Refashioning

Recently I've been reading a lot about refashioning-where you take one item of clothing that either you don't wear anymore...or maybe is just unfortunate or out of style. I wanted to give it a try, so Matt took me to DI where we left $9 with a couple of dresses for me to play with. The first one was home-made already, but I really wasn't sure what the original creator was thinking with a lot of it. It was a wrap dress, but it was very tight on me, and looked more like an old raincoat. 

 I could barely get it snapped around me...and it was a wee bit more unfortunate than it looks in this picture too.

 So, I started just dismantling it to try to come up with some ideas, and realized I loved the waist band that was on it. I trimmed down the sides and off the top to come up with this gorgeous skirt. I kept the original hem, and was lucky enough to have found a knit that doesn't unravel, so I could just cut off the top part even though the waist band didn't extend to the back.

I love this pattern!! It's so much fun!

All in all, I really enjoyed the experience, and it will be a fun way to keep sewing, and redo clothes that I might otherwise just get rid of. I only wish I had started doing this before giving away my giant garbage bag of clothes for DI!

That one time people thought I was a hussy

This blog post is long overdue, since this experience happened back in October, but you get to hear about it now:

The last week of October was the 5th Sunday. In the LDS church, the 5th Sunday of a month has a joint priesthood and relief society meeting (The men and women meet together instead of separately for one of the hours that they usually meet separately for). In a single's ward, this is a chastity lesson more often than not. So it was this time. However, I was feeling really sick. During the beginning of the lesson (actually during the song we sang before starting) I left at least once to go to the bathroom because I felt like I was going to throw up. Matt and I were engaged at the time, and he was trying to convince me to go home because I didn't feel well.
The Bishop stood up and introduced the lesson and said "If anyone leaves now, we'll know who has a problem with the law of chastity." Unfortunately, right before he said that, I had told Matt that I would let him take me home to sleep off the sickness. So, as he finished saying that, Matt and I stood up. Bishop Longmore then looked back at us and said "And there they go." Naturally, many heads turned to stare at us with really big round shocked eyes. I was really embarrassed at first, but it was funny after I had eaten a little bit and gotten some sleep.

And now you have the story of the time that people though I was a hussy.

Nieces and Nephews

A few weeks ago Matt's mom and two sisters came into town. Anja and Maija brought their toddlers along. Maija has a sweet little almost 2 year old named Emily, while Anja has an adorable little 3 year old named Ezekiel. I had the greatest time playing with the two little E's. I don't think there is a better feeling in the world than having your niece or nephew run up to you to give you a hug, or grab your hand, or ask for you specifically. I miss them quite a bit. I really think one of the highlights of my summer will be that time spent playing with those two little cuties.

I also have another niece and nephew. My older sister has a little girl and a little boy. I've written a little about Caelyn before. She just turned one last month. On Monday, she had a cute little boy named Curtis Kellie Johnson. I get to meet him next week, and I'm very excited.

Day 30

30. List 10 things you would hope to be remembered for.

1. Being happy.
I always want people to remember me for being happy. I know the people that I think of as being happy make me happy to think about. I want people to remember me laughing and grateful for everything that I have.
2. Welcoming people to my home.
I remember going over to my old preschool teachers house all the time. There was also a sweet lady next door who told me dandelions were her favorite flowers, so I would go visit her with dandelions all the time. I loved that. I still love thinking about those times and visiting them. I want to be that for people.
3. Loving people.
I want people to feel good around me. I want them to know that no matter what, I will love them. I want to be able to be that person.
4. Being a good wife and mother.
More than anything, I care about the effect I can have on the world through my family. I want to be able to give them everything they need. I want to be able to teach them to be loving and caring. I want to be able to know I always did my best to be a good wife and mother.
5. Never giving up.
I want to be strong. I want to be known as never giving up on anyone or anything. I want to keep trying until things work.
6. Always learning.
I never want to give up learning new things and learning how to try new things. I want to be found often reading a good book, or trying something new.
7. Helping others.
I always want to be useful. I want to find opportunities to serve. I never want to be remembered as sitting by when someone needed me.
8. My cooking
I've said before that my cooking is something I take pride in. I want people to notice it. I want people to remember it.
9. My relationship with Heavenly Father
There is nothing more important to me than Heavenly Father. If I can manage any of these other things well enough to be remembered for it, it will be because of Him.
10. My family
I would be thrilled to be remembered as Matt's wife, Julie's daughter, Karen's daughter-in-law, etc. My family is incredible, and being remembered in relation to them is such a compliment.

Day 29

29. What do you think people misunderstand most about you?

I think that one of the things people misunderstand the most is that a lot of people seem to think that I'm exceptionally strong. The truth is that I'm no stronger than most people. In some ways I may have had to go through things that people don't think they could handle, but there are so many people who have gone through things I can't imagine living through. And I never think I can handle the things I'm going through while they happen. I don't really think anyone is stronger than anyone else. Everyone just does what they need to do to keep going until they've learned to live with, and even be happy with, whatever might be happening.


Beyond that, I can promise you that any strength I have is not my own. I lean very heavily on the Lord. I take comfort and strength from my friends and family. I have so much support that I don't think I could do without.

Day 28

28. What is your love language?


My love language is definitely quality time. I need time that is just about me and the person to feel loved. It doesn't need to be a lot of time. I just need to be able to see that they are willing to take time out of their day for me. I need to see that I'm worth that time to them. That is how I know I am loved. In my eyes, quality time is the most meaningful love language, because it is the one that can't be faked. You can do acts of service for people you don't like. You can say nice things about anyone. Gifts are easy to buy and give. There are relationships all over the world that are entirely physical. But being willing to spend time with another person...to want to spend your time just sitting and talking with them when there are other things to do...to me, that is love to me. I also think it can tie into the other love languages. I appreciate it when someone takes the time to make me a beautiful gift. I feel so loved when someone takes the time to write me a nice letter with kind words...or even a thoughtful text message. But to me, the time I feel was put into something is far more important to me than the act itself.

Day 27

27. What is your favorite part of your body and why?


I think my favorite part of my body is my hands. Between being a student, and working a desk job in customer service, they are the part of my body I see the most. I also think they are the most useful parts of my body. I use them for everything. I know everyone does...or most people do...but I saw some videos this year about people who were born without arms, and watched them doing everything from unloading groceries to typing and driving with their feet. I thought that was incredibly inspirational, and it really made me grateful for what I have.


I've also started appreciating my hands more since Matt proposed in August. After that happened, I started looking at my left hand a lot more to look at the ring. I really just think I'm lucky. My hands work hard and do a lot, but I still think they're lovely.

I would like to add that tied for a close second were my hair and my freckles.