the party

We wanted Bella to have a party she wouldn't soon forget so we decided to have Adam create one of his elaborate scavenger hunts. He does this on a whim all the time for our girls, creating demanding clues (he desperately wants them think), which usually includes the feelings fear, humor, and fun. He was excited for the challenge. It took way more work than I ever thought (he got so into it making a map, clues, getting neighbors involved, etc.), but as we soon found out it was well worth it.





He had the girls trekking around the neighborhood, entering backyards looking for clues (we talked to all of our neighbors ahead of time, but they didn't know that), big dogs to create fear, mazes, deciphering riddles and even french.



He had them calling grandparents, looking for clues online, using a compass, climbing trees, working through mathematical equations, and sabotaging innocent candies with sour. I think that was his favorite part and too bad he didn't get to see their reaction -- not even I got the full reaction, but heard afterward how disgusting it was.




Of course it all ended with a treasure box full of girly treasures they had to unearth.



She said it was her best birthday yet -- somehow i don't doubt it.

It's sure is good to be twelve!

twelve

sweet bella. we love you and know that if you stay the way you are, you'll always find what you're looking for.

happy birthday!

glist

I'm grateful for...



these four.
simple, happy moments.
the warmer weather.
sunlight.
words&thoughts that flow.
the girls excellent PTC (parent teacher conferences).
individual experiences that make us who we are.
a good night rest.
night out with friends.
being on week 11 on a 12 week exercise program (p90x). One more to go!
the beginnings of planning our trip up north.
the work Adam has put into Bella's birthday party.
dancing with my girls.

What are you grateful for?

12of12 | March

[click here to enlarge]

01. I love the quality of light in the mornings.
02. Yes, she is always this excited to head off to school -- and by school I mean being with friends.
03. A month or so ago Megan did a FHE lesson on what makes your heart happy. We each had to draw it on a paper heart and when we had finished and shared with each other she promptly taped them on the wall. I look at our collection of hearts several times a day and each time I can't help, but smile.
04. Monday = laundry
05. While walking out from the grocery store I noticed this very loud distinct sound of fabric flapping in the breeze. I love our flag, especially on a windy day when it's begging to be noticed.
06. Working on Bella's birthday party invites. Took me twice as long since my printer decided today of all days to stop working. bleh!
07. I asked her to try on this new dress. I shouldn't have been surprised when she pulled out her itouch and took a photo. When I asked her what she was doing she said, "I'm trying to decided if I want to wear it with a black t-shirt or cardigan."
08. Every Monday I add more socks to the I-don't-have-a-match-pile.
09. Megan had a dentist appointment right after school. NO cavities!
10. I took a little stroll moments before the girls came home from school. Sadly everything is still pretty brown -- don't know why a few days of good weather would change that. However, this little patch of yellow caught my eye on my way back. Spring is bound to come.
11. The weather has been so good the girls haven't wanted to do anything else, but be out in it. Megan was biking while Tess continued to master her rollerblades.
12. Lara and I met up tonight for dinner, frozen custard, and good conversation. I always love catching up with her in person. She didn't mind the back road route and the deer saying hello either. :)

Would you believe I almost forgot? It wasn't until 8am, minutes before the girls left that I remembered. I wonder how far into the day I would have gone before realizing. Certainly wouldn't have been the first time. Have you ever forgotten?

I hope you all had a fabulous day!

12of12 reminder

Is it just me or is this year moving quickly? I must say I don't mind. I am grateful the closer we get to the middle of the year the better the weather gets. I'm ready to spend more time outdoors.

Anyway this means its time again to ready your camera and prepare to photograph your day. Yep tomorrow is the 12th. It's on a Monday this month, which I'm happy about, but also a friend is coming to town, Lara a fellow 12of12er, and should be fun shooting together -- hopefully it won't be too dark.

Have a good one!

52 photo project | weeks 46 | this is my home

Early on in our marriage I realized not to get too attached to the places I lived, which was completely opposite to my personality. I'm the type of person that wants to put down roots and stay awhile. I grew up in the same home, around the same people until I moved off to college so I guess you could say I was taught for most of my life to stay in one place. Adam's childhood was quite the opposite. He moved every few years, living not only in different houses, but different states.

Our married life has definitely been more about moving than staying, and perhaps it's normal when you're first starting out to begin small and upgrade until you find the home/neighborhood that's right for your family, but it almost seemed like a need, a way of life Adam was use to, so we've kept up the tradition and moved along.

Living in five different zip codes and five different homes since we've been married (15 years) I've tried, like I said, not to get attached. This home we live in now we've been here for seven years, the longest of any home, and I am quite fond of it, but honestly no more than the others. I have been fond of all our homes and have cried as we packed up and driven away for the last time. But it's not the structure I'm sad to leave, it's the memories I made there I don't want to leave behind or forget -- becoming a mother, crossing the threshold as a new bride, becoming a wife, learning to keep my own home, relationship breakthroughs, having pets, learning to remodel, patience, walks around the neighborhood, baking catastrophes, starting traditions, bringing children home from the hospital -- just to name a few.

Five houses later and I understand completely, it's my most favorite people, my family, that make our house a home. It doesn't matter where, if they're filling the spaces with their laughter, music, and words I am home. I'm exactly where I want to be.


This. This is my home. All snuggled up in bed reading a book together.

today I'm...

Driving around in a Sequoia as my car is getting some needed love. It's so much bigger than I'm use to and feel I'm taking up more space than I should.

Feeling exhausted. Been up since 2am for no reason at all.

Listening to alesund by sun kil moon. Their music is intoxicating and provokes such emotion -- photos too.

Enjoying, still, the beautiful flowers I received from friends for my birthday. Making me ready for spring.

Eating left over Chinese food for lunch from Adams birthday celebration.

Making homemade marinara sauce to use with our dinner tonight. Recipe


Sharing a few of my recent instagrams

Working on the outline for Seeing the Everyday. Less than 12 weeks away! Looking so forward to not only teaching it, but connecting with all those who have signed up for my class.

Wondering why I have 14+ socks without it's identical partner. Where do they go??

Freezing. For some reason I cannot warm up.

Helping Megan clean her room.

Writing pros and cons for going back to school next year.

everydayness | february part one

The girls made good use of their time as we made our way to the UC -- megan slept (that would be my choice),


and enjoyed a beautiful moon on the way home.


We helped each other with homework projects (tess book report),


and made sweet chocolatey treats with friends.


We had several beautiful sunny spring like days,


and plenty of snow days too.


Megan requested a photos with her "lamby" -- glasses were her idea,


and insisted, to my delight, on making her own valentines (tess too).


We continued with our regular routines,


and had plenty of days where we strayed (afternoon lunch with Adam).

52 photo project | weeks 42-45

week 45 | A sweet escape
Everything about this day felt magical to me, like it was just the two of us exploring a new place for the first time. It was exactly what I needed, the perfect escape from the minutia of my day, and when we parted reality was that much sweeter.


week 44 | what inspires you right now?
Winters can be particularly hard for me. It's cold, often ugly and I have a hard time navigating through the barren months when all I feel like doing is hibernating. I've had to push myself to get outdoors and appreciate what the world has to offer so I've been taking walks (the warmer weather has helped) and finding myself inspired in the process.


week 43 | revisit (week 1 nourish)
Prayer is the one thing that can make a day go from empty to full. It is the daily nourishment that keeps me whole.


week 42 | a love note
I was lucky enough to be the recipient of this delightful love note. I love his creations.