When I look back on April, it seems like a dream that left me in a haze of denial. Surely, it can't be May already. But it is, so here are a few of my standout favorites from the month of April.
April Favorites
My yard
Last spring and summer, my yard was my favorite place to be. Sometimes it was hard to balance time between school and yard work, but I always tried to dedicate a little time every day to be outside. Whether I was weeding, watering, or pushing my kids on the swings, it brought me so much joy to cultivate the earth and create a recreational environment for my family. This month, the weather warmed up enough that I felt comfortable mowing, weeding, and prepping my garden beds. It was hard work. I may have pulled a muscle in my back, but it has been so rewarding to slip on my worn-out garden gloves and sink my hands into some soil.
Command Center
In March, I created a Command Center in my hallway. As my children get older, and especially now that Annie is in school, it's become more important to stay abreast of each other's activities. So, we now have a family calendar and chore charts to help the kids keep up with their chores without too many reminders.
On the chore charts, we have magnets for each task, and when the children complete something, they can move a magnet to the "Done" area. This helps them visualize their duties and engages their piddle-pot instincts which are attracted to touching everything. Now my mornings are not a battle of begging my children to make their beds, brush their teeth, get dressed, etc. I just ask them to check their magnets.
Thanks to this system, our April mornings ran more smoothly.
Escape to the Country
Photo Retrieved from https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/480x270/p04qmb0x.jpg
Because was a little bluesy and anxious this month, I often found winding down for the night rather difficult. This show, however, changed that. It was the perfect mixture of the scenic English countryside, charming accents, cozy cottages, and a splash of history. After tucking my children in their beds and kissing their little cheeks goodnight, escaping to the country soothed my soul. If you need some soothing, you can find this show on Netflix.
Cancun
I will write an entire post about this experience in the next few days, but this was definitely the highlight of April. It was my first time leaving the country, seeing the Atlantic ocean, snorkeling, and having a vacation where I literally could just lay on the beach and do nothing. It was also my first getaway with Paul since our honeymoon (which was eight years ago). After graduating, this is exactly what Paul and I needed. I'm ready to go back.
March was a month where the universe conspired against me. I had all of the best intentions to clean, organize, hem curtains, be perfect, that kind of stuff. Instead, I spent most of the month sitting on the couch. Still, I managed to stumble across some favorites I thought I would share.
March Favorites
Meal of the Month
We ate (and regurgitated) some pretty excellent meals this month, but this lovely combo is our new favorite. Applesauce, electrolyte-replenishing drink, and oyster crackers. This mixture of bland and smooth is easy on the palate and the stomach. It also comes up nicely if that pertains to you. It did to us. Both of my children and I got hit with the pukies in March, so having these ingredients on hand was a must.
Humidifier
Our old humidifier sounded like a jet engine, and since humidifiers are mainly used at bedtime, you can imagine the roaring sound of turbines and crushed birds was not conducive to restful sleep. When Sam came down with the croup at the beginning of March, I purchased this ultrasonic/ultra-quiet humidifier from Walgreens. It works perfectly, so perfectly it warps doors so they won't close and dampens every surface of my children's tiny rooms. Still, this whisper-soft machine came in handy again when Annie contracted pneumonia later in the month. A worthy investment, I'd say.
Diffuser
My mother-in-law gave us this diffuser for Christmas, and it ran almost every night this month. Whether it was diffusing a breathing formula for coughs and sniffles or a stomach formula for yucky tummies, it was an indispensable part of our healing process.
Party Pails
My kids are pukers. They puke when they have the flu, run a temperature, take ibuprofen, get congested, don't eat enough, eat too much, cry too hard, or ride in the car. Neither like the idea of sticking their faces in the toilet, so these old ice cream buckets have saved my life too many times to count, especially this month. My kids have one under their beds at all times, and we have an extra in the bathroom. Highly recommend.
New Bedspread
When we moved into this house, the decorative touches the previous owners added to the master bedroom highlighted how incredibly pathetic our furniture and blankets appeared. Over the last year, we [finally] bought a real bedframe, some clearance art for the walls, curtains, and this month, a new bedspread.
