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).

The Girls

I look at these photos and I can imagine them like this in another 5 (10, 20, 30) years, doing the same thing.

Throwing me attitude,

being total goofs,

reminding me to go with the flow.

As if I have any other choice.

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.

Softball

The season is over and I haven't shared even one pic.

So here goes.

We had some killer hits this season.

Serious focus.

  Lots of girls dancing over home plate.......

.......and big team spirit.

I haven't even included the pitching and fielding and other fun shenanigans.  

But, for now I will leave you with just one more.......

....because you can't have a softball team without a FIFI.

Love these girls.

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.

A Shout Out

My man. The best I know.

I am reflecting on all of the things that make him so special and finding the list unending.

To name just a few-honest, true, loyal, PRESENT, hard-working, organized, INCREDIBLY ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT LIFE, funny, more like HILARIOUS (although my mother doesn't always appreciate his humor), super fit, patient, can always pick out a good wine for me, incredibly supportive, AN AWESOME AND INVOLVED DAD, sexy, clever, and the best husband ever.

I will wrap it up there because I rhymed-bonus.

Happy Birthday babe. I wish you a thousand more years of happiness and health.

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.

Success

I have been working hard----on many, many things.  I always do, with family and friends and kids and jobsssss and creating happiness around me. I have no choice, the same as other women and men with and without kids all around me, there is always in there some form of hard work and "busyness".

So, this is not a post about work and the always present and spoke of "busyness".

This is a post about the success that comes out of the hard work.  Money, well wishes, folks telling you that you are great, what you have created is great?  Yes, for sure, that is good.

What I am really talking about is the moment when you quiet your inner critic and you let all the little stuff go and stand back and you say to yourself....and your work partner...."hey, good job, we did it, we did what we said we would do and we did it with hard work, style, grace and a can do spirit"......that's the success of it.

The bonus is we still had time to run home and grab a shower.

If you are in LA, come to the show tonight.  1638 Wilcox Ave (just south of Hollywood Blvd.) 5 to 9.

xoxo

In No Particular Order

Stay-cation August 2012
Malibu.

Solstice Creek Hike.
If you go now, go early.
It's hot there, but the teeny tiny watering hole is refreshing.

Have a great weekend.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo