Beckham's Nursery

I forgot to post Beckham's completed bedding. Here is his comforter and decorative pillows. It was so much fun making the blanket with my mom and getting the pillows finally put together after she left.

This was the idea we originally had for his bedroom and then we decided to create some of our own things to cut down the cost and make it more personal.

We are still going to buy the bumper for his crib and we will probably get something similar to the curtains. We are going to sand down an old dresser and paint it either off white or gray (vintage look) and attach some adorable red vintage knobs from Anthropology.

Also planned: cream cushion with cherry wood rocking chair:

A cherry wood 4 in 1 crib with changing table.

Decor: red round rug in front of crib

Old cream painted window panes with Beckham's black and white baby pics hanging from the ceiling will complete the look

We are also thinking of painting one of the walls red, and hanging some big block initials: BTM

.

I am so excited to decorate his nursery!!!!

I just came across this site I LOVE! What a great idea to have a barn party and sell homemade treats, vintage items, and refurbished things!

http://www.junkrestore.com/p/tutorials.html

DTUT news

I just changed the name of my DTUT blog so the site url is now:

http://dtutklosette.blogspot.com/

I also added a new line to my products—Snap Button Cuffs— and I just put together an actual website to make buying more easy:

http://dtutklosette.myshopify.com/

Update

Mike and I gave our first talks in church today since being married. I told the ward that we were thrilled that they were the first ward susceptible to our inexperience :). I used Esther as an example we can learn from in overcoming our own fears. And then went into detail about the different categories of fear that each of us experience, at some point or another in life, and how we can overcome them. Mike gave a wonderful talk focusing on three scriptures that reference Captain Moroni and how his example can help men become better priesthood holders.

We are so happy to be in this ward and to be living here in AZ. It is funny how life works out; we were just talking this afternoon about how, at the time, we didn't feel as though we were being inspired about where to re-locate, but we now know this is exactly where we are supposed to be at this time in our lives. We both feel so secure here in AZ; it is becoming a place that is actually starting to feel like home.

Weeks events:

Sunday we got to talk to Mikes family on skype—it was fun catching up with each other for an hour and laughing our heads off about silly things. You can never replace being in good company, even if it is through the internet :).

Happy Birthday to Michelle and Deirdre, my twin sisters, who turned 34 this week! Yeah!!

Mike and I spent yesterday cleaning out our storage unit, getting rid of a bunch of stuff to Goodwill and trashing some junk we had laying around. We hope to sell half of our things on craigslist (what a genius invention). It feels so much better to simplify our lives. You realize, living without all of it for months on end, that you really can do without so many possessions you accumulate through life.

We had the missionaries over for dinner last night—taco casserole with krispy rice ice cream dessert. YUM! It has been fun having them in our home each month and getting to know them better.

For FHE we listened to one of our communication cd's Michelle and Jared loaned us.

Such a great activity to do with your spouse: take five minutes and stare in each others eyes, do not communicate, laugh, or think about anything else but your partner. If your mind starts to stray, if you start feeling uncomfortable, etc., think of this question: "what is it like to be him?" or "what is it like to be her?" It seems like a really silly activity, but we tried it and it ended up bringing us closer together. Taking a moment to REALLY look at each other, which oft times we don't do in marriage, and thinking about your spouse using your "higher brain" makes you stop to realize they are their own person, they have a lot they are taking on, and there is so much to love and be grateful for.

Today we plan on finishing our storage project all day and then Mike has his ward missionary weekly meeting.

Wednesday-Thursday Mike is out selling and I have a million projects I am going to be working on: updating my new DTUT site with some new products I came up with, working on my book, and doing research on a possible new company Mike and I felt inspired to begin. Mike and I are also beginning to write a book together (top secret :), and plan on trying to work on it more this week when time permits. It is so much fun having uplifting and productive projects to work on together; I just love spending time with my mate!

Friday my parents are coming in town for a week! Yeah!!! I am so excited to see them and spend time with them. I love being around my family! My mom and I have some unfinished sewing projects to complete, and of course we have some yummy places to take them to dinner.

Finally, I got a new calling in our ward which I am totally thrilled about: teacher for the 6 year olds in Primary, which I begin next Sunday. I have never had a calling in the Primary and I feel that this was totally inspired seeing that I will learn so much through teaching the little kiddies and hopefully pass on those experiences on to my little Beckham.

MLK Day!

Martin Luther King Day! A day of service to give back to our community!

Mike and I recently joined up with a community organization called HandsOn Greater Phoenix. This is such a good reference for anyone, in AZ, wanting to get involved in service projects around their community. They list a calendar of events and ways you can sign up at there site: http://www.handsonphoenix.org/

Yesterday we went to a charter school, affiliated with ASU, and helped hundreds of other volunteers clean, paint, and organize the school. It was such a good way to start the day, being of service to those in our community. We hope to make this a family tradition, eventually taking our kids along, and signing up at least 2 x a month to help out in different causes.

Here are some quotes from such a great man who inspired so much change in this great nation.

We were proud to honor him on this day!