Where this room used to look dark and bleak, it now feels comfortable and cheery. I have taken sooo many pictures of this new quilt (kind of like I did with the bookshelves) because, after almost eight years of marriage, I finally have a bedroom that reflects me. AND IT MAKES ME SO HAPPY.
New Fridge
After over a year of struggling with our decrepit fridge, our tax return allowed us to replace it. The old fridge dripped buckets of water down the back that, if not collected in tupperware, would fill the produce drawers or pool in the bottom until it leaked through the door seal and created a puddle on the floor. Anything sitting in the back of the fridge would freeze solid, but the ice maker in the freezer didn't work at all. The deli drawer wouldn't open half of the time because it was frozen shut, and that was the last straw because no one gets between me and my cheese. Rediculous. The new fridge is a vast improvement. It has a working ice maker, no leaks, and we are loving having filtered water on the door. 10/10 love this fridge.
Well, March. It's been real. It's been fun. Ain't been real fun though. Bring on April. I have a good feeling about April. :)
To track my monthly favorites, I keep a list on my phone which I add to throughout the month. When I sat down to create this post, I pulled up my one-list-to-rule-them-all, but as I started writing about the items, something seemed a little off....
Lightbulbs
Apparently, this was a favorite this month. We are working on replacing all of our incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs. It's been an interesting process finding the right fit for my picky preferences. The first bulbs I screwed into the overhead lights in the family room buzzed obnoxiously, and the faux candle bulbs in our chandeliers were dim and appeared incredibly artificial. After befriending the guys at the Home Depot returns counter, I think I've identified the right bulbs for my fixtures. I especially love the LED filament bulbs as they are a vast improvement from their half bulb counterparts.
Butter Keeper
Our butter keeper cracked this month, so I picked up another one at Walmart. It's pretty generic, but I guess I must have really loved it a couple weeks ago....
Headphones
Uh... I bought new headphones this month because my earbuds only work on the left side. The new earbuds have sound coming out both sides but are probably the most painful thing that's ever happened to my ears. Seriously, I'd rather have an ear infection. I have no idea why I have included this on my favorites list...........
Metal Sheets
This was the point when I realized I was writing about a shopping list. Oi. With a little digging through my unorganized phone notes, I found the real one-list-to-rule-them-all. #sleepdeprived #sickkiddos Without further ado, I give you my real monthly favorites.
February Favorites
Nail Polish
I usually don't wear nail polish. Painting my nails takes at least an hour because I am so uncoordinated I have to wait for each coat to dry before applying another, lest I smudge the semi-wet paint. Meanwhile, a headache forms in my temples as brain cells cry and die from the chemical smell. My hands cramp up from the paranoid rigidity of my fingers, and the one-star Netflix movie meant to occupy my thoughts during the infuriatingly mindless painting has such poor acting that tears of discomfort spout from the outer corners of my eyes. After all of that pain and sacrifice, one wrong move on the handrail or doing the dishes and BOOM-- nails that look like a fifteenth-century fresco. However, this month, my local Dollar Tree had Wet n Wild nail polish two-packs for sale (that's 50 cents a bottle), and it was love at first sight with some of the colors.
The fast dry formula actually dries very quickly and lasts about three days before it starts chipping. With two little kids, my nails pick a lot of stickers and boogers off hard surfaces, but the megalast formula can go almost a week without chipping. Painting my nails has become my new Saturday night routine.
Poldark
Photo retrieved from http://static.tvgcdn.net/mediabin/showcards/tvshows/700000-800000/thumbs/799483_poldark_430x573.png
Thank you, PBS, for this masterpiece. The story follows a Welshman named Poldark whose great family name far surpasses his actual wealth. Pulled into the quaint 18th-century coastal town, the audience watches his successes and failures to navigate the responsibilities of a gentleman while rejecting many of the societal expectations which try to unsuccessfully dictate his life. This show is moody and raw sprinkled with a love story and tear-jerking tragedies. It's the perfect addition to the nail polish routine and significantly improves the experience. I believe you can watch it for free with Amazon Prime.
