A little Bit of Life

There's nothing like some good ol' journaling so that's what I'm doing today. This last weekend we spent in Ouray, Colorado soaking in the natural hot springs and eating yummy food with some of David's family that were in town. David even canceled a work appointment to do it so it was a little extra special since he's never done that for a family trip before. It was so nice to get away for a while, I can't wait to take a little escape again.
 On Sunday night I had just laid Darby in her crib at 3:30 after nursing her when I got a call from my sister. She had been up, painfully sick, for hours and was wondering if I could help her figure out if it was kidney stones or what. I wanted her to go in to the ER just in case. Luckily they were small enough to pass and she'll be fine but, it's not fun when you're laying awake worrying if someone you love might be in danger and them not wanting to go in to get checked out at the same time. Thankfully her stubbornness lost out and we at least found out exactly what it was.

 On another entirely different note, David is playing at Vans Warp Tour this weekend! We've always thought about going(especially before we had kids), but it's funny that the first time he gets to go he'll also be playing. He's playing for some friends band called Redlands. So wish them luck and I know it will be an exciting experience!

Again, entirely different train of thought. I can't believe I'm starting to plan Everett's birthday. He's turning FOUR in three short weeks! I remember being pregnant and looking at the expiration date on my drivers license and thinking, wow, we'll have an almost four year old when I get this renewed again. I couldn't even begin to imagine what it would be like to be taking care of such a big kid. And he IS such a big kid. It's so fun to watch him. He's going to make a profound father some day. Every time his sister is whining while I'm doing something he RUNS to her rescue and almost instantly makes her laugh and scream with his silly songs and dancing. I never get done with whatever I was busy with because by then I'm too busy laughing along with them. He also yells out in delight whenever I begin cooking or baking, "can I help?!!!" He loves learning all the little baking secrets and is getting really good at actually helping when it come to making food with me. He loves being a helper all around. It's very rare that he'll refuse when I ask him to do a small favor for me. I've never known a kid to do so much with the reward of satisfaction alone. He still loves to dress up and pretend, make up stories and listen to songs. He likes all the super heroes that all boys like and even talks about God like he's one of them - the man with power who saved us all. He always asks amazing questions about him like, "where does he get his power?", "who made God?" Crazy questions that you have to give the same old "I don't know." answer to. I'd like him to keep his own personal idea of God for as long as he can. There's a point in all our lives when that childlike idea gets ruined by so many others telling you what God is with their own biased ideas. I love every bit of this child and want him to stay this way as long as possible. He always gives me the promise that he'll stay little for me forever which is a great sacrifice for someone who wants to grow so big. We both secretly know it won't last forever like we say, but we will pretend for as long as we can.

-Liz

Rocket Roll

I was scrolling through my blog last night to try and find a certain photo and realized just how often I used to grab my camera for every little event so I could post them here to remember. It's so, so nice to be able to look back on here at so many of the little events and thoughts of my life from a few years ago and wondered if I could ever start it up again. Having that thought in my mind, I saw my camera as we were headed out the door for some fun today and decided to grab it. It feels good to be able to document a little bit of my daily life again! 

We headed out to the desert today to shoot off some rockets with a few of my nieces and nephews. It was a blast (no pun intended). We also flew kites, shot, and blew up things. Darby wasn't such a big fan of the wind and loud noises, but it ended up being an awesome Saturday morning!

Hooking up the launch pad to the car battery 

Dear Darby,

Tiny toes and itty-bitty clothes, teething drool and wisps of new blonde hair on your head. All of it happening so fast, you're growing and growing right before my eyes. I wish I could keep it all in the palm of my hand but I'll only be left with memories and a few photos once your babyhood is gone. You came here in a flash and now you're learning and growing since the moment you were born. You were supposed to stay tiny and immobile for longer (or at least I tried to convince you to). This last week you've been showing off your abilities to the max and it made me realize how much I want to remember all of your little milestones. 

I put you on your play mat the other day and you ended up across the living room during the two minutes I turned my head. "How did you do that?!" I exclaimed, but I guess it was your little secret. You've managed to do it a couple more times without me looking, but I'll catch you one day! 

You've been sitting up by yourself. Suddenly. I forgot how suddenly that happens.  I can't leave you on the couch anymore. After several consecutive times of you trying to roll or dive off I had to give up on it. 

