Goals.

Dave and Lindsey goal number 1:

No more smarty-pants remarks from us parents.

You know how you are so good at parenting other parents? You know what I mean. It's a gift everyone is born with. With little observation, one can easily spot all the parent crimes another parent commits. What most people don't realize is that "gift" usually doesn't work on themselves. People go along all day pointing out problems in others without noticing their kid is butt naked in the street drinking dish soap from the bottle.

****SPEAKING OF WHICH...while I just wrote that last part Lauren had gotten a hold of a permanent marker and was coloring the kitchen cabinets pink. So yep. ****

Well, Dave and I turned our attention to our own parenting style and we found only one thing we need work on. Because we are nearly perfect.

And this is what we need to work on:

Offering advice instead of encouragement.

I'm really bad at this. I read somewhere that parents who are always lecturing undermine their child's ability to gain confidence in making his or her own decisions. So, I hope you never hear me or Dave say things like "Well, this is what happens when...." or "I told you not to...." or "Next time can we just..." 'Cause really, do you like it when people say things like this to you? No! It's super annoying and absolutely not helpful! Of course there are ways to talk with children in a loving way, but it doesn't have to involve belittling them or their decisions.

By the way, our code word is "Aflac." You can say that to either one of us if you catch using those naughty parent phrases. Then you can find a super long and thin reed and whip our wrists.


Dave and Lindsey Goal number 2:

Stop being lazy bums. Our new lives will go as follows:

Get up at 5:30.
Dave runs around our fake lake.
Lindsey does a workout video. Because running is evil.
Cold shower.
Kids wake up.
Do stuff during the day.
Put kids to bed.
Watch Parks and Rec. Because laughing is a great de-stressor.
Go to bed by 9:30-10pm.

This is really hard for me. I'm even doing exercise hypnosis to make me like it. Not kidding.
It must be working because today was our 5th day!

To finish, please enjoy a few de-stressing videos yourself!

HOW TO PHOTOBOOK.

I am finishing up our family's 2015 photobook right now. I LOVE photobooks so much. So, so much. If you are not making them your life is wasted. WASTED! Just kidding. But really.

As I was designing this year's book, I realized how picky and opinionated I am about photobook layouts and things like that. So I am going to share with you my opinions on why your way is completely wrong and my way is so much better than yours. Just kidding! TOTALLY KIDDING!

So, here comes the Lindsey train of thought. Here we go.

1. Organize!

Every time I review my photos on my computer, I copy my favorites into one folder per year. For example, on my desktop I have "2014," "2015," and "2016" folders. Only my favorites make it each year. If they are organized, then it is super easy to make a book. This year's book is 140+ pages, but because I had all the photos in one folder it didn't take long at all!!

2. Design by spread, not by page

I used to layout my photos in my books by only thinking of one page at a time. THIS IS WRONG. You must think of the spread, how it looks in two open pages. You don't want the two pages fighting against each other. Look at the example below. I have 4 images spread amongst two pages. They are all part of the same story. All have the same color pallet. Visually, the two pages work very well together.

3. Repeated Pattern

This is my favorite, because it is so visually compelling. If you have several photos taken of basically the same thing with minute differences, just repeat the image over and over. Just look at these!

 

4. Blank Space

White background always for me, please. I love the classic look, so I embrace the white space framing my photos. I also like the contrast of one large photo vs one small. It creates great negative space.

5. Go BIG!!!!!

Fill those pages! Make a statement!
As a side note, this is where you want a camera with good megapixelage. With our old, old camera we couldn't do this.

 6. The Surplus

As you can tell, I love grouping pictures together with other photos of a similar nature. But what about the leftovers? I keep them too. I just put them in a grid, either 3x3 or 2x3. Then I put a big picture next door so that the eye has somewhere to land. That way there isn't too much visual chaos!

 7. Just do it.

In the end, it really doesn't matter what design technique you implement. Your kids just want to see the pictures.
And do not feel overwhelmed! I do yearly books, but I also have done a grouping of several years too.
I love making these so much, that I will honestly make these for other people.


FUN STUFF TO ADD TO YOUR BOOKS

-Funny stories of the family members
-Pictures of drawings the kids have made
-Names and descriptions too, of course

My budding photographer

Sophie took these photos of me and Lauren.

