Planning a Baby Shower!

I'm going to be a GREAT aunt-my niece is having a baby girl!  To help the shower guests with gift ideas, I made a list of items she doesn't have around a "time" theme.  Traditionally with this theme, each guest is assigned a specific time; however, I don't plan to make assignments.

Here is the original post I found on a baby time theme: Time of Day Baby Shower

I created both of these photos using my favorite app, here is her website: Rhonna Designs

Only a few more weeks and it's baby shower time!

Spring Decor

Our shelves still had some Christmas decor on them and I was tired of the darker color scheme; so once Spring came, I was happy to change them and aimed for a lighter color scheme with pastels.

I spent the morning TRYING to redecorate the shelves and was super frustrated and was positive the only solution was a trip to TJ Maxx &/or ROSS.  I texted Ivan who graciously reminded me of our financial goals.  So with that, everything I used was stuff I already owned; it's grown on me and it was EXTREMELY satisfying to use what I had on hand instead of buying MORE stuff. 

I printed the Spring banner from Shanty to Chic here

Pleasure or Pain?

For YEARS, Ivan has voiced his belief that raising a puppy/dog is no different than raising a child.  He has never raised a child but he HAS raised a puppy Rottweiler named JD.

I fought him for months on this topic but despite our differing beliefs on parenting we eventually got married and 4 months later, we got our first puppy, Noa.  Isn't he charming?!

Pretty soon, Ivan had won me over to his philosophy: raising a puppy IS like raising a child.   I too have not raised a man child.  (So, you can all laugh at our ignorance and assume we'll both be in for a surprise when we decide to have our own man children).

As our spoiled only puppy child developed some very not so charming habits, I found an audiobook-The Loved Dog by Tamar Geller.  She explains pleasure and pain in regards to training a dog.  Instead of focusing on punishing a dog for bad behavior,  focus on rewarding a dog for good behavior.  In the words of Tamar Geller, "When you coach your dog using The Loved Dog method, your wishes will become his favorite behavior because he will associate it with great pleasure—not pain" 

If raising/training a puppy is like raising a child then surely these same principles apply to the "other man child" I am raising/training....my husband! Eureka! Raising a puppy is like raising a child but raising a puppy is ALSO like raising a husband.  My husband not only responds better to pleasure, he's MOTIVATED by pleasure not pain.  So, nagging (pain) about how we never get outside and move, doesn't get the results I desire. Pleasure driven...pleasure and exercise? Does it even exist?! I know it does, but convincing Ivan of this, is the challenge.  Here's my best attempt to make fitness pleasurable-our fitness bucket list.

The goal is to complete 2 a week.  We are starting week 2 of Couch to 5K Training tomorrow.  We are planning on running a 5K Color Run on June 6th!

Our 100 Day Challenge

I admire couples who are able to work TOGETHER to achieve their goals.  It is no small feat! Ivan and I have set many goals but sadly, have accomplished only a few together!
Anyone else know this struggle?

We have set the goal to "improve our health by eating healthy and exercising" SO many times. 

Furthermore, we both fall into the, "I'll try" trap. "I'll try to eat healthy" "I'll try to exercise 5x's a week" "I'll try to make a healthy meal plan" I'll try... I'll try... I'll try...

I think I'll buy a little Yoda as a reminder of this great quote.  I am tired of trying and getting NO WHERE! I am ready to DO this and enjoy the reward of hard work and persistence! 

I'm ready to face this challenge with Ivan to achieve a healthier happier life together.

Since we've never achieved a goal together.  I'm not quite sure yet on how we'll do it but I'll post a monthly update on our progress along with the things that work for us as I find and practice them!

  

Do One Thing Everyday That Scares You

What's more boring than a homebody?  Two homebodies! 

One of our goals this year is to "get out" more.  I've been mesmerized by this challenge to "do one thing everyday that scares you"  For an introvert, that includes socializing with other people!

Last week, my good friend invited my husband and I to go country dancing in an old barn, she assured us there's a large enough group to easily go unnoticed.  I had made up my mind I was going to do this "scary" thing and...we followed through and went! And even enjoyed ourselves!

