Mid 30s

Well, I am officially right smack in the middle of my 30s. I have to be totally honest, and I say this for every year older I get: I’ve waited my whole life to be this old. There is a …

Peace Out 2016!

I know that like many people, I am very excited to put 2016 in the rear-view mirror. My favorite descriptor of this year so far? “Poop-flavored trash fire.” And I’ll never stop laughing at it. For all of the crap …

We’ve Commenced!

A little over a week ago the majority of my graduate school cohort and I celebrated our commencement. For some in our cohort it was the culmination of all their hard work. For others like me, it was recognition for …

May: Start the Celebrations!

May of each year brings about a lot of celebration in my life. Between birthdays and Mother’s Day, I have a lot to be thankful for during this lovely spring month. This past weekend, both Mother’s Day and my husband’s …

Gabriel Turns Four

For Gabriel’s fourth birthday I decided to take a break from party planning and plan a trip to Disneyland instead. I figured this age is still young enough to enjoy all of the magic of the parks and old enough …

And Puppy Makes Six…

Last week was a whirlwind. Both work and school were winding down at the same time. In the midst of this, my husband states that he would like a dog for Christmas. While dogs have never been off-limits, we never …

Change is in the Air

A change is gonna come….tomorrow! With a mix of sadness and trepidation, I prepare to take on a new role. I recently accepted a position in the Dean’s Office as an International Academic Counselor on campus and will be starting …

I’m feeling 32

Yes, that is a play on a T. Swift song…what about it? Anyway, so here I am a fresh-faced 32 year old, ready to tackle another year. I will miss thirty-wonderful (31) because it still felt on the cusp of …

Time Flies and Love Grows

Tomorrow is the four year wedding anniversary for my husband and me.  These past four years have made us stronger and wiser. We’ve dealt with death, birth, parenthood, hospitalization, and many more challenges that might overwhelm the average couple of our generation.

I think from the beginning dear husband (DH) and I have always understood that you have to work hard at marriage. Even though movies and television try to make it seem like it should be easy, we both know from our parents experiences that marriage takes not only work and commitment, it takes determination. Maybe it’s generational, or maybe it is just that fantasy belief that love and marriage should be easy, but I feel that many don’t value or want the hard work. I welcome it. I married someone different from me so that we could have a balance. Because I appreciate his uniqueness and individuality. Don’t get me wrong, I’m awesome. But I don’t need to spend the rest of my life with the male version of myself. Opposites don’t have to attract but for us, it works.

It has never been more evident than it is now that we are parents. Gabriel gets the best of all worlds. Logical and emotions. A working parent and a stay-at-home parent. Carefree and structured. We are able to offer a holistic style of parenting that helps him flourish and leaves him nurtured.

DH is my compliment. He’s the silly to my serious. He’s patient when I’m impatient. And I’m calm when he’s frazzled.

With all that’s happened, four years seems like a flash in the pan. But I have so many wonderful memories to look back on and to be thankful for. We’ve had a lot of good luck along the way to go with our hard work. We deserve the happiness that we get and so much more.

Thank you for four wonderful years of marriage, DH. Let’s keep this party going! xoxo ❤

October 17, 2010…our rainy day wedding. I guess it is good luck!

Our little family just a year ago

A Thirty-Wonderful Weekend

In the shade…

 

Birthday weekend was a success! If the picture above is any indication, I had such an amazing time. On Saturday, I went wine tasting with friends, and that evening, my husband and went out for dinner and a movie. But by far, my favorite day was Monday. Our little family took a day trip to Kings Beach in North Lake Tahoe and spent time in the water, sun, and sand. Watching our little splash around in the water and dig in the sand made me grin from ear to ear.

Our day of fun brought to mind a comment I heard last week, that people spend too much time documenting their lives, that they need to step from behind their cameras and participate. While I agree that being present and in-the-moment is the most important, I feel like there is nothing more in-the-moment than appreciating  the pure joy of watching your son play with his dad. I had so many moments on Monday where, yes, I was behind the camera, but it warms my heart so much to see them playing together. To see them laughing and being silly. The times when they are sharing pure love…that’s what being present feels like to me.

 

 

Call me crazy, but these are the moments I want the opportunity to capture and save forever ❤