She even did back-button focusing on this-her first time using that feature!

She's a little photographer in the making--which is fine with me because if you teach your kids photography they'll never have enough money to buy drugs.

And here she is on her first day of 1st grade:

Music for you.

I have been meaning to put down some of my music in notated form, and I am finally getting around to it.
Here are a couple I wrote several years ago. Feel free to play around with them if you so desire!

This one is nameless. If you have an idea for a title please let me know!
Please enjoy this high definition, high quality recording!

Here is The Memory Reel, a simple lullaby-esque song:





I have more in the works, so check back for more in the future!

Words to live by

As I've been thinking of my New Year's resolutions, 

I kept thinking about an inspirational quote that I came across awhile back. 

It really resonated with me, and still does.

Thus, I have selected it as my own personal theme this year.

Here it is.

"The world needs you to stop being boring. 

Yeah, you. 

Boring is easy! Everybody can be boring, 

but you're gooder than that."

--Kid President

This year I plan on being a fun person. Here goes.

Here is the source:

Halloween!

Princess/Bride Sophie

 

 

 

Elephant Sabrina

 

The Halloween Pre-Show

The Boy Scout with his All-American Girl

(That's what someone said to us at the Trunk-or-Treat, and I think it fits.)

 

Photos Courtesy of Sophia

Silly Stories

Silly Daddy, Silly Mommy

Cutting into freshly baked GF brownies Dave says, "They kind of have a brownish hue."

Very good, Dave. Brownies usually are brown.

* * * * *

Lindsey: "I have a DIY husband."

Dave: "You put me together yourself?"

* * * * *

What Dave said when he was looking for attention and Lindsey was staring at the computer screen:

"Hi. I'm your husband. I keep you warm at night. But I also live here, too."

* * * * *

What a Heather Carr's son said to Lindsey one day:
 5 yr old: "Are you having another baby?"
Lindsey: "What? Do I look like I'm going to have another baby?"
  5yr old: "You just have a smile on your face all the time."

* * * * *

Dave: "I actually do pick up after breakfast occasionally."
Lindsey: "So do I. Sometimes."
Sophie: "No you don't, Mommy!"


Silly Sophie

One day, Sophie wore Sabrina's size 6 months shorts. She is four years old, and she squeezed her little hiney into size 6 month shorts.

She was convinced that the shorts were meant as a gift for her and not her baby sister.

* * * * *

One evening, Lindsey was preoccupied talking to Dave when she realized that she hadn't seen Sophie for the last 20 minutes. So Lindsey went peeking around in the rooms only to find Sophie in her bed, reading the phone book by the light at the end of day.

* * * * *

One day, Sophie came to Dave all distraught.

Dave: "What's wrong?"

Soph: "I don't like these pants."

Dave: "Why not?"

Soph: "They're not falling down."

If you have ever seen Sophie in person, you might have noticed that Sophie does not like pants that fit her waist.

* * * * *

"You Revel Skunk!"

Sophie's way of quoting the Star Wars line, "You rebel scum."

* * * * *

Lindsey so badly wanted to prove herself to Sophie that she could do handy jobs around the house. Every time Lindsey picked up a power tool Sophie would say "Only Daddy can do that." Well, imagine the joy in Lindsey's heart when she heard these words from Sophie's mouth:

"Mommy, you did the curtains all by yourself! I am so conpressed [impressed] with you! I thought daddy was going to do it."

* * * * *

What Sophie said one day while playing outside:

"Look, Mom! A jumping spider! It won't hurt you. No Sabrina! Don't eat it!"

* * * * *

A joke Sophie just came up as I am typing this:

Knock Knock

Who's There?

Tomato

Tomato Who?

Tomato the missionaries are here! The missionaries are eating with us. Come eat with us!

Silly Sabrina

 

 

Sabrina enjoys eating her foods, throwing her foods, and pooping out her foods. And sometimes all at the same time!

But here is her typical eating routine.
Before 1 year:
Sabrina will eat much of her meal, and then she will just sit and act like she is all done. The moment Dave or Lindsey begin wiping off her hands Sabrina will start picking up more food and shoving it into her mouth. She will continue to be rubbed down with a wash cloth until her tray is empty. 
Conclusion: Sabrina needs to wiped down in order to finish her meal.

