Simplify.

I'm a firm believer that New Year's Resolutions are matters of the heart. Each year, intentions are set to lose weight, give more-take less, eat healthier, spend more time with loved ones--each goal focused on the end result of bettering oneself.

Last year I aimed to a create a more focused life. While I fell short in a few areas, others have flourished thus altering my own paradigm. Isn't that what it is really all about anyway? Making a conscious effort to change. For the past month or so I have been tossing around the idea of this year's resolution. Usually I settle on something generic like weight loss or less candy consumption. However, I found that I am content with those areas of my life for the time. Instead I decided to focus (there's that word again) on simplifying my life. Nothing to dramatic, just simple things like a more minimalism lifestyle, i.e. toys that don't require batteries, more books and less television, meals that are fresh and not pre-packaged, buying quality instead of quantity, and ultimately going back to the basics of my marriage. 

Laying in bed a few nights ago John confessed that he's felt as though he's been replaced by the children--that any love that I once had for him was being now channeled in our children's direction. It stung and hurt, but truth be told, I knew that I wasn't finding the proper balance between being a wife and a mother. Since the arrival of Addison it has seemed like such a juggling act where if I look away for one moment all the pieces in my life crumble to the floor. 

With that said, I hope to simplify things in my marriage by setting aside time for one-on-one interaction, letting petty nonsense not develop into full-blown battles, and trying to see the daily good in my husband. Someone once told me that if I would set aside five minutes of my time everyday for my husband when he arrived home from work I would start to see small (yet positive) changes happen in my marriage. It's been hard, but the results have slowly begun to resonate. 

Here's to am amazing (and simplified) 2013. Be safe tonight!

Christmas 2012

Usually I hold out until after the new year to dismantle the holiday clutter, but our Charlie Brown tree went without water for four days and it's dismal state upon our return from my parent's home was beyond repair. Thus the tree is down, the decorations are neatly stocked away and the lights are (somewhat) organized. 

This year Christmas brought the added joy of having a toddler who could unwrap presents by himself, albeit he didn't grasp the concept of unwrapping and then moving onto the next gift. Once he understood the idea that all the presents required he attention havoc broke out and a carnage of wrapping paper, bows and bakers twine almost buried Addison alive. She was spared--I just had to search through the chaos for the shiniest tissue paper of which she was ravenously trying to devour.

While gifts were fun to unwrap his heart was ultimately set on playing with a 50 year-old Fisher Price train from Grandma's toy box. go figure.  This year also marked the beginning of Santa Claus, the kid is stubborn and is quite skeptical of the white bearded man. I am sure by next year we'll make him into a bona fide Santa believer.

I could ramble on and on about my mom's home cooking, and the pounds of coconut shrimp, crab, and turkey that was devoured by all, but my laundry seemed to breed during my sabbatical. Wish me luck and Happy Holidays to all of you! 

Merry Christmas

We are leaving for my parent's house is T minus two hours and I am in a state of panic right now. There are still gifts to be wrapped, clothes to be packed, and dishes to be done. My parent's live in an area where dial-up internet still exists. Insane, yes? Which makes writing or  uploading pictures virtually impossible. Have you ever watched paint dry? It's basically that slow. It only seems fitting then to leave the computer at home and spend the next five days and spend time gorging on food, lovin' on my babies and relaxing with my family. 

Enjoy the egg nog (of which I have never tried *gasp*) and a Merry Christmas from our home to yours!

Instagram+Three Things

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I imagine this week has served as an emotional roller coaster for everyone. The Christmas season seems so trivial compared to the bigger questions that are being asked right now. I know in our small little family we've begun to reevaluate our reality and what is really important to us. I'm sure it's a discussion that has taken place in many homes in the wake of such devastating loss.

This week I found a few things that made me smile. I am sure we could all use that right now. 

one//Photographer Francois Brunelle took a series of photos of individuals who might as well be siblings, but yet are not related. Totally ca-razy!

two//this is by far one of my favorite Youtube videos of all time. This week required a good overdose of laughter and the "Kid History" series was just what the doctor ordered. 

three//Such a sweet blog, with an even sweeter post on how to strengthen your marriage. Love it.

three-and-a-half//If you haven't read this article please do. I initially found it via The Huffington Post, but then redirected myself to this woman's blog, where she gives a portrayal of her son and the need for a drastic overhaul of our nation's mental health system. In light of the Connecticut shooting it is truly an eye-opener and a must read for everyone. 

God Bless.

Seven Months.

Oh baby girl,

I wish you could understand how reflective these pictures are of your life right now. Your personality has blossomed into that of a typical girl. In a blink of an eye you can revert from laughter and giggles to full-blown sobs without the slightest inclination of what went wrong. When not darting back and forth between trivial melodrama, your little mind seems to be so in tune with your surroundings. Recently, you've begun pick up on the slightest social cues--if someone is yelling you cry, whereas laughter from the television sends you into a fit of giggles and when your brother's temper tantrums begin to boil over you stare at him with a sense of confusion and worry. All signs point to the development of genuinely caring and alert personality. I wish I could say those attributes came from me...

Your fascination for the world around you also shows no bounds. You've started to rest on your haunches with all intentions of crawling soon and just this week you started to eat crackers. Sister, slow down! I want you to stay tiny for a bit longer, okay? Between your love for feeding yourself and your fascination with your brother's toys (which he is not enjoying) you have most certainly begun to gain your own independence.

Watching you grow has been one of the greatest blessings of parenthood. Your eyes gleam with delight when you learn a new task and your love for Brecken melts my heart daily. In a world that seems to be speeding downward into a chaotic abyss you hold a glimmer of hope that there is still so much good in the world.

I love you.

Mom