Luke's Turning Two

*I wrote this late last night but am just now getting the video loaded.*

In a few minutes, exactly two years ago, I woke up with strong contractions that brought me my Luke seven hours later. He has been such a joy!! Since taking this video tonight I've watched it about five times and realize I don't spend enough time or heart simply revealing in his adorableness. We truly are blessed to have Luke in our family and it just feels right that his will be the first we celebrate each year. I LOVE the way he talks right now but I have a hard time getting it on video. This one's pretty good though and I'm a bit obsessed!


(Do you need a little more Luke after that? I'm just remembering that last year we made a video for him. I suppose this is a bit of a downgrade, but still just so cute!)

Young Women New Beginnings Program 2014

All of you women who have served in the Young Women organization of the LDS Church know that part of our annual New Beginnings program should include a presentation of the values.  Well, this year, in conjunction with our Come Unto Christ theme, our ward YW leaders and I decided to show how several women who lived during Christ's ministry exemplify these values.

I was given the task to write the narrative and it was a wonderful experience in the scriptures for me.  I know we all have so little time, and granted, most New Beginnings programs are probably either planned or done, but I just wanted to share in case someone can use it. Click here to download the PDF.

It's just part of our program and a different Laurel will read each part.  We will display a painting of the woman and the name of the value, along with the value statement for each as she reads.  I think it's going to be great!  Enjoy!

My New Fun: Origami Owl

Back in October I started having this nagging, exciting idea that I just couldn't kick.  I fought it, I researched it, I discussed it, I dreamt about it, and finally I just couldn't resist anymore.  I decided to become an Origami Owl Custom Jewelry Independent Designer!  (Was that a long enough title?)

I have loved their products for over a year now, but didn't really consider designing with them until I looked into the company a bit more.  Everything I found was positive, transparent, straight-forward, beautiful, fun, well-done ... I just liked it more and more!  So even though I have never worked in retail or jewelry, I decided Origami Owl, with their mission to "Be a Force for Good" was just something I wanted to be part of.  I love it.

Now just two months in, I spent more time and enjoy it even more than I thought I would!  Benefits:

• I'm meeting amazing, inspiring people!
• I have talked to more extended family members, both on Tyler's side and my side, in the last two months than during any other two months of my life (reunion excluded :)). 
• I stretch myself and feel a little bit of accomplishment by doing so.
• I get to wear and share beautiful jewelry that is also meaningful!  
• I get to be part of those happy moments when one human creates a gift for another.
• I get to explore my creative side that is very often ignored!
• I am learning new skills/software (like PicMonkey - awesome!) and practicing old ones (like keeping a Balance Sheet).
• I make new friends.
• I feel like a professional again from time to time.
• I'm part of a company that celebrates paying it forward, giving to others, strengthening faith, and sharing the love.
• I'm earning a bit of extra money to help us pay off car debt, save for buying our own home, and occasionally taking my boys out to a fancy Chick-Fil-A lunch.
• BEST OF ALL: I get to do all this in the in-between moments of full-time mothering without missing out on a thing.  

I really do love it!  So I just had to share.  If you want to see our products go to my personal website: www.nicolejo.origamiowl.com You can also shop, learn about hosting a party and even join my growing team of designers!

If you want to see some of my personal designs and follow my deals, like me on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/origamiowlnicolejo