Sharing the Pinterest Love

Have you lately found yourself embarrassingly clueless in being apart of or listening in on a conversation in which the following words and phrases were used..."I pinned that", "did you see my pin?", "loving her board", "are you on Pinterest?"  Huh?!  Well consider yourself in good company.  I have had so many people ask me about it, that I thought I might share my new addiction...I mean love.  

Meet

Pinterest is a virtual pinboard, a huge improvement from my dorm room wall.  It gives you the ability to "pin"{save or link to} any image from the web onto your "board" {folder} of choice to organize all of your favorites into one visual grouping - recipes you want to try, sewing tutorials waiting to be made, inspiration photos for your home, clothes waiting to be purchased or just admired, the possibilities are endless.  Once the image is 'pinned' onto your board, you can instantly revisit the website you found it on for all the wonderful details.  What is also amazing is that you can 'follow' others whose boards are in line with your same tastes and preferences so you are always discovering something new each time you log in.  {check mine out by clicking on the 'Pinterest' button above or in the right column}.   By 'repinning' their images, you can place the newly found treasures onto one of your own boards.  Really its incredible!  And rather addicting and of course amazingly helpful at the same time.  There are so many other fabulous tidbits, but I'll just keep this post to Pinterest 101.

"That's nice, but I wouldn't use it, " you may say.  Has your favorites list on your browser become an abyss of jumbled text so that it has become a lottery draw to actually find what you are looking for?   Have you ever needed to plan a party and have had a collection of photos and ideas in so many places you can't remember where something came from?  Have you ever needed to plan a party with no ideas?  Has making the same few things for dinner over and over left you wanting new, healthy options?  Have you ever come across a tutorial for photography, crafting, or photo editing and didn't have time to do it then, but wanted to save it for later? Have you ever planned a vacation and wanted to mark all the hotels and sites you'd like to visit?  Basically, do you use the web yet still have a life outside of it?  If so, you'll love Pinterest.

Here are a few of my pin-tabulous 'pins':

No. 1 Doll Suitcase from Hart and Sew  pinned to my 'Creation on the Horizon' board 
No. 2 Bright Blue Accents Bedroom from HousetoHome pinned to my 'For the Home' board
No. 3 I Love You to the Moon and Back from My Primitive Boutique pinned to my 'For the Boys' board
No. 4 Pila Dress by Crewcuts found on Tada!Shop pinned to my 'Baby Girl' board
No. 5 Peaseblossom bustle skirt from TheMeasure pinned to my 'Baby Girl' board
Artist tape and vintage frames from Besotted Blog pinned to my 'Graphic Appeal' board
The King & Queen font from DaFont pinned to my 'Blog How-to' board


The added hype surrounding it is that you need to be invited to join.  I am more than happy to share the wealth, so by all means let me know if you would like an invitation by providing me with your email address.  Happy pinning!

A Rose is A Rose

Once upon a time I had a floral business. It was a lovely little business.  A Rose is A Rose.  I had taken some floral design courses in college and fell in love with the art of composition with such a beautiful medium.  I later found out that my grandmother had had her own floral business around the same time in her life.  This I am sure ignited the love of flowers within my own mother who has always found joy in her own flower garden.  A love passed from generation to generation to generation.  To continue on in our little story, one May Day a little baby arrived and my flower business became no more.  A Baby is a Baby became my new tagline.

Bright bouquets of flowers often find their way to me by the sweet hands of my husband who knows what the sight of them and the busyness of my hands do for my spirits.  Once in a while new opportunities arise for me to put my hands to work again to create something with flowers.  I am lucky to have had 2 such opportunities within the past month, both in the form of baby showers.  The first was for my little sister Vanessa {which I will post more on soon-along with the arrival of baby Charlotte}.  The second for my good friend Amanda.  The venue was at a picturesque winery inside a tall gabled banquet room encased in rich wood and large windows.  This lent to my chosen theme of transferring the feel of the garden indoors.  My aunt harvested hydrangeas, queen anne's lace, and curly willow for me from a friend's plentiful garden and a few deep pink dahlias completed the list. I coupled vintage wooden crates with mason jars and juice glasses for my chosen vessels.  I have to say that the look was achieved, a delightful little touch of garden brought inside.

