Happy Halloween

B & I had so much fun getting Bryson's first Halloween costume together. He did amazing getting his pictures taken with all the distractions. This little guy makes us smile.

Happy Halloween from our Mini-Carl from UP!

Birthday Girl

The big 3-0. 

Hello Beautiful! 

I never really thought about were I would be or what I would be doing when I reached thirty. Goals I would have reached or places I would be and here she is big and beautiful. I am healthy, I am happy, I am alive and I am blessed. The older I get the more I understand, relate and grow. What you thought was important may have just been a lesson, the battles you chose to fight may have just been your ego and the friends you make will help you through life by just being still and listen, don't let those ones go. Looking back at the last 10years of my life I realized there are many things I know at 30 that I didn’t quite understand at 20.

Enjoy Today- Worry doesn’t really change your future so enjoy today. Since having a baby I want to focus on what matters and that's the now.

This is your only life, invest in the things that matter- Every year I get older I realize this is it, I only get this one life and I chose to invest it in things that matter. God & Family... OK and coffee. ;)

Laugh- Why not? Don't take life so serious. You are not stuck and don't chose to tell yourself you are. Laughter is the best medicine for your soul and its free.

Let it go- Would you carry a 20lb rock around for five years? I didn't think so. Forgive and let it go. Some things are not worth your worry. You cant grow with that much extra weight hanging off of you. Forgiveness is worth the hard work.

Travel-  I get so much personal growth from traveling and seeing the world. I see how blessed I am and how beautiful Gods country really is.

It doesn’t matter what people think of you, and you can’t please everyone.- Wake up for you. Everyone is judging to some extent but if you live by others judgment you lose yourself. Please what matters most to you in your life.  

Being healthy matters- I'm not talking about McDonald's vs. a Salad (although its a wise choice) I'm talking about freeing your mind. Take 5 deep breaths or taking a bath in silence, take a walk, read a book. Detox your mind so you don't lose yourself in the hustle and bustle.

You can't fail- The only way to fail is to give up but your not really failing because your not giving up on giving up... ;)

Love unconditionally- Will I ever truly understand this meaning? Someday, but for now I will try my hardest and know I gave it my all.

There is so much more to life then I will ever know. I do know I will never live a day with out a relationship with God. I haven't got this far being on my own. I will fight for my family even on a good day and I will love with my whole heart even if it scars me.

 Here's to the next 30!

selfless love

Planned, unplanned, surprise or present every child is a blessing. When planning for our family B and I felt the time was right for us to add a little one to our lives. We wanted the next step, we felt we had accomplished what we wanted to together and was ready to go through the rest of our lives with a family.  Were we totally prepared? Probably not, but we did have nine months to get as close to it as we thought we could. When we made the decision there was no going back once we saw the two little pink lines. Our lives had forever changed and we couldn't imagine it being any different. 

Before I had kids I was the Mom that said, "Oh my kid isn't going to do that." Or "They will know better." Surprise! How wrong was I!! What was I thinking? Did I not think my kid would have a personality? Haha. No matter how prepared we were from having the right crib, buying organic bath wash, having enough diapers, I think you forget about the little soul that needs its own growth. I didn't relies how MUCH of myself/my marriage (in a good way) I would have to sacrifice to help this little being grow. Our little being. I now know the sacrifice my parents made and cherish their selfless love.

As a parent we are the nurturer & protector. No one else signed up for this role even if the role is unplanned. I couldn't imagine life without my family and also need to remember THIS is worth the struggles.

Bryson is going through the clingy phase when in public. He was not much for snuggles so when he is clingy I have to say I kinda love it :) The last two months of growth and maturity have been amazing. Its that in awe feeling you get when you watch a big airliner jet take off. How do they do that? Its moments like this that make me blessed to be a stay at home Mom.

Happy Friday!

Happy Wednesday

Funk, That's the word that comes to mind. You know when you need/want to get something done but you avoid it by doing anything and everything else while telling yourself you'll get it done right after this... that's were I am at with blogging. I have been diving into my photography, up all night with a little one that is learning to cry it out and anything that I don't have to cook has been my diet. Ugg enough already! I want to sit down and write so many post, get caught up on the blogs I'm fallowing but when my nights roll around I am so exhausting its the lasting thing I want to do. I miss it.

Bryson is growing so fast and his little personality is amazing but wears this Momma out! This is the hardest most rewarding thing I have ever accomplished in my life. I love being able to stay at home with him and learn things all over again. The two of us are going to visit my sister soon. I can't wait. I have a new craft list for this trip!

The holidays are coming and I got a head start on our Christmas pictures. Its hard not to post them yet. That reminds me, I need to get Bryson a stocking. B worked on Brysons Halloween costume prop. Pictures to come soon. He is going to be such a cute..... (Its a surprise!)

{this moment}

{this moment} –A single photo – no words – capturing a moment. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

My Boys!

Fall is here

The air is crisp, the leaves are falling, pumpkin spice lattes are an "almost" everyday treat and I started singing Christmas music to Bryson the other day while he was taking a bath. Yup, Christmas music! I am not one to be remembered as a big holiday fan only because I was always working full time and the last thing I wanted to do when I came home was decorate my house with items I had stashed away for a whole year. Needless to say I also am not a clutter/collector person. Its hard enough for me to save wrapping paper for 360 days. I. Just. Cant. Do. It!  But let me tell you, after having Bryson and watching the world through his eyes I cant wait for Christmas! The excitement in his face just from peek-a-boo is priceless. Bring on the Holidays!

Joe Dirt? Nope just his new hat :)

I have to admit.... I am a little obsessed with planning Bryson's 1st Birthday Party. I want my kids Birthdays to be their happiest day ever! I have been ordering supplies (We live on an island were Wal-Mart is a big deal so we spend TONS on shipping & handling!) and his first Birthday theme is going to be....drum role.... Under The Sea. Fishing nets, streamers, whales, bubbles. I CAN'T WAIT to do the cake smash. Lots of pictures to come!

Ten Months

Standing up one handed

Weight-19.5lbs

Height-28"
Size 12M clothes

Wakes up 2-3x a night
5 teeth
Size 3-4 Diapers
Side stepping

Two naps a day
Hits when mad

Likes Swinging

Went Halibut Fishing
Makes a funny face
Fell off the couch
Growing over night
Copies your coughs
Hello Attitude
Poops when scared... haha
Morning snuggles
Tired Parents
Mr. Gibber Jabbers
Goes to bed well
New car seat
SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT!!
Little begging birdie for food
Solid food once a day/Nursing

This is our purpose

Crafters Anonymous

The last few years around this time family and friends get together and do a winter craft party for each month. We kicked off this year with painting pumpkins, appetizers and gibber gabbier. I did find a few tips for next time. The biggest, use spray paint! I had two cans of spray paint and we also hand painted and the hand paint took fooooorever to dry. Spray paint is a must. Here is what we came up with.

Tis' the Shrimp Season

Oct. 1 marks the season for shrimp! My Uncle and crew get the pots ready, let them soak and then we meet them ready to get these babies cleaned and ready to sell. I have been helping for years and its more of the family time that I enjoy then the take home shrimp. Making those memories is whats its about. One more reason I love living in Alaska...

 Even Bryson is in training,

 My Husband spoiled me with this delicious shrimp fettuccine! Go B! 

A great start to fall

Around the same time every fall the Humpback whales stick around filling there bellies before they head south to Hawaii. I my friends have a front row seat that never gets old! Over the weekend we had four Humpback whales bubble net feeding right out front of our house. I am So Blessed!