"Better to write for yourself and have no public, than to write for the public and have no self."

Monday, May 30, 2016

Pack your bags!


Personally, I like to soak up all the details of being in a different place.  After looking through the photos I came home with from our trip to London, I'm immediately struck by all the things I didn't photograph.
Sometimes that was because photography wasn't allowed and other times because I didn't want to be that tourist.  But the biggest reason I didn't take photos of everything was because, for me, I can't fully experience an event and document it at the same time.

It's worth staying immersed in those moments that you realize are special.
For example, would you rather be swept up in a passionate kiss, or pull out a phone to take a pic of you kissing?

Sometimes the cost of truly embracing the moment is having no evidence that it existed.   

That being said, I still have over 300 photos from our trip.  I've tried to figure out the best way to share the highlights but I'm coming up empty.  So, I'm just going to take you with me.


Today I'm enjoying family time but I'll be back this week to get the trip started!







Friday, May 20, 2016

Overrated Silence


No butterflies are perched on this bloom of the butterfly bush.


And no toddlers are ransacking the house right now.  
I wish Gracie was pulling clean tupperware out of cabinets, ripping out hair bows and ties, and banging on my keyboard.


The baby that woke up happily jumping in her crib yesterday, started feeling under the weather in the  afternoon.  Usually a champion sleeper, she was feverish and wanted to be held and rocked the entire night.
The first couple hours weren't so bad, but it became exhausting after midnight.

I tried cuddling with her in bed, but that didn't really work.  She wanted to be held on my chest in the glider or she cried the most pitiful sick-child cry I've ever heard in my home.

We've been to the pediatrician and it looks to be viral.  I know how extremely lucky we are with our health in this family, especially when it comes to the children.  Minor sicknesses always remind me of that.
After discovering that Gracie can take chewable Motrin instead of the liquid form (which is a violent, useless experience every time I attempt to dispense it to her), she's finally getting some much-needed rest.  

Rest up, wild woman.  Silence is overrated, and now I see butterflies out the window that I know you would love.



Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Rounding the Corner

 
We're going on a big trip soon and I wanted a new lens for my camera that would be versatile and help me get great photos in a variety of environments -- a good walkaround lens.  
I decided upon a Tamron 18-200mm and my first impressions are pretty good.  Even a little bit of rain couldn't keep me from playing with my new toy.  Walk with me, will you?

Our back yard has a lot of natural elements to it that can be hard to distinguish in photos.  There are some neat things happening on the other side of that deck railing, though.


Let's head to far corner of the property.


When I walk directly behind the deck and turn around, this is the view I see.  
That is a swing and play set for the kids in the distance.


There are ferns everywhere and they go a bit crazy!  
This little guy has his own pond and it was almost completely hidden when we moved in. 


Can you guess to where this path leads?


The basketball court.
A little unexpected, but it works well for us. 
Originally it was a fire pit area, but we found that having a basketball goal 
and storage box for balls and nerf guns suits our needs a bit better.


The hydrangea blooms always feel like a surprise since they are hidden back here.


All in all this part of the yard fits in well with how I like to approach my home:
It's functional, natural/comfortable, and a little bit beautiful.

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Practice for Summer

With the end of the school year rapidly approaching, we've started practicing for summer a bit after school.  It's hard work, I tell ya.

We've become reacquainted with dirty feet,


popsicle lips,


porch swingin',


and just enjoying the breeze.


I don't know everything the summer holds for us, but I think Gracie's found a great spot to watch it all unfold.




Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Hello again!

Hey look, I still know how to use Blogger!

I thought I'd dust off the ole blaaaaahg (Yep, I still hate that word.) and return to a more sophisticated form of journaling than Facebook can provide.

When I stopped blogging, it was partly because of time constraints and partly because I'd gotten too concerned about what others thought of me and my life.  Instead of being an outlet that came naturally and always left me feeling a little better than when I started, it had become an activity that made me feel self-conscious.
Well, this is my life and my family.  I have no implied judgements on you or yours.



I'm over the concerns now.  Hopefully anyone who knows me knows that when I share, my emotions are genuine and intentions pure.

Simply put: If I have joy in my life, I like to spread it.

Same goes for: laughter,
                         lessons learned,
                         new experiences had,
                         and love felt.

Sometimes I write about struggles because I know that we all have issues and I never want people to feel alone.

I don't like to feel alone.  I like to BE alone sometimes, but I don't like to feel alone in my heart.
If, by voicing a struggle with which I am dealing, I can make someone else face their own in a more honest way, then it is worth the hit to my own pride.

In the end, I like to blaaaahg in my own uncensored voice and that's what I'm going to go back to doing.  Imagine this space as my living room.  I'll be here in its varying states of cleanliness and you're welcome to stop by any time.
I might even have some chocolate to offer you.

On second thought, you should probably bring the chocolate. ;)