{digital happiness}

Mommy and Me Journals

August 11, 2012 3 Comments

I found about this idea for capturing everyday from my good friend Mindy: Mommy and Me Journals.

{credits: here}

These are journals to ask questions and draw pictures in. We take turns. Child asks a question. Then they place it on my pillow. I answer their question and ask them one and put on their pillow. They answer my question and then ask me a new one and put it on my pillow. Back and forth – as often as wanted. So. Very. Wonderful.

Mindy’s cute journals are here. | A post about them is here – on Purdue Avenue. | More about this sweet concept here.

The journal above is Autumn’s. She’s a talker and this is just perfect for her. The little question book on the back was made with her in mind – she likes lots of ideas to pick from.

Sometimes Autumn uses the booklet for ideas – and sometimes not. You are welcome to download our questions by clicking on the image above. The directions for folding/cutting/making the sweet little books is on Elsie’s blog. My book is made based on a template by Mandi (thanks for making it easy girl!). If you’d like to make your own – head to her blog and download the evidence field book from the sidebar. The photoshop template is in there.

Inspiration is everywhere when it comes to questions. Autumn recently discovered the “English Roses” book series. This one has tons of questions that the girls answer and then blank ones to answer in the back. We used some of the ideas above. I also found some fun questions in our Cranium game: What would we talk about at the beach? How many feet could I fling a spoonful of mashed potatoes? If you were packing a picnic basket, you’d be sure to put ________ in it. I also like the idea of just asking back and forth with whatever comes.

Katey saw us having so much fun and wanted a journal of her own. She started by drawing a picture. We draw pictures back and forth and leave them on the pillows too. The first picture is of a mommy with her hands over her head. I was told she was saying “What are you two doing not in bed?” This is guaranteed to be interesting…

Autumn’s journal always has a quick turn-around. It is so fun to discover and share with her. Without this journal I might not know that the person she would most like to meet is a poor man so that she could give him money (so sweet!) or that her favorite thing to do at dance class is dance. 😉 She has learned all about my BFF from high school (that she is named after – middle name) and I now know that she prefers a different color of nail polish on her fingers than her toes. I accidentally messed up on one of my questions and just ran with it: If you were on a desserted island, what three desserts would you search for first? 😉 We use the journal to make plans, design dresses, talk about favorite songs and she heard all about my first date with her daddy. We have named constellations, talked about her future family (she’s planning on 100 children), drawn self-portraits and I learned that the thing she daydreams about the most is ice cream. I am excited to see how the conversations change over time.

My current fav:

Me: What qualities do you want in your future husband?

Autumn: Advencrich and tikalich (adventurous and ticklish)

Filed Under: {capturing everyday}, {digital happiness}, {happy times}, {Jessica Sprague}, {tickles and smiles}

Party Time!

June 20, 2012 1 Comment

Hippo Birdy to JessicaSprague.com!!

So many ways to celebrate this week:

So much goodness – it’s a beautiful thing. Click here or on the above image for additional details on what’s happening.

My two favorite celebrations? The free class taught by Jessica all week long and the speed scrap hosted by Mandi at 7 am on Thursday. We’ll be up late the night before for Pageant dress rehearsal, but I’m still gonna try to get in on that one – how fun!

{To register for Jessica’s class, simply copy this code: PSTOP52012 – And click here to enter it: http://www.jessicasprague.com/index.php?option=com_juga&view=juga&Itemid=111 . Come learn and play with me! :)}

Filed Under: {digital happiness}, {holidays and celebrations}, {Jessica Sprague}

Documented: the Month of Love

May 24, 2012 2 Comments

While I’m finishing up series – here’s the continuation of the month of love: week 1. You ready to feel the love?

During a lesson at church we were challenged to show love everyday for the whole month leading up to Valentine’s Day. Simple or grand, well thought out or spontaneous – show love. The other aspect was to share child-like love – whole-hearted. Cute notes on pillows, weed bouquets, prayers, hugs and big kisses… a whole month of love.

Our second week:
* shared Meri photos on Facebook w/ family and friends
* bathed and snuggled baby
* Pinewood Derby! – Jacob & Josh both rocking it – and cheering each other on 🙂
* read LOTS of books to K&C
* wished Happy Birthday to brother, mother & sister (it’s a good month! 🙂 )
* baked cookies for family and Jacob’s classroom store
* cleaned girls’ room – beauty!

