lovely morning

Are these not two of the cutest faces you've ever seen?

 After getting lectured on the importance of staying with their Aunties at the Farmer's Market last Sunday these two upon meeting up were soon whispering, "Let's run away!"

Such adorable little rascals.

Happy Friday!

tic toc

There was a time when you thought you weren't meant for this world didn't you? For some reason you wanted it bigger, better, more lush, more green, more trees, more sea, and more free all rolled into one. You found space in that freedom where a smile existed that was grander than all the ones that came before it and even wider than all the ones that came after it. In that moment, you wondered if life could ever be more peaceful and more complete.

one love

I stole this from my sister Gini. She is such a good photographer. Whenever I feel blue I like to look at these kiddos that I love. They always make me happy.

mantra

If I was choosing a life mantra today - this would definitely be in the running.

Find more here.

get-away-friday

Because really, aren't blogs to vent after all? For some reason with each passing year I become more dissatisfied with my life. Well certain areas of my life. I realize that to many, my life seems good. In many, many ways it really is quite good. I have a very good life and am grateful for all the things I have been blessed with. Such as (in no particular order):

1. The cutest dog in all the land.

2. A very good husband who does the dishes almost every morning without fail so I can come home to a clean house after work (and dirty it up again with dinner every day).

3. A job that pays me a good salary. Of course I could always use a little more but overall I have been blessed with good companies that have good benefits and given me a decent salary.

4. Opportunities to travel. There are many reasons I like to travel. It happens to be a place where I feel most in the moment - I smile the most, I breathe the most, I feel alive the most. And I've thought a lot about it - it isn't because I'm on vacation. It's because I see the world operating in a whole new way. The world feels more simple. I do things that matter to me more. I spend time with my loved ones more. I feel my soul fly just a little more. The best part is that it happens in grungy places with cockroaches, old world cities dripping in rain, and on tropical beaches filled with more air and water than I could ever breathe in.

5. Family and friends that mean the world to me. This is never an area of my life that I question the value of. I've often felt that if for any reason my life ended earlier than I wanted the main blessing that I have been given are the lovely, wonderful, charming, funny, smart, sweet, thoughtful friends and family that are in my circle. Thank you!

6. Warm drinks (hot chocolate and tea of course), soft blankets, 30 Rock re-runs, and someone to snuggle (Adam or Kira?) on cold rainy days. 

7. The way I feel when I'm somewhere in nature where there are less people than trees or hills or rocks or wildflowers.What a world there is to explore!

Yet, there are days, that just maybe it all feels futile. Maybe what I'm doing is just a little bit meaningless? I think being away from a place you used to feel comfortable, you used to call home, you used to know things and people, causes you to grown and morph in ways you don't realize. For instance, I desperately feel like I need people to help! I used to be useful - babysitting nephews, holding nieces, making friends laugh in sad times, being there for people who need you. Now, in this new place, it's much harder to be useful. You actually have to go find ways to be useful to others and after a long day at work and dealing with my health issues I don't seem to have much energy to do that. So this is my Friday wish - that I might find a way to be useful to someone, that I can find something to volunteer for that fits with my energy level and weird dizziness issues right now, that I will find meaning through service to others. And that I will also find meaning in the simple things of every day life.

Oh and while I'm wishing - that I can find a cute little boutique hostel in central America to own and operate with Adam and Shakira. And maybe one day, a wee one of our own to join us on this adventure. 

lazy afternoon

I love nothing more than a lazy Sunday afternoon (preceeded by a hike of course). One of my new commitments for the year though is to be more dedicated to going to church. And staying the WHOLE time. If you know anything about my church you know it is three hours long. It's LONG, especially when I have been staying for sacrament meeting only most Sundays the last few months. Well every new year is a time for new commitments. Yesterday, after the WHOLE three hours my house looked like this -

Church is super tiring.

on the road

Everyone very excited about our road trip to Oregon for Christmas. So much energy at the beginning. Kira brought a few movies to watch along the way.

 Christmas day rainbow.

 The talented Mrs. Lydia made these for the kids as appetizers.

 On the farm - I was in just a little bit of heaven on my sister-in-law Dana's property. She had land, chickens, cows, cats, dogs, a pond....

 Here's Red licking my hand. Too bad "Red' is going to be "red meat" later. It's enough to make me become a vegetarian.

 Have you ever seen so much green in all your life? I love me some Oregon.

 This was crazy. There were ten million birds just swarming on our drive one day.

 It's so bright!

Hopefully we will be there before next Christmas. Oregon we love you!

lately

I turned 33 this year. I'm slowly catching up after the holidays and some busy days at work. I haven't had a chance to review my goals and make new ones for my 33rd year. But I certainly had a lot of fun on my birthday. My best lady friends came to see me from New York, Santa Barbara, and L.A.. We ate good food, sat around, and chatted up a storm. Sometimes with your friends all you wan to do is be around each other. You don't have to be doing anything at all to have a good time. Maybe that is essentially what moves a friend over from casual to best. To quote a line from a movie I love, "We can talk and not talk for hours."

Outside Delfina's - thank you JoJo Hale for introducing us to that restaurant. 

 Headed to BarCeluna in Alameda for my birthday dinner. We look like the puffy coat brigade.

 Just having some fun. Stephanie is about to eat Jennie.

 A few years ago Rebekah and I went to Guatemala to celebrate my birthday. San Francisco is not quite the same but the company was just as good.

 Don't judge my sad eyes - I was having allergy problems and couldn't wear eye make-up. AGAIN! I think I figured it out though - dryer sheets.

 And this lovely lady also popped in for dinner. I'm so happy her company is located up here. It equals more Valerie time for me!

