. Every post title is written in English and Finnish. It's a fun, creative way to see the progress Katie is making with the new language.

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3. The thought of being a new, young wife, pregnant with my first baby, and living across the ocean from everything familiar is so terrifying, that her confidence and good humor captivate me. It's like those extreme sports videos on YouTube. No matter how horrifying the content matter is to the fear center of my brain, I can't look away. Her bravery is the coolest.

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4. Katie is a good writer. Funny, clever, and honest. Plus, I really am a fan of short, sweet, and to the point.

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5. Her daily problems and experiences are so different from my own...and yet somehow, so similar. It's fun to peek into the life of a woman living through the same stage of life as me...yet on the opposite side of the planet.

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Intrigued? Go check it out HERE. Hope you enjoy!

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LEPRECHAUNS, STAIN GLASS, AND SAGUARO CACTUS

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This month we are charting the weather on a daily basis. Is that old saying correct? In like a lion and out like lamb? Or is the other way around? We're going to find out.

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Everyday we vote as a class. Was the weather more like a lion or more like a lamb today? Then we take the winner from the pockets on the side and pin it in on that day's date on the calendar.

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These pictures were taken a few weeks ago, but so far, our prediction is correct. March has generally been quite lovely(think 40 degrees as opposed to 10 degrees). And according to the weatherman, we're going to have rain and snow these last few days.

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We've had these Lucky Leprechaun Rainbows hanging up all month. Super easy and pretty. I created a full tutorial HERE. 

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And because I am far behind, here is February's craft. Just "paint" tissue paper onto wax paper with a glue-water mixture. Once dry, cut into the shape of a heart and add a construction paper border..
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They look stain glass-ish in front of a light. Try hanging them in a window!

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Learning about pronouns the last couple of weeks. Super simple bulletin board to get the kid's attention and help them practice replacing nouns with a pronoun.
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Our curriculum's story of the week was "Alejandro's Gift" and set in the Sonoran Desert. I grew up there, and it is my personal opinion that not many places in the word compare in beauty. As such, I went all out with the desert theme. Hopefully, these Idahoans didn't mind.

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Each student made their own saguaro cacti out of construction paper, then added tissue paper, cactus blooms and rice spines. Took them only 10-15 minutes.

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And because you got me all homesick for the Sonoran, here are some pictures in honor of that incredible place. Nowhere else like it.

None of these pics are mine. I borrowed them from the Internet.
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Desert springtime blooms.

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Superstition Mountains at sunset. Favorite place to hike in the spring.
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Over and Out.

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LOOK WHAT I WON!

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A $60 dress from Shabby Apple!

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I had never heard of Shabby Apple, before I saw it on the blog, Love Actually. They were hosting a giveaway of one of the dresses, so I explored Shabby Apple's website to see if I was interested.

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It was love at first sight.

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An entire collection of super-classy, feminine, and {for the majority of them} modest dresses. When I saw the 500+ comments after this give away post, I had no real expectation of actually winning.

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You can imagine my surprise when I saw THIS. Thanks, Love, Actually! I never would have been able to justify this much money on a new dress.

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Here are a couple of my other favorites from the website. I know I sound like a commercial or something. But, just think of it as one friend, passing on something she loves, to another friend.

Andrew and I are supposed to go on a hot date when the dress arrives in the mail.

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I think that can be arranged. ;)

*Oh, how I pray that that dress is long enough on me!
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I REALLY DO LIKE TOAST.

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Press that little play button and take a minute to listen to this. How could a song about toast, accompanied by a banging toaster, be a disappointment? I promise it won't be. If this silliness doesn't make you grin for even a second, I'll send you 20 bucks.

I'm tellin' ya. Funny stuff.

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PLAYING HOUSE

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*Rachel Meynder's Blog Header

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I've been meaning to bring up the blog of Rachel Meynders for awhile now. It's my favorite. She's a hip, LDS, stay-at-home mother of 2, in the Portland area. Her blog makes me happy for several reasons:
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1. She paints such a beautiful, honest picture of what young, every-day family life is really like. It's not always easy, fun, or glamorous (think along
the lines of baby barf and laundry) ...but she still manages to find joy, humor, and artistry in even the simplest of situations.

