Lissables

You may notice we have a different look today!

My wonderful and thoughtful husband spent two hours working on my website last night. Updating the look and software for it. Unfortunately its still in the process of being finished, so bear with me while we get it all up and running. I am super excited about this, we’ll be back to normal asap!

As for today. MERRY CHRISTMAS! To all my friends, family, and loyal reader’s. This has been an amazing year thank you for sharing it with us!

Hey guys. Are you looking for some last minute gifts, maybe some add on’s that you want to make yourself. I have the perfect thing for any little girls in your life. I promise this is an any level of craftiness project!

Here are your supplies!

1 {empty} Oats container

1 candle stick. Can be any style. I happen to already have this one, I spray painted it 2 coats with Antique white.

Paper {or fabric} to wrap around container. I used paper so I needed 2 sheets of 12×12

Hot Glue Gun for attaching Candle stick to container

I used Glossy Accents to attach my paper to the container.

It’s pretty self explanatory. I saw them all over etsy but I knew they were easy enough to make myself. Empty and clean the Oats container. Cover with paper or fabric of your choice. Attach candle stick to bottom of container with hot glue. And that’s about it. When I attached the candle stick and paper I hold it for about 1 minute to make sure its solid. I left the top off so it can be used for hair clips, socks, extra headbands or anything else that doesn’t have a spot in a little girl’s room. Double the storage!

In case you are wondering I DID NOT make the headbands. I found them on etsy in Poncho Dean’s Shop. I also got myself a headband and hair clip too! And she was running an awesome sale with free baby sandals when I ordered. Watch her on FB for similar sales.

Hope everyone is enjoying the bustle before Christmas, and remembering to love everyone a little extra this holiday season.

I briefly mentioned that we went to a Christmas Party for a company Brandon freelances for. Last thursday we went to our first DAV Christmas Bash. There hasnt been one due to the economy since Brandon worked for them full time in 2008. So needless to say I think lots of people were excited to see it back on! They even had snow falling at the entrance, {thanks to snow machines of course.} It was fun hanging out with friends and childless. We love that chubby cheeked red head but its nice to have some Mommy/Daddy alone time too! I didnt even take my camera with me, and if you know me you know my camera is my lifeline. So I have been waiting till today to see and share the few photo’s from the night. And here they are!

This is going to be a short post because Sawyer is playing throw the baseball at Mommy’s computer the entire time I’ve been writing this. {He has a surprisingly good arm for a 1 year old!}

Intense Overwhelming Grief. Its the only way to describe this morning’s events. I was, like so many others today, watching as a small story grew into one of the worst in American’s history. The second largest school shooting. 27 dead, 20 children, 6 adults and the shooter’s mother. All the statistic’s being blasted in our faces. Repeated, and repeated, gradually with new information. But we all continue to watch and wonder what could possibly cause someone to do such a senseless thing.

That’s why tonight when I was playing with Sawyer, his laughter sounded like the most beautiful sound in the world. Such a simple thing that I think a lot of people realized today that we take for granted. I cannot imagine what it would feel like to know your child was in that, or any school or location that had had a shooting. It was like having my heart ripped out dealing with Sawyer’s surgery, sitting in a waiting room patiently for news. Literally gutwrenching. And I had 4 months to prep for it, knew what I was going into, and knew we had an almost 100% recovery rate. I don’t know how they drove to the school knowing what happened. How they stayed there all day. How they will go home to an empty house just 10 days from Christmas. With gifts under the tree for a child that won’t ever come home. I don’t know how they will be able to handle any small task ever again. My heart truly goes out to everyone remotely touched by this situation.

I feel that I saw too many comments about how this was a world worth leaving behind. That there is no humanity left. By saying this, you are giving this situation all the power.  Though so many are grieving, you are forgetting the parents who were tearfully reunited with their children. I know those parent’s are so thankful today. We cannot control the world, so unfortunately these sad events will continue to mar our lives. I felt the same way when the Aurora shooting was being covered. And I know my parent’s had many a conversation with me when I would cry at night not wanting to go to school after columbine, over 10 years ago. Instead of being so consumed by sadness I will try to enjoy every little moment that would normally be taken advantage of. Sawyer’s laughs, playing with him, watching him discover new things, even having a complete meltdown screaming and hanging onto my legs. I get to kiss him goodnight tonight, and for that and everyday forth I am so grateful for what I have.

I have rambled in this post because I don’t know what to say. Nothing anyone says will change the outcome of what has occurred. But I wanted to put my feelings in words on my blog. Because one day I will think I am having a bad day, and I will reread this post and understand that none of my day’s will be as terrible as losing a child.

