Mothering Thoughts

Today in church I was abnormally fixated on motherhood. The lessons were far from the topic, yet I found myself making a mental list of things I would like to do when I become a mother one day.

My brother-in-law recently advised Jason and I to be in our best physical shape when we begin having kids. I got thinking about that and not only do I want to be healthy and fit, I also want to be in my best 'spiritual shape.' I want my children to observe clean language, a positive attitude and a grateful heart. I wish my testimony to be as strong as possible and our home to be filled with the comforting company of the spirit, especially when babies come along. ;)

In sacrament meeting I watched one of my young women leaders trace the shape of her little girl's face with a light finger when Macy laid her head on mom's lap. My own mom used to do this to me in sacrament and I remember laying so perfectly still as to not interrupt the movement across my cheeks, my nose, my chin.

Next to Brooke and Macy was the bishop's wife holding her sweet little boy on her lap. I watched them now, as she examined each of his little fingers and the lines in his hand. There was something so precious about this act and the look of his tiny hand in hers. Physical touch has always been important to me, and I've heard that touch is especially important for new babies and young children. I hope to show my kids how much I love them, with plenty of hugs, kisses, high-fives and thumb-wars. I want them to feel comfort in my arms and love from my touch.

As my children get older, watching the prophet speak in conference will be a requirement. Another one of my young women leaders shared in Relief Society that her mother always used to say, "Do you know how blessed we are to have a living prophet speak to us?" She learned at a young age that hearing the prophet speak is a blessing. I want my children to have a love for the prophet just as I loved President Hinckley growing up. In addition to the Savior himself, what better example for a child to look up to than our modern-day prophets.

Last month my hairdresser (and good family friend) shared her daughter's struggle with a learning disorder. Becky recognized that her daughter would never fully overcome this challenge, so they pulled out Berkeley's young woman manual and worked on her award together, practicing her reading with scriptures and conference talks day after day. When Berkeley got her award at 14 years old, Becky got her into one of the best dance studios around and together they make the commute each week. I was so impressed that Becky took a challenge and used it to better her relationship with her daughter. She feels like Berkeley has found a purpose now, that she has developed the confidence she so desperately needed.

These are just a few, unorganized mothering thoughts, but I feel it's important to recognize the examples of some great mothers. Because one day I'll have no idea what I'm doing and I sure as heck will need some help. :)

I'm Back...

I've been writing, editing and interviewing for five years now. Who knew one little idea would stick that long? Back in high school rumors were going around about a newly-formed journalism class, so I signed up and gave it a chance.

And I've been getting chances ever since.

My senior year I had the opportunity to intern at LDS Living magazine. I drove to Orem once a week and they immediately put me to work on their Making a Difference pieces. Honestly I have no idea how I gained so much credibility so quick because I had no idea how to properly write an article, let alone adhere to AP style. I'm so happy they did though, LDS Living was a great opportunity for me. I remember being in California for my senior trip and finding a copy with my article in it. When most high schoolers are searching for an identity, I learned exactly who I was.

After graduation I started corresponding with The Signpost, WSU's student paper. I was incredibly nervous since the rest of the staff had had plenty of journalism classes and writing experience, but they welcomed me with open arms. I'm not crazy about Weber, but if I ever decided to go there I know I'd love the comm department!

Because of my experience in newspapers and magazines, I was awarded a scholarship with the Dixie State paper as News Editor. I had fun editing and working on layout, but when my reign was up I moved on to the Opinion section for food reviews and columns.

During my year off school I definitely felt a writing void. Friends encouraged me to start a blog and I regained my passion for writing. However, when I returned to the DSC campus this fall I looked into Sun News and found another opportunity. I've been working with the producer and he has been more than happy to get me on the staff. In fact, he's even encouraging me to try my hand at broadcast and get in front of the camera! I don't know if that'll happen, but so far I've been so excited about my new writing outlet.

The SUN has given me a ton of freedom as far as topics and beats go so I picked a topic I was passionate about and got to work. I felt so rusty, but this morning Carson sent me a text that it's up on the website and looking great. Seriously it made my day that I made it through editing scott-free.

