nuts

Sooooo....I AM alive! I just don't really know where to start since its been a few months, but it's a great few crazy months;) Craig and I went on a date a while back, and we found ourselves shopping at TJ Maxx. I mean, what else would we do on a night with no kiddos? Anyway, we saw this sign, and Craig wanted me to hold it so he could take a picture of it for a friend...I thought he was just taking it of the sign, haha. We got a good laugh from my face. This sign (and my face) basically say it all, but I'll still do my best to recap the past 6 months...another day;)

For now, Have an awesome Saturday night:D

Mom

I just wanted to write about my Mom today...because she's all I can think about.

For starters, my Mom was one of the most beautiful women I've ever known, both inside and out. My Dad knew the first time he saw her that he just saw his future wife, but he "didn't know how he would ever get a girl like that to go for him". She made everyone around her want to be better. I think that's what got Dad through Dental School, that strong desire to be his best.

They were dirt poor those first few years, but they made it through. Mom worked as a Dental Hygienist while Dad went through Dental School. Match made in Heaven wouldn't you say;)

She raised six of us, but 'mothered' literally hundreds.

One sunny summer day, she was bay sitting Carter and Layla for me while I went running, and when I came back I found the above scene. The kids were down to their unders, and had just finished eating ice cream cones. The three of them were swinging on the porch, and laughing together. I'm so glad I snapped a picture.

Aside from her family, one of Moms great loves was sewing....really it might have been more of a love hate thing, but we'll go with love.

She made each of the girl grandchildren a doll when they turned 5 that looked like them, and was their size. She would measure them and everything, and give it to them for their birthday with a cute new outfit on it. I guess it was kind of a twofer (2for1), they got a doll and a new outfit.

She just knew how to make everyone feel special, and important.

We had a girl weekend in Lava one year, and the last night it was just the five of us. I think we were delirious and sleep deprived, but we couldn't stop laughing. Dad gave us all these cute matching black jackets, and wanted to take our picture, but we just kept laughing each time. He would pose us, and be ready to snap, then we would start giggling again. Dad started getting frustrated, and that just made us giggle even more.

When we found out about Moms brain tumor, we all came together. We knew Mom would not want to pass in a hospital, and the Doctors said there was nothing they could do to prolong her life, so we decided we would take care of her at home. It was finally our turn to take care of her. We all did our best to be there, and had some incredible moments we shared with her. When she passed, it was in her own home, with her family around her.

This is a picture of my sisters and I getting her dolled up one last time.

(that's Mr. Bensons baby bump you see there)

Today, it's been two years.

Have you ever lost someone you love? To me sometimes I think life is like a movie, and you have leading characters in your movie. Have you ever lost a leading character?

After the funeral you see everyone around you go back to their normal lives, and you sit there in a shock, and wonder how they can do that. You realize you won't ever go back to your "normal life", because nothing is normal without that person you love. The scenes you had with that "leading character" are past, but the movie isn't over. You have to keep shooting. The theme might change, but that's really up to you. My Mom was not just a "leading lady", she was a star, and she won't ever be replaced, or forgotten. Her Move was a classic! She still holds such a tender, beautiful, inspiring piece of my heart, and I want the rest of my movie to make her proud.

Sun Valley

We were recently given that chance to go to Sun Valley with our friends the Dillers, and spend the weekend. It was so much fun! Ever since my camera went swimming (in the toilet) it just hasn't performed the same (hence the weird line in most of my pictures).

We rode the Gondola up to  round house, and played some cards up there. The view was breathtaking.

the view from round house

the Dillers on the gondola

Me and the famous Sun at Sun Valley Village

Me and the Mr.  He didn't get to stay the whole time, so that's why he isn't in all the pictures;)

Games, games, more games. I LOVED it.

Our kids were able to join us Saturday and Sunday, but we don't have any pictures. It was a really nice little get away, and fun chance to reconnect.

Home made "baby legs"

Have you ever heard of BabyLegs? It's a company that makes ADORABLE leg warmers for babies and little girls. My little Layla can often be seen sporting them:) We also love their pattern footless tights that cover her undies when she is wearing a skirt, and forgets to act like a lady;)

If you want to see more of their stuff you can check them out at BabyLegs.com

If you want to learn how to make your own, stick right here with me;)

I was at the Dollar store the other day and saw this pair of socks. I immediately thought "oh my gosh, those would make the cutest leg warmers EVER!", so I bought them of coarse.

This was the EASYest sewing project EVER!

I broke it down to 5 simple steps...and only 2 of them involve any sewing;)

EASY PEASY LEMON SQUEEZY...let us begin.

Step 1: cut off the feet right above the heel

Step 2: Turn the socks inside out

 Step 3: measure the elastic around your little ones ankle, and cut the elastic 1/2 an inch                                     longer.  Sew the two ends together to make a circle.

                                     

Step 4: fold the cut end of the sock down over the elastic circle, and sew it in place.