The shower was all so lovely, including our guest of honor Amanda and our hostess Nichia.  The little touches such as the customized menu, handmade gifts, and scrumptious cake pops really made the shower.  All created a comfortable environment to chat, dote, and consume divine food.  Baby Joslynn is definitely getting the royal treatment already.  

My Personality

I have always had a thing for sunglasses.  In college my sunglasses and I were almost inseparable.  I reveled in being labeled a "California Girl" {after all I'm practically California royalty:) being ninth generation with my great ... great grandfather Santiago Arguello being the first governor of California}  After going through all of my Freshman photos, I showed them to the boys.  Owen pointed to this photo and asked me why I was wearing goggles.  Classic.

Someone flippantly nicknamed my sunglasses "my personality".  Of course I loved that.  Accessories make an ensemble.  I have had innumerable {to borrow my husband's word} pairs.  My personalities have been mistakenly abandoned in various stores, gas stations, airplanes, beaches, and have been dismantled by little hands, dropsy hands, and the occasional tire.  Mike finally had to put a quota on my sunglass allowance- one new pair allowed every six months.  I try to find my way around it.  And hey, I only buy the cheapie $6 pair so really I'm fine.

I took Owen and Eyan school shopping this past week and we had a blast.  I love that they have their own sense of fashion.  I have been trying to do them right and teach them a few little style tips.  It makes me smile that they are the kids that wear fedora hats, aviator sunglasses, belts with huge Star Wars logo buckles and if Owen had his way, a shiny wallet chain.  That just cracks me up.  I haven't given in to that one yet, but he's pushing for it.  Felicity instinctually knows how to wear accessories: put on bracelets and necklaces, throw a purse over her shoulder, and attempt to put on sunglasses, hats, and headbands.

I think my kids are full of personality with or without accessories, but isn't it just so much more fun with them?:)

College Reminiscing - A Built-In Foundation

I recently had an excuse to peruse my photos from my Freshman year of college.  I spent the following hours laughing out loud as I relived that year with a huge grin plastered on my face.  From the perspective of a woman married 13 years with 4 children, that past life appears "carefree"- no cooking, little cleaning, sleeping in, dancing every weekend, enormous amounts of time spent with friends and lots of moments of pure silliness.  Of course when I take a moment to step back and really remember what I felt and experienced during that single year, it is amazing how much growth and discovery took place as a result of a conglomerate of things:  new responsibility, balancing a greater independence with an increased reliance on the Lord, many heartbreaks {oh those boys}, feelings of inadequacy and homesickness, friendships with incredible individuals, channeling my passion for the Humanities, and so much more.

I feel privileged to have attended and graduated from Brigham Young University, the greatest university on the planet:) Go Cougars! {ok that will never die in me, its now instinctual to want to yell that every time I think of my university.}  Those years spent there helped to mold the person I am today.  For me there was no other place where I belonged.  I was a part of that university, 1 of 30,000, but a part.  I felt a rush every time classes got out and I was surrounded by the buzz and commotion of tens of thousands of college students busily going from place to place.  Ten of thousands of college students committed to living life by the same standards I believed in and lived by.  There was a freedom in that.  A freedom that came from knowing that people knew what you believed and would support and uplift you in living it.  This freedom ignited me in living my life as 'me' more than ever.  There was never a question in high school as to what I believed, but in college I didn't have to explain my choices, they were understood.  This enabled me to create friendships and relationships with others based on a built-in foundation, a foundation on my core beliefs, the essence of who I was.  From this foundation lasting friendships were developed, some deeper than ever before.  When the foundation is there, the other elements in a relationship come easier.  I thrived in that environment and want that for my children.  I am grateful to that experience each and every day of my life.