I feel like I've rediscovered my identity and I'm so happy to be back. It's been too long. :)


See me in action at  http://www.southernutahnow.com/articles/2011/09/19/saturday-market-brings-crafts-community-together/

A Bit of Black & White

After six months of marriage Jason and I are finally settled into a place longer than a month. We are living on the outskirts of St. George in a beautiful little community in Bloomington. It is so nice to finally have a place of our own, not the grandparents' house or company housing or hotels- our own place.

Since I can finally hang pictures on the walls, break out the wedding gifts and pretty much have a place to put things, I've been working on a few upholstery projects to fancy up the house.

This ottoman was super easy to make. I'd been begging Jace to let me throw away his stained suede ottoman for months until I was struck by design inspiration and pulled out my fabric. I loved this silky, houndstooth fabric at Joann's and scored it for a mere $3 a yard. Next I gutted some old pillows for their batting and gave the ottoman a bit of a shape. Stapling the fabric was a bit of a challenge since the satin moves so much, but Jason helped me line up the pattern as best we could. My mom got me the best stuff ever- fabric glue that I used on the corners, and voila- all done! 

So much better than that boring suede. Now we've got a touch of houndstooth, extra storage and possible seating in the living room. Yay! :) 

I finally got around to this little nightstand. Seriously it's taken long enough. I got this little guy at DI two summers ago when I was on my chair-recovering obsession, but it was put on the backburner when I realized how much work it was really gonna be. It was in bad shape, with dings all over the soft wood. So before we moved down to St. G I got out the sander and went to work.

I sanded and primed forever, until it was finally in acceptable condition. Then on went the paint!

I like it so much more than I thought I would. The legs are gorgeous, and the ornate leafed handles add so much character to a little corner of our living room. Love it!

Last but not least are the newest additions to our kitchen- much needed barstools. I'd almost given up on the search until I found some at... drumroll please... DI! No surprise there. All the best treasures are in unexpected places. Seriously everywhere I looked had the most boring, wood stools for $40+. No thanks! I knew I wanted black and cream, and it didn't take long to switch to flat black and recover the seats. They look white in the after pic, but it's actually a cream burlap. I give it a chance everytime I visit the fabric store, appreciating the wide array of colors and reaching for an excuse to buy a yard or two. Thanks to DI, however, I returned with a purpose in mind! :)

With all the satin, silk and tulle I've been buying lately, burlap is a refreshing change. I think it adds a warm, casual feel to the kitchen. The rough and tumble feel of it is exactly the contrast this house needs.

It's so nice to get back in touch with my crafty side. Especially when it saves me a couple bucks in the decorating department!  ;)

Remembrance and Renewal

I was awake at 8:46 this morning, exactly the time a plane crashed into the North Trade Center ten years ago, changing our lives forever.

 
 
Heavy with the tragedy that today represents, I padded downstairs to watch the tribute of survivors and heroes on almost every channel. I sat alone in my quiet house, reflecting on the emotions and bravery felt that day.

I was getting ready for school- another day in the sixth grade. But it wasn't just any day, it was a day that will be remembered in the hearts of Americans and around the world- a day we will never forget.

I didn't understand. Not fully. My mom was glued to the TV, tears streaming down her shocked face and yet still I didn't understand. Things like this happen all the time, I thought. The papers are littered with painful stories of lives lost, evil done. But none so terrible, I came to learn, as the attack on America one decade ago.

I went to school, walking the same halls I walked every day, yet clearly different and eerily quiet. TVs were on all day, I remember. My teachers were aware that nothing they taught us that day would alter our lives more than the events before us.

I remember talking about it at dinner that night. Or rather my dad shared a few words and the rest of us listened. It was too early for answers, for explanation, but dad did his best. He knew how this day would affect us, how it would follow our lives forever.

I should have saved newspaper clippings. I remember thinking about it as I attempted to grasp the weight of the situation, but they were so heartbreaking, so uncertain, so hopeless. Why would I keep a memory of America so shattered, so broken?  But now I know. Those headlines are a peace of history. It was a monumental moment where perfect strangers united in harmony- one nation under God.

Tonight NY is a beacon of hope, shining where the towers once stood emitting prosperity to the rest of the world. The empty space contrasts the rest of the city like a scar on an otherwise painted canvas. And it is- once a wound painful and bleeding is now a blatant reminder of the day that made history.

