sand in my toes, also known as spring break

This weekend we went to the land of the palm trees.

Also known as the land of the seashells.

And naturally land of the laid back.

Which creates much more time to let the kids dig up the land.

The greatest part of the trip...sitting back and watching. 

Turns out we weren't the only ones that preferred to sit back and watch.

My favorite moment...watching the kids take on the ocean.

Another highlight of the weekend, seeing that spring has definitely sprung.

Yeah, it was a pretty laid back weekend. The fish must have caught on to the idea...so laid back they didn't once bite.

Palm trees...not a bad way to spend a weekend. 

Weekly phone dump:

Have a good week y'all!

Have a joy

Little joys make life not only interesting-just better.

Whether it's listening to your favorite music, taking time to read {insert favorite} magazine, or painting your fingernails the brightest color you can find. Make sure you know your joy. Of course time with your favorite people count. But I believe we also have to find the little things that make us who we are.

Do you watch a certain show? Pin on Pinterest? Sing in the shower? Drink out of a favorite cup? Do cartwheels? Write with a colored pen?

I know as adults, it's easy to press the mute button on all things that aren't bland and grown-up. We do everything we can to not stand out.

But we have to remember inside all of us we are colorful, carefree versions of ourselves. There were days before we had to grow up that we were able to express them. Beige and neutral were not part of our vocabulary.

If we do not let those sides of us come out-if not every now and then-we may lose them. Okay, maybe "lose them" is too strong. Let's just say, out of personal experience, I know that it becomes harder to rekindle them.

Make sure you know what makes you happy. However bright and colorful they are.

Hang on to relationships that bring you joy. Keep things around you that make you joyful. As silly as they may seem. Don't be afraid of being yourself. We aren't meant to be muted.

I'm not saying be drastic or dramatic, but keep things and people away that don't feed that ever important side of you.

Discovering who you are is the greatest gift we have. Don't lose sight of that.



No matter what crayon you color with.

taste the freshness

This weekend we were all about getting outside. The gorgeous weather we've been having is putting me into spring fever. And if it's anything I've learned about living in Kansas my whole life-when Mother Nature smiles at you, you pick yourself up, head outside and smile back!

Saturday Caleb had his first soccer game. We weren't sure how this was going to go. He's never played before, just here and there at recess. Well, boy made us proud. I played soccer for 12 years growing up, and seeing my son play...it made my heart sing.

And he kicked some grass! Boy's got a foot and as a defender, he rarely let anyone past him. Powerhouse Caleb!

And we had the sweetest little cheerleader on the sidelines, "Go Caleb!"

Can this get any cuter?

And we may be at the soccer field for years to come. If these little feet could talk.
I'm totally okay with that.

Aunt Jess came down this weekend for a visit. She's absolutely LOVING her new job. And we're loving the new swag.

Sunday we headed out for a hike at a local state park.

We love getting outside and exploring. Especially when everything around us is shaking off winter, starting to embrace spring. Buds are budding, birds are chirping, and the air is fresh. My favorite time of year.

And nothing like an outdoor day to make Daddy proud.

I love the new life that begins this time of year. New beginnings. A fresh start.

Go out and grab yours.

Weekly phone dump:


"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome."
-Anne Bradstreet

write it down

A confession:

I have this stubborn, quiet voice that resides within me.

And no, I am not schizophrenic.  Nor do I have auditory hallucinations.

I'm a writer.

As if this blog isn't proof of my tendencies to express myself; thought onto paper, blank canvas, or an online version of a white square that has the potential of infinity...squared.

The funny thing about this stubborn and quiet urging voice-it never is satisfied. It is always nagging, a shrill reminder of what must be done.

At times I am able to get it to quiet down quite a bit. A low buzzing noise that is heard only if I am completely still. Don't get me wrong it's still there, but it seems satisfied if words and thought are formed. Even better if it is somewhat organized and legible in a physical form.

The most assuring thing out of the whole noise is that I know I'm not the only one that must hear it. Many, if not all, of us do at some time or another. It may be writing that fuels it, but it could also be art or music. It's creative buzzing that won't quiet down without some form of expression on our part.

I guess no matter the degree of your haunting, rest assured you will always have that quiet constant voice. There may be days, months, years that you go astray. But you will always find your way back. It will lead you.

And don't think of that voice as a haunted ghost of what may not yet be. Think of it as a long lost friend that you must invite over for coffee now and then to rekindle the treasured friendship. If you're lucky maybe they'll stay over for a game of cards. Or whatever they like to play. Anything to get them to stop talking for a while.

"Writing is a form of personal freedom. It frees us from the mass identity we in the making all around us. In the end, writers will write not to be outlaw heroes of some underculture but mainly to save themselves, to survive as individuals."
-Don Delillo

weekending

I got a new bag. And some new bright red shoes.

On the scale of 1 to 10 of life-revamping one person can do, in my book that's like an 11.  So I'm soaking it up. Riding this wave of full rejuvenation.

Other loves this weekend. Caleb's first Pinewood Derby race.

He and Daddy worked hard this year.

We were so proud. He's a third generation scout, and I know he made 'em all proud.

A new tradition that's sure to be continued. I just have this hunch that the annual smell of sawdust and graphite are in our future. Not to mention the contagious round of trash talk and hollering from the sidelines.

 Not that we took part in any of that.

We had a great weekend.

Did some much needed shopping for the essentials. You know, matching raincoat and boots for the girly girl. Which, by the way, is the cutest thing ever.

I literally pinch myself that Mark and I have these beautiful, smart, delightful "mini" versions of ourselves. Which I don't think we can even claim sometimes. They are adorable. They do silly things. They crack jokes. They are just....fun. Seriously, being a parent is the coolest gig ever.

Weekly phone dump:

Hope ya'll have a good week!
I'll put my feet up to that.

"Children are the hands by which we take hold of heaven."
-Henry Ward Beecher