sweet little man.

Sweet little man turned two yesterday! It was so fun to celebrate with him earlier this weekend, and then with family on his birthday. Each day brings a new challenge. Ones I grow fond of. We are growing together, and he certainly gives me patience I don't yet comprehend. He loves to walk on his toes and in momma's heels, but he couldn't be more fascinated with tractors, trucks, & trains. Snuggling and back scratches are his sweet spots. His curiosity keeps momma smiling, and his two favorite people are Gamma and Papa. 

I love the mom thing. It has thrown my balance off of life a little bit-but I don't think balance was ever really my thing anyway. Bring on number two.

christmas is gone, but the spirit is still here.

It was a white Christmas. A lovely morning, spent with close family and my sweet little guy. Here are a few images to give a glimpse of the magic that occurred that day. It has taken me some time to remember that childhood is magical. . .and that I don't need to be the one to create that for my son, but he is the one that carries such a thing. His mind is pure imagination, his innocence gives him a chance to see everything without clouded judgement. 

Sliding down the stairs on pillows, Friday night pizza, blanket forts, make-believe, playing in the snow, collecting pebbles and keeping them in your pockets, walking with a branch! It's all so magical. There is beauty in the mundane, and I saw that this Christmas. It was simple-away from the world-and I was able to catch a glimpse of the ethereal in life. The white powdered trees, the cousins playing together, being up at the very top of the mountain and literally hearing nothing but my own breathing. It's an indescribable experience almost straining your ears for some form of sound. Definitely one I will cherish. 

Enjoy the short timeline of Christmas Day:

Comfort Zones

Yesterday I turned 26 years old. According to Riley, that is still in my mid-twenties, so I was okay with the aging this year. I think 26 will be a phenomenal year. . .things are looking up, I am improving myself, and work is flowing. However when it comes down to it, all of these things are because someone has influenced my life. I have been blessed beyond my means, and am so grateful for the friends who go out of their way to check up on me and make sure I am happy. 'Ol Man said at breakfast this morning. . ."I don't worry about things that I can't control". A simple motto to live by, and one that will keep me sane in the end! 

I don't post a lot of pictures [though I take thousands] of my day to day, or even of my child, because I get so caught up in 'what is a perfect picture' or 'his expression isn't good enough'. However, I was influenced by Justin Hackworth's new tradition to make self portraits of himself on his birthday. The amount of images he posts is contingent on the number of years he is turning that year.

As I am away from my immediate family for my birthday this year, I wanted to do something I could share with them as well as celebrate myself. Following are 26 (of many!) self portraits that documented my day:

I try to stretch every morning. It gives me time to wake up, and get my mind ready for the day.

Breakfast was delicious. An omelette the size of my plate with fresh avocado.

Four-wheeling up to Strawberry Lake Reservoir.

Our shoes got so dirty!

We found fresh water coming off the mountain.

Two hole-in-ones!

I couldn't pass up the trampoline...even if I was connected to bungee cords.

Anne made me my favorite chocolate bundt cake! The expression is all Riley's fault!