4 Men 1 Lady

a lifestyle blog about the persuit of bringing beauty to a house full of men.

A Surprise Happy Birthday Blogjacking!

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I (one of the 4 men to the 1 lady), have commandeered Michelle’s blog for today and I hope her readers won’t mind. Today is her birthday! I had to use the mad hacking skills of my little sister to gain access to Michelle’s blog and I love the fact that I can say anything I want about her, and so I will.

I thought it might be fun to reveal to you Michelle’s first decorating attempt in our little studio, which was a converted carport, on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii where we lived for two years while I completed my undergraduate work. Little did I or anyone realize that she would turn into a decorating and DIY Diva! It has been a fun journey and her skills and eye for decorating have definitely evolved over the years, though sometimes I wonder if it is more of a disorder! She has told me more than once that she will walk into a room and the room will talk to her and tell her how it wants to be decorated.

Dolphin House_Laie Michelle and Jake Posing

We lived in the Dolphin House right on Kam Hwy and our backyard was the Pacific Ocean!

Our Backyard_Laie
In our little studio, although we fought with cockroaches daily, it was our little piece of paradise. Michelle was working full-time at BYU-Hawaii and in her off hours she began to decorate our little palace. The first thing she wanted to do was to put an umbrella with a light behind it in the corner of our living space. I know I raised an eye brow then, as I still raise an eyebrow with most of her ideas, but I have definitely come to trust her vision and I will help her make, paint, build and design anything now because 99% of the time it is stunning.

Paddle and Umbrella_Laie
She added an Asian Lantern over our little taco bed, installed a curtain over our pantry above the fridge, and made a TV stand cover to spruce up the place.

1
We have often talked about whether or not decorating is a gift from God and I fully believe it is. Anything that inspires, builds up, motivates one to feel and be better comes from God. As an innocent bystander to Michelle’s design, I can honestly say that to walk down a striped hallway or a stenciled ceiling or by a hand-made ottoman truly inspires me, it just feels good. It feels good to live in a space that has been planned out and then executed by one’s own hands. It communicates a healing energy to ones soul and becomes akin to a temple or spiritual place of being.

But in the end I will say this, when we first moved to Tucson, AZ I lived there for two months by myself while Michelle closed down shop for us in Salt Lake. I still remember when Michelle finally showed up and walked into our apartment, the whole atmosphere changed with her mere presence. Decorating and design aside, it is her sweet essence that makes our house a home. Whether we lived in a cave or a New York Penthouse, it is her simple presence and energy that would make either heaven or her absence a hell.

Here is a little video I put together about the 1 lady to these 4 men. Happy Birthday Michelle!

Comments

  6. BEST. PRESENT. EVER.!!! Thank you for sharing your many gifts with us and Happy Birthday!

  7. I have always read but never commented, thought it was sweet of your husband to write that. Happy Birthday. Enjoy you weekend!

  8. Happy Birthday Michelle! You got a good one! I love, love what your husband said about decorating! Thank you for sharing your amazing talents with all of us! You are a rockstar!

    Eat a piece of cake for me!

  9. Happy Birthday to you! What a thoughtful way your husband remembered your birthday. Just had to say what a great guy he must be!

  11. Wishing you a wonderful birthday! What a lovely and well deserved tribute to you!

  13. Happy Birthday Michele! You have such a beautiful family! Nice Job hubby with the hijack post! It was awesome. I agree with everything your hubby said about you and I only met you once at your house picking up those school chairs. 🙂 You truly are so talented! Its a gift.
    Happy Birthday!!
    XOXO
    Megan

  15. That was so dear and romantic! I went to byu Hawaii as well and a piece of my heart will always live on that island. Happy birthday! I love reading your blog because you just seem like a genuine mother. And it is so refreshing!

  16. SAAAAAAAAAAAAAWEEET!
    My hubby and I started our life in HAWAII, so WISHING you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY Michelle, is a great way to start my day…. 🙂 Yes, the islands are VERY SPECIAL….we lived in Mililani Town.
    I wish that I would have known you when you lived here in our neighborhood of lovely Oro Valley, but…alas…..I am glad that I eventually FOUND you with your beauty, talent and visual art I so love about you.
    Love to you and your sweet family this DAY! Blessings, Janice

  18. I am sure you had a very wonderful birthday. This is a very touching tribute.. You are so beautiful too and I am happy that your 4 men adore and appreciate you.
    I pray you have a very blessed year ahead !!!!!!!!!!!

  19. Aloha and Happy Belated Birthday!
    I loved this post from your husband and agree that your ability to beautify your home is a gift. A great leader has said, “The most important work we will ever do will be within the walls of our own home.” You do great work in your home. Thanks for sharing your gifts and talents.

    Arohanui,
    from an American now living in NZ and loving your blog!

  20. What a sweet video by your hubby!
    Happy Birthday Michelle. You and your blog bring inspiration…thank you 🙂

  21. I just realized that we share the same birthday! You must have gotten all of our day’s decorating talent, because it sure didn’t fall my way!! The tribute your husband did was very sweet! Hope you had a great (belated) day!

  22. Oh my! How sweet of your husband to do that?? I was tearing towards the end. Seriously, to have a husband who fully believes and supports you in your need to create and beautify is such a blessing. Lovely family! Blessed Birthday!

It is nice to meet you!

Hey there! I’m Michelle; I’m an Passionate DIY’er and in constant pursuit of how to bring beauty to my house full of men (3 boys + 1 hubby). Stick around and see what I’ve got up my hard-working sleaves!

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