Country dancing was on Saturday; on Monday, Ivan scored some tickets from work to a Jazz game.  

 

We were excited because they were floor tickets

Our tickets included dinner-a prime rib buffet.  Yummo! 

Honestly, I was just happy I didn't have to make dinner!

 

One side of the dining area had the city scape and the other side was the basketball court.  We joked about how we would prefer to watch the game in the silent dining room overlooking the court.  But alas, we had come this far and we ventured to find our "floor seating".

As we went down portal F to be directed to row A where our seats were located, Ivan asked if I was ready.  Prior to driving down, he said in jest that we might be on T.V., this sent me into a nervous frenzy and hearing the roaring crowd made my fear OH SO REAL.

Turns out the ambiguous "floor seating" portal F row A, meant FRONT ROW seating, our feet were on THE COURT!  I was a seat away from the assistant coach, trainers, and JAZZ PLAYERS!
I felt waaay more important than I'd like to, fidgeted the entire time I sat there but made it through the first half where we switched with Ivan's coworkers.

These were our seats for the second half. Second row seating!

Needless to say, we had a blast doing something outside our ordinary boring selves!

   

Home of a Homebody

This quote by Daniel Pinkwater is my homebody manifesto.

My home is an extension of who I am and what I believe & love.

We are currently living in a 3 bedroom 2 bath condominium.  

It isn't perfect, there's some things I'd like to add and change but I do love it.  

 The majority of my home decor comes from thrift stores & Ross or TJ Maxx. 

I bought most of my decor for my wedding (in 2012) with the intent to use it in my home.

Here's a peek into my office.

I originally used this layout in our first apartment but liked it so much

 I used it again for this apartment.  

When my dad saw the original creation from our first apartment, he asked, "where's the bed pan?"

Our living room, is quite small and a bit awkward in shape and placement of doors, 

but I think we finally found a layout we could live with.  

I found these shutters at Deseret Industries for $10!  My husband and I painted & distressed them.

My couches are my favorite! The fabric is fantastic and the style is chic AND comfortable!

Ivan made these "industrial" shelves for me.  We still need to stain them.

I found this beauty at Pier One Import.  It was marked 75% off because it's missing legs.  Anyone think the mirror piece is ruined with missing legs?  I didn't think so! 

And one from Christmas cause I loved my tree.

The kitchen is also small.  It's my least favorite space.

The 2nd bathroom is also the laundry room.

Next up, my FAVORITE room in the house-my bedroom!
 It's peaceful and bright and has gorgeous pattern combinations, textures, and furniture.
Hope you like it!

The side tables are from my sister Laura who was going to donate them to Deseret Industries. I originally wanted to paint and distress them but never got around to doing it. 

 I'm SO GLAD I didn't! 

They fit perfectly with my bedroom color scheme and design just as they are.

All but the script pillow are from TJ Maxx.  The script one is from Ross.  

Eventually, I would like to buy some white Euro sized pillows.  I think adding them will make my bed look more proportionate.

This old window pane was something I made up for my wedding reception.  

It is super HEAVY so it just sits next to my bed.

This next piece of furniture is from my sister Ana. 

 I ABSOLUTELY ADORE it.  

She lives in New Mexico and finds THE BEST pieces of furniture at the local thrift shops.  

I believe she and her husband painted and added the decals.  It was in their daughters bedroom.

If you look close, you can see some pencil artwork, courtesy of my nieces and their friends!

I plan to sand it down and repaint it but it does make it even MORE sentimental.  

The top drawers are filled with some of my jewelry. Pretty obvious which one is Ivan's drawer.

My closet...decent size but in need of a little TLC.
Some nice boxes to organize/ HIDE things for a start.

I carried a similar color palette into my bathroom.

In addition to being a homebody, I am a housewife.  So having a home I enjoy is really important to me.  I strive to make it a home where the Spirit of God can dwell, a place that my husband looks forward to coming home to, a place that friends and family are always welcome.