We took you swimming for the first time and you liked it way more than I imagined. You seemed happy the rest of the day. I think it's one of your favorites. 

You're other favorite is swinging. We do it at the park when you're in your wrap, but even more you like your automatic swing and even MORE you like to swing like a big girl, but you've just recently been able to sit up enough to enjoy it for hours.

You love to say hi to your toes on a regular basis and give them a long squeeze when you do. 

When you "talk" it's sort of a gurgly singing. I love to talk to you in your language. 

You've tried a few foods lately too. I thought I could make you wait a little longer, but you're so interested and get upset when I don't let you try what I have on my plate. And, I'm not going to lie, it keeps you preoccupied for a few precious moments when we have to run into the store. You're so good at biting and chewing, even without teeth. So far you've had: rice rusks, strawberries, avocado, banana and a pickle(my hair doesn't count). You've loved all of them. I'm pretty sure you're a big food lover like me. 

I never thought I'd enjoy having a girl so much, but the longer I have you the more I love it. Little girls are so fun and so different from little boys. You're so fragile inside and out. I hope I can make a great childhood for you.

You're FIVE months old already, it goes by too fast but I can't wait to see the little lady you'll turn into. Just stay small a while longer (please).

xoxo

Half a Decade

What is it about love? It makes you feel so incredibly strange doesn't it? Love makes you have a whole new perspective on things. Love teaches you, I think, most of all. 



Last week we celebrated our fifth anniversary. Five years! ...Half a decade. How did that happen all the sudden? In the past I always wondered what our relationship would be like a few years into our marriage. I always wondered if we would still love each other just as much or if it would end up shambled, like so many of the marriages we've seen around us.
Our first few weeks of marriage were absolutely amazing. We were totally inseparable and completely infatuated with each other. As the months went on though I began to feel scared. I was scared that we had made a hasty decision or even worse, the wrong decision. It was hard and we of course began to argue over time. There were walls that had to be torn down between us. Sometimes it can be pretty hard to get to know someone so well, but when you go through some nasty stuff with each other and get out to the other end fine, that has to say a lot. And I think the only thing that can get you through something like that and still have each other in the end is a love so deep and unconditional, that you had no idea what it was capable of going through in the first place. Bluntly, our marriage would not have lasted if I had the attitude of David or David had my attitude. During our rough times he would not even allow the "D word". I don't know if it's because he was out to prove something or if he had a deep conviction, but it's because of his commitment that we didn't end it early. I have never been a very trusting person either. I don't know if it's from being hurt or what, but when I saw how much David trusts me, with every little part of himself, I began to let go and put some trust in him. It was amazing, this trust thing. I felt like I was completely and totally vulnerable and it was incredible. It was one of the best and hardest things I've ever done. It opened up a whole new door for us and our relationship changed. Our love changed. After a certain point our love was no longer about infatuation but about getting through things together. As a team. Going through every little detail of our lives, thick and thin, and doing it TOGETHER with love and gratitude.
I know, logically thinking, why would you do that? Why would you make yourself vulnerable, have arguments , and make yourself troop through tough times? It's more than just, "I've gotta get through this because so many are giving up too." It's that feeling, that word that people use way too loosely. Love.
Affection, romance, that bubbly feeling, It's way more than that, way more than what the movies will lead us to believe. Love is hard. Love hurts. Love makes you cry more than you want it to. It's not about those good feelings, it's about what it can stand up to. And I will say it again, love teaches you most of all.

I want to write a little foot note to say thank you to my husband. Thank you for five years(and beyond). Thanks for sticking with me accepting me and being patient with me. Thank you for the two children you've helped me with. You we're so strong through their births and there's no way they would have been so easy without you by my side. I'm completely convinced I made the right decision and i can't wait to see where life takes us. Together.

