hair is overrated

Here's a little video I made of the shave party we had for my mom. So inspiring. Aside from losing all of her hair, she feels great! She hasn't been sick and her energy is good! She's still working and going about her life as normal as possible. She's had the best attitude about it all... just staying so positive! Love you mom!

Bald & Beautiful from Katie Oborn on Vimeo.

testimony

Chase and I had the privilege of speaking in our ward today.
It's always a nerve-wracking experience, but I love the preparing and learning that goes into the experience.
I was asked to speak on Elder Bednar's Conference address, "Converted unto the Lord."
Chase spoke on testimony.

I had never really looked at the difference between having a testimony of the gospel, and being converted to the gospel.   "Knowing that the gospel is true is the essence of a testimony.  Consistently being true to the gospel is the essence of conversion.  Conversion is an offering of self, of love, and of loyalty we give to God in gratitude for the gift of testimony."

What a great reminder to not only "know it," but to "live it" and "love it" (Ann M. Dibb)!

And, as always, Chase sucked the audience in with his address and the spirit flooded the chapel.   I had never  heard him bear a more powerful testimony and share such powerful personal stories about his testimony and conversion.  I sat there so proud to call him mine and that he is such a strong soul.  I'm grateful that he will be the Priesthood leader over our family.  I am so lucky to have him in my life forever!  My heart was, and still is, bursting with gratitude!

Chase was also released as an Elder's Quorum instructor and was made the YM Priest Quorum adviser (it's definitely a good fit for him:)  As I listened to his speak, I knew that this is where he would be most influential in this ward.  Those boys are very lucky to have him.

good reminder...

"Now that she knew she didn't have to be perfect, 

she could be good."
-John Steinbeck, East of Eden

Today, I'm just going to try and be good.

101 Things To Do With Your Toddler

Winter hasn't even hit, and I'm already searching my house for things to entertain Tatum with.  We're sick of our house.  We're sick of our toys.  We're sick of our books.  We're simply sick of everything!  Thanks to Pinterest, and suggestions like {this}, we're on our way to happier days at home.  Here are 101 things to do with a toddler:

1. Color
2. Blow Bubbles
3. Play Hide-and-Seek
4. Peek-a-Boo
5. Play Chase
6. Do Finger-plays
7. Sing a song
8. Collect rocks in a basket
9. Make an obstacle course out of cushions and/or furniture
10. Make a fort out of cushions and sheets
11. Go for a Walk
12. Make a Car out of a Box
13. Read a book
14. Go to the park
15. Finger-paint
16. Play with Play-Dough
17. Toss Bean bags into a Bucket
18. Play the shell and pea game
19. Dance to music
20. Download games for toddlers from the Internet
21. Practice putting things in and out of boxes and bags
22. Make a temporary slide out of a table leaf and your couch
23. Roll a ball back and forth on the floor
24. Scoop dirt or sand into a child's bucket (or use a serving spoon and bowl)
25. Practice climbing by stacking boxes on top of each other (only with adult supervision)
26. Put on a puppet show
27. Go fishing with a yard stick and yarn
28. Make a Horseshoe game
29. Make a Shape Puzzle
30. Play paper basketball
31. Run through a Sprinkler
32. Play with a bucket of water and a sponge
33. Make a Drum out of an oatmeal box
34. Play with a kazoo
35. Wash windows together
36. Bang on Pots and Pans with a spoon
37. Brush each other's teeth
38. Play dress-up with stuffed animals and your child's clothes
39. Stack canned or boxed food on top of each other
40. Let child stack mixing bowls inside each other
41. Make a playhouse out of a large box
42. Let child play with a sticker sheet
43. Put stickers on fingers for finger puppets
44. Play a musical instrument together- i.e.recorder, piano, etc.
45. Go on a Smelling Hunt
46. Frost Cookies
47. Plant a flower or vegetable plant together
48. Roll a tennis ball into an empty trash can or bucket
49. Draw on a mirror with dry-erase markers
50. Play hide and seek together- trying to find a stuffed animal or other object
51. Have a splash party together in the bathtub
52. Put a leash on a stuffed animal and walk around the house
53. Record each other on a tape recorder (great for scrapbooks or journals!)
54. Make and try on paper hats
55. Give a piggy-back ride
56. Play "Horsey"
57. Talk into an electric fan (it distorts your voice)
58. Play tug-of-war with a blanket
59. Collect flowers (felt, artificial, real...)
60. Make a camera and go on a Safari
61. Play games with frozen juice lids
62. Disconnect your phone and pretend to make phone calls to relatives
63. Leave your phone connected and really make phone calls to relatives- let your child talk too
64. String large beads onto or along a shoelace
65. Squirt each other with squirt bottles
66. Glue shapes onto paper
67. Make sock puppets
68. Make paper puppets
69. Fill an old purse with toys
70. Use a paper towel tube as a megaphone
71. Make binoculars and go "Bird Watching" or "Stuffed Animal Watching"
72. Put snacks in different fun containers (paper sacks, empty canisters, etc.)
73. Act out a story from a book
74. Walk on a balance beam- use a 2x4 placed on the ground
75. Draw with chalk on the sidewalk
76. Sketch an outline of your child on the sidewalk or paper with chalk
77. Paint child's palms with tempura paint and blot on paper. Makes a great card for loved ones!
78. Put lipstick on child and kiss a mirror
79. Make a puddle on cement and splash barefoot in it
80. Let child decorate and eat an open peanut butter sandwich
81. Make a toilet paper barricade for child to go under, over, or through
82. Do the Hokey Pokey
83. Make a super-hero costume out of household items
84. Do Knee-Bouncing Rhymes
85. Play "Red Light, Green Light" saying "Go" and "Stop"
86. Make a shoe-box train for stuffed animals
87. Make a pillow pile to jump on (keep it clear from any hard surfaces, including walls!)
88. Make an easy puzzle with felt and Velcro
89. Make bracelets or collars for stuffed animals out of pipe cleaners and jingle bells
90. Learn numbers from a deck of cards
91. Play the matching game with a deck of cards
92. Make a domino chain
93. Have a picnic in the park, backyard, or living room!
94. Play dress up in Mommy or Daddy's clothes
95. Make a tin cup telephone and talk to each other in it
96. Make a nature collage
97. Mirror each other
98. Make a "Mummy Mommy" with toilet paper
99. Make a tape recording of short music selections and instructions to move in different ways
100. Make and walk along a toilet paper trail
101. TAKE A NAP!

