Summer Time

Here lately I have been in the this weird funk - not completely unhappy but super overwhelmed with life in general, feeling like there is not enough hours in the day - stopping short of accomplishing anything at all.

I have felt this heavy weight upon my heart - every single time that I would open Facebook (which turned out be a lot) because it was just so negative, it brought me to the realization that we as a society have become so disconnected from each other. 

It also lead to me realize that I have became so disconnected from my own family (the people in my house,) that my biggest dreams are to be left alone completely - and if that is the thought process in a healthy home environment something has gone seriously awry.

I didn't spend time on social media for hours at one, but it would be a few minutes here and there, and truth be told that time adds up super quickly, and I started to realize what a time sucker it is, with the added bonus of becoming "mindless."

I left like it was sucking all the life out of me. Something as simple as taking a picture (that use to brought me tremendous joy) became an obsession for perfection - and well what is the fun in that?

So after much thought, I have decided to do an experiment of sorts.  A summer (maybe longer) without social media.  I have realized that that I have so many in the moment losses, because of having to "share" everything now and instantly.  I always long back to Germany, and this week it occurred to me that my longing is more for the simplicity of life we experience. First of we didn't have internet everywhere, we got iphones late in the game, and we enjoyed our trips in the moment and shared it later - we were present. It wasn't the constant American rush, everything being open 24/7, the instant gratification of wanting something now and getting it now.  So I have decided to take a break, to regroup, and to simply enjoy the finer things in life - to be fully present and aware of all the gifts around me, to fully absorb the last few years I have left with my kids (time flies,) to enjoy sunsets and sunrise, to be in my own stillness with Him, and to feel Him softly breath life into my soul, impromptu dinner dates with friends, summer travels, being connect to the people around me (even if I am bummed about my current location,) and reading the stack of books on my table, that I have been putting off.  Life is so short, and I choose to embrace the beauty of it, living in my now.

I actually thought it would be much harder, but I have been pretty much off for two-ish weeks, and I feel so relieved, I can't wait to see what daily gifts I find in my present, in my now.  It is kind of crazy all the things I have accomplished, more time with the kids, I finished up a house project, spend every afternoon outside in the sunshine, ready two and a half books, and made the most delicious food -all this with time to spare.

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We set up our little pool for last year a couple of weeks ago, and the kids love it.  But in just one year they have pretty much outgrown it.  So Nate got a super awesome steal on a huge pool, big enough for all of us to enjoy.  We spent time prepping the area, and leveling the ground....

Well it finally came, it took a day to put it all together and to set it up, and we have been enjoying it every single day every since.  It is so fabulous to float around, watch the kids swim and play, and to get in there with them.  It is our highlight of every day, and I am pretty certain they would want to sleep in the pool, if we could do that.

We have also invested into a hammock, so when we aren't floating in the pool, we are relaxing in the hammock with a cup of homemade lemonade.  This is a life, a gift - embracing where you are.

The other day the kids painted these bird houses for our one big mulberry tree.  For the first time since being here with have life in our garden, a resident bluejay in the backyard and a little robin family in the front yard.  They speak so much life to me.

I also win the bad mom award because Hayleigh got this little fairy garden for Christmas, and I have been putting it off and off - mostly because I was selfishly serving myself, being disconnected from my now.

We pulled out the box, dusted it off, and we had the best time putting it together, I always wait to long, lingering in the dread of having to do anything, and it always turns out so fantastic, that I have no idea why I put it off for so long.

I finally finished up this project (I forgot to take a before picture) but this little cabinet was this green color, and it didn't really fit with the dining room, so a little face-lift was in order.

I made a conscious effort to have a friend over for cheesecake - just to hang out, and talk, and laugh.  To cultivate this beautiful friendship we have.

We have also enjoyed some pretty tasty food.

 I am so excited for the rest of summer - my goal - to be present over perfect.

I have so much going on in my mind and my soul, so much to process, and hopefully as I am working through it, I will be able to write it out.

I am thankful for this chance, for the fact that when I wasn't completely satisfied with where our life was heading (meaning our contentedness) I am able to remake it - we don't get to redo all this time, but a remake is just what we need.

I will write here as I have time, when it doesn't interfere with my time with the kids, aka after they go to bed if I am not to tired.

This is a journey that I am excited for.

Happy Summer, friends!

Everything Christmas (Oh, a little bit of Christmas)

I have decided that I am done making holiday "list - of things we would like to do," because twice now in a row I start scratching off these goals, and man does it feel good, and then boom - sickness!  Which leads to guilt because how dare we not complete everything on said list - I know I know.

I have literally spend the last five days in bed, not even bothering getting up, and changing from one set of pajamas into the next - the most brutal sinus infection I have ever encountered - vicious.

Luckily Nate was home or working in town, and then when it got worse he took the day off Monday to take care of me and to take me to the doctor - so I caved and got the shot (whatever it was) and some meds, and well for the first time I feel a little human, and I am able to get a few things done.

I am kind of bummed that I had to miss a WHOLE week of my favorite month, but o well - we got a head start this year and I enjoyed two weeks of Christmas magic.

This year we decided to be a little adventurous and decorate more then just the living room.  The kids have begged me for a couple of years now to decorate their bedrooms, and I was such a grinch saying now all the time.  Well then I saw these sheets, perfect for Ian,  at Target one day (and they were 40% off) so everything changed.

We managed to find a lot of great deals, and I am happy to say that I didn't pay full price for anything - score.

The house feels so homey and festive - I love it so much, oh and we might have figured out that I have a slight addiction when it comes to twinkly light ;)

Hayleigh's room:

Ian's room:

Our room:

  The living room:

  The kitchen:
This is were that subtle addiction comes in ;)

  Once the house was decked out we started to enjoy all sorts of awesome Christmas activities.  Most people are busy this time of the year - but for us we love staying home, baking and crafting, as well as enjoying the simplicity of just being together.

None of this is meant to stress anyone out - so we take simply what we love doing and do it each year - sometimes we take things away and sometimes we add something now, the bottom line - if if leaves you frazzle and empty - just toss it.

The kids enjoyed their annual Christmas picture painting, I loved sipping on my tea and watching them, since they require pretty much no more help.  Yas!

  They are seriously in the magical age for Christmas, and it tends to be a ton of fun.

Christmas movies have been playing in abundance, and that creates the perfect atmosphere for snuggles, warm blankets, and lots and lots and lots of popcorn.

  We also set out to make a few tree ornaments (since I got those mini-trees for their rooms on clearance) and they needed some tender love and care.  This is one of the funnest things to do - all while indulging in super cheesy Christmas films.

a little piece of the beach house on our tree.

cinnamon ornaments (I used this recipe.)

  Since I have been sick, Nate really stepped in to help me out and get everything ready, and do some other things with the kids.  We have this light show (surprisingly one of the largest trees in the world) just down the street from our house - well actually you can stand on our front porch and see part of it.  Anyways the kids have been obsessed, and we had made plans to make hot chocolate and go one night, and then boom - sickness.  So my sweetest Nate bundled up the kids, made the hot chocolate and took them - I loved the little videos they sent me.  We are planning to make another little stop there, because why not?

Some other Christmas deliciousness includes, gingerbread snack cake, eggnog, and leisurely gingerbread and eggnog breakfasts.  Who doesn't love that?

 I can't believe that Christmas is just a few short days away.  I am so excited - I just wish I had little miracle elves to help me straighten out this house.

Happy almost Christmas friends.

Be merry!