The Next Big Break

I'm going to admit something that I don't want to, but I try to remind myself that there's probably some mothers out there like me, but don't admit it either. I remember being a new parent when Everett was born, I knew he was growing fast, but in the back of my mind, I felt like it wasn't going fast enough. I couldn't wait until he let me have more than a couple hours of sleep at a time. Then I couldn't wait for him to sit up and entertain himself for a few minutes. I couldn't wait for him to sleep the entire night. I couldn't wait for him to start crawling and then I couldn't wait for him to start food so I wouldn't have to nurse him so much. I couldn't wait for him to walk, get around by himself, and feed himself. It seemed to never end. I loved him so much and I tried to enjoy the moments, but I'm not going to lie, it was rough. I remember all the hours I spent trying to get a cranky baby to sleep, completely lost and confused on how to help him. He fell asleep in my sisters arms one day and I was in utter shock and almost cried because I didn't have to spend another hour of my day trying to lull a tired baby to sleep. I loved him so much, without a doubt, but I was always ready for the next step, the next big break. It felt like it would go by so slow at times… and then of course his babyhood slipped through my fingers faster than I imagined once it was gone. Now that I have another I realized, he was a hard baby(just like a lot of babies, including my second), but that's about all I looked at during that time. I rarely reminded myself or noticed all the easy stuff. All of the stuff I now miss. Miss incredibly. I remember sitting in my room, nursing his bottomless tummy, and reading a good book on my Kindle for hours during the day. I selfishly thought how bad I had it, having a baby stuck to me practically the entire day. It never even crossed my mind that one day I would want to be back in those very moments, getting lost in a wonderful book while having my heart right next to me, curled up in my arms, skin to skin, rocking him gently during those very peaceful moments. We would become totally lost in the moment, just him, and me, and my book. How he loved to cuddle and be near me. Always in my arms. Always wanting ME. 
Now I lay next to him to put him down for a nap. We've read a book, he's all stretched out, next to me, he looks so tall and big wrapped up in his sheets. He's so completely different from the years that have passed, so fast. This is a very rare moment. A moment when he's so calm and lets me wrap my arms around him. A peaceful moment when we can get lost and enjoy one another. I lay there and remember the days when we used to do this and I didn't enjoy it so much. I never really thought that I would actually miss those days when all I could do was hold him. And now I'm here, realizing that I will never get his baby days back. Ever. He's growing too fast for me to keep up with. And soon he will not want me to hold and squeeze him or enjoy a quiet moment with him. He won't want me to read books in bed with him anymore. Those baby days when I could have his little ball of a body in my arms all day are gone. He's growing into a boy and growing into an even bigger boy and I can't seem to slow it down enough for my mind to cope with. I regret not enjoying all those moments with just him and me, because it's such a rare thing these days. But there is such a valuable lesson I've learned from him. Enjoy the moments. Look for the good things in the bad moments, because there always will be, even if you can't see them. There will be a day you might want them back. The peacefulness or even just the lessons they teach us, there's always good in them. 
There will be a day when Everett won't let me lay there with him as he drifts away to sleep, but I will enjoy it so much right now and I hope that will be enough to get me through his growing years.

WCW #2

Last week I shared a couple of my Women Crush Wednesdays, and now I'm back with two more! I love these lovely ladies and hope you can get a glimpse at their awesomeness  too.

Megan:
What is your favorite thing to do around the house, and describe why you like it? Hmm, Well, given he way my house is pretty messy with remodel/moving stuff, it's hard to enjoy decorating. I am more limited to my room. I like to change things around and re-organize things. I'm not a huge baker ( I want to start more), but I do I enjoy baking! Healthy cookies is a favorite of mine.


 What keeps you feeling your best? What keeps me feeling my best? I'd say when I gt out and accomplish things on my to-do-list for the day, keeping up with my friends, and exercising!


 What's your most recent album purchase? Hmm, gosh, I can't even remember the last physical album I bought, but my last purchase on iTunes was "I'm gonna be (500 miles) cover by Blake Stratton. It's really different from the original, I recommend it!


 What kind of things do you do to pick yourself up when you're at your lowest? If it's nice out, I'll sit out in the sun, or listen to music, and read my Bible.


  What would be your number one health and wellness advice? Drink lots of water! Can't emphasize that enough. I think moderation is key to everything you eat. Of course, cutting down on sweets is always good, but I think you should eat a serving of chocolate after every meal, or before meals, or during meals...Mmm chocolate...Wait, what was I saying?


