Be Present Service Challenge - Week 6

I can’t believe we’ve made it to our last and final week of the Be Present Service Challenge! I really am humbled and thrilled to read what many of you have have done throughout the past few weeks.

Week 6 – Love Your Community Printable

My  boys love when we drive by our State Capital Building :)

1. Simple Acts of Service – I’ll be the first to admit when I think of service, community isn’t the first on my list. I’m from a small town and when you know everyone it’s easier to jump in an feel like you’re making a difference! But living in Utah where I don’t know many people, it’s just different. But I recently stumbled across a quote from Spencer W. Kimball and it made me think a little differently, it states:

“We must remember that those mortals we meet in parking lots, offices, elevators, and elsewhere are that portion of mankind that God has given us to love and serve.” 

Many times when I’m out and about I’m focused solely on my kids, but this week I’ll be be attempting to notice more people around me and remember it’s often the little things that make big differences, even when it comes to strangers.

Deliver some cookies!

2. Thank Someone – This is an easy one to get kids involved with. Write a note, bake a treat, or drop something off for someone in your community. I’m sure my boys will pick the policeman and fireman, but my goal is to think outside of the box and thank someone who is rarely thanked. Any ideas?

Here’s a free printable sharing Random Act of Kindness cards you can attach to serve anonymously if that’s more your thing.

Get out and clean!

3. Make it Beautiful – Let’s get out and beautify our community! When you first enter our subdivision, there’s a bunch of leaves piled up against a fence on the parkway strip. I plan on taking my kids and raking the leaves up. In fact, I told them today what we would be  doing later this week, and it led to a conversation about why we should care about our community.

I know six weeks is long, but I am so thrilled with how many participated! The stories I’ve heard, the good deeds performed, it all makes me so happy to think of all the love and hope spread throughout the past few weeks.

But most of all, how did it affect you? Did you notice a difference? What did you learn? I know I definitely learned some lessons, especially on spouse week. I was reminded that it doesn’t have to be something big  in order to have it count. I need to consistently think of ways to involve my boys and lead by example. It also reaffirmed that there are blessings that come from serving.

Thanks to everyone who joined us, we really do appreciate all of you who check in on our little corner of the world from time to time. We love you!

Be Present Service Challenge–Week 5

Neighbors!

Week 5 is all about loving our neighbors!

Download the free printable here. It will give you ideas on how to serve.

1. Get to know them – Last summer we moved into a new house, and I’m embarrassed to say there are a couple neighbors I still haven’t met! I’ve waited to see them outside, but I haven’t. So this week I plan on knocking on their door with a some goodies in hand and introducing myself.

Let’s make an effort to meet somebody new this week.

2. Serve your neighbor – It’s easy to serve those we know, but what about those we don’t know? I feel like serving neighbors can make a huge impact in their life. But remember it doesn’t have to be big! Even shoveling their walkway or taking in their garbage can is a great place to start.

I have three incredible neighbors who make a big difference in my family’s life and it pushes me to be better at recognizing other neighbor’s needs. One older neighbor watches my daughter every single week while I take my boys to speech! I am so grateful! This week I not only want to give back to them, but to other neighbors I haven’t met.

Here’s a FREE PRINTABLE to help you serve your neighbors. I always feel it’s easier to show up with something in hand when introducing myself.

3. Invite them over – Here is one to stretch all of us! Invite your neighbors over! Spending a little time with them will help build a better relationship and will help you enjoy where you live even more. Invite a neighbor (or two) over for dinner, dessert, or even a game night. There’s more ideas listed on the printable as well. The goal with this option is to really form a long lasting relationship.

Good luck! Let us know how it goes. I’ll be sharing some ideas on social media, so stay tuned!

Easter Printable

The past few days we’ve been out and about more and it officially feels like spring! I’m itching for warmer weather and so are my kids.

Recently, I’ve developed a huge love for plants! I’ve started filling our new home with houseplants and have been doing some research to spruce up our landscaping in the front of our house.

