Our Year in Review: 2017

I know I say this every year, but I'll say it again, WOW this year flew by. The saying goes, "The days are long, but the years are short," and man that has been so true of this blessed life we live. From the little moments at home, to adventures we took as a family, this year has been a good one. We have had our struggles and disappointments. We've faced fears and challenges. We've celebrated and rejoiced. This year has been a dozy, but through it all we have grown stronger as a family and for that I am grateful.

Here's a look at our highlights from 2017!

1.Travel: We were able to check off a few new states in our journey to visit all 50 states before we turn 50; Vermont, Connecticut, Wyoming and New York! It may seem like a small goal to attain, but we know there is so much out there for us to see and we really do love exploring. We also had our 5th Disney trip since being married. To say we love the magic of Disney would be an understatement, but I do think we may give ourselves a break next year... only time will tell!

2. Kiddos: Sweet cheeks is growing and thriving. She is attending school 3 days a week and loving it. She still loves swimming, which we are starting back up, and we are going to see about starting her in some other sports this spring and summer. She loves to sing and dance, her favorite color is blue and she is the best big sister to Bean. As for our guy, he's getting so big. We can carry full blown conversations and everything is, "but I want to," or, "but I don't want to." Boy definitely knows what he wants. He seems to be a sports lover already and will sit and watch football games with Dad and loves to throw ball. He will also start back swimming in January. We really are so blessed by are two sweet babes.

3. Us: Not a day goes by that I am not thankful for the man I get to call mine. We celebrated our 7th Anniversary this year and year 8 is already shaping up to be a good one. We've faced challenges together and have come out stronger and I am so thankful for the man that I get to live this beautiful life with.

4. Faith: The Lord has truly stretched me this year, but in all the stretching He has continually show himself faithful. He knows exactly when to push and to pull and I am grateful that He is so gentle in doing so. That even in my disappointments, He is faithful and He is good, and to Him there are no surprises. His word rings true that there is so much more for us than we can imagine and I am excited to chase it at whatever pace He has set for me.

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20

2017, thank you for what you were and for how we've grown because of you.

2018, lets do this!

Welcome September.

Wow, has it been an emotional week. I guess I should just prepare myself that from now on, the beginning of September, may make this Momma cry little more every year. It's my birthday month and holds the first day of Fall, so it's always been the best month, BUT now it also means that my baby boy is another year older and school starts. Which for right now it's just my girl that is going to preschool, but before I know it her little brother will be following closely in her footsteps and I just can't take it. Time, you can slow down now... okay, thanks! 

Sunday, Bean turned TWO and it was wonderful. We spent time with family and friends and I just marveled at how big my guy is getting. I always call him my baby, because for now, he is my baby, but he really is such a big boy. He's running after his sister with gusto and the sweet, gentle baby that he was is quickly turning into a spirited, bold little boy. Don't get my wrong, he is still sweet as can be, but he has more spunk than I thought he would and most certainly is not the "calm one." 

As for our Sweet Cheeks, school is off to a great start. She did so well last year and I know that they time away for her to be in a structured classroom is so good for her. I always am eager to hear about her day, even though I have to pull the information out of her. Her first response when it comes to school is usually, "I don't want to talk about it," but I can usually do some digging and find out just how much she is learning. I love to hear about her playing, learning numbers and letters and practicing new songs and I love it even more when she teachers those things to her brother. Like the prayer she does before snack, that she now does at our table and has taught her brother. She is so smart and beneath that tough, passionate exterior is the most gentle and sweet heart that you'll ever find.

Needless to say, this Momma has got her hands full and as much as I wish I had it all together, I don't. I mean come on, I've been a Mom for almost 4 years, I should know it all already, right?! NOT. Mothering is hard, but not just that, it is a sacred and a holy thing. It is my highest calling, next to serving the Lord and loving my Husband, and sometimes in the midst of my crazy life I forget that. Being a mother is my calling. Do I fail at times? Absolutely. However, more than every I know that I am right where I am supposed to be. That raising my babies in the light of God's love, that is not only for them, but for this perfectly imperfect, yet empowered Mother is right where I need to be. 

Sweet Summer

These summer months are flying by! I thought that having our big vacation at the beginning of the summer would mean more time to relax and enjoy the lazy, hazy days that seem to fall in June, July and August, but just like that we are well into the last full month of summer and before I know the leaves will be changing and pumpkin spice everything will take over North America.

