Why I Haven't Been Blogging Much Lately

(taken from my Instagram stream)

I have been soaking up, rolling around in the bliss that is being with my family. I adore both of them more than anything else in the world. The moments we spend together are deliberate and wonderful. I am trying to not let one second pass by without savoring it. I can't even begin to describe the sadness I feel when I realize two things. One, Neely is growing up. She's growing up fast. And while this is such an amazing, fun, funny age, I know that soon she'll be in kindergarten and I will wonder where my baby went. And two, Neely won't always be an only child (no this isn't me alluding to pregnancy...we are not yet ready for the thought of a newborn.). This particularly gets me because I jealously guard my time with her. I want to be in her face every second of every day and I know when we have another baby I won't be able to devote as much time to her. I know it'll be good for her to have a sibling, my brother is my heart and I couldn't imagine life without him, but at the same time I wish she could stay almost 2 and my only baby forever. I wish that she would always adore me and want to tell me things and read me stories. I can't stand the thought of her being a teenager and possibly rejecting me. When the time comes for that I know I'll let it roll off of my back as my mom did, but now, while she's still so fresh and new I want to hide her away and smother her with kisses.
So, that is why I haven't found time to blog much lately.

I Love Brett

Not only is Brett super hot (obviously), hard-working and talented, he's also very romantic and a GREAT dad.
I'm not blogging this because tomorrow is Valentine's Day.
I was thinking about how great he is and I got the show "Franklin" ready in the DVR so Neely can watch it after her nap and I remembered that Brett noticed that they changed the animation style and the voices to Franklin. It was something so little, just a comment we made about it several days ago, and today I realize how lucky I am to have him. What other man even pays attention to the little things that their kids are into?
Sigh.
I really love him.

A 40 Year Journey

December 18, 1971 was a day for the history books. It was the day Ron & Cheri sealed their love by getting married before God and man.

Theirs has been a journey few could survive, yet God has been faithful.

And by saying God is faithful I mean that yes, my parents have been married for 40 years and that in itself is a feat this day and age, what with disposable marriages and all, but what I truly mean is that today, December 18, 2011 shows a couple that is more in love than ever before. And that is an accomplishment. You see, any couple can stay married for 40 years. But my parents have made an art form of being happy together. They are constantly bettering themselves and their marriage.

They are without doubt the two most amazing people I have known in my life. If you have had the pleasure of knowing them or even meeting them once or twice you know that my mom's smile lights up a room and her laughter is so beautiful that you find yourself searching for something else funny to say so that you can hear it again, and my dad's tough-guy look disappears when his eyes crinkle with love and his voice is laced with compassion. My parents are treasures.

It makes me cry to think about how much I love them.

You will never meet a more talented, loving, gorgeous, compassionate, godly, artistic, amazing couple than my parents.

Today I wish them 40 more years (I told them that the other day and they said, "NOO!" which makes sense...who wants to be over 100? haha) together, only I wish those years be on the beach in San Diego next to me! 

I love you both with my heart. You are the lights in my life and I am so blessed that you're my parents.

Happy Anniversary!

My Heart

Every once in a while I'll be minding my own business when I see this face.
This glorious, amazing, gorgeous face.
Her smile lights up every corner of my heart. (Even the dark ones I was reserving for the days I feel sorry for myself. Especially those ones.)

I didn't think it was possible to love her anymore than I do, but somehow, during these moments when her absolute deliciousness catches me off-guard, I feel my heart grow ever so slightly. (It's bursting at the seams!)
I am living my dream and these are the best days of my life.

Fall

via

Maybe it's because coastal San Diego has been stingy with it's summer temperatures, but I am longing for the fall to get here!
Don't get me wrong, I love summer. I love the beach, I go most days of the week. I love barbequing, I love parties, I love camping, I love summer dresses and bikinis, I love it all.
But there is something about the fall that makes me ache. I can't shake the desire for crisp autumn weather. Even in the best part of the summer, the warm golden days that last forever, I have a tiny voice in my mind reminding me of autumn.
I love back-to-school displays at the store, I love sweaters and hats and boots. I love blankets and heaters and warm cozy mornings sipping coffee. I love my birthday and I love the togetherness of Thanksgiving.
Mostly I love the memories of neighborhood walks with Brett. Ever since we've lived here we have taken long walks and the season that sticks out in my mind is fall. We walk through neighborhoods and dream. We hold hands and admire landscapes. We breathe in the sharp cool air and marvel at the changing leaves (although San Diego has about three leaves that change color each year!). We laugh and kiss and enjoy each other. He walks with me because he knows it makes me happy. I walk with him because he is my heart, my favorite, my rock.
Each time the seasons change they symbolize more togetherness.
We go on.
I love him, I love him, I love him.



What about you? What is your favorite season and why?

Loving Her (some stream of consciousness ramblings)

This magical smile that lights her from within.
Her clear blue eyes twinkle and her face crinkles with laughter.
I sometimes catch my breath, she sees me.
Since the day she was born my heart quickens each time she looks at me.
Each time our eyes meet is a sparkling realization.
She sees me.
She is a direct gift from God and she sees me.
I strive to feed her laughter, her good nature, her bright smile.
I live to see that smile.
I once read a book where the mother addressed her daughter as "Treasure". Ever since then I look at Neely and think of her as my treasure.
My treasure.

This is What I Live For.

When I'm with my family, nothing else matters.

Brett & Neely are my life.
I have never felt such joy as I do when we are all together.
I live for this moment.

5 Years

It's been 5 years since I married Brett.
5 amazing years.
We are so in love, such best friends.
There is no one that I love as much as I love Brett.
And he gave me Neely.
Life is amazing.
God is good.