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| Maryn & Brynna playing at the park together this afternoon. |
When I was a girl, I wanted a sister so badly.
Seeing my girls being each others best friend feels like a piece of
that dream realized and makes my heart so full.
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Saturday, November 2, 2013
Project 365 {2013} - Day 306
Soooo....this big, ol' bowl may or may not have been completely full this morning. I can't really disclose those details. But I can tell you that deciding to go on a sugar detox the week of Halloween is an exceedingly crappy idea. You know, the whole absence makes the heart (or stomach, or brain, or whatever) grow fonder theory...yeah.
Friday, November 1, 2013
Project 365 {2013} - Day 305
Justin has been feeling not well all day and has been laid up in bed. Tonight he stepped out on the deck and snapped this pic. He said the fresh air and view was the best medicine of the day!
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Project 365 {2013} - Day 304
After Trunk or Treat last night, I was feeling pretty low-key (a.k.a. tired) tonight. So I let the girls get themselves ready for Trick or Treating. I joked with Justin that the old me would have obsessively spent hours on Halloween hair and make-up, making sure everything was just right. The new me, well she goes with the flow a little bit more and is content to let the kids work their own versions of magic on themselves! ;) We walked to the cul-de-sac, collecting candy along the way, and hung out with our friends around a bonfire for a little while before heading back home just as the rain was starting to blow in. It was delightfully windy and Fall-ish!!
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Project 365 {2013} - Day 303
I started out the day getting Devy ready for her costume parade at Preschool!
It was fun getting to take the day off of work to go spend time with her at her Harvest Party and see her and her school buddies on parade!
We finished the day getting all the girls dolled up for Trunk or Treat! Brynna loves the go-to witch costume. I should go back and do a count of how many years she has chosen to pull this one out of the Halloween bucket! However, this year she wanted to be a creepy witch instead of a nice one and so she painted her face green! Maryn was a girl pirate, but insisted on a moustache. I told her that didn't make any sense, to which she replied "I know Mom, that's what makes it funny!" I love her quirky sense of humor! Lauryn and Devyn were the ladybug twins! They were so darn cute and loved their costumes!
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Project 365 {2013} - Day 302
I must be getting old, un-fun and cantankerous. As a kid I remember squishing pumpkin guts between my hands, taking in that smell of a raw, just-opened pumpkin and scraping the inside walls with all my might. But as I have gotten older, admittedly, I am not a fan of carving pumpkins. Luckily for the girls their Daddy is still a good sport! Tonight, my Little Women scooped our pumpkin's guts, Justin carved a spooky cat face, and my contribution...well, I snapped a blurry pic. Hey, maybe I will do better next year! ;)
Monday, October 28, 2013
Project 365 {2013} - Day 301
Today on the way home from school Lauryn wanted to get out of the van and run home again. I love her eagerness, so I consented. This time though, Devy, not content to stay in the confines of her carseat, begged to run too. So the side door flew open and we turned them loose at the front of the neighborhood and off they went! Maryn hung out the van window, taking pictures of Devy as she raced behind Lauryn, chugging her little legs all the way home! It's these little moments when I just feel I could not love the little lives I have been given to mother any more than I already do!
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Project 365 {2013} - Day 300
Every
Sunday on the way home from church Lauryn begs me to let her out of the
van at the front of the neighborhood so she can run home. I just love
that kid!!
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Project 365 {2013} - Day 299
It's me. I'm here.
It's funny how the slightest change can throw you off schedule. I got behind in uploading my Project 365 photos and then somehow just stopped doing it all together. The old me would have said "That's it, I screwed up. I might as well throw in the towel now since I ruined the whole dang thing."
But life is all about screw ups and how you recover from them. So here I am, dusting myself off and getting back in the saddle. I will try to fill in the missing pieces where I can and when I can. But I know on those days I missed taking a picture were days life was spent being lived.
xoxo
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Project 365 {2013} - Day 296
I was peeling a banana for Devyn tonight and started chuckling to myself. I will never be able to look at a banana end and not think of my first CrossFit coach, Karen! It cracks me up every time! She said that she grew up always ripping the end off because she was taught that the banana end is where the bugs live.
