Thursday, January 26, 2017

How We Wore It | Monochrome


Hey y'all! I'm really excited to continue this How We Wore It series with my friends in 2017. We have some exciting things planned and I can't wait to share them :). We started this year off by trying something new: monochrome.

I will admit that this was kinda difficult for me. I feel like monochrome can be boring. And I'll be honest and say that this outfit wasn't my favorite but that's what this whole thing is for - trying new things and experimenting with the clothes in my closet to find new ways to use the things I already have. Trial and error people! Perhaps if I had chosen a different color scheme I would have liked it better haha I'll keep trying and let ya know if I find a monochrome outfit that works for me!

I simply chose creams and browns which may have been the problem with the time of year and the overcast day we were having. Also, not being super tan and having blonde hair and trying to wear cream in the winter may not have been the best choice. Whoops! lol My friend, Brittany Lowry, did an amazing job with the photos and made me feel beautiful, though!


Sweater: gift from Banana Republic
Pants: American Eagle
Boots: gift but I think they are from Kohl's

Be sure to check out my beautiful friend's posts! They killed it this month, per usual.

Twinnerpated
Brittany Lowry 

Thanks for reading. xoxo, Chelan

Sunday, January 22, 2017

Our Love Story: Part 10 "I love you"

"Here's the thing about this love story of ours. Its long. And drawn out. And mushy-gushy. And even a bit cheesy. But it's true. And I've decided to take my time writing it, capturing all the special details of those moments I never want to forget. So if mushy-gushy, cheesy love stories aren't your thing, I totally get that. Just know that I'm writing this as a gift - to my family, and my children, and their future children - and also, for [Parker] and me - so that on those days when the kids are screaming, the laundry is overflowing and the bills are rolling in...on those days when it all just seems so hard, we'll have this to remind us of those first moments when we fell in love. And if sappy, detail ridden love stories are your thing, well then you've come to the right place." -Ashley Stock 

To read the beginning of Our Love Story, click here.
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Thursday, January 19, 2017

Document Life

So we all know by now that I'm an avid "life documenter." I have a blog, an Instagram account, a Facebook account, a Twitter account, a journal, a memory planner, I scrapbook, I Chatbook, etc. I've tried all sorts of methods and really do love them all. There is something about recording my life that just makes me giddy!

One of my goals for the new year is to study the Book of Mormon more. For Christmas, I received an amazing Book of Mormon study guide/doodle journal that you can find here. I'm LOVING it! It makes me look forward to studying the scriptures every day rather than dreading it. As I was studying today, I was reading in 1 Nephi 1:17 where it says,

"But I shall make an account of my proceedings in my days. Behold, I make an abridgment of the record of my father, upon plates which I have made with mine own hands; wherefore, after I have abridged the record of my father then will I make an account of mine own life."

The prompt in the study guide at this point was to read verses 15-17 and choose one phrase or word that stood out to me, to doodle that word or phrase, and to write about why it stood out to me. The words "I make an account of mine own life" really hit me today for a few reasons.

+ Where would I be if Nephi hadn't recorded his history? What would have become of the Book of Mormon? Would it have even become a thing?

+ I thought about how difficult it would have been to record one's life back then. Using golden plates or plates of brass couldn't have been an easy way to journal. I also thought about how easy it is to record one's life now.

+ I started to think about all the things that went into writing the Book of Mormon, preserving it, and translating it, publishing it, and look at where it is today!!

I left my scripture study this morning feeling so much gratitude to all of the people who played a part in bringing the scriptures about. I also feel so much gratitude for my grandparents for keeping our family history - specifically my Nana.

About a month ago, we did a Young Women's activity where we talking about record keeping and I asked my Nana to share with me her testimony of keeping our own history since she is probably the most dedicated record keeper I know (I mentioned her scrapbooking in this post). I shared her testimony with the girls and she has given me permission to share it on my blog as well:

Dear Chelan, 34 years ago I took a class at BYU on preserving memories. The concept resonated with me and I determined then to keep our family history with pictures and written text so that our family could remember and enjoy the wonderful experience it is to be a family. Since that time and 106 scrapbooks later I believe in what I do more than ever. It was proven to me how much this written record means even to the youngest members of our family. When you and Craig were little you used to want to look at the books and when you would find a picture of yourselves you would ask, "What did you write about me, Nana?!" That has really not changed much over the years. As family members look at the books, they pass by the pages looking for pictures of themselves and then love reading how Nana and Pumpa have described the events of their lives but more importantly what has been recorded about them! Most important though, it is for the children to know and feel how much they are loved by their Nana and Pumpa. Keeping this record allows the family to revisit favorite memories of trips, family events, milestones in their lives and just the details of family living. It is important to Pumpa and me to make sure through our writing that our children and grandchildren know they are loved, know what beautiful characteristics and acts of service and accomplishment makes us proud of them. It is also so very important that our testimonies are recorded and the special feelings that we have about time spent together with family and individuals that we love so very much. Not long ago I read an experience written by President Eyring. He said, “ He had been coming home late from a church assignment and noticed his father-in-law crossing over the yard in his work clothes carrying some pipe over his shoulder. Elder Eyring knew that his father-in-law had been building a system to pump water out of a nearby creek up to their property. He thought about the service that his father-in-law was giving to their family. As he went to open the door, he heard in his mind, not in his own voice - these words “I'm not giving you these experiences for yourself. Write them down." In the house President Erying took paper and began to write. As he did he understood the message he had heard in his mind. “I was supposed to record for my children to read, someday in the future, how I had seen the hand of God blessing our family. Grampa didn’t have to do what he was doing for us. But he was serving us, his family in the way covenant disciples of Jesus Christ do. I knew that was true and so I wrote it down, so that my children could have the memory some day when they would need it.” That is what I feel, Channy! Someday, something written in our history will be what our children will need to strengthen them and bless their lives!
Nana's 106 scrapbooks (you can't even see all of them in one photo)!

