Right now

Right now.

Right now I am reading a book called "Tell the Wolves I'm Home" by Carol Rifka Brunt

while waiting

Waiting for my Silhouette die cutting machine to make the most beautifuly lacy papel picado Save-the-date cards for my BFF's wedding.

Waiting and thinking.

Right now I am waiting and thinking.

I do a lot of this.  Well, not really a lot of waiting.  But a lot of thinking.

Some things I am thinking about right now:

1. How I have a lot of aquaintences.  But not a best friend.  I like to think and talk deeply about real things, so I'm probably too much to handle.
2. I really like my UGG boots.  So warm.
3. Blaine's first day of recovery from yesterday's hip surgery has been stellar.
4. I hope I'm not jinxing him for tomorrow.
5. I am really grateful for my project on gratefulness.  It helps me focus on the good, rather than my SUPER negative focus all all things bad.
6. My gel nail polish is so cool.  It really does last for so long.  
7. I'd like to get back to my book now.

Just thought the internet wouldn't be able to rest without knowing what my brain was processing just now.

Right now.

Muah,

Stacey

Project Life: weeks 1-5

EEEVVVVEERRRrrryybody's doing it.  At least it seemed like everybody but me in the scrapbooking world was doing Project Life scrapbooking.  It is a simple system of getting your life documented: doesn't involve any scissors or glue.  Just slide your pictures into these 4x6 or 3x4 inch pockets.  Slide the cards into the other spaces and voila! - scrapbook!

It is a system created by Becky Higgins.  I mentioned in my New Year's resolution post  (HERE) that I was going to start with the new year... AND I DID!!  

The book is a binder (super easy for putting pages in and out of).  Above is my title page.  I am using the Midnight Edition of the Project Life card sets.  It is black/grey/white with pops of yellow, so it is very neutral. 

Aaaannnd it just so happens to match our little Christmas card photo shoot by the Uber-talented Patty Schmidt Photography.  So I used those pics for the cover: perfection!

Week one was so full of photos that I used a small insert page in order to include all the shots I wanted. I mean, we WENT TO THE ROSE BOWL! (Go Stanford!)

I'm not sure if the rest of 2014 will quite measure up to the first week: NYE at the Harmons', Rose Bowl, followed by three nights of scrapbooking at Cousin Patty's house!

Probably not.

Additionally, I'm attempting to document 1,000 blessings (Inspired by the book 1,000 Gifts by Ann Voskamp).  You'll start seeing my lists show up here in Week 2...

A little note on how this whole scrapbooking "Live in the NOW"...

1. It is made possible by the advent of the iPhone.  Probably 95% of these pics are taken by the camera I have with me: the one on my phone.
2. It is made possible by the Canon Selphy printer (I have the CP900).  They have an app that allows you to wirelessly print from your phone.  SO. EASY.  The quality isn't stellar with the phone picture + home printing, but it is DONE.  And I am all about getting it done.

So there you have it: Project Life.  I really enjoy traditional scrapbooking - it is "my thing" for sure.  But I was getting weighed down with an entire scrapbook page for me to tell these daily moment stories.  I like that they are here, documented, saved, cherished - REAL LIFE moments.  And when I have a longer story to share, an event, or something that I really want to stand out, then I can take the time to be artsy and wordy and take up as much space as I want.

And now that I already have documented January 2014: it feels so so good.

Maybe this would be an easier, less stressful way for you to document your family's story?  Many people do it monthly, or with no time restraint at all.  What do you do?

One thing I will encourage is to print those pictures.  Get them in your hands.  If you have time, jot a note on the back.

I bet you love coming across photos of yourself, your parents, and other loved ones that help you know more about your/their life.  I do!

Let me know if this helps or hinders you today!

Hoping it helps,
Stacey

Gratefulness, a project about true love

So the bible says "Rejoice in the LORD always.  I will say it again, Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all." (Philippians 4:4-5)

Even today?

Even when I'm feeling cranky, complainy, and totally off my rocker?

Yes.  I suppose so.

I have been keeping a little notepad by my bed.  Remember by goals for BALANCE and GRATEFULNESS??  So, rather than mindlessly scrolling through Facebook or Instagram (more than I already do), I've spent the last few minutes before bed writing down things I'm grateful for from the day.

Here are my notes from the past week:

Feb 5, 2014 (#91-98)

• time with Clark at Target
• "Stacey, you're creative. Can you help me?" -spoken by two friends I ran into at Michaels.
• an invitation to a Pizza Factory lunch with Minda & Elliott
• The kids' excellent quiet time reading, each with a STACK of books.
• Piano lessons: jane beginning playing with two hands!
• Haley babysitting so I could...
• ...relax at yoga!
• staying up late crafting and planning and plotting.

Feb 6, 2014 (#99-115)

• Lisa
• Rain
• Coffee
• Tea
• Boots
• Umbrellas
• Garages
• Legos
• Dentist
• Floss
• Clean Sheets
• Cuddles
• Patience
• Craftiness
• Warmth
• Planning
• Teaching

Feb 8, 2014 (#116-117)

• Jane's super excited smile and talk throughout the getting ready for the father/daughter dance, leaving, coming home, and getting ready for bed. It was SOOO sweet. Im proud of Blaine for being there for her and for participating.  She loved it!
• Clark & I having our own little stay-at-home mother/son date.  He chose to watch the "Airshows from Above" movie (my dad's airshow & helicopter team DVD).  It was so cute, his "Awesome!" this and "Awesome!" that throughout.  We were both thrilled to see Grandpa Jim on video.  I am so grateful to have this to remember him through.

Feb 10, 2014 (#118-131)

• being alive
• the Olympics
• being inspired by so many Olympic stories
• being inspired by the "because of mom" commercials
• being DONE with the MOPS make-a-meal project 
• moms showing appreciation for the meals
• Marisol requesting my help for save-the-dates
• Clark's silliness
• Jane wanting to cuddle
• Patty/Alli/Cory #bookclub
• Having medicine to put on my giant chin cyst
• Enough $ in the bank
• Diane, Argie, Lisa & Kandice cleaning up during/after MOPS today
• being blessed to watch those servant-leaders in action.

At first, I was wondering how in the world I would be able to list 1,000 gifts in 2014???  It turns out, I could probably list 1,000 gifts every single day.  I am receiving them... but am I really noticing them?  This listing practice is helping.  

Although I am still terribly ungrateful, I'm opening up my eyes.

Join me?

gratefully,

Stacey

Studmuffins

 My house is cold.

Outside is cold.

So I am dreaming of Bass Lake...

... and that time when we were all chillin' on the dock...

... and started doing sweet jumps into the lake...

... and photographing ourselves...

... just having fun...

... and being silly...

... or even a little timid...


This is one thing I love about my family.  We (usually) don't take ourselves too seriously.  We are moms, we are dads, we have serious jobs, we have lots of responsibilities, and ....

we are STUDMUFFINS.


Enjoy doing something silly today,
Stacey