Mama Mia (Part I)

I recently read an article about the joys and struggles of turning 30*. Number One stated "You will figure out who YOU really are and why you have gone through so much". It goes on to say "You will reflect on your life..." and that's just what I've been doing. I have a close knit group of friends in my life who have been by my side through the good, the bad and the ugly. I can't mention everyone because this blog post would be too long, but I will say that I love and appreciate each and everyone of you more than you will ever know. My life has been rough, unpretty and hard at times and you never judged me, but instead stood beside me no matter what kind of trouble I was getting myself into.

With all that being said I would like to talk about one of these people who has been with me (literally) every step of the way... My Mom. She will be surprised that I'm writing about her because she thought I was doing my "beYOUtiful" blog, but lately it's been on my heart to talk about how amazing my mom is. I know many people can say that their mom is the best or amazing, but my mom and I's relationship is a little different than most.

I'll start from the beginning... I was adopted at 4 months old. My conditions at birth were less than desirable, my birth mother had left me in my crib and unattended for months. As most of you know the first days/months after birth are crucial for bonding with your baby and I never got to bond with anyone. Yes,  very sad I know but one day...actually a miracle happened, being adopted allowed me to grow up with true unconditional love.

I have to be honest and say that I gave my mom hell. Although she would never use that word, I can safely say this because looking back I was not an easy child, teenager or adult in my early/mid 20's. It wasn't until my son was born that life got real and I started realizing how my mom never gave up on me even though she could have walked away at any moment. She told me all the time she would always love me and she did. Now that I'm older and much wiser I can call her my best friend and confidant. It's amazing when I let my guard down and let go of all the secrets (guess what friends...mothers REALLY do know all) that our relationship began to change. 

I've said already that I have several people in my life that have been there for me but I never thought the one I would turn to would be my mom and I'm so happy we are FINALLY at this point in our lives. Mom I Love You, even when I resist  you or roll my eyes...you are truly amazing! 

"Being part of a Family means you are part of something wonderful. It means you will love and be loved for the rest of your life. 

No matter what."

*13 Things That Are Totally Going to Change You in Your 30s

DIY: Painted Mugs

Pinterest inspires me... and sucks me in for hours at a time. It doesn't make for a productive day but it does get the creative juices flowing. Well I have finally put Pinterest to good use by painting on mugs! Lets get started...

You'll Need:

1. Mugs: Mine were from Crate and Barrel $1.95-$3.95 plus shipping

2. Scrapbook Letters at Target $2.99+

3. Scotches Carpenters Tape to make straight lines or to tape down anything you might want to trace and for typography.

4. I used Sharpie Paint (oil based) Markers from the UC Bookstore at about $3 each or you can buy ceramic markers on-line. 

Next

I printed off an outline map of Montana, then taped it and traced it (Of course you can print any state of your  choice).

The quote on this mug: "I am in Love with Montana. For other states I have admiration, respect, recognition, even some affection, but with Montana it is LOVE." -Steinbeck

Baking Instructions:

1. Let paint dry for 24 hours.

2. Once 24 hours has passed, place mugs in cool oven.

3. Turn on oven to 400 and set timer for 40 min.

 4. When the timer goes off let the  mugs cool down in the oven (do not remove).

Lastly, when using bright colors it tends to loose its brightness after baking but at least the color will stay.

 Inside, I put Hershey's peppermint kisses and hot cocoa and Voilà --A gift for any occasion. 

  

I made these mugs for a White Elephant gift exchange.

Helpful Hints:

-Use Rubbing Alcohol for any mistakes before baking.

-The 24/hr drying is important, so leave plenty of time to do this project. 

-Dollar store mugs work just as well as the name brand ones do.

-Have fun!

Here are a few more ideas...

"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep."

-Scott Adams

The 7 Experiment

AS IF I didn't have enough on my plate already, why not add one other thing? In November I committed to  "7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess" by Jen Hatmaker, which I would spend the next seven months doing different challenges each month. Now I won't get into all the details about the book, because we have a group blog (click on the link above) which explains it all and you should check it out.

Not many of you know I almost wasn't going participate in this HUGE commitment. Not because I couldn't handle it, but because I've had to learn to live simply and I wasn't sure how doing this challenge would help me. When I was living on my own I was forced to cut back on many things and, more importantly, I learned to trust in God in every aspect of my life. So for two years I was able to apply all Jen wrote about in her book to my life already without even knowing it.  My mom and my friend Shu pushed me to go ahead and join this group because they said "it's about the group experience" and "you always learn something new when you go through challenges like this"... well guess what? They are right!