After all...how would I have met Mike?:)

{My dorm room with the infamous Skittles wall and 'List' - little did I know that it would cost me (my parents) 5 cavities when I got home.  Love my boombox, so rad!}

Fading and lasting reminders

Today marked a momentous occasion for my sweet little niece Abigail...the oxygen tube was removed!  Her poor little cheekies bear the last reminders of the tube as a permanent attachment since birth.  Soon those will fade, but her scar on her chest will continually serve as a reminder of the miracle and grace of God.  A true mark of tenacity to attest to the strength of her Spirit and will.  This little girl is a fighter, a champion in the truest form of the word, a valiant fighter.    

The freedom from her oxygen tanks means she is mobile now, such a blessing that most parents don't even realize.  To be able to take your baby from place to place without the weight and coordination of oxygen tanks, tubes, and monitors.  They are looking forward to performing even the little tasks with less hassle.  She will be able to have her first bath tomorrow.  My babies loved bath time, such a tender time of bonding between mother and child.  

It is wonderful to see her so alert.  The feeding tube will stay for now, but the doctors say that it will be gone soon as well.  She is continuing to gain weight.  She passed the 8 pound mark.  Selfishly I hope that these improvements will make it possible for their little family to come visit us as they had initially planned this coming month.  I can't even comprehend what a trip like that would entail logistically for them.  It would be a joyous moment to be able to hold my dear little niece, the sweet, adored daughter of my own baby brother.  Continual prayers coming their way!

Withdrawals and Overload

Well I don't know about you, but I feel like I've been going through Abigail withdrawals.  Over the first two weeks of her life I grew accustomed to seeing her sweet, little face and hearing about every amazing and scary moment occuring each and every day, sometimes hour by hour, minute by minute.  The instant she was born she had become a part of my heart and I know a part of many of your hearts as well.  We all became her cheering crowd, her champions, her unseen lifting hands.  Witnessing God's miracles on a consistent basis has been exhilarating.

Over the past few days I have been feeling a little of the Summer Blues, a little drained by the demand that four children require on a sun up, sun down basis. {Tate even before the sun}.  Knowing that I needed to change my perspective and stop my pathetic inner dialogue of complaint and pity, I decided to turn my thoughts to women who are examples of strength, that of pioneer women.  These include women of my faith, who during the early years of our Church's history, left homes and comforts behind to cross the plains to follow a prophet of God and seek for a place of peace. {read more of pioneers here and here}  They were women of courage, faith, endurance, and strength.  In my thoughts, I reached out to some friends through the convenient technology of texting with a question of "Do you think pioneer women ever felt like they needed a break from their kids or that they were always happy to be surrounded by them day and night?"  I received some wonderful quips that brought me much needed laughter involving pioneer women sending children on far away chores, possible play groups from cabin to cabin or hand cart to hand cart, and some late night fireside dancing and consuming of beef jerky amongst themselves.  I would love to hear some journal entries on those!

One friend pointed out that "they were certainly more familiar with the fragility of life regarding their little ones.  That's something I would be well to remember."  Oh this is so true.  We have often heard of these accounts, even our dear Prophet Joseph Smith and his wife Emma were not exempt from the harsh reality of their day.  My mind once again returned to this miracle of Abigail.  Such a testament to the miracle of modern medicine, a blessing of living in this day and age.  I often find myself in awe of the grand design of the body and all of its inter-workings.  I would do well to give thanks for the perfect little bodies that are my children.  Of course there are a battle scar or two or three {and in poor Owen's case today, a chipped front tooth} but for the most part my children are extremely healthy and perfectly lively!!  We have been greatly blessed in that department.

