What life is all about...

"While we try to teach our children all about life, Our children teach us what life is all about." ~Angela Schwindt

I read this quote tonight. How true is this?? I guess it's one of those things you hear but don't realize how true it is until it happens to you. I can think of a few things I've learned a long the way but becoming a parent really changes you in so many ways. It brings out the kid in you & the simple things are so enjoyable. To forget about drama, stress, politics, money... and just pick flowers, blow bubbles or take a walk. To really enjoy a sunny day or share a dessert. Now that's what life is all about!! :)

You are the best thing that ever happened to me...

I could listen to this song all day & think of Noah & David. "You Are The Best Thing" by Ray Lamontagne (it's playing on my blog right now).

Missing Photography...

We've been waiting 7 weeks now on our income tax return check & as of last week the IRS had no record of receiving it. We mailed it by Fed Ex over night so we knew they had signed for it on Jan 21. FINALLY, yesterday the IRS website said we should get it no later than April 6. Yes, that's possibly 4 more weeks but that's GREAT news to me because I've been waiting for that check to get new camera lenses. My camera that I've had for 4 years finally broke so I've been without any camera (besides my phone) for 2 months! I can't stand it! I feel like I've missed getting pictures of so much. But I'm really missing photography in general. It's one of my favorite things & 2 months is just too long. I've had so many ideas lately with no way to shoot them. David's coworker got his check 2 weeks sooner than the date they gave him so I'm crossing my fingers!!!!! :)

This week...

I really enjoyed bible study today. I wish Noah had acted better & shared a little more but other than that, it went well. He had fun w/ his little friends. The study is about temptations & having integrity in a world that is excessive & overindulgent. It's very relevant & interesting & I'm glad we're doing it.
Big plans this weekend! David & I are going w/ friends to see Cirque du Soleil. We are both SUPER excited! We've always wanted to go. This is a part of our Valentine's Day present to each other. It will be our first time to go out together in months so we're really looking forward to it :) Can't wait!!

Settling in & making changes

This weekend I unpacked the last few boxes after moving into the new place. I stuffed 8 boxes in the office & procrastinated. Plus I didn't really know where to put it. I love the new place & I really love being back in Sherman but I don't love the mortgage payment. It actually scares me. I'm realizing the responsibility of owning a home. I've been making myself be super cheap lately. Trying to save here & there. It's starting to become a habit & I like that. I'm trying to simplify our bills & cut out anything unnecessary. It's making me feel better. I think clearing out the clutter financially can be just as gratifying as cleaning out a messy closet. At church Sunday we heard a wonderful message. It's a series on Margins. He talks about not living at or beyond your means & leaving margins for when something doesn't go as planned. And to apply these margins to everything... Finances, time, work, kids. I'm guilty of maxing out my limit in time, money, energy, everything. I'm learning that life isn't about that. It's about quality over quantity. I'd rather have the basics I need & be happy than to have expensive things. I'd rather have a few really great friends than a ton of fair weather friends. I'd rather spend my time doing things we really enjoy than thinking I have to attend every single event. I'm trying really hard to make changes & I know in the long run they will pay off. I'm really looking forward to the next 7 weeks of our Margins series at church because that is exactly what I need right now. God has perfect timing.

Potty training & Noah

So we are going on 2 weeks of Noah going in the potty. And as of last Saturday, he's been going in the big people toilet instead of his training potty. Every single time he goes, he gets so excited & wants to call everyone he can think of. During the first week of full on potty training he looked down & yelled 'It's leaking!', ha ha! He cracks me up! It's really amazing to me how fast they grow.

Noah turns 2 today!!!

My big boy turns 2 today!!! We celebrated with a party yesterday & today we are having family time & McDonalds (his choice). When you have a newborn baby & everyone tells you "time flies", you never fully understand until time literally flies by. I'm so proud of the funny, smart, caring, independent boy he's becoming...

Violence

I know there is violence all over the world every day whether it gets reported on the news or not. And I think the information we're given through the media is molded to what they want us to believe. And I think that our soldiers in the military are not compensated fairly for what they sacrifice. But with the shootings in Ft. Hood yesterday & the shooting that is developing in Orlando right now, it really made me heartbroken for the families that lost loved ones. I think too often we take for granted all that we have.