  What are some of your current goals? Current goals I'm wanting to get back into really good shape. (Especially coming back from New Zealand and YWAM food. ) haha Another goal would be to get better at the guitar. I learned a little while on my DTS, and I hope to keep at it. I'm not sure what I want to do at the moment. I'm enjoying my job, but in the long run, I'd love to be involved in ministry of some kind..and of course a good-looking man of God for a husband of course. haha I also try to get in some exercise more days. I use my stair stepper or my elliptical for at least 30-60 min. Whoops, I guess I missed the "number one" thing and went on a rant. haha


  How do you unwind after a long day? After a long day, I definitely need my chill/down time. I'll browse online, watch some T.V, and I usually have some painting project going on, so I'll work on that.


 Something unusual you do? haha gosh, I'm sure there are plenty of unusual things about me...I love eating Jalapeño stuffed green olives. Just give me a can of them and I'll be good. (is that unusual?) I am weird when it comes to buying certain things. Say I'm buying a water bottle, and I notice the first one I picked up has a little scratch on it, but the one behind it is perfect. I'll usually still get the first one because I feel bad for putting it back! haha (Water bottles have feelings, too!) Wow...


  In the un-cheesiest way possible, describe what makes life awesome to you? Un-cheesiest? I love cheese! Life is awesome when you have a great family, which I do, and I'm super thankful for! Wonderful friends, again, which I do and love them all dearly, and of course a Heavenly father who loves me no matter what.


  What is your personal go-to meal recently? Something quick that I'll eat for breakfast sometimes is a simple whole wheat tortilla wrap with cheese, (mmm, cheese!) lunch meat, jalapeño olives, (yeeaahh boy!) avocado and hot sauce.


 Name something that makes you feel great/empowered. If you can, describe why and how it makes you feel. When I get through a tough workout or something like that I guess...and work related, when I have a commissioned art piece to paint and the customer loves it. That always makes me feel good.


 What's a challenging obstacle in your life right now? I think the most challenging thing would be that I'm definitely in a place of waiting and trusting God with my future. It can be hard not knowing the next step in life, but He's been teaching me to focus on him and everything WILL work out! Jeremiah 29:11 14: Get married.


 If you ever had to just get away from it all, spur if the moment, where would you go? If money was no object, I'd hop on a flight back to New Zealand any day!


  What's something in your closet you can never have enough of? Summer dresses and leggings!


What usually gets your day going on the right track? Praying helps for sure.


  Last thing that made you feel happy? My fuzzy babies..aka my doggies. They are the cutest!


 What song lyric, quote, or verse is currently inspiring you? "The Call" by Regina Spektor has been stuck in my head lately. Love that song! I don't know if I could pin point a specific lyric, but rather the song as a whole.

Kasandra:

 How do you unwind after a long day? After a long day I normally unwind by getting into some comfy clothes as soon as i get home, throwing my hair up in a bun, getting something to eat and watching some TV or a movie. I like to do something that I don’t have to think and just turn my mind off.

 What keeps you feeling your best? What keeps me feeling my best is probably making sure that I am reading the word, taking some time to pray, and spending time with people that are close to me. I def can feel a difference when I haven’t taken the time to dive into the word or just talk with God for a little bit. I def think spending time with people that I am close to helps me feel my best. I use to think that I was introverted and maybe I am half and half, but since living on my own I have noticed that I enjoy being around people more then I do staying home and being by myself. I still need my time to recharge and be by myself, but I also get recharged and feel better when I have someone to spend time with.


 What's your most recent album purchase?  I can’t even remember the last album I purchased. I rarely buy a whole album, I usually pick a few songs that I like and thats it. However the last album that was bought for me was ummm…One Direction’s new album….don’t judge me haha. It’s actually a pretty good album! I never use to like them and then I heard their new song “Story of my life” and well I got hooked. Other then that I really just use Spotify a lot. One of the albums that I just discovered actually is OneRepublic’s new album Native. I can’t believe I didn’t listen to it sooner. Maybe I just like bands that start with the word One I don’t know, but this album is sooo good!


 What would be your number one health and wellness advice? My number one health advice would probably be focus more on what you eat then trying to work out. Yes working out is important and should still be done, but I think what you eat, how much you eat, and put into your body is more important.


