she's the coolest

At 17 months Miss Ryleigh Anne has quite the personality. She really is the coolest little tot. She's sleeping through the night (sans ear infection) and she wakes up just like her mama. Not.well. Bath time is chat time, I swear she has an imaginary friend. She is addicted to blueberries, and M&M's. Every night after dinner it's the same song and dance..literally. Clothes off, music on, and she has been teaching me some very cool new dance moves. Her new favorite band is N'sync. Maybe tonight we'll work on "Bye Bye Bye."

She is a one woman wrecking ball. Flinging books around every room of our house is her new favorite pastime. She is a great workout partner, and is pretty enthusiastic when we are doing the 30 day shred. She only has 8 teeth, and loves orajel, and amoxicillin oddly enough.

She cracks me up, and has become quite the snuggler (which I love.) I can't wait to get her to the beach next week and see what she thinks about the sand and salt water. Here's praying she doesn't eat it:)

fri to the day

 

 

Color me bright and happy. It's FRIDAY. Chicago is calling. I anticipate the next 48 hours to be filled with laughs, drinks, sleeps, and good old fashioned story telling. May it bring you the freedom to rest, to refresh, and renew for the work week to come.

 

Happy weekend-ing everyone.

love sweet love

Jason and I agree that Valentine's day is a Hallmark holiday. Russell Stover chocolates are yucky, and flowers eventually die. We also agree that "celebrating" love one day a year is total crap. Yes, crap. I want him to know how much I love and appreciate him 365 days a year and vice versa.

I love love. I love the warm fuzzy feelings it brings. I love the strength and security it gives...the kisses, the cuddles, the belly laughs, the honest conversations, and the fruit it provides. Our hope as a couple is that through our love for each other (and Miss Ryleigh too) we are showing Gods love to others.

"To love another person, is to see the face of God." - Victor Hugo. I quoted this in a previous post, but it's so worth posting again because it rings so loudly and true.

Jason loves me with an unconditional and forgiving love that I know I deserve, and that I am so thankful for. This love has changed me.

Happy Love Day!

chewing on this

 

 

As one day bleeds into the other there comes a need to say no. To stand still, and not spread ourselves so thin. There's that saying...you can't be everything to everyone, and you can't be in two places at once...but don't you sometimes wish you could be?

Weekends aren't long enough, and most times it doesn't seem that there are enough hours in each day. Planning and anticipation lately have seemed to provide anxiety...then I came across the quote above and I'm really chewing on it. I continually pray for perspective, and here it is. Oh, He is good.

 

I know what my priorities are thank you very much, the question remains...am I being courageous and nonapologetic when I say no to the smaller things that I know waste my time and giving my priorities my all? Or am I getting caught up in the things that don't/won't matter down the road?

 

I'm right in the middle, but the middle isn't where I want to be.

Chewing, and reflecting.

 

What about you?

 

 

 



it really is

Jason's cuddles before the alarm buzzes. Ryleigh's sleepy little smile first thing in the morning. The rush of caffeine after that first cup of coffee. The sun peaking out behind the gray that is February. Counting down the days until we're in Florida and anticipating Ryleigh's reaction to the sand between her chubby toes. Birthday toasts to come this Saturday, and banana cream pie. All of these small, but very wonderful things are what is making my world wonderful. May you find the time to slow down this weekend and find out what makes you smile, and not take it for granted.

30, I welcome you

Well, today is the day. I'm 30, and I'm incredibly happy about it! I welcome 30, and I know that the best years are in front of me.

My 20's were...well, questionable on many occasions, but isn't that what your 20's are for?!? I loved, I lost, I worked, I schooled, I moved, I cried, I traveled, I fought, I fell in love (the all consuming, inconvenient, can't live without each other love that Carrie Bradshaw talks about), I drank, I laughed (that really good, deep belly laugh), I prayed, I got engaged, I got married, I gave birth, and through it all I found myself.

Well, wait, I believe I will always be on the never ending journey of finding myself, but I absolutely know who I am better than I ever have right now. I'm comfortable in my own skin. I am beautiful because my husband makes me feel beautiful, every day, all of the time.... being a mom to our Ryleigh is the best part of me, and God loves me even though I have one million flaws. Life is good.

After reading this little bit of perspective from this blog I follow called the minimalists I have to agree with more than a couple of them and I've written my own take on the subjects below.

