Random Acts of Kindness (Coupon Book)

Joel and I wrapped up a super busy week at the Western Montana Fair tonight. I'm pretty sure it was the HOTTEST week of the whole year and when you're dripping as bad as your little wax bars in the blazing sun, YOU ARE TIRED after 6 days.

It only took about an hour after closing time to have all of our goodies loaded up and ready to cruise back home.

After a little pit stop for some of the best hot wings ever and a refreshing beer after the longest week of the year, we went home to our girls.

When we walked into the door, tired, sore feet & flat out exhausted, we were greeted by the sweetest little nine year old smile and this precious gift.

Seriously, I melted.

It's a 'mom and dad coupon book!' I know that she has misspelled a few big words... (masoush = massage, Wendsday = Wednesday  {but seriously that's exactly how it sounds!}) But that's half the reason this book is so precious. (We'll work on the spelling this school year, but not yet. It's summer!... and cute!!!)

Every week this past school year, we talked about random acts of kindness. It could mean so many different things.... opening doors for others, sending an extra/special letter or gift to someone you love (Happy Mail!) or even a phone call to a loved one.

It absolutely melted my heart to see that what we model to our children actually help shape and mold them into the little beings they are becoming. They are watching. They are listening.

Honestly, they make me want to give more. My girls are so generous. I want to give more to them, to Joel, to our family and friend. Give more to our favorite non-profits and to strangers.

What about you? Do you make it a point to do kind things for other people? What's your favorite act or service that you've done for others?

Clothing Swap 101

Hosting a clothing swap is super simple, fun and such a gift to so many women!

About 3 weeks before the swap, I started getting the word out to some friends about the swap and asked them to go through their closet to find gently used clothing, jewelry, hats and accessories. 

Anything you haven't worn in one year, add it to your pile to swap. Even if you still like it! If you never wear it, pass it on to another gal who will show it off in public! :)

A few days before the event, I posted on Facebook to help get the word out and reminded girls of the swap. I also sent out a few texts to some friends who I really wanted to come so I could pick through their clothes! Ha! Sneaky eh?

Each swapper attending was asked to bring an appetizer or dessert to share. This really made hosting the swap stress free for me. There were so many varieties of deliciousness in the kitchen but I think the donut holes were the biggest hit! Donut holes and wine... Girlfriends and guilt free shopping... Does it get any better than that?

Party start time was 6pm. When the swappers arrive, we had them place their goods in a 'somewhat' controlled manner out on the table. They were not allowed to look at the other articles laying out. Then to the kitchen they went... snacking, drinking and laughing. 

At 7:29pm, I explained quickly where they could try on the clothes... bathrooms and bedrooms (all of which were not super clean... oops! - REALITY!) This is when I closed the curtains to the outside. We all stood around the tables and did a countdown....

"10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1-SWAP!"

I may, or may not have thrown an elbow or two to get to these shoes!

We had girls chatting, laughing, trying clothes on right and left... it was so much FUN!

We had grandma's, moms and college girls here. What a blessing it was when you saw almost every person walk away with a bag FULL of 'new to them' clothing & goodies.

When all was said and done... we had 8 BIG trash bags FILLED to the max with leftover clothing. This week I had the privilege of donating them to our local Teen Challenge Thrift Store on behalf of all the swappers!

What do you think!? Would you be willing to host a clothing swap?!? If you do, let me know how it goes!

For an added bonus if extra fun, have your friends bring fingernail polish and treat each other to a new polish job! 

We have already planned our next date - March 1st (if you're local!) for a HOME GOODS SWAP! (think decorations, dishes, throw pillows etc!) Mark your calendars!

XO.

Jari

Gallery Wall Alyn Style

After many months of little miss Alyn searching, shopping and creating sweet pieces of art and frames, her patience paid off. We finally felt it was time to put some holes in the wall and showcase all these beauties. 

I've never created a gallery wall but I think this really shows Alyn's personality. I will say that it was a bit more difficult to execute than I had originally expected. Shhh don't tell Joel that there MIGHT be a few extra holes in the wall. <--- yes I know you're reading this babe. I'll fill them in some day. Wink. 

I do want to share a little trick I learned a few years ago that is worth sharing. 

You know when you have the shelf or the frame that has TWO holes that you're just some how suppose to miraculously get nails in the wall at the same height to be level and the exact distant apart to even hold the item in place?! Yeah... Ugh... I think so too! 

You'll love this! Ready?

There are those pesky holes. 

Grab some painters tape and place it all along the back so that the very corner points where you rip the tape is exactly where you need the holes for the nails. (I hope this makes sense!)

Now take the tape and put it on the wall where you want your hanging to be placed. (Make sure you hold your piece up to make sure the placement is just right where you want it)

Grab your level and double check that the tape is level. If not, simply line the tape up to the level... You don't want a crooked shelf or hanging right?!

Hammer the nails in at the very points of your tape. 

Pull the tape off the wall. 

Put your hanging up!!! It should be level and exactly where you want it... On the first try! 

I hope that helps you decorating your home as much as it has helped me. 

XO

Jari

Advent DIY completed!

We finally for our Advent calendar up on display for the year. Because we were traveling the first 9 days of December, I'm feeling pretty good that I'm only two days behind schedule. (wink!)

I've told you before but I've never put together an Advent for the girls before so I was bound and determined to make, fill and do one this year. We WILL make memories... Or else!

This idea, almost cut and paste, came from Elsie's blog. Even the paper is designed by her and her beautiful sister Emma. 