"Almost always, the creative dedicated minority has made the world better"

"Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love"

"Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love"

"Our nettlesome task is to discover how to organize our strength into compelling power"

"The ultimate test of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and moments of convenience, but where he stands in moments of challenge and moments of controversy"

Motherly Advice

I would love to get your opinion on motherhood. If you go to my other blog: http://aspiretoinspire1.blogspot.com/ you can leave your thoughts/advice in the comments section. Thanks for passing on the torch of inspiration, practicality, and wisdom!!

UPDATE on Serengeti Highway

Violence in Arusha - During an opposition party rally yesterday, several people were killed and many injured after police fired tear gas into a crowd. See Reuters. More background and commentary here. What this political and civil unrest ultimately means for the Serengeti highway is unclear. But it certainly complicates our task. UNESCO sent an Emergency Mission, led by the head of the World Heritage Committee, to the Serengeti in December. We're waiting for their report. We have some idea of what it will say -- the road will devastate the ecosystem and migration. Tanzania is obliged to file its own report to UNESCO on the status of the highway project - due February 1. Read more We have learned from a number of sources that the government of Tanzania has heard, and was surprised by, the international opposition. There is some talk of finding funds for a southern route, especially the hope of getting Germany on board. Of course, there are other countries and institutions that could join in. Our current petition is directed to them.

Friends of the Serengeti Program Serengeti Watch is not just about stopping the highway. It's about a perfect storm of forces that threaten the entire ecosystem: increasing population, poaching, airport and lodge development, and governance. We need to create an alliance of support that can provide long term protection. Part of this is enlisting the help of the international travel industry. We will soon be launching ourFriends of the Serengeti Program, which will invite the participation of private companies and travel associations.

Tortellini Salad with Turkey Wraps

This recipe serves 6

I served this yummy dinner for my mom when she was visiting and she kindly reminded me to post it on my blog, which I forgot to do. So here you go! It's sort of a summer meal, but in AZ you can get away with eating it all year round. Makes great leftovers!

Tortellini Salad

2pkgs (9oz) refrigerated cheese tortellini

1 (14oz) can artichokes, quartered, drained

1 C Caesar Dressing

3 oz Salami, chopped

1 (2 1/4 oz) can sliced black olives, drained

4 green onions, chopped

Freshly shredded parmesan cheese

Salt and pepper taste

1- Cook Tortellini according to package. Drain and rinse. Make sure it is cooled.
2- Toss together tortellini and remaining ingredients, serve immediately.

I served it with Smoked Turkey Wraps

Get some spinach tortillas and spread with chive cream cheese, then add the following ingredients, or experiment with whatever you like.

Smoked turkey sliced fresh from the deli

Crumbled bacon

Tomatoes

Olives

Spinach

Yellow Bell Peppers

Lettuce

Add some salt and pepper, cut in half.

Serve with some fresh pomegranate seeds added to a nice glass of lemonade and you have one YUMMY meal!!!

2 Year Anniversary

This past week flew by; I can't believe it is January 2011 already!!! We have had so many celebrations this month: Mikes birthday, Christmas Eve/Christmas, our anniversary, New Years Eve/Day . . . WOW! We have been on celebration overload, but it has been fun creating new memories.

We celebrated our 2 year anniversary on Monday the 27th. I can't believe two years ago we were standing outside in the cold weather getting our pictures taken; what a beautiful, memorable day that ways; it seems like forever ago. I am grateful for Mike and his thoughtfulness this anniversary in surprising me by planning the entire day and making it so special. He treated both of us to probably the best massages either of us have ever received. George, my masseuse, had his doctorate in acupressure and chiropractic work. He spent 15 years in Japan studying acupressure! This guy was brilliant not only at what he did but he also spoke 13 different languages. I was blessed to have him as my therapist because he was so knowledgeable about pregnancy; giving me so many good tips on carrying Beckham, helping him develop better, and having a good delivery. Him and his wife had tried for 14 years to have children before he learned about this massage technique that helped women become fertile. After he administered it to her she conceived sextuplets!! She delivered earlier last month and all six are still in the hospital getting the care they need before coming home. He was telling me how excited they were and how much he loved children and planned on having at least 20! I honestly don't know how the human body can hold six babies, it boggles my mind as I am carrying only one and there doesn't seem to be enough room for him. Needless to say, with all the useful tips I got on pregnancy, and the amazing aromatherapy/acupressure therapy he gave me, the day started out perfect.

Mike then took me to lunch at a Gluten Free Bakery/Cafe in Scottsdale, which again was so thoughtful because I have been TRYING to remain on a gluten free diet as much as I can. The food was actually really good! I had a ruben and Mike had a Philly Cheese Steak. After lunch we walked around the shops/mall in Scottsdale and bought Mike some jeans he wanted for Christmas from Urban Outfitters. Then he surprised me by checking us into a nice room with a huge jetted tub at a hotel in Scottsdale. We lazed around before getting ready to go out to a nice, romantic dinner at such an incredible restaurant in Scottsdale called Olive and Ivy. When my mom was here we walked past it, and I mentioned wanting to eat there simply because of the chic decor. Well, Mike made a mental note and took me there for dinner. We one of the best times dinning on some of the yummiest dishes. Here is just a blurb about the restaurant:

THE DISH...

