Summer 2012

The summer is zipping by so fast that I have not been able to stop often enough to just breath in the heavy humid hot air or hear the crickets and bullfrogs singing there songs each night.

42

Well, I am 42. This is me at 42.

At the ripe old age of 42, I have finally ( or at least working towards) come to terms with this--who I am.

I have made some decisions:

I am not going to diet ever again--just eat smart but enjoy the cake from time to time.

I am not going to exercise anymore--just get out and move. Move with my kids, move with my love, move at work, move when ever I get a chance--but not beat my self up for not exercising one day or several. I may even belly dance!

I am going to get rid of everything in my closet that doesn't fit. Those items that make me feel bad because I cannot fit into them like I did once upon a time ago. Clothes shouldn't make you feel bad. Keep what fits--buy new if need be. Donate the rest to some one who can use them (My Sister's Place perhaps).

I am going to try something new every week (if possible).

I am going to do something creative every week--even if it is coloring with my daughter or making books again.

I am going to read more--more books, more articles--just more. Even if it is on my phone.

I am going to try new recipes and stop just looking at food blogs and magazine--make those things that seem yummy. I will also involve my kids in the process.

I will smile and laugh more and try really hard to yell and grump less (even when I am grumpy)

I will tell those I love that I love them--everyday!

I will not find the negative in my body but celebrate the wonders of me and my body. I brought two amazing children into this world with this body, I have walked on parts of the Great Wall of China with these legs, I have explored some of the greatest cities and most amazing little towns, I have hiked through the redwood and swam in the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian Oceans, as well as the Mediterranean, Aegean Sea and the North Seas.

That's it for now now.......

There's nothing more beautiful than a woman with adventure and novelty in her eyes.

December

Smile

I absolutely love this boys smile! I smile just thinking about it. He smiles with his entire face and it is so genuine and pure and lovely.

Giving and thanks

Recently read a article by a favorite blogger out there Dig this chick, who I love reading and who's blog I follow more than any other blog out there. (Probably did not know this about me by I really like reading blogs about food and crafts and woman doing the things I am doing/thinking/wish I were doing, etc. I read them as inspiration for life and events but inspiration to write. I don't think I am very good writer and hope to be inspired to ruminate a bit more about my life, my kids, my hopes and dreams--that's why I read them).

Anywho.....the article about GIVING really made me stop and think. I love the idea behind her article. I, too, strive to raise giving and gracious children who appriciate the small random acts of kindness and don't get so wrapped up in the gimme, gimme, gimme that is all around them.

Pumpkin decorating at CDC

T&T pt1

HW 2011-01

Halloween Dress-up Round 1

Halloween is coming!

Well, Halloween is coming and I am very excited but cannot seem to get my act together quite yet. Bean keeps asking me when we are going to decorate and I want to but just don't--this weekend for sure. What is exciting to me is making the costumes. Bean wants to be a crocodile and Yaya wants to be a butterfly. M is working on the head and I am suppose to do the body and tail. Here are some pics of the progress of Crocodile 2011 (Butterfly 2011 is a work in no-progress yet).

Finished head with eyes modeled by M.

More pics to come.

Butterfly pics go here! :)

And OMG I want to make these!!! http://llevoelinvierno.blogspot.com/2011/03/make-alitas.html


Here is my bluebird version of the wings. One down and one to go (psst.....this is for me :)).

My girl is 4. How is this possible? I am still trying to get rid of my baby fat--with little success mind you--from having her and there is no way it has been four years already. What an amazing 4 years it has been with that little one. She has completely changed my life. Both of my kids have, obviously, but Yaya has done it in a way that floors me every time.

She is an independent, curious, stubborn, easy to laugh and easy to cry, intelligent, opinionated, pink-dress loving, dig in the dirt in the dress, make-up/hair accessory loving, Lego building, lover of books and markers little girl.

Close ups

Some pictures taken by a friend at her daughter's birthday party. Thanks Francoise C. Great pic of them, really captures their great little faces.


Bean 6.5 yr


Yaya 4 yr

My girl is 4

These are images from Yaya's celebration at her school.

End of Summer-Beginning of Autumn

How is it that summer is over and autumn is about to begin. Where did it go? I do love the end of summer-beginning of fall time. Crisp mornings followed by warm days. Days with bright blue skies and no humidity. Days filled with a sense of urgency again as the daylight hours get shorter, night creeps in a little bit earlier every day. Days where you really consider making that bug pot of soup for dinner but the grill still calls for you to make something on it. Days where you could drink the darker stout but the pale ales are still refreshing. Days where the sun warms your back and neck but your toes get too cold as you dip them in the cool creek.