lessons...

It's amazing how my almost three-year-old teaches me how to be present in even the most simple moments.  To stop and look at the little details that I often miss, and to react in pure joy and amazement at the beauty surrounding me each day.  He teaches me to rest, to run, to be honest with how I feel, and to stop in wonder.

Thankful for the lessons I learn from him, and thankful I get to be his mama.

little moments...

When life gets so busy that I forget which things I need to make priorities in my life, I see an image like this in our home and it brings me back to reality.

There's nothing sweeter than watching my husband parent our son in a loving, patient way.  I see so much of Landon when I look at Finn, and I see how Finn looks up to his dad and admires him greatly.  It makes my heart so happy when I see them together.

Life can easily become caught up in new gadgets, latest trends, money, materials, status.  But at the end of the day, all those things don't really matter as much as building relationships and setting a foundation of kindness, love, and morals for our children.

I will be savoring these little moments as I see them, and always remember these early years in Finn's life.  I am a truly blessed mama and wife.  God is good.

a reminder...

I seriously can't make stuff like this up. :)

I am so thankful for a son who embraces life to the fullest.
If only all of us adults could be more like our sweet and innocent children.
If only I didn't care what people thought, and sang to my heart's content.
If only I didn't need an audience to play my favorite instrument. 
If only I spent more time focused on passion rather than things that don't really matter in the long run.

Thank you, Finn for reminding me today that life is to be embraced.
I love you, little man.

(p.s. he insisted on wearing his beach hat around the house today.) :)

love...

Enjoying some precious time with my sweet boy.  Someday he will grow up, grow taller than me, and go off on his own.  I am treasuring each and every day I have him in my life.

via

I can tell today is going to be a good day!  I get to see my sister and brother-in-law, my dad and my mom, and go on an outing with Finn.  Also, my sister is going to have a baby this summer and I am constantly excited about that.  Finn and his sweet little cousin are going to be the best of friends, I'm sure.

I read something the other day about choosing to respond with joy to every situation.  To respond with joy to joyous things, and to respond to anger and frustration with gentleness and patience.  This is proving very useful with Finn.  He's not old enough to understand or communicate his frustrations in any other way than crying, and it can be so tough sometimes.  Yesterday, Landon and I went out for a run and took Finn in his stroller.  The last time we went, he slept the entire time and basically was a sweet little angel.  But last night, we made it 1.5 miles, and he started flipping out.  We had to turn around and go back.  He cried the whole time, unless we picked him up and walked with him.  So our run turned into running with a crying baby, stopping to pick him up, then walking, then trying the stroller again, walking.

It's really comical to think about now, although last night I was really frustrated.  But I keep mulling over the situation and what happened and how I responded.  Sometimes I feel like a terrible mama.  I talked with my own mom about it and she said, "Well, tomorrow's a new day."  That's so true!  Every day, I get a new chance to work on my own attitudes and practice patience and gentleness with Finn.  God has given me so much grace these past few months.

I'm not perfect, and no mother is, and there's beauty in imperfection and in the daily process of choosing a good attitude over a bad one.  There's beauty in learning and working at being a good example for your precious child who watches your every move.  A happy and good attitude is a choice we all have.
Today, I choose joy and gentleness.

lately...

*loving our french press now that I know how to use it correctly and we have some decent local coffee.

*making sure I eat a big breakfast, or breakfast at all, so I can have enough energy for the rest of the day.

*listening to the many birds outside our window and sometimes getting annoyed at them...but mostly loving it.

*making Finn laugh by doing the silliest things ever...like singing to him while I'm in the shower and he's sitting in the bouncer, making pig noises, making duck noises...making any high-pitched noise.

*eating meat - we have had steak, steak pitas, steak again, salmon, corned beef, and sausage all in the course of a week...and we're having burgers tonight.

*watching The Big Bang Theory...I love that show.  Amy Farrah Fowler is my fav; maybe it's because I looked like her when I was 11.

*walking with Finn in the woods, walking with Finn to get the mail, walking around Target with Finn to get some tank tops, walking with Finn into Firestone to get the oil changed, walking with Finn to get an iced tea because I'm sweaty from all the walking.