Post 1 year:
Sabrina receives all her food from her mom and dad and instead of shoving them into her mouth, she throws them onto the floor. When she is "done," Dave or Lindsey will get her out of her high chair and place her on the floor. Sabrina will then eat all the food she threw onto the ground.

* * * * *


One afternoon, Lindsey was loading Sabrina into her car seat so they could all head over to Target. Sabrina was holding a cracker in her hand. When Sabrina was placed in her car seat she found a binky there! She picked it up, and with the binky in one hand and the cracker in the other, she opened her mouth wide and aimed both objects toward it. When the binky and cracker simultaneously arrived at her mouth, she realized her mistake and decided to cake care of the cracker first. 

 * * * * *

Sabrina is a cuddler. Whenever she is tired and ready for bed. She will often lay her head down on her Mom's shoulder and snuggle up until Lindsey lies her down in her crib. It is the sweetest thing.

Walk around the Temple

Everything you wanted to know about Celiac Disease

I am diseased.

This is what I say to Dave now every time I need a quick excuse for getting away with something.

I can't do the dishes, Dave. I'm diseased.

I need a foot rub, babe. I'm diseased. 

I need to buy this new camera. I'm diseased.

It doesn't always seem to work the way I imagine it should. Fancy that.

This post is dedicated to educating you about Celiac Disease

because I know you really want to know all about it!

I found out I had it about 2 months ago. I was completely cool with it.

I said, Okay. No more gluten, I guess.

And that was that.

The hard part is researching every. single. product. I still need to improve in this area.

So what is Celiac Disease?


Celiac disease is when the immune system attacks my small intestine every time I eat something containing gluten. Celiac disease does not mean I have a gluten intolerance or allergy. When I eat gluten, this damages the villi that line the intestine. The villi are what absorb nutrients from the food you eat. When the villi are damaged this results in all kinds of digestive problems and other issues too.

The goal of being gluten free is NOT to be symptom-free, it's to prevent more issues from coming on down the road such as lymphoma and other serious health problems.

(Possible) Symptoms that I had:

GI problems -- You name it. I had it! The list goes on and on here and I don't want to get too detailed here. :)
Iron Deficiency
Miscarriages
Numb/Pins and Needles Hands and Feet
Headaches
Heartburn
Low Energy

What can I eat? 

I wish I had a short, simple answer to that. Oh wait, I do! I can't eat anything with gluten in it! :)

Gluten is found in anything made from wheat, barley or rye.

Wheat is one of those allergy foods that should be labeled on every product, but barley and rye don't have to be listed. What's more, is I have to worry about if the food I eat was manufactured in the same facility that produces gluten-filled food. Because that means my food might be contaminated too.

So here's what I do. 

1. Does it say "gluten free" on the package? Then it's most likely safe. Certified GF foods are the prime candidates for safety.

2. Then I search for the obvious. Wheat, barley, rye. I also look for the "was manufactured in a facility that also manufactures..." thing below the ingredients.

3. I look for hidden gluten in the ingredients. See here and here.  I am wary of anything with ambiguous ingredients such as "natural flavor" because it may or may not have ingredients derived from wheat, barley, or rye.

4. I call the manufacturer, check the website, etc. Every package has a number on it and some companies are really good at relaying the information you are seeking.

That's what I do.

This is Pamela's GF pizza crust (raw). Uncooked, the dough is a lot like cookie dough. But I think it turns out pretty well.

I love like being gluten free!

So this whole new diet has worked wonders, so far, for my health. I am really grateful for it! Not only has it stopped my symptoms, but it also has made me more aware of what I put into my body. I actually quite enjoy being gluten-free (though I don't recommend it unless you actually need to be GF). Yes, I've had to give up some delicious foods, but don't pity me! I can still eat most dairy products and I can eat GF chocolates. I've come across some delicious recipes, so I don't feel left out at all. The main downside is the cost of buying all the special brands. No more cheap generic stuff for me.

So there you go. Now you know.

