Category: Decor

Lately I’ve been asking friends and family to share their favorite Christmas memories! Here’s one of mine:

One of my most memorable Christmases was when I was about 11 years old. My mom was very sick that year, and while we never had much money growing up, that year seemed especially tight. I knew not to expect much for Christmas, but I remember asking my parents for my very own box of 64 Crayola crayons, complete with the built-in crayon sharpener. That Christmas morning, when I opened a package of brand-new crayons, that I didn’t have to share with any one of my siblings, I was thrilled. I also received a coloring book and a pair of gloves.

Knowing that Christmas wasn’t going to be very big that year, I was actually quite happy with my presents, until I saw my 6-year old sister open her gift.

Her present was larger in size than any other present under the tree, and my siblings and I all coveted it, because in our minds, bigger meant better. My parents had given her a foam, egg-carton mattress pad. I think it cost only a few dollars at the store, but in our childish minds, we were very aware that she got the best present that year.

My sister and I had shared a double mattress our whole lives, but I wanted my own bed. A few months before Christmas, I was rummaging through our basement and found a twin-sized mattress, box springs base, and two bed frames. At the time, I didn’t understand what a box springs base was. All I saw was two beds for two little girls… one soft mattress, and one very hard mattress.

After convincing my parents to let us change out our bed, I then did something that I still feel shame about. I wanted that soft mattress so much that I manipulated my little sister into taking the hard mattress… convincing her that it would be better for her younger, still-developing spine. She willingly followed my plan, and slept on the box springs without complaint.

I’m further ashamed to admit, that when I saw my sister open the biggest present on Christmas morning, a cheap egg-carton foam topper for her box springs bed, I was a little jealous. I saw the love my parents had put in to making my sister’s bed nicer, and I was aware that had I taken the hard mattress, I might be the one getting the foam pad for Christmas.

Later that day, one of my brothers asked why we all didn’t get foam pads for our beds. My mother, who had felt so bad about giving the mattress pad to her 6-year old for Christmas, lovingly explained that our sister had basically been sleeping on a wood and cardboard box, while we all had soft mattresses. And as I thought of this, I began to realize my mistakes. I had put my own wants and needs ahead of my sister, and had even tricked her into get what I wanted.

Christmas is a time of giving, but it’s also a time of getting, and it’s easy to let the entitlement creep in, making us dissatisfied and unappreciative of the love people put in to the gifts they give us. That year I had focused a little too much on what I was getting, rather than what I was giving. But when I saw the love my parents had given, my heart was changed.

After apologizing to my mom and sister, I helped place the foam pad on my sister’s bed, replace the sheets and bedding, and tried to help make it extra special by adding a few of my own stuffed animals. Later that evening, as I shared my new set of crayons with my sister, I felt peace, and I was glad that she, who had unselfishly let me have the softer mattress, had received the biggest present that year.

The best Christmas presents are the ones given with love. My parents used their limited resources on a box of crayons, and foam mattress, and while they weren’t expensive and shiny, they were thoughtful presents that my parents knew we’d love. And the lessons those two simple presents taught me about sacrifice and selflessness will continue to last throughout the years.

Now it’s your turn! I’d love to hear about one of your memorable Christmases!

I keep this little sign in my bathroom because it reminds me that love is a choice.

So often I feel like love is something that I fall into, or that it’s something that I’ll feel, after I feel love from others first.

But I’ve been wrong.

John 13:34 says, “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another as I have loved you; that ye also love one another.”

I like to think that the Savior gave this to us as a commandment to remind us that because of the gift of agency, we can choose to love others even when they may get on our nerves at times.

Elder Dale G. Renlund said, “In order for us to more effectively serve others we must begin to see people through a parent’s eyes. Through Heavenly Father’s eyes. Only then can we more fully comprehend the true value of the soul. Only then can we begin to understand the love our Heavenly Father has for his children.”

One thing I know is true is that Heavenly Father loves you and me more than we know! I testify of the healing power of the atonement because I’ve felt it working in my life. I’m grateful for the gift of agency so I can choose to show love one to another.

My husband and I have been pretty transient in our  marriage and have moved consistently every 2-3 years for work. For a girl who lived within a 2 mile radius her whole life, moving that much was tough for me!

The first move took us away from all our family, then another move left us renting our home out while we lived 800 miles away from it! The most difficult move happened when when the twins were only 3 weeks out of NICU!
After a while, I began feeling like putting down roots would never happen, and it was easy to get frustrated about being so transient. I spent more time than I care to admit, crying about how often we move, about leaving houses I fell in love with, and about not knowing where my kids would attend high school.

We’ve been here for 3 years now, and true to form, my husband’s company has been talking about where they want to send us! First it was Florida, then Arizona, then Tennessee, then Colorado, then Arizona again. And all the while I wanted to get closer to our extended family, or just stay here! It was an emotional roller coaster!  It was 6 months of being excited about one place only to have it pulled out from us again!

Then two months ago, I was walking through Hobby Lobby and passed a sign that had this saying:

With You I Am Home!

Those words touched me, and I began crying right there in the store! It was as if a million thoughts spoke to me at once and it made me realize what is really important.

The location of our house, whether we rent or buy, the decor, the schools, and even how long we live there just isn’t what’s really and truly important.

It’s who I live with that counts.

My home is about my family. The bond and connection I create with my husband and my children are far more important than the location of my home. If everything I owned was gone tomorrow and we lived in a box, we’d be home because we’d be together. It’s my family that truly matters.
I should’ve bought the sign right there, but my little DIY mind thought I could make my own and do it better! I found the wood at Lowes, painted it white and hand painted the letters.

I gave it to my hubby as a Father’s Day gift to show him that I’m willing to go wherever his work takes us. That I’m done crying over our transient lifestyle, and that the location of my home isn’t the most important thing.

These words remind me that it doesn’t matter if I live in a house for 2 years or 10 years.  As long as I’m with my husband and my family, I will be home.

I’ve been enjoying my little hobby business. I love watching the equity in my company grow. The profits are minimal, but growing nonetheless, and I love being busy during the day. Furthermore, the projects I’m working on are challenging and exciting and I feel a huge sense of accomplishment when I finish something.

I’ve been running this little business now for 10 months, and it’s just barely starting to get noticed. I actually have clients calling me for consultations and, my little dreams are coming true!
But now that school is out, my kids are home every day. And everything is changing. I’ve never wanted this business to interfere with my family life or take away from them at all.
But looking forward at the business opportunities that I have, the clients that I could take, and the projects I could do, I’m realizing how quickly this could turn into a full-time job. What’s more, a full time job that doesn’t pay very well! We’re not going to retire on painted furniture! Haha!

So when is it too much? How can I still maintain a teeny tiny business and be a stay at home mom at the same time?

The other growing pain I’m having is that I really need my own shop. I’m currently painting in our tiny study, and doing projects in the garage. Since neither of us want to park on the driveway, I have to set up and take down my projects the same day. That’s wasting a lot of time! You should see me pulling furniture around the house on towels!
And the final challenge I face is the weather. With temperatures hitting the 100’s and high humidity percentages, the weather is no good for painting, especially spray painting.
Someone one said, “Let your challenges be external, not internal.” I have to remind myself of that every time I think these challenges are some kind of sign. They are not!

I know I’ve been lead in the right direction. I know I will find the answers I need!
So I’ve decided to take a break through summer. I’m booking clients in September. I’m going to work on these business struggles, and enjoy my children!