At our first Craft Club meeting the girls came loaded with good ideas. One group of girls thought it would be a lot of fun to make the flower headbands that are so popular these days. It started out as a bridal trend but now, it is a fashion statement for everyday people. With all the baggy and boyish, "I don't really care that my hair isn't brushed today" styles that are becoming more popular it's important to add some feminine details. Whether it's lace around cut off shorts, floral patterns or crop tops...these little additions make a big difference. So, floral headpieces seemed like a great idea and all the sudden I found myself in a place I've never visited at Michaels...silk florals. While buying supplies I was totally surprised at how expensive the silk flowers were, even with the 50% discount they had this week. BUT, to my relief they do have bunches that cost $1.99 and they were perfect for our headbands...Phew, craft crisis averted!
Normally at the beginning of the class I show them a quick "how to" and then once they get started I can finish my project and answer questions as needed. This week, I didn't even want to do my own craft because it was so much more fun watching what the ladies came up with.
I feel so lucky to get to hang out with these smart and creative girls every Monday. I was a little bummed as I was cleaning up because they girls who had wanted to do this craft seemed totally indifferent to the project and even left their headbands behind. Then, as one of the girls left she turned to me and said, "I am really pleased with how my headband turned out and I'm really glad I decided to come." So, I guess you could call it a success.
I've always loved this Cat Stevens song, and I can't help but find it really spot on to how I feel about people in general and more specifically the girls I get to do crafts with. I look back and wish I had understood the lyrics better when I was in my moody teenage years. I think I would have spent less time being moody and more time being me.
I've always been full of good ideas. Not to pat myself on the back, but I have always been able to think of one simple thing and elaborate on that idea until I have a full-blown story board and 10 year plan...in my head. My only downfall is my ability to follow through with any of them. I might share the ideas with a few close friends (and of course Benson) and then, no matter how positive their response is, I end up convincing myself that the idea was silly, the effort too grand, or the plan to risky. I can admit it, I am my own worst enemy. That is something I have only really realized in the last few months and I am working really hard to change it. I decided I would pick a project and follow it through from beginning to end and whether it becomes a huge success is not the important part. I am trying to focus on being able to plan and carry out the beginning stages, which is really the most important part.
Anyway, that being said, I decided to start a craft club with the students at my sister's school in Queens. I'm really excited about it, and we had our first meeting just last Monday. I was thinking that 3-4 students would show and was super surprised when 11 sweet girls filed in. I had gone to their home room classes the week before and used that time to make a simple craft with them, just to spark some interest. In those classes we made felt hair bows and some simple bracelets that turned out something like this:
Monday came around and after posting flyers around the halls and Annie making a few announcements over the PA system we were ready to go! Like I said, I was surprised when 11 girls showed up, I was even more surprised when they came with great ideas and excitement to make some really cool crafts. We had a bunch of blank, black greeting cards and I showed them how to use embroidery thread to decorate on paper. It was kind of a tough one to start with but I am learning and so are they! It was a lot of fun and I can't wait for what we have planned the next few weeks!
See those smiles? They love crafting and they think I'm hilarious...
It was a total mess...but a fun mess.
I'm really pleased with how this idea has started and I'm not letting my doubts get in the way. We are already headed to the next stage, planning a craft sale at lunch, to raise a little money for some more elaborate projects.
I'm a little bit embarrassed that I like this song, but I totally do.
It played while we crafted and we all sang a long. It was like
my very own scene from High School Musical, so I would call that a win.
Natalie has been my bestie since high school. We lived on the same street growing up, went to high school and church together and we always got along - no fights. Well...there was this one time where she told all the girls at church that I made out with a kid who also went to church with us as a joke. I was super embarrassed which turned into anger because I didn't know how to handle my fragile emotions which we will blame on teenage angst. Anyway, it lasted a few short and awkward hours and after that we were fine for years. I really love and admire Natalie. That being said...it was a real treat to have Natalie here for the first week of January. She came to interview with the NY Teaching Fellows, got accepted and is now moving here this summer. I'm excited to live in the city together...even if it is just a short while.
I had the privilege of cutting and coloring her hair while she was here. I think it was the perfect change for her...one of the best I've done
The MET!
Light pasta lunch in BK before her big interview
A series of pics taken while we had soupy dumplings in Chinatown for Chinese New Year
Matching shirts, as per usual!
Shop Dancing - a great way to avoid buyers remorse.
