Love Me Challenge; Day 3, Words that describes YOU

Today I feel positively effervescent!

adjective

1. effervescing; bubbling.

2. vivacious; gay; lively; sparkling.

I've been speaking positively about myself

by saying this sentence out loud with

a new, happy adjective everyday.

This wonderful list sits in my planner and I go down 

the list and of new happy word each day.

Read more about why you should be more
mindful of our words and stay positively INSPIRED.

I just came across this photo of a Young Women
activity that reminded me of personal descriptive words.

The individual would sit and the others would

write descriptive words about us.

There were a few "inside jokes"
but I was reminded of
the characteristics that people value 
in me.    

Love Me Challenge; Day 2, A photo of you

C, can you pick a photo
where you think I am beautiful?

"Oh, I like this one!"

Why do you think I am beautiful in this photo?

"It just has you.  And us! And you look happy! 
And that must be a tear of joy in my eye! " 

"Love Me" Challenge

My insecurities are getting to the best of me. I complain everyday about my mommy tummy. Everyday. Single. Day. I'm sure my husband is exhausted. I don't want my kids to have a disdain for their body so why am I doing it towards mine. I appreciate and love the kids that were formed in this belly of mine. But the struggle is real. I wanted to find a "love me" challenge and I came across this past February challenge via Pinterest. Taking on the challenge TODAY.

So, WHY ARE YOU DOING LOVE ME?

I want to value and appreciate who I am from within. I want to learn to love the inner beauty of me more than the elements of physical beauty. The most genuine and sincere hearts are the truly the hearts of some individuals that just shine! I feel like I let my physical beauty shine more than my heart. 

I didn't like this photo because my first thought was, "I hate how big my arms look. The fat side of my face! Why do I wear t-shirts?!" I'm posting it because my son doesn't care what I looked like. He loves me regardless of what I think my flaws are. He thinks I am awesome because I wore a Star Wars t-shirt. We were at Disneyworld and I was worrying about how I looked. My husband has this as his screensaver on his phone. My son and husband loved this moment so why can't I.

Illustrated Faith

As I approach my 30th birthday in six months (yes, I'm counting down), I thought about how I wanted to celebrated the last year of my 20's. I thought of doing a "Random Act of Kindness" mission or writing a letter about my 20's and what I learned in my youth. But I believe the Spirit guided me and has prompted me read my scriptures more. Because isn't that where all kindness begins?

I have never been the best scriptorian ever. I love the teaching and gospels of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints! But I prefer listening to hours of conference talks by our modern day prophets or watching mormon messages videos or listening to LDS hymns or streaming Mormon channel... you get the point.

Some different ways I have studied the scriptures:

- During our first few years of marraige, my husband and I enrolled in an institute class as a young married couple to learn the Book of Mormon. I remembering grumbling some nights about it, but I understand that there was accountability for us. We would send our responses to a local seminary institute teacher every other night and he would respond back. He was impressed that we wanted to take these classes. He rarely saw couples taking classes.

- The Book of Mormon institute manual  has been a great friend.

- The last two years, I heavily relied on the Red Headed Hostesses website. If you have never used her website, it is absolutely wonderful. I would use a lot of her visuals for Young Women lessons. Right now, I'm have been working on the "Come Unto Christ" workbook that came out in 2014.

MY SCRIPTURE MISSION

"You are loved" by Tiffany Zajas

After browsing some Project Life ideas, I came across "Illustrated Faith" started up by Shanna Noel and other blogging creative gurus and I knew this was how I wanted to study scriptures! I knew I needed to find scriputres that I allowed me to journal and write my faith in the margines.

I have searched high and low for a wide margin Book of Mormon. I came across this download by Brad Jackman. I uploaded it to my USB and took it to the printers and the price was going to be $80 bucks. Yikes! Then I thought I would print the pages on my printer and illustrate the pages a few pages at a time. Yeah, my printer settings are not nice.

Then we moved.

Last week, we had a lesson in Relief Society about the blessings of the scriptures. It inspired me to pursue the need for a wide margin Book of Mormon.

Grace by Shanna Noel

 Alas, I came across lulu's printing website and made a book which cost me $20 versus $80. I uploaded Brad Jackman's wide margin PDF and picked and choose the cover. I can't wait for the book to get here for me to work on. I look forward to doing this with the other standard works as well.