Thankful Heart

I've been thinking a lot about Elder Uchtdorf's R.S. talk "Forget Me Not" and how he encouraged us to "be happy now" and not to close your eyes to the simple joys around us.  Not sure if I've just become more aware, or if I've just had a great weekend, but I definitely have a grateful heart.  Chase can attest that I'm definitely the pessimist in our marriage.  I hate it, but I'm really trying to look on the bright side more often.

After the wedding we were simply exhausted and wanted some down time.  We spent the weekend "in," enjoying being together as a little family.  We watched movies, got ice cream, played games, and simply laughed at Tate.  Oh, and we got our family pictures taken.

Today, I dedicated my day to simply playing with Tatum.  No housework.  No distractions.  Just us.  We walked the Lagoon Trail in our rain boots and splashed in puddles.  We searched for rocks in the yard and dug in the dirt.  Tonight, after we enjoyed a good meal together, we went swimming at the rec center and played lots of tag ("I'm gonna get you").  I sat in the kiddie area and observed Tate with Chase and my eyes welled up with tears.  My heart was so full.  I was so content.  My cheeks hurt from smiling so much in the pool.  I wanted to pause the moment.  I just starred at Tate and wanted him to stop growing.  He such a happy, curious, and absolutely adorable little boy. To top it off, he loves his mama so much.  He gives me kisses.  He holds my hand.  He snuggles on my shoulder.  Ewe, I just can't express how much I love this little guy.  I love being a little family.  Chase is such an incredible dad and spouse.

Of course there are the days where I seriously want a mommy time-out and escape the madness, but I hope I can better document and reflect on all the small and simple joys of the day.

DIY paper pinwheels

I made a bunch of paper pinwheels for a family baby shower (no photos... bummer).   They were high impact for little effort.  Could be a fun craft to do with your kids (perhaps for the 4th of July weekend) or for easy decor at any party.

Materials:
Scrapbook paper (preferably card stock)
Scissors
Pushpin or tack
Stick or pencil with eraser
Glue

Cut your paper into a square (example: 12", 8", 6").  Fold in half, diagonally, and in half again, then unfold. Cut along each crease two-thirds of way to square's center, dividing each corner into two points. Bring every other point to center so points overlap. Hold in place, poke a pushpin through center.  Push pin in pencil eraser or glue to a stick.

Other pinwheel how to's {here}, {here} and {here}.

DIY photo booth with props

I came across this idea from Oh Happy Day! and the party ideas started flowing. Whether you have a birthday, shower, wedding, or other special event to plan, this idea would be an inexpensive and creative way to capture your guests.

