Today I put my first editable PDF online for you Nesties. Happy dance. I know it's not a big deal to some of you but it feels like a big deal to me. Other Nesties have been asking me about editable (means you can write your own text in certain places) PDFs. I just didn't know exactly how to do them but now I've figured it out. I've been working on several (Hundred?) projects and many will include the editable feature from here on out. This one just has a few check boxes and one place for writing but that's all this needed. Now on to what 'this' is.

The Nested Family - Collected Bits to Build Unity. This series will include 40ish tips on how to build family unity. Today is only the first tip, COMMITMENT, but it's pretty necessary. Maybe you might want to discuss the level of commitment needed for an eternal family for FHE tonight. Read it below or you can get our gift download for later reading here. 

Here's the third page that gives you space to write your Personal Commitment Pledge. Then you can put it on your Ring Thing for handy referencing. (Download our Nestie gift to you here.) 

This is part of my RESET One Word Resolution which leads to taking my family COMMITMENT to the next level. 

Does family unity come easy to you? 
Happy FHE tonight.

Today I read on a friend's Facebook page a poem her daughter wrote. Apparently a family member passed away and writing was a way to express her grief and love. It was moving. 

I thought of a similar time when my grandmother passed away. I wrote a poem too. I think of her often and since today is her birthday I thought I'd share it. (I know I just shared a poem. It's not that I had "share poems" on my blog calendar, nor do I feel like a gifted poem writer, but it's just what seems to have come up.) 

After she was gone I remember sorting my key ring and finding her house key. It was no longer needed but I didn't want to get rid of it. Her key was a symbol for me of all her home was. It was a refuge for whoever visited. And anyone was welcome. There were so many people in and out of her house over the years. It was no surprise to come over and find strangers, people we didn't know yet, at her home. So many left feeling like family even if they stayed a short time. I've always tried to my home like that.

Anna Marie Jones was one of a kind. That's why I wrote that poem. I guess that's why Stephanie's daughter wrote her poem. When someone so remarkable leaves us for a time we want to capture our feelings for that person. When I wrote the poem it was just for me and when I read it, it brings 'us' back together again. Happy Birthday Gram.

Have you ever done that? Express in poetry your feelings of someone's passing?

For my New Year's Resolution Word, RESET, I will do things throughout the year to make reminders for myself. I'm kinda creative that way. And distracted. So I need reminders. Last year's BRAVE was making a subway art for myself. It hung in the hall at first then I moved it to my beside.

It doesn't have its permanent place yet since it's still sitting on the bookshelf next to my bed. But, I loved seeing it and having that tangible reminder.

But on to this year - RESET. I picked up a bracelet at Michaels the other day. (For the life of me I can't remember who makes these. You can tell this isn't a sponsored post, can't ya.) They're individual letters that slide on a bracelet. And they were on sale, $10 total. With a little bling as a bonus.

I don't have any set thing that I plan to get, make or use for a reminder. I just let it come to me. And walking past those little, sparkly letters... they just jumped out and said, "RESET!" So, that's my first reminder for the year. Thank you to myself. 

Do you get, make, or use reminders for your word?

For 38% of you this post will mean nothing. Because that's the percentage of people who never make a New Year Resolution. My Boyfriend is one of them. (So you can stop reading now Love) 

I've always been into making them. When I was younger I'd have several goals each year. It helped me accomplish many of the things I wanted. I really enjoyed the process back then.

But the past few years things have changed for me. First, I'm very content with a lot of my life. Second, I realize how not in control of some of my life I am. Third, because I'm not in control of a lot of things that affect me deeply I started leaning in a different direction looking to strengthen my character to deal with those things. And fourth, it's pretty easy to focus since there's just one.

So I made a switch. Some of you are probably familiar with the One Word New Year Resolution.

BRAVE for 2014 was a perfect fit. Some of the reasons why I've shared and some I haven't. But it was very fitting. Now on to 2015.

I've been wondering what word I wanted and needed for 2015. I've been thinking about it for a couple of weeks and yesterday I went through a process I have to come up with a word that "fit". Then today I hit on... 

Leila's death has taken it's spiritual toll on me. Getting back to the basics of stronger praying, scripture reading, and pondering will reset my spiritual foundation. I know the Primary answers work. 

