the {bag}

Projects like THIS one (my sister's senior pictures) and THIS one (graduation announcements) have been on my bucket list, and are checked off.  I think we finally finished my sister's grad announcement, which isn't pictured in the group I linked to....it's a surprise, since I know our aunties and cousins read this.  *wink, wink*

Oh yeah...this is supposed to be about the {bag}. I LOVE how my bag turned out! I loved sewing it; simple, fast, and I did it while watching my friends' kids last week...well, they watched a movie during nap time while I sewed.  I didn't really follow any directions, but instead dreamed about it for three months, how I would put it together, and wouldn't you know it, it went together JUST LIKE A DREAM!

Finally got pictures of it today...

Yes.  That's my breakfast sitting on the table, still.  I had Turtle Cake, complements of a very dear friend.  Thank you Becky!  Ryan said to me as I was taking this picture, "That is an AWFUL background!"  Uh...  I have since washed the floor (and cupboards and walls) and done the dishes.  And I do agree with him...it's just hard to take a picture of yourself holding a bag, and I feel dumb asking him to take one...especially since I was still in my bathrobe when I took this.  *sigh*

I really need to work on my lighting skills...they kinda stink, but here you can see the fun make-up of the bag. I totally ditched the ruffles I had in mind.  I like it's geometric simplicity, which is what its designer, Renske, had in mind.   Afterall, she calls it the minimalist tote bag.  But nothing about me is minimalist...hence the lovely print!  (If you know anything about fabric, you'd appreciate that it was printed ON GRAIN!  You'd also be disgusted to find that after I washed it, I discovered it was cut OFF GRAIN by about 5 inches on each side=wasting 8 inches of good fabric. *sigh*)

Just because I'm in LOVE with the leather strap.  Thanks dad, for the scrap!  I think it might have been intended for the straps on my mom's new chaps, but it was 'cut wrong' so he let me use it.

Here the {bag} is, with the pocket for my trusty new-to-me cell phone, since I washed the old crappy one in the washer.  I SWEAR it was a mistake.  On my honor.  I forgot it was in the back pocket.  And I don't check pockets unless I'm looking for spare change. 

And here's the cool hardware my dad helped me to set.  Okay.  He put it on, I just told him how I wanted it.  Don't you LOVE the grommets, and the star-split rivet backs?  Yeah.  Me, too.

And this is next on the docket:

I can't wait!  Pillows.  For the couch.  I am getting really tired of the brown, brown, and brown furniture. I found the solid at Home Fabrics for CHEAP!!!  ($2 a yard) and plan to do some very FUN fabric folding with it...and the sweet Fleur-de-lis-ish pattern on the left will be plain-ole square pillows.

I told you.  I just can't help myself.  Plus, I'm looking forward to some color in my life.  We got another four inches of snow this morning.  It's kinda-sorta melting, but I was really looking forward to a fun day of bike riding ... I've already put away all the snow clothes.


Speaking of color; I had two sweet surprises last night.  Ryan came home with a beautiful bouquet of the most gorgeous salmon (not peach, not pink) roses, and then my sweet and thoughtful friend Becky brought us by that yummy Turtle cake and some gorgeous red roses to finish off our interesting anniversary day.  (Between the ER visit, skipping out on preschool and not having swim practice and having sick kids and feeling like a zombie, it was just a really odd day.)

I think they complement each other very nicely.  Just pretend with me that those curtains are adding in some gorgeous back-lighting to my even more gorgeous subjects.

In unrelated {bag} news, we were able to finish off the night with some chocolate covered strawberries, more freezer jam and an early bed time.  We were wiped out.  I fell asleep the second my head hit the pillow.

*breath*

And now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get started on my bread, so I can then clean my bathroom, so I can take a shower, so I can go to the mall, so I can buy a new bra that will do what it's supposed to do.  

Toodles. 

Love {you}

Seven years ago today, I woke up to rain, drove in sleet, and came out of the temple as Mrs. Poulsen, welcomed by four inches of freshly fallen snow.


Amazing. Dreamy. Beautiful.

Love {you} babe!

I can tell today's going to be an awesome day!

You left at 5:30am with only 3 hours of sleep (if that) under your belt...Maybe I'll see you before four this afternoon...you go slay those dragons, my shining knight! 

I spent the night in the ER with Kortlen because he had such a hard time breathing with that dumb croup...but we make beautiful babies, even if they DO keep us up at night.  Silly bedlams.  