*fun side fact: 4 1/2 years ago, I flew down to Springfield Missouri and met a group of blogging crafters in real life. It was so fun to get to know Elsie a little better for that week we were there. She has a crazy talented husband, Jeremy who put on a little intimate piano concert for us and we crafted and snacked our nights away at Elsie's loft. It was so intimidating meeting strangers all by myself, but I'll never forget that experience and the friendships we made. If you don't already, you should totally follow sweet Elsie's blog to see all of the DIYs that the ABM team come up with. Even ALL of my photo editing and collages come A Beautiful Mess App! Try it, you'll love it!

Whoa! Rabbit trail!

Anyway. Each day has an activity for the girls to do. These range anywhere from making gingerbread houses to skiing, to making Christmas crafts (I'll show you those as they come up) and random acts of kindness. With traveling over 2 full weeks this month, I had to really plan ahead and write down activities I knew we could do on the road or in the hotel. Sponsoring a kiddo from an Angel Tree, paying it forward to the car behind in a drive thru, and mail a Christmas package to Troops overseas made the list. 

The first thing we do each morning is open the envelope for today's date and read the bible scripture that is on the little strip of Kraft paper. 

I used Good Morning Girls Advent plan for our daily readings. We read it together and then talk about the verses. This is one of my favorite parts of our day. 

Do you Advent with your kiddos? What's your favorite activity to do with them?

Speaking of activity, little Avin likes to use me as a jungle gym lately. Isn't it funny that once you get down to their level with the littles, you are a magnet to them! I love it... But really wish we had carpet! Ha!

XO.
Jari

Party Prep

It's a last minute crafting DIY paradise in room 207 tonight. 

Our sweet little Bear is turning one tomorrow and we are partying to celebrate. 

It didn't even reach above zero temperature today so I'm so happy we chose the water park to help our little girl party like a mermaid (not really... But close.)

Snapshots from our DIY party. 

Daddy and cousin Kaci made the tissue pom-poms. Grama Mama covered some dowels with decorative tape. Sweet big sissy Arly, made a paper chain. Auntie Jackie was the scissors and glitter queen. Kit and I supervised well... Wink.

(I couldn't resist showing off these sweet chubby legs.... I could just nibble them!)

Party photos tomorrow. 

XO. 

Jari

Happy Halloween & Hair Do!

This morning started off as a treat. This mama got a 2 1/2 hour timeout that involved scissors and some foil! Sounds scary... But it was far from that! 

Joel treated me once again with a morning at the salon. He came home from work to hang out with Avin, while the big girls were at school co-op at the church, so I could have some me time. 

As you know, I've been bleaching my hair for the past 2 years and it was pretty toast. Today I went with a more natural blond (almost my adult natural color) and cut about 5 inches off the back. I really like the new look but it'll still take some time to get used to. What do you think?

Then I rushed home as I still had a costume to make before my biggest little got home from school. I wanted to surprise her and have it finished and surprisingly, it happened! 

We went with all hand made costumes this year for Halloween. Arly chose Pocahontas and 2 yards of faux suede and a couple hot glue sticks later were we set with a poncho, skirt, headband with feathers and even a treat bag. 

(Wow! When I see this photo she looks so old... And beautiful... And I'm so proud of the lovely young lady she is becoming)

Alyn was 'Squirty' the clown. And an adorable clown she was! We had almost everything down in the dress up bin so all we had to get was the suspenders, shoe covers, and nose.

(She played the part quite well! She was hilarious and was the life of the party!)

Little Miss Avin almost got forgotten this year. Joel and I came across the funniest little grandma ensemble that we totally wanted her to be but couldn't find a used walker we could saw down to her size. So I kind of forgot all about her costume until 2 days ago. I remembered seeing a little octopus DIY costume on Pinterest a while back and totally winged it on her costume. It turned out completely adorable!!! 4 pairs of rights, a role of wire, a bag of poly-fil and some felt and we had ourselves the cutest little octopus you ever did see. 

(Everyone commented on how sweet she was. She even got pretty good walking with the belt of 6 extra legs by the end of the night!)

We had some of the sweetest friends join us for the trick or tearing and some super delicious chili (spicy and regular) and hot dogs. Add some hot chocolate, wassail and Oktoberfest and you have yourself one amazingly, comfortable, relaxing night with perfect company. 

We honestly couldn't have asked for better weather and conversation tonight. 

I'm heading to bed, with a happy heart and smile on my face, because I ended my month of focusing on relationship really doing just that. 

I'm so blessed to be surrounded by so many incredible people. 

(I'm going to have to watch this one!)

Happy Halloween!!!! From our house to yours!

Now bring on the Christmas music and tree!!

XO

Jari

Pumpkin Carving Party

It was such a fun morning hosting our first pumpkin carving party! We had Joel's 10U Avalanche softball team over. We chose morning so the girls would be bright eyed and ready to get creative and so the families could still enjoy their afternoon together!)  

We woke up late but I think our decorations were still pretty cute. 

Paper lanterns make everything a little cuter and more festive!

We made a fall mix using candy corn, pretzels, Reese pieces, and some orange and purple marshmallow popcorn and pumpkin shaped potato puffs... All from Target. We put them in clear treat bags and tied them with green tulle to make it look like pumpkin and leaves!

Colorful pirate eye patches and vampire fangs were a hit!

Ghost pops = easy adorable treat for cheap! It's a PEEP!!! Simply push a ghost peep on a sucker stick and voila!

Disposable table cloths are a must! This makes for easy, quick clean up!

Spider Cider was a smash! So delicious! We mixed 2 gallons of apple cider, 1 large can of pineapple juice and 5 cinnamon sticks. Warm on stove and and serve in a spider punch bowl... What else?!

Get your coach to scoop out all your gunk. That's an obvious. 

And the finished products with their creative artists! I loved seeing all the girls get to know each other a little bit better. They already have the sweetest friendships... We can't wait to keep them growing those relationships. 

Happy Pumpkin Carving Party!!!

XO

Jari