Great British Bake Show
Photo retrieved from https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2014-12/24/4/enhanced/webdr03/enhanced-16579-1419414089-8.png
Speaking of PBS classics, this show is positively scrummy (that means scrumptious for all you Yanks). Bright, light, and filled with adorable British expressions, the mystical white tent tucked away in the English countryside is full of the sweetest drama. For the love of all that is holy, I beg you not to watch this show if you are on a diet, gluten-intolerant, diabetic, or just generally care about your health. I found myself eating my couch upholstery while begging my husband to bake me a cheesecake late at night. Please learn from my mistakes. Do NOT watch this show.
Naps
I completed my bachelor's degree this month, and while my intentions were to jump right into sprucing up my neglected house, I quickly realized I needed to stop, breathe, and process this transition. I retired to bed earlier than my previous school schedule allowed. I napped in the afternoons whilst my son slumbered upstairs. As you've probably noticed from my favorites, I also watched copious amounts of TV. I'm finally feeling my ambition return and have started hemming curtains and reorganizing closets, but a couple weeks of rest was absolutely necessary.
Paul
February favorites would not be complete without this birthday boy-- my Valentine and hubby. When Paul and I married in 2009, we mutually decided to prioritize his education so he could be a competent provider. After working and supporting him through his bachelor's and master's degrees, Paul supported my decision to go back to school. He has left work early and braved rush hour traffic to be home with Annie so I could trek onto campus for evening classes. He spent Saturdays parenting alone while I disappeared all day for child-free homework time. He listened to countless hours of me reading papers and posts aloud. He was my sounding board, assistant editor, and cheerleader during these late nights. He's my forever February favorite.
January has come to a close, and as I have promised, I have compiled a rather short list of monthly favorites. Since the new year, I have spent the majority of my time buried in books or crouched over a keyboard, but from the rare moments I came up for air, a few choice products and experiences stood out. I'm going to quickly share them because Ibsen's A Doll's House is not going to analyze itself. Canada's Worst Driver
I realize I am a sick, twisted person to admit this, but I am obsessed with Canada's Worst Driver on Netflix. Imagine Worst Cooks in America and your high school driver's ed class had a love child that says aboot and caer. That pretty much sums up this show. I don't know why watching people back into stacks of wheels or rip the bumper off a sports car brings me so much joy, but I binged both seasons in two days. OBSESSED. #straightAstudent #nosleep
These Four Walls - Little Mix
Do you ever just wake up cloaked in angst? I did for the first two weeks of January. I blame the overcast skies and sub-zero temperatures that confined me to my house. When my seasonal depression made leaving a cocoon of blankets almost too painful to bear, I would jump in the shower, crank the water temperature to blisteringly hot, and play this song as loud as my phone could muster. Though my skin would turn red from the lava flowing from the shower head, I would get chills from the emotional vulnerability in these ladies voices. Don't knock it til you try it.
Laundry Room Floor
After our water heater had flooded our basement and garage at the beginning of October, the floor in our hallway and laundry room was partially torn up. In December, my dad and hubby patched the hallway floor and garage drywall, but the laundry room still needed new floors, doors, drywall work, and baseboards. Our contractor was booked out till January, but since I had already spent two months acclimating to a ripped-up laundry room, waiting an additional month didn't bother me. However, I'm glad the new floor is finally here. I didn't realize how cold the old stick tiles were until I could compare them with the updated vinyl. The vinyl is slightly padded and warm under my feet, and because the laundry room doesn't have a heat vent, this flooring actually helps maintain a comfortable temperature. Folding clothes just got much more manageable.
Book Shelves
When we purchased this house, we had a solid plan for the layout. We wanted the upstairs living room to double as the kids play space, and we wanted the downstairs family room to be an adult space. No toys. Glass decorations. Casual sophistication. After dealing with mothering madness all day, I wanted to be able to go downstairs, shut the door behind me, and sit in a beautiful, clean, relaxing oasis.
This is what our family room looked like when the previous owners lived here. They installed a surround sound system that connects to a large amplifier. On either side of the fireplace, they built matching bookshelves which gave the room a balanced, homey feeling. When we moved in, I knew I wanted to purchase similar-looking bookshelves. Unfortunately, bringing my vision to life was not as easy as I thought it would be. We needed something tall, but short enough to fit under the speakers. We needed something narrow enough to fit between the wall and the mantle. We needed shelves deep enough to accommodate the amp. AND we needed something inexpensive but that didn't look cheap. It was a tall order to fill. Get it? Tall order? Because the bookshelves were. . . oh nevermind.