 What are some of your current goals? Some of my current goals are…1.) get more focused on God, I’ve allowed a few of my wants and desires to take a priority, so I just really want to shift my focus back…which is usually an ongoing process 2.) continue getting fit and healthy, which I finally feel like I’m getting the hang of, since getting out of college, "freshmen 15" is no joke 3.) develop meaningful and strong friendships, I’ve kinda had a hard time with that since moving to OK, 4.) getting myself involved in something like maybe a sport, craft, i don’t know, something to take up my time and maybe get out of my comfort zone a bit.


 Something unusual you do? Humm…well I guess this is unusual, but I think its pretty good idea…instead of wrapping my hair up in a towel when i get out of the shower I use old t-shirts. I started to do this years ago and I think the reason I started was because I didn’t have an extra towel to dry my hair off so I just grabbed a shirt..put my hair in the inside of the shirt and twisted it up. It works great!


 Favorite piece of jewelry and why? My purity ring and the ring my mom gave me when I graduated from college. My purity ring is my favorite well because it keeps me pure of course! just kidding... no its just a cool promise to myself and God that I’ll stay pure before marriage, but heck once I’m married…just kidding…. again…;) And the ring my mom gave me for graduating just means a lot because it came from my mama and my mama is my favorite and I love her lots!


 What's a challenging obstacle in your life right now? Probably my most challenging obstacle right now is trying to be patient and trusting. There are somethings I just wish I had right now, but I just need to trust in God’s timing and that is def a struggle.



What is your favorite thing to do around the house, and describe why you like it? My favorite thing to do around the house is probably clean my house. That sounds weird, but I love just turning up some music and getting my house all organized. I love when everything is clean and fresh. I usually let my house get pretty messy during the week, mostly my room though cause every time I try and figure out what I am going to wear it usually ends with clothes all over my floor and shoes everywhere and then I have to leave, so I can’t really pick everything up. I like when everything is clean, but also its just a time for me to think and clear my head and it gives me an excuse to dance around my house.

 What is something general you'd like to accomplish before you die? Probably to become more of a traveler. There are a lot of countries I want to visit and right now a lot of them have not been crossed off my someday list. I want to be able to at least cross off half of them before my life is up. There is something about experiencing new things and going to places I’ve never been to that I get a major thrill off of, so I for sure want to find a way to travel more.


 What's something in your closet you can never have enough of? Scarfs they can make anything look good!


What usually gets your day going on the right track? COFFEE!


 Last thing that made you feel happy?The last thing that made me feel happy was being able to buy a plane ticket to go to New Jersey at the end of May for a Wedding/Master’s Commission grad. I didn’t think I was going to be able to go, but then at the last minute someone decided to bless me and get the ticket for me. God’s been providing for me a lot this year and it has been blowing my mind…its crazy! 


 What song lyric, quote, or verse is currently inspiring you?“Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart” Psalms 37:4

WCW

Taking from the popular Woman Crush Wednesday, I'm going to share a couple of my WCW's. And I'll be back next week with two more! Hope you enjoy getting to know a smidgen about these ladies.

Makayla:

 What keeps you feeling your best? Lately, just getting ready. Being a new mom you can usually find me in my day (or two) old yoga pants and my hair a little frazzled and probably thrown up in a bun with no makeup. Taking the time to shower, put on mascara, and curl my hair makes me feel so good. It even makes me feel like I have more energy which is kinda strange, I think, but it totally does. Just taking a little time for myself helps me feel good. 

 What would be your number one health and wellness advice? Being healthy and active doesn't have to be something to dread. For me, I don't like going to the gym. There is too many people and I don't really want them to watch me, so I like to do things like hiking with my husband or even just walking outside. Being outside makes it feel like it's not work. The warm sun, breeze, and fresh air make it so much more peaceful. Plus, the view is much prettier than treadmills Loving something will make you want to do it more rather than feeling like you HAVE to. 

 What are some of your current goals? It has always been my dream to be a stay at home mom. With our current finances though we just couldn't afford it. I've been praying and asking The Lord to provide a way if it is His will for me. I recently became a Beauti Control consultant and I am really excited for the opportunity to be able to make money and possibly stay home with my sweet little boy! Along with that, I am trying to be more of a Proverbs 31 woman and make more personal time with God. Life gets busy and I put other things where I should be making time for God. Even laundry some days. I am trying to find that perfect balance with work, being a wife & mother, family, cleaning, and God. 

