We've had a whole day already...

This morning I crawled out of bed at 5:45 am and woke my sleeping angels....nearly three hours before they would naturally rise. {May I never type that sentence again. }Because apparently you can only experience the miracle of life at ungodly hours...or at least the miracle of marine biology.

The mama I planned on being was all into experiencing nature and never missing an educational opportunity. We indulged her this morning and trekked it to the beach at sunrise to watch baby Kemp Ridley sea turtles be released back into the wild.

 

 

We might even do it again....

Four

when did you turn four and become a little girl? 

today. 

 

you bring joy. 

and life.

and celebration.

everyday.

Happy Birthday Kaya Faith!

This I Know...

You are wonderful.

You are brilliant.

You are hilarious.

You are amazing.

But mostly... you are mine.

There is nothing more beautiful, 

nothing more significant, 

nothing more accomplished 

than being mama to you. 

And you gave me more, 

made me more,

on the day that you were born

 than I will do for you

in your entire lifetime.

And I am so thankful

for the chance to love you.

And be loved by you.

List

1. I love these people. 

They stick like glue to each other.  Right now they are playing mom and children. And hide and seek. And singing along to Taylor Swift. And making my heart melt. I love that they are so tight.

2. And we are are doing nothing today.
Spring Break. Cloudy day. Playing. Going to drag every blanket into the living room and watch movies all afternoon. In our pajamas. With popcorn. And lemonade. And maybe brownies.

3. But not tomorrow...or the next day.
We have big plans. We have movies to see, museums to explore, pottery to paint and we must find some water to play in...if the sun will cooperate. :)

4. Plus it's daddy's birthday week!

Wonder what mama has planned?!?

5. I'm making decronstructed enchiladas for dinner. 

They are my favorite. And so pretty. Not to mention yummy. 

6. We had the best weekend.

Fun birthday party. Date night that rocked. Seeing Aladdin on stage as a family. 


7. Little things making me so very happy. More content than in awhile.
Have I mentioned I love my new sunglasses? And lots of new music. Read some great books lately. Using my camera. Creating some distance between me and hard things. Dreaming. Embracing things I can't change. 

8. I know it must be spring (despite the clouds) because I feel the urge to picnic. Repeatedly. 

Some people clean. I picnic. Add to #3 springbreaktodolist. And I feel a picnic post...or two... coming soon.

A Perfect Getaway

Several weeks ago mama was in need of a little break. After a lot of planning, adjusting, logistical miracles, and replanning, I ended up at this beautiful house on the Guadalupe River. And it was perfect.

I spent three days doing exactly what I was craving. There was a perfect balance of time alone, catching up with old friends and spending time with people I can't everyday. I made a new friend and connected with old ones.

I cooked food I love.

I took two cooking classes and learned way more than I thought I would.

I got lost. And lost again. And found my way.

I was still.

I did new things. I did my favorite things.

I dreamed and let go of some dreams.

I stayed up late.

I napped.

I soaked in the tub till I was prunny.

I read.

I used my camera to capture some absolutely stunning moments. Moments that felt painted just for me....

Incredibly indulgent few days.

I love things that are contradictions. And I cant help but consider it an adventure and a retreat all at once. Completely exciting and completely relaxing all at once. That's not an everyday thing.

But that was the point....

hovering steam

Jayden and her red carpet

Jayden.

This child is a girl after my own heart. I am just going to confess up front that I may have spent some time coveting her dress.... And wishing I had somewhere to wear it.

Jaydie understands that the are few times in a girl's life when she can dress solely in sequins and when the opportunity comes..... you embrace it wholeheartedly. And then you buy shoes to throw the ensemble over the top!

She doesn't mind her picture being taken one bit.



And the benefit of trick or treating with a giant sequin is that we were in no danger of being run over. I might have asked Jayden to play crossing guard a few times. It was funny. And we tried to laugh with her....but the sophisticated girl she is didn't find a thing funny about it. She was too busy rockin' that dress and her imaginary red carpet.

As much as Jaydie and I go head to head.....a lot...we had the best time doing her hair, a little makeup, and lots of time in front of the mirror together. She is growing up so fast and I know the days of us playing dress up together are quickly passing. Tomorrow her prom date will be ringing the door bell.



Love this girl and how she carries herself with a level of grace and sophistication that make a sequined dress completely unnecessary.....but a ton of fun nonetheless!

Indian Summer

I have a major case of wanderlust. I am restless. But for now we are firmly rooted here and instead of dreaming about all the things I wish were part of living in this city...I am going to be grateful for what I know I'd miss.

• Grandparents. It does takes a village and I am reminded daily that my kids are so very blessed to have everyday grandparents as part of their village. And I am blessed. We rarely pay a babysitter. We enjoy plenty of kid-free nights and I can get my hair done, have lunch with a girlfriend, and volunteer without worry of what I will do with my kids.
• Tribe. Friends that are the family we have chosen. Friends that we live life alongside and with. Not without effort...but totally worth it.
• Beach. And the opportunity to pick up the kids from school, stop by sonic happy hour and be on the beach in ten minutes....like yesterday.  Wind blowing, waves crashing, kids running free. Enjoying November in a tank top with sand between your toes.....

Hiatus

It's no secret I have been absent from this place for too long. And I could give you a million reasons...but it all comes down to adjusting. Adjustment.

Adjusting to homeschooling, being a sahm, changes in relationships, and for the last nine days...being a single parent. J is in Georgia making magic happen for the RLF campus there.

And also adjusting what my vision for this blog is. I recently took some criticism for my blog...for my desire to share my heart. The messy, raw, uncensored version. And it has taken this long for me to feel at home again here. And I know what I want now. I want real, authentic, whole. I want you to see that even though I hold things together well, I am frayed at the edges. I want you to know that even though I am forgiven, I am still in need of His grace everyday...regardless of whatever position I hold or pedestal someone might put me on.

Does that mean I share everything? Absolutely not. It's not all mine to share.

So it's a journey of laughter, tears, crazy adventure, and four sets of toes in the sand. It's how I navigate this topsy-turvey-always-changing-thing we call our life.

Love that you are along for the ride. Love that many of you have made plans to hangout and do some art therapy tomorrow night!

Back in the groove....much more to come!

Pink

And a great giveaway is in the works.... You can check here for a clue! ...And there might be extra points if you want to guess!