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2. She can make me laugh, smile, cry, sigh, or think deep thoughts. I like the mix of silly and significant.

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3. Rachel gives depth and distinction to the homemaker's life that I appreciate in this cynical society of ours.

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4. I love how she can transform the mundane into something truly entertaining. Like, the shoes she wore to the grocery store? Or last night's
dinner? Somehow, she totally makes me care.

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5. I like her pictures. They're unique. Often times, they have the ability to tell the entire story or convey the overall mood without any words whatsoever.

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6. She's creative. She'll occasionally post fun crafts, recipes, etc.

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7. She keeps it simple, short, and sweet.

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8. She blogs every day. I like being able to count on the fact that she'll have something new and different each time I check up on her cute family.
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I thought I might as well pass it on to you fine people. Hurry and check out the blog HERE now! I bring it up because Rachel is going private on Sunday. If it looks like something you'd like to stay in touch with...leave her your e-mail for an invite. She's super chill about it. As she said in her last post:

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"Let me know if you want in on this action! Whether I know you or not. (don't feel weird if I don't, we all blog stalk.)."
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I see blogs of note, give out 'awards' to other blogs that they deem worthy of recognition. I experimented with an award button that turned out kind of pretty, I guess. I just couldn't find a way to word it that would appear in any way, I don't know...desirable. I mean, I do not have a blog of note. Why would anyone want to advertise that they've been acknowledged by little 'ol me??

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I mean, seriously.
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So, sorry Rachel. No fancy award. Just know:

I think your blog is pretty darn cool.

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TUESDAY NIGHT MEETINGS

7:38 p.m.

House to myself a couple more hours

pajama pants and cozy socks

hair pulled back in to pig tails

Sliced apples

Crunchy peanut butter

Quiet reading time

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Pandora for company

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8:45 p.m.
A date with Billy Blanks and my TV

(That's right. Don't want to mess with me in a dark alley.)

11:36 p.m.

Andrew's home!

Late-night snuggle and goodnight kiss

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Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

(That's Andrew snoring, by the way)

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OH, WHAT FUN!

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On Christmas Eve, Mom arrived from Arizona! Here, she and Becca chat before our family Christmas devotional.

The Ashmore family has a fun Christmas Eve tradition. Everyone gets to unwrap a new pair of pajamas. Then, we open a new family game and play it together! We've tried to carry on the tradition, but we've modified it to better match our means. We unwrapped fun, new socks instead! Becca loved her Snoopy socks. She's a Peanuts fan.


Mom's fun foof-ball socks

I loved my Christmas-y socks.

(This picture was not supposed to be dirty...but I've just had to learn that when Andrew's around, photos won't ever turn out the way I expect.)



Our game this year was Settlers of Catan! Hooray! We also played hours worth of our favorite card games in pj's and new snuggly socks.

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I guess we had a lot of fun on Christmas morning, because I didn't even get any pictures! The only one I have is this one that Andrew took in our living room mirror. But boy did we ever rake in the loot. That giant TV you see isn't ours. If you recall, we were babysitting it for someone. We've since had to return it to its owner. We were resigned to the fact that we were going to have to back to our little, teeny, tiny TV forever...So you can imagine my surprise when while standing in our front doorway, a special friend of ours handed me a bow the size of my head ("Here. hold this.") and proceeded to carry in the awesomest 40 inch flat screen TV you ever saw!! Holy Hannah!

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Andrew got that jacket with gift card money. I can't find the words to describe how studly my husband looks in this getup. I also got a tripod for my camera (yesss!) and Andrew got some fancy shmancy new scriptures.

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And The Grand Finale: Andrew made me this bed and these nightstands to match! My husband actually built these in a friend's wood-working shop! I am still recovering from shock at how beautiful it all is! I can't believe it! It would cost thousands of dollars to buy a bed like this at Pottery Barn...and Andrew put 'em all together for hardly anything. Aren't they gorgeous??!

(Erin made me that beautiful quilt draped over the chair below for Christmas. Perfect colors.)

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Check out the beautiful knots all over the wood.

It was a very happy Christmas.

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