it's a go blue day

I love Mitch McGary. He's my favorite. I love his energy, his hustle, his spirit.  I love little Spike, Trey, Tim, and Robinson when he decides to play some D. I share in my husbands frustration when Stauskas most the time, but all in all they are a great group....a group that has done well and played hard. A group that will hopefully beat Syracuse and get to the championship game. Oh please, oh please, oh please.

I love everything about march madness. I love the upsets, that last shot that makes or breaks, and the overall energy of the tournament. I hate losing to my husband in our brackets. Ugh, defeat.

This year Jason and I were lucky enough to watch the first round in Detroit at the Palace. Stuffy nosed and not feeling the best we still ventured over to the East side and cheered on the boys. (Boys....I sometimes forget how young they are. What an amazing ride this must be for them...I can't even imagine.) Packed with so many fans that had traveled from near and far to support their teams the Palace was loud, and it was awesome. It was a first of firsts for me in two ways. It was my very first Michigan basketball game and tournament game experience.  I'm super thankful that we were able to check this one off the bucket list.

Jason will be heading down to Atlanta on Friday afternoon to watch the game at the Georgia Dome. Lucky guy is he, awesome wife am I. I'm pretty jealous, but his girls will hold down the fort and we'll be cheering loud from the couch.

It's a Go Blue day! Beat Syracuse.

Easter 2013

Easter came and went pretty quickly, but what a great day of celebration it was. Our pastor, Rod, gave an amazing sermon per usual. We saw numerous baptisms and child dedications which always bring me to tears and warm my heart, and had a great family dinner followed by an egg hunt and a Michigan W.

Pretty perfect day.

Happy Easter from the Kingmas

 

 2012 vs. 2013 - Growing so big!!

 

 

bread and wine

She's done it again. Absolutely captured my attention and speaks straight to my heart. Shauna Niequist's new book Bread and Wine (out April 15th) is wonderfully written. I love how she uses real life experience and is so easy to relate to. It's simple, truthful, and raw.

I've only just made a dent into the book, and I'm already offering a rave review. I had no doubt it would be just what I needed to read right now. God has a way of doing that for me...giving me something I need just when I need it.

The chapter that spoke to me the most last night was her chapter titled "Hungry." In a nutshell it's about her struggle with her self image and how it took her a very long time to embrace and admit that she was hungry...wanting to enjoy food and not have it dominate her life and betray her or make her feel ashamed that she wasn't a certain way...looked a certain way. With the joy of her first pregnancy she was able to let go and finally appreciate her body as her view of hunger shifted...which later gave her the opportunity to demonstrate grace and to make peace with imperfection when she looked in the mirror. (Page 36, Bread & Wine)

This chapter spoke to me because as a woman I believe that we always feel the pressure to be a certain way, act a certain way, react a certain way, and look a certain way. Mad when something doesn't fit the way we want, or when we step on the scale and it's not the number we want to see.
I admit I sometimes curse my closet and give the evil eye to that pair of pants that just don't quite fit post pregnancy. I promise myself I'll eat better, run longer, and give up mountain dew and pasta.

Then I read Chapter 3 of Bread & Wine and I feel better knowing that I'm not the only one. It's funny how that works. I keep reading and then there it is, the thing I've been needing to hear..

"I've lost the pounds and gained them, made and abandoned plans and promises, cried tears of frustration, pinched the back of my upper arms with hatred that scares me. And through it all, I've made friends, fallen in love, gotten married and become a mother. I've written and traveled and stayed up late with people I love. I've walked on the beach and in glittering city streets. I've kissed my baby's cheek's and danced with my husband and laughed until I cried with my best friends, and through all that it really didn't matter that I was heavier than I wanted to be."

Thank you Shauna, thank you.

boo to the moo

When in pain, go dairy free. Well, at least that's what I've been told for the past couple of months. Now April is here, and I made a promise to myself to try giving up the moo for a month. (When I say moo, I mean dairy. Just to clear that up.)