What the heck?! I had never heard that in my entire life! She used it as an analogy to teach us that no matter how deeply ingrained something is in us, like how bugs live in banana ends, doesn't mean it is true. We may be stronger than we think, even if we have always been told the contrary, either by ourselves or others. I know I should probably see banana ends as some profound lesson, but I really just envision Karen spazzing out about gross bugs! Haha, I love that lady!
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Crowded Flights and Crying Babies
I am sitting on a plane right now, flying solo, in a
crowded cabin of people. Across the aisle a mother comforts her crying baby and
I thought, amongst people’s annoyed shifts in their body language, what a
beautiful sound it is.
My four babies are at home. I should be enjoying this
time without having to consider another person’s feelings, wants or needs. But
all I really want to do is to scoop that baby up and offer her mother a break.
I wouldn’t of course, because even if the nicest stranger would have offered
that to me at that phase of my life I would have thought them a crazy person.
But still, it would make me happy.
It made me reflect on my own girls though and the path I
have traveled in my own journey as a mom over this past decade. How in that
moment, when it was me on that plane with the tiny, inconsolable baby, how I
was so weighed down with stress and worry. “Was I ruining everyone else’s
flight?” Feeling helpless at not knowing how to make a situation better that
affected everyone around me. Now I wish I could tell that mom across the aisle
that I think it is a beautiful sound. That I am thankful to see a mother’s work
at work.
In a world where it seems like most strangers you meet
seem to be keenly concerned with their own selfish thoughts, wants and needs,
seeing a mother in action is a breath of fresh air. With every shush and
rocking, a breath of effort is made on someone else's behalf. Putting aside
your own comforts and interests for someone else, especially for someone as
innocently demanding as a baby, is a beautiful thing.
As Justin and I drove past our old exit on the freeway on
the way to the airport we reflected on how different our life was then, when we
lived off that old lane of memories. We had no children. Our schedules were our
own. Our money, however little it was, was our own. We chuckled about how
different our lives are now. My life, my schedule, my efforts, my money,
everything, is often about everyone but me…and that is okay. Surrendering to
motherhood and the process of being able to truly serve others every day has
brought me more joy that any other inwardly focused motivation.
Let’s not kid ourselves though. Being a mom is the hardest,
most stressful, nerve-wracking, guilt-inducing, labor-intensive thing I
have ever done. But it is so, so good. Elevated by all the intangibles that you
can never quite put your finger on, but that make the process so dang
fulfilling.
I firmly believe that it is important to take care of
ourselves. To not forget who we are and remember to put ourselves on the map of
our own life. But, my girls have taught me that while we so often we think the
pursuit to happiness is paved by solely taking care of ourselves, true joy is
found in nurturing others.
So I find myself grateful as I sit wedged,
elbows tucked and sore-bummed on this stale-aired flight for that crying baby
and her momma’s testament to the potential for goodness within each one of us.
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Project 365 {2013} - Day 285
We had such a fun in-gym competition this morning between the morning classes and the evening classes! It's amazing the bond that is forged with the people that you sweat with. You see each other at your strongest and see each other at your weakest. You celebrate each others successes and rally through failures. They see the real, totally unfiltered you. And they love you anyways. I am so, so grateful for my gym family. I just love them all so dang much and know if it wasn't for all their love, confidence and support of me, I probably would have bailed a long time ago in my CrossFit journey.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Project 365 {2013} - Day 282
The girl I sit next to at work, Lisa, is Catholic. My friend Mormon friend Tracy Ensign, who knows Lisa, got this rosary at the Vatican and asked me to give it to her. One of the many things I love about living in the South is that there are so many faiths represented here. We recently had a new missionary from Utah bear his testimony in church. He said in Utah there are either Mormons or anti-Mormons and very little else in between. Being mostly raised in the South that was such a new concept for me that I had never really thought about. I love and have a firm belief in my faith and am happy to share with anyone who inquires about it. But I do also love being able to benefit from being surrounded by other wonderful people of all different beliefs that help me to see the world from new perspectives.
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Project 365 {2013} - Day 279
We are all missing our families, but are also sad to leave this view and time behind. We sat out on the patio this morning and ate a delicious breakfast Jackie made us. Let me just tell you, that woman can make a feast out of anything! She took all our random leftovers in the fridge and worked some serious magic! I wish I could just have her live at my house!