I know its been awhile since I’ve blogged when I start hearing about it in person. Who knew I had such dedicated reader’s! I last left you with the Giving Thanks Project. I have to say it was wildly successful. If you are feeling low in life, instead of trying to brighten your own life, try telling people around you what they mean to you. Not everyone will respond, some of mine never had a chance to. But I did get a few letter’s in return. I could have burst with sunshine with all the happiness shared. Truly, I feel that because I was spreading cheer, my life seemed more joyful in the everyday moments.

As for what’s been going on in this crazy house. Lots of madness. I feel that it’s finally settled down, just long enough to blog. So here’s the story….in pictures of course!

1. I never told you about the amazing Thanksgiving we had up in the Mountains in Utah. A mini road trip to see Brandon’s family. Lots of delicious food, jumping on the trampoline, ATVing, even archery! {Yes everyone, you should all know my nickname is Katniss and I split an arrow. Brandon offered to go first so I wasn’t embarrassed, I forgot to mention it wasn’t my first time holding a bow and arrow!}

2. We kicked off the Christmas season with a little Christmas Luncheon at my sister in Law’s house. I made a Christmas sprinkle cake. I love them because I feel like they are easy for a big effect. Though I definitely liked the multicolored sprinkles of Sawyer’s Birthday cake over just the red, green and white.

3. I did my first Gender Reveal Cake. For those not aware of this pinterest inspired party sweeping the Mom to Be’s, its a cake with frosting tinted pink or blue based on a secret ultrasound that no one but the doctor and baker is aware of! How cute is that? Surprise it was PINK! Everyone was very excited and surprised that there will be a little girl soon!

4. I hosted the first annual “Ginger Bread House decorating at Auntie Lissa’s” Though the decorating wasn’t a huge hit, {I think they all are still too young!} There was still many many laughs. Sawyer was in heaven just running in circles with his cousin’s.

5. We went to a Christmas Party for the company that Brandon used to work for. Got all dressed up, {In my new Modcloth dress!} Had lots of fun. I cant wait to see pictures from the party because its the first time Ive ever left the house in 4 years of marriage without my baby…I was camera-less. {O THE HORROR!} But have no fear for my phone was always nearby!

6. And speaking of new Modcloth! Brandon surprised me with a gift card to Modcloth a few weeks back, and although there is a beautiful but tent sized sweater on it’s way back to them, I fell in love with my new shirt and dress. I have the sister designs to the same shirt in my cart to swap for my return. Its not the first time Ive ordered from Modcloth but it’s the first time Ive been head over heels over my order. O ya and it feels great to be buying new clothes because I am only 5 pounds away from pre pregnancy weight! So big thank you to Brandon for being the most amazing hubby. I cant say enough how great you are to me. I love you.

And that’s all you’ve missed during those lonely nights without lissables to entertain you. I’ve got loads of posts waiting to be written. Lots of pinterest inspired projects going on. Visits to Santa planned this week. Christmas traditions to share. New ones to start! I promise not to leave you all hanging for another month!

Thanks for being so loyal, I love each and every one of you!

Some days I have planned out in advance, some days I don’t. But some days someone reminds me what it is to be completely selfless and give until their hearts burst. Tonight I am thanking someone I haven’t seen since junior high. It’s almost been 10 years. But through the magic of facebook we manage to keep in touch. I love seeing her adventurous life through pictures! The benefit of social media and what it should be truly used for. Tonight I used the same tool to get a message out to my own mother. Simply that I missed her and would give her a hug if only I could.

In return I received a message from this friend. Who happens to be a  flight attendant. And in this little message she gave one of the biggest gifts. The opportunity to make this hug a reality. This is not the first time she has offered up buddy passes. Nor the second. This is the third time she has gifted me {through my mom} with buddy passes. For those of you who do not know how a buddy pass works, it gives you a free flight, you only pay taxes. Is there a bigger gift possible? Nope! Three times. And I havent seen her in 10 years. That adds up to 100% selfless.

I love the above quote. I think it suits this situation to a T. I will never be able to replay you for all the memories we’ve made with these buddy pass trips. The joy it will put back this weekend. Not only for myself, but for Sawyer and my mom. Thank you so much Krista!

You’ll never know how much this meant to us.

Thank You.

This is a big one. I have thanked some of you personally for this but I wanted to do a big post about it. Again. Because I can never repay the kindness that was shown to me during our toughest days. When we were sitting in that hospital sterile waiting room, I felt like I was surrounded by our friends and family. It was unbelievable watching the messages literally pouring in. People we had not spoken to in years, friends of friends, co-workers of family, complete strangers. I cannot even begin to describe how much strength it gave me.