The floor went unwashed yesterday so I could make Freezer Strawberry Jam instead.  Please know I really wanted the house to sparkle when you got home at the eleventh hour.  Maybe today?  

Hopefully this afternoon you'll have some fun father-son bonding time while I go visiting teaching and to Pack Meeting.  We always manage to plan the funnest activities on our special day, don't we... *chuckle*

I sure hope there's 70 more years of adventures awaiting us.  

I Love {you}.  

I Cherish {us}.  

XOXO

Flowers and Smiles

My mom brought my little brother to Idaho Falls for a Scout meeting, and offered to watch the boys while Ryan and I caught up on our anniversary since we weren't really able to celebrate with anything fun while I was sick. 

So, while Ryan and I went to the temple, she and Katelyn and Deseret and our boys went to Home Depot's "First-Saturday-of-the-Month Activity" where they let kids build a free craft.  Can you guess what this month's craft was?  Well, I'll give you a hint:  It involved flowers and lots of smiles.

Tanner and Taylor were so happy  and excited that they had made a cute flower-pot holder for me.  My mom was so sweet and found some already potted poppies to purchase and put in the boys' flower pot holders.  They have loved taking care of these little flowers...sometimes they care for them a little too much. 

Thanks mom, for letting me and Ryan get away for a few hours, even if you had to hunch over a workbench in a freezing store and help your grandsons make these adorable little gifts.  And thank you to Katelyn and Desi who also helped.  It made for a wonderful anniversary morning.  :)

Time Flies

Last night I was laying in a heap on the couch with a fever of 101 F, half conscious, with my boys watching Dora the Explorer, while visiting with my mom on the phone.  She asked how my day was (a question I'm sure she didn't realize what she was in for when she asked) and what my plans were for tomorrow (today).  I mentioned that it was Ryan and I's six year anniversary, and how he had some great things planned, but we were going to have to rearrange and she commented "You're right up there with us!".  "Too funny, mom," I said, "You and dad have been married for 28 years!  I think Ryan and I have a ways to go."  But then I started thinking,Time Flies!

(I was going through some random things on Monday and found this picture...our Engagement picture...we were SO young!  It made me giggle at how much hair we had...the lack of dark circles under our eyes, not to mention how 'skinny' we were.)

I sometimes let opportunities to let my sweet heart know just how much I appreciate him pass me by...After I got home form work yesterday, he graciously (and without complaining) let me take an hour bath, and while I slept in the warm water to try to easy my body's achiness; he took care of and fed our boys.  Last night he took time from helping a young man in our ward with his Eagle Project and playing basketball with his buddies to drive across town to get me a Jamba Juice, then came home and put the boys in bed.  Each day he lovingly cares for our boys (okay, there are moments of contention, but what family doesn't have that!) while I go to work or a doctor's appointment, or take time for myself.  (And believe me, with his recent GRADUATION, we're both looking forward to a 'role reversal'....and a switch back to normalcy.)

The past year has been but a roller coaster.  We've merely been surviving.  Mentally & emotionally.  He's been feverishly working on schoolwork to be able to graduate next week.  I've been pluggin' along at work so we can pay the bills.  This pregnancy has done a number to my body...and Ryan has been such a great help when I'm just too exhausted to do anything.  It's been a while since we've actually taken time for EACH OTHER and we're looking forward to the many years to come, creating memories and adventures we'll never forget.  Time Flies.

My Ryan is one of the most un-selfish people I know.  I am so thankful that we chose to be together for Eternity, because there's no one else I'd rather have by my side when I'm having body chills, puking my guts out, birthing our children, having a bad hair day, burning dinner, and trying to be the best for him.  I could go on, but I think you get my drift.  He's simply wonderful, and I adore my sweet husband.  I suppose I should slow down a bit and NOT let time fly...by enjoying every moment, high or low. 

Love you, Babe!

Five Years into {Forever}

...and how do we like it? We {Love} it!!!

Five years ago today (on April 28th, which is technically tomorrow, but I want to post it today), we shared with family and friends one of the most precious days of our lives. Totally and Completely in love, we were married in the Logan, Utah Temple, for Time and All of Eternity. It was a beautiful day, complete with fully bloomed tulips filled with four inches of wet snow.

We've laughed, we've giggled, we've talked, we've shared, we've disagreed, we've cried, we've shouted for joy and we've prayed. We've enjoyed life thus far, and we're looking forward to {Forever}, because we know that's where we've decided to take this marriage.

Here's to a Happy Five Years into {Forever}...

We are still completely and totally in love...

I love you, sweetheart!