Growing through trials

I've been trying to slow it down this year.

Attempting to BALANCE my life out a bit.

Savoring the delicious little moments that occur when I'm rushing from one thing to the next.  Actually having the sweet little conversations with my kids that don't happen when I'm yelling and threatening and cranky and irritable and, and, and...

Well I just finished a book that I have been reading slowly, steadily, and with lots of thoughtful intention.  

I had my staff photographer take this picture:

And this one:

And also this one that has my whole face in it.  Almost.

I wanted to pose a question.  It is really a statement from the book that I, in moments of clarity and bitter-ness-less, completely agree with:

"I have grown much more through my trials than I have through my successes"

- James Bryan Smith

Do you agree?  

Do you look back and recognize the hardships/tragedies/loneliness/etc... were also times of personal growth?  

Please do not take this as a diminishment of your struggles.  Rather, a 20/20 hindsight that may reveal a silver lining? A strength you never knew you had? A closeness to God out of pure necessity?  A receiving of help or love that you might not have allowed before?

 The Good and Beautiful God

by: James Bryan Smith

In particular, I have grown to believe that my marriage difficulties can be beneficial to myself and others.  I have grown closer, more dependent upon, and have developed a greater understanding of who God is through my worst, WORST, times.  Additionally, being the emotionally transparent individual I am, I *think* that my discussion of these worst times with other women has helped in some way.  Helped them believe they are not alone, helped me to build trust and friendships, and helped my own marriage grow to be a little more 'normal" (whatever the heck that means).  

As I read through my notes I have taken from this book, I really want to share some.  Let me know what you think!  Do you disagree?  Do they cause you to pause and think?  Are you angry?  Encouraged?  Doubtful?  Faith-induced?  Thinking I'm cray-zay?  Let me know!

• "Jesus reveals a God who does not demand but who gives; who does not oppress but who raises up; who does not wound but heals; who does not condemn but forgives." (p.84, Brennan Manning)

• "This is what God wants most of all.  He wants to serve us, to see us feast and rejoice in his goodness. One day we will serve others, but only as a response to God's love, not motivated by guilt." (p.107, Smith)

• "A marvelous and mighty paradox: the death they thought to inflict on Him as dishonor and disgrace has become the glorious monument of death's defeat.  Though they tried to kill Him in shame, the cross stands for all eternity as a symbol of the glory of God." (p.138, Smith)

• "You were meant to house the fullness of God" (p.162, John of Kronstadt)

That amazing list is why I slowly absorbed this book. Yet my slowness made space to not be completely overwhelmed by the depth of content; and why I am forever changed.  

Lots of love,

Stacey

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

It's What We Do, a book review.

A ragtag bunch of ladies get together to drink.  wine.  then tequila.  

Then decide to form a book club.

SUUUUPER hardcore partiers.

Not just any old book was chosen, either.  A pretty tough one, as far as subject matter goes.  It is The Last Lecture, by Randy Pausch.  You know, the guy who endured my GREATEST FEAR OF ALL TIME.  (see a past blog post about that here.)

The book was created after Pausch delivered one lecture in a series of "Last Lectures" at Carnegie Mellon University.  Many professors have, and will, give theoretical Last Lectures - ones where they are asked to ponder life and present what information would be the most important to divulge IF it were their last lecture ever.  In Pausch's case, it truly was his last, as he had been diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer.

VIEW THE LECTURE HERE.

I really follow this dude's positive approach to life.  He is definitely a "Tigger" and not an "Eyeore".  He has time management all figured out.  He has a nice BALANCE between hard work and lotsa fun.  

The book is easy to read; most "chapters" are a mere couple of pages.  He throws out his opinions on how to truly live life, an example or two, and wraps it up concisely.  

So many good ideas, so many fabulous reminders to adjust focus to what matters.

My beef is that there are TOO MANY good ideas.  It is hard for me to focus.  I guess the overarching theme is to not sweat the small stuff, don't sit around on your butt, but rather DO things that matter.  

I ran across a Jane Austen quote the other day that I think adequately sums up my take-away from this book.  The thing that I am planning to make my focus:

"It isn't what we say or 

think that defines us, 

but what we do."

Not bad inspiration resulting from a bunch of rag-tag wine-os.

Have a lovely day DOING,

Stacey

What to do with all those Christmas Cards:

Do you have a wall in your home that looks similar to this?:

No?  

Oh, me neither.

I'm not lying!  Saturday night (yes, it was January 25) my homegirls came over and brought their piles of Christmas cards/pics.  Then I (finally) took mine down & we DID SOMETHING WITH THEM!

Isn't it grand?!

For the past few/several years I have been copying this exact same layout multiple times over to scrapbook the lovely Christmas cards I receive.  I'm not quite done with this years', so here are the photos from my 2012 cards:

 (sorry for the creepy blurred heads, but I didn't feel right about putting so many people's 

faces/children unknowingly out in "The Internets")

I've seen various documentation others have done with these cards.  Many people keep them all in one album.  A Christmas card album with several years' worth of cards in there.

But, although I make scrapbook pages in no particular order, I store each page chronologically in my albums.

If this looks like something you'd like to try, I will give you some simple steps to follow along:

1. Gather all of your cards/letters/pictures.  Separate them into those 3 piles.  (I usually throw out the cards, unless there is a personal note inside)  
2. Ruthlessly trim down all the photos - cutting out the cute bench/tree/old barn door and sometimes even their full length bodies. 
3. Sort the trimmed down photos into piles.  You don't have to do this, but I usually have all my family on the first pages, close friends second, and then all our other friends and acquaintances later.
4. Choose 2 patterned papers.  Trim paper into 3x12 inch strips.  Adhere to the bottom of your cardstock.  
5. Choose 2 washi tapes.  I recommend choosing ones that contrast with your paper, in order to stand out.  Adhere onto cardstock just above the paper.  (In 2012 I glued down a sequin ribbon between the paper & washi tape)  Use a thin strip of paper, ribbon, or other trim as another option!

6. Adhere down your photos.  Some tips: I start with big photos in the bottom inside border & build up and out from there.  Also, notice that the margins between each of the photos and the washi is all the same.  This space gives rest for the eye and provides a sense of order with all those photos!

7. I use a label punch to punch out how ever many of the medium size labels that I need (one for each photo).  I used a gold vellum in these photos.  I have used either cardstock or a very subtle patterned paper in the past. Use what you have! Then I write (in Sharpie) their family's name on each & adhere to the photo.

8.  For the easiest embellishing ever, I used the Heidi Swapp Color Shine (this is a liquid paint in a tiny spray bottle) in Gold Lame to sprinkle on the pages.  It dries in tiny little circles of gold dazzle.  It seriously trips me out - the goldy shimmer.  Aaaaanyhooo....

9.  Lastly, I build a simple pocket page for my letters and cards (and photo cards I find hidden by my children in the couch cushions when I actually clean them out in June or so...).

• I trim a patterned paper down to 6x12 inches.  
• Use one of the washi tapes across the top of the patterned paper.  Then place adhesive right along the very edge of both sides and the bottom.  NOT THE WASHI EDGE, of course.  
• Stick it down and you've got yourself a pocket!
• Neatly stuff all your letters/misc items in there.

 Voila!

I hope this helps you in some way.  Helps you get your photos off the wall/out of the basket/out of the garbage can :)

I can tell you that my life is so much smoother when I have a plan.  And this simple plan for what to do with my Christmas Card photos makes me happy and feel accomplished.

Have a wonderful day!
Stacey