Dear Fry's Cranberry Orange Cookie,

This goodbye must come very abruptly to you, and I am sorry that I must do this through a letter. We never had a proper goodbye, but I think it's better we stay apart lest we are tempted beyond what we can handle.

It was just a few weeks ago when I learned that I must say goodbye to you --that now I must only partake of things that say "gluten-free" on them. I must admit, I didn't instantly realize that meant you, too. When it dawned on me, a profound sadness enveloped me and I questioned my will to live...gluten-free.

They say that you were no good for me, that those short few years we were together were a waste, but I don't care! I don't regret a single moment we had together. You were always there for me--in times of happiness and sadness. No matter the circumstances, I could always depend on you to make my life better.

I admit that there were times I tried to replace you with something less expensive and more homemade. But I kept coming back to you. You always knew I would.

I remember the last time we were together. I think I came back for more of your sweetness three or four times without ever telling my husband. He still doesn't know.

Alas, it is time for us both to move on. There will be others that will partake of your cake-like flesh. I hope they realize how thick and moist your texture is. I hope they realize that your flavor is full of rich, creamy, orange dreaminess. I hope they realize that you always have the perfect amount of cranberries in every bite.

I will meet new cookies. I will learn to like cookies made with rice and almond flour. I might even fall in love again. But I will never forget you.

Don't think that this goodbye means forever. One day, I will have a perfected body. My small intestine will welcome you into it's world again and this time gladly. You, too, will be perfected. Someday you will have zero calories and no fat and yet retain your perfect sweetness and fluffy texture. We will make the perfect companionship. You will make me look and feel good.

Until that day, I wish you every bit of happiness. I hope you discover the joy there is in sharing your goodness with others.

Goodbye for now.

I remain yours always,
Lindsey

Because I said I would post...

Here are pictures of my perm.

 Side Note: I am holding the most beautiful chocolate dipped strawberry you have ever seen. Made especially for Valentine's Day. Apparently there is such a thing as melting chocolate too much.

I'm not as thrilled with it as I was the last time I got a perm, but oh well.

Now to look forward to my next hair cut coming this Summer!

Lindsey Insight Coming Your Way....

We have all said it at one point or another in our lives. 

"Sorry my house is dirty."

"The house is a mess, but come on in!"

"Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!"

Okay, so maybe not the last one, but you'll see what I mean in a minute.

The past couple weeks I can count three different times when someone apologized for the mess in their house. I would like to make a public announcement about these Dirty House Statements. When you say your house is dirty all you are doing is drawing more attention to the Mess. (Gasp!) And here's another weird thing: Those three times I was in someone else's home, I didn't even NOTICE the mess until they said something! It's the same concept as "Don't look at the elephant in the corner." What are you going to do when someone says that to you? You're going to look at the pachyderm, of course! 

So let's look at Dirty House Statement #2 "The house is a mess, but come on in!" Do you know what it really means? Either (1) "I would have rather that you called before you stopped by so that I could have made the front room presentable" or (2) "I wouldn't have cleaned this even if you did call before hand, I just would prefer that you don't come in" or (3) "I'm pretending the house isn't normally like this, but it actually is."

Now about Dirty Houses. I can honestly say that I once saw a "Dirty House" and was relieved about it. I once entered a lovely, cozy, well kept home. "This woman obviously has everything pulled together and has an amazing life!" I thought. Then a few weeks later I went over to her house again. It was pretty messy. I sighed within and felt at peace knowing that she wasn't perfect yet.

Conclusion: We do not need to make excuses for our homes when they are messy once in a while. Life happens. We get busy, something throws us off track, our kids are insane.

I definitely am not a clean freak or a perfectly organized CEO of the household. But I have sworn off saying, "Welcome to my home. My house is a mess. Please make yourself comfortable in between yesterday's Squashed Frozen Pizza and my daughter's freshly messed panties."
Okay, actually I may say that one day. But just for kicks.



**This post is not meant to offend anybody on their protocol on inviting people into their homes. Just take it as a general Lindsey opinion on her observations of life.**

The month of November? Oh yes! I love that month.

Thanksgiving Activities:

We had a great day of Giving Thanks down in the Old Pueblo. I have always loved the month of November because it is sandwiched in between Halloween (love) and Christmas (really, really love) and not to mention it is my birthday month. And, of course, Thanksgiving.

