Friday Favorites

" W E ' R E  M A T C H I N G ! ! ! "

Web Favorites //

One of my favorite songs right now

Inside America's Most Expensive Hotel Suite

The 50 Best Colleges in America

Have a warm and cozy weekend. =)

Just Once More

Gah - I do not recommend picking up the stomach flu as I have. The only upside to me going down in a behemoth of flames was having the best support from our moms and also I probably lost a few pounds. heh.

In other big news, Josh and I are sticking to our m.o. and moving again! I know, doesn't it sound awful? You'd think we really enjoyed torching my inlaws and siblings with news of yet another move but hopefully this one will last a bit longer. It would be weird if it didn't since WE ARE BUYING A HOUSE.

what what. *ziggy on the backside

I would love to show you a picture but the house hasn't actually been built yet. Here's where it will end of being. Right around where the construction guy is on the left.

Details coming soon!

343 Days To Go

Apologies for the radio silence. 22 days in and 2015 is already proving to be quite the year. I think of family and friends I know and it seems they would say the same - marriages, babies, moves. Changes are a com'in folks.

Also on my mind, these two. Grateful for the way they love on my girl. 

Church'in it up together

Girl couldn't be happier, sitting with grandma looking at pictures of herself. :p

I've taken to doing devotions and praying during Emerson's first nap. It doesn't matter if I've brushed my teeth or eaten breakfast, I make myself sit down and have a moment with God. Some mornings are easier than others. But this morning I woke up unsettled and with an unease about me, unsure what is fueling my anxious heart. And as I sat with my God I poured out my angst.

Lord, help me! Soften my disquiet heart. Create in me a trusting spirit. 'Why are you cast down, O my soul. and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.' Psalm 42:5-6

My house has tiny piles everywhere which is driving me up the wall and yet here I am with you. Hmm. Exceling at time management today. :p

Baby's room got some v-day swag along with the blog!

Josh turned 29 over the weekend. 29!

When I was 29 we were married. We also moved up north and my back went out. The highs and lows of my life pretty much. An epic year. I still can't believe he's still in his twenties. I always feel like he's older than me. Wiser, that's for sure. Less immature, yup that too. More responsible, definitely. 

He's the guy who is excited to go to the Skirball Cultural Center on his birthday so Emerson can oooo over the Noah's Ark exhibit.

He's the dad who likes to wear the baby carrier.

He's the family man who rushes home so he can make storytime and bedtime.

He's the guy who checks the tire pressure, in the rain, on his birthday, so his girls are safe.

Yes, I count my blessings every day. Here's hoping he has an epic 29th year too.

My munchkin has had quite a week. She may have said her first word. It's hard to tell. She looked at Josh and said, "dada". And then I said, "Where's dada?" and she whipped her head around to Josh. That kept up for a while, her saying dada and looking at Josh. But then today, I said, "dada?" and she lunged for her stuffed animal. We'll see.

She's figured out that the sippy cup is not only a toy to gnaw on but can actually give her water.

And it also appears she's consolidating her naps. I know right? I'm crying. So we've had quite a week figuring that out. Here she is after I picked her up from what used to be an hour long nap. She looks pretty darn pleased with herself wouldn't you say? :p

Me, not so much. 

Happy Hump Day friends. Be kind to one another.

My 2014 Intangibles

In all the hubbub of Christmas and New Years, I didn't get the chance to give my summation of the last year. They have been revolving in my head for the last few days and I must get them out so there's more room up in the noggin to remember the important things, like my coffee sitting in the microwave.

You never know what a year brings. There's the standard stuff that you expect, like a vacation or a new term, a resolution, or a promotion. But always, at the end of the year, I am left with surprise for what the year held. Last year's surprises.

A bum thumb. A few days before we left for Portland I slammed my right thumb in the car door. Lame. One second mistake that has irritated me every day since. It wasn't so much the fracture but the **** nail that bothered the **** out of me. Thankfully that finally fell off at the beginning of December. Imagine your nail loose but still attached bothering you with every brush of the counter, reach in the purse, or grab by Emerson. I shudder thinking of it. A minor yet chronic irritant. It was a good test of holding my tongue though. I tried my best not to complain about it and I somewhat succeeded. I think. For full disclosure ask Josh.

In 2014 we moved twice. We are comfortable, safe, and content now. I can't tell you what that has done for my insides. I guess I didn't realize I was living with my toes curled in until I wasn't anymore. A relief of epic proportions. 

Me being me again.

The flow of appreciation and love shown to my parents. My dad has been the pastor at his church for 37 years. Him and my mom's life has been about their ministry to those who have passed through those doors and there have been good years and hard years, as it is. But in 2014 there was an upswell of love showered on them. I cannot tell you how much this has moved me. This came up through Instagram and I sent it to my mom. Yes!

Our daughter. Everyone always jokes about the lack of sleep and the change that happens when you have a child but nothing can prepare you for it. Nothing. The cliche "you go through it and come out a different person" is my truth. Life is not about me anymore and that has made life much more rewarding. I cannot describe it other than that. If you don't believe me, I encourage you to go birth a baby. :p

The 4th Annual Christmas Card Awards

The time has come! The ridiculous and not significant Christmas Card Awards post is here! I know you have been holding your breath all year for this. :p

Best Use of Color & Expression - my cousin nailed the whole package. My favorite.

Most Elaborate - family insignia, hand letterpressed, personally designed? Wowza.

And a new category established this year, Emma's Choice. Every time she would look at the card wall she would go crazy over Ginger. Lots of raised eyebrows, funny noises, and smiles if I would bark. (please.. it's what you do for your kids). I may have to keep this card up all year!

I have an idea for next years card already. 12 months to see it through.

And if you need a refresher // Christmas Cards Awards of past

2013

2012

2011

Friday Favorites

Happy New Year from the girls.

And a throwback to Cakes and I dancing and singing Christmas Sunday.

/ /  Web Finds / /

A French Soldier's View of US Soldiers in Afghanistan

Pretty Girl Names

Skiplagged - brilliant.

Kind People Are Everywhere

And these are some of my favorites from last year.

A letter to my pre-mom self

Pintos with Lux

M O R N I N G

the birthing of Joan Bea

the sling diaries: wisdom

the seeking heart