{supplies here}

Third week:

* snuggled and tickled
* visited “Grandpa and Grandma Missionary”
* Pizza Friday night (first time since the baby was born)
* read Little Britches
* took black beans for a “Cafe Rio” style lunch with a group of ladies – love to me!
* made pomegranate muffins
* prayed for second cousin in the ER
* foot rubs for Daddy, Jacob and Caleb (they just lined right up! 😉 )
* volunteered to make Humanitarian Center newsletter
* JB made yummy breakfast on Saturday morning
* Autumn led story hour

{supplies here}

Week 4:

* took dinner (chili and heart shaped cinnamon rolls) to a family with a deployed daddy
* let JB sleep the whole night (baby did not 🙂 )
* made pumpkin pie for the boys (with their pumpkins grown by their aunt)
* helped neighbor clean her house for a son’s visit
* played chess with Jacob
* read Dickens & made notebooks to celebrate his birthday
* cake pops for secret snack in sack lunches
* friends day after hiatus & ham/pineapple pizza
* JB watch sick little ones during church (I took notes – Bro. Christensen’s talk on grace.)
* all pink load of laundry (with now 4 girls in the house…)

{supplies here}

My sweet friend Mandi pointed out that these are probably things that I do on a regular basis (most are…), but that doing them with intention gives the actions more meaning. It’s true. I’m thankful for this project for that reason. And for the fact that I would probably never have taken a photo of our laundry otherwise…

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

Smiles

May 19, 2012 1 Comment

I adore Purdue Avenue and all the inspiration found there. You might already know that.

I was invited to write with these girls which feels like the best play date EVER.

My post is all about future planning. Of the grandparent sort.

Learn how to simply (I promise!) turn these:

into this:

and how it will help you now and in the years to come. Happy smilin’!

Filed Under: {digital happiness}, {happy times}, {one little word}, {tickles and smiles}

Treasure

May 7, 2012 1 Comment

We reviewed President Uchtdorf’s talk today in Relief Society: Forget Me Not. It’s one of my favorites. I made this art journaling page a few months ago with his thoughts in mind – a treasure map full of everyday moments.

{list of supplies here}

I used a few of President Uchtdorf’s quotes on the page:

“The happiest people I know are not those who find their golden ticket; they are those who, while in pursuit of worthy goals, discover and treasure the beauty and sweetness of the everyday moments. They are the ones who, thread by daily thread, weave a tapestry of gratitude and wonder throughout their lives. These are they who are truly happy.”

“…don’t close your eyes and hearts to the simple and elegant beauties of each day’s ordinary moments that make up a rich, well-lived life.”

The lesson today reminded me how much I LOVE President Uchtdorf’s talk. It also reminded me that I should introduce my study topic for the year – I already have half of a notebook full of thoughts and scriptures, but hadn’t posted about it here yet. With my study on effort last year – time and again my thoughts turned to treasure. Quite a few scriptures connect the two. That and studying about my 4th great grandfather gave me a feel about what real treasure is. Here are the thoughts from my notebook at the beginning of this year:

Treasure (Looks so much prettier when written by hand – all embellished. 😉 )

I’m thinking on how treasure fits/inspires me in my life. There are so many people, memories, things, blessings, and doctrines that I treasure. I want to study the word as a noun and a verb. What do I treasure? How do I treasure? What treasure do I want to earnestly seek? What do I share with family and friends?

Treasure usually involves a journey of some sort – with treasure being the reward. How else can treasure be discovered? I hope this year brings lots of answers – & lots more questions too. I’m ready for the adventure.

It seemed natural to have silver or gold be my color for the year. I couldn’t decide – so I went with both. 🙂 I’ve learned some significance to those along the way as well. I will continue to share throughout the year. You are welcome on my journey!

Filed Under: {digital happiness}, {happy times}, {one little word}, {worthwhile}

Greeting card or framed print? Hard to decide…

April 21, 2012 5 Comments

Caleb has fully discovered his pockets and all the treasures he can keep in them.

{supply list here}

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

JessicaSprague.com class goodness

March 26, 2012 Leave a Comment

Just a quick post to let you know there is a deal right now for Jessica Sprague’s beginning classes. I *adore* her teaching style and have learned so much from her classes. One of my favorite things are the little shortcuts she mentions off hand that save me time. I also love her humor and years of knowledge she freely shares. http://www.groupon.com/deals/jessica-sprague-com-fresno

Here are the two classes you can take with the groupon (there are plenty others on her site if you’re looking for more advanced or different type of class):

Photo Editing: Good to Great

Up & Running With Photoshop – Beginning Digital Scrapbooking

If you click on the links – or photos – above it will take you to the class description. I love that the classes are self-paced and never expire – the videos can be viewed forever. They are always sitting there waiting for you to watch and review.