If you were one of the lucky few who got to speak to me directly that week you were aware of the one rule I enforced. There was to be no crying. My poor mother and sister in law, did not enjoy this rule. But for me I knew if I opened that gate, it would overflow with emotion. So I didn’t cry. Not once in the PICU. It’s not to say I wasn’t emotionally torn by seeing Sawyer in this way. I was just being what he needed me to be. Crying wasn’t going to help, so I couldn’t.

Recently I went back and read every message again. Every comment on the blog, every private message, every status shout out, every comment on all the pictures and every wall post. This time I did cry. I could barely get through them. Your words all meant to much in the moment. Looking back on them, they mean even more. And I was deeply moved to see how many people wrote daily messages. It took 30 seconds out of your life, and you may not have thought about it much. But know that it did and still does, mean the world to me. I am in the process of recording all of them to put in his memory book, because I want to be able to show him how many people around the world were thinking of him.

So this is a sincere thank you to everyone who reached out to us, in every way. Thank you for helping me take on the world. I could not have done it without every single one of you. Thank You.

{To see previous Giving Thanks Project 2012 edition’s click here. One. Two. Three.}

Dear Wonderful friend.

I won’t be posting your name since it’s a little personal and I have not asked permission. I was going to write you a little note last night since I have been thinking lots of you. But today is your birthday so much more fitting that you get a BIG message! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

What’s even more exciting than your birthday, is someone else’s birthday. As you prepare to have a very emotional delivery due to medical diagnoses, I am reliving our medical roller coaster ride. So I do not envy you as you begin this journey. But I know you are stronger than you could ever imagine. And this new little boy is getting the best Momma ever. You will get through this and into the best days of a new baby so soon!

You inspire me daily. And even more often I find myself wishing we lived closer, let alone in the same country. {Though we both know we would be up to too much trouble as well as broke!} I treasure that we have stayed so close through the ever expanding distance between us. I dream of the day we get together again!

But since this is a thank you post {part of the Giving Thanks 2012 project} I wanted to take the time to really thank you. For the countless little packages I’ve received from afar. A head band, a Christmas box of goodies for Sawyer, I recently found a Christmas card from 2009 from you! For all the wonderful cheerleading memories with you! Maybe even credit you with the beginning of Brandon and I’s relationship, through all those Moxie’s coaching dinner’s! You have been with me through so much, and we have so much to look forward to together.

You were and still are big part of my life. I wish for you only the best. Truly. You are one of the few 100% good people out there. And I am blessed for having you in my life. I hope everyone you know appreciates you. And if they don’t now you know that I do.

I’ll be thinking of you until I see that beautiful boy’s face with your smiling one right beside it. {If only on facebook!}

FOR EVERYTHING.

I’ve been really enjoying this ‘Give Thanks’ personal project. But I missed two days, on purpose? I knew I was setting aside two days in a row. Since these are two people I wanted to thanks are very important but neither could come come first. {I didn’t want to hear you whine about which place you came in for the next 2 years…Dad!} So tonight I am honoring the two people I need to thank the most.

Collectively for all you gave me as a family. I am so grateful for growing up in a loving home. For all the privileges I may have taken advantage of in my lifetime. I especially want to thank you for the experiences you gave me through travelling. You both worked so hard to give us this gift and in the moment I never knew how much it would mean. You literally gave me the world. And I do appreciate it! It has also inspired a need to give my children the same. I cannot wait to one day see my kids playing on the beach in Sandpoint, riding the wooden roller coasters at Silverwood, and eating whatever they want on their birthdays at the panhandler.

As for individually:

Dad– For being the only dad, and my biggest supporter throughout my cheerleading addiction. Grade 10 through all-star. Calgary, Airdrie, Edmonton, even Vancouver. 5 years. I can’t even tell you how much those years meant to me and you were with me through it all. Thank You.

Mom– You didn’t get to come to all my cheerleading event’s because you made a commitment to be at Kimmy’s volleyball games and Mainstage performances. You can’t be in two places at  once and in order to make sure your kids got to be involved in their hearts desires, you put in hour’s, and heart and soul into your business. You worked hard so you could provide for your family. You gave up time with us, to provide us with the best possible life. Not something every mom does. Thank You.

Dad– For all the fun event’s through the hot rod club that you took us too. Valve cover racing, toy run’s, dressing up at every summer’s big show, {not every kid gets to chase their dad with light saber’s while he’s pretending to be Darth Vader!} Even dragging us along to all the ‘show and shines.’ It instilled my love for the 50’s and started my dream of owning a ’57 Bel Air. {One Day!} But you outdid yourself when you secretly got that Red Rag Top for my wedding day. It was the perfect gift and a memory I will treasure forever. Thank you.