While I searched, a rickety white bookshelf and one of those wire cubby systems flanked the television and housed our movies, games, and technology. You can see them peeking out in these pictures. It was functional but unattractive and instead of feeling like my sacred retreat, this room felt like some dorms had vomited in our basement. After a year of scouring Ikea, Shopko, Target, Homegoods, Wayfair, and even RC Willey, I finally settled on these bookshelves from Shopko.
These shelves have completely changed the appearance and feeling of this room. My new full-time hobby is taking pictures of my beautiful black babies from various angles and in different lighting. If I lay down to watch a show, I spend more time looking at the shelves than I do at the TV.
I realize it's excessive, but obsession is not always logical. Paul and I have been married almost eight years and have survived on hand-me-down furniture (for which I have been incredibly grateful), but it is also exciting to be old, established grown-ups and purchase pieces that express who we are.
Loreal True Match Mineral Foundation
Once upon a time when I was eighteen years old, my mother took me to Rite-Aid and bought my very first set of makeup. As a creature of habit, I continued to buy the exact same makeup for years without ever dipping my toes into the vast pond of drugstore brands. A couple of summers ago, my cousin gave me a mascara sample that changed my life. After one use, I realized how poorly my old mascara was performing. Sadly, the sample was from a pricey company, but it set me on a journey to find a drugstore dupe that would make my eyes look like a Disney princess. The more I experimented with mascara, the braver I felt trying different brands of eyeshadows, blushes, and foundations. I uncovered some gems too, except with foundations. I actually loved the foundation my mother picked out, but the brand repackaged and renamed it, and thought they no longer made it. I tried at least five other powder foundations and one liquid, hoping to find something comparable, but I hated all of them. For years, I have been covering my face with garbage I was just trying to use up, and I really began to hate putting on makeup. Consequently, I began hating my face too.
At the beginning of January, I bought a new powder foundation that seemed similar to the one my mom bought me nine years ago. Since I still had the original packaging, I was able to compare the two and realized they were the same thing. It's the Loreal True Match mineral foundation, and it is amazing. The active ingredients are clouds and angel dandruff. The powder is so soft and finely milled that it blends effortlessly. When I used the foundation years ago, I remember having a conversation with my sister-in-law about my makeup routine and telling her I didn't use concealer. She was shocked. How can you live without concealer? However, when I ran out of that original foundation and began to purchase other brands, the need for concealer quickly became apparent. This worried me. Was my skin betraying me at such a young age and deteriorating rapidly? Was my nose always this red? Were my cheeks always this blotchy? It took me a while to realize it was not my skin that had changed so suddenly. It was the new foundations that severely lacked the effortless coverage I'd become accustomed to.
Here is a stripe of permanent marker and five samples of foundations from my makeup drawer. The Loreal foundation is the light one in the middle (because it's winter and I'm a pale princess). It actually masks a lot of the red, and when it blends out, it looks creamy and flawless. The two on either side of the Loreal have zero coverage (and yes, they are powder foundations, not just pressed powder) The bottom one was okay, but when I wore it on my face, it looked like sidewalk chalk. The top shade is a liquid foundation that oxidizes to a lovely shade of orange. On days when I'm going for that Ompa Lompa look, this foundation is perfect. Just not on all of the other days, you know?
Here's a picture of my face, so you see the full effect of this mineral makeup. The left side is bare, and the right side has nothing but powder foundation which masks my red nose, freckles, splotchy cheeks, and leaves me with an airbrushed finish. (Bonus: If you want to look like you are glowing from within, add a little Elf illuminating powder to the top of the cheeks. Gorgeous.) I know this is such a strange thing for me to write about, and believe me, there is no end to the discomfort I feel posting this. However, this foundation made a significant impact on my month. I felt less self-conscious and looked forward to getting ready in the morning with fast and flawless makeup.