With the groupon (which can be captured in the next couple days), the classes are $20 each (usually $49) or both for $35. Amazingly good deal. The classes can also be given as gifts. Enjoy!

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

Love Stories, con.

March 19, 2012 Leave a Comment

Dear you,

Here are four love stories from the files (photos from a few years back) and one recent one.

{credits: here}

Evidence of a perfect day.

Fishing lessons from daddy. Nachos on the shore. Mini-adventures for all – exploring and discovering. Snuggles and photography for mama. The perfect day? For us – yes! Case closed.

{credits: here}

Drewby was so concerned when he would wake up and his favorite car was on the floor. He knew he had gone to sleep holding it! Here’s his solution – a little kite string and a lot of winding – silly guy. We did not let him sleep like this – just took a whole bunch of photos and then carefully unwound.

{credits: here}

Decorated bag, cute love notes, and a “sugary snack”. Lunch essentials. 🙂

{credits: here}

Perfect for me. My sweet 3-year-old LOVES her baby sister. I hear her whispering and talking to her all the time. This phrase is one of my favorites – “You are the perfect sister for me.” *sigh* Recording this moment so she can remember what it’s all about.

{credits: here}

“Daddy, graham crackers and a book… simple joys are truly the best.” Okay – that’s what I wished I put on there – left off the truly part, but we can pretend. 🙂 Also lovin’ on my hunny – who later told me that he tried to angle the Baby Haiku book just right while I was snapping photos – he wanted that light on her face. love.

Did you find a heart on each layout? The lunch one is a teeny bit tricky. <3

Hope your day is a perfectly snuggly one.

Much love, Becky

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

March Forth…

March 19, 2012 3 Comments

I’ve been crushing on this site: Purdue Avenue

What’s not to love about a site that features crafty goodness, photography tips and inspiration about life? As promised, it is a site that leads to all things fabulous. See?

{Click on any of the photos to go straight to that project.}

The tutorials are thorough – complete with pictures and ooze creativity. I would not mind taking up permanent residence on Purdue Avenue.

One of the contributors is my very good friend Mandi. I *adore* her. She posts sweet and fun weekly layouts of her family. Weekly! She also makes adorable stuff like this:

and this:

And inspiring things like these:

Cards can be downloaded here.

Mandi does all the research and lets you know the best products and process. Even those photos turn out cute.

Mandi made my blog header – I’m so blessed. Have you noticed that my puddle splashes change each time you visit… or refresh? Try it out. 🙂 Love! And she sent me the cutest package when Meri was born. Mandi found things I had pinned on Pinterest and made them for me. All in my color I chose for last year. Who does that? Mandi. She’s amazing.

I love her idea of setting goals on March 4th. I always need a refresher by then.

Here is my first week in March goal:

My comments on the blog: “I have spent a full day contemplating. Then I realized there is more than one week in March and that took some of the pressure off. 🙂 So I decided. This week I will not let my perfectionism keep me from starting. Yes, there are things that I put off doing because I know they won’t be perfect in the near future. I’m going to start anyway. Starting with a newsletter I volunteered to make… over a month ago.”

Almost week later – “I did pretty good on my goal – it wasn’t everyday though. 🙁 And there my perfectionism peeks out again. So – I’m gonna celebrate what I did accomplish! ready? * Newsletter for the Humanitarian Center? started, finished and delivered. hurray! * a guest blog post for the 1940 census blog? sweet. fun photo shoot for said post? can do. Except not a 1940s radio in site. Instead I sketched a radio for a backdrop and let my little ones dance in front. It worked and I think it turned out even cuter than my first idea – love. And my final one? I haven’t hung anything on one of my bedroom walls because I’d love to re-paint it sometime. So here’s a beautiful wall needing a little color with no holes at all. I decided it’s okay to put a few holes in it while it waits to get painted. It’s right by where Meri sleeps and I put up the most beautiful yellow cloth banner EVER. And it makes me smile.

Thanks for getting me started Mandi!”

Here’s my goal for this week: