Recently I've been wanting to find a hobby to keep me busy while my husband is studying for school, which is ALL the time. I'm so lucky to have such a hard working husband that loves what he is doing. I cant wait to see what the future has in store for us!
I've come to find that I enjoy crafting. My first little project I did is a "Merry Christmas" banner. I've been needing some decorations in my house and its Christmas time, so I thought this would be perfect! I am really happy with the way it turned out, especially since I'm new to this.
What you need-
Burlap (I found mine at Wal-Mart but you can get it at any craft store)
Fabric Scissors
Paint (I used the brand called Folk Art and used the color Cardinal Red)
Ruler
Marker
Stencils
Sponge brush
Ribbon
Hot glue gun
Step 1- Measure your first triangle. The measurements really depend on what size your stencils are. Use your first triangle to trace 14 triangles with your marker. I found it easier to trace the same one so you don't have to keep measuring out a triangle.
Step 2- Cut out all of your triangles
Step 3- Pour your paint onto a plate then lay your stencils on top of your triangle. (I recommend putting it all on newspaper so you don't get paint on your table.) Now just dab your brush in the paint and dab it over your stencil and onto your burlap!
Step 4- After you do all your letters, lay it out to dry. It takes about 30 minutes.
Step 5- Last step, super glue the burlap triangles onto the ribbon and you're done! All you have to do now is hang it up!
Since I'm new at this, I didn't realize the burlap would fray. I've read that I should've used "Fray Stop Spray" and you can get that at Hobby Lobby, Joanns, or any craft store.
If you want to do an easy Christmas art project, I recommend this. Its super easy and most of all, TONS of fun!! Enjoy!
"Happiness is a choice. You can choose to be happy. There's going to be stress in life, but its your choice whether you let it affect you or not." -Valerie Bertinelli
I think often people focus too much on the negative things rather than the happy and positive things in their life. I know I'm guilty of it, but recently I have been choosing to be happy. To me happiness is when:
Hitting all green lights on the way to my next destination
Getting done with a good workout
Sleeping on clean sheets
Coming home to clean house
Coming home to my sweet husband and ornery cat
The Holidays
Making someone smile/laugh
Eating Pizza Rolls
Watching One Tree Hill
Talking to my best friend on the phone
Finding a new book you cant put down
Candles
Having a good relationship with my parents
Having wonderful In-Laws
Monkeys
Good Music
Finding jeans that fits perfectly
Helping others out
Having a day off with my husband
That's just the start. I could go on and on about what makes me happy. I'm very grateful for the life that I have and wouldn't change it for anything. Appreciate the little things in life and be thankful for what God has given us.
Leaves changing colors. Sweater weather. Scarves and boots. Cuddling. Football. Cool air. Pumpkins. Good smelling candles. Hello Fall. "Fall has always been my favorite season. The time when everything burst with its last beauty, as if nature has been saving up all year for the grand finale."- Lauren DeStefano Lauren couldn't have said it any better!
This year, my husband and I came up with a bucket list we want to do this season. Oh the joy of being able to share all these fun activities with my husband!
December 11 2010 is the day that changed both of our lives in ways neither of us could have predicted.
That day Justin was living in Moscow, Russia serving his 2 year mission for The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He was playing Hockey with some of his friends and church members and he broke his leg. It would end his mission early, leaving him questioning why this would happen?
That night I was a normal sophomore that went to bed and had a dream. It wasn't a normal dream. It was pitch black and I could only hear a voice. That voice said "your future husband is on his mission right now and preparing to come home." I thought it was really obscure. I told my mom the next morning and she told me to write it down and see what happens. Over two years went by until Justin and I began dating. We were reading through his mission journals and found the broken leg entry. A couple days later I was cleaning my room and found the piece of paper I had completely forgotten about. When I noticed the dates are the same I told Justin about it, and joked that his leg broke - setting a chain of events that would lead him to me. Essentially I broke his leg.
It was love at first sight...kinda.
I knew OF Justin because he dated an old friend of mine for a time. On Monday July 9th, 2012 I went to play volleyball at my church. A bunch of us were playing volleyball for a few hours and I kept picking on the cute blonde-haired boy. I kicked his butt :) Afterwards, a group of us went to the movies to see Spider-Man, he and his friend decided to tag along. Our group wanted to get ice-cream after the movie, but Justin said he was craving a slushie from Sonic. He asked if anyone else wanted one, to which I hurriedly said yes [I hate ice-cream after-all]. It felt like he was driving really far, but kept reassuring me that it was the closest one. Later I found out he knew of five that were closer, but wanted an excuse to talk with the cute girl. As we were driving he said, "So whats your story?" I told him about myself for awhile. After a decently long trek, we met back up with our friends and all went our separate ways.
That Sunday I was sitting with my friends talking after church, when he approached me and asked, "Hey I'd like to get a group of people to play volleyball more often. Since I'm new-I don't know anyone, can I have your number so we can set things up?" After a hesitant glance from my friend [his now ex] I got the "okay" glance. That night he messaged me...but we never talked about getting a group of people to play volleyball. I find out later it was the best excuse he could come up with to get my number. The next day, July 16, we went on our first date to the park to work out, then went to get a Sonic drink. We sat on his car and talked for what seemed like an hour or so. Nope! Four hours later, and its 3 am! The following four months went just like that night, we couldn't spend enough time together.
November 21 2012
The proposal...
Around the holiday's, Justin's family takes annual pictures. That year they chose to do them at a lake behind their house. Once the family pictures were done, the photographer said she wants to take couple pictures next. She said, "How about we do Justin and Amber first? Go over there on the dock and just pretend we aren't here - be cute." So Justin being the goof he is says, "Lets shake our butts at them." I later find out that's the sign to his family to pull out their phones and take pictures, so he could get lots of different angles of the proposal.
Justin got down on one knee, then asked me to marry him. And of course i said yes! To which everyone cheers.
I knew what was happening now.
The dang wind wouldn't stop blowing my hair.
4 months later...
March 16 2013 was windy and cold, but it was the best day of my life. That's the day I married the love of my life.
I got up super early to get ready to be married at 12:30. We got sealed for eternity at the Kansas City Temple. Later that evening we had our reception, celebrating with all of our family and friends.
It's been a little over a year and we couldn't be happier! I don't regret one bit getting married young. Some people have called it stupid and foolish, but I know its the best decision I have ever made, and wouldn't trade it for anything.
In July of 2013 I got a new job, and little did i know that it would be the best job I've ever had. I had the opportunity to nanny 3 kids. Before, I worked at a daycare and at Life Time Fitness teaching little kids how to swim. I have always known i love working with kids, so i knew this would be the best job for me. Of course it has its days that can be stressful, but it is well worth it! I'm going to share with you about the family i work for. First, the parents. Dustin and Melanie is the definition of hard workers. They both work early in the AM and until the evening and sometimes LATE evening. BUT, even though they both work, they still have time to do fun things with their kids and spend quality time with them. You can tell that they are a very loving family. I admire Melanie. She wakes up to get herself and the kids ready for work and school. Then she will get her lunch all ready and their dinner. After she has her purse and jacket on, It still takes her about 5 minutes to walk out of the door because the kids are giving her hugs and kisses. You can tell they love each other so much. When Melanie and Dustin get home, they take their kids to all their activities basically every night. Can you say BUSY?! Melanie has taught me that no matter how busy life gets, her kids can always count on her. She will always have time for them no matter what. Now the 3 kids. Izzy, 8, is smart, beautiful, loving, and cheerful. I've never seen any 8 year old so obedient. She will read and play with her little sister even if she doesn't want to. When Izzy gets home, she goes straight to do her homework and read for 20+ minutes. She gets everything so fast. Izzy is SO smart. Izzy has a very contagious laugh. It is literally impossible to be anything but happy when you're around her. She can seriously light up the whole room. Izzy has taught me to always be loving and happy because you don't get anywhere without it. Now Carter. I grew up with 3 sisters and 1 brother. I NEVER knew how crazy boys can get. Carter is ornery, hyper, and loud. He loves to bug his sisters until they start crying. BUT, Carter is also very loving, handsome, and smart. As much as he hates school, he is VERY smart. Every week he comes home with a harder spelling list than the other kids. It doesn't take him long at all to do his homework. I am so proud of him! He has the cutest smile ever. He's going to be a stud when he gets older. Watch out Mom!! Carter has taught me how to be VERY patient. Not with just him but with myself and others around me. I think everyone needs to know how to be patient, because if you don't you'll get irritated and wont be happy and happiness is the key to life. And because of him i hope to have a couple of boys of my own someday. Carter also can light up the room with his cute smile/laugh. Now Maddy, 4, is sweet, happy, beautiful, giggly. Maddy always wants to be right there with everyone. She is always smiling and laughing. She already has better style than i do. She has the cutest clothes and always wants her hair done with bows. She loves to cuddle and have books read to her. 4 is such a fun age. Maddy is the sweetest little girl i have ever met. She can light up the room by just hearing her soft voice. She has taught me to love everyone and everything. She says "I love you" to everything and I know she really means it.
These kids mean the world to me! I am so happy I'm their nanny. I love watching how innocent kids really are. This has been a big blessing to watch these happy angels. I cant wait to see what they have in store for me and i cant wait to watch them grow up. I wish i could be their nanny forever. I love you guys!!!
I'm not the one to write in a journal or anything but the other day i was thinking that i want to remember all the memories that i have. I have such a wonderful life that i don't want to forget anything! So why not blog about it? A little introduction of me:
I graduated from high school in 2012.
I am currently 19.
I married my best friend at the age of 18. It almost our 1 year anniversary!
We moved out of our apartment and into our first house on the first of the year.
I love being a wife.
I nanny 3 amazing kids.
I like to be outdoors and active.
I love listening to music. I'm not really musically talented though.
I am number 3 out of 5 kids and have phenomenal parents.
I have a cat named Nadiya which means "hope" in Russian.
I am Mormon.
I hope to keep up to date on my blog. Ill be writing about anything and everything. :)
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