 How do you unwind after a long day? The best thing after a long day is plopping down on the couch with a movie or on the patio next to our fire pit and just talking with my husband. We talk and laugh and everything is right, even when it's not. 

 Something unusual you do? I have to have the same about of silverware in each little compartment of my dishwasher. I don't know why, but it really bothers me if there is a ton in one and then a few in the others. So when I'm loading them I put one spoon or fork in at a time and then go to the next compartment. I know. I'm weird. My husband thinks so too. 

 Favorite piece of jewelry and why? I have this blue and green necklace that i always wear. I think it's my favorite because it's bright and it goes with a lot of my clothes. I wear a lot of neutral colors. And since it's blue it makes my eyes look bluer than normal.

 In the un-cheesiest way possible, describe what makes life awesome to you? I know the question said in the un-cheesiest way possible, but seriously having a husband that is truly my best friend. I can be goofy with him and be totally, completely myself. He makes me so happy and he helped give me a beautiful baby boy. Life really is just awesome. I've always wanted to be a wife and a mother and now I am and it's absolutely perfect. 

 What is your personal go-to meal recently? Chicken Chimichangas. They are my husbands favorite and super easy! There is only like 5 ingredients that you basically just throw together. The hardest part is waiting the 30 minutes while they bake! And they are super yummy! 

What's something in your closet you can never have enough of? Short sleeved, neutral, comfy shirts. They go with everything and you can always add a necklace, jacket, or scarf to add some color and uniqueness. And plus they are comfy!

 Something manly you can or know how to do that most women don't/can't? I hunt. Yep, I trek around in camo with a gun on my shoulder and try to find whatever I'm hunting. Usually elk or deer. I love it! And if you get something you can stock up the freezer without ever having to go to the store for steaks, hamburger, ect. 

 Last thing that made you feel happy? My little Liam. Everything he does just makes my heart smile. Being a mom is the most amazing thing. 

Jen:

 Name something that makes you feel great/empowered. If you can, describe why and how it makes you feel. Accomplishing everything on my “to-do” list. It rarely happens because I tend to procrastinate, but it’s a freeing feeling to finish all of my tasks. 

 What is your favorite thing to do around the house and describe why you like it? If I had my way, I would turn my walls into a giant sketchpad/art gallery/storyboard. Interior decorating is a fun artistic expression that I enjoy, but rarely have enough time or space to do everything I want. 

 What keeps you feeling your best? I go on walks in the morning before work. It helps me to spend time with God and enjoy the rich mountain landscape around me. 

 What's your most recent album purchase? Music by husband and wife duo, Jenny & Tyler.

 What kind of things do you do to pick yourself up when you're at your lowest? Make a list of things for which I’m grateful; when I’m at my lowest, this is the last thing I want to do, but it’s what gets me out of my self-pitying funk. 

 What would be your number one health and wellness advice? Eat well, exercise, and practice gratitude. I regularly fail at all three, but they help tremendously. 

 What are some of your current goals? Finish a painting series; write a book; travel to Asia....I can write my long-term goals, right? 

 How do you unwind after a long day? Movies, Facebook, and a good book. 

 In the un-cheesiest way possible, describe what makes life awesome to you? I like cheese. Seriously, though, I love creating things and making beauty from the mundane. Some of the most fulfilling things for me to do are painting, writing, photography, crocheting, etc. 

 What is your personal go-to meal recently? A mushroom-turkey sandwich. 

 What's a challenging obstacle in your life right now? Learning how to hear and obey God, and trying to figure out which direction He is leading. 

 What is something general you'd like to accomplish before you die? Lead a celebrity to Christ. 

 If you ever had to just get away from it all, spur if the moment, where would you go? With money being no object, I would visit a good friend in Scotland. 

 What's something in your closet you can never have enough of? Scarves. It’s a dangerous addiction.

 Something manly you can or know how to do that most women don't/can't? Put snow chains on my car!  

 Last thing that made you feel happy? Spending a beautiful day with friends. 

 What song lyric, quote, or verse is currently inspiring you? “May God be your strongest desire, your sweetest friend, and your truest romance.”