Finished Project #16. Mod Podged Boxes.

So much for finishing at least one project a week.

Next year, the goal will be,

something else like,

finish 25, 39, 41 or 42 projects in a year.

Life happens when you make other plans 

and life has been happening at a rate

not conducive to arbitrary and possibly unrealistic goals.

I had these two boxes.

One was an adorable Christmas box

and the other one was just a plain brown one.

I had some Mod Podge.

I had some wrapping paper.

I made the boxes cuter.

Use better quality wrapping paper

if you Mod Podge anything.

Using thin paper makes it complicated

 and the paper can tear easily.

It'll do.

Here are some things I loved this week:
I adore that Emily Henderson.
So talented.
So simple and charming. And here too.
This is so brilliant. And this. And this.
They went to Iceland and shared some pictures.
Must. Go. There.
Cheerful.
Words to live by. And here.

Love this music! Of Monsters and Men!

I have seen this band a few places around the internet.
They are from Iceland!  I have seen a few things about Iceland around the internet,
television, and magazines.
I'm thinking we need to go to Iceland, one day! It looks more than spectacular!
You'll love this band!
You're welcome!

Life according to my i-Phone.

Actually, these photos are from over a week ago.

Not many pictures lately.

 Must. Take. More.

The Three Amigos.

Last week Davis went with his two friends

to a trampoline fun center and had a blast.

This is one of the first times he has gone somewhere

with his friends

and stayed.

He frequently talked about it

and excitedly planned for me to take him

and his two friends there again on Tuesday.

He was so excited that the night before he went to bed early

and woke up early worried that he would sleep in too late.

He was happy as a jumping bean

jumping, swinging and trying new tricks

And those two friends were close at hand.

I adore those two friends of his.

They are not always available for him.

How can they be, they are teenagers busy with life,

work, other friends, sports and the other things teenage boys do.

Yet, they frequently make time for Davis just to hang out.

Sometimes they will just sit

with Davis while he plays video games.

I sometimes have to remind Davis to let them have a turn.

Sometimes he will all of a sudden say out loud,

"ok I'm ready for you to go home now."

And they cheerfully will leave and say,

"thanks for letting me come over!"

He is frequently awkward

in his own sweet quirky way

but these boys don't seem to notice or even care

(I know they must notice but they never act like it).

A few years ago Davis would call a list of boys 

almost every single day to see if they would play with him.

And every single day those boys would tell him no.

These two boys can't always play

but sometimes they will come over and even ask if Davis is home.

Davis will sometimes even go to their houses.

These two boys, consistently over many, many years,

 have made time for a special friend.

 These two boys make a 6 foot 3 inch boy and his mother so happy.

I will always and always be forever grateful for them!

Friday.

 #2 Daughter on left with her dear cousin.

We went to the wedding and reception 

of our cute nephew and his beautiful Bride.

My father generously watched Davis 

most of the day so we could go.

He later brought Davis and #1 daughter

to the reception.

We also got to spend time with just the two of us

in between the wedding and the reception.

Like a real date

which sadly doesn't happen often enough.

They had a photo booth at the reception.

What a great idea!

Little Miss Sunshine was there too

and she LOVED those cupcakes!

 

Interruptions

Do you read Rockstar Diaries? 

You really should.

They are adorable!

Today she had a guest blogger

because she recently had her second child.

Here.

She is amazing in her own right.

LOVED the post!

She had such a great quote called Interruptions.

INTERRUPTIONS

When you are exasperated by interruptions, try to remember that their very
frequency may indicate the value of your life. Only people who are full
of help and strength are burdened by other persons' needs. The
interruptions which we chafe at are the credentials of our
indispensability. The greatest condemnation that anybody could incur -
and it is a danger to guard against - is to be so independent, so
unhelpful, that nobody ever interrupts us, and we are left comfortably alone.

-Anonymous
from The Anglican Digest

AMEN!

 

Life lately, according to my iPhone.

 Family Home Evening at a beautiful park

and the guys are metal detecting!

 Even tho this park is about 35 minutes away from our house

we live in a beautiful valley

and we feel lucky to live where we do!

 These flowers were just on the side of the road.

Beautiful!

Adventures with Davis.

We went up Payson Canyon to Maple Lake.

It was our first time up to this lake

(we've been up to Payson Lake)

and it is only about a half an hour (or just a little more) away.

A little hidden gem!

Davis found two very very small specks of gold!

 

Sticky Green Stuff.

Little Miss Sunshine was eating a frozen confection

and loved every little bit of it.

But boy was she a mess when she was done.

While the Cats away, the Mice will play...

Don't worry.

We stayed out of trouble!

Mining Tour = Heaven for a 6 foot 3 inch Boy!

Months ago we went to a RV show

(just for fun).

There was a Nevada Tourism booth

and they had information about a 

Mining Expo being held during the first week of June.

In Elko, Nevada.

Yes.

Elko.

Yet, it sounded interesting to Davis

and we put it on our calendar.

Jeff and Davis left early this morning.

Jeff was able to get a special tour for Davis

at a HUGE mine close by.

They even gave them their uniform.

They made a big boy very happy.

Thank you!

Thank you!

Happy Birthday!

Well, her birthday was actually yesterday.

We took the two of them 

(and the rest of the bunch)

to dinner Monday night.

It's hard to believe that she's 22

and married!

This adorable pair have been through the wringer recently

and are a sweet and amazing team.

I love you!

 

Saturday's Family Adventure.

We went out to lunch 

just the four of us

at a Cajun place close by.

We then ended up driving all the way to Sundance.

I LOVE riding their ski-lift up the mountain

in the summer

but someone boldly refused.

So we drove up Squaw Peak

and marveled at the valley

 and mountains around us.

Breathtaking.

All pictures taken with my iPhone.