With Easter quickly approaching and it being week 4 (friend week) in our Be Present Service Challenge, we created this darling FREE PRINTABLE to add to any flower or plant. I love how it turned out, don’t you? You can bet I’m also giving these to the ladies I visit teach! I plan on delivering them this Friday.

You can’t go wrong with gifting any type of flower arrangement, tulip bulbs, or succulents. So go grab something that catches your eye and make your friends smile.

Happy Gifting.

T- Shirt Memory Quilt: Preslee’s Blanket

 I remember packing away Preslee’s clothes. Crying. It was excruciating realizing that my daughter’s life fit into six small bins and there wouldn’t be anything more to add to them. Pat carried each one downstairs to our basement, and just like that, our daughter’s room was empty.

Two years passed, and I did everything I could to avoid those bins. Until I accidently knocked over the pink one, and some of Preslee’s clothes spilled out. On top, laid her pink toddler boots. The tears began to fall, and I knew I still wasn’t ready to decide what to do with Preslee’s belongings, so I quickly shoved everything back inside leaving them to sit for another two years.

This past summer, right before Preslee’s four year Angel anniversary, I finally felt ready to open the bins. I knew I wanted to make a blanket using her clothes. Late one night after putting the kids to bed, Pat brought up each bin and I sorted through her clothes deciding what I wanted to use for the blanket. I cried through the entire process, but knowing I was starting the last task I needed to complete, took a weight off my shoulders.

I luckily have an amazing seamstress for a friend. Crazy talented! Tiffany, who runs Tiny Seamstress Designs offered to help with the project, and I am still soo grateful for all that she did! (Details below) Tiffany went above and beyond, she put a million details into the blanket, and the final result turned out better than I could have ever imagined!

Thank you Tiffany, I love you! 

   

She kept a few ruffles from from Preslee’s dress. (Yellow square) 

One of Preslee’s favorite books, In My Nest, by Sarah Gillingham, contained a blue bird finger puppet. While Tiffany was working on the blanket, Cannon and Cruiz destroyed the book. I was upset. Pat suggested I see if Tiffany could incorporate it into the blanket. Tiffany worked her magic and fit it in perfectly.

 

Tiffany kept the buttons on jacket and then sewed the coordinating onesie below. Amazing! 

A reader left me a comment sharing the idea of leaving a few tags of the size of clothing.
Tiffany left three blocks with the sizes on it. One of my favorite details on the blanket.

 

Tiffany came up with the idea of incorporating Preslee’s binky. I cried.
She attached the binky to ribbon and sewed it into the pocket.

      

Tiffany told me she envisioned this hanging in our future girls nursery above a changing table. 

(We’ve gotta talk Pat into that one… :) 

So she added two pockets (up above) to make it easy to hang with a curtain rod or dowel.
I used them while taking pictures, it worked great.

 

I can’t get over the quilting details! Along with how perfectly the three pieces of fabric tie in.

The Process

 I showed up to Tiffany’s house with a large bin of sorted clothes, I put in anything that still had meaning after four years, (There was a lot). Tiffany had different patterns waiting for me to pick from. I also brought examples that different readers had sent me, (Thank you! They helped so much!). What I learned from the different examples was that each blanket showed a different personality, so I knew whatever pattern we picked, I wanted it to scream Preslee! I also learned I wanted a quilted look to it, and wanted it to be on the smaller side. I knew if it was too large I’d pack it away because I wouldn’t know where to keep it, and after spending four years in bins, I didn’t want it to go right back in one.

As I was looking through Camille Roskelley’s book Simplify, the pattern Sweet Pea, instantly stood out. Tiffany agreed it was a good match for all the different colors of clothing we would be using. Then we got to work.

I told Tiffany I wanted to help as much as I could. The first step was to narrow what I brought down to what we would use to cut out five inch squares. Some of the fabric wouldn’t work well, so we eliminated items like swimming suits, jackets, and some dresses.