I'm so blessed that I get to spend most of my time at home with my babies. They are growing so quickly and in a world were distractions are everywhere, I'm so thankful that they get to be the center of my attention... most days. My babies are treasures and I don't see them any other way. I wish that I could freeze time, bottle up all their smells and noises and save them for when I know I'm going to miss them. I've been working on reminding myself of the constant phrase of, "these are the days," and this summer even with all it's hard moments, has been so good for me.

Sure, I've stressed, I've yelled when I shouldn't have and admittedly have found myself distracted, but I've also been able to love my littles, snuggle them during naps, make memories and clean up one too many poop incidents at the pool. 

These are the days. The days where I can send my kids to bed dirty, telling myself I'll wash the sheets tomorrow, but really just hope I can wipe off the obvious filth until laundry day comes around. The days where I question more decisions than I should, but have the sweet reminders of hugs, kisses and sugary "I love you" comments to remind me, that I'm doing good. I'm so thankful for these days. For the hard ones, the fun ones and everything in between. 

Here's to enjoying this last of these crazy summer days. 

20 Facts About Our 20 Month Old

I can not believe that he is 20 months old. It seems crazy to me. This time in our lives seems to just be going faster and faster. This month is going to be busy and clearly the past 4 months have been just as crazy because I have neglected this blog quite a bit. BUT in an attempt to make time for my people and to be more present, it's just what has had to happen or maybe it's just what has happened. Anyways, what better day than to break the blog silence than to talk about my favorite little guy.

1. He's my favorite little dude. There really is no other way to say it. Earlier this week Shawn and I were just starring at the baby monitor and we couldn't stop saying how much we loved him. 

2. I love his laugh. It's contagious. 

3. We're growing out his hair. I've cut it myself twice, but I think he can totally pull off the surfer look, so we're going with it. Maybe he'll even get a man bun.

4. Food. He loves food. Sausage is his favorite and he will eat every one's at the table if I let him.

5. He runs with his whole body. Arms flailing, head going side to side. 

6. Mamma's boy, no competition. OK, Papa has a close second. 

7. He's a beast on the dance floor. 

8. Swim class has quickly become a favorite of his. He had a rough couple of months in the pool, so we took a break and started back up. He is loving it and is definitely like his sister when it comes to being in the water. 

9. He loves being read to. When I go to lay him down for nap or bedtime he starts saying, "Book. Book." And once it's read, he wants to take it in the crib with him. The reader in me LOVES this. 

10. His "cheese" face is to die for.
11. 2T clothes, 28 pounds, 31 inches. (I guess that's 3 in 1!)
12. Trolls is his favorite movie, but Moana is coming in at a close second.
13. He really loves tootsie pops.
14. He calls everything he drinks, "Wa Wa," so you never really know what he wants, milk, actual water or juice.
15. When he first wakes up, he just wants to be held. I can't even try to put him down with out him giving me a death grip. Makes getting breakfast together a little bit of a challenge some mornings.
16. He LOVES his sister. He wakes up calling for his Mamma, but as soon as I am in the room he quickly transitions to, "Sissy?! Sissy?!" He follows her everywhere and wants to be just like her. They're the sweetest pair.
17. Playing in the toy kitchen is one of his favorite things. He loves banging the pots and pans and bringing me all the wooden foods to, "eat."
18. He makes the best running buddy.
19. The boy has an arm! He loves to play catch and is actually getting really good and throwing and catching. Maybe he's an athlete in the making!
20. He is so, so loved. His sister adores him and I love when she calls him, "My Sawyer." He has a special spot in Daddy's heart and I think it's the sweetest when he asks him for, "one more," kiss while holding up his little pointer fingers. When I think of having a son, he is exactly what I picture. Loving, rambunctious, full of life and of course, Mommy's boy. <3

Happy Friday!
Ash

Winter Update - 2017

It's already March! I say that with excitement because usually January and February sort of drag on and on. Coming off the post-holiday high and leading into what are usually the coldest months of the year. Maybe it was our January getaway to Vermont or celebrating a big birthday for my Hubs in February (he turned 30!) or all the amazing weather we've had. With that being said I am thankful that we've had a good few months. The holiday season was hard for me. I was struggling with holding myself to standards that just weren't realistic and I was continuously feeling like I wasn't measuring up. I started the year with a new mindset. A mindset on savoring the stage of life I am in. Loving it for what it is and not trying to make every detail perfect. Working off of more grace, less perfection. I'm happy to say that I feel like I am holding strong to the mindset. Sure, there have been hard moments and days, but overall God is really working on my heart and allowing me to see that these are the days. That rather than trying to make them appear perfect, I need to love them for what they are. Moments with my sweet little family, that I won't be able to get back. 

