Ladies and Gentlemen

Friday, June 03, 2022
Saturday, April 09, 2022
A Recap of My 30s
I am turning the BIG 4-0 reeeally soon! I can't believe it! I have lived a blessed life and I'm grateful for all of it. My life, my family, my friends, a great place to live, for staying curious, for learning new things, for being patient with myself and others... the list could go on and on.
I thought it would be fun for me to recap my 30s. My 30s were awesome! At 30, I won a photography contest and got to fly to Southern California to attend MeRa Koh's Confidence Workshop. It was an amazing experience and I loved meeting such fun women and learned how to sharpen my photography skills. When I was 31, my fourth and final baby was born at the tail end of that summer. Good thing Julia was an easy-going baby because taking care of 4 little kids is no joke! When I was still recovering from my C-section, Katie broke her leg on the trampoline! A couple days later, I learned that I was suffering from a kidney stone! I had to let others help me lots durning the next 8 days as I was not to push anything or lift anything heavier than my baby. I had to have someone help me carry Katie to the potty and help get her ready and on the bus for preschool. While Katie wore a cast, we had to send her off to the bus in an umbrella stroller...haha. Anyway, as you can tell, this was an exhausting year for me. Hmmm....what else do I remember? At 37, I finally earned it... time to myself every.single.day. the kids were in school. It's been glorious! I for sure don't like to waste my me time, my free time, my freedom. I've tried out lots of new things to fill my time while the kids are at school. Some of my favorite things to do are workout, call my family and friends, go out to lunch, take myself to a midday movie at the theater, practice my photography and handlettering, study about entrepreurship, create and deliver surprise small gifts to friends, bake, etc.
I can't remember specific ages of when everything happened, but other things I'll remember about my 30s is that I had a handful of short-lived, part time jobs, subbing at Wee Friends Preschool, being an Preschool Aide for Heidi Tuddenham at Woodruff Elementary. I've really come to love chalk art and handlettering. I've had the opportunity to start up my own business, Lisa Kay Studios and teach over 300 students so far. I'm super proud of myself for being brave last summer and approaching Wil Wood at his Love to Cook store about possibly teaching art classes in their kitchen. At to my surprise, he said YES! I taught the first class of their Girls Night Series in February. I loved every second of teaching that evening. One thing, that I've been doing for years, is going on dates with my kids, just one at a time. It's so fun and we've created so many memories over the years. Quality time is my love language. I bought each of my kids a journal that they share with me. We write notes back and forth to each other. When we're done writing our note, we leave it on the other person's bed to discover. It's been a fun tradition. Tyler enjoys writing to me the most.
Welcoming Myself Back
My youngest brother, Ryan and my dad occassionally tell me that they use to check my blog every single day. I haven't been consistent at all on posting on this blog for the last several years. Instagram has been my go-to for taking pictures on my cell phone. With these phone pictures, I create a short, memorable caption, and post in on Instagram, which also automatically posts in my Chatbooks account. I have been super dilligent at creating Chatbooks for over 10 years now. I have quite the collection going... I think I now have 80-something books. It brings me so much joy to have these Chatbooks that record our family stories over the years. They are so much fun to look back on and reminise.
But I must say that there is something special about the process of typing out your thoughts on a blog. It's actually kinda theraputic to me. I don't treat blogging as a school assignment. I don't stress about perfect grammar. I find it enjoyable. So here's to more blogging in my future.
Wednesday, February 23, 2022
Tyler's Sacrament Meeting Talk given in Dec. 2021
Good Morning Brothers and Sisters,
My name is Tyler and I have been asked to talk about why Christmas is so important. Christmastime is a time where you gather with family and even friends to celebrate Jesus Christ's birth. Christmas is a very busy season covered with Christmas lights, Christmas trees, Santa Claus, decorations, and lots more.
A wise man once said, "The most amazing thing about Christmas is its relevance." It is a holiday where you celebrate at home with people of all ages and lifts amazing moods in life. Christmas is teaching about the Savior and "it is more of a blessing to us to give than to receive gifts." During Christmas morning in the holiday season try focusing your heart on Jesus Christ, Our Savior. Christmas is just around the corner and it is easy to lose sight of the stable, the star and that sacred, silent night."
The account of the first Christmas in the Book of Mormon helps us to learn and more fully understand that Jesus Christ is the "light with shineth in darkness" (D&C 10: 57-61). In every season of our lives: in all of the circumstances we may encounter, and each challenge we may face, Jesus Christ is the light that dispels fear, provides assurance and direction, and endangers enduring peace and joy. "Many of our most memorable and enduring Christmas traditions may include different kinds of lights, Christmas trees in our homes, candles on our tables, or our favorite treats. The lights of every holiday season may remind us of Him who is our source of light," says Elder David A. Bednar. There is no better time than now in this Christmas season to teach or to be taught of Jesus Christ. It's time to give thanks to our Heavenly Father, our neighbors, ourselves, family, and friends.
I know the church is true and that Joseph Smith was a true prophet for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am glad that we have a living prophet and apostles that leads and guides us today. I am grateful for our bishopric and look forward to serving a mission. Merry Christmas everyone! I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Sunday, January 24, 2021
Youth Fireside Talk by Tyler given on 1/24/21
I have been asked to talk about a physical goal of mine. Running has always been enjoyable for me ever since I was really little.
Over the last couple of years, I have found that running races makes my daily training worth it. Sometimes I train so hard that I get injured. My running coach helps me know what to do specifically to get better.
Even though I am not able to train in a group like I'd prefer, I am still training alone. Fortunately, Covid has not prevented me from running races. As a gift for my 12th birthday, my mom surprised me with a large runners medal display board. I really like that it is a visual representation of my progress over the years. Another tool that motivates me is my Garmin watch. My watch tracks my mileage and many other things.
I have had the opportunity to attend several local high school cross country meets this fall. It is fun for me to cheer on my older friends in their races. I can't wait to join them once I am in high school. I am planning on training with a high school team this summer, since I'll finally be old enough.
Having a physical goal makes me grateful for the health and strength that I have been blessed with. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Monday, December 07, 2020
MERRY CHRISTMAS 2020!
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
Friday, December 22, 2017
Happy Holidays 2017
in our household. It’s so fun to decorate the house, make treats for neighbors,
watch Christmas shows, and just enjoy each other’s company.
We are well aware that the Lord has blessed us immensely this year.
We are grateful for this wonderful life.
Loves to Netflix & Chill, has a Sweet Tooth, enjoys being Uncle Sam
Early Afternoon Napper, Kettlebell Queen, Modern Calligrapher in Training
Resourceful Researcher, Engineer in Training, Ordained a Deacon at church
Competitive Soccer Star, 1st Place 1 Mile Wildcat Runner for his grade (every year since kindergarten)
Biggest Fan of TMNT, Batman, & Wonder Woman, Quality Time and Snuggling are her favorite
Colorful Artist, Cosmic Kid Yoga Girl, Aaron Richards is her best buddy