January was...

Six Years

Happy Six Years to you, my very best friend.  Those two well-rested kids at the altar would make fun of us for mini van selfies, but that's okay because we would make fun of them too, naive little pip squeaks. I love you, sweet husband of mine. When I think about these years we've had, I cry every time. They have been TRULY beautiful. Thank you for your remarkable love for me (and our two girls).  At our 60th, let's do 60 nursing home selfies, just to really drive home the embarrassment for our kids-k?

Master bedroom shiplap + Inspiration

Last week, while Andy was out of town, I decided a house project was in order to keep our minds off of missing dad. I have always loved the look of shiplap and have also been wanting at least one room in our house to have white walls, so I made plans to make both of these things happen in the master bedroom..uh..while watching both girls. I promise it made sense in my head. Ha! Well, turns out this was a much bigger undertaking than I could wrangle on my own, so I am beyond grateful that grandparents, aunts, and uncles came to visit with drills, saws, tools, chick-fil-a and the willingness to help watch the girls. I'm also really grateful for fun memories made during a week I was dreading a bit. 
I decided to use 1x8 v-joint wood panels for the wall I wanted to shiplap and the same color paint as the baseboards and molding, Behr Premium in Shoji White, for all of the walls. I am really happy with how it all turned out and can't wait to finish the rest of the room's makeover! Here are a few rooms that are inspiring me to get this pup finished. I'm feeling a cottage meets modern vibe. Is that a thing?

(images)

SNOW!

What a fun weekend! On top of a forecast for snow Friday night, Andy flew back into town after being on a business trip in Berlin for the week.  High fives and back slaps and all the massages in the world (and wine) to the moms and dads doing this parenting thing solo.  Needless to say, we are all so glad Daddy is back! Waking up to snow and daddy being home made for a pretty magical Saturday for our crew.  Happy Monday, friends!

New Year Resolutions for 2016

Happy New Year! I have always been a sucker for a fresh start. I love Mondays and all the firsts of the months. So of course, I ESPECIALLY love a new year, plum full of fresh goals. And being the dreamer I am, goals usually begin around here in grandiose declarations like, "This year I'm going to start really enjoying being in the kitchen." And, thanks to the ever-increasing influence of a realist husband, these bursts of whimsy do end up in actionable (and realistic) bullet points. So, here they are, my dreams (and goals, dear husband) for 2016.

SPIRITUAL STUFF

THE DREAM: I will plant scripture in my heart every day, and I will create opportunities for my family to do the same. I will focus more on having a grace-giving heart and on service toward others. I will open my home and dinner table to others more. I see wine pouring and board game playing. It's going to be good.
THE GOAL: I have loved the quiet mornings of 2015. So I am going to continue to get up at least an hour before the girls wake up, so I can read and focus on the work that needs to happen in this heart of mine. I am going to post one new scripture in a central spot in our home each month for our family to read together at dinner time. I am going to invite friends to our home at least once a month and feed them food that I really worked hard on.

HEALTH & FITNESS

THE DREAM: Cardio-something will become a regular part of my weeks again, just like it used to be circa before children. And I am nursing right now, so I will continue to eat everything in sight. But in all seriousness, I'm sure there is work to be done in the nutrition department, but I will re-visit this later.
THE GOAL: I am going to do some form of cardio (with an emphasis on core) 3X a week. I have ordered this work out DVD for a really accessible option.

WIFERY AND MOTHERHOOD:

THE DREAM: I will make my people feel loved and known and cheered for.
THE GOALS: Okay, so I have goals written down that I am going to try to accomplish this year in the area of being an all-around more encouraging, available, etc. etc. wifey, but I'm not going to write them here because it FEELS WEIRD. Onward. Our girls. We are going to read scripture with them every day (the one-a-month mentioned above). We are going to sign Marin up for an activity like ballet or music lessons where she has a little more time with other kids. I am also including a bit more "school" time into our day. Also, for our oldest, LESS SUGAR. I am literally going to cut every sweet thing she eats in half, even if it's a skittle. (I am clearly not reducing the portion of drama I dish out.) We are going to make sure we play outside every day, weather permitting. And lastly for Marin, I am going to make sure she and I get a one-on-one date each week. (She and dad already have a date each Saturday.) For little miss Brite, we are going to move her to her own bed. We will miss her warm, chubby little body in our bed, but the time has come. I've also set the goal to nurse her to at least 12 months and to start adding solids into her day before the end of her ninth month. We are also going to start reading to her every day. I know she is just a baby, but we started putting books in front of Marin when she was just a little one so yeah, MORE STORIES and WORDS for our littlest. Oh, and more dance parties and bed jumping forever and ever amen.

There is so much more in my heart and head concerning ways I hope to grow and projects I want to finish this year, but I'm sure there are enough Mondays in 2016 to hold more goals. So, I think that about sums it up for now. Voila. Happy New Year, friends!

Auld Lang Syne

Happy New Year! Our little crew rang in the new year at home with a spread of Trader Joe's appetizers, moscow mules, and a set of sparklers from Publix, and it was PERFECT. After dinner and baths, we bundled the girls up and lit our three boxes of sparklers with a few of our neighbors.  For the grand finale light show, our next door neighbor set off an array of firecrackers that made all the kids squeal in awe. After pyrotechnics, the grown ups stood around talking while "Ring around the rosie.." and hide-and-seek resounded in the background.  We said our "see you next years" and went back in around 10:00 to tuck the girls in bed.  They fell asleep in record time, cheeks still rosy from the cold night. To finish off the year, Andy and I plopped on the couch around 11:30 and watched Rockin New Year's Eve and smooched at midnight. Not the wildest of nights, but definitely wonderful. We really stand amazed at all the Lord has done in 2015, especially the addition of Brite Wren and the amazing love and growth our oldest firecracker, Miss Marin, has shown.  We are entering 2016 with open eyes, open hearts and open hands.  He is faithful.