New Years on the Beach

The year started with fireworks and a movie on the beach. The perfect ending to a brand new beginning. 

It's my time once a year to take time to invest in myself  and also be forgiving of myself.

It's been a really long time since I have made any sort of resolutions. This year I feel like I need to do it. And if I make it public I might be able to track them better or remember them throughout the year. Plus I realize that if I want a well rounded family I need to be a well rounded mom, who is still growing and pushing myself.

Read one religious book a year

 Take singing lessons

Complete one journal a year

Look for moments each day - highlights

Spend one on one time with each child

Cook meals from scratch: really try hard to cut out processed foods in the home

Put down my iPhone after 8 each night

START

Most importantly this year let's all breath a little slower, give ourselves a break, remember that sometimes doing nothing is doing something,  and go ahead and have those french fries every once in a while.

p.s mermaids really do exist on the island of Kauai

The Spirit of the Holidays

The Holidays really are my favorite time of year. The world feels as if it's in love. Mankind is twinkling and giving. The world (no matter what the year brought) seems to redeem itself every time, just in time for a new year. Renewing everyone's hope and energy. To start and begin working on ourselves and life all over again. For some reason this time of year leaves us feeling as if everything from last year; the sorrows, joys, heartache were some how worth it and are worth doing all over again. That's the spirit of Christ. That renewed self.

Thanksgiving

We all learn in harsh ways that life isn't fair. 

We all learn in beautiful ways that life can be full of exploding joy.

I'm rich because of what I've learned so far in life.

I'm rich because I know good from bad

I'm rich because I have legs to walk, dance, ski, and chase my kids with.

I'm rich because I have arms to touch, hold, cook, and hug with.

I'm rich because I have two healthy boys.

I'm rich because I have my husband-who is the best man that I know.

2 weeks

 This is a 2 week family photo shoot we did after Beckett was born. My sister Madi has suddenly become this budding photographer out of no where...which is handy for me! I get to have these keepsakes to help me remember my life back when my family was growing.  Her work can be viewed at http://madelainesphotography.wordpress.com

My life is all boy. I have two little boys, one big boy, and a dog who is a girl, but I have to be honest she is pretty manly.
I've got two new best buds to hang out with everyday and they have my whole heart. I can tell the joy they will bring me throughout life is something I can't even comprehend. My life already feels so rich. It's only the start.
Every morning Beckett is in bed with me when Porter comes crawling in to snuggle. This morning ritual is almost spiritual. I look at my two kids in my bed, laying side by side. Watching their little bodies wiggle and breath and I feel it every time. This intense urge to touch and kiss them, to smother them. This mother's love . . . thing . . .  that makes my chest ache and my arms feel empty now.