The new Look

 Hair is one of those features that just makes a big difference on how you look... I have always dreamed  of having long gorgeous locks, but unfortunately I was not blessed with that feature and when I try growing it out, instead of having gorgeous healthy looking hair I dream of, it looks damaged and stringy. 

With the combination of stringyness and the root color growing back in, I couldn't help but sigh/whine a bit every time I looked in the mirror. 

So. . . I finally took a leap and got a hair cut and darkened my hair a bit. 

When Daniel came home that night he ran up to me, kissed me and said, "Wow! You Look GOOD, I absolutely love your hair!  He raved and raved about it throughout the week and told me he hopes I always keep my hair this length.

He even told me I looked more mature and older. . . (you mean I don't look like I'm in High School anymore ha)

It sure made me feel like a million bucks and of course helped me like it more myself.

Still was hard to get used to for the first couple of days, but I'm liking the fact Little mister Calvin can't grab it anymore.

Calvin is growing up so fast, he can lift his head up by himself while lying on my legs, he talks up a storm before bedtime just like he did in the womb except he moved instead of talked. He is grabbing things a lot more and can almost roll over. 

Here is a video of him talking

Year 23

Well I guess I'll tell you about my Birthday and the fun things I got to do...

The sad part about this whole post is I did not take one picture. How could I do such a thing on such a Awesome day (groundhogs, my bday) you ask?  Well. . . I don't know. 

The day started out great. Daniel didn't have class because he had exams all week so we got to snuggy and eat Yummy French Toast with bananas that he made.

Mom came down to celebrate along with Shelbs and Daxton

Another thing that is remembered on Feb 2 is Jimmy Jr. Life. 

Moms siblings and grandma all gathered at Mimmi's and Susie's shop to show their love and support. Such a loving act and I know Susie and Mimmie appreciated them being there as they go through the heartache of losing their son.
We love you Garfalious Family

Next we went to my most favorite sandwhich place.... Pita Pit. 

I go here every year for my Birthday. It's so delicious I could never get sick of it. 

We had fun chit chatting and being together.

I got to help out with Achievement Days and ate some tasty Japanese pancakes.

Calvin and I had some bonding time.

For dinner I didn't want to go out to eat, I wanted Daniel to make me Homemade Lasagna and his famous bread sticks. It's probably one of my very favorite meals, but since he had his exam, he didn't get home until 6:45, so we headed into town. I could not make a decision of where to go and the  deciding factor was I got a free appetizer at Chili's so that became the winner. I even got free dessert too. 

On Saturday Daniel treated me to night out to BYU Men's Volleyball Game. He knows how much I love volleyball and this was his first time going to a game. I think he's converted now. it was an intense game except for the fact they lost 3-0. Before the game Dan made lasagna and bread sticks and had the pleasure of having Kelsi, Jason, Shelby and Brandon join us. After the game we all gathered back here to have cake and ice cream.
Thanks everyone for the fun filled weekend and all the kind words, thoughts and deeds you gave to me to make my day extra Special.

My 22nd year was filled with many joys and memories here are a few. . .
Found out I was pregnant with the little mister
Celebrated our 1 year Anniversary 
Interned with Select Health and Cancer Wellness House
Went to Washington D.C. for the first time
Said my goodbyes to Nannying little Ella
Went to Nauvoo with the Stephens Family
Park Citying it up with the Hansen's
Speed walked a 5k at 36 weeks pregnant
Gave birth to my first born and little angel
Calvin R Stephens
Graduated from Utah Valley University in Public Health
Became a Full-Time Momma

Year 23, can't wait for more adventures

Dating made easy and a fun craft idea

Creativity! Oh how I've missed you in my life for the past few years. 

Now that I am a graduated Lady, my long list of projects I have been wanting to do around the house is finally getting started. I have had all these ideas, but when I had school it was merely impossible to get any them started or completed. BUT.. now that I'm a stay-at-home momma.... 

My creative juices are beginning to emerge once again. Hoorah.

This first project I gave as a Stocking gift to Daniel this past Christmas. It's a date Jar filled with dates to do throughout the year. I haven't finished but I am going to color coordinate the paper with summer and winter dates. I found some creative date ideas from Dating Divas, my dear sister-in-law Makana, and even came up with a few on my own.

 Some date ideas are
1. Have each person design and make a boat out of things around the house. Then, take them to a river/stream and race them.

2. Walk to a local bakery or cupcake shop. There is something about walking to a bakery with someone you care about…maybe because I am obsessed with food? If you do not live next to a bakery then surprise your sweetheart by parking a few blocks away and packing a back pack with a blanket, games, fun drinks... If you go to a cupcake shop make sure you get a few varieties and share them.



3. Thrifty Trends Date Idea- Live it up! Buy a new game, movie, book, or sporting equipment that you could use on your date all for under $10. Visit a local thrift store (yes, they may stink) and pick up some new activities. We have done this a few times and continue to benefit from our cheap purchases. It is a great way to save money and Live it up! :)

4. Living Room Camp-Out- Get anything you have that makes you feel like your camping out and set it up in your living room (i.e. camping chairs, turn off the lights and use flashlights, blanket…). Make tin foil dinners in your oven for the dinner. Search the internet for unique tin foil dinner recipes.
 


This project I did before Calvin was born, but I never finished it until a few days ago. As most of you all know, one of Daniel's most favorite thing in the whole world is golfing, well besides Me and Calvin, of course. SO... I came up with this grand idea to assemble a Golf themed room for Mister Calvin.  I had some ugly maroonish brown colored frames that I painted blue.. however, the blue was way too bright and tacky looking, so I painted them an off white color and sanded it down for the blue to bleed through. Before I painted the frames, I hot glued golf balls inside the frames and spelled Calvin's name on the golf balls... and Voila

 That pig in the background was given to Calvin by Grandpa and Grandma Kunze.

Christmas Gift from Dear Lexi

 We were so impressed with Lexi's gift and loved every part of it.  I don't know if she knew that both Daniel and I love quotes but it was a genius idea. We like to put quotes in a place where we can see it everyday. Lexi made us this fridge quote board and made all of these darling magnets. 

 She made us a hot plate that has China, Brazil and Ukraine on it.

 They are perfect since daniel just broke one of our hot pads.

This gift is absolutely astounding, I love it so much because she decorated each letter pertaining to either mine or daniel's hobbies. i love the word Gratitude because it will be a constant reminder for our family to express Gratitude to one other as well as remember how much the Lord blesses us every single day. It also reminds me of how each of us has many gifts and talents that we shouldn't take for granted.

She Even carved a few letters herself because there was none at the store.  Pretty darn talented miss Lexi is. I tried blowing up the picture so it would show how cute and amazing each letter is but it still doesn't come close to the real thing.

Thanks Lexi!!

Blessing

 Calvin had his baby blessing on New Years Day (for those of you weren't able to attend) and got to share this special occasion with his cousin Lucy (Matt & Asher's little girl). Here they are together, posing for the camera looking like little married babes. They look like siblings, Calvin just has a bigger head. 

Calvin's darling little outfit was given to us by our lovely and sweet friend Brenda Wright (Ella's mom) she sure spoiled Calvin with lots of clothes.

 This past weekend we got to enjoy a fun evening with mom/dad and Shelby/Brandon at the Brian Regan Comedy show. I laughed so much and so hard that my jaw got so sore I couldn't take it any longer. On the ride home we laughed even more because we would retell the jokes... Throughout the week things would remind me of his jokes and I would start busting up. So it has been a very happy laughy week.

I sure Love to laugh, loud and long and clear. Thanks mom and dad for taking us.

 I love candid photos....