Times Like These

I have a new mantra for 2014.

Actually, it started a couple of months ago during a 'how, why, what, where and holy cow I can't do that, it's too much for me' moments.  My sister-in-law told me to breathe and "don't over think it".

I have spent my life over thinking it, usually in a 'not good enough' way.

But I am done with that I tell you!  2014 is my year of not overthinking it!
Don't ask me to think, I won't do it.

I might over think it a little bit, sometimes, I do have standards after all.
Baby steps people, baby steps.

PS Sweet little spots from my girls' room, I sneak in there sometimes while they are at school.  Obviously, so does Molly (the cat).

I Am Excited

About this year.  I am excited about this day, hour, moment.  Because we have to indulge in the little things, right?

Happy New Year everyone!

xoxo D

The Change Is In The Air

One more week of school.  We are all chomping at the bit.

To say it has been crazy around here doesn't even begin to describe it.
People, like me, talk about how busy they are all the time.
Well, I'm over it, I'm ready to slow down a bit.

Audrey told me to stop checking my e-mail all the time.  I put down my phone and said, "look, hands free", and she rolled her eyes and said, "yeah right".  Really?

So, one last night of insanity, working on a special project for the girls' school and then that's it.

I'm slowing down, living life hands free.  You'll see.

Throwback Thursday-Sick Day 2011

I don't know if this "Throwback Thursday" stuff is only meant for Instagram.....or even how back you are meant to throw.  When I take photos of my girls I sometimes grab the camera, take a few pics and then forget about them.  But when I come upon them later I am taken aback by the beauty of them-not the photos themselves, but the memory of the day.

This was the end of the school year and both girls were home sick (which rarely happens anymore) I think maybe I had to go and pick them up.  My girls look so little here, with their sweet little faces and short haircuts.  Audrey still has her cute little chubby cheeks and arms.  Piper was 8 and now, as of yesterday, she is 10.  That seems like such a huge jump, even though it's only two little years that flew by so fast.

There is something fun about sick days, well if you aren't too sick I mean.  It's a day off, to rest, watch TV,  do drawings, skip school, take casual nature walks, eat cereal with your little stuffed friends, and let your momma take care of you.  All day.

A little angel sleeping.

Bliss.

Reminiscing

Three (two?) summers ago we went to the Midwest for nearly four weeks.  The girls missed their daddy so much.  I just found these pics of when we first got home.  Damion picked us up from the train station (yes, I did say train-that's another story) and we all went to our favorite family food spot for lunch.
I snapped these sweet pics then.

 

Even though Piper is digging through D's wallet for cash she really did miss her daddy too, just as much as Audrey did!  Hahahaha.

These Are Not The Hard Things

There are some things in life that are hard. Hard to deal with, hard to understand, hard to manage. Most of what we say is hard is not. Really. Hard at all. I hear it though; that relationships are hard, that getting your kids to do homework is hard, that getting up and going to work is hard, going back to school, what to make for dinner, driving in the rain. These things are not hard. These things are called blessings.

Lest you think this is a preaching post, it is not. It is a call for accountability. I am guilty of some of the above and more. I want to move forward from this very easy to fall into negative way of thinking and I am asking for your support. Let's work together to find the beauty in all of the little things in life that we are so lucky to deal with. I am so grateful that I have two beautiful little girls who absolutely adore me. I have a husband who is funny and sweet and present (and hot). I have friends who will help me out at a moments notice. I have a mom and a stepdad who have been so ridunkulously supportive and generous over the years. I have nieces and nephews and cousins and brothers and sisters and aunts and uncles who call me and text me and visit me all the time (more visits please). I have a home, a car, a warm bed and grocery money.

So. If you hear me start to bitch about any of this stuff, just slap me. Okay, so please don't slap me. You can tell me to lighten up or just give me a look or tell me you don't want to hear it. I will do the same for you, except the slapping part-unless you don't stop and then I just might slap you. No, I won't.

From the weekend.

Inspired

This photo is probably three years old.  I bet I have over a hundred photos of the girls jumping off of things.

It is somehow very inspiring.  Go on--jump--be bold--take the leap. That's what I keep hearing in my head.

Ok, I will.

PS--this pic is processed using Totally Rad Actions....check it out....I love their filters.

10 Seconds

I had a Flower Friday post planned but then got distracted by this whole "space shuttle on a 747" thing.  It was 10 seconds of a fly by and then two hours of talking on the phone and editing pics  (I only took 15 pictures) and then messing around with the pics and then putting my favorites on Facebook and then spending more time looking at all of my friend's pics and "liking" them---because I am nothing if not supportive---and then deciding which pic to blog.

And here it is, my favorite, with an old fashioned look but a very modern message.

Endeavor

I love it.

Happy Friday, have a wonderful weekend.

Be cool, stay cool.....and get back to work..;)

Flower Friday--Summer Is Here

Summer is not officially here, but it's close.  

School's out and everything is starting to relax a bit. (even softball feels more relaxed)

It's June Gloom time and that's one of my favorite parts of LA weather.

There's a slight fog morning and night and the heat is really just kind of soft and fuzzy.

Setting us off guard for the July heat to kick in.

Have a great weekend.

It's Official

I am a Softball Mom.

We are all way into it.  

So much so that we have to get a hotel room in the OC just so we don't have to drive back and forth for a hundred games in a row! It is a total blast though, so I am not complaining.

The big Frog and Toad musical is over and done (more about that later), school is out on Friday so most school projects are wrapped up. I am quickly catching up on photo assignments that I have been neglecting and I am really looking forward to summer with my girls.

Much much more coming in the next few months.

Thanks for hanging in there---and special thanks to the few of you who have sent me e-mails telling me you missed the posts.  I love that encouragement.

xoxo

Let's Rethink This

Well, I kind of dropped the ball on my little posting challenge, didn't I?  No worry, I will just start again and cut myself a bit of slack......how about three times a week for the time being and then if I have something so terribly, earth-shatteringly important to say or to show you, I can throw in an extra day or two?

Sound good?  Good, thought you would think so.

Here's the good news (not that there is any bad news), I have been really busy taking some nice pics.

Look who's pretty.

I just now decided that I won't say too much about these pics and just let you see.

I will say though, that this was a really fun shoot to do.....

....easy and breezy and everything flowed very calmly and naturally......

....and prettily.

Happy Tuesday, see you next month.

(kidding)

Flower Friday---In Shades of Grey

I am feeling a bit blue today.

No big thing, just a bit fuzzy in the head.

  

I look for inspiration in the little things.

I try to remember to feel grateful.

Most times, it works.

Today it did.

Thanks so much for checking in this week.  

Have a wonderful weekend.

xoxo