*working on photos like a maniac - getting jobs done for my boss.  I love looking through all the beautiful weddings she does...it's like flipping through a wedding magazine every day at work.

*enjoying this first day of summer spring and wishing the pool was open....in March, no less.

*playing vegas style solitaire on the ipad.  Landon and I have a running game going; we are in the 1000s, folks.

Life is good and we are a happy little family.  Looking forward to a good week.

via

Add caption

Add caption

these days i'm having to take things slow and easy.  it's nice to get to quietly relax and take in the quiet moments amidst the noisy ones throughout the day.  all i need on days like today are good books, hot drinks, and messy hair.

relax...

via

via

I got home earlier than I thought from Goshen, so I think I'm going to do a bit of this.  Putting on my comfy clothes, getting my book, and relaxing the rest of the afternoon...

xo

inspiring things...

via

messy haired Zooey

via

spinning

via

pastries of any kind

via

flavorful tea

via

frosted landscapes

I love beautiful things. 

I love little, everyday things that get overlooked.  

I love things that inspire me to be more creative.

xo

Leah

it's a good day...

Things that made me happy today...

*Knowing I have such an awesome husband.

*Meeting a friend to work on creating a logo for her new photography business.  Here's her blog.  I am so excited to be working with Autumn and put together a brand that really represents where she wants to take her photography style.  It feels so good to be doing graphics work...I love it!

*Discovering a new band,  Headlights,  on Pandora today.


*Finding some gorgeous photography on Irene Suchocki's Etsy shop.

*Wanting to try out these amazing looking Plum, Almond and Chocolate Cakes from Cannelle et Vanille.
(Scroll to the bottom of her page to get the recipe.)

It is such a good day to be alive!  I am constantly amazed at all of the blessings I have in my life and how I can get so easily frustrated or discontent.  I have no reason to be!  Everything I could ask for is at my fingertips and I need to just stop, take a moment, and recognize all the good things in my life.

Love,

Leah

ps. I can't wait to find out who the winner of the weekend giveaway will be!  I'll randomly choose a winner tomorrow morning, so if you haven't left a comment and still want to enter, go for it!  Don't be bashful.  Here's the post link.

little moments

*Last weekend we went thrifting for our photoshoot this weekend.
*We relaxed in our comfy living room.
*Enjoyed some yummy Peanut Butter Cap'n Crunch! I love the throwback box design.
*Lit a fall candle and enjoyed it's wonderful aroma.
*Listened to some good tunes from Iron & Wine.
*Made a late night run to Steak N' Shake.

I'm so happy it's October!!  I can't wait to experience all the wonderful fall things we have in store this month.  Have a wonderful Friday!

Love,
Leah

crickets and cutting boards

*I love the sound of crickets, but I don't like seeing them.  One time, I was on the phone and I looked down and a cricket was sitting on my foot...I may have kicked that poor little guy down a stairwell.  Sorry cricket, but don't startle me.

*I love baking and cooking 3 things at once and find it a satisfactory challenge to try to keep up with all the dishes and have them finished when my food is done.  (this does not always pan out the way I envision.)


*When I see a pregnant woman, I just want to go up to her and tell her how absolutely beautiful she is...I think expecting mothers are amazing! But I'm usually too shy to say anything. (is this stalker-ish?)

*I can't bear to let the foam off the top of a caramel macchiato go to waste, so if I can't find a spoon, I may lick out the cup using my finger.....mmm, all that foamy carmel-y goodness.

*I have never made a recipe using artichoke. I bought one at Kroger yesterday in hopes that I would be motivated to make something.  Now I need to find the perfect recipe.  Any suggestions?

*My most favorite kitchen item is our wooden cutting board.  Dear cutting board, thank you for staying with me through thick and thin, for always taking the most messy situations, and for cleaning up so nicely. Love, Leah


*Bill Murray is my most favorite actor and I wish we could be on a bowling team together.

*I hope you enjoy reading my blog.  I hope I make you smile some days. :)

Love,
Leah