2011 February

Of Cookies and Family History… Happy Birthday Week Dad!

February 25, 2011 7 Comments

Happy Birthday to my dad! This is his present this year – He gets to redeem it in a few short weeks. 🙂

Homemade bread, pancakes, chili and oatmeal raisin cookies were all recipes I mastered at a young age. The cookies were for the benefit of my dad. Of course he shared, but those are his very favorite. They are the kind I remember most in the cookie jar growing up. I also remember whenever there was a darker batch he didn’t complain. They tasted quite good crunched up on top of a bowl of oatmeal. “Even the queen of France doesn’t eat oatmeal cookies for breakfast!” he would say after eating a bite. Whenever he visited me at college I made a huge batch of oatmeal raisin cookies – partly to make sure there would be enough for the road. It made the parting easier to send a little of my love with him.

When he and my mom were in the MTC, there was no question what I should send in a care package (that and Jr. Mint brownies for my momma). They even had enough for their long road trip to serve their first mission in Chicago. 🙂 Now they are serving in Salt Lake City at the Family History Library:

Photo and following quote taken from Church News on the 25th Anniversary of the Family History Librar y:

“When the Family History Library in Salt Lake City was dedicated in 1985, President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008) said the structure—then called the Genealogical Library—was a “companion structure to the temples of the Lord.” President Hinckley, then serving as Second Counselor in the First Presidency, petitioned in the dedicatory prayer that the library “may be used by multitudes to search out their kindred dead that the necessary ordinance work may be carried forward in thy holy houses, with both genealogist and temple worker cooperating to the accomplishment of one glorious end.”

{A virtual tour is available. In person is even better. :)}

I must admit I am happy I get to hand deliver the cookies this birthday. A few weeks late, but it will do.

Speaking of their mission, I loved my dad’s email this last Sunday (February 20th). He sends one every week with a wonderful highlight from his service that week. I love all of them.

Here’s an excerpt:

“Saturday we were working on the International floor. I had been helping patrons with Norway, Sweden, and NewFamilySearch, and Sister Gedeborg came up all excited and said she had to show me something. She went to Ancestry.com and clicked on a new section they have on International. I had only used them for United States and Canada before. In there, she took me to Europe, then to Sweden. They had the Swedish Parish Records images there in Ancestry!! I looked up some I am familiar with, and it was pretty exciting. Just then I was asked to help a young couple from France. He is on business in Laramie Wyoming for a year, and had come to see Temple Square. They just had some names, with no dates, as they hadn’t planned on doing family history. We tried the pilot site (now the www.familysearch.org homepage) but found nothing except some Italian immigrants to the US with that name. We went to the Wiki, which was good, but no solid leads. Then I remembered the new info in Ancestry.com. We went to Europe, then France, he typed in his information, and up came his great-grandfather and his family. I was so amazed. Sister Gedeborg had only showed this to me ten minutes earlier! I could hardly wait to tell her. This proved to me once again that although we must prepare ourselves so we can recognize what the Lord is talking about when he inspires us; in the end, it is his work – and we are just tools in his hands (sometimes sharper than at other times). The Lord obviously knew the French couple was coming, and prepared us quickly to be ready. We appreciate so much all your prayers for us. They are being answered.

We hope you have a wonderful week. I know we will. You are always in our hearts and prayers.”

I love how much he loves his mission. I love that he and mom are working hand in hand. Or computer by computer. Love how they complement each other and are excited in their discoveries. Love my dad’s sense of humor. Love how he knows his week will be wonderful. Then again, how could he not? It is his birthday week after all!

Happy Birthday Dad!

{retro coupon from Martha. Cut apart and revised. Altered with love. ;)}

Filed Under: {happy times}, {holidays and celebrations}, {one little word}

Happy Day?

February 22, 2011 7 Comments

Here’s a fancy take on the classic “check yes or no” note. A “choose your own greetings” card, but backwards because the giver gets to pick the sentiments and even the punctuation. 🙂

Who doesn’t love to be told they look dapper? Or wished a day full of scrumptious shenanigans? {I might have had a lot of fun with the wording.}

This card is based on a Nintendo ad at Christmas time.

But more girly and yummy. And promoting friendship instead of a DS. 🙂

Card made using Think Spring papers and journaling cards by Splendid Fiins, added to the Jessica Sprague store yesterday.

A special thank you to the fine folks at Skittles, for coming out with a new bag of flavors. Just in time for my photoshoot with the happy rainbow-y card.

And the packaging in my color of the year? How thoughtful, thank you!

Filed Under: {digital happiness}, {happy times}, {Jessica Sprague}

{flashback #4}

February 15, 2011 5 Comments

beautiful Valentine-y brushes by Rhonna Farrer

This photo was taken on my first Christmas. I believe it is at my Grandma’s. The window looks familiar, but I mostly know because it is her handwriting on the back of the photo.

