Head in the Clouds

So I have been SUPER busy with life- of all things- and so I have neglected my short-lived blog! I am now blogging for my shop as well, so I plan to keep up on things a little better in the cyber-world! I found it appropriate to share these beautiful images of my boys from the other day. After all, we can all relate to having our heads in the clouds sometimes.- J

The Power of Mothers

I know that if you are a mother you probably can relate to the experience I had the other day, when I found myself looking at myself and thinking- only a mother.

Dylan had a school project that involved painting, and I was helping him to finish it up. Sorin is teething right now, so he needs extra snuggles and nursing sessions. So we reached that moment the other night when Sorin needed me and Dylan needed. Yes, this has happened many times before, but this blog is allowing me to share this moment with you.

Although I was in the middle of painting, I scooped my baby up in my arms and allowed him to nurse while I help Dylan paint his cardboard house. I thought to myself, only a mother.

Then last night I had to take work home with me, as I am in the process of reworking my business's website. I was on my laptop spending time with BJ watching a movie. Dylan came in and asked if he could read to me. He cozied up next to me and started to read. Sorin sees all this and comes up to ask (in his little Sori-way) to nurse. So I was sitting next to my husband, listening to Dylan, nursing Sorin and at the same time was editing images on my computer. Again I thought, only a mother.

Mothers are so undervalued in our culture, and it is important in my opinion, to share experiences like the ones I had in the past few days to remind one another how incredibly powerful we are. So much is expected of us and sometimes many things are required of us all at once and you find yourself just letting go and submitting.

Our ability to multi-task is amazing, and I am so proud to be a mother. I feel that a lot of it comes from the example my own mother showed me when I was a child. Looking back, my mom was always so at ease with juggling our family, work, the house, life. She was so flawless in my eyes. I know now that I'm sure she felt overwhelmed a lot, and so I find myself telling her that I appreciated everything she did for me when I was a child. And everything she continues to do for me, my family, and everyone around her. I know that my strength as a mother and as a woman stems from her. Such a gift. 

So to all you mothers, please take time to value yourself and your hard work. It is not as easy as some people think it is taking care of family, having a job, taking care of daily chores, and oh, don't forget about taking care of yourself.

A Beautiful Day in Photos

Last month we went to the Empire Mine to take pictures for Sorin's Birthday Party Invites. Looking back, this was the day before the never-ending winter weather arrived. These pictures brightened my day, so I thought I would share them.

   

snow, snow go away . . .

I must start by saying that snow is NOT one of my favorite things!  Yes, it is snowing once again. Oh dear. I understand that we are suppose to be thankful for snow, and I must admit it is beautiful, but why so much so often?

I remember when I was little, growing up in Napa, I thought snow was the absolute greatest joy of winter. Of course in the 15 years we lived there, our snow level reached a half of a foot TOTAL! Very different world I live in now.

Dylan has a darling book that sums up my feelings on snow. It is called Snow is My Favorite and My Best by Lauren Child. It is from the Charlie and Lola series and it is about how a little girl named Lola can't wait for the snow to arrive. When it does she and her brother, along with their friends, have a glorious day of building snowdogs and making snow angels and sledding. She has beig plans for the following day, only to wake and find that the snow has melted! Devastated, she wishes it would snow all the time. Her older brother Charlie compared it snowing all the time to having your birthday every day. (Which Lola thinks would be wonderful!)

Having your birthday every day would take the special part out of it, and so would having snow every day. Well, Charlie is right on. The first snow this winter was pretty magical, but at this point as we approach April, the snow is now a complete dread of mine.

Snow, snow go away. . .

Please! Please! Please! Don't fall in May!

I'm thankful for the feet we've had,

But now I'm getting kind of mad.

I will not shed a single tear-

If we don't meet again until next year!

Hopefully this is last of our frozen winter weather. Bring on the sun!

A Birthday at Home

Sunday March 13, 2011. Sorin Kai's first birthday.  We woke up to our beautiful smiley-faced cherub and just enjoyed a lazy morning full of love and snuggles!

At Dylan's request we made a special breakfast of bacon, eggs, blueberry bagels and fresh strawberries for our big kid. (Of course he only nibbled on a piece of bacon and a few strawberries before he requested his favorite food- Mama's Milk!)

I set to work on a simple white cake with coordinating cupcakes for Sorin's birthday treat, which turned into a bigger project than expected, but it was all tasty in the end.

                          Papa surprised Sorin with an array of colorful balloons- Sorin's favorite!

The birthday boy in his birthday suit!

Sorin then opened his gifts, with assistance (and pressure!) from River and Dylan.

                                                  


                                               

                                                     


          He LOVED his rocking Rody horse!











After a nice nap and delicious dinner, homemade by Papa, we sang Happy Birthday to our big boy!

                  


He enjoyed playing in his fish-shaped cake (I had to make a fish, being that Sorin is our little Pisces!)

Hmmmm....

I must say it was quite scrumptious! Even Ruby had to test-taste it as our handy-dachsie clean-up crew!

Everything has a beginning . . .

So today I shall begin my newest adventure- blogging! I feel as though I'm stepping into unfamiliar territory here- having never really followed any blogs myself, unless you count the occasional stopping by of a few of my close friend's blogs. But at any rate, those few have inspired me enough to embark on this simple journey of expression myself.

I'm not sure who will actually read what is on my mind, but to those of you who are remotely interested, I'll do my best to entertain.

Once upon a time I thought of myself as "one with my words," though time has stepped between me and my writing. I am hoping to gain a little of that "me time" back. So if anything, this blog will truly be for my own enjoyment.

As for my blog's title, well I am pressing myself to become more positive about life, and so I want to focus on the things I love- my favorite things. At the top of that list, my boys- Dylan Ryan and Sorin Kai. But there are many other things as well- soon I will reveal them!

So for now, that is that. I will promise myself to write soon.-J