I’m graduating in seven weeks. SEVEN weeks. It almost seems unreal. I have been in and out of school with three different majors and three different universities for nearly ten years just trying to obtain a bachelor’s degree all while popping out babies. There were several moments where the finish line seemed impossibly far, and I assumed I’d be in my forties or fifties by the time I wore a cap and gown again. Amazingly, in seven weeks, I will finally realize the dream I have worked and sacrificed so much for. I wish I could say this was the end of my school days, but I still have a master’s degree on the horizon. However, I will be taking a year off between degrees to rest, recuperate, and give my kids some extra lovin’ to make up for all of the days and nights I impatiently rushed them to bed or shushed them incessantly so I could work on homework. During this coming year, I want to revive my neglected blog, finish editing my book, and reorganize my house (you should see the guest room. . . yikes).
Part of my blog revival will be weekly posts. Mostly, there will be the same old stories about my life, cooking disasters, and overly dramatic moments, but I also want to do monthly favorites. My most beloved blog, Young House Love, used to do monthly superlatives, and I enjoyed reading those posts. I thought it might be fun to share some of my favorite things like activities I’ve done with my kids or recipes that made my taste buds sing. Maybe even some beauty items will make it in there. Because December was such a busy month, it seems like the perfect time to begin this tradition.
December Favorites
My Fireplace
Who knew that a gas fireplace could be so expensive? Not me. When we moved into the house last January, I turned the fireplace on almost every night. But a $170 gas bill seemed like a steep price to pay for a little ambiance. Paul forbade encouraged me to save the flickering flames for special occasions. WHAT IS MORE SPECIAL THAN CHRISTMAS? The excitement of opening presents on Christmas morning was only enhanced by a roaring fire. I highly recommend it. If you don’t have a fireplace, maybe open presents by the kitchen stove for a similar effect?
Christmas Attire
Much to my grand dismay, I was not invited to an ugly Christmas sweater party this year. Okay, I’ve never been invited to an ugly Christmas sweater party, but I imagine they are the most enjoyable thing on this great green earth. Second to white elephant, of course. Anyway, because I had no party permitting me to dress like a mom from an 80’s Christmas card, I decided to wear my husband’s sweater and some gaudy earrings on a random weekday. I secretly hoped someone would notice and think, I bet that eccentric woman would be fun to invite to my ugly sweater party. I’m still waiting for an invitation, but in the meantime, I found the holiday attire really lifted my spirits. Washing dishes felt romantically domestic. Grocery shopping made me feel like Mrs. Krank. Wiping Sam’s bum after a number two was suddenly like frosting a yule log. My afternoon nap dreams even consisted of dancing sugar plums. New life goal: Christmas sweater for every day of December.
Arctic Circle Cookie Butter Shake
Shut. The. Front. Door. This was one of the most heavenly treats to cross the threshold of my house this month. It’s a vanilla base with Biscoff cookie butter incorporated into the clouds of bliss. Paul brought one home as a surprise on a particularly stressful day, and as I stared into his beautifully blue, caring, thoughtful eyes while we shared the cup of heaven, I couldn’t help but think, Gee, I wish he would go away so I can have this all to myself. It was that delicious, people. Go get one before the holiday flavors are gone.
Telestrations
Photo retrieved from https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91D9%2BiPsBHL._SX355_.jpg
I’ve had the opportunity to play this game a few times this month, and no matter what group I played with, I laughed till I cried. There is no strategy required, so when your brain feels like mush after gorging yourself with tasty delights, this game is the perfect solution to distract from the painful digestion occurring deep within your bowels. Try it. It will not disappoint.
Our Ward Party Santa
If this Santa is not the big man himself from the actual North Pole, then I’m not detail-oriented. When we heard the announcement that Santa was coming onto the stage at our ward Christmas party, we were desperate for Sam to meet Santa for the first time for that quintessential photo op. As we searched for the illusive lad, I notice a woman pointing to the stage. Santa walked out and waved to the crowd, and our little Sam was trailing behind him, absolutely spellbound. Apparently, Sam found him in the hall and had been following him ever since. Santa gave him a hug and pulled him onto his lap. He spoke so softly that I couldn’t hear their conversation, but as Sam came off the stage from his magical moment, he looked up at me and said, “Mom! Santa loves me!” My heart melted right there onto the floor, and I had to use my coat to wipe up the mess. Annie, unlike Sam, was scared to see Santa and came running from the line crying. I gave her a minute to watch the other children, and she decided she could try again if I came with her. Once her turn arrived, she seemed pretty calm. She wouldn’t sit on Santa's lap, but he gave her a hug and asked her about her Christmas wish. It was such a sweet moment that I suddenly understood why so many moms stand in obscene lines at the mall (though I was also grateful I didn’t have to).