In the meantime, I have downloaded David J. Ridges scriptures made easier to help me understand my scriptures more. I still plan on highlighting and using my personal scriptures as well. I have added tabs to my personal scriptures by using some washi fabric tape (the picture above). The last time I updated those tabs, I was in high school and used clear tape. I'm also excited to CREATE something for Him, about Him, and that generates my love for HIM!

Anyways, I'm sorry for the long details. I'm just ecstatic everything has come into place about how to go about studying scriptures for me. I will do my best to share my "illustrated faith" in the days or months to come.

How do you study the scriptures? Please feel to share.

Plug in "illustrated faith" in Pinterest and you will see some amazing scripture testimony!

Celebrating 2014

Celebrating 2014

I ran a color run. I have always wanted to do one.

We bought our first HOME!

The husband became a Navy officer.

We visited Austin and San Antonio.

I started a new waitressing job 

and had many late night karoake sesh 

with co-workers (Peggy Lee and 

Nancy Sinatra are my favorites).

Aunt K moved in with us (and moved out

in December).

C was in the local production of

the Nutcracker. 

D started Kindergarten.

I decided an A-line cut is the hairstyle for me.

Pixie cut was too short. Lesson learned.

I decided to withdraw from my academic studies

to take care of the needs of our family.

Again, pending. Sigh.

We endured a long three months without B.

Boy, this was hard for me!

I am the 1st counselor in the Young Women's

Presidency. So many spiritual moments with

amazing Young Women.

BUT 2015 already feels good!

I started painting with water colors.

My Project Life album for 2013 & 2014 

is almost done.

Organized my bathroom and kitchen 

drawers. Every single one of those drawers
are organized.

Two more moves in the 2015 year.

B will be home mid-January!

Spreading Good Cheer

I've established that 2015 is about creating more and making art. But I also want to encompass more kindness, cheer, and COLOR. I want more color in my life. Colors that do not just represent said blue, white, black, but expand on emotions and conviction and love and gratitude-- you get it. We do not have to wait until a new year occurs to be more kind. It starts today. It can start now. 

I love the idea of passalong cards. This was another collaborated work with my children. All you need are white cards, paint brushes, party poppers, markers (I used a chalk marker which isn't listed), an assortment of washi tape, acrylic paints, and a work place for a mess.

And paint away.

These are some of the combinations we made. The ends will curl after drying. I used a heavy book to press down to keep it flat. Use your washi tape to adhere the popper to card and write your message. I went back with a black marker and paint to add more definition for the "Happy New Year" lettering. Stick in a basket, bag, purse and pass the cards to strangers, friends, er, strangers. We passed them out yesterday while at the grocery store.

I think these would be a great idea for any season or holiday or just to spread a happy message. I hope that your resolutions have been drafted for 2015. I do not think it is cliche to make goals or plans or any endeavor of any sort. I am grateful to have the opportunity to reflect on what changes occurred and what downfalls helped me grow. Happy New Year's Eve.

Many Hands Make Light Work

The habituation of housework is a constant. This week's work started with much grumbling and complaint. I have been cleaning our forbidden office room, and there are a lot of things I rather be doing. I unpacked a treasure trove of past Seeing The Everyday magazines, and issue six specifically talks about the need of work. I'll give you the highlight with these shared words.

Sacrifice, I never looked at house work being revealed this way. I realize I need to stray away from my own self-centered aims and render myself in the assistance of my family, to respond to those needs appropriately (without the bah-humbug). Work is not only a singular act, but can be done collectively. It makes the "many hands make light work" ring supreme in my noggin' right now. 

*Seeing The Everday "Correspondence" Issue Six

Solemnity

Our haven is the backyard. We play. We eat. We read. We cook. We doodle. A fare of we-isms happen here. Nature exists forever within these confines, and we have (always) been content with her.

What Remains

I had my fingers crossed for the Winter season to avoid the flu at all possibilities. Drink extra vitamin C. Eat an apple a day. Wash my hands religiously. December, no. January, no. February, stronger than ever. March introduced itself with heavy rains, silent retreats, and the inevitable flu.The son started with drainage in (both) eyes. Pink eye. Sniffles. Congested nostrils. And all other unpleasantness followed. Last week, all my efforts availed me, and the flu made its rotation from one child, to the other child, and to me.