We were mostly quiet as we ate, taking it in as we watched a dolphin swim it's way up the coast near the shoreline and watching a little family play in the sand near the waters edge. This weekend has been absolutely rejuvenating. I feel like I will be a better wife and mother when I go home because I took this time for myself. I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to be here this weekend with such a wonderful group of women!
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Project 365 {2013} - Day 278
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| Sarah, Jaime & Laura |
Vacation doesn't just mean sitting around eating bonbons! (Although, I have eaten my share of Laura's caramel crack!) I was itching to get a morning beach WOD (workout of the day) in with my sweat sistahs too!! I just love these ladies and am so grateful for their friendship!!
Friday, October 4, 2013
Project 365 {2013} - Day 277
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| Sara, Jackie, Jaime, Laura & Sarah at Panama City Beach, FL |
I love, love, love these ladies!! We have been having so much fun just hanging out, being carefree, talking, eating, relaxing and not worrying about a dang thing! It has been divine!!
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Project 365 {2013} - Day 276
Late last night my friends Jackie, Sara, Laura, Jaime and I all arrived in Panama City Beach, Florida for a long Girl's Weekend. Jackie has a family friend with a condo right on the beach and so we all, thanks to our families for covering our behinds while we were gone, sneaked away for some relaxation! My life is so crazy and busy. I rarely feel like I have the chance to slow down. So being here, being still, taking life in, taking care of myself and enjoying views like this are breathing life back in to my weary soul! So grateful!!
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Project 365 {2013} - Day 271
Lulu
woke up early all on her own this morning because she wanted to make
her Momma breakfast in bed! I swear I have the best kids in the world!! I just love that Little Woman!!
Friday, September 27, 2013
Project 365 {2013} - Day 270
Justin,
Devy and I had to sneak in a walk and soak up some of this beautiful
sunshine before the big girls got home from school. I think Devy liked
flying solo with Mom and Dad!
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Project 365 {2013} - Day 269
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| View from our walk tonight! Beautiful! |
I got my first regular babysitting job when I was ten. I think it was a good opportunity to start learning independence and responsibility. One
of the best parts of Maryn being ten years old now is that Justin and I can leave her in
charge of her sisters while we sneak out for an evening walk around the neighborhood. She does such a great job and we are so grateful to her for it!
Monday, September 23, 2013
Project 365 {2013} - Day 266
Since our washing machine broke yesterday the girls have been held hostage with me while we catch up on some laundry this afternoon. In a family of six there is never any shortage of dirty laundry. This explains the excited "We've been stuck at the laundromat for three hours" faces. My life never has a dull moment I tell you, it seems like it's always something! But at least the sun is shining, it could be a lot worse!
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Project 365 {2013} - Day 265
Yes, that is a pot of my "essentials" on the stove top being washed like I am Charlie Bucket's mother from "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory". Our washing machine broke this morning and since it's the Sabbath, no laundromat for me today!
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Project 365 {2013} - Day 261
Today the girls and I drove up to BJ Reece Apple House with Laura and the boys. It was nice getting to just be together. Me not at work, them not at school. It reminded me of the good ol' days when Laura and I could load all our kids in the van and take off on an adventure. Not bogged down by schedules or responsibilities! You never realize how much you should be grateful for the season of your life that you are in until it has passed!
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Project 365 {2013} - Day 260
The girls and I went to Kohl's this morning to look for some workout clothes, since they will be starting CrossFit Kids soon and needed something comfy to sweat in. While we were there the girls spotted a sweater with a "Buddy Dog" on it like my parents dog and thought Nana would LOVE that sweater!
Monday, September 16, 2013
Project 365 {2013} - Day 259
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| The girls with their buddies the Vickery's! |
The girls are on Fall Break this week from school. Instead of heading out of town, we decided it would be best to stick around. The girls had a blast today having a much wanted lemonade stand though. I made Rice Krispie Treats for them to sell and they made Rainbow Loom bracelets. They ended up earning about 20 bucks and more importantly had a blast just being outside, hanging out with friends! I decided that kids don't need big fancy vacations. They just need a chance to unplug and be kids!
