Today we went on our first family hike. We chose the "easiest" and "shortest" hike marked.  Pssht. Don't let the picture fool you. The hike involved walking along cliffs with no railing, up and down wooden staircases precariously attached to rock cliffs, and I'm pretty sure we had a bear following us.

Tonight we went trekking through the woods in search of firewood. We built a fire and warmed ourselves as the sun silently set in the far far west. We watched the day end from a different location than normal. Same sun, different view. And so far, exactly what we needed.

If my age and energy would allow I would dive bomb my bed, scramble under the covers and snuggle in for a good solid nights' sleep. . . Alas, no matter the method, my warm bed awaits.

Our little guy is 8 months old today. I'm amazed at two things: how quickly a tiny little human goes from being this incredibly tiny tiny person to one who can almost crawl in such a short time frame. I am also amazed at how the human body can bounce back after having a baby. Lets get real, pregnancy and delivery takes your body to the absolute MAX, then tests the limits of MAX just a little bit more. But, God is good. Can I get an Amen?

It's my Gran's birthday today! Been thinking of her all day long. My heart longs for the extra years we never got. I wish Jon, and my kids has known the gentle soul she was. She led a life of meaning...lived her life God-breathed. In her presence you were touched by a small part of heaven.

Tonight the shooting stars represent the celebration of life. Happy Birthday Gran!

Fall 2015 was at its peak today. Or so it felt. It was 70 degrees and yellow, orange and red leaves lay thick on the still green grass. The cloudy skies put a full stop at the end of the word Autumn.

That is all.

I believe the season calls for an apple cider recipe. Pumpkins are sprinkling the neighborhoods, dense fog clings to the morning hours, and the nip in the air is enough to remind us to double cheek the winter wood pile.

Ingredients

1 gallon apple cider
1 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon whole cloves
4 cinnamon sticks
1 orange sliced

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker. Stir until brown sugar is incorporated.
2. Turn slow cooker on low and let it steep until hot enough to drink (about 1.5 - 2 hours)
3. Remove cloves and cinnamon sticks before serving.

You know when you start to see a glimmer of normalcy when your newborn babe starts to get a little older? In the beginning the nights and days are so enmeshed they appear as one big mushy puddle. Baby feedings, newborn cries, recovery and hormone changes are ever consuming. Then the feedings start to see longer minutes in-between and the sweet babe starts to slowly recognize their surroundings. Grins turn in giggles, which eventually see baby rolls, baby puree and baby gates. As a mom you start to flourish further in your new layer of mommy hood. You gain confidence, insight and sleep. You are proud. You are raising the next generation. At this point you're only late for 1/2 your scheduled outings and appointments. You've gained the ability to juggle kids, lunches, bags and the breast pump - which you have a love hate relationship with. Life is getting easier. The kids less demanding, and mealtimes more enjoyable.

This was my good today: only one visit to the nursery last night. Happy babies when the sun rose. A garage to keep my car frost free. A cup of coffee waiting for me when I woke up. Sunshine on the early morning drive. A long chat with family on the other side of the world. Two little people coming home with smiles and hugs and love to last me all night long. Easy bedtime routines. The unexpected sound of the song played at our wedding. Quiet time. 

Today was oxygen to my soul. I went out on a limb a couple weeks ago and volunteered my career services on a huge project at work. Initially I'd decided against doing it for two reasons - I'm drowning in work obligations and also, there was a process of being accepted onto the program. But I did it - and was accepted. This afternoon I stepped back into the corporate world, away from my remote hideaway where I spend hours each day quietly churning ideas, thoughts and processes with only the quiet walls to bounce ideas off of. I love working remote - but it felt so so good to put on heels, a full face of makeup, grab my purse & keys and drive to the office.

In the meeting I was surrounded by suites, powerpoint, corporate lingo - and I thought … I'm back…this is my jam.

Saturday Report
1. Declan and I slept til 9am. Unheard of. The last 3 nights with a sleep consultant have taught me so much. And I haven't slept this good in almost 8 months. It's amazing.
2. We bought our first 2 pumpkins of the season today. Chloe was so funny coz she made a bee line straight to the 20+ lb pumpkins and was trying with ALL.HER.MIGHT to lift them up. She is a determined lil girl.
3. We sipped apple cider while we painted our pumpkins (faster than carving them!). First 1/2 gallon of apple cider - gone.
4. We had our first frost last night.
5. Tonight is our first fire in our new wood burning fireplace. The house has taken on a cozy winter feel.