SO, without further a due, updates on my people. 

Our Bean. I can't believe he is 18 months old, closer to 2 than to 1! He's a total bruiser and is constantly climbing, jumping and running. One of my favorite things that he does is when we're going to bed he starts saying "Book. Book." He loves a good bedtime story and snuggle and I can't say I mind. He's a Momma's boy and I hope it stays that way!

Our sweet cheeks. I am just so proud of the little lady she is becoming. She will carry on a full blown conversation with you on just about any topic. She loves to sing and will usually request 1 of 2 songs, "Santa Clause is Coming to Town," or "Jesus Loves the Little Children." I love how much she can remember and that since we have been reading books over and over, she is starting to "read" them herself. Currently we are on a, "The Giving Tree," marathon. She is such a good big sister, is doing so great in preschool and is killing it in the pool.

Like I mentioned before the Hubs and I took at trip back in January to Vermont to celebrate a friends birthday. We loved having the time away just the two of us, but also really enjoyed spending time with the people we are blessed to call friends. {Begin rant... People, I can't say it enough, invest in your marriages. Take time to be a couple. Time away from your kids. Sure, your kids need you, but your marriage needs YOU too... end rant.} It was an awesome weekend and I'm basically a professional skier now, so be looking for me in during the next Olympic cycle. 

 

And there you have it. Our first 2 months of 2017 in review.

Here's to more grace, less fuss and a whole lot of crazy.

Happy Tuesday Friends!

Ash

Another New Year - Lets Savor it!

The New Year has begun and I am already excited for all the 2017 has to hold. Last year, was hard. Not in a bad way. Just hard. I learned things about myself as a woman, wife and mother and some of those things were hard to swallow. Things like the fact that I am not perfect, can not do it all and am STILL working on showering myself in grace, despite the fact that I know I need it now, more than ever; mainly because there are two very special people in my life that need to know what love and grace and forgiveness are truly about.

This year, I'm declaring it to be a year of savoring. The word savor stuck out to me in a line from a book I started reading last fall and have on my list of 12 books that I'm hoping to read this year...

"Grace, and only grace, offers us a way to step off that wheel - a deep breath, a place to rest, and the opportunity to slow down and SAVOR what truly matters." 

- Emily Ley, Grace not Perfection

So there it is friends, I'm calling it. Last year, there were a whole lot of moments that I saw as failures when really it was just life. My perfectly, imperfect life. I'm tired of the high standards that I set for myself as a mom. I'm tired of working so hard and feeling like I am still failing. I'm tired of getting angry with myself and then in turn coming unglued in front of my kids. I want to break this chain that has slowly been wrapping itself around me to be instagram/pinterest/facebook perfect and truly SAVOR all the good that God has put in my life. Because the fact of the matter is, we serve a good God and He wants us to enjoy the life He has for us, not 10, 20, 30 years or eternity from now, but RIGHT NOW. So friends, near and far, I challenge you to do the same. To savor what the Lord has given you and to hold me accountable when I start slipping.

Picture from our family trip to Florida this past October because
it's cold and kind of snowing and I just really love Disney World. :)

Happy 3rd Birthday, Princess!

Our girl turned 3 yesterday. THREE! It's been three whole years since the doctor first laid her on my chest and I can still remember the way it felt. Her squishy, little body, so fresh and new. I can remember the way Shawn hesitated before proudly announcing, It's a girl. I can remember it like it was yesterday, but at the same time it seems so long ago. The sweet baby I once held is now a full, blown, energy filled, adventure loving little girl. She is full to the brim of life and I hope she never looses her spunk. She is so brave, so kind and absolutely beautiful. She is funny, smart and so sassy. I love every bit of her and I know she is going to make a mark on this world. She already has in my heart. Happy Birthday, sweet girl. Keep moving mountains!