It's Day 2, and this is hard. A lot harder than I thought it would be. Who knew so many of the delicious things that I love included dairy. Well, maybe you did, but I didn't. I already miss my morning peach chobani, half and half in my iced coffee, and 2% on my rice crispies. I'm slowing making friends with soy milk. It's...well...interesting. 

Why dairy free? Simply, it's in an effort to aid this irritating bank pain that I've had for the past two years. Once upon a time three short months ago while visiting some dear friends in the state that harbors our sworn enemies, the buckeyes, I came down with a very bad case of strep throat. Bad enough that I was put on multiple medications, including the steroid, Prednisone. Oh what a magical drug Prednisone is. I understand now why I was only given 5 days worth of this miracle pill because I felt amazing. Being that it is an anti-inflammatory drug, my sore throat wasn't as sore, and neither was my back. No pain. None at all.

I didn't realize it until day 2 when I woke up feeling refreshed and I realized it was because I had slept..like really slept. On any other day I'd have woken up around 2am, having tears sting my eyes because of the amount pain I was feeling just by rolling over. It was not fun, and I was exhausted.
This magical anti-inflammatory drug was a saving grace that week. When the meds were gone, the pain slowly came back, and I knew it was time to take action.

I've had massage after massage trying to aid it. Aleve and Motrin can't touch it.After speaking with my massage therapist, she suggested that I simply try an anti-inflammatory diet to see if it helps at all. I laughed at first, but then went home and did some research. So here I am. Dairy free and praying that by some miracle I can find a way to alleviate pain.

If you're reading this, and you have suggestions please oh please, I'd love to hear them.

Stay tuned...

shine

 

 

 

Just a little thought to start of the weekend. I needed to find this today...I think the gray skies and bitter cold are getting to me and when that happens I know I'm not shining like I should, could, would if only the sun was out. But with Spring ahead of us I will be positive and look forward to the warm days of summer. I hate to blame the season for not always being the best version of me, but I believe this really is a huge factor. It effects my mood, sometimes my health, and most times my attitude.

 

I realize that I'm whining, so I'll stop and recognize that in the midst of my pouting I am still incredibly blessed and these blessings should never be taken for granted. I need to be the best version of me because He wills it so.

 

May this weekend bring you hope, and warmth, not only from the hints of sun peeking out from the gray clouds, but from the One that makes all things new.

 



we love Florida

Most say it's not about the destination, it's about the journey, and normally I'd agree...but this years journey to Florida was so ridiculous it became laughable.

We decided to fly out a day early to avoid the Chicago storm of the century, so we packed up and headed out at 630am. Made it to Chicago without delay, and got to our gate an hour early. "We're going to board you early" the nice man from AirTran announces over the loud speaker. Wonderful, what a nice little present they've given us. Well, that early boarding lead to a 45 min sit in your seat while we de-ice the plane, followed by an "I'm sorry you've been delayed, please de-board the plane now." 1 hour later we boarded the place for the second time to find out that someone on the cancelled flight behind our flight was now on our plane, but not on the manifest. We were carrying an unknown passenger. Ummmm how does this happen? So we sit. 30 more minutes go by and now some one's seat has busted and we've been informed it will now take an hour to get the mechanic to the plane. What? Frustrated, we de-board the plane a second time. As we enter the terminal we hear that out flight has now been cancelled due to weather. Saying a little prayer and trying not to lose my mind in front of my 17 month old I tell Jason to go to the ticket counter to try and rebook if possible. He leaves, I go back on the plane to get our carry ons and as I'm exiting the plane and heading to meet Jason I hear the now not nice man from the AirTran counter say "Passengers from AirTran flight 1629 please report back to your gate, your flight has been reinstated."

I drop everything I'm holding, may or may not have yelled an obscenity, and the just laughed to myself. This is ridiculous.

I call Jason to tell him that we're boarding again for the 3rd time starting in 15 minutes. We board. Ryleigh watches Bubble Guppies, and 2 hours and 45 minutes later we land in Fort Myers, FL. I love my parents. They took us to Chick-fil-a and had ice cold alcoholic beverages waiting. Our vacation had finally started.

