More to do's: Sofa

The Look:

$25 Craigslist find:

I wanted a more geometric shape, so I was excited to find this for such a good deal...

and it'll be ugly fun in the mean time. 

I'm a little worried about the challenge of finding a clean enough herringbone print to really bring in a geometric print. 

The honey-do List: for me!

Russ and I are so, so very excited to move into our new place in Rexburg and to finish up at school! 

I've been bargain shopping for furniture for our new place (first place we'll be in where we aren't borrowing furniture or it doesn't come pre-furnished.)

SO! I've taken it upon myself to thrift the snot out of the state of Idaho to get exactly what I want at a reasonable, or phenomenal price. I'll post a list of my finds and projects to come. 

The look I want:

What I found:

$25 and an hour an Craigslist found us these three diamonds in the rough:

The're a bit dirty, but are sturdy and the perfect shape, I'm super excited about this find!

This is 25: Letting go of expectations.

This morning I found myself standing alone, dressed in a hospital gown in a dimly lit room and couldn't help but think

...

This isn't mine.

....

I knew if I breathed in too deeply, I might cry. 

Not because I was nervous.

Not because Russell couldn't come in with me.

Not because I was afraid of what I might find out.

But, because it wasn't mine.

...

Not my life.

Not my plan.

Not my 26th year.

Not mine.

...

I slipped on my shoes and looked down at my feet, past the gown and down to the fiesta colored slippers Russ bought me for our anniversary....

Mine.

...

I've spent so much time running away from accepting the fact that I have over 4 years of heartache trying to get pregnant as part of my life. It is mine. Better or worse, it is part of who I am and who I will become. It is something that defines a part of me... and is a near constant struggle to not let consume me.

Most days I know that I am more than this, but some days I can't help but question if I am less. Some days, even just some hours, it feels too close...too thorough and too concrete to ever change, and I feel so completely overwhelmed that it is mine.

Even though its not the small house with a big yard with the children so seemingly perfect, that I could just kiss their tiny fingers and toes. 

...

Even though it isn't those things...it is a husband who splits an ice cream with me after I cry about it sometimes feeling like it'll never change and the way it is, is just too much. It is the way he kisses me softly and, if even for that brief turning moment between crumbling down and realizing I can stand back up, it is knowing completely and fully that everything is going to be okay.

It, this life, this experience, this heartache, this love... is mine. 

This is my 25, its not at all what I had expected, not exactly what I had thought I wanted.

It is hard.

It is beautiful.

It is mine.

Thank you for your time...

I work in a call center where I talk to dozens of people every day from around the world. 

Some are quick and to the point, while others will relate unsolicited life events like going to Knotsberry Farms...on horseback, riding behind their mother, back in the day when the only rides were tied up to hitching posts upon arrival. 

---

I spoke with a man who was helping his son, who was in a high security prison, order a pair of warm shoes; because his son's cell was so cold. I could hear in the way he worded each sentence and chose each word about his son, that he loved him, not excusing, but; despite anything he had done. 

The pair of shoes he was purchasing were the same pair I had had my eye on for my own father, whom I share an ongoing game with of finding the best slippers for his Christmas present every year. 

As I spoke of what I knew of these shoes with this man, whom I have never met and more than likely never will; I was continually touched by the sincerity he had towards his son and the outright responsibility he held for himself to keep his son's feet warm, if nothing else.

At the end of our conversation, I assured him of a confirmation email being sent and ran through the same scripts I run through dozens of times every day. 

"And, is there anything else I can help you with?" I closed. 

What he said next, took me by surprise.

"Thank you. Thank you for your help. Thank you for your kindness and thank you so much for your time."

He went on:

"I know I don't know you, but you seem decent and you seem kind. And I really need you to know how much I appreciate that."

---

Ever since this brief conversation, I can't help but roll the words around in my head.

"Thank you for your help"

"Thank you for your kindness."

"Thank you for your time"

---

What an amazing opportunity we have to share something so quantifiable; the best of us having 100 years, yet; so infinite.

I can't help but think about my family and friends and the moments they choose to spend with me. Serving me, laughing with me, sharing hopes and dreams-- pieces of themselves -- with me.

Dear, dear loved ones:

Thank you for your time.

26 goals...

26 goals for the 26th year of my life:

So, every year I set a list of goals I would like to accomplish. A goal for every year of my life, and one for the year I'm working on.

Here goes:

1. Grow our family. Yea, I said that out loud. 

(Please note: this is still a goal, and not an actuality yet!)

2. Graduate from college...finally.

3. Train Hueco through the first levels of puppy school.

4. Learn how to reupholster.

5. Go sledding.

6. Take family pictures.

7. Have a fully decorated home.

8. Find a job pertaining to what I went to school for.

9. Sell 10 things I make (whoa! Dream big!)

10. Perform something on stage.

11. Buy a camera.

12. Climb a 5.10 without hanging.

13. Do a solid yoga headstand. 

14. Run a 5k and get a shirt!

15. Make home made yogurt

16. Eat less processed food, more home cookin!

17. Not eat at a fast food joint more than 10 times

(embarrassing that that has to be a goal for me!)

18. have 100% visiting teaching!

19. Make a piece of art for my home.

20. Take Russell on a super epic date.

21. Eat at the Space Needle.

22. Swim in the ocean.

23. Sleep under the stars.

24. Week long backpacking trip.

25. Call my brothers and sisters more.

and!

26. Study the Book of Mormon cover to cover.

---

Its going to be a great year!!

Friday...

Dear Friday 9-5, 

                  If your mornings didn't guarantee me pumpkin-cinnamon steamers, we may not be friends.

Sincerely, 

Cambra

Happy Weekending!

What a day...

We played hooky from work 

(okay, so we both requested the day off weeks in advance)

Russ surprised me with some awesome shoes I've been eyeing

Got my ring cleaned

Ate lunch at Dick's

Went back to our spot at Manito park

Wandered around Petco oogling puppy toys for our little guy

I scheduled Russ for a massage

 (because everyone should get a full body massage at least once in their lifetime) 

Stopped in for some Mongolian food

and

Ate a year old cupcake.

It was the best anniversary, ever!

Every girl deserves to be loved the way I am. 

I love, love, love my man.

small things...

There is something wonderfully, rebelliously, optimistic about brightly colored umbrellas.

A successful Saturday

Today, I found a yoga studio! I'm ecstatic and anxious to start practicing again... 

Russ and I took a quick jaunt over to Minnihaha to climb.

Then we picnicked in the park and set up our slack line.

As we were goofing around, we noticed that behind a large tree a ways off, four little kids were tentatively inching their way closer towards us. 

We threw them a wave and before we knew it we were slack lining with a motley little crew of 4-8 year olds.

A good Saturday indeed. 

Another Skein Bites the Dust

Two down, two to go on my shrug.

Mayhaps I haven't actually picked it up and done anything on it for the last week or so...

but mayhaps not.