snaps

if i had more hands, i would've made another heart for the other double rainbow ;)

silly rock-jumping photos from our mini-vacation.  we got lots of funny looks from grouchy people in the parking lot as our photo shoot stretched on and on and we just died laughing...

farmer's market....watching the live music and snacking our way through

nubble lighthouse----i can't even begin to explain to you how much the kids were bitching and whining about how cold it was

practice thanksgiving at mimi's----joey was very pleased to eat this ginormous turkey leg....his fav

spending lots of time doing THIS....and picking ticks off of the dog

pure happiness.  leaves are my new favorite babysitter.

free fun.  rolling down the hill at the park for an hour.  i just took the pictures. ;)

we have been full throttle busy lately, between vacationing and hanging with friends...and oh yeah, FIFTH GRADE MATH HOMEWORK.  fit in flute and ccd and birthday parties and softball and then all the other fun stuff on the calendar...there are certainly plenty of reasons to fall into bed completely useless every night at around 7pm.  this weekend proves to be no different.  i'm headed out to mindy's retreat , we have a big family "church" dinner at boo's house, a double header, ccd classes, a hike to take...lots of family stuff.  and to top it all off, we have a dad who is home for the weekend AND is getting paid again.  certainly reason to celebrate last night with sushi and fancy wine (for john).  going to try to find some quiet moments to lay on my left side (totally necessary lately) and send some deep breaths to these double rainbows who have been so cooperative and laid back during all these adventures. 

'tis the season for getting out of dodge

'tis the season for going inward, quieting time, self care, whole foods, crock pot meals, and face-to-face connections.  there is something healing about sitting down with a friend over a steaming cup of tea.  there is something about sending the kids outside and watching them rake up the leaves, only to jump in them and toss them back all over the lawn.  and then start again. 

this weekend, despite the government shutdown and lack of pay, we are going to take some time as a family and go look at the changing leaves.  it will involve a couple of fantastic restaurants, some magazines by the pool while the kids splash around, stomping through streets of crunchy leaves, a few lighthouses, and lots of boogery tissues. 

i am craving this time away...a time to escape from making three meals a day for five (or seven, if you want to count the double rainbows!....or eight, if you want to count my puppy!) people.  i'm starting my mini-vacation off tonight with my monthly faith discussion meeting...one of the things that really fills me up and recharges me.  coupled with some chapters from mandy steward's new book "thrashing about with god: finding faith on the other side of everything", i should be good to go for a nice, relaxing weekend!  hopefully it involves a decaf pumpkin spice americano, too.  xoxo

(*a big thank you to my dad and nan for watching rusty for us!*)

Hiding

Figuring out how to be pregnant with twins, hold down a massage job, deal with the reality of a husband who is out of the country at least three days of the week, and manage three growing, wild children can be a challenge.

Lots of people ask me how I do it.  Especially now since my friends know that my daily glass (or two) of wine has been removed from the equation.

The answer is simple-----I hide. And I lock the door.  Hiding is even better after I indulged and bought myself the best king sized comfy blanket for my bed.   All it takes is a little bit of hiding to rejuvenate me and get me ready to conquer the rest of the day.


I'm all about hiding from reality.

The power of the circle

Yesterday I traveled back to the coast to meet up with a small but powerful group of women.  We sat around a table, ate snacks, and talked about the things that are important to us.  We talked about our goals, about our projects, and about the things we'd like to accomplish.  I left ignited by their passions, and curious about how I can kick-start my own.  I think every woman should have the luxury of circling with people that motivate them to reach for their goals----women who help them show up and lift them up when they need it.  I'm not sure what I did right in this life, but I am so lucky to have so many of these people in my life, always popping up when I need them most. 
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In other news, check out Mindy's upcoming offering----The Wishstudio Fall Creative Alchemy Retreat (the Alchemy of Small Stories and Indie Kindred screening!).  It will be an awesome opportunity for local folks who crave connections with kindred spirits, and who want to tap into the power of their own stories.  I will be attending Jen Lee's screening if anyone wants to make a night out of it! 

gratitude roundup

 fresh juice to nourish and energize

lots of deep breaths at the ocean lately, and time to circle with my beloved friends

renewed creative energy, and the promise of a blank canvas

a trip to squam----sitting by the fire, pumping four kegs, hugging the best people in the world

taking the time to create food that makes me feel good...

 field tripping with my littlest girl

 fall softball!

lots of family time, feeding my soul...


i love fall and all the peace that it brings.  looking forward to slowing down (when though?) and drinking more tea.  wearing slippers.  watching movies.  snuggling under quilts.  going to bed early.  xoxo