An (incomplete) List of Things I Love

I love long conversations and vulnerability. I love learning new things. I love being with my kids. I love the feeling of a clean house. I love the way Owen smirks when he's really proud of something. I love doing Hazel's hair. I love playing games with Wessy bug. I love my husband and his unwavering dedication to our family. 

I love being with my friends and I love meeting new people. I love capturing beauty with my lens. I love it when I feel like I truly make a difference in my job. I love snuggling on the couch and watching shows with Ty. I love coffee with a lot of cream. I love traveling and the feeling of warm sun radiating down. I love the first blossoms of Spring and fall leaves. I love supporting new moms and building community. I love the sun setting on the Olympics. 

I love being with my sisters. I love going for walks and doing Pilates. I love the smell of rain and fresh cut grass. I love golden hour light. I love it when my kids play together and I love it when my husband finds creative ways to entertain them. I love reading. I love singing worship songs at church. I love popcorn and hot toddy's after a long day at work. I love Halloween and Christmas. I love matching pajamas. I love stories of redemption. I love to write. I love it when I take photos for people and they tell me how much they mean to them. 

I love helping people feel welcome. I love listening to my boys read. I love scratching my kids backs as part of the bedtime routine. I love trips to the Cove with Chris, Kari and the girls. I love the relationship between my kids and their cousins. I love pregnant people and the smell of babies. I love hearing my kids laugh. I love our Beau bear and the way dogs can read people's emotions. I love how much my kids love animals. I love being in my house by myself. I love the beach. I love podcasts and my best friend. I love giving birth. I love witnessing kindness in public. 

I love my people and I love stopping to reflect on all the things I love. 

Arizona 2022

My Aunt Diane was a huge part of my childhood. She was always willing to have my sisters and I around, to play with us, educate us, and take us on adventures. My memory is ripe with fond times we spent together, primarily on her farm in Bend. She taught me to ride a horse, ice skate, and ski. 

This Spring I got to share some of that experience with my children. We flew into Phoenix for a tour of Arizona that did not disappoint. It was a full week with lots of driving but the kids held up great and we loved getting to do and see so much. We spent time in Sedona, at The Grand Canyon, in Wickenberg, and on Lake Pleasant. There was sun, wind and snow in those six days, the elements playing a big role in the experience. We hiked, swam, boated and explored, making it the most adventurous vacation we've done.  

Auntie Di was a gracious host and just as engaging with my kids as she was with me. We all loved spending time with her and are looking forward to more adventures together in the future.