I love this photo. My parents used to always dance around the kitchen when we were growing up. Sometimes my mom would push the kitchen table to the side of the room and we would have the whole connecting kitchen and living room to dance in. I remember thinking it was soooooo cool that my mom would ask us what dance moves were “in” at the time and then totally bust them out with us. She could do a mean running man. So fun. I also remember my dad teaching me how to dance and standing on his feet so I was a little bit taller. So many of my siblings are amazing dancers. They are fun to dance with – and watch. But enough about dancing. I want to focus on how sweet it is that my parents took the time to dance together often. When dinner was cooking… after Dad finished the dishes (He did them nightly. Still does. That’s love too!)…morning…evening…whenever a good song was on…when there was no song at all. Beauty. I couldn’t think of a better Valentine’s day photo.

Reminds me of Elder D.Todd Christofferson’s talk. “A consecrated life is a life of integrity. We see it in the husband and wife ‘who honor marital vows with complete fidelity.’ We see it in the father and mother whose demonstrated first priority is to nourish their marriage and ensure the physical and spiritual welfare of their children. …The consecration of many who have gone before us and others who live among us has helped lay the foundation for our happiness.”

Thank you Mom and Dad for the years of dedication to each other and your children. We are truly blessed because of your love!

“In like manner future generations will take courage from your consecrated life, acknowledging their debt to you for the possession of all that truly matters.”

Which is one reason why we have cleared out our kitchen. I did it one day to mop the floor, but we realized without the extra furniture in there we danced a lot more. All of us. And we want to continue that tradition.

Now, here is my very favorite part. Here’s the pull-back from the above photo. The uncropped version. In it’s beautiful 70’s color. I love that there is that yummy Christmas chaos going on. Toys and wrapping paper and children. Yet they are wrapped up in each other. I need to do more of that.

Filed Under: {flashback friday}

Photobooth Phun

February 7, 2011 2 Comments

Years ago I saw a photobooth album on Elsie Flannigan’s site and thought the idea was sooo fun-loving. I have a few photo strips I’ve collected over the years – the one above is from the mall in Twin Falls, Idaho where I used to shop growing up. The photobooth was not there back in the day, but it was when we visited in 2007. I have one from Chicago with Jim Bob, and one with my sister at a KMart years ago. And there are so many more that can be created digitally. 😉

When I saw Linda’s Hybrid Friday Project I knew it could be adapted easily. What a suh-weet tutorial too. So well done! I loved learning not only how to bind a book, but the terminology as well. Signatures? Stations? I feel smarter already.

Little Book of Favourites – Hybrid Project Friday, by In the Making Design

I was a little intimidated at first because I didn’t own all the materials. So, I’m gonna let you in on a few hacks. The cover is a cheerio box. Covered of course, but not fancy or expensive. And that nice waxed linen thread? Not sure where to find that, but waxed dental floss works well in a pinch. See?

And it’s minty fresh. Now, I can’t guarantee the lasting quality of the “thread”. It did help me learn the technique though. A technique I will definitely be revisiting.

Especially in the future when we have fun with this app, Pocketbooth:

And this review is helpful, to get an idea of all the features:

I love all the possibilities for backgrounds with the “photobooth” being so portable. Yes, there might be a whole series of these books.

And for fun, here’s a little peek at the inside back cover of the album above:

I love this patterned paper. Makes me happy for when the weather is a little warmer. There is nothing I love more than hanging clothes on the line, with the sun on my back. mmmmm.

Filed Under: {digital happiness}, {Jessica Sprague}, {tickles and smiles}

To: You… Love, Me

February 7, 2011 1 Comment

Remember these photos?:

Prettied up a bit by these designs:

Splendid Fiins: love yooo photo frames
The Queen of Quirk: Love: Me papers and accents
Lauren Grier – Layered Up in You Edges

And this journaling: “One of my favorite things to do on vacation is jump on the bed and be silly with you.”

A perfect valentine-y layout for my love.

p.s. My layout was featured on Saturday on the DigiLovely blog. I love seeing someone else’s perspective of my layout. Especially when it’s so sweet. 🙂

“This layout jumped right out to me because of the fun photo booth-type frames. THEN I looked closer at the photos and just giggled … how FUN are those photos?!? Not only do I love that this darling couple loves to jump on the bed together, but that they capture those fun moments {and amazing splits} so they can look back on it and *smile* This is the ultimate point of our scrapbooking and storytelling and I love it!!”

Thanks Kari!!

p.p.s. He totally wins in the splits contest. 🙂

Filed Under: {digital happiness}, {Jessica Sprague}

Pure sweetness…

February 7, 2011 1 Comment

Sparked by an idea from Martha’s site to use CD sleeves for goodie packaging. A little waffle cookie, some chocolate drizzle, cinnamon hearts… pure sweetness.

