Less Is More

Sadly, shamefully, I was so tempted to not go to church today. I had some pretty "good" excuses too but I am so glad I went because I truly feel like the adversary was trying to keep me from hearing what I really needed to today. The kids were extra tired and busy today but I think the things I was meant to hear most were at the times my kids weren't so distracting :)

I've had a whole mixture of thought processes that have led me to this decision lately but I have just felt the need to truly "hibernate" with my family. Poor  but also lucky at times  Stuart has to still venture out to school and face the COLD  mainly literally  world. Life seems to get busy even with two small children who aren't even in school. I have been thinking about how nice it is having them at home with me and being their main influence. AND to not have to venture out in this bitter weather every morning if I choose not to. That I have every ability to limit how chaotic extra stuff can get. I told Stuart a while ago that I don't even know why I feel spread thin. That there have been busier times and life will only get much busier as they get older. Hopefully my thought process makes sense.   Anyways, the lesson we had  today just reassured me of my decision and how lucky I am to even have this option.  How important my role is as a wife and mother to literally help make (or break) our home. It's so easy with young kids to get overwhelmed at times with trying to discipline and give all your effort and attention to mulitiple human beings. To make sure they are not only alive but providing all that they need to thrive. I am just so glad they are still young so that when I fall so much shorter than where I want to be that they are still there to love me and forgive me. Never felt remotely nervous about teenagers until recently. :/  

On a side note, Kohen just got his new movie in the mail the other day. We try to reinforce only church things on Sundays in order to help keep the Sabbath day holy. Today he finally got to watch it. He memorized the first two Articles of Faith a few months ago but number three is probably going to be a little tougher so I ordered this dvd a few weeks ago to help him continue his good work. He really likes it and feels like it's his special movie. Don't tell him, but I don't feel like it was my best purchase. Not awful, but not great.

Tonight after dinner and baths we decided to draw pictures of "church things" which quickly turned into pictures of animals but when I didn't draw a gorilla very well it turned into drawing our dream house ....according to Kohen. It was fun and actually something we've never drawn before. He would tell me about things he wanted and I would draw them. They were all outside things like a dog. A fence so the dog wouldn't run away. A swing...well maybe 6 swings so that everyone has one and some extras. A tree...an apple tree to be specific. Miley voiced her little opinion on this one too and said, "Apple...mmmm" while nodding in approval. A tree house. Clouds, a sun, grass, ...the necessities.  A pool with "a little pool like Gramma and Papa's house with a jump thing" a spa and a diving rock  Then he decided it wouldn't be complete with out family. And according to Kohen's picture, apparently my whole family and my brother's dog and his Nanny and Papa Rupp are all going to live there too. What a great excuse for a very big house :)

 I also talked to Kohen about what would happen if he were on fire and of course told him to Stop, Drop and Roll. Maybe it's different now? So much has changed since my childhood After I showed Kohen, Miley got the biggest grin on her face and decided it looked like fun. Which of course turned into a kissing the baby/wrestling session. 

I LOVE my littles and the little things

I love my kids, quite a lot and quite obviously. And although I am still an avid journal writer, blogger on occasion and definitely a photographer of my kids lives and their small moments woo that was a lot I feel like I am still letting their adorable and priceless moments slip through my fingers. I know I can't record every stinkin cute thing they say or funny thing they do but am I the only one who can't seem to stop my obsession with trying? I feel like I am living in the moment and totally enjoying it but still feel sad at how fast it is going. Like actually sad! I just don't want to forget, you know?!

Anyways, as I was writing in my journal tonight about things I LOVE about the kids and funny things that happened today I thought I'd make it blog post official.

-I love how Kohen calls Miley his best friend and they truly act like it. He is so loving and caring towards her. And Miley is just as affectionate most of the time. They'll hold hands together, play together, always share with each other, hug each other. Seriously, it's melts me watching them act so sweet and loving to each other. I know it's just kids and their natural instinct to be that way but when it's your own kids and when they definitely have their moments of fighting and picking on each other it's nice to see.

-I love how Miley tries to do what Kohen does. Like when they sing together. Adorable!

-They have their little routines and things they like to do together. Like hold hands and walk out to the living room together when they wake up. Or sit by the fireplace and warm up. Or talk to each other. Or cuddle/wrestle. Or play cars and dress up. I remember hearing my mom and other moms talking about how neat it is to see their children not only be siblings but FRIENDS and love each other. I understand and couldn't agree more.

-I love how excited Kohen gets about every holiday. He's at such a fun age! I say that with every age, I know. I have always loved to do corny/cheesy crafts and themed meals with everything but it's even more fun when you have an excited little 3 year old always complimenting you, thanking you and saying things like, "Oh sweet! It's like Balentines(valentines) day"  or  "I love strawberries. Those are my favorite!" with SUCH excitement that it's contagious and addicting.