I am grateful for good friends who helped to rescue me with a little laughter, some reassurance that I am indeed a 'normal mom', and with some proper perspective.  In this quest for perspective, I am exploring the following scriptures that I came across in that article I mentioned previously in my post, "Be of Good Cheer": 

“I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

“I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:11–13).

To be content in whatsoever state I am in.  That right there is my test.  That is the perspective I need.  I am intrigued by the following verse and the use of opposites to expound on what it means to be content.  As I study how to be both humble and to excel, to be satisfied and to yearn for more, I pray it may lead to my understanding that I can do all things in Christ, "in whom we have boldness and access with confidence" (Ephesians 3:12)

***UPDATE on ABIGAIL***
Since my mom has been home from Utah, I have felt disconnected from the world of Abigail and her proud parents, Jesse and Jani.  I have not wanted to intrude on them in their efforts to care for their newborn baby, as I know caring for a healthy baby is exhausting.  I can't even imagine the increased worry and bone-tiredness that would come from tending to a baby with fragile health.  This evening my mother has sent me a little report on Abigail as well as a few photos:

"She seems to be doing well, thank goodness.  She's feeding better and her sats (oxygen saturation level) are good.  [Jesse and Jani] are thoroughly enjoying their little angel girl!!  It makes me so happy!"  I love to hear them describing her typical infant activities: her love of her swing, lots of snoozing {which is normal for all babies beside my own}, drinking her bottle, cute faces she makes, and of course her fun girlie outfits.  On one video my mom sent me it had Jesse speaking in his new high-pitched Daddy voice.  Loved it!  So fun to hear my brother in that role.  I almost didn't recognize whose voice it was.  Here are a few photos from the past few days:

Goodbye School, Hello Summer

I remember reading in a Family Fun magazine {love that magazine!...full of ideas by creative people for tired people like me to make our own:-)} about a Mom who put up a banner for her kids to run through on the last day of school to celebrate the beginning of Summer.  I have been wanting to do this for years and so this year I was determined to do it.  I let the creative juices flow and I have to say that it was so much fun to do!  It became a little precarious as I climbed up the ladder to hang up the front door "Summer" sign by myself but thankfully no trip to the Urgent Care {who unfortunately has seen us a little too often}.  The yard was ready, just needed the boys to come home.

My little Kindergartener was first to be home.  Eyan was thrilled to run through that finish line and then through the front door ribbons over and over again.  Of course Tate had a hankering for bursting through the ribbons since the moment I hung them up.  The elation on their faces was contagious.

Owen seemed to bounce out of the car.  Mainly because he saw something to run through, not because he was overly thrilled for Summer to begin.  Owen LOVES school and wasn't too sure about being out for 3 months.  He, like his brothers, bounded back and forth through the ribbon sign.

My cute little school boys were out for the summer.  I always love seeing their shoes on the last day of school.  {Owen's kindergarten shoes here.} It is amazing to me how they can be transformed into bare threads within months.  Eyan calls these shoes his Lightning McQueen shoes {its the closest he'll get since I am a mean mom who doesn't allow character shoes} and I think they may be close to their final lap.  I always love Owen's style.  His shoe laces went from black to purple to white and black throughout the year.  

We had made a bucket list for things to do this summer and we definitely started off our first day right.  This was only the beginning of our day of fun.  Stay tuned for photos of a pool party, pizza, and a Drive In Movie.  Oh the fun we had!

{see my tutorial for the 'Gateway to Summer' door banner here}

Going Home

Well Jesse proclaimed it so, "It's official. We are going home today!!". Home. Home!!! Can it be true? Such promising words!!! I have to say I am holding my breath a little. I so want them to be true. The plan is that Jesse and Jani will be heading home today sometime with their precious girl and a feeding tube, oxygen tank, and monitor in tow. Abigail gained sufficient weight from being back on the feeding tube yesterday. Jesse said that they have been feeding her all that she will take and then have to give the rest that she needs through the tube. What loving care will be taking place in their little home as new parent hands will not only perform the normal infancy care but also the added tasks associated with Abigail's extra needs. I hope to relay more information and of course photos as soon as I receive them!

