Christmas Time is Here

WOW- I haven't blogged in a while!

Life has been crazy these past few months--I am not sure which season is the slowest.  Part of my problem is I sign up for way too many things!

I cannot believe Christmas is just a week away.

As I watched Aurelia walk down the stairs this morning, I realized just how big of a kid she is becoming.  She is no longer my baby...

Lately, she jabbers away--saying the funniest things!  The funniest so far was when we were at the museum and I told her that we were leaving in a few minutes...she turned to me and said, "OHHH...you must be grumpy!!"  She's also been adding "hunnie" to the end of everything she says.

Many changes in our family lately- Jon's clinic was bought out by Fairview, my parents went back to Burma for a few weeks, my grandparents stopped in MN before they went to Burma as well... it has been a few busy weeks!

Here are some pics from the past couple of months:

i heart faces challenge {bust a gut}

One of my favorite memories from this past summer is going to Mel's cabin... the girls had an amazing time... and so did we!  Below is a pic of the girls splashing away! 

Check out other entries at www.iheartfaces.com! 

Thoughts on my mind lately

No photos for this post--mostly because I like to give my camera a rest every once in a while-and I haven't really felt like taking photographs lately--sometimes it's nice to just be with Arie with out shoving a camera in her face.

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately.

Thoughts about life, happiness, love, priorities, identity, parenting....

I started to read the Happiness Project by Gretchin Rubin.  Before I started reading this book, I started to deeply think about mindful living- something you'd think was easy (and maybe it is for some) but for me, it's not.

I know I get caught up in the "busy-ness" of day to day life and I know that I don't stop to enjoy my life that I have been so very blessed with.

One of my favorite things of late is time with Arie cuddling in our bed before I leave for work.  She strokes my face and my hair, she tells me she loves me.  She calls me mama.... it's the best feeling in the world.  I am not thinking about anything else in my life during these moments.  Just being, soaking her in, wishing I could burn this in my memory forever because life is fleeting and these moments are really just moments- they vanish so very quickly.

It has taken a very long time for me to get to this place in my life.  A few years ago- right after I had Arie, it was trying.  I experienced PPD and PPOCD.  I basically also went through an identity crisis, and I felt out of control.  I finally feel grounded, accepting of the person I have become, embracing the life that I am in.

Life is good.

I am blessed.

And for all that I am blessed with, I am grateful....I hope I continue to be for the rest of my life....and I hope I can teach Arie mindful living as well.

Mel's Cabin

I was lucky enough to have last weekend off from work so Jon, Arie, Mila, Jon's sister, Kristina, his parents, Jon's cousin,Melissa, her husband, Chris, and I went up to Melissa and Chris' cabin near Cayuna.

It was a much needed weekend after a very busy few weeks at work, and a busy time at home.  We were so lucky to have some time away.  It was a playground for us all.  We canoed, went on the paddle boat, and the paddle board...we went swimming, we played in the sand, Jon caught some frogs and minnows for the girls, and we saw loons, golden finches, and woodpeckers...and incredible sunsets.  

I was reminded this weekend of what life was really about.  Life is about love, family, friends, memories,  and laughter.  Life isn't about the things you own, the money you make, the job you have, or the car you drive.  It's really easy to forget that sometimes.  

I feel so blessed to have a job I love- one in which I make a real difference in the world--even if it's a very small difference.  I feel blessed to have my family and friends and our memories.  

Life is good.

I'm very excited to close out the summer--this summer was another busy one!  I will be starting class next week and it sounds funny but our life actually slows down with the start of a school year, and I'm very much looking forward to it.  

I'm also very excited for fall....the colors, the baking, the getting ready for the holidays, the football...togetherness.

Below are a few photos from this past weekend.  

We really had a blast! 

Minnehaha Falls

Miss Arie and I had a full day...so the writing on this post will be short. 

We went to Minnehaha Falls today without a stroller.. so Arie walked everywhere with me.  She loved walking in the pools, throwing rocks, and naming everything she saw... bicycles, puppies, houses, doors, flowers...

We had a great time, and I was living in the present the whole time!!  I probably should have done a few things that "needed" to get done...but we had a great time...and things will get done (eventually).  

looking at what other kids were up to

seriously- will you get that thing outta my face?

Flower Farm Playdate

Arie's daycare is off this week so I had today off with her.  Luckily, Kristina and Mila were available to join us on our adventure to a local flower farm.  It was about 10 miles north of Stillwater, and just gorgeous!

I've been wanting to visit a flower farm for months--ever since I saw pics of my friends in the Pacific Northwest and their adventure to tulip farms.  I'm so glad Arie and I had a chance to visit Renee and her farm.  The girls had a blast walking through the pretty flowers, feeling the "brain" flowers, catching toads, and getting lost in them.  I even got to see two humming birds!

Here are a few photos from today's adventure...