A week and a half of flu recovery, and then the Japanese crisis, the ordeal had me reevaluating, prioritizing family goals, and my time. Despite the overshadowing of melancholy, this week has been a celebratory-one-of-sorts as well. The husband was promoted. Our wedding anniversary was commemorated. A homemade, fresh cheese was frequently made and eaten. Pickling vegetables. Baking. A marriage retreat to Unicoi National Park. And, seedlings ready for transplant.

I'm finding strength in the unlikeliest of places.

Subside

I am uncertain of where the segue of Winter into early Spring occurred, but it's happening here in Georgia. And, here, my heart is pining for those experiencing those nasty, bagnabit, winter storms in seventy percent of the country. Bless the man with the snow plow, snow digg, and snow umph mentality.

Chances of rain is the forecast for the next four days. Rain. Murk. Dirt. Gray skies. These signs of an early Spring are being officiously aggressive. Why all this weather talk? Shouldn't weather talk be used for those awkward pauses in conversations? When I have nothing else to say?

I am trying to be more intuitive of the earth's seasons. Does drafting out a garden for Spring count? Not likely. I need to set those garden books down, and make a proposal of my own: hello, outdoors, my name is Khinna. Obviously, my children are better at reciprocating nature's changes.

My children's curiosity never fails to amuse me, even under blistering, Winter conditions (okay, by my standards), their solicitude for the outdoors is always met with a favoured-by-fortune attitude. Go forth, and conquer. I think it is engraved inside their frontal lobe. Yes, I checked. It is.

While there is much winter playing, there will always be an empty, and eagerly desirous stomach at the end. No, I didn't serve them the *millet bowl that is shown. That was my meal. They prefered a *roasted, tomato, grilled cheese (with basil) sandwich guzzled down with hot, apple cider.

Oh, I love wintertime play, and comfort food.

--------------------------

Grilled Cheese w/ Roasted Tomatoes

I love the taste of roasted tomatoes, and make my own using Molly Wizenburg's method. You can use canned, roasted tomatoes; drain, rinse, and saute on stove top for 10 minutes.

Making the Sandwhiches

rustic wheat bread
Tillamook cheddar cheese
basil leaves, if you want

Use whatever staples you have on hand.

Assembling the sandwhich. Brush one side of each slice of bread with the melted butter, making sure to coat the entire surface. Place one slice of bread buttered side down on a plate. Place generous layers of cheese on it, or grate the cheese. Add roasted tomatoes. Add basil leaves, if preferred.

Grill them. Heat a large, lidded, dry nonstick skillet over a medium flame. Transfer the sandwich to the skillet, cover and cook for 1-1/2 to 2 minutes. Turn the sandwich and cook uncovered for another 2 minutes or until bread is browned on both sides and cheese has melted. If necessary, turn again until desired brownness is achieved on the bread. Transfer to a plate and serve.

--------------------------

Millet Bowl w/ Black Beans and Vegetables

adapted from Whole Living January 2011 magazine

I could not find millet anywhere for some reason. So, I used 1 1/4 cup of Trader Joe's Harvet Grains blend, which tripled the serving size. Store, and eat later. Use any grains you have at hand, red quinoa would be lovely.

Perfection

Perfecting this. Perfecting that. Perfection.

While there may be a growing disdain for the word, there are always favourable outcomes when it comes to perfecting a recipe.

Into the New Year

I realize the blog has been lacking content these past few months. My general attitude about blogging has shifted all over the place. The flu has brought its fair share of rotations around the household. School has started. Life presumes.

We have been having bipolar weather. On Monday and Tuesday, an ice storm hit the South. Being Utahns, my husband and I jokingly laughed about how the entire town shut down on only several inches of snow. It makes sense now, because there aren't readily available snow trucks and such. The snow that falls in the South isn't powdery fresh either. The humidity makes the snow rock solid, hence Mr. Mini snowman. Black ice everywhere. We could have skated on our front lawn on Tuesday. Being away from the Utah for so long, I will admit I don't miss snow one bit. However, I do enjoy the snuggling up, hot drinks, and reading portion of the Winter season.

