SMASH

I am sure many of you have heard of SMASH journals. 

I think they are called SMASH because you “Smash” as much info and fun as you can into one book.

Many people use them as a scrapbook.

I decided to start one to fill with all my thoughts and everything I learned while I was going through the “trial of my health” this winter. (that’s what I call it; the trail of my health/winter 2014) (hee. hee.)

The truth is we all have times in our life that are harder then others.  It’s these times when if we listen; God teaches us something.

I learned so much from friends who sent me thoughts, scriptures, quotes, talks, and books to read while I was flat on my back.

I read and read, and was so uplifted.  I didn’t want to forget what I had learned and what I had been through.

A smash journal was the perfect place to stick it all.

…and now I have a place to stick all my favorite little thoughts and things life teaches me.

Life is one continual learning process, and if your brain is as forgetful as mine; its good to have somewhere to store what we learn.

I also love going back to read my SMASH.  It helps me recognize all I have been given even when life seems hard.

The best part about the whole thing is a Smash journal is something your whole family can do.

This winter, we went to Park City to take the kids skiing.  I was still so sick.  The doctors were not sure what was wrong with me yet, so I spent my time in the hotel while they played.

I took the Smash journal stuff along; and grabbed a cheap book from the Michaels $ spot for each of the kids.

(Tessa’s front cover complete with Barbie Sticker)

I hoped they would want to start one to.

It was the perfect hotel activity.

Would you like to make one to?

What you need:

Smash journals for everyone.  It can be the real deal like mine(found at Michael’s)

or the cheap version like my kids(also found at Michaels.)

The kids had fun decorating the front of their journal too.

I also picked up a handy carrying case to carry around all the fun trinkets we would use.

What we found makes it fun:

washi tape

colored pens

project life cards(these make it so easy to quickly write up what your thinking, and then all you have to do is washi tape it in your journal)

embellishments

and stickers

I also like to have a little extra bin with ribbon to add some sha-bang.

I am so thankful I got my kids involved.

It’s the little things like this that make me smile.

(Stella)

The words that they put in their journal.

(Jex)

The words that are important to them.

(Tess with Stella’s help)

Stella even helped Tess with her words.

(Tessa)

…and sometimes Tess writes her own words.

(Tessa)

…and sometimes Tess makes a nifty fold-down flap for her words.

(Isaac)

Everyone needs a place to put what fills up their head.

(Isaac)

Take the time to record life, and “SMASH” it somewhere important.