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Intentional::2016

As I look back on this past year, for one reason, or a few, I am seeing 2015 as our toughest year yet. Scattered in the tough is, of course, so many great memories. Or more accurately–the tough is scattered amongst so many great blessings. 2015 was very full–full of great joy and deep sadness, many many laughs and a fair share of tears. BUT, there was more triumph than defeat and for that I am grateful. 2016-01-01_0001

2016-01-01_0002Ultimately, I am grateful for God’s promises and how He gets us through it all. Because, really, I can’t do this alone. That has never been more clear to me.

How can 2016 look different? I want it to and I think that it can…with intentionality. So, that is my word for this coming year.

INTENTIONAL.

I am going to be more intentional.2016-01-01_00082016-01-01_0005I had to let go of a few things in 2015–some of the things were healthy to let go of, although still difficult. Letting go of these things has given me space to be intentional where it is needed and where being intentional matters.

So often I find myself daydreaming about doing little things for people–Making something that would bring them joy, buying and giving that coffee mug that reminds me of them, praying for friends who cross my mind throughout the day, inviting that new family over for dinner, writing the letter to a long-distance pal, making a double batch of whatever we are having for dinner and dropping it off to that friend who could use the help, hugging my husband more, etc. 2016-01-01_00032016-01-01_0006A few nights ago my husband walked in the door from work and our son ran up to him to greet him screeching, “DADDY!!!”. Then I noticed that our son turned to look at me for my reaction. When I noticed this, I chimed in on the excitement and joined the hugs. I don’t know anything more motivational than knowing that my kids are watching me–more closely than I realize. 2016-01-01_0007So although I am not a New Years resolution kinda girl, this year I am going to have a word. Do you have a word, phrase, verse, etc for your year? How are you consistent and reminded of it throughout the year? Please share! I am thinking of writing it in different places throughout our home but I would love to hear how you’ve been successful.:)Thanks!

Happy New Year, friends!

 

Chico, CA Fresh 48:: Baby Girl M

Baby fever is real and it is strong, my friends! Congratulations to these beautiful friends of mine. Their daughter is so perfect and she is very loved. It was so sweet seeing Lauren and Kevin as parents. Baby M was so alert and relaxed, just taking everything in.

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Chico, CA Birth Photography:: River May

November 24th, 2015

What a privilege it was to spend time with this sweet couple as they became parents! You are such a great team as husband and wife & now as mom and dad. Thank you for inviting me to share in such a special day. Congratulations!

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Welcome to the world, River May! Isn’t she so precious? If you didn’t have baby fever before, I’m betting you do now.:)Congratulations, Travis and Katie! You are a beautiful family!

Broderick:: Three Years Old

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRODY!!!

Brody is three years old and loving it! He is very concerned with being the oldest, biggest, fastest, scariest, etc. I am pretty sure he has inherited the competitive gene…lovingly passed down from both of this parents. Ay Ay Ay. Lord, help us.

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Brody’s Likes:

–Laughing. He is seriously silly. He is at the age where we will start laughing together and it just keeps going and going and going. He knows what humor is and he sure has an awesome sense of humor!

–SPORTS. If you ask him, he wants to be a basketball player, a baseball player and a football player. Sometimes he adds a cop and spider man into that mix.

–Chewing bubble gum. This love started as a potty training incentive. He has not forgotten ONCE that he gets a bubba gum after he goes number two.

–Riding his green scooter. He used to call this his “tooter” and now he is too old for that. He still can’t quite say scooter but not it is called a cooter. We are working on our “s” sound. I want to bottle up his two year old voice forever.

–When daddy comes home. He runs and hides RIGHT when he hears Travis putting the key in the front door. Travis has to go find him while Brody yells “AH! Daddy…come find me…”

–Doing cartwheels(really just wild flips) on the trampoline.

