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11.30.2013

A Happy Thought in The Midst Of...

 (last year)

Its been a rough week. Like, test who you really are kind of week. Like, if it don't kill ya, it will make you stronger kind of week. And I really believe those things, that when times are tough, one can take great pride in never losing a certain optimism. And when its over, when you overcame, when you look back with the knowledge that you actually smiled and enjoyed moments of the journey because you knew what a funny story it would be to look back on how laughably bad things were, that sense of accomplishment, that pride in yourself will move you up a few notches in the got-this-life-figure-out pole. And that kind of confidence boost is priceless. And when a person gots confidence, a person can do anything

I believe that life is like a muscle, lets imagine our life is a bicep. And if you want a stronger, more awesome bicep, you can't just go to the gym everyday for 10 years and lift 10 lbs for a half hour. The strength will remain the same, and it will be easy. You know what you gotta do, you have to increase the weight. You have to push your limits. Because right when it starts to burn. Right when you want to stop because it hurts so bad. THAT is the moment when you grow. 

In short, I truly am grateful for when life teaches me a lesson. I would never give up the rough times I've been through to make my life easier. Looking back at who I was five years ago, I can't believe how little I knew about life! This, is a journey. An Adventure. What adventure movie can you think of where everything went right and easy? (booooooooorrrring!)

I can't wait to see what kind of person I am ten years down the road, with ten more years of muscle-growin under the belt. 

Here is us last Christmas, after the most grueling 3 months of my life (I really think so). Moving from the west coast, leaving all of our friends who had become like family, ditching so many of our loved things that we couldn't bring along, to a scary new, lonely place, with no job. And look at how good things turned out! (I will not allow this week to taint the past year as we come upon our 1 year anniversary here!)

p.s.
To those who are aware of the plumbing incident, that was definitely the straw that prompted this post, but not the only straw on my back at the moment! Thankyou for everyone who has expressed their prayers and concern during this issue and during our flu sufferings! Love you all <3

11.27.2013

Something Spoooooooky!


peter_pan_tinkerbell
toddler_tinkerbell
Just Kidding! The only adjective to properly describe this post is….ADORABLE. 

Except for my incredible homemade Halloween décor…. that was just awesome spooky (proud much?!):
modern_halloween_decor
I always said I would never put wings or tulle on my toddler girl for Halloween like every single other mother in the world does. And I stand by the tulle thing and do not plan to budge there. BUT then Atlas decided he wanted to be Peter Pan, and of COURSE my initial reaction was “Urban will be the PERFECT Shmee!!”
So I had it all planned out. And then….I started to feel bad….after all….I’ve already had a boy to dress up all these years, and this poor little girl already wears boy clothes half the time anyways since her mother has this thing against pink and purple and frilleyness and all of those convenient hand-me-down boy clothes (I like to think of many of them as unisex…right?)….maybe for Halloween, she should be something she isn’t every day….poor thing was always mistaken for a chubby little baby boy, especially after we would tell people her name….ay ay ay…..
Soo anyways, I decided to go the fairy route. But of course I wanted her and Atlas to be matching little woodland dwellers. So here was my first time sewing Halloween costumes, or, well, anything significant for the matter! I was kind of brimming with pride for like, ever over these… Oh and I was Captain Hook, of course.
family_peter_pan
Let me explain if this picture is confusing- Atlas is holding my hook, and I am holding his “bubble sword”. We actually have fun, cool, fake pirate swords and knifes in our toy box, but Atlas insisted on using his bubble wand instead of a knife, what can I say, a lover not a fighter!
halloween_austin_texaspeter_pan_preschoolerhalloween_fun_texas
peter_panfun_austin_texaspeter_pan_halloweenpeterpan_tinkerbellhalloween_austintinkerbell_halloween_toddler
It was so much fun to have Mike’s Dad and Uncle in town for Halloween! It was an extra fantastic weekend!
tinkerbell_toddler_costumepeterpan_tinkerbell_halloweentinkerbelle_peter_pan
^^These two….this is Atlas’s adorable little buddy who just happened to be dressed up as Tinkerbell, no coordinating intended! And of course when we ask them to strike a pose so the mommy’s can snap a few, they just start nuzzling, NO BIG DEAL! Ah. Just killing it you two.
And the baby in fairy wings would not be complete without a little photoshop magic! (had to)
tinkerbell_adorable
austin_texas_halloween
After the day, after the sugar, after the bath….The Crash.

11.23.2013

October Fun

 

Nothing like packing into a friends minivan for a long beautiful drive to an awesome fun pumpkin patch! Sweetberry Farm in Marble Falls did not disappoint!

pumpkin_patch_austinfamily_austin_texaspumpkin_patch_texasfamily_october_austinaustin_teaxas_jumpaustin_teaxas_zoofamily_fun_austinaustin_texasaustin_texas_fallaustin_kidsaustin_texas_funfall_fun_austinpumpkin_patch_austin_texastoddler_austin_texasfun_austin_texasfun_october_austinlittle_boy_austin_texasoctober_austin_texasoctober_texas_austin*pumpkin_patch_austin_fall