With our journey down to Florida behind us, we could focus on the fun we were sure to have. We went to the beach, the pool, the outlets, the park, the zoo, and Ryleigh was in love with the warmer weather. I swear she'd live outside if we let her. She was happy as a clam walking around the house, picking up and throwing rocks, and digging in the sand at the beach. She was obsessed with this owl statue the neighbors had in the backyard. It was the first thing she wanted to see in the morning, and the last thing she wanted to see at night. Bizarre, and hilarious.

We had such a wonderful time, but like always the days pass too quickly and soon we were back at the airport praying that getting home would be cinch. Luckily the travel day was in our favor. We made it home with time to get organized for the week and get to bed on time.

We can't wait to go back next year:) We love you Nana & Papa and are so thankful for the QT we had with you!

a besties baby shower

It's funny how you talk about things when you're little and never really know if they'll come true, but in this case it has. A bestie of mine had a baby shower this past weekend, and what a wonderful time it was. I remember in middle school when we'd talk about a day like this, and 20 years later there we were. That's crazy. Two decades. What a true, and loyal friendship we have had and I thank God for her, and for this special blessing that is growing inside of her. With the birth of her daughter, my friend will fulfill what I believe she was truly meant to do. Being a mommy. With all of the love she has shown me, her husband, her family, and her friends, this little bundle of girl will be the luckiest.

I so wish my besties mom could be here with us to meet this beautiful miracle, but she'll know her Grandma through every ounce of love her mom will give her every single day.

We can't wait to meet you Cameron Jill.

rumi says

 

 

 

Pinterest led me to this gem the other day and I'm so thankful to have come across it. Do you know the pull she speaks of? Have you felt it before? Like really and truly felt it? I know I have, but I don't always think I admit it, and/or take full responsibility for it. After all I believe there are many tugs that we can feel, but there is one that I know to be so strong it brings tears to my eyes, and a tight but peaceful feeling in my chest. I know this tug because I know it's Him. It's God. Nudging me.

 

Sometimes I know exactly why I'm feeling this tug in a particular moment, but what I love best is when it happens and I'm blindsided by it. The overwhelming, wow I never knew I cared this much about whatever it is that is happening around me, to me, with me, to someone close to me....

 

It's a lesson, a gift, and sometimes it first seems like a curse. A curse because I don't always get answers when I want answers, but that could be the point. The answer could just be that I need to dig deeper and really invest in my relationship with Him and the stronger I find myself through Him the stronger I can be in my life as a wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend.

 

I will let myself be silently drawn by the strange (and wonderful) pull or what I really love. I know He will not lead me astray.

 

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.

thinking and thinking some more

Finding a quiet space, reading...I mean really reading...and re-reading and thinking, and gaining perspective is one of my favorite things about investing in other blogs. Blogs by men, or women, or moms, or singles, or christians, or dog lovers, of food lovers, or or whatever else there is out there...there's always something I come across that seems to stick in my head. I'm either grateful for it because it's made me think of ways I can improve myself and the way I'm living my life, or irritated that I read it because it's something I can't wrap my mind around.

Recently there have been a couple of posts by blogs I loyally follow that have me in a tizzy. The post either stikes a cord and I can completely relate, or I read something like the insert below and I can't seem to stop thinking about discontentment and where this may have a place in my present right now.

I love reading Annie Blogs. She's funny, down to earth, hilarious, and every post reads very real to me. She recently wrote a post on this book  (Beyond Ordinary) and 1. I want to read the book,  2. the insert below is what I've had stuck in my head over the past couple of days.

“Discontentment always pushes us to compare what we have to what someone else already has. But comparison is never about the person we are comparing ourselves too but rather it’s about the condition of our heart. Discontentment leads to entitlement, which sets the tone that when people fail to meet our expectations we are owed even more.

That's a mouthful isn't it?

