How to be creative in ten steps:

1)Go for it, find a reason to start.
It’s easy to put things off. We might be scared that we will fail, or we are too busy, or that maybe it’s not really that important. Find reasons to start instead. It might turn out awesome.

2)Do one thing, keep it simple.
One creative project at a time is plenty. By focusing on one thing, it makes sure that we aren’t left with a trail of undone projects, and also allows us to give our best effort.

3)Get inspired, don’t get ideas.
I don’t think copying a Pinterest pin is really being creative. When we are looking for creative things to do, look online to get inspired. Then create your own ideas.

4)Embrace where you are.
We all have to start at the beginning. Some of us won’t progress that quickly, and that’s just fine. Embrace where you are with all the imperfections, and know that everyone is learning.

5)Do what you love, not what others might like.
We can’t accurately predict what other’s like. But we do know what we like, and so our projects should be geared to pleased ourselves. At the end of the day, if we love it and we are proud of it, it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. (If you have clients, this is obviously going to change.)

6)Gain knowledge.
The more we learn about the technical skills of a project, the better off the project will turn out.

7)Learn from and work with people.
Our best efforts are enhanced by the input of other people. Anything we create will be better if other people help.

8)Be persistent, and persevere.
Most creative endeavors take longer than we first anticipate. It’s worth it to keep going until we finish a project.

9)Cut your losses, and be okay with failure.
Sometimes what we create doesn’t turn out as we accepted. Failure is okay. We learn a lot during the process, and sometimes the end result doesn’t matter.

10)Build on past success, find what you are good at.
When we find something we are good at, we should keep going with it and strive to continually learn and get better.

I would be hard pressed to ever move. I took this photo from my front porch. I live in a beautiful town, in a house I love. I’m within walking distance of anywhere I need to go, and an hour’s drive from anywhere I want to go. The only thing missing is I wouldn’t mind more family close, especially my twin sister.

Joe and I went to a marriage retreat up at Cinnamon Creek Campground. We left early to attend Curtis’s soccer game (where he scored his first goal!), and then we decided to take the kids up there. They had kokanee salmon running in the creek. (I didn’t know we had salmon in Utah.) The first time I saw them, we were driving along and I looked down in the water and thought I saw koi fish. I knew that wasn’t right…but I was excited to realize I had seen bright pink fish and not just fall leaves.

We went on a short hike up to the top of a hill. Peter complained and was actually carried for some of it, but all of us made and enjoyed the view.

Big thanks to my sister Rissy for watching our kids for a couple of days and coming with us on the hike!

This big boy started preschool! He was nervous, but did just great. His preschool is small, with just a handful of other kids in the basement of his teacher’s house. I think it will be just perfect for him. His favorite thing on the first day was playing in the sandbox.

It’s been a year since family pictures, so I got out the tripod and set to work trying to get everyone looking nice at the same time. (My husband was just as bad as the boys at being smiley and agreeable. Due to the lack of enthusiasm from everyone we do not attempt family pictures that often.) I ended up with two I liked, and I only need one, so it was a success!

Peach Days is big in Brigham City. There is a parade, massive car show, carnival, vendors and lots and lots of people. 

Truthfully, I don’t love it. It’s a bunch of people I don’t know, people trying to get me to spend money on things I don’t want, and a sunburn without the experience of enjoying outside. I did my best to enjoy it, and I had fun. Curtis and I were even in one of the parades. 

Positive thinking is something we all know we should do. It’s very simple, but easy to forget. I have a tendency to be very critical, and I’m working to overcome this. I want to fill my mind with positive thoughts: about myself, family and people around me.

One day, I found myself gossiping. It didn’t feel like that at the time, but I was casually criticizing others and allowing those around me to do the same. When I left, I felt awful about myself…Doubts crept into my mind about what I was doing in life and what people thought of me. I wondered why I suddenly felt so awful and remembered all that gossip. It was the direct cause of my insecurity.

After quick repentance, I felt much better. I want to focus on what I think about others, not what others think about me or what others think about other people. And when I think about others, I want to think only positive thoughts and allow all the bitterness to fade away.