Ko Olina 2019

The effect of the sun, the salty sea and the sand between your toes cannot be underestimated. Though we have some beautiful winter days here in the PNW, the darkness, clouds and constant rain are tough to endure. I adore living here so the best solution, in my opinion, is to get away for a week in the dead of winter. We've been trying to make this trip happen for the past three years and finally bringing it to fruition was a true gift.

After five trips and a slight obsession with Maui we decided to change things up and give Oahu a try. We were not disappointed. Having a lagoon and uncrowded beach within steps of our condo could not have been more perfect. We dug holes in the sand and swam in the ocean. We laid in the sun's rays, went for daily walks, attended a Luau and fed Koi fish. The boys played "washy washy" in the waves with daddy and Grandpapa and went to bed better than anytime I can remember. I read a book and we connected with old friends who are living on the Island. We traveled well with Steve and Paula and are already talking about renting the same condo next year.

I've got to say, this has been the best winter I can remember. The boys' birthdays and Christmas were wonderful, I feel so much more connected in Gig Harbor and we've figured out taking some winter time off keeps the chaos at bay. With Hazel out of the baby stage we're getting our sense of adventure back and unlike the last two years there haven't been any major unanticipated bills.

We're home from a week of rest and relaxation with sun kissed cheeks, grateful hearts and the resolve to withstand these last few months of winter's chill.

Christmas Magic 2018

Christmas 2018 was pretty epic.

In 2016 I was overwhelmed with pregnancy nausea and fatigue, in 2017 Jake was sick, we overcommitted and I had a tiny baby to tend to. In 2018 we finally found the sweet spot. We were busy but not overwhelmed. We made time for everything that was important to us and skipped some of the fun things that don't add significant meaning. Ty and I both took time off which allowed for rest between traveling and family gatherings. The boys were surprisingly well behaved and Hazel jumped right into the festivities.

We spent a weekend in Gig Harbor with Ty's side of the family, Christmas Eve home just the five of us, Christmas evening and the two days following in Oregon with my family. The weather on Christmas Eve was beautiful so we went for a morning walk downtown, I took amazing photos of the kids and we went to church in the early afternoon. Christmas morning I continued my homemade cinnamon roll tradition and we had a lovely time at home.

I lead a group for young mamas through MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers). At our leadership meeting we talked about prepping for our Christmas session and how to share Jesus through that story. Evangelicalism is not something that has ever been a part of my personal faith journey. I can't quite pinpoint why but the thought of it makes me cringe. There is so much judgment woven into the church and I never want to make people feel inadequate no matter what they believe. Christ has undoubtedly brought so much hope and meaning to my life and I think everyone deserves that peace. I also understand everyone is incredibly different and what speaks to me doesn't necessarily resonate with others in the same way. I pray everyone finds something that gives them hope and quiets their soul. My version of evangelism is meeting people where they are, accepting them without any stipulations and hoping that in and through me they feel Jesus' love.

Here's what I shared.

When I was in high school, either a freshman or sophomore, there was one Christmas where I remember feeling like the magic was gone. Christmas was just another day and even though I got every gift on my list I felt unfulfilled. This prompted a desire to understand where all the Christmas traditions came from and I went on a mission to figure out why people put trees up in their homes and consume candy canes this time of year. I've believed in God for as long as I can remember and that Christmas confirmed that it takes much more than gifts and fun traditions to nourish my soul. 

Fast forward to Christmas as a mom and attempting to share meaning and magic with my kiddos. When the Santa bomb gets dropped, I want to make sure there is still something to believe in. The Christmas story is easy for me to relate to given that pregnancy, childbirth and babies are such a significant part of my story. I work with newborn babies, have three kiddos of my own and feel strongly about supporting women during this stage in their lives. I tear up pretty much anytime I hear of a baby being born and it's no different when I listen to the story of that first Christmas. I imagine Mary, young and terrified (as all first time moms are), holding her perfect gift from above. I think of holding each of my babies for the first time and the overwhelming love and gratitude I felt for them. There is something divine about the birthing process, for sure. In Luke it says that Mary "stored up the treasures in her heart" and that's exactly what I did in those early moments with my newborns. I'll never forgot holding them and sobbing, the most euphoric I've ever been. I've always felt at peace in church and at the Christmas Eve service I feel the same gratitude I did in the delivery room that makes me want burst into tears. When I sit with my husband and hold my babies I think about the profound joy they bring me and feel more powerfully than any other time the goodness and light that Jesus has woven into my story. In that moment, Christmas is magic again, year after year.

With family, at church and in the quiet moments the season brings, gratitude continues to be the resounding song in my heart.