Of course I can only speak for myself here, so I have to admit that any or every comparison that I make absolutely has to do with where I'm at and what I'm happy about or not happy about. What I have or what I don't, and it has nothing to do with whatever I've chosen to fixate on. I have been asking myself where my heart is at...and I feel that even when things aren't just as I feel they should be, I need to remember that it's not my plan in the making, it's His, and they are perfect for where I am in life right now. I am so quick to look past what's in front of me that I take for granted everything that I need to be thankful for.

The second part is what scares me. Expectations are a stinker. Even when we go on and on and on about how we don't have them (we do, just admit it) so this is when things can get messy. I know I have expectations, mainly for the way I'm treated by others around me. Whether you're a stranger or someone I've know for more than a decade. Golden rule: Treat others how you want to be treated. It's simple, easy to understand, and completely doable. Now, having said that, I am not perfect and I sometimes mess up and not so tolerable Courtney escapes, so I take full responsibility. That's just a smallish example for you to chew on. I guess in the grand scheme of things I don't ever want to feel that I'm owed anything. I want to put good out into the universe and hopefully it'll all come around and keep going around not just for me, but for everyone around me.So, I think all I can do is just keep this small insight in my back pocket and dust it off whenever that sneaky little expectation rears it's ugly head.

Slowing down. Appreciating the blessings, big and small, or maybe not even placing them into a box of any size. Remaining thankful. Being better than the day before, and using every bit of breathing room I have make sure I can continue doing all of the above.

running and I almost like it

If you are annoyed by my instagram posts about making good life choices, it seems as though I really am!! I figured it was a fun way to keep motivated, and hold myself accountable. Yes, I am running. I know I know....when and how did all of this come about, well I made a promise to myself on Dec 28th that I was HONESTLY and fiercely going to do something about this baby weight. Ryleigh is way past 1 and I'm still hanging on to more than I should be. The free for all of unhealthy eating is done, and I'm trying my hardest to stay on the right track.

Running is something I've never, ever, ever, liked doing. I got bored. I couldn't breathe, and I just wasn't motivated. But now, after making myself get out there and do it, I don't hate it. I still don't like it...but maybe that'll change. We are still getting to know each other...this running and I. So the next couple of dates with the sidewalk may or may not tell me if we're in this for the long haul. I'll get back to you on that.

The goal right now is to run for a good amount of time without stopping to walk. Now, this might be a laughable goal to some of you, but honestly, it's awesome when I can make it back to the house with this awesome sense of accomplishment...high five myself  (I do this, but it looks awkward) and head inside to get a hug from my biggest and littlest fans. I've done it enough times that I'm confident that I can continue to run without stopping for as far as I want, just depends on my pace. So a run or 2 ago I started to use the mapmyrun app just to see how long it was really taking me when I went  however far I felt like going that day and to my amazement I was actually running faster than I thought. Bonus!

Now, January is really a very silly time to decide to do this. 19 degrees was my coldest run, and I couldn't feel my legs after the first mile. Quite honestly, I think it might have helped me continue.
Regardless, I give myself props for getting out there in the winter. It's NOT very fun, and it's definitely not easy, but when I get out of a hot shower I feel pretty darn good about what I've done.

I've got some help from the sis in law and our cousin who have decided to join me in the instagram accountability group...so fun to encourage one another and get that cyber high five from them!

Taking on the treadmill tonight...instagram pic to come..

16 Months and growing...

My little girl is the funniest, most strong willed, tiny human that I know. I'm biased ofcourse.She makes my life so much brighter and this journey just keeps getting better and better.

 

Right now we're in the phase of...running everywhere, forget walking. That takes too long! Opening and closing doors. She's a pro and we haven't caught any fingers just yet. I do have some Hello Kitty band aids and a first aid kit waiting just in case. My favorite word she says is "peeeeeeas" which translated means "please". She always says it with such enthusiasm because she now realizes that this gets her what she wants...well...99% of the time.

For our dancing entertainment we have moved on from Gangnam Style to Domino by Jessie J (Thank goodness, I wasn't sure how much more I could take of that ridiculous song.) Ry loves all carbs. She is her mothers daughter. Bread could be a basic food group. I know I know, that sounds horrible, and I promise Jason and I try everything possible to get those fruits, veggies, and protein into her little body, but often times fail until her after dinner snack. Don't judge me.

