Austin, according to my iPhone

we took a quick trip to my old stomping grounds last weekend ~ even though it was quick it was so full of friends + family + good food as always. we left sunday afternoon and I may have teared up a bit on the drive home. I get so homesick sometimes, even though I am grown lady. especially now that I have littles of my own, I just find myself wanting to be near family and this urge to take them to all the wonderful places I grew up going to. so everytime we go, we just try to fit it all in!

^carnival food! we met up with some friends at a kids festival^

^cousins ~ enjoying snow-cones together!^

^we went to this really neat place that just opened, it's called mt.playmore - it's a restuarnt with a big indoor playground! we loved it so much ~ and I had so much fun just playing with sparrow^

^my mama has the touch when it comes to putting juniper to sleep^

^even though it's blurry ~ I love this photo. she squeezed me tight + said I was her best friend. my mama heart just melted. me too, sparrow. and I hope we always are.^

^rock climbing at church. my old youth pastor, started his own church + we surprised them and just showed up on sunday. it was wonderful to see some of my old church family.^

^Chris's kind of restaurant! downtown Austin^

^a short visit to hounds-tooth coffee. seriously so good.^

^I always have to stop in this store. tried on jackets for sparrow + juniper ~ for winter! they had the cutest little hats too! and somehow we always leave with new socks + complimentary tattoos!^

^see what I mean!? juniper slept like that the whole time!^

^brunch! they have great mimosas!^

^my sweet little juniper. i love this little one so much.^

^these two. i love watching their relationship blossom over the years. sparrow has the best daddy!^

^walking around, with my houndstooth pour over (to go!). three generations here! I love this photo, it's only missing sparrow! but, she was busy chasing bees!^

sparrow turns 3!

^the birthday girl wanted donuts + chocolate milk for breakfast^

       ^we celebrated at a nearby park + had a 'hippie hotdog' station, dips + chips + cupcakes too!^

^my attempt at a purple ombre cake with sprinkles ~ the heat kind of got the best of it^

^taking a peek at her presents^

 ^my mama holding sweet juniper, she couldn't put her down the entire weekend^

 

after her party, sparrow fell asleep in my arms. and I just held her for almost two hours. and cried. I can't even remember the last time I got to rock her to sleep or hold her like that, and I just soaked every minute of it up. this little girl, because even though she will always be my baby, she is becoming a little girl, and is the very sweetest one I know. her kindness towards others blows me away sometimes, and I just have to step back and watch as the Lord is molding her, and I get to be a part of the journey. the blessing of being a mommy isn't lost on me. I am so thankful everyday for both of my babies. and august 23, 2011 (it was a Tuesday at 10:03 am) will forever be stamped on my heart. the moment I held sparrow for the first time. and her big blue eyes just looked at me, with a depth of knowing. today she tells me that I am her best friend. and I hope that never changes.



twu gardens

this afternoon when chris got home, we loaded up the littles and headed to one of our favorite spots in denton - twu gardens. I love this place. I love to come by myself to pray or think, and I love bringing my girls here to play and explore. and during the texas heat, all the trees make for some real nice picnic spots.

sometimes me and chris joke that parenting is a lot like ground hog day, filled with sameness and routine. wake up, rush off to work (at least for dad), feed babies, nap, play-dates, baths, dinner, homeschool, nurse, nurse, nurse. you feel me mama's? but it is so good for my spirit to break out of our routine and fill our days with adventure, even if its a small one like getting frozen yogurt and letting sparrow pick wild flowers or like today - walking amidst a beautiful and lush garden, letting sparrow roam free without restriction, connecting with my husband without distractions, and watching my little girls bond.

this life really is so beautiful, and I just need a little reminder to slow down, so I don't miss all of the wonderful moments, like the sound of sparrow's laugh, and juniper's little dimples when she smiles, and the way it feels to hold my husband's hand, and to feel the cool breeze on my face. and for me, this comes easy when I am outside - away from technology, away from my to do list, and away from my messy house. after-all, like my mama always says ' it goes fast + there will always be dishes, but there won't always be a precious little one that wants to hold your hand'.

a few snapshots

my sweet friend sarah took these photos ~ I opened my email today, and these were in there from a few weeks ago, when chris' best friend got married ~ he was a groomsman + the officiant!