Temple Square
Many Utahans have a December tradition of visiting Temple Square to see the Christmas lights. It’s been a couple of years since I’ve had the opportunity to do so, and I forgot what an incredible experience it is. If you’re into crazy crowds of cold, grumpy adults and frostbitten children blocking all of the best views, I highly suggest going the three or four days before Christmas like we did. I got some of the most beautiful pictures of strangers looking surprised by my flash. I spent half of the tour shouting, “Hold my hand!” or “Hold Daddy’s hand!” or “Do we have all of our children?” or “Sam?! Where are you?” Really, it was a great vocal exercise that properly prepped my voice to belt Christmas songs over the sounds of my kids' over-tired sobs on the drive home. In all honesty, I’m glad I went. We got to go went with my in-laws and had a lovely bonding experience. Annie has already asked when we can go back. Next year, I’ll try to go earlier in the month.
My New Laptop
This is my ugly cry, courtesy of my mom.
Though I'm usually not keen on publicizing Christmas presents, as I type this blog post on a particular present, I can’t help but think of it as my number one favorite thing. Nine years ago, I saved up my pennies and bought my first laptop. His name was Harvey, and he was my baby. I used to polish his glossy exterior, slip him into my backpack, and carry him with me across campus. I remember sitting in this little nook in the Jesse Knight Building (JKB) at BYU and being warmed by the laptop as I analyzed African Bushman or Baroque architecture. Harvey made me feel like I was playing college student similar to the way fun food made me feel like I was playing house. Unfortunately, like most technology, he started to slow down and freeze up when I tried to perform simple tasks. When we moved here in January, it took the internet company a month to come out and hook up our router to their network. In the meantime, I dragged Harvey to the empty townhouse every evening so I could work on homework. His glitchiness reached an all-time high as every click took at least ten minutes to compute and typing had a 15-second delay. I was in constant fear that I would lose my work, and once the internet was installed in the new house, I retired poor Harvey to my backpack permanently. Though I have a computer to do my homework on now, I have missed the freedom my laptop afforded me. There are Saturdays when I drive 40 minutes to do homework at my parent’s house when a laptop could take me a mile away to the library for some quiet study time. There are also so many nights when the stationary computer is too far from my sick children’s bedrooms or the areas where they play. During this month alone, there were several nights where my kids coughed and heaved, and I cried on the couch because I felt so torn between them and my grades. My sweet family noticed my laptopless stress and pooled their money to buy me a beautiful, shiny, new laptop for Christmas. I still tear up thinking about it. Harvey 2.0 is going to help me finish out the next seven weeks and then carry me on into the master’s degree. I feel so loved and blessed by my favorite people who gave me my favorite gift.
Last spring and summer, my yard was my favorite place to be. Sometimes it was hard to balance time between school and yard work, but I always tried to dedicate a little time every day to be outside. Whether I was weeding, watering, or pushing my kids on the swings, it brought me so much joy to cultivate the earth and create a recreational environment for my family. This month, the weather warmed up enough that I felt comfortable mowing, weeding, and prepping my garden beds. It was hard work. I may have pulled a muscle in my back, but it has been so rewarding to slip on my worn-out garden gloves and sink my hands into some soil.
In March, I created a Command Center in my hallway. As my children get older, and especially now that Annie is in school, it's become more important to stay abreast of each other's activities. So, we now have a family calendar and chore charts to help the kids keep up with their chores without too many reminders. 
On the chore charts, we have magnets for each task, and when the children complete something, they can move a magnet to the "Done" area. This helps them visualize their duties and engages their piddle-pot instincts which are attracted to touching everything. Now my mornings are not a battle of begging my children to make their beds, brush their teeth, get dressed, etc. I just ask them to check their magnets.
I will write an entire post about this experience in the next few days, but this was definitely the highlight of April. It was my first time leaving the country, seeing the Atlantic ocean, snorkeling, and having a vacation where I literally could just lay on the beach and do nothing. It was also my first getaway with Paul since our honeymoon (which was eight years ago). After graduating, this is exactly what Paul and I needed. I'm ready to go back.