I am going to blame daycare for this new little tantrum trick she has perfected... throwing her body to the floor while crying louder and louder the more "no's" she hears. I may or may not have had to go lock myself in the bathroom for a minute to pray and get myself together. The crying and whining is a true test to our patience as parents.

She loves keys, shirtless after dinner strolls with her baby stroller, brushing her teeth, and yelling at us like a little dictator "Nana, Nana" which in Ryleigh world means "Get me a banana now!" Now meaning like 5 minutes ago. Oh I love her.

Jason and I can sing the Little Einstein's intro song in our sleep, and read Goodnight Moon with our eyes closed.

Our little family makes my heart smile more than I ever thought it could. Being a parent and a wife is incredibly humbling. As I write this I'm reminded of the beauty in the unplanned and ability to learn from everything put in front of me.

Looking forward to whatever comes next, with a thankful heart, and an open mind....

 

 

Standing still a minute

November came and went. How did that happen? One minute we were celebrating Halloween with our little Chick-fil-a cow and then its' December 6th. I want, need, have to stand still for a minute. So here I am, checking in once again to the total of 19 people that follow this tiny little blog, and let you know what the Kingma clan has been up to.

Well, Halloween was a success. Ryleigh learned how to "Moo"  just in time to act the part of our cute little cow, and Jason creatively added the artwork around her neck. I love him, and his sense of humor. She does not yet know what candy is, all she wanted to do was go outside, play with rocks, and wave at the kids. All in all it was a successful night.

Hello November...I welcomed it. I love gearing up for Thanksgiving. It's my most favorite holiday. What could be better than mashed potatoes, gravy, turkey, and everything pumpkin?!
While counting down the days until my most beloved holiday there were some fun things that have happened to our little family lately that we had to celebrate. Jason got a new job, and loves having the opportunity to work from home. I love it too because he loves to cook, and I come home to lots of yummy goodies many times a week. Spoiled are Ry and I. Ryleigh turned 14 months and has been cracking us up every step of the way. She has added some new words to her vocab, and I think our favorite was "cookah" for cookie, and without fail she asked for it every morning for a solid 2 weeks. She is her mother's daughter.

Later in the month we got to go to our annual Michigan game! Jason was like a little kid waiting for Christmas morning. Up at 5am making homemade cinnamon rolls, and ready to head to the Big House. We met up with friends, tailgated, and watched one heck of a game. Michigan beat Northwestern in Overtime. GO BLUE!

A week after the game my Dad made a little trip down to the Cleveland Clinic for a surgery to have a pacemaker put in to help with his heart. I am so thankful for the clinic, the doctors, and everyone that took care of him. His recovery has been a smooth one, and he looks and feels great! We all got a nice surprise when Davey came home to surprise Dad when he got a short leave from Fort Hood:) Those are the best surprises. Also, while they were down in Cleveland, Carley turned 19. This is crazy to me and made me feel very old! She now has her license and shiny new SUV to go with it. She started school a couple of weeks ago and is doing well and getting used to being away from home.

Lets see what else....oh I can't forget Carrie Underwood. Jason (the most awesome hubs ever) had purchased these tickets for me for Mother's day and and we had an amazing time! I have a total girl crush on her.

Then it was Thanksgiving. That time of year when you count your blessings, and stuff your belly. We spent the day relaxing, watching Papa and Ryleigh dance to gangam style, watched some football, ate , napped, ate more, and spent time with friends with a glass of wine and a very competitive game of Catch-phrase:) It was the perfect day.

December is already flying by. We've had friends visit from Chicago, watched the Lions lose to the Colts at Ford Field, put the lights on the tree, and had one White Elephant party already. In the upcoming weeks I'm SO excited to spend time with family, and friends, and I hope that we have the chance to stand still at each gathering to appreciate and give thanks to God for every blessing he has given us this year.