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Project 365 {2013} - Day 258
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| The girls and I went for a walk and Devyn fell asleep sitting up in the wagon with an apple in each fist! It was so funny because nothing could wake her! Lauryn pulled her up the street and it wasn't until we stopped for a break that Devy finally woke up. Her nap must have been super restorative, because she wanted to pull an exhausted Lauryn home in the wagon with her big girl muscles! I love my strong Little Women!! |
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Project 365 {2013} - Day 257
Spent
the day watching my sweet friend Jaime absolutely kill it in
competition! She was 100% inspiring and I am so stinkin' proud of her! We started CrossFit at the same time and she has just ran with it. She makes me want to do better and work harder!
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Project 365 {2013} - Day 250
We came to the new outlet mall to buy school shoes for Lulu....so how did I get talked into going into Claire's?! I may never get out of here!!
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Project 365 {2013} - Day 241
A
miracle has occurred!! I NEVER get the pleasure of seeing the bottom of
my in-boxes at work. Today, however, the workload was actually conquered! It will
probably not stay this way for more than 20 minutes, so I had to
document it! ;)
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Project 365 {2013} - Day 239
The playroom was clean and is therefore worthy of documentation in my humble opinion!
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Project 365 {2013} - Day 237
It was fun to sneak away, but it was good coming home to our girls too. This afternoon we had an adventurous, little family walk through the forest. The deeper we went into the woods the more convinced Brynna became that we were going to get lost forever! It probably didn't help that Justin made up a story about a group of boys called the "Canton Boys" who went into the forest and never came out! ;) They all knew ol' Dad was just messing with them...but Brynnie was still a little unnerved! She was relieved when we made it back to the main trail, by the baseball fields, where we started. We came across a playground on the way back to the car and stopped to just let the girls play. I couldn't help but stop and think about how much I love just love my Crew!
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Project 365 {2013} - Day 236
Today Justin and I slept in, took our time getting dressed and then wandered around Chattanooga. Soaking in the sunshine and waterfront views, little side streets and Little Portland feel. We ate breakfast at a little diner that certainly probably had multiple health-code violations, but was a fun Mom n' Pop experience nonetheless. We wandered through antique stores without fear of little hands breaking things and held hands while we walked and talked. This city is such a gem and I am so grateful we had the chance to sneak away!
Friday, August 23, 2013
Project 365 {2013} - Day 235
Today is Justin's birthday and so we decided to sneak away for a little overnight trip to Chattanooga. (Thankfully we have amazing friends who were able to take the girls for us so we could make it happen!) When we rolled into town we immediately decided to grab a bite to eat at a little place called Fork and Pie. We snagged a seat by the window, which was perfect for talking since we were off by ourselves. We also had some awesome people watching since there was a biker rally or something right out on the street in front of us. We could tell the weather was starting to change when everyone started hopping on their bikes and driving off. After dinner we only got about five minutes into wandering around town before the skies opened up and absolutely drenched us. So we ran back to the car, checked into our hotel, showered and snuggled up. I think it was the perfect way to end the night!
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Project 365 {2013} - Day 234
I got this in the mail today from my sweet Momma as a belated birthday gift. I love it!!!
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Project 365 {2013} - Day 233
Good gravy this little woman is irresistible! Today was Devyn's first day of Preschool and she was so dang excited! She walked right into her classroom, hung up her bag and was ready to play and make new friends. While some other kids were whimpering and hanging on their mom's leg, Devy looked at me as if to say "Mom, I love you. Now scram." I gave her a hug and a kiss and off I went. It was weird for a second leaving my last baby there, a big kid doing the school thing, but then I decided to embrace it and be as thrilled for her as she was for herself. She had a great first day and feels like such a big girl with her own places to go and people to see!
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Project 365 {2013} - Day 232
I love this picture so much! Luey kickin' it with her buddies, Buddy Max and Lincoln, on the curb watching videos! Three, little, blondie heads huddled together!
Monday, August 19, 2013
Project 365 {2013} - Day 231
Have I ever mentioned that I really love being married to a man that likes to cook? Well, I do! I was especially happy when I came home, tired from a day at the office, and Justin had the batter for zucchini fritters all rip, roarin' and ready for me to fry up while he grilled up some chicken breasts! So delicious! If you would like to try them for yourself, he found the recipe here...
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Project 365 {2013} - Day 230
The girls and I went over to my friend Heidi's house this afternoon to check out the fun, new playscape her husband, Kevin, had been working on. A big storm smashed their other one and so they decided to go even better than ever on the rebuild! Heidi even had Kevin install a slide right off the deck to slide down to it! So fun! It was muddy outside and the skeeters were biting, but the girls had a ball!