Then there's Leila's son, Joseph. He's been with us on and off since he was born. It looks like it will be more "on" from here on out. I have 8 children and my youngest is 14. There were still several years left for a few of them at home but I was on the downhill side of the motherhood mountain. And I was coasting.

With the prospects of Joseph being here for an undetermined while, I'm needing to reset my motherhood button. At 52 that's an immense undertaking. I totally get why we have babies while we're young. But, I also know we get good at things we do and I've been doing the mom thing for 29 years. I'm pretty good at it but I need to restart that engine. With all that Joseph is missing in his little life having lots of love and people who know what they're doing will bless him. It could go without saying but he's already been a huge blessing to us.

So that's my 2015 One Word Resolution and a little of why I chose it. Does anyone else do One Word Resolutions? Resolutions at all?

Personal and Family Histories are a big deal to us. Those who have the family stories or even know snippets about their ancestors cherish them. Those who don't have them, wish. Wish that there was something that they knew about the people they came from. Wish they could have a connection. Wish their ancestors left something. 

Sometimes it's not easy to leave that record. We're busy. Or just don't think about it. Or we don't know what to write. Or, or, or. Well, here's one little help to try to get over your 'or'. 

It's a journaling ebook - A Little Bird Told Me. It has a topic prompt for each page and there's 70 prompts. Just make your list. It may not be perfect, but it'll be something. Here's a little extra motivational thought from Pres. Kimball -

The Ebook is found in our Etsy Shop. (If you're on our mailing list we've emailed a few sample pages to you.) You can buy ours or make one of your own. Just make a little list. Begin today.

It's been camp, camp, camp on my brain. And I have a few things to share with you about that. But, for today, I've got a print in our Esty shop that I did before the camp rush.

The Boyfriend and my anniversary is next month (we're celebrating 32 years) so marriage has been on my mind. I kept seeing "all you need is love" or "love is all you need" everywhere on Pinterest when I was doing a little research. Anyone who's been married any length of time (or even for shorter periods) knows it takes more than love. Sure it's the basis, but if it were all up to love we wouldn't have any broken relationships. Married or otherwise.

"Love is all you need" is such an over simplification. Love is the start and the driver but it better get some other passengers on board (forgiveness, patience, fidelity, kindness, etc.) if it wants the fuel to go anywhere for any length of time. Can you tell I have strong opinions about this? Do you?

Well I didn't want anyone in this house thinking that all they had to do was have a little love for a strong relationship so I put my thoughts to paper. And tried to make it handsome. You can find it here.

What are 3 qualities besides love that you think a relationship, any relationship, needs?

PS • You might want to give it as a wedding gift. Just a thought.

Hi friends! In case you didn't get the memo, we had our baby! Micah was born May 14, weighing in at 8 lbs 5 oz, 20 inches long. I'll spare you all the gory details, and just share some pictures!

We also closed on our house the week after Micah was born. YAY! and I have the best neighbors...my parents! My husband was brave enough to say yes and move next door to them. and by "next door" I mean "a quarter mile away". We live in the country, you know. If you follow me on Instagram then you've seen some pictures already.

We've been busy ripping off wallpaper, skim coating over wallpaper with drywall (this method is waaaay better than ripping it off), and un-packing (still), but whatever. You'll see more of this  house later! 

In other news I've started school online to complete an Early Childhood Education degree and helped my sister, Jessie, with a website for her cloth diaper business in Rexburg, Idaho. Yay! Summer rules. 

More about Me today. Just got back from YW's Camp and now I'm off on the 4th Year Adventure. Woo hoo! Except I'm really not the camper type. I know, go figure. How do I get these assignments?
Anyway, one of my daughters is going this year so I'm all up for it. 

And here's another Stylebook inspiration board to get me pumped up. Lime green is part of my Brand Palette for Shannon's Studio and a color I love. Lots of energizing green. Wish me luck on the river and in the caves!

Since I'm packing for YW Girls Camp it's all about Me today. Pack light, cute, and cool. Here's a page out or our Stylebook for inspiration if you have a week in the wild coming up.