Thank you to everyone for you prayers, fasting, thoughts, support, love, and kind words. This is truly a triumph and a blessed day for us all. All of you who have made Abigail your own.

**UPDATE 1:56 pm She's all dressed up and ready to go!!! Home that is.
Sent from Jesse: "About to leave the hospital. Now this is how Jani always imagined her. Covered in pink, not in cords."

Its official when you're in the carseat, you are homeward bound!!

**UPDATE 3:57 pm sent from Jani, "wide eyed on her way home."  Abigail is discovering that there is a whole other world out there that she doesn't want to miss.

**UPDATE Jul 18th 9:52pm.  It has been pretty quiet on the news over the past 2 days.  I am hoping that means that things are going alright at home with Daddy Jesse, Mommy Jani, and Baby Abigail.  I know that she has continued on the feeding tube and has to be fed every 3 hours to ensure she is getting enough calories.  My mom said that she is sleeping well but like many babies, has her days and nights confused.  I am sure the exhaustion of parenthood is taking its toll so I have tried to just leave them be and hope they are doing well and getting plenty of rest when they can.  Hope to have more photos soon.

One Little Step Forward, One Big Step Back

Although I received his message in a written form this morning, I could 'hear' the disappointment in Jesse's voice as he asked us to pray for Abigail.  Some people you know so well that when you read their words, you hear their voice. This is the case with my Jesse. This is the first time I have received a direct request from him. An earnest plea from a father on behalf of his precious daughter. Due to lack of weight gain, little Abigail will have to be put back on a feeding tube.  Such a frustrating setback after yesterday's hopeful prospect that she may have been able to come home today if she would have done better feeding from a bottle.  Kathy, Jani's mother, enlightened us on Abigail's feeding particulars in her comment last night on the post "Hurdle to Heading Home".  In part she states,

"They say eating is the most tiring thing for her so they need to make sure she is eating more calories than she is using to drink her bottle or nurse."  This is most likely the reason she will have to be back on the feeding tube today, she was not consuming enough calories from the bottle and nursing.  It is my guess that until she does, she will not be able to come home.  Jesse asked that we "pray that she starts to eat well.  Our stay in the hospital has been extended a couple of days."  

Just yesterday their sites on going home soon seemed so promising.  Abigail had achieved a time-honored milestone for any girl, wearing her first outfit.  Such a simple thing, but represented so much.  A small step on the path of 'firsts' that are the joys of infancy for every parent to witness.  Please answer Jesse's call to pray for his perfect baby girl today so that they may enjoy her first day at home very soon.

Hurdle to Heading Home

It has been an entire week since sweet baby Abigail underwent her life-saving heart surgery.  We are happy to report that she has been moved from the NICU onto a different floor in the hospital.  That alone speaks volumes!  An even more highly anticipated move is the day when she will be able to join her Mommy and Daddy at home.  She continues to approach that goal as she improves more and more each day.  One of the main hurdles is transitioning from her dependency on the IV for food.  Most mothers would agree that as a first-time mom there was some level of anxiety relating to feeding your newborn baby.  That in combination with all the complications of Abigail's young life must place it at an extreme level.  There has been some resistance from Abigail which I am sure places heavy burdens on Jani.  I pray for peace in both of their hearts as they struggle to create that unique bond between mother and child.

I believe that if they can get Abigail to at least improve feeding from a bottle that they will be one more step closer to bringing her home tomorrow or Saturday!!!!!!  What a miracle that would be.  Let us continue to pray that those life sustaining functions, which the doctors worked so hard to repair, in conjunction with those natural reflexes that Heavenly Father has created for our bodies will supersede her accustomed dependency on machines for live giving.

**UPDATE Jul 15 8:00 pm written by Grandma Kathy in the "comments" link below.**