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Project 365 {2013} - Day 229
Now that I work at Suwanee Sports Academy, a 7-court sports facility in metro Atlanta, I have more resources for running my camp. This year we had 150 kids over the course of three separate days.
We were lucky enough to have an old friend of my, Dennis Felton, run our camp. Who is Coach Felton? He most recently worked for the San Antonio Spurs as the Director of Pro Player Personnel. He was also the head coach of the University of Georgia's men's basketball team.
It was a great opportunity for our players to be coached by a great coach. The camp was great and the little camp that couldn't that I started 10 years ago continues to evolve into one of the elite opportunities in the country. What a ride it's been, too.
This post was written by my boyfriend, Justin D. Young. :)
Friday, August 16, 2013
Project 365 {2013} - Day 228
Devyn had a very fun, one-on-one Daddy-Daughter day with Justin that tuckered her out! We couldn't even get her unbuckled from her carseat without her trying to curl back up and fall asleep! Cute little turkey!
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Project 365 {2013} - Day 227
I pretty much carry a water bottle with me all the time. Water is one of my favorite things to drink. So when my friend Jaime bought me this cool water bottle for my birthday I was so excited! We were unloading out of the car tonight after going out to dinner as a family and Lauryn grabbed my water bottle for me. Justin asked her what she had and she replied in her little voice...
"Oh, dis is Mom's weed jar."
Confused, he said "Huh?"
"Ha weed jar. It's ha weed jar, Dad."
Even more confused Justin asked her to enunciate a little more.
"Ha 'wheat' jar, Dad!"
Justin heaved a sigh of relief knowing his wife doesn't have a secret habit hitting the Mary Jane. But we're still confused as to why she thinks it's a wheat jar? The only thing we could think of was that the yellow design on it looks like wheat stalks?! Weird and yet totally hilarious! Hopefully, she doesn't tell her teachers at school her mom has a "weed jar"!
It reminded me of the time my old boss, Dr. Taylor, told me his son told his granddad that his dad had "cocaine" locked up in a cabinet in the basement and that he wasn't allowed to go near it. What was really locked up and off-limits was tanks of propane!
I tell ya, kids say the darndest things!
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Project 365 {2013} - Day 226
Brynna and Lauryn waiting for Miss Kathleen to take them to another day of learning!
On Monday and Wednesday mornings, my friend Kathleen takes the girls to school for me so that I can spend some time with Devyn getting her up and going with her day. The other days of the week, I take Kat's kids to school with us. It works out so nicely and makes me grateful that the village I have helping me in my journey raising children is such a good one!
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Project 365 {2013} - Day 225
Justin was able to sneak away tonight and go to the Braves game with his friend, Russ Edelman, after work. As much as we all know he loves us, being the lone man in a house full of women can probably feel lonely at times. So I am happy for Justin when he can soak in some much-needed guy time!
Monday, August 12, 2013
Project 365 {2013} - Day 224
This is what about 7:00 p.m. looked like for me tonight. Well, to be honest, this is what it looks like most nights. It's that final hour before the kids go to bed and there is homework to wrap up, dinner to clean up, jammies and teeth to do and all I really want to do is lay, like a slug, on the couch in a semi-comatose state. I swear it feels like merely blinking requires more energy than I have to give. Early morning workouts, busy days at the office, running too and fro, being mom and running the homefront solo with Justin staying late at work tonight have left me just so dang tired.
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Project 365 {2013} - Day 223
I have to say that one of the best things about Sundays, besides worship and all that, is being able to take a guilt free nap!!
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Project 365 {2013} - Day 222
Nick and Laura bought a boat a few days ago and I have been chomping at the bit to check it out! So tonight they invited Justin and I and our friends, the Hatch's, to go out on it with them to try to get some skiing in. The weather was not feeling very cooperative however and we were met with torrential downpour at one point. We waited out the rain at the Little River Grill, eating sub par fried foods, waiting for a glimmer of clear skies. Finally the clouds broke as the sun started to sink below the horizon. We were each able to sneak in one, quick ski before the darkness fought off the light. There were moments that threatened to ruin all our fun, but when it was all said and done it was a great evening filled with great company and beautiful sunset!
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