Did 2011 creep on you too? We've been in the South for a year and two months, and there are a few places and people we still need to see; Savannah, Myrtle Beach, alligator swamps, Disney world, meet up with our favorite Coldfoot couple in Atlanta, and (maybe) be witnesses to a few sports events. Hopefully, we can plan accordingly.

What are your plans for the new year?

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My Mum

When I was a girl, my mother had a love-hair affair with Shirley Temple. On Saturday mornings, we were always getting our hair done by mom. Oh, the boxes of DIY perm solution, hundreds of perm rods, tissue paper, and the smell. Oh, that smell.

My mom was determined - definitely hoped - that her little girls with their stringy, black hair would mimic Temple's golden rods. No, we were blessed with Rick Jame's jheri curls.

Happy Birthday, Mum.

A Mess Around These Parts

[Apple Cranberry Crumble for breakfast.]

Our house is in shambles right now, meaning it's a mess. November through January are quite climatic for me, not just because of the holidays, but we have to throw six birthdays in there. It's enough to send my handmade, gifting heart into coma. My children's birthdays are a week from each other. What was thinking? Right, I wasn't.

We are celebrating Thanksgiving tomorrow, which is fine by me, since we don't do the Black Friday thing. I'm doing all the prepping today. We miss our Utah family A LOT (did I mention that). It's difficult to be a part from them. We have learned to appreciate the intimate celebrations of four, because we do them quite often. 

Anyways, enough rambling, and more pictures, right?

Painting, we love it. They could paint anything, and have painted almost everything. Never leave your children alone with paint for one minute.

Remember, this doodle book? It's finally coming together. 

Last year, this badge went missing under a stack of books, and I finally found it. It's time to introduce the Kaminske birthday badge. I still need to do some embroidery on it - huzzah!

Did you bust out your Christmas tree after Halloween? No, we didn't, but I was thinking about it. Does Christmas seem like it gets earlier every year? 

A grateful day, indeed.

Green Shoes & Bread

These two pairs of feet always keep me running. We took part one of our family photos today. I learned I shouldn't use peanut butter and jelly sandwiches as a method of bribery. Part two of the session will commence on Saturday. 

I never thought of myself as a baker. However, I have contested the nevers and I cants this season. I am doting on many, gleeful praises.

I am pleased to have a husband with a diverse palette, and will encounter any thing I forgo. Well, everything sans meat. Thanks, love.

[Recipe here]

Roll This.

"No, momma, roll 'dis, roll 'dis!"

My daughter repeatively telling me this is how we roll a peirogi.

Almost Here

 

Preparations for the Halloween weekend are coming in full circle. This might be the first year our Halloween costumes are complete early with a few minor purchases such as face paint, and a wig.

I am in a full frenzy with all this holiday cooking. Twelve dozen cupcakes to make, two orders of pumpkin buns, scary appetizers, three Halloween parties to attend, a haunted planatation, and trick-or-treating with the children. Remembering, I need to buy candy, and to study.

What are you Halloween preparations/plans? What are you cooking up this holiday season?

Octoberfest

October means orange comes in many shades.

Pumpkin adoration.

Enjoying the company of our less-than-ordinary friends.

Fall crafting.

Cutting Halloween shapes out of tortilla chips.

[And] the many books to-be-read (the husband's current queue). 

His Birthday

Why I Forget Things, Dear Husband

Dear Husband,

In case you are wondering, why I can be so forgetful:

Pancake making, potty training, diaper changing, wiping, cleaning, crossing the street, tidying, organizing, cleaning, one leg in one-at-a-time, shirt on backwards, brushing, stroller pushing, hand holding, hoping, healthy eating, laundry, laundry, laundry, friendshipping, unclogging toilet, post office run, birthday gift for ---- and ----, cookie making, hugging, running feet, dogding feet, cramping feet, picture hanging, dressing up, drawing, book reading, studying, brushing teeth, running the bath, chasing, bubble making, drawing, wishing, pumpkin picking, pumpkin making, keys misplacing, running, working out, teaching, learning, chalking, wagon pulling, time managing, sweeping, kissing, socializing, caring, endearing, cooking and loving.

Times two. Plus husband-ing.

Love Your Wife.