I also used these to send a little birthday happiness in the form of peanut butter truffles to a dear neighbor. Four big truffles filled up the clear window nicely. Many other possibilities, for both the labels and fillings. Anything that warrants a little peek-a-boo. Confetti holders? Special crayons with customized labels? Recipe cards? Good thing I got the 100 pack. 😉

In the Making Design: Indulgence Elements (cupcake & quote)

Sweet On You elements (journaling tag)

Filed Under: {digital happiness}, {Jessica Sprague}

Chrysalis & Consecration

February 6, 2011 5 Comments

{Seeing as it is Fast Sunday, testimonies have been on my mind. Besides the sacrament, the things I miss the most from Sacrament Meeting, when I’m home with sicky little ones, are all the testimonies that are shared. I have had a lot on my mind the last few days and wanted to put part of it in writing. For our family and friends, for future family, and for myself.}

One of my resolutions this year is to read C. S. Lewis everyday. It has been one of the easiest resolutions ever. I adore his writing. I do not have any trouble starting my morning study time with Jack. I read that is what his family and friends called him. I want to be in that group. Which leads me to the next question – Do you think there will be a huge line in heaven waiting to meet him? I imagine so.

The easy part is being motivated to read his writings. The hard part is sometimes understanding. His writings are a lot like Elder Maxwell‘s to me. I read a paragraph or two over four or five times. And then I feel like I might be catching a glimpse of what they are describing. And the glimpse is so worth the effort. I read “Mere Christianity” a few years ago and adored it. “The Four Loves” is waiting on my headboard. What I am reading now is “A Year with C. S. Lewis” that Jim Bob gave me for our anniversary. It is a few paragraphs a day from various books that C. S. Lewis has written. Perfect for me. It leads right into my scripture study time. With these excerpts, my wish list of books is growing. I love his style of writing and sense of humor without overdoing. I would be happy to read a few paragraphs of C. S. Lewis every day for the rest of my life. And that is a sign of a good resolution. 🙂

Last Wednesday I read an excerpt from C. S. Lewis’ last sermon (1956):

“For it is not so much of our time and so much of our attention that God demands; it is not even all our time and all our attention; it is ourselves. … He will be infinitely merciful to our repeated failures; I know no promise that He will accept a deliberate compromise. …For He claims all, because He is love and must bless. He cannot bless unless He has us. When we try to keep within us an area that is our own, we try to keep an area of death. Therefore, in love, He claims all. There’s no bargaining with Him.”

While reading Enos this week I realized how his story applied as well. In verse 9 it tells how Enos “…did pour out [his] whole soul unto God…” His whole soul. He didn’t hold anything back.

Jim Bob taught in the Elders Quorum today. The talk was Elder D.Todd Christofferson’s “Reflections on a Consecrated Life”. I read it this morning. The whole talk is wonderful and fits right in my thoughts for the week.

“True success in this life comes in consecrating our lives –that is, our time and choices–to God’s purposes. In so doing, we permit Him to raise us to our highest destiny.” Later in the talk he says, “A consecrated life is filled with work, sometimes repetitive, sometimes menial, sometimes unappreciated but always work that improves, orders, sustains, lifts, ministers, aspires.” Does that not sound like a mother? I need to focus on the last half. Yes, my work is sometimes repetitive and menial, but I am improving, ordering, sustaining, lifting, ministering and aspiring. Ooh, I love it. I love all those verbs. A consecrated life is full of action and recognizing that action.

Elder Christofferson also quotes the film, Man’s Search for Happiness. “A prophet of God has said: ‘Men are that they might have joy–a joy that includes a fullness of life, a life dedicated to service, to love and harmony in the home, and the fruits of honest toil–an acceptance of the gospel of Jesus Christ–of its requirements and commandments.”

While reading that quote I realized that a fullness of life only comes after we fully give ourselves to God. I feel as if I am in a constant chrysalis state. Just learning and developing. Changing and refining. Big changes, little changes. I think that is partly what this life is for. I am thankful for my Savior that makes those changes possible. Sometimes it is hard work. I need to remember – the end result is so promising!

Can you imagine though, if that caterpillar decided to go into a chrysalis, but not quite all the way? Just leave out a little bit of it’s “old self”? I’m not sure of the science involved, but I think the transformation would not take place.

I want to fully give myself. To consecrate my life to God’s purposes. And to someday fly.

{chrysalis photo by Christian Meyn at FreeDigitalPhotos.net, butterfly photo by Federico Stevanin, at FreeDigitalPhotos.net}

Filed Under: {one little word}, {reflections and deep thoughts}

Timing

February 6, 2011 1 Comment

Jim Bob and I are getting good at taking turns. We have to when half our household is sick. We prefer going to the temple together, but took turns yesterday so that we could both worship.