Some funny Natalie memories include but are not limited to:
1. Making a cake with a rock baked in for the Skabelund family. We laughed so hard while carrying it to their house (I think because her boobs made an indent in the frosting) that we both peed our pants...we were in high school and my mother was not pleased.
2. Facebook status war. We took turns changing each other's profile pictures and status updates. So embarrassing but well well well worth it. The rules were: nothing that involved other people, nothing about pregnancy and nothing sexual...which left us with awkward medical conditions, strong political opinions and terrible posts about secret crushes and what we might do to them...
3. I fell down my stairs exposing my undies to Natalie's cousin Addison. She laughed so hard she peed a little on my mom's rug. My mom was not pleased.
4. Convincing Ross that Natalie was good at tennis so he would pick her to be his doubles partner against me and F. Nozowa (our awesome Chemistry teacher - mentioned above). They lost, Ross was totally frustrated but kept his calm. Total trooper!
5. When Julie Anne came to live with my family my parents hired Natalie to be her in home care when it was needed. She basically got paid to hang out at my house with me. It was awesome.
6. Sliding on 2875 N. in the snow late at night.
7. Watching each other run home so we wouldn't get kidnapped
8. That one time she flipped some guys off while we drove to Salt Lake to see the temple lights with all the young women. Double bird! She did it because I told her too...of course I was joking but she did it anyway!
Am I forgetting anything?? I know there is more...inside jokes just aren't as funny via blog.
Although Natalie and I weren't in a relationship that broke up sadly and quickly, this song reminds me of her trip to NYC. She discovered this song on my iPod, it struck a chord and we listened to it over 100 times...possibly in a row.
On December 21st we celebrated three years of marital bliss by basically reliving our wedding day all over again...this time at Benson's little sister's wedding. The two days really were quite similar and it was fun to think back a whole three years ago when we decided to tie the knot. I even debated showing up in my wedding dress but thought better of it...I'm not really one to try and steal the show, I just think about it. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple (just like us) on one of the snowiest days of the year (also like us) and the similarities don't end there. It really was a beautiful day and I am so glad we got to be a part of it. Congratulations Brock and Liz!
Too handsome for his own good.
This is a series of pictures taken by Natalie after I accidentally cuddled up to Ammon thinking he was Benson while we waited outside of the temple. SO EMBARASSING. You can imagine all the jokes I heard from the brothers the rest of the vacation...and probably for life.
I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Henson
This is us, ready to leave the reception and
head out on our own anniversary weekend.
One of the best parts of their wedding being on the 21st was that we got to celebrate Christmas with our families. Although my family was missing a few key members, we were lucky to get to spend some good quality time with lots of our siblings and of course our parents too.
Brätt Family Christmas
Singing Christmas carols as a family
Happiest Christmas pug on the block
Acting out the Nativity - Kash begged to be
baby Jesus in the white laundry basket
A wise man and his gold gift for the Christ child
Writing notes to Santa before bed
My lovely stocking this year.
How did I get so lucky?
Games with naughty words...bet you can't
guess what's under that duct tape!
Schmutz Family Christmas
1992 - When it was cool for a little sister to have
the same haircut as her brother.
games with Grandma Gayle
talking to Elder Schmutz - the bowl
magnifies the sound...life-hack!
tiny jumpers!
We stayed in Utah for two whole weeks which allowed us enough time to see lots of family and friends, enjoy favorite restaurants, and even get a weekend away in Eden, Utah where we spent our honeymoon. It's always fun to go back where we started and enjoy the fresh air and familiar faces. I do have to admit that although it was hard to leave, it was nice to come back to our own bed and we really did start to miss the city (give or take a few things).
<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3
Now this is where I declare my undying love for Benson, so you can stop reading if you have a weak stomach or a cold cold heart. These past three years really have been amazing and looking back only makes me more excited for what we have waiting in the years to come. We have seen some of the happiest times I have ever known and the trials we have come up against seem so much easier to face with a best friend at your side. I was lucky enough to marry a man that is kind, patient, understanding, unassuming, dedicated and hard working...and lets face it, he is super hott. I kid you not that at work all the ladies call him "the handsome one". He really is the whole enchilada. I know, you look at me an think, "How did she get so lucky??" and all I can say is, someone upstairs must really be looking out for me.
Seriously, Bens, love you most.
Although we both agree that this is our "song" there really isn't one anthem that defines us. It does, however, perfectly explain that I honestly wouldn't be satisfied than anything other than forever, not a day less will do.
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