Download and print the props {here}

Wheat Grass

For Easter this year, I decided to grow some wheat grass. Chase of course asked, "Why?" So I said proudly, "Just for decoration." He rolled his eyes. Men just don't understand. It was however, a cinch to do (see detailed instructions here). I simple took my trifle glass dish, filled it pebbles (for drainage), potting soil, then a thick layer of wheat grass seeds, topped with a little more soil. I lightly watered it daily and kept it near a window.   Within one week, it had gone from seeds to tall grass! I've even given my grass a few haircuts since.  Definitely a low-cost, high-impact idea!

This is my grass at day eight.  I liked the glass trifle dish so you could see the sprouts and roots grow too:

Watch this segment for other wheat grass ideas:

Aside from all the fun decorative ideas, wheat grass is very healthy and good for you too. We blended up a bunch and took wheat grass shots!  Yum!

Infertility...

...a word that seems to encompass a million emotions: sadness, pain, stress, disappointment,  frustration.

My sister is my hero.  It was her example and desire to have a baby, and struggle to conceive, that nudged me into considering the idea (thinking about having a baby at that point in my life was not in the game plan).  It broke my heart to see her want something more than anything in the world, and it wasn't happening.  It made me wonder if I would have difficulty getting pregnant as well.

Well, fortunately for us we were able to get pregnant fairly easy... but I have NEVER taken that for granted.  I think a lot of people DO take that for granted because it happens so easily. 

Why does infertility seem so common today?  Or are people just talking more openly about it now?  Either way, I applaud my sister for sharing her story {here} in hopes to inspire and comfort others who might be struggling to conceive.  It's not easy sharing your most intimate experiences to the world wide web, but I know it will help others.

So for the many women out there struggling with infertility, my heart goes out to you.  I have seen first-hand how painful that trial can be.  I hope Allie's story will give you hope and encouragement... because against all odds, today she is a mother.

cabin fever

diy rainbow crayons, found via armelle, via say yes to hoboken

if any of you moms are like me right now, you're DYING for spring to arrive.
tate literally cries some days when we walk into the living room.
we're both so sick of that room. we're sick of all the rooms in our house. period.
let's just say i visit target all too often, just to have a change of scenery.

so until the days are filled with sunshine, long walks, and picnics...
here are a few indoor ideas i found via {armelle blog}.

what are you doing to keep your little sprouts happy inside?

amazing infant photos

These images are becoming viral online, but I couldn't help but post them here.  Adele Enersen is a Finnish photographer who has found creative ways to photograph her daughter while she naps!  Simply amazing.

See more {here} at Photo Donuts

DIY: dining chairs

I purchased these chairs for $10 each over a year ago, and they've sat in my basement until now...

A few blasts of black paint-
Fabric and a staple gun-
and a little elbow grease later...

before, middle, and after

 

Not bad for less than $15 each!

Now I have a complete set of dining chairs.

Thanks Matt and Pops for your help.

lesson to learn

"We women have a lot to learn about simplifying our lives. We have to decide what is important and then move along at a pace that is comfortable for us. We have to develop the maturity to stop trying to prove something. We have to learn to be content with what we are."
— Marjorie Pay Hinckley

I really need to find "a pace that is comfortable" for me right now.
My life is a bit frazzled... off balance.

Simplifying is my new direction...

can i get married again?

 when i see weddings (and dresses) like this, it makes me want to get married all over again

{to the same guy, of course}

found via Jordan Ferney-Oh Happy Day

inspiration

two things that inspire me today...

this amazing video of stephanie nielsen's family by bluelily...



and i love anthropologie's outfits in {this} video.

LIVE like you were dying

A sober blog post title, but also a stark reminder that I need to stop taking my days for granted, quit complaining, and truly start living each day as if it were my last. This woman is an inspiration... and I couldn't help but cry when I read this at work today.

Here's to every day!

From the moment doctors told Leah she had breast cancer in 2008 – stage four, "treatable but not curable" – she worried most about leaving her children, Teagan, then 4; Wyatt, almost 2; and Oliver, 3 weeks old. Weeks after Leah's diagnosis, her head bald, her body frail, she sat on her couch, cradling baby Oliver in her arms.

"It breaks my heart that they may not get to know me," she said.

She looked down at Oliver and sobbed.

"That's half the reason I keep fighting, damn it. I'm going to stay alive long enough for them to have some kind of memory of me."

Read more {here}