YOU GUYS! I feel this SO strongly today! Take more pictures. POST more pictures (really, who gives a rats butt about overgramming?!! Who decided that that is even a thing? So stupid). Write things down. Buy that cute journal and pencil from the Target dollar spot and dedicate it to the funny things your toddler says each day. Download a new app that gives you prompts for journal entries. Insert shameless Chatbooks plug here lol but seriously, it's the easiest record keeping method evvver and totally affordable. Not to mention SO CUTE! AND then you have your memories in a tangible book rather than on your phone - major bonus points if you are a Chatbooker (I can give you a discount code if you are interested so hit me up)! Invest in some scrapbooking supplies. Try the Project life method. Get a darling planner that includes little prompts. Create a blog. Try all of these different methods until you find something that works for YOU!

How sad we will be when we are old and our memories are failing us (mine already is and I'm not even kidding in the slightest) and we have forgotten all of the amazing things we were able to do with our lives or even just the little things that made us smile? Document the good and the bad, and the in between. Share the important things and the trivial things. You never know how your words will impact someone else someday just like Nephi's words impacted me today!

The time to record our lives is right now while we are living them! Let's be honest... our personal histories probably won't be the keystone of any religion, but they will be SO appreciated and SO treasured for generations to come. 
Image via Pinterest.

So, how are you documenting life?

xoxo, Chelan

Sunday, January 15, 2017

Our Love Story: Part 9 | The First Kiss

"Here's the thing about this love story of ours. Its long. And drawn out. And mushy-gushy. And even a bit cheesy. But it's true. And I've decided to take my time writing it, capturing all the special details of those moments I never want to forget. So if mushy-gushy, cheesy love stories aren't your thing, I totally get that. Just know that I'm writing this as a gift - to my family, and my children, and their future children - and also, for [Parker] and me - so that on those days when the kids are screaming, the laundry is overflowing and the bills are rolling in...on those days when it all just seems so hard, we'll have this to remind us of those first moments when we fell in love. And if sappy, detail ridden love stories are your thing, well then you've come to the right place." -Ashley Stock

To read the beginning of Our Love Story, click here.
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I remember that Parker's face was very close to mine and he was looking at me. I was looking at the TV pretending to watch the movie, but in my head I was thinking, "If I just turn to look at him, he's gonna kiss me."

Sunday, January 8, 2017

Whatscheyken Supper Club

Hey, y'all! Long time no blog! I took a little break from life as we spent the holidays in Canada and work was nuts before that which prevented me from blogging much. I hope you had as good a Christmas as I did, and I can assure you, mine was amazing. There is nothing as magical and happy than a Christmas in Canada surrounded by people you love most! Parker and I got to spend time with both of our families which was so great!

This Christmas my parents were determined to make the season more meaningful and we did a number of things to make it so, including giving homemade gifts to each other or an act service. Parker and I got our teeth cleaned from Bailey. Camrie cross stitched some darling Christmas decor for me. Parker helped/is helping Matlin plan a trip, made a swear jar for her (inside joke), and a cute toque with cats on it. I designed some printables and put them in a frame that I painted for Bailey. Matlin made Craig a whole pot of his very own chicken noodle soup. Craig made some cute decor for Camrie's new room. Needless to say, it was awesome, and everyone was really excited about the gifts they got AND what they gave!

We knew about this special gift exchange months in advance so we would have lots of time to make something and in addition to this, my parents had reserved an evening of our time on 12/30 so they could give us their gift of service. We were instructed to be out of the house for about 3 hours before and to arrive promptly at 6 at the front door (which is super weird because we always use the garage) dressed nicely. I did everything I could to guess what this mystery evening was but I never got it right, much to my mother's delight :P. When we arrived, there was a sign on the door that said...


My dad greeted us at the door in a CHS chefs coat. He told us we were a little late so we would have to wait a minute or two until a table was available and asked for my phone number so he could alert us when a suitable table was open.



After we were seated at our table, they brought out perfectly designed menus that included mouthwatering options. It was legitimately hard to decide what to order!


They brought out our 'Wine and Spirits' and some delicious bread. Seriously, though. I'm still dreaming about the bread!


Each course was brought out by our beautiful (and giggly) waitress. And every once in a while the chef himself would grace us with his presence to see how we were enjoying our meal (never breaking character. Who knew that Kenny was such a good actor?!!). They both helped make the meal and afterward got to enjoy some of the deliciousness themselves.

Bailey's cobb salad that was "Better than The Kegg!!"
The 'Kenny is going to NY Steak' with lemon potatoes and veggies. Mouthwatering, I tell you!
'A Taste of Brownie' topped with lactose free maple walnut ice cream so Bailey could have some dessert. My parents thought of every last detail!
'Chey's Elegant Cheesecake' was mmmmmmmmmm so good! Homemade to perfection!

It was truly an evening for the books! A classy date night at home with world class food, outstanding company, and out-of-this-world service! I love my people :).


All in favor of my parents opening a restaurant raise your hand!**insert emoji of girl raising hand here**

Thanks for reading :). xoxo, Chelan