When I began cutting, I instantly panicked. I was so emotionally tied to each piece of clothing that I felt sick about the possibility of messing up. Tiffany quickly read the situation and suggested I iron the squares after she cut them out. I was incredibly appreciative, and ironed like a champ :) We didn’t finish before I needed to leave, and she asked if she could work on it while I wasn’t there. I said yes, and before I knew it she sent me a picture of all the squares cut out.

After that, there wasn’t really much I could do. I don’t sew well enough to attempt a project like this, so my job was to buy the supplies and find fabric I wanted to use. I spent hours looking for the perfect fabric. I was frustrated. I wanted it to perfectly represent Preslee. I was about to give up when I walked in to a local variety store (Abbotts) and my eyes immediately were drawn to the turquoise and pink sitting next to each other. I was ecstatic. I found three pieces that matched what I had in mind.

When Tiffany called and said it was finished, I ran over as fast as I could! All the little details are out of this world, and with all the different mismatched pieces of fabric, I find something new every time I look at it.

What I Learned

• If I would have made this blanket just following Preslee’s death, I realized I would have picked different outfits. I know I would have picked mostly 18 month – 24 month sizes, what she was wearing at the time she passed away. But four years later, I found myself picking the clothes that held strong memories. I’m really happy I waited to complete this project, (Though it wasn’t planned) because I was sure I knew what I wanted.
• I was terrified to cut up Preslee’s clothes, but when Tiffany sent me a picture of all her clothes cut into squares, I was surprised how happy they made me. I no longer saw little girl shirts, noticing how small she was when she passed away, I just saw pleasant memories. My suggestion is to have someone else cut up the clothes. It was terrible.
• I’m glad I had Tiffany to piece the blocks. It was better to have someone who wasn’t so emotionally tied to each block, and she was able to make it work.
• I think one of the reasons I subconsciously waited to make the blanket was if I had a girl I wanted to use Preslee’s clothes. But six years later, most everything was out of date. I knew if I have a girl down the road, I wouldn’t use most of it anymore. My cousin suggested I save some scraps and make bows out of them if I still want to incorporate them. I loved that idea. I left a few pieces of clothing untouched, and I plan on donating about eight dresses to Primary Children’s Hospital.
• As I was looking at our blanket, I couldn't help but think how anyone who has lost a loved one wouldn't appreciate this. I think it would be such a special thing for spouses, children, siblings, parents, ect. 

I love the finished product. I catch Ledger looking at it all the time. I’ve threatened him with his life, and explained he can look with his eyes, but can’t touch any of it, if I’m not with him. He loves asking questions about all the different pieces of clothing. I’ve also walked by the room and saw Patrick looking at it quite frequently, smiling.

For right now, it’s draped across my chair, and we’re in love with it.

Thank you Tiffany, we will always treasure it!
 

Seamstress: Tiffany Jenkins, From Tiny Seamstress Designs.
Design: Camille Roskelley’s book Simplify, Pattern: Sweet Pea.
Fabric: Sweet Harmony, Designed by Amy Hamberlin,

Boy Oh Boy!

Almost immediately after announcing we were having twins, my friend Lindsey offered to throw a baby shower. She teamed up with Rebecca and they threw an amazing shower. These two certainly know how to host a party, and went above and beyond with every single detail. I was certainly one spoiled pregnant momma.

 

Hailey- I’m praying I don’t make it past 40 weeks!

   

Who knows what I’m explaining here :) I’m sure it has something to do with the twins.

      

I love Spiderman hiding out on the stairs :)

  We played some very clever games, my favorite was The Price is Right.

Three pregnant sister-in-laws. We’re expecting 4 boys on the Sullenger side. Tiffani is due this week, and Linsy is due in May!

  

We were showered with so many diapers and wipes and couldn’t be more grateful!

Thank you so much Lindsey and Rebecca, we can’t thank you enough!

Pat and I want to thank our family and friends for once again going above and beyond for us. It seems like we’ve been given so much since the time we were married, with 3 pregnancies and a funeral, you’ve all supported us in a million ways. We love and appreciate each and every one of you!