There was a wonderful baptism yesterday too. It’s been a few years in the making. Three of the children in the family were in my primary class six years ago. We would pick them up for church and activities and grew to love the family. I got to be there as our ward mission leader taught those three about the gospel and watched them just grow and blossom. Three years ago they were baptized and they asked Jim Bob to do it. What an honor. Afterwards I was able to be the mom’s visiting teacher for about a year. I also got to teach the sunbeam class (primary class for the children turning four) with her. Jim Bob was called to be their home teacher for around a year. One of the daughters was in my Activity Days group last year. Anyway, we LOVE this family! And all the connections.

The grandpa of the family (they all live together – grandpa, grandma, dad, mom, and seven children) told me once that he was too old to change his ways and be baptized. I gave him a hard time about it (he’s one that enjoys the teasing), but did not want to go too far. When we were in Salt Lake City last November, visiting my parents on their mission, we went to an exhibit about families. The many blessings we enjoy as families here and in the future were shown and I thought about how I wanted that for this family. For all of them. Well, I referred the grandpa’s name. I figured the worst thing that could happen would be the fun razzing I could give him after he said no. Imagine my surprise when a week later I found out he was being taught by the sister missionaries in our area. And, it had nothing to do with me. 😉 He was already visiting with them. A month later I got a message from the sister missionary on Temple Square saying she was so sorry, but she had tried multiple times and had not been able to get ahold of him. I wish I could call back and let her know. Sometimes the timing of things just makes me smile.

Yesterday was the grandpa’s baptism. He was baptized by his good friend and neighbor. And we had four sick children. That timing did not make me smile. I wanted us all there. But once again we took turns. I went to the baptism with Jacob and Joshua. When the grandpa came out of the water he said “I needed that!” Don’t we all?

Jim Bob went to the confirmation today (as part of Sacrament Meeting). He said it was wonderful.

Filed Under: {happy times}

so sweepy…

February 3, 2011 2 Comments

This adventure is not exactly what I was expecting. I was looking forward to feeling invigorated and more time in the morning. Perhaps that will come with time. I sure hope so! 🙂 I thought I might miss that time in the evening when I get things done. Instead I find myself incredibly tired and wondering if I should try to sneak a nap in come mid-afternoon – there is no way I can make it until 10 p.m.. And that is not me. It seems odd. Jim Bob says it might be a form of detox. Running on little sleep for far too long. My body is now saying “Oh, sleep. I like that, I need more.” Or something along those lines. Not sure, but I do know that I’m sleepy. We have sick little ones in the house. They have been taking turns since last Saturday so that might also play into it. Anyway, it has only been two nights (soon to be three) so I can definitely give it more time, but thought I’d record where I’m at now. For perspective. For when I’m rocking the early bedtime/early morning, I will remember that it did not come easy.

Night, night.

Filed Under: 21 Day Challenge

Guest Post: 21-Day Challenge

February 1, 2011 4 Comments

I am hijacking Becky’s blog (with permission, so I guess, not technically hijacking) to announce our new joint venture of epic proportions: a 21 day challenge to go to bed early. 10 p.m. to be explicit. Doesn’t seem very epic, you say?

It is epic because I am an addict. I have been since before Becky and I met. I think it started in 1994. I remember going to bed in high school and laying awake for hours in the dark because I could not get my mind to stop racing. It miraculously stopped during the two years I spent serving a church mission in British Columbia, but later in college it again became far too easy for us to stay up late finishing assignments last minute that we postponed to do other things.

“Sow a thought and you reap an action; sow an act and you reap a habit; sow a habit and you reap a character; sow a character and you reap a destiny.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Fast forward 11 years and it’s still just as easy to stay up late… but so much harder to get up when we do. There have been nights that I stay up hacking away until my eyes are bleary and I type like a drunk, knowing I should sleep. I still need to recover from multiple consecutive 1+ a.m. nights this past week alone. So now we’re doing something about it. Our 21-day challenge is to be in bed by 10 p.m. every night with lights out no later than 10:30.

Intellectually we understand the scientific benefits of the “early-to-bed” principle. For over a month now we’ve talked about doing this together, knowing that neither of us will do it without the other. Becky agreed to let me hijack her blog to make the announcement and that we would start the following evening. How ironic that I write this at 3 a.m. with both of us awake and doing projects that seem impossible when the needs of family and work are foremost.

So it is that we will start together tonight, on the evening of Feb 1. Our hope is to see such great benefits that the habit we establish over the next three weeks won’t fade with the sunset on the Feb 22. Addiction is never easy to overcome. But I finally feel this habit’s time has come and gone.

Filed Under: {one little word}, 21 Day Challenge