So Here We Are…

 viewSo here we are… still in the beginning of our family adventure. It’s been two and a half months since our big move to the mountains, and we are now a solid month into our homeschooling journey. I thought it was about time for an update.

I’d be lying if I said the ‘simple life’ has been completely dreamy. There have been unexpected hiccups along the way. For one thing, I think I had forgotten the pain that comes with moving… both physical and emotional. My dad recently reminded me that moving is probably a lot like childbirth. You tend to forget the misery involved {I definitely found that to be true}. A move is generally a big adjustment for any family. For us, it seemed even more difficult going from a busy city life… to the quietness and simplicity of the mountains.

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Nearly a Decade…

 

Nearly a decade…. I can’t believe it, Ry. It’s been nearly a decade of hugs, kisses, cuddles and sweet, thoughtful conversations with you. Nearly a decade of reading books, exploring the outdoors, answering your questions, going on walks, praying with you, and tucking you in at night.

Being my firstborn… it’s amazing how much I remember about your sweet personality growing up… your likes, dislikes, and little quirks. I remember each major milestone as if it’s permanently etched into my mind. It’s so special being the first… in so many ways. You see, you will always hold such a sacred space in my heart, because you were the child who first made me a mother. The child who taught me patience, and an unfathomable type of love {the most exceptional form}, that which is unconditional.

When you were a baby, you loved looking at books from the earliest age. In fact, when you were only weeks old, you were completely mesmerized by my colorful psychology books placed on the shelves. When you were slightly older, you would wake up and spend several minutes thumbing through board books. If I came in before you were finished, you would get upset… indicating a desire for a few more minutes with your books. It was the sweetest thing! By the age of three, you were doing 100-piece puzzles in a flash! By the age of 4, you told everyone that when you grew up, you were going to be a Paleontologist. You have always loved learning… for the sake of learning! It is so beautiful to bear witness to….

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{weekend} lovelies

 

 

:: Weekend Lovelies ::

 

Inspiring Family Documentary // Wildflowers Photography Blog

I can’t say enough about this inspirational family! I am completely reeled into their sweet life on the road!  A couple of weeks ago I shared with you their blog and journey as a family of six {view lovelies here}…. Since then, I’ve kept up with their travels through Joy’s blog and candid Instagram feed. Her photographs take my breath away. They truly tell a story. Here is a short video of their beautiful family and plan for the year ahead….

 

 

Modern Bohemian Loft Design // Home Adore

Hello, Gorgeous!! This is my kind of design! A modern, boho feel! I’m infatuated with the light walls, bright pops of color, and eye-catching art pieces! 

 

 

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I’d Marry You All Over Again…

 

::  I’d Marry You All Over Again  ::

This week marks our 16 years together and 11 years of marriage {whoo hoo}! I wish I could tell you that we have some spectacular plans to celebrate… but that’s surely not the case {not with a recent move, four kids, and the beginning of our homeschool journey}! It’s sort of fitting, however. I feel like we’ve passed the initial excitement of being freshly married, the tumultuous first years of getting into a groove, and even the “seven year itch!” We’re settling into a cozy, quieter type of love. The kind where you feel safe with the other person, and supported no matter what crazy ideas you may have. The type of love where you’re secure in the feeling that the other person is in it for the long haul…truly through sickness and in health, good times and in bad… in joy, as well as in sorrow. The kind of love where you are content and happy just having a peaceful date night at home {as long as there’s a happy ending involved… whether it’s ice cream or the steamier kind}! It’s a wonderful type of love…. [Read more…]

Family Time

 

:: FAMILY TIME :: 

I’ve been having a hard time accepting how much time my family spends away from each other… whether it’s Husby at work for days at a time at the fire station, or just the kids weekly schedule with school and other activities. As much as I try to soak up quality time with my family during the week, it never seems like we get enough. Our schedule seems consumed by the runaround schedule of drop-offs, pick-ups, homework, and other obligations…. as I guess it would with four children.

So… just over a week ago, Husby and I decided to forget about the never ending to-do list at home and take our two youngest to the beach while our older boys were at school. It seemed horribly wrong to leave Ryan and Seth out of the fun…. but I reminded myself that they had this alone time with us when they were little, too {right?}! We packed up a picnic lunch and headed to one of our favorite secluded spots in Laguna Beach….  

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{weekend} lovelies

Weekend Lovelies is here… and it’s all about  l o v e {which I guess is what it’s usually about}! Love & support for Boston, love for yourself, a little fashion, parenting advice for raising well-rounded kids, and a few sweet treats you can make in a single-serving {less guilt that way}! 

Hope you all have some fun plans over the weekend! What are you up to? Husby and I are off on a little roadtrip with the littles… in our quest for the simple life! Wish us luck! God willing… big changes ahead {wink, wink}!

Have a lovely weekend! {xo}

 

{Behind the Cover // Boston Magazine}

The cover of the May issue of the Boston Magazine features 120 running shoes, all worn in the recent Boston Marathon. It is shaped in a heart and the headline reads, “We Will Finish the Race.” John Wolfson, the magazine’s editor-in-chief, said that the idea behind the photo was to honor the bombing victims and the entire city for its response to the tragedy. He stated that “Every single shoe contributed a tiny bit to the overall effect, but collectively, you have something powerful.”

We happen to love the spirit of this photo. We are all standing behind Boston…

Visit The One Fund Boston to make a donation to help the victims {and their families} affected by the tragic events that occurred at the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2013. 

 

 

 

{Real Beauty Sketches // Dove}

This has been floating around the web all week… and we really do love it. We all need to focus on loving ourselves… and perhaps seeing ourselves from other people’s perspectives. I, for one, am guilty of this… I thought it was beautifully portrayed and a real eye-opener.  

 

 

 

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