-I love seeing their personalities develop and interests change. Kohen has hit the stage might have been in denial for a while where he loves BOY things. Big boy things to be specific. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Superheroes, ... And although he still has his sweet innocence and likes younger things like Bubble Guppies and Disney, he can't help but do "sweet ninja moves" every chance he gets or protect us from bad guys. He's always been a thinker. A contemplater. But it still amazes me the things he thinks about and comes up with when I just talk to him. He is still so thirsty to learn a lot too that it's fun to learn things with him and see his curious little mind think.

-I love Miley and how she is truly a smiley Miley one minute, a major tease and fightsy and stubborn the next. I was telling Stuart I need to seriously start reading about this personality type because the two's will sneak up before we know it.
She really is the funniest little tease though! She melts Stuart 100% so I can see I will have to be the strong one here. For a little pip squeak she is full of personality.

Ok, I better stop here. But I couldn't stop obsessing about my my little loves and their little things they do that I love. Plus it's much faster to type than to write it all out by hand :)

New Places and Spaces

We have moved our fair share of times since we've been married and with each move I like to make a post about our home and favorite parts of that home. One of my biggest motivations while moving (which has never been easy being 9 months pregnant, with a 6 month old, 3 months pregnant with an almost 2 yr old, with a toddler and a baby, .... AND usually by myself since Stuart's always been busy with school) is the thought of being able to decorate the new place and make it our new home. I've always like diy-ing and revamping the stuff I have to make it fit our new space. And when I didn't have what I needed (and because I have quite a while before I'll get a budget for this hobby of mine) I'd hit the clearance rack or thrift store.

Place #1- Boise ID

               May 2009-June 2010

               We loved that it was located in downtown Boise. I loved the somewhat modern feel to it.

               And what we love and remember most about it were our turquoise walls. The bedrooms were                      small but we loved the kitchen and of course the fact that it was our first place together and it was                  so fun every time we got visitors! Such fun times!

                         

Place #2- Clarkston WA

              June 2010-January 2011

           Stuart had gotten a job that would allow me to stay home with our very soon to be born baby, so of course we took it. It was very sudden and Stuart actually had to move there to start work and was in charge of picking out a place to live. He found this cute little house and he and his mom even planted flowers to make it homey and cute when I arrived. This house brings back so many good memories as well (and spiders...too many spiders). This is the home we brought our sweet little baby home to. We became parents and developed a different role as a family with me no longer working. Kohen and I spent countless hours just to ourselves (one car and Stuart was gone ALL THE TIME with school and super weird/long work hours). The house itself was tiny and in a sketchy part of the neighborhood but it brings back so many memories of cuddling, playing, trying to get a shower in once in a while with a baby that didn't sleep longer than a couple minutes, the steam from the shower setting the smoke detectors off, walking to the Walmart (only safe walk even though Kohen would scream and make me carry him), visitors... 

We had a sweet neighbor who immediately befriended us and made us feel welcome. My favorite part about that house was the kitchen. I loved the 50's style window/curtains right where I washed the dishes. It made washing dishes a pleasant experience (except at night, then I was ooberly creeped out). And I liked how nicely my dishes looked in the cupboard. (Since there were seriously only two cupboards) 

                 

Place #3- Lewiston ID

               January 2011-April 2012

     This apartment brings back so many good memories as well. Kohen did so much growing up here. It's making me sad as I write this and am reminded at how fast the kids grow. He went from a baby to a toddler and did a million funny things in between that just melted us time and time again. We also loved how nice and light this apartment was and the much bigger closet and storage than our past places. And, being car less more often than not, Kohen and I walked around the neighborhood a ton and had our little routine. I miss walking in that neighborhood with elderly people always stopping us to chat or wave. 

We've made so many good friends since we've been married and in every place we've lived. I'm so grateful for that. I LOVE Facebook for allowing me to stay in touch with most of these friends. But this place in particular came at the right time for me. We made new, fun couple friends as well as mommy friends (aka Mom therapy).  It was a new stage of life for me.We had another great ward and great family experiences here and I was sad to move from this place.

 

Apparently all of my photos from this place are on my other computer. 

Place #4 Lewiston ID

  April 2012-May/June 2013

Our rent was going to be raised and we were spending more than our gas budget allowance in gas so we opted to move closer to Stuart's school. (Seriously only a mile or two away). But we loved this apartment as well and loved the change of scenery.  Although, once again, time flew by so quickly. We moved here at the beginning of my 2nd trimester and spent the summer SUPER busy! Stuart was still working full time the weekend swing shift, and when he wasn't, he was studying for his DAT Dental Admission Test AND doing full time research for the school to help pay for dental school applications costs. We did sneak away for a few back to back vacations to see both of our families. And then next thing we knew it was almost baby time. :) We brought our little Miley Marie home to this apartment and created our family of four memories. Kohen became a big brother and we somehow not only loved him even more but found room in our hearts for another little one. Once again, good times. We spent so much time visiting our favorite park there and it makes me sad that I won't see it for a long time. 