Old World meets new at Olive & Ivy Restaurant & Marketplace, which blends the flavors and timeless elegance of the Mediterranean with contemporary California chic. Olive & Ivy brings a slice of a bustling Mediterranean neighborhood market to the Scottsdale Waterfront.

Olive & Ivy’s upscale casual restaurant showcases Fox Restaurant Concept’s trademark passion for craftsman cuisine. The menu celebrates the cooking techniques of the Mediterranean resulting in a menu that offers a fresh, updated selection of slow-cooked, flavor drenched Mediterranean classics.

I can't even describe how divine the appetizer we got was: Roasted Vegetable Crostini (toasted baguette with Zucchini, Tomatoes, Onions, Goat Cheese). Each bite was a burst of flavors in your mouth; it was seriously one of the best things Mike and I have ever tasted.

Then they served us this garlic with parmesan focaccia bread with the most amazing pesto dipping sauce I have ever had. Every bite melted in our mouths.

If that wasn't enough we dinned on two amazing entrees: Parmesan Risotto with Shrimp “Scampi”, Confit Tomatoes & Toasted Garlic, and Atlantic Salmon with Roasted Beets, Fingerling Potatoes & Horseradish Vinaigrette. The finale was dessert: Deep fried Fritters served on top of an orange cream sauce with fresh sliced oranges, and a side, single scoop, of Oreo Cheesecake Gelato with a butter cookie. Holy Manoly! Mike and I could have eaten 10 plates of those fritters!! The texture and the flavors of those hot buttery orange fritters were outstanding! How I LOVE good food! It was such a perfect way to end a perfect day!!

Just when I thought things couldn't get any better Mike surprised me with one of the most precious/thoughtful gifts I have received by someone. I melted in tears when I read the following inscription on a glass plaque he had made for me:

16 Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from^afollowing after thee: for whither thou goest, I will ^bgo; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy ^cpeople shall be my people, and thy God my ^dGod:

17Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.

He told me he came across this scripture one day and he realized that it was exactly how he felt about me: that he would never leave me, that he would go where I would go, that my God would be his God, and wherever I died and was buried there to would he buried. How beautiful and romantic is my precious husband!

It has been such a growing two years for both of us. We have learned so much about each other and from each other. What a blessing marriage is! I have learned that the easiest things in life are not the most satisfying. Marriage is fun and enjoyable but it is also hard work; and it is the accomplishment felt after making the hard work enjoyable that brings the greatest satisfaction in life. I love Mike so much and I am so grateful I have him by my side to walk through this life with. As I mentioned to him on our anniversary, he becomes my best friend more and more with each passing day; I can honestly say I love him more than I did the day I married him (something I didn't think possible).

There is so much more to write about this week. We have been learning so many things and have been proactive at entertaining things that bring us more satisfaction and have helped develop our characters and our marriage. Some examples: less TV, reading books together and on our own, getting involved in our community by signing up for service projects, having the missionaries over for dinner, Mike bearing his testimony in sacrament meeting today; having regular date night, keeping the romance alive and FUN in our marriage, cooking new and interesting dinners, staying up late in bed talking for hours—having the best conversations, keeping up our scripture study and prayers, communicating through hard things and misunderstandings, trying new restaurants and taking advantage of the things we have around us, etc. How much more beautiful and satisfying life is when you are filling it with GOOD things!

Speaking of another amazing restaurant, for New Years Day (I had been really sick most of the week and was finally feeling better so we decided to go out), we ate at another AMAZING restaurant suggested by Mike's good friend and his wife, the ones we went out to dinner with a few weeks ago, called Ninfa's. We have always said that Mexican food is Mexican food, no matter where you go it seems to be the same, but that all changed last night after feasting on the most amazing fish tacos and pork tacos ever! The chips and salsa were also scrumptious! The service was awesome, the atmosphere was chic and modern . . . this is definitely a place we will be going back to frequently. For New Years Eve I wasn't feeling good so Mike ordered pizza (he got a free one after donating blood) and I made my gluten-free pizza, and we drank our gingerales, watched such a great movie that made me appreciate my Dad more ("$5 a day"), and watched the ball drop in NYC.


I still can't believe Michelle and I embraced the cold and stood outside for 8 hours to watch the ball drop in Times Square one year—crazy! It was a nice, relaxing way to ring in the new year; there isn't anyone I would have honestly rather been with than Mike, Nika, and Beckham celebrating the new year! :)

Making New Years Day Breakfast: Scrumptious Ebelskivers! Thanks Lauri for our Christmas gift, Mike loves these!!

This weeks plans: Dr. appt. Tuesday, Mike leaves to Sacramento for 4 days to meet up with Jay to sell and train new guys. I am going to work on writing my book, finish making Beckham's pillows, shop for some much needed maternity wear, prepare a talk Mike and I are supposed to give in church, and who knows what else, I have so many projects that I can't wait to start!