Here's a cupcake Leila custom made last year for our Newsletter Subscribers. I didn't post it beforehand mostly because I've been busy (like you) and forgot (probably unlike you). But.... that doesn't mean you still can't have your own little private after Mother's day celebration with it. If you knew her you know she made THE BEST CUPCAKES EVER. She was the Queen of Cupcakes. So even if you don't use it for a Mother's Day you ought to make it some time. Even if only for yourself.

We hope everyone's Mother's day was meaningful. Mine was. Especially this year. 

I went to visit Leila's gravesite Saturday. And, I actually took a selfie. Don't know why I just went with it. (Alisha left some lovely flowers there earlier in the day.) It was a pretty teary-eyed hour, no surprise. 

For some reason I just wished that I could bring Joseph there. I know she's not really there but I think there's something about going anyways. On Sunday, Leila's husband came up with Joseph so I asked if I could take JoJo to Leila's graveside. He said yes and came with us. I know this might not be able to happen every year and he's likely to have another mother to celebrate but I'm glad I got to this first year. Considering the day before, amazingly I didn't cry once with Joseph there. I was happy for the moment. Who wouldn't be happy around a face like that!

Which brings me to my New Year's resolution word post that I did a few weeks ago but haven't shared yet. I felt maybe I was being over dramatic or something with my word choice. But, after my first Mother's day without Leila it seemed like exactly the right word at the right time. So here it is...

I used to do a list of goals for my New Year's resolutions and I've loved the lists I've done over the years but I find that it's really a year round habit now.  So the past few years I've used a different method. Now I pick one word for the year to work on. For 2011 it was "Focused" and 2012 was "Finish". I had one for 2013 but didn't write it down, just had it floating in my head. Then when Leila died everything changed and I seriously can't remember what it was. 2013 will forever be a different kind of year for me.

When 2014 came I picked another word. I like to "wear" the word for a month or two before I commit to it. It has to feel right. That's one of the reasons I like this change in methods for resolutions. It makes me go deeper into my feelings and it becomes more meaningful. 
My word for 2014 is...

I know I'm not letting you know until the year is almost half over. Don't judge :) Like I said, it has to feel right. And sometimes right doesn't fit the calendar's timetable. 

Then I made something to help me remember this year's word. It's been in one of my black idea books for a little while now and it seemed like a good time to do it.

It also has a special meaning relating to a phrase in my patriarchal blessing that really helped/helps me. There's also a song by Sara Bareilles - Brave - that's a little upbeat reminder. So, this year I'm gonna be BRAVE!

That was my post before Mother's day. Then this morning I read this post by one of Joseph's amazing NICU nurses, Sally. More tears. As it turns out I was able to put "my word" into full practice the last few days. If nothing else, this weekend I was brave.

Do you have a word to share?

Our previous download site has been temperamental. You can now download these handouts here.

I'm really excited for the first ever General Women's Meeting this weekend! I love taking notes because my attention span is *this big*. Notes help me pay attention and think about what I'm feeling, not just what I'm hearing. I've made some new journal cards for this new General Women's Meeting! So excited! 

Download them here!

You can download last year's journal cards here.

Hi Nestie friends! It's been awhile since I got all personal on you...but just in case you haven't heard: I'm expecting baby boy number two! Due in May.

So I'm starting this thing called "Preggo Day" where I get to talk about all of my favorite pregnancy things while I'm, you know, pregnant. Today I've made a quick little Hospital Essentials for Labor and Delivery thing. I'm sure it's missing some things, but it has the basics. Enjoy!

Hello lovely people! We've been kind of quiet...and that's because we are on vacay!! (aka vacation). We are meeting up with some of my aunties (mom's sisters--a few of them are over at Creative Mommas) this week in San Diego. We're currently in Oceanside to see our little Marine (can I even call him that? he'd be so embarrassed), and missing Leila. By the way, have you ever been to Camp Pendleton?? The place is HUGE. 

Not the point. The point of this post is to tell you that we are just being slow to respond to things because we're playing. and to share some ridiculous selfies of Alisha...because, why not?

We didn't want our new nestie subscribers to be sad :( because, we really do like you. Don't worry, we'll be back!

Look what I got today. I talked about it here. Just wanted to share that I love it. Choose to be happy!