Getting rid of all the excess in our lives is easier to accomplish with a group of people, why? Because we are doing this together. When we are feeling low or even uncomfortable we can gripe and complain to one another about our struggles and in return we get to be lifted up and encouraged --even when they live in Canada or Atlanta. Thank you E-man for your long distance support!

For month Two, we were to choose only 7 items of clothing to wear. I have to admit that this was my favorite month so far, life truly became simple for me...Less laundry and clothing options to choose from.

I chose...
1.)  2 pairs of shoes which count as one item...the "counsel" agreed to this.
2.) Black leggings
3.) Grey Cardigan
4.) Long sleeve shirt
5.) AE blue jeans
6.) Black shirt
7.) Mens plaid shirt
Undergarments don't count as part of your 7. 

Last day of the clothes challenge.
1/7/2014

Month 2.5 is Resolution Month (not from the book what so ever).   Here's how my brother puts it: We will postpone our third Challenge: "Possessions - Give Away Your Stuff", to February. This month, in the spirit of the New Year, we will embrace a new challenge: "Choose Seven Resolutions". 

Your challenge is to prayerfully choose seven resolutions regarding 2014, and then keep those resolutions at least through January. Statistics show that nearly 80% of New Year's Resolutions are broken before the end of January, so choose wisely! If, at the end of January, you would like to discontinue your resolutions, you may choose to do so - but I would like to challenge you to consider keeping at least three for the 2014 year!

You can choose anything, but our emphasis is on the spiritual resolves we should make in our lives. For many of us, this will include "physical" or "emotional" resolutions, which is okay. I like the motto from ARWC - "Mind, Body, Spirit" - and feel like it serves as a good guide for making your resolutions. Also, you can think in terms of days or weeks, but try to put a timeline to each resolution. -J.D.

Here is my 7...

1.) Keep up with my blog "let life surprise you" for the entire year. A new post every Friday! 

2.) "How to maximize your life" devotional by You Version and of course daily prayer.

3.) "Clean House"; organize, de-junk but most of all keep up on daily chores.

4.) Less use of Electronics(iPhone, iPad, and TV) and Social Media. No phone out or on around family and friends, period. TV on ONLY after 8pm unless Landon is watching his one 30min cartoons in the am/pm.

5.) Random Acts of Kindness once a week.

6.) Something that makes me happy or I really enjoy doing once a week... Sushi anyone?

7.)Lastly, focus more on Landon and his interests. Once a week take him out around Missoula. The rest of the week, draw, teach him new games and to play the wii, do Legos, etc.

So here I am toward the end of week One of Resolutions.  Already I find I am enjoying healthier thinking and stronger intentions.  Also, a BIG thanks to my group...It is much more fun than I ever imagined!

All is Calm, All is Bright... My Christmas Recap

This was the first Christmas without my sister (she's a newly wed and having her first married Christmas with her in-laws) and I didn't know what to expect. Over the years as our family has grown and each Christmas is different, the change is never easy but I'm happy to say that this year we had a really good time with just the five of us --Granddad, Nonni, Rob, Landon and ME!

Landon (4 yrs old)  picked out their stocking stuffers and labeled them. 

So many firsts this Christmas, Landon set out milk and cookies for Santa and he was so kind to leave Landon a note and proof (footprints in the snow) that he had been at our house. Next, Landon was the Pickle Winner of 2013 and got a glass bottle Coke --such a lucky boy. 

The only thing I would change this Christmas would be Landon's stocking...poor kid had to use someone's else stocking w/his photo taped onto it (making memories for sure). A long long time ago, back when we actually had a Christmas all together at my parents house in 2001,  my sister-in-law Lana made our families stockings with our cartoon portraits on them by Joel and ever since then we've been using them. Even though I'm not on top of things this year, I've already got his stocking being worked on for next year -- better late than never. But as you can see he can hardly even tell that anything is wrong, he's too excited about the Christmas Day!

Recreating the the photo on the stocking.
Thank you Uncle Rob for a wonderful visit --Landon is very proud of  you!

Lastly, it was the first year I contributed to our Christmas brunch. Normally I would leave this responsibility up to my mom, leaving her to make the entire meal but not this year, this year I made a casserole and it was Mmm-mmmm good! 

Sausage Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole*

"The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree:  the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other."

FaceTime --The BEST way to end Christmas. We love you Jack and Kate!

*click link for recipe

A New Year is Unfolding

"Stop holding yourself back."

I was really dreading my celebrating my birthday this year, but now that it's the New Year I've decided to make this year an ADVENTURE and to share this journey with you all.  Every Friday (unless otherwise announced) I plan to write a blog for the ENTIRE year and it will be entertaining per the usual. I'm hoping that through my writing and commitment to making this year great, I will learn, grow and do new things all the time.

Here's to 2014 --Happy New Year Everyone!