2. Love isn't enough - I totally agree with him on this...the action we take to show others that we love them is crucial. A quote from the amazing Les Miserables says it best "To love another person is to see the face of God." ~Victor Hugo

7. Health is more important than most of us treat it -   yes, what he said. From my previous post about running...I know that I need to do this. I need to respect my body more.  Not only for myself, but for my family. I know they want me around for a long time, and time is flying by. I am taking control. I still don't like running, but we're getting along, civil even. I'll let you know when I'm smitten.

11. Relationships matter - I am blessed to have so many amazing people in my life. From family to my dear forever friends, I value all of you. Each relationship I've had in my life (positive or negative...long or short) has shaped me, and I'm so thankful and better for them. Investing in relationships is very important to me no matter where I am in life. I hope I make the people I love feel it. I hope they know my heart, and see my sincere intention.

16. I am not the center of the universe - ah, so it's true. I am not. In my 20's this rang true...so loudly that I made so many bad decisions. Selfish decisions. Rash decisions. When I met Jason, and was shown first hand how perfect and unconditional love felt, it changed me. It was no longer about me. When Ryleigh was born that love intensified times...well everything. My perspective has shifted. It had to shift...needed to shift.

19. We are often scared for no reason - well, I am a worrier of sorts. Not about everything, just things I can't control...which I guess means just about everything. Funny how that works. I am also a planner, and I believe this is the culprit in most situations. I am not in control. He is. All I need is a hug from Jason, and a small reminder that "everything is going to be ok" because it usually is.

27. Openness is just as important as honesty- Openness is more complicated than honesty. Openness involves being honest, while painting an accurate picture, shooting straight, not misleading other people, and being real. Openness is far more subjective, and you have to be honest with yourself before you can be open with others. This doesn’t mean that you must put your entire life on display. Some things are private, and that’s OK too. - Agreed with a capital A!  The subjectivity of it is very real, and I've come to realize I can only say what I need/want to say, and that's all I can do.

30. I'm still trying to figure it all out - I would never claim to have it all figured out, and anyone that does is just lying. Truth, although I am a planner, I love spontaneity. The unknown is scary, but I have experience with scary. I have experience with so many things, I just need to continue changing my perspective.

There you  have it. I welcome 30 and I am excited to see what challenges lie ahead. I've got my big girl pants on...lets go.

when God closes one door....

...he most certainly opens another. I know God has a plan for me, and for my family. I try so very hard to be patient and remind myself that his timing is and will always be perfect. I try not to question. Try being the key word in all of the above sentences.

A happy Monday it was not. Jason and I found out that Ryleigh's daycare is going to be shutting down as of March 1st. I was caught off guard, and it took me most the night to process the information. Shock was first, then confusion, and finally irritation set in. Thing is, once I went through all of these emotions and got out of my own selfish way, I felt awful because in the end it's about the care Ryleigh is given. I can't begin to express my appreciation for the women that care for her each day. They are patient, kind, forgiving, and all around wonderful. I know that when I am unable to be with her during my work day, that she is safe, she is being challenged and loved.

After a bit of scrambling we've found a new daycare home for her. When we return from our trip to visit my parents in Florida she'll start part time at a place very close to our house (and close to work) and we're incredibly at peace with everything that is to come. Now, having said that...she'll be part time....so she'll also be enrolled at daddy daycare. Jason will be watching her 3 days a week. Boy are we so glad that he works from home now!! This is a true blessing during this transition. Once April comes roaring in Ry will go back full time, and I'm sure she'll be ready. The socialization and stimulation are so welcome. She loves other kids! She's little miss social and is constantly on the go. She's a sponge and it's so amazing how fast she is learning so many new things. She's growing up too fast that's for sure.

So, with a heavy heart we'll leave the family we've been a part of for the past 13 months and start the next adventure with a positive attitude.

We are so grateful, and blessed to have had the women from Children's Garden care for our Ryleigh. Thank you for the bottom of our hearts, and well wishes to you all.

weekend nugget

 

Go ahead and take time off from your self-doubt for the weekend. May the break be so freeing that you decide to make it permanent.

This little nugget is something I saw on chatting at the sky and I just love her thought provoking weekending posts. I read this and thought, what a complicated thing to put into such a small sentence. I wanted her to say more, but why? I don't want to think about the self-doubt that I have....I want to take her advice and free myself from it. So that's what I intend to do this weekend, and every weekend after. After all, I'm only the pencil to the writer of this story. Relinquishing control is that other part I need to work on:)

Happy Weekending Everyone. I hope that even through the gray of the day, you can imagine the sun on your face and smile because instead of feeling the actual warmth on your skin, you can feel it in your heart.