Back

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We got back from a trip to Denver, CO to visit my aunt and uncle in addition to the sights. Sam did better than we expected on the flights, often taking naps. We had a great time, and it was fun to see Sam interacting in different settings and with more family. The sky is so big out there, and the mountain views were beautiful. It was amazing to think about all that God has created. We came back to changed leaves and fall temperatures. I so love traveling with my little family :)

2013 Books: Part 2

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Divergent by Veronica Roth (Easy to read, recommend)
Katherine by Anya Seton
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones  by Cassandra Clare
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
And The Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini (Recommend)
The Mortal Instruments: City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
A Storm of Swords by George R. R. Martin
Far Far Away by Tom McNeal (slow parts but good ending)
When Will There Be Good News? by Kate Atkinson (some confusing parts, but a good read overall)
Unremembered by Jessica Brody (at times seemed to be trying too hard, but I still got sucked in)
The Mortal Instruments: City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
Visitation Street by Ivy Pochoda (ending up being better than it seemed at first, but still probably wouldn't recommend)
Horns by Joe Hill
The Mortal Instruments: City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare
Legend by Marie Lu (fun like Hunger Games)
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
Night Film by Marisha Pessl
Crushed by Sara Shepard
Prodigy by Marie Lu
Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
Ali's Pretty Little Lies by Sara Shepard
Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare
The Spectacular Now by Tim Tharp (I'd say "pass")
Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
The Mortal Instruments: City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare (obviously read a lot of hers)
Abandon by Meg Cabot
Underworld by Meg Cabot
Awaken by Meg Cabot (the final book of the trilogy)
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by JK Rowling (read aloud to Sam)


24 from before, 29 now, 53 for the year. I would have waited for the end of the year to share, but part of me can't believe how many books I've read, seeing as how Sam has been around for 8 and a half months.

Fun

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Yesterday, J and I went on an adventure. We picked up Sam's birth certificate. And we had to go all around downtown - 3 different places. But it was fun, even though it was a little crazy. We found parking, we picked up Sam each time, we asked questions (mostly J). 

Today, Sam and I got to go to a playdate, and Sam had so much fun he never slept. 

Most of the time, I'm really not sure what I'm doing. But, we're having fun.

I don't want to take things too seriously (don't get me wrong, some serious is good). I'm not in control. I'm going to do the best I can, I'm going to make mistakes, and have, but I'm going to keep asking forgiveness and try to learn for the next time. I'm going to smile and try to remember to love. I want to remember that saying - to be kind because everyone we meet is fighting a hard battle.

Monday memory

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I can remember a time when I was younger that we finished watching a movie as a family and looking back, I could see that my mom had been and maybe still was crying. In my child mind, tears mean sad or hurt and it was a happy ending. When I asked my mom about it, she told me that I'd understand someday, and more unbelievably, that I would cry like that myself one day.

In college, I remember thinking back on that, and ha, I rarely teared up at the end of movies. 

Now however, it's often :) A good ending, maybe not even an ending, a touching commercial, a sweet story, just watching Sam play and smile sometimes. Life changes us.

Celebration

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Last night we celebrated my mom's birthday, complete with apple cake, carving pumpkins and a keepsake pumpkin with all the grandsons' footprints. My mom does such a great job showering all of her kids and kids-in-law and grandsons with love. It was a sweet celebration. 

 J and I are heading out of town for my friend's wedding. It'll  be a date for us with J's parents watching Sam for us.  We are excited to introduce our dogs to their puppy cousin and to share Sam's crawling with J's family. 

It's a fun and a busy time, and I'm really working at keeping current with Bible reading time (I did so bad for a while), communicating with my husband without running in a crazy direction :), and enjoying these little moments. J and I have new phones on the way that'll help us capture some of that's going on.

Memory verse: 

Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Swimming

 

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In the last week, Sam's poops have turned human (read: stinky and thick), he has started "crawling" (hasn't completely figured the leg/knee part out yet), and dropping things from his stroller, the couch, and highchair, which has made my day job just a little tougher. Being a mom is kinda crazy sometimes haha.

We've had some fun cool weather and it's been fun to get out the little jackets and feel the leaves crunch. And Sam is getting the start of a big front tooth. Just keep swimming.

Prone to wander

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In my quest to figure out how to be a good mom, who is still social, and is learning to cook regularly, which means learning to run errands and grocery shop regularly, and still keep the house kinda clean with little crafts ever rare now and then, and still look a little put together, and maybe work out a little, but making sure Sam is getting the attention he needs, while still reading some of the books I put on hold at the library, and being a good dog-mom with walks and attention, and still be a good wife... well I have to over and over and over get myself to put God back in the center. Prone to wander... here's my heart.

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Stepping into Fall

 

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Happy Fall!! What a beautiful season right?

About a two weeks ago, I wore my fall booties to church, stepped out of the car, and realized I was missing a heel! I actually wear a lot of heels (or did, pre-Sam), and this was the first time this had actually happened to me. Not only was I sad because the season for them just started, but they were both practical enough for mom-life while letting me wear a little heel again. After looking into options, I heard about Shoe-Goo, and it works! These booties are back in business. :) (Just a tip if anyone else experiences this. I just followed directions. yay!)