2010 December | I Should Be Folding Laundry

Archive for December 2010

Friday Morning Coffee

December 31st, 2010

Hi friends!

I’m sorry I haven’t been around. Every year, beginning December 26th, my entire family gets together and rents a large house and we stay here all week…

all 31 of us.

it’s very loud, hectic, unbelievably fun. We stay up late, drink a lot, eat a lot and OHMYGOD, the laughter, it kills me.

girlies

The cousins reunite for a week of play. Whether it’s video games or dress up or fashion shows…

The other night, my sisters and I were sitting around, drinking out of our personalized wine glasses and I spilled my beer on my laptop. It was a small amount, so small that I didn’t freak out, but then my computer shut off.

and then I freaked out a little bit.

It died. But my husband, the superhero of all superheros, salvaged my hard drive and placed my hard drive in his computer and VIOLA, my computer appeared on his computer. So…

my computer is dead, there is no bringing it back and somehow, I’ll need to buy another one, but nothing is lost, so please, for the love of pete, back up your hard drives. Mine was 98% backed up, my biggest loss would have been the Christmas photos I took last week, so maybe start the year off right with a good back up of your hard drive.

Sarah-and-Trey

So, it’s hectic here and unbelievably difficult to concentrate which is another reason why I haven’t been blogging.

But this?

Is so amazing, it’s hard to look away for even a moment.

grandkids 2010

You Capture – Holiday Favorites

December 30th, 2010

Hi everyone.

This will be a quick one, I’ll explain more tomorrow during Friday Morning Coffee.

But here is a hint: my computer DIED. So, I don’t really have any photos to share except one that I happened to upload to flickr last week, so here you go.

but I have many favorites.

On my computer that died.

Yes, indeedy. And maybe someday I’ll get them back.

Then again. Maybe not. (I am mostly backed up but not all the way backed up.)

So, now it’s your turn to share!

PLEASE READ THIS GUIDELINES, especially, yes, especially if you have never linked up!

1. Anyone can join in on the challenge at anytime.
2. Please make sure the photos you use were taken for the challenge, meaning do not search your archives for an appropriate photo. The goal of You Capture is to get you out taking photos each week!
3. Use YOUR photos.
4. When linking up, only link to your You Capture blog post, not your main blog URL. (incorrect links will be deleted.)
5. You MUST link back to You Capture in your post.
6. I encourage you to visit other participants and leave comments. This is a great way to meet new friends!

{more You Capture info can be found here.}

The years best! Choose 10 of your favorite photos from 2010 and share!

Happy Capturing and Happy New Year!

Finally here

December 26th, 2010

Yesterday was Christmas. I’m not sure how a day so anticipated can come and go so quickly.

Throughout the day yesterday, my mind went back to Christmases past.

Christmas 2007 – we told Anna and Noah (and Brian’s family) that I was pregnant and pregnant with twins. (what an exciting day for Brian and I!)

Christmas 2008 - we were mourning the loss of James & Jake, hopeful for another baby and not having any idea that a little baby was there, in my belly already but that baby wasn’t meant to be.

Christmas 2009 – 26 weeks pregnant, on the tree hung a secret note from the ultrasound tech, telling us the gender of the baby in my belly.

It’s a boy!

and now there is this year.

This baby, the big boy and big girl. Here, finally, not only in our hearts but, finally, in our arms. (Which are wrapped firmly around them.)

So, thankful for yesterday. Not just because it was Christmas but because it was a peaceful Christmas.

sweet babies

Feeling more joy, more pride, more love, more peace than I thought my heart could possibly contain.

stockings

kids-on-Christmas-Eve

It was good.

I hope yours was good, too.

You Capture | Holiday Magic (or lights)

December 23rd, 2010

Happy Holidays, everyone!

I just wanted to take a moment to thank each of you for coming by each week. I’ve really grown to love and appreciate You Capture which is simply because of all of you. YOU make it magical for me. There are a lot of new photography memes sprouting up in blog land, I encourage you to participate in as many as you want! You can never take too many photos. (but I appreciate you participating in mine, so very, very much.)

I found my magic in the everyday. My two precious sons sharing their morning together, Noah teaching Eli about Christmas.

morning-play

Children do simple, unrehearsed things, they do what their will tells them to and it’s magic. Adults, we shop, stay up late, bake, cook, stress, argue, plan…when the magic is right in front of you, between your family, in your living room, existing always.

Our home.

house

My mom and my daughter, making my Grandma’s recipe. This was magical for all of us. (especially knowing my Grandma was there in spirit.)

cookie-bakers

and a made up recipe (butterscotch, chocolate chips, m & m’s, etc…) shared in one of my favorite bowls. Sticky fingers, powdery lips, full tummies.

The ordinary turned magical.

And lights! So many lights! Sunday night we made hot chocolate with whipped cream on top. We then chopped up mint chocolate Hershey Kisses and sprinkled those on top of the whipped cream. We headed out into the cold to look at the area’s lights.

holiday-lights

Now it’s your turn to share!

PLEASE READ THIS GUIDELINES, especially, yes, especially if you have never linked up!

{more You Capture info can be found here.}

Holiday Favorites

Happy Capturing and Merry, Merry Christmas!

frenemies

December 21st, 2010

Sometimes, I look in the mirror and I can’t believe that this body is mine. Once upon a time, my skin was smooth and tight, I never appreciated my thin figure back then, then again, back then I don’t think I really appreciated very much.

I don’t want to be super skinny, I just want to feel good about myself. Lately, I have been feeling good about myself but these past few days I have eaten just terribly, I can feel the difference just walking through my house. My gut feels heavy. I hate it when my gut feels heavy.

I could blame the holidays but if I’m honest, I have to blame myself.

I love loving the way I look. Yet, I continue to eat. I continue to not exercise. I wonder why I do this to myself. Because food tastes so good?

Sometimes, I am my own worst enemy.

I walk through my house and I shudder at the clutter. Piles of “things” surround me. School papers, print order receipts, work, cards, to-do lists half completed, piles of clothes that no longer fit. I picture clean walls and bare shelves holding baskets with a single item in them. Simple colors.

I crave simplicity.

Yet.

I continue to desire. Buy. Ask. Acquire.

Thinking with each thing that it’s going to make myself feel better about my surroundings. Mostly it does just the opposite.

I’m fighting against myself.

I never have enough time for games with my family.

Movies with my husband.

Cleaning the house.

Cuddles in bed, rubbing my daughter’s legs to help her fall asleep. Listening to Noah share his insights on life. Watching Eli grow up faster than we prepared ourselves for.

I would have more time if I turned it all off.

My blog.

Twitter.

Facebook.

Email.

Turn those things off and focused even more on LIVING.

Yet, I continue because it’s the way of the world, it’s my hobby, it’s what I enjoy.

I admit this and feel immature at my choices. Afraid of one day regretting these decisions.

I know better, yet.

Here I am. Fighting against myself.

I am human. I seek balance. I want it all.

I am human.