–Our neighbors. His prayers every night go something like this: “Thank you Jesus for this day. Thank you for our neighbors. Thank you for Antonio, for Toby and Tucker and Elliana and Justin and Jenna and Hudson and Lizz and Cott(Scott). And thank you for all you do for us, God. Amen.” EVERY. SINGLE. NIGHT Sometimes Mom and Dad and Sissy get in there if we are lucky.

–He loves getting a watch a show or two in the morning. He knows the computer password (GASP!) and knows how to move the cursor to start the next Netflix episode. I have to be mindful for he will watch more than allowed! He loves Curious George, VeggieTales and has just started to watch The Chronicles of Naria.

–We had to run an errand the other day so Travis dropped me off at the store front so I could run in. Brody said to him “But daddy, don’t leave mommy. I really love her.”

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Dislikes:

–He is not a picky eater in any way. But, he does not like “pagetti quash”. No, ma’am.

–He has a love-hate relationship with wrestling with Travis. He asks daddy to wrestle with him all the time but then he whines and says “top it(stop it)” basically right away. I think Travis is a little too rough but they’re both learning. 😉

–He is very concerned when kids don’t let him play with them. He is very, very sensitive(I think he got that from his daddy. Bless his heart). We’re working on what that looks like–how it makes him feel, why he should include other people, how to ask to be invited to play, etc.

–When mommy “raises her voice at me because she is fwustwated.” Oops. I’m working on that.

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We walked to the high school football field last weekend after dinner and Brody brought along his football. It was too early for the game and no one was really around but there was a young high schooler hanging out. Brody walked up to him and asked if he’d like to play catch. The kid said “sure” and played catch with Brody for a few minutes. Then Brody looked over and saw another even younger kid walking by. He yelled out “HEY! Do you want to play catch with us?!” The kid smiled and walked over. My heart swelled with joy. Brody delegated a little triangle of passing the ball. We later talked about how proud I am of how he included that boy and how happy that must have made him feel to be included.

Brody is very, very good with Brinley. There have only been a handful of times where he gets frustrated with her. It is so fun to see their relationship grow. They were out playing on the trampoline together tonight and she was chasing a ball he had thrown. He yelled “Good, job SIS”. I just love how he says that. His “SIS” is very enthusiastic. He is great at encouraging her. I think he sees this from his daddy, too.

Brody, you truly bring our family so much joy. You are silly, caring, athletic, energetic, sensitive and so very loved. We adore you! Happy THIRD birthday! And I am sorry for confusing you and having your party two weeks before your actual birthday.:)We love you!

(Photo cred to Katie Drake Photography)

Brinley::One Year Old

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY, BRINLEY!

Does it ever get easier or slow down? I doubt it. This smiley, sweet and sometimes sassy baby girl of ours is now 1 year old! We had fun celebrating her with family and a few of her friends. It was such a casual day and I lovingly told Pinterest to go eat dirt.

Brinley laughed loudly and danced in her seat while we all sang her Happy Birthday–it was adorable and I will always remember that.

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Brinley is choosing walking over crawling a bit more but if she needs to get somewhere quickly, she still chooses to crawl. She doesn’t talk much besides saying “dada” but I think this is just her happy word. She says it all the time. She signs “all done” and waves “hi” and “bye”. Her kisses are the best slobber kisses and she loves following her big brother around–and he loves the attention.

Brinley is starting to climb things(which is giving me grays) and she loves it when I forget to put my phone up high so she can snag it and carry it around the house with her. She is still a paci girl and I am dreading getting rid of that thing. It is an easy plug when she has a bad case of the whines. She has two teeth on the bottom, two on top, and two more coming in on the top.

Ever since the morning of her birthday, it seems like she has grown up. She started walking super fast and all of sudden is much more giggly and social–although she really has always been great with people.

2015-10-18_00062015-10-18_00072015-10-18_0008 We adore her goofy smile, scrunchy face, chubby toes and sweet temperament. I kiss her often throughout the day but those quiet kisses before I lay her in her bed at night are some of the most peaceful moments in my day.

We love you, Brinley. We pray this next year of your life is full of many, many blessings!