Speaking of Thanksgiving, here's what happened on that eventful day:

 

Football.

 More Football.

Family Walk.

I love Arizona Thanksgivings. Where else can you spend the whole day outdoors with no jacket?

      

My Birthday!

Yes, I am a quarter of a century old! Hooray!

Check out what my sister, Laura, gave me:

1940's Opera Glasses! What an awesome and completely random gift!

Phantom of the Opera here I come! (That is, when they come to town next and if we ever have money again after our large purchase this month).

Another Sophie Moment

(Dave calls this pic Sophie's Dramatic Teenager Pose)

 So the other day Sophie and I are reading the Barney Opposite Book. We get to this page:

I ask Sophie pointing to the first picture, "What is this?" 

"Bath!" was her reply.

Then I point to Barney toweling off. "What is this one?"

"Cold!"

Yes, Sophie. The opposite of Bath is Cold.

Things in life that make me happy

#1
This girl. Duh!

#2
Homemade Crockpot Applesauce
Thanks to a certain Hawaiian Friend, the most amazing cinnamon-applely smells have been filling our house. I've already made two batches. This is seriously going to be a new Fall Tradition in this Joslin home.

#3
Time Out for Women
I have some awesome parents that made last weekend possible. All us girls in the Hancock clan ate lots of food, hung out at the mall, and stayed up late talking in the hotel room until the security guard shushed us. Oh yeah, and we listened to some awesome inspirational speakers!

For more TOFW pics, click here.

#4
We're getting closer to our house. I mean seriously close. It's kinda weird. But please--still keep your fingers crossed!

New Toy

Were ya wondering what I was doing with all that millions of extra monies I was making teaching piano? Well, I bought a camera. I've been drooling over this camera for months (maybe even years) and now have it in my very own hands. Can I just tell you about the emotional anxiety I went through buying this? Have you ever saved up some money so that you can buy a house and then on top of that save up even more money to buy some expensive piece of equipment? Every day was a struggle of "What should I spend my money on?" Thankfully, Dave was there telling me to just buy the stupid camera! So I did. Thanks, Dave.

PS- More on the house situation later.

Quality Daddy-Daughter time. The book: The Difference Between Babies and Cookies. I picked it out.

 
Occasionally, I even let Dave us my camera.

Finally. A few pictures of ME on this blog!

 I will now share with you a few Proud Mommy Moments:


Oct 2
This past week I was helping the Achievement Day Girls practice a special musical number for Church, "I Lived in Heaven." On our way out the door to go to the practice Sophie grabs this plastic stick that attaches to a bubble wand. When we got there Soph was real shy at first of all these young girls singing songs, so she stayed close to me on the piano bench and just watched. I had the girls get real close to the piano so I could hear them sing and as we rehearsed Soph used her plastic wand to conduct the girls. It was one of those proud Mommy moments where I just couldn't help but gush over my girl. I even think she might have been singing a little bit too. I'm real glad that she brought that plastic wand because it came in handy as I had the girls practice conducting each other with the same stick. (I got the idea from Sophie).

Oct 4
Last night Soph was already "in bed" and I was about to say my prayers when I hear her door squeak open and her little feet creep into my room. She said she wanted to lay down on Mommy's bed so I help her up and lay her on a pillow while I finish my prayers. As I'm praying, Sophie placed her little hand in mine and starts singing a couple lines form "I am a Child of God." (Lead me, guide me, walk beside me). It was the cutest thing and it just melted my heart. That's what precious little girls do--They melt your heart.

 

Oct 19
Sophie is officially potty trained! She's been in big girl panties for 4 weeks straight and getting more independent every day! Do you know what this means? It means I can leave Sophie at the Ikea babysitting club and go shopping by myself. (They don't except kids in diapers--I was really annoyed when I realized that last time I went.)

I just love the light going through those jelly shoes! (Insert Beyonce: I don't think you're ready for this jelly. I don't think you're ready for this je-lly.)

 So the house thing. We are waiting to hear back about a house we really love. So if all goes well, we'll be in a house soon-ish. Hopefully my next post will say "We bought a house!" :)

You can see Sophie is real excited about the door mat I made.