Halloween 2014

Last fall I felt like I effortlessly got tons of perfect photos.  Owen at the pumpkin patch, in the fall leaves, in his halloween costume.  We took family photos and Owen is grinning ear to ear in all of them.  This fall, not so much.  I barely got one good one at the pumpkin patch, the Halloween photos were a total bust and Owen was a wild man for our family photo session.  Despite the lack of documentation, Halloween was a blast.  Owen LOVED trick or treating.  I was surprised at how quickly he caught on and how into it he got.  He loved walking up to people's porches and wanted to let himself into their houses.  He would look in and say "dog" as they were passing out the candy.  He was also pretty sneaky, reaching into the candy bowl for seconds whenever he could swing it.  We dressed him up as a postman and he was pretty darn adorable.  We spent the evening with Kari, Chris, Olivia, Steve, Paula, Larry and Karen.  Olivia was as cute as a bug in her ladybug costume and enjoyed trick or treating just as much as Owen did.  

Palm Springs

My good friend Danielle's husband is an adventure junkie and goes away for a man trip at least once a year. Thus, Danielle decided that the mom's needed to take a trip of our own.  Ty never does anything like that, so I didn't really have an excuse, but it still sounded like a perfect idea to me.  The plan was to go somewhere the husbands and kids wouldn't enjoy; sun bathing, reading, the spa and shopping were all on the agenda.  We settled on a long weekend in Palm Springs, flight and hotel costs were low and we knew we could count on good weather.

It was a fabulous trip.  We only got to about half of the things on our to do list because we were so content just lounging around and chatting without the responsibility of caring for mini humans.  Good conversations are one of my all time favorite things and I loved the opportunity to get to know more about my friends.  When we are together we are usually chatting while simultaneously wrangling our toddlers, I often get home and realize we never finished a particular topic.  I so enjoyed being able to have long, uninterrupted conversations. We spent lots of time by the pool and a little time exploring Palm Springs, we went to a movie (our big night out) and ate at great restaurants.  None of us got too far in the books we brought along, we never ended up shopping or going to the spa, but we had a wonderful time.  Turns out we don't need much to be happy and entertained.

I love being a mom and Owen is the center of my world but it's really important to me to have an identity outside of him as well. I think that as mom's we all need time for ourselves and to talk about something besides our children once in a while.  The weekend was a perfect escape and I am so thankful I have a husband that supports me in getting away.  I knew that the boys would be fine at home without me and didn't worry about them at all.  Although I did miss them like crazy, by Monday I was ready to come home. With the basement construction, the third trimester of pregnancy and chaos that will ensure once we're a family of four, I know it's going to be quite a while before I'm able to relax like this again.

Chelan 2014

Ty, Owen and I spent a week in Chelan to celebrate my 29th and Ty's 30th birthday.  We love Lake Chelan and it was wonderful to get away with just the three of us.  We stayed at Campbell's Resort which is a perfect set up for families.  Two pools, a sandy beach into the lake, a room with a kitchenette, and lot of sunshine made for a lovely stay.  At home we've been hard at work cleaning out the basement and stressing out about that construction, so it was a much needed break.  I've reached the point in my pregnancy where life is getting a little harder.  Bending down is requiring some work, I run out of  breath much quicker than usual, I'm not sleeping quite as soundly, and with everything I have to do it's not easy to slow down.  We all know how I am when it comes to letting things that need to be done go, it just doesn't happen.  While we were away Ty did the majority of lugging Owen around and he treated me to a blissful massage/pedicure at the spa.  It was a perfect way to end summer and kick off my 29th year.

Abigail Annette

Last month I watched my best friend of 20 years become a mama.  It was pretty incredible.  Rachel did amazing during the labor and delivery and is a total natural when it comes to newborn care. I am super proud of her.  There is really nothing more beautiful than seeing a baby be born, truly a miracle.  I am pretty obsessed with this beautiful little girl and can't wait for all the adventures Abby, Owen and 2.0 will share.

5 Years

Ty and I have been married for five years, which means we have been together for a grand total of eleven.  It is crazy how quickly the time passes.  Five years, a house, a dog, a sweet baby boy and another on the way.  It's been pretty amazing. Together Ty and I have had a wide variety of experiences.  From learning to navigate our freshman year of college, to a semester traveling Europe, to graduating, starting careers, and becoming parents, we have loved and supported each other through it all.  We have grown both individually and as a couple throughout our relationship and I am grateful for every year.  I remember our wedding day with great fondness and always think about our vows on our anniversary.

I promise to support your dreams and nurture your kindness
Because it is through this your soul shines
I promise to help shoulder our challenges and share our successes
Because our strength lies in our union together

I promise to be your partner in all things
Choosing to build a life and family grounded in faith
I promise you friendship
To keep my heart light and always embrace laughter

Lastly, I promise you unconditional love and unwavering trust
This is my sacred vow to you
My equal, my love, my husband

Ty is a pretty amazing husband.  Just like we promised on that August day five years ago, we have an equal partnership where we share pretty much all the responsibilities.  We both work, we both cook and clean, we both take care of Jake and Owen. Sometimes he has to do more and sometimes I have to pick up the slack but for the most part we divide and conquer. Obviously no relationship is perfect but I can honestly say that I'm extremely happy and secure in my marriage.  Ty is one of the most generous and loving people I know and he makes me a better person everyday.  I have long believed that love is not only an emotion but also a choice and I am so thankful that we choose to love and encourage each other in all things.  A lot has happened in the last five years and I am looking forward to many more to come.