 Step 5: Strut your stuff:)

Happy Day for some

In case you didn't already know, I am a Mormon. I believe that death is not the end, but the beginning of the next life. Does that mean it isn't sad when I lose someone I love? No.

It means I know I will see them again, but I'm going to miss them lots in the mean time, because I don't plan on seeing them for a while.


 4 generations

Anyone that knows me well knows that I have always been very close to my Grandma Anna. As a child I would roller blade or ride my bike to her house almost everyday, because we lived only a few blocks apart, and she always had a cookie and a hug waiting for me.

When I turned 16 and began to date she would always ask about my friends. When I was 17 and met a cute boy named Craig Hall she wanted to meet him too, and she told me he was a good one. When Craig turned 19 Grandma had us over for a birthday breakfast, and she introduced him to aeblaskeva (pancake balls), a favorite Danish family tradition we have.

Grandma had prime real estate when it came to parking. She lived across the street from the Institute of religion on the ISU campass. Only vehicles with a special permit could park at grandmas house, and she always reserved one of those valuable little gems for me.

I usually didn't have time to visit before class, but I would always go see her during my break, and I always left her home with a full tummy and a happy heart.

I happened to choose a preschool for my children that wasn't far from grandmas house, so it would perfect to go visit while Carter was at school. We continued the tradition with Layla. Drop her off, go pick up a cinnamon roll from Geraldine's bakery, eat and visit with grandma, pick up Layla, and on with the day. We had a routine. I liked it.

On February 16, 2012 Grandma Anna Streeper said farewell to her long, full life on Earth.

I cried.

That was a hard day, but something else followed that hard day.

Images of my amazing little Grandma Anna rejoicing as she hugged my amazing little Mother filled my mind. I know I am going to miss Grandma so much, but I can't describe how happy it makes me feel to know my Mom gets to be with her Mom again.

I have been filled with a comfort and peace I didn't expect to find so soon.

I am so thankful for eternal families!

DIY Stenciled Curtains

Have you ever had exactly what you wanted pictured in your mind, but you couldn't find it anywhere? So frustrating right?!? I had this problem a year or so ago when I was looking for curtains for my front room. I wanted white curtains with a bold pattern on them in orange...but they were no where to be found. One night I had this stroke of genius, so I had to try it to see if it would actually work. Guess what...Shut the front door! It did. I only regret not using an even more bold pattern, but I still love them:)

Curtains Tutorial


You will need:
1.curtains
2.a stencil
3.fabric paint (I used the same paint we used on the orange wall because I wanted it to match, but now I will have to hand wash the curtains. fyi)
4.stencil brush (I liked the foam ones better, and they were .89 for a two pack)
5.tape

step one:

Lay out your curtains and figure out what pattern you are going to use with your stencil. practice on a scrap piece of fabric to get the hang of it. When you are comfortable, tape your stencil to the curtains starting at the bottom of the curtain (so if you make a mistake it won't be as noticeable)

step two:

dip the end of your stencil brush in your paint, and begin to gently fill in your stencil by using a dabbing motion.

Step three:

                               

after the stencil is filled in, remove the tape, and slowly peel the stencil up. Rinse the paint off your stencil, and repeat steps 1-3 in your desired pattern.

Step four:

When paint is dry, hang your curtains, dish yourself a bowl of ice cream, put your feet up, eat your ice cream, and admire your insane crafty skills.



tea party in a tent

My brother & his family, who I Love to pieces, were here from Indiana for about a week. One day it ended up just being me and the girls here, and Benson was taking a nap. I started thinking about how fun I thought forts were back in the day, and the great memories I have building them with my Mom.

Suddenly out of no where an idea struck me.

The girls were watching a movie on my bed, so I closed the door and told them to stay put for a few minutes. I rushed down to Laylas' room and snatched all her blankets and sheets off her bed. I ran back upstairs to the office, and constructed a princess fort with all the pink, purple, and teal pillows and blankets on the premises. 

Then, another idea struck, so I ran back downstairs and grabbed and princess dress ups and tea party supplies. 

I took the dress ups in to the girls and told them I had someplace magical to show them, but only princess' were allowed, so they needed to put their gear on...and come up with their princess names, of course.

For the rest of the evening they were princess Pink, and Princess Purple. 

I had them close their eyes as I led them to the fort, and I wish I had recorded their faces when they opened their eyes....so adorable! It was way more whimsical in person...for real.

In fact, the magic in the air was so thick.....

That I turned into their Fairy God Mother. hahaha

We finished our tea party, then painted our nails, and did a little make up (blush and lip gloss) before heading to the ball. This was a special ball though, so we played freeze dance;) and I taught them the ballet positions, and a couple basics. I actually got way into it, hehehe.

I LOVE these girls, and hope we can make some good lasting memories together. It only would have been better if all the girl cousins could have been there:( next time I'll have to actually plan it before hand;)