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link roundup / 39

This dinner in a jar really IS the perfect holiday gift. (photo above)

Another easy gift idea, perfect for neighbors and teachers!

I could have written Ashley’s post about having a big kid.

A dozen ways to make mornings with kids easier. All of these tips are good.

I’m all in on The Crafter’s Box. It’s like they looked into my soul and created it just for me.

Planning on using this mini-album format for my December Daily album this year. I think it’ll be pretty simple to put together at the end of the season.

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I hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving Day! Ours was great despite the water leak we are still dealing with, but that’s the joy of home ownership, right? Today we are heading to the Christmas Tree farm and then I’m venturing out shopping. Wish me luck!

November 27, 2015
currently

excited to read the above three books and love on my home in the coming year.

finishing up some really great books recently.

celebrating a full night’s sleep for the first time in ages, and an hour-plus of alone time this morning before the kids woke up!

seriously considering heading to Nordstrom on Black Friday to look for jeans and boots. I simply can’t buy them without trying them on, and I’m thinking if I don’t take the kids and just plan to be there awhile, it might be worth it.

refraining from putting up many Christmas decorations because I’m worried about what the cats (who are really still kittens) will do to them.

looking forward to starting a couple new Advent traditions – an advent wreath, and a Christmas book countdown.

planning what form my December Daily album will take this year.

hosting a bunch of Facebook parties in the future because I’ve found some great direct-sell brands and I love to support other women.

wondering if Meredith has trouble hearing us. She has been asking us to repeat ourselves a lot lately.

hurting from a hard lump on the back of my hand that has been there for years, but recently has been causing pain in my hand and wrist.

hoping to get off work early today so I can start working on the mashed potatoes. (I’m also in charge of green beans, but I’ll do those in the morning.)

Happy Thanksgiving to my American friends! :)

November 25, 2015
week in the life 2015 : sunday in the album

I’m officially finished with my 2015 Week in the Life album! And after today, you’ve seen it all. I thought I would put it together faster this year (theme of my life), it took three months, but that’s an improvement over last year!

Anyway, here is what Sunday looked like:

I got photos of all our meals for this day!

The story of my disastrous morning. Ah, life! And church got a full page because it’s a big part of every Sunday for us.

This spread was our entire afternoon and evening. Shopping with the kids and my friend Lauren, and then dinner at my in-laws’ house.

A summary of a typical bedtime, and I couldn’t think of a better way to end than with a photo of my bed with fresh sheets, all ready for me to climb into.

I backed the last photo with some patterned paper, and that’s it.

Once again I loved this project and for now it’s going to stay the capstone of my documenting, along with Chatbooks. I highly encourage you to give it a try, even if you don’t make an album exactly like this.

Thanks for staying with me!

Supplies used:
Week in the Life kit with black/white album
Avery Index Tabs

Tools used:
StazOn Inkpad
Crop-A-Dile
Tiny Attacher
Pentel Energel
Date stamp
Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue

Fonts used:
Gill Sans (on photos)
Aleo (on cards)

November 23, 2015
what i’m for

Today I’m linking up with my friend Brittany to share some of the things I’m for. This is an attempt at positivity, even though I for sure don’t always feel it! But today I’ve had a decent night’s sleep and a scream-free morning, so I’m feeling pretty good. :)

Coffee. Listen, coffee makes me a better person. I really don’t mind that my body is completely dependent on it at this point.

Doing what works for you. This is my parenting philosophy. Although I have my ideals, life gets in the way and I’m all about surviving however necessary.

Lullabies. Bedtime is hard for us right now, but a sweet song makes it easier. Sometimes a well-chosen lullaby can even calm a horrific tantrum. Here is my current favorite to sing to the kids.

Going to church. Even if I don’t feel like it. Because that’s how communities are built and I know mine has been carrying me in prayer.

Wrestling. I mean this figuratively, but I don’t know a better way to put it. Did you know that Israel means “wrestles with God”? I am always amazed to remember that is what God named his chosen people. He wants us to wrestle with him; He doesn’t expect us to just accept the faith of our parents or our culture. I’ve been doing a lot of this recently, and have had my faith challenged, then strengthened.

These are just some of the things on my mind lately. This will be a recurring series, so share your own post and see the others here! Or, just share in the comments. :)

November 18, 2015
week in the life 2015 : saturday in the album

Saturday in the album! This is one of my favorite days. I love the colors and we had a family adventure that makes me happy to look back on.

That morning was rough but I got up and got going.

Got the family ready to head to the beach. Simple pages.

I love this spread so much. It shows our adventure in a nutshell; the weather, the drive, our family, and on the other page – our beach time.

I just punched holes in the parking tag and put it right in.

The rest of the beach adventure, and then baths because, of course. Then the wrap-up of the night complete with tantrums. Just life!

Supplies used:
Week in the Life kit with black/white album
Avery Index Tabs

Tools used:
StazOn Inkpad
Crop-A-Dile
Tiny Attacher
Pentel Energel
Date stamp
Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue

Fonts used:
Gill Sans (on photos)
Aleo (on cards)

November 16, 2015