6. We're seeing our final house projects wrap up. Feels so good!
7. Today I pulled out my UGG's.
8. This guy - he's too sweet for words. He melts our hearts.

was that time.

Before babies you kick back, enjoy a good book on a stormy afternoon, sip a nice frothy latte as you enjoy the gentle pitter patter of rain drops bouncing off the glass windows. Kids make their welcomed entrance and 3 years later you can count the number of books you've finished on…oh, say one finger. But you know what? I'm reading a book. Yes mommies, I know you can appreciate this GINORMOUS statement :) Saving Grace by Pamela Fagan Hutchins - comes highly recommended on iBooks. 100 pages in and I think I might even add it to "the recommend" list. 

We hired a sleep consultant yesterday. Never thought I'd say that. In recent months it seems we need an army to keep us in motion. Declan has been killing us one night at a time. I have a job that requires me to be on point, accurate and engaged - and Jon is highly active while also running up and down 40 foot ladders on a hour by hour basis. With no sleep we felt we were falling apart of the seams. Enter Violet. I met her  yesterday morning at 10am. At 10pm I reckon she was my best friend…probably one sided, but I'm claiming her :)

This arrived in the mail today! I ordered it months before the release date and have been patiently awaiting its shipment date. This is a 5 year record of captured moments, treasured events and little snippets. We start today and end October 13th, 2020.

In the sermon today the paster was reading 2 Timothy 3:16-17 where the bible said: 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 

Some days are just hard - who's with me? Declan has an ear infection. His minute naps accounted for nil at the end of the day. Chloe was desperate to swing on her swing set despite the rain drops falling from the sky. Jon and I attempted to maintain full composure despite a night of constant up and down thanks Declan's rough night.  And the morning started waaaaaay to early. Like waaaay too early. Before the sun was up kinda early. 

The sound of rolling thunder amid heavy raindrops. The relaxed breathing of an infant as he sleeps. A spontaneous lunch date with my guy. The last day of autumn warmth before another cold front. A word of encouragement from a source least expected. A hot shower. Two pups fresh from the hairdresser. A clean garage. Impromptu visits. These are the good from today.

"Love you Mommy. You have a good night."    ~ Chloe

Ready for something life changing? If so - click here

The big rain drops, blowing wind and cold temps blew away today. The sunshine and autumn warmth took its place. I bought apple cider and a big bouquet of sunflowers to celebrate the change of season and the change of weather. So far Autumn has been good.

that new vehicle smell.
5 hours with granny while mommy + daddy go pick up the above.
Rain. Rain. Rain. Still loving the 2 days straight of continuous torrential downpour.
Thieves + peppermint diffusing through our candlelit home.
Warm baths on a Saturday morning.
A good cup of coffee.

These are the really good things from today.

Today I didn't brush my hair. I didn't even try cover up the dark circles under my eyes, and I fed my little family ice-cream before dinner just so I could enjoy 10 minutes of non chaos. Some days it's survival.

Chloe drew up my arm in black ball point pen. Declan wiped snot all over my shirt. I fought with the carseat and finally, after 30 minutes of fighting it into its secure place in the car, I loaded the kids only to realize I had put Chloe's carseat together wrong after washing it last night. It was raining, it was cold, Declan was protesting - Chloe insistent on feeding me 12 pieces of spearmint gum. Finally, everyone loaded, I turn the car key only to hear silence. . .dead car.

Chloe napped, Declan protested naps all day. Chloe bounced off the walls and threw half of Declan's bedroom down the stairs, laughing hysterically as items bounced off the landing. Picking my battles, and saving my energy, in the middle of a 15 minute 2 year old tantrum I  asked Chloe to go pack her bags and pick some books coz we were going to Mexico. Instant silence and immediate action. I won and didn't even have to explain myself when we didn't even end up leaving for the airport.

The good from today you ask? Ice-cream. It was pretty delicious.