             

  

   

 

 

Place #5

Chicago Suburb IL

August 2013-2017 

Usually when I move I get "home" set up as quickly as possible. I don't know if I am just too busy or Pinterest has me going so crazy for ideas that I can't do anything (money would help, I'm sure) but I just haven't done much since we moved in. And yet things have already changed since Christmas time. But here are some photos to get an idea. 

 Since we plan to be here for four years and continue to grow (and because it was one of the cheaper places we found) we are SO SO SO glad we have a nice apartment. Especially me. It's perfect for entertaining and we literally have friends over every week.

Recognize these? These were wedding gifts and originally black. Felt like a change.

 This candle was originally something ridiculously expensive for a candle BUT it was marked down to $2.80 because it has a small chunk out of the back.

These trees started out as a project for the kids to decorate but since 

they got distracted with something else (and it took some effort rolling cereal boxes) I decided I'd appreciate decorating them more :)

 We have lots of temples that have significant and personal meanings to Stuart and I. (And that's narrowing them down). I'm sure we'll have a lot more to add to the list eventually.

 I painted my wall blue (the lighting is weird...it's actually a dark blue) ALL because several months ago I found some super cute plates on major clearance and before we even moved here I knew the colors I was going to decorate with. After valentines I'll probably whip them out. I've been saving it to help cheer me up during the winter months.

 It's SO nice having a big kitchen! We saw these apartments before Stuart even got accepted here and I fell in love with how nice this apartment was and how big the kitchen was. I use/have a lot of kitchen things and love to entertain so I was so happy we got this place.  I love that I even have a spot for my cake domes and candy dishes.

 I've always made/had a fruit platter but this time I made it with square plates. It's my favorite. 

When we first got married I found a bunch of cheap frames that I painted (one I turned into a chalkboard a couple years ago) but only a couple have held up all these moves. So I was happy when I stumbled across that awesome HEAVY duty mirror at the thrift store for $8, painted it white and love having it there to help brighten up my kitchen. Plus it lets me watch the kids in the playroom while I do dishes.

THE KID'S ROOM

I made or found everything for super cheap but I won't go into the details because who really cares?? But I get a thrill out of it if you haven't noticed from my other blog posts in the past. It's fun to pull my resources together and make it unique and home.

 Kohen's corner. I still need to make him a bedskirt but it's obviously not a priority. He's a little boy and I have better things to do. But I do plan to finish it up and make it more boyish to help compensate for the pink in the room. 

 The kid's room is always much colder than the rest of the house so we moved Stuart's parent's electric fireplace to their room for now. And since I have a billion cute pictures of them together and some paper/canvas I just made a temporary wall collage ...thing? haha

 Over Miley's bed is a chandelier I found in Lewiston at a thrift store for $2 and so I painted it gray and made hot pink poufs and punched out circles out of glitter paper to make it a mobile idea. The sign was one of the very first things I did when we moved here but it's going to get a redo since when I made it we only had a couple dollars in the account so I just used what I had. (Letters and glitter spray paint). 

 The front entry/computer desk. I should have waited to take pictures when my house was clean and 

de-cluttered but I knew I would forget.

 The apartment came with a gas fireplace. Pretty nifty huh? It's nice BUT we can't use it. It's totally an open flame and no matter how we've thought to block it we don't want to risk our kiddos getting hurt or the apartment burning down. So we are hoping to get them to shut off the gas line and take it out so that we can put Stuart's parent's electric fireplace there. 

You may have noticed our beautiful new TV if you can see it haha  Stuart got some graduation money and with my awesome deal findings he was able to get a smart tv and a nice grill. We aren't big TV people and none of us really watch much of it so we honestly don't care that it's considered smaller. We just feel more up to date now :)

 This was also one of the first projects I did when we first moved in. I had seen an idea on Pinterest similar to this and knew that wherever Stuart got accepted, this is what I'd do. I have a love/dislike relationship with my bedskirt. I bought some super cute frilly fabric and just hot glued it lightly onto the box spring but I may redo it one of these days.

Still have lots to do.

 Ignore the storage in the corner This is the kids art table and Miley's vanity table. In case you are wondering what the clutter on the wall is, it's Kohen's chore chart, his letter of the week, and his nursery projects he comes home with. He's so proud of them and loves telling me about the lesson that week every time he sees them. How can I not hang them up?! I had some old frames that I had painted when we first got married but since they were cheap to begin with they were totally falling apart. So I painted them and added a clip to make hanging up his stuff easier. 

 All the toys and dress up wall. 

I love their little chairs. Ignore the one that says Sean....oh wait, you can't even see it. Anyways, Kohen had earned some money and wanted that chair at the thrift store. I love how they sit in their chairs in their little reading nook together.

I decided before we moved in that I was going to figure out a way to keep a playroom. It's far less messy and stressful than having toys all over the house. And it gives them a room to be messy, creative, ... a KID. I love it! It's crazy how our toys have seemed to triple in the last year. Thank goodness for grandparents and aunts/uncles!  

I forgot to take a picture of the bathrooms but they look the same as the other houses anyways.