Mom– For doing my hair for 25 years. The greatest gift for a girl. You give me confidence through my hair. From all the perm’s when I was too little to fit in the salon chairs. {Who knew that bone straight hair would end up in ringlet’s anyways} The incredible hairstyles no other mom could possibly attempt. Making my hair into a bow, every possible braid. Dying my hair every possible color under the rainbow in junior high. For my amazing hair at graduation, that got compliments from everyone in attendance. And then recreating it {4 times} for my wedding day. You made me look and feel like a princess on one of the biggest day’s of my life. And you made me feel just as amazing the day Sawyer was born, when I had my hair freshly colored and cut the same morning! For that and continuing to do my hair every time till this day. Thank You.

Dad– For taking us to every single playground in Calgary. Especially the Saturday’s that we spent hours riding our bikes up the longest hill in the world, just to get ice cream Slurpee’s. They were the best bribe of our childhood. Thank You

Mom– For introducing me to the love of scrapbooking, and eventually my love of photography to fill those albums. Both have been such a big part of who I am. I am continually growing in both hobby’s, and love sharing it with you. Thank you for taking me to Inspiration Unlimited this year, I can’t tell you how much I am looking forward to next year with you! Thank You.

Dad– For having special Daddy/Daughter weekends that didn’t involve tea parties and care bears. Instead on those few weekend’s where mom and Kimmy were away, we rented the star wars trilogy and had bottomless orange pop floats. Memories that will last a life time. And also you must have been brave to take me on solo after that much orange pop 😉 Thank You.

Mom– For also having Mommy/Daughter weekends that did involve all the girly things. And bless your heart for trying to make that inking sewing machine work every time. You brought movie marathon’s into my favorite childhood memories too. I will always have to sing along with any song with Grease, {and Grease 2!} because of those special one on one times. Thank You.

Dad– For custom building anything and everything I find on the Internet. I can only promise more requests as your grandchildren grow. It is only your fault after letting us see all the amazing kids room’s in the magazines at home depot. For the past projects, and for all the future ones too. Thank you.

Mom– For using your time off to always visit me and now Sawyer. I am the luckiest daughter to have moved so far away from home and still get to see family as often as I do. It is a huge gift that I will never be able to repay. Thank You.

Time is the greatest gift. Something we can never hold, never collect, never get back. I am not thanking you for monetary gifts, because what has meant the most in my 25 years, is the memories. You gave me an amazing childhood, a safe and grounded {literally} adolescence, a responsible conscience in adulthood, and now the magic in a grandparent/grandchild relationship. Thank you for everything. Thank you.

{the very thanksgiving in 2003}

PS. and thanks mom for so many year’s ago making teenager’s sit down and write a list of thing’s we were grateful for thanksgiving 2003. Even if we spent more time laughing together about sarcastic answers than finishing your project. Some how almost 10 years later it still has stuck in my mind, and look at the project it has inspired! Thank you.

PPS. I guess I should thank both of you for also giving me a sister, and best friend. Though I know dad wanted a son, you got the best of both worlds with Kimmy 😉 Thanks for having a family. Thanks for being the best family.

This is a project I have wanted to do for awhile now. {And I am actually seeing something similar pop up on facebook this month too. Which is great!} I think too many people now a days are not thankful for the everyday things. I am guilty of it too. We tend to think of ourselves first and don’t realize that we are all so very fortunate compared to many. So for 25 days in November I am  thanking people who make a difference in my life. Sometimes they are close family and friends, other times they are complete strangers, like the lady at the grocery store who ALWAYS tries to make Sawyer smile. Sometimes its a simple post it, and other times they come with little extra’s, like cupcakes, candy bars, or crafts. I would be touched to be thought of in this way, so I want these people to know they make my life a little brighter.

So today I’m writing a long distance thank you. To my sister. Who was at one time my best friend, and after years of personal struggle has worked hard to regain that friendship. I want to tell you I am so proud of the person you have become today. And have seen the great distance you have gone in the last year. {Go You!} Watching you with Braxton makes me heart grow {Three times its size! It’s almost Christmas you know!} You are already such a good Mom, and I know you will only continue to bloom. I treasure that we are finally close again. And am enjoying all our long distance chats lately. I can’t tell you how much you mean to me, and I am so blessed to have you back in my life.

I know I dont tell you this enough, I love you. Thanks for being a wonderful Auntie and a great part of my life.