L E A D T H E W A Y

when I look at this photo, it is so accurate of my little girl. running, excitedly where her heart desires, quickly away from me. away from the little infant I rocked for hours on end, who only wanted her mama to hold her. she is growing up so fast, and she is fast and full of energy and life. and me with my swollen belly, finds it hard to catch up. and so sometimes, I just sit back and watch with amazement at how determined she is. she knows where she is going. she is leading the way.

and that's exactly what I let her do today. I let her lead our walk through the gardens and she led us straight to the turtle pond.

and there we sat, quietly waiting for the turtles to approach. and one by one they did. and the big smile and twinkle in her eyes, was too much for this mama heart. she was so happy to just sit next to me like we were old friends, blowing bubbles, turtle watching, and having a good chat.

my mind can't help but wander, and think about all the times I walked these same gardens when I was pregnant with her, and how its the place where I found peace about becoming a mother. and now here she is, like its her stomping grounds, familar. she knows this place and she is leading me, leading me to the secret turtle pond, and leading me through the beautiful rocky terrain, and showing me where the tiny seeds bloom into roses. and she has led the way into me becoming a mother.

as we leave the gardens, and sparrow asks if we will bring the new baby here, I just look down and smile, because we already have. but, yes, I say to her, of course we can bring the new baby here. and she will lead the way to the turtle pond and budding flowers. and all this time, I have been nervous about the transition to come, and so nostalgic for those first days with sparrow, and looking upon her with wonderment and a twinge of sadness at how big she is, and that each day she is getting older and further away from me. but, she is leading the way, and she is growing into a beautiful, adventurous, creative, and empathetic person. and she is going to be an awesome big sister. and I can't wait.

lead the way, sparrow. lead the way.

E A S T E R W E E K E N D

 

 

we had a lovely, quiet weekend. enjoyed a beautiful easter service, sparrow enjoyed collecting + emptying her treasures from her eggs. I put together a little photo-shoot inside & hosted one at twu gardens for our community! it was such a last minute thing ~ but turned out to be super fun + relaxing for me, and I got to love on some cute kiddos. and a lady showed up at the end, while I was cleaning up and handed us her 5 week old bunnies to hold.

this easter was different. it was spent just the three of us. soon to be four of us. and I can't help but wonder at the life we are creating, our own little traditions and adventures building up over time, turning into a magical childhood, one I get to relive through my daughter's eyes.

and yet, I long to be near family. sometimes, Austin feels so very far away, when your homesick. I missed my mom's deviled eggs, my sister's laugh, even the family drama and bickering that always makes an appearance - when you have a room full of strong and stubborn women.

one year for easter, my mom made huge muddy foot prints go all the way up our stairs that ended in my room, where I awoke that morning to a basket full of goodies. my favorite chap stick and sour candies. and I remember seeing the foot prints as I ran excitedly down the stairs, proclaiming that the easter bunny had come - just like mom had promised the night before. I think back to all the little things my mom did to make things magical and joyful, just to see my face light up with delight.
and I hope to do the same.

we are making a life. one that is our own. that I hope my children will remember with fondness. just like I do, with a full heart.

S W E E T + S P I CY K A L E S A L A D

this is my favorite salad to eat. at least right now.

here is what you need:

1 bunch of kale
1 orange (juice only)
1 tbs lime juice
1 tbs olive oil
1 tsp honey
1/4 tsp salt
dash of cayenne pepper
garlic clove, chopped finely
2 tangerines, peeled + separated
2 tbs walnuts or almonds
1 large carrot, peeled + chopped
2 tbs raisins/craisins

here is what you do:

tear kale off the vein into bite size pieces and place in a mixing bowl. whisk together the juice from the orange, lime juice, olive oil, honey, salt, cayenne pepper, and garlic clove. pour over kale and let marinate for at least 30 min or even over night. after kale has marinated, top with remaining ingredients, toss and serve. enjoy!

Enjoy!