October busy-ness

Life is busy right now.  So many schedules, so little time.  The days keep rolling by.

We’re in the thick of it, but I wouldn’t trade it; we are loving our new chapter.  I desperately keep trying to find some time to update our little space here on the web, and there just aren’t enough hours in the day, I say.  I love this time of life right now.  First grade, ballet, harvest, soccer, settling in, teaching piano, taking care of a baby – not to mention the dishes, diapers, homework, meals, yard, laundry…the joys of motherhood, everything.

I’m having major camera issues these days, so I have a little something on my wish list for Christmas this year (wink, wink), but I was able to dig up these gems for now – much different backgrounds from our last environment, same beautiful faces. :)

Both AnnMarie & Carlie have gotten so good at riding their bikes sans training wheels.  It’s so nice to have an outside patio area for the kids to play on.  All smiles. :)

The end of our road happens to be the last bus stop before it heads to school.  I feel grateful for this little fact, and for the good group of kids that meet at our bus stop every morning.

 

We decided to get AnnMarie involved in soccer this season - she’s been loving it.  It’s been amazing to watch her progress & improvement over the course of the past two months.  She’s all about defending – check out her move (no. 22, pink socks).  I must say, she looks pretty intense out there.

Carlie had surgery a few weeks ago.  We were finally able to get those monstrous tonsils & adenoids removed.  She is still recovering, but doing much better this past week.  My mom came up a few days after her surgery to help with the healing.  Carlie loves her Grandma J (so do I). 

I’m taking C back to pre-school tomorrow for the first day post-surgery, but I took a risk last week & took her on the pumpkin patch field trip.  She’d been talking about it non-stop, and I couldn’t bare the thought of having her miss out on something she was so set on.  We went on a hay-ride and enjoyed the hay-bale maze & petting zoo.  I’m pretty sure it boosted her spirits. 

Now if that little boy’s facial expression doesn’t make your day, then I don’t know what will!  

Happy October!

                                and a very Happy Birthday to my dear brother, Kyle!

SLC in July and Motherhood

Every year in July, Jared & I have the awesome opportunity to go to SLC together for three days…alone.  ;)  It’s definitely one of the perks of his job, and it’s becoming a fun tradition we look forward to. 

I loved the dark bright July colors scattered throughout Temple Square.  On two of those days, I had some alone time during the morning hours to enjoy the peaceful sunshine on the temple grounds. 

Hey look, it’s us!  j/k – this couple reminded me of Jared & I not so many years ago.   

Only our hair’s not as bright anymore, darn it. 

The Creekside Shopping Center is gorgeous… 

and tempting in every way.  We pretty much ate our hearts out as much as we could.  We’re still adapting to all this rich ‘n creamy ‘n yummy food everywhere we go.  In particularly, the dairy is totally different, so we have to take it easy. 

Everything is over-abundant in so many ways, and sometimes it makes my heart sting to think about how much we have here on this side of the globe.  We’re slowly getting everything organized into our new home, and with every little box I’m thinking, “OK, why do we need this again?  Let’s find someone in need that could use it way more than us,” and just as I’m thinking that, my little 6-year-old is saying that.  I’m missing the service opportunities that surrounded us for two years, but I know we can continue to serve and lift others in a new way than before.

I can’t help but think of this beautiful piece I came across on temple square – one that I’ve never really noticed before.  It’s tucked away in a corner – away from the limelight. 

 

It’s a young mother with her children - her head held high with the sun on her face.  She looks strong.  She looks empowered with knowledge and eternal perspective.  She looks tired, but dedicated.  Her baby clings to her as her daughter follows close behind.  Her part is accomplished in quiet ways without fanfare, yet she carries on with confidence in her selfless role. 

This piece spoke to me in so many ways one peaceful morning on the temple grounds, and I knew once again that the greatest service I will ever do will be here in my home…wherever I am on the map. :)

Ruby Lous for Ruby Jane

Throughout the entire month of August, Abby at Sew-Much-Ado is going to donate the full profit of all Ruby Lou Doll Pattern purchases to the Ruby Jane Foundation.  Basically, this foundation is set-up to save lives.  It’s remarkable.

I’m not sure when it all started. 

Maybe it was in 2012 when I read Ani Taylor’s winning essay from The Nie Nie Dialogue’s Motherhood Essay Contest.  I was pregnant at the time, expecting our first son.  I’ve never been able to forget Ani’s little Ruby Jane who passed away at almost 7 months old.  I remember trying to envision my unborn baby boy at 7 months old.  He turned 1 year old this summer.  The thought of losing a child evokes heartache beyond compare. 

Or maybe it was last August when I promised AnnMarie that I would learn how to sew.  She was determined to make a doll for her sister Carlie, no particular reason.  I was living alone with my 2 little girls and newborn son – my husband in a foreign country.  I remember thinking that life was pretty hard for me back then…but I had a new sewing machine, and I had a promise to keep. 

The first doll pattern I found was The Ruby Lou Doll Pattern by Abby at Sew-Much-Ado.  I loved it.  AnnMarie loved it.  I didn’t think my beginning sewing skills were cut out for it, but love at first sight stirred powerful motivation. :) 

And then, I had an idea.  I couldn’t shake the connection between Ruby Lou and Ruby Jane…so I contacted Ani, and I contacted Abby. 

Now…I’m contacting YOU. 

August marks the anniversary of Ruby Jane’s passing.  Is there a better way to honor and contribute to her legacy then by purchasing a Ruby Lou Doll Pattern in August?  I think NOT!  It’s perfect.  I’m so over the moon excited about this.  Abby has also made it possible to purchase the pattern as a gift.

If you’d like to donate your completed Ruby Lou Doll, Ani will be donating them during the holidays to the sweet girls that are in the hospital where Ruby was.

Simply send your Ruby Lou Doll to:

The Ruby Jane Foundation
PO Box 505
Trabuco Canyon, CA 92678

But most of all, love the littles in your life a little more than you did before.  Forget the to-do lists and be present.  We never know when the moments we share with our loved ones will be our last.