My Twenty-Ninth Year Begins

{I bought a cake for my pity party for one}

Ryan was out of town for my birthday this year.
It was really hard.

I am having a hard time aging 'gracefully' and accepting that time actually does
pass even though you will it to stand still. At least until I'm ready.

What seems to be the most difficult is our lack of children. I know Ryan only wants to have 3-4 kids {which is hilarious since he's the oldest of NINE} but I just think we should worry about the first. I think Heavenly Father will let us know when our family is complete. And it doesn't feel complete yet.

So, Ryan being gone, me turning 29, and no kids in the near future = depressing birthday for Chelsea.
I know, boo-hoo, pity party for me. That's why I bought the cake.

But it really was one of those days that I was feeling so sorry for myself, I even had a talk with myself to snap out of it but it just didn't work!

So, I thought I'd make a list of all the blessings I DO have to be thankful for.
My 'gifts,' if you will:

My handsome family. Ryan, my sweet and superb Ginger, {why do American red-heads hate being called Gingers? I'm pretty sure it's just American Gingers. Ryan hates it. I love it. It's my birthday so I win.} and our cute lil pup.

My extended family. My sisters are some of my bestest friends, both by birth and by marriage, and I have such hilarious and strong brothers. My parents are all.so.great. Ryan and I are BOTH very grateful we don't have completely insane in-laws. I just wish we lived closer.

My warm and comfortable house. I'm in such a great town, with a beautiful little house that keeps me sheltered, and sheltered in luxury, and I know I'm truly lucky to be a homeowner, especially with me being unemployed and married to a doctoral student. There are so few of our acquaintances that own their homes that I know I'm extremely blessed in this regard. It really is a comfort knowing we can do whatever we'd like to our home and it's OURS. Renting had its time in my life and I'm glad to be done with it.

My generous and awesome friends. I have so many wonderful people in my life that have shown kindness and strength by examples to me and kindness to me or my husband. We have undoubtedly surrounded ourselves with the greatest people we could imagine.

My craftiness. I'm going to toot my own horn. I'm pretty resourceful and craft-oriented when it comes to life. I love seeking out good deals and hunting down bargains {there's an old old door on the curb down the street and I've resisted it for 4 days already; if it's still there in the next hour, I'm going to grab it and paint it and save it for a special project} and I love that people will call me to find good deals for them. Seriously, I have people call me.

My homemaking skills. I'm counting this separately from craftiness because a glue gun does not a meal make. I bake and cook for others more often than I cook for Ryan and I. It's too difficult cooking for the two of us, especially when one doesn't like most leftovers. So, I invite others over to share our meal. I know it's a little silly and possibly vain, but I thrive on validation. You can ask Ryan about that. He tells it another way. I'm glad I had a mother who forced us to cook for the family one night a week and for my dad who ALWAYS looked at the food ads and shopped for the best deals. I had a roommate in college who commented on the fact that I actually took the time to look at what was on sale for the week and plan my grocery list around that. Mostly it was because I was such a poor money-manager that I HAD to. But I remember my parents poring over the food ads and it's just what you do, you know?

And last, but not least {I'm just getting tired of typing because I'm trying to listen to Antiques Roadshow, too} my testimony. I know the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true and I know that our Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us. He has one especially for ME. How awesome is that to know my prayers are heard and my wishes are counted. To me, it's everything. One of the best things about moving to a new city is having insta-friends through the Church. Sure, it's easy to get lost in the shuffle, but if you put yourself out there {which, believe me, was TOTALLY out of my comfort zone} you'll get anything back tenfold. I've made friends tenfold. My testimony of the goodness of people and the light of Christ through others has increased tenfold because of our experiences since Ryan started school here. Away from our families, orphaned in the middle of the country, we feel anything but. Heavenly Father has taken care of my physical, spiritual, and emotional needs, and for that, I'm eternally thankful.

So, what I thought was a horrible way to start a horrible year of being 29 and barren? isn't so bad after all.

Besides, Ryan brought me chocolate from Ghirardelli Square. He gets some points back. If he's gone next year on my birthday...well...all deals are off.
{and it was delightful!}

Baby Shower Project: Complete

I promised I'd show you pictures of the project we made at Ashley's baby shower. Well, proud to say that we finished it a couple of weeks later and she already has it hanging in the baby's room.

Isn't it so pretty?

You can see the rest of the nursery here. I just want to move right in. Great job, Ashley!

P.S. I stole these pictures from Ashley's blog.

On a Sunday Afternoon

I stayed home from church today trying to get rid of a cold {and not share it with others} that keeps trying to manifest itself.

Luckily, I have a little sewing project to keep me busy.

More Room in the Laundry Room

I have a problem: not enough storage.

Also, buying more things. Buying things that I don't have room for. See how this works? Clearly, I don't.

I needed a shelf to store all my serving platters and bowls. I really didn't need too much height, just enough so a huge bowl would fit.

Solution? Add one in the laundry room, above the existing.

I needed to fit all this back into the laundry room, PLUS the platters. Some things might not make the cut, but time will tell.

Now here are a bunch of befores:
I really wanted to move the ironing board so it's not hitting the wall when the washer and dryer get moved around. And also, figure out something to do with the mop/swiper {the un-Swiffer} and broom. It all got its own place to hang. Easy solution.

And some afters:
*disclaimer - the pictures all have different colors in them because of user error. and by that it means I should have tried taking them all during the day instead of only some of them.*

Overall, I'm pleased. There are a few things I need to move and put away and I'd like to have a few more labels made...maybe even some baskets to hide some of the unnecessary ugliness, but one thing at a time.

Also, just a note that it's mostly for function, not for looks.
Next up, the pit of despair craft room.

My Funny Valentine

A little back story. I saw this idea on an ultra-cheesy sitcom {you know, the kind with a laugh track} the week before Valentine's Day. I knew I had to use it. I realize it's creepy.

{inside: you make my heart whole}

The day was full of love and ended with this.

{I even made the crust!}

So decadent. Too much chocolate to finish in one sitting.

And now, one of the four colds {4!} Ryan's had in the last 2 months has finally gotten me. Or allergies.

I'm pretty sure it's a cold.






Crap.

Surprise! {My Last-Minute Trip to Arizona}

My big sis, Hillary, had her fourth child almost 2 weeks ago. Miss Adelyn was born on the 28th of January, with a head full of deliciously dark hair.

Her friends Abby and Summer insisted on throwing her a little celebration shower, even though Hillary resisted. But, Hillary's the one that always says every baby needs to be celebrated. I guess it just doesn't apply when it comes to her babies. Either way, a party was had. Here is the guest of honor at the party.

I think it's insanely cute how grumpy she looks here. And she looks like a little indian bebe.

And here are just a few of the girls at the shower. Top row is her friend Kate, her best friend Wendy (who drove down from Utah and surprised Hillary at the shower!), Summer, Hillary, Abby. Then it's me (she also didn't know I was coming! my dad called me on Thursday afternoon and asked if I wanted to fly into town in the morning), Tara, Mom, and Kayleigh (suprise, too! She drove down with Wendy).
Our family kind of likes surprises, if you couldn't tell!

I just got home last night. It was a great trip but I'm really glad to be back. I missed my sweet boyfriend and sleeping in my own bed.


P.S. I thought I should also include the pictures I took of dinner on my first night there. My parents are a 'backup' family for the missionaries and this resulted in delicious mexican food and a 28" burrito being shared between the two elders and my padre. Mmm...I could go for some of that right about now!

Handmade Hello

{come a little closer}
I'm pretty much in love with this.