All day the stories of heartbreak and hope, heroes and humility have been broadcast on the news. On a 20/20 special tonight, Katie Couric spoke of The Falling Man, a famous photo of the last moments of one man's life. Somehow I'd never seen it before, and immediately my heart was seized with hurt. I learned the New York Times wrestled with the ethics of publishing such a picture. It captures the last moments before death- a highly personal and painful moment, and is that really fair to his family to print? However, the man was never identified and remains today 'The Falling Man' that affects the world so much.

Ten years have passed and 9/11 is still fresh in our hearts. We will always remember the lives lost, and the heroes made. We will never forget that monumental day.

May God Bless America...

Labor Day Getaway- Huntington Beach

Last Labor Day was monumental. Jace and I had been apart an entire summer, and he flew into Utah from New Jersey to spend a few days with me. Little did I know, however, that he would get down on one knee and propose an eternity together.

How do you beat that?

Well, we've literally been coast to coast these past few months, passing through every time zone and nearly the entire northern half of the U.S. So what's one more road trip right? 

The Tippetts were planning a trip to California for Labor Day so we packed a bag, gassed up the car and headed to Vegas.

We stayed at Ben and Sheridon's Friday night, then Saturday we met up with the rest of the family to caravan to Cali.

The Tippetts love Huntington Beach, so as soon as we got into town we headed to the shore. *With an exception to Jason and Tyler of course. They were off to ESPN zone for the BYU game. No surprise there. ;)

The only problem about relaxing at the beach over a holiday weekend, however, was how windy it was! I get cold so easy, so I lived in a hoodie.

Riss had never been to a California beach before so naturally Jace and I brought her along. The Tippetts were very welcoming to her and I'm pretty sure she had a great time. Since everyone's grown up and married- very different from the Johnson side of our fam- I'm sure she felt out of place, but she got to work building sandcastles and seashell hunting with the kids.

Ben and Jason braved the cold and got right in the freezing water our second day at the beach. No idea how he did it- now that I'm used to East Coast beaches California water is way too cold!

Wyatt liked riding around on the boogie board as long as he could stay dry. He was too cute, cuddling up in a towel on my lap. I wanted him to stay there all weekend!

The twins are such cuties. They have the most adorable voices. :)

 

Katie kept us entertained with crazy National Geographic facts.

Can't believe I got a pic with everyone smiling!

 

Sunday we were at the beach all day- roasting hot dogs and making 'smores.

Tyler and Jason searched the beach for treasure a good hour. Bless their little hearts. ;)

Mmmm I am CRAZY bout 'smores.

Check out Lexy, Alison and Ashley's matching suits! I saw these at Target and almost died. I want some just like these for my own little girls. Too cute.

Katie bein' Katie. :)

The kids were so entertaining. Who needs a book when you've got six kids?

Course the guys were pretty entertaining too. When Deb's earrings wouldn't come off they came to the rescue with pliers. Eeek!

See what I mean about entertainment? :)

A beach trip just isn't complete without a visit to Ruby's, a famous California diner.

Brothers hanging out while we waited for a table.

I love the atmosphere of this place. All the servers are dressed like Ruby (minus the cleavage baring shirts), and kids get little cars and trailers along with their menu.

The kids were drawn to the gumball machine right off the bat, and they got to work when they found out if you get a red gumball you win a rootbeer float! Go Sammy and Spence!

After dinner we walked through Downtown Disney. I think I love this place even more at night. It is just packed with Disney magic.

Had to stop at the Lego Store of course!

I think I love this place as much as the kids do!

Katie took me into Disney Vault- a designer version of all things Disney. I had no idea Dooney and Bourke does Disney!

I love this Minnie Mouse 'seatbelt bag.' I was convincing Katie to buy it until I saw the pricetag- a whopping $360. Maybe next time Katie!

I'm convinced the best fireworks on earth take place at Disneyland. But then again you'd expect nothing less at a Disney park.

On the last day in Cali we headed back to the beach, but this time for pictures, not play. The kids weren't crazy about that, but they did an awesome job in front of the camera!

John and Deb

Katie and Sam

Jace and I

It was a great family vacation with the Tippetts. I'm so grateful to have united families. Jackson Hole with the Johnson Half last month and Huntington Beach with the Tippetts clan this month makes for some good times with the most important people to us.

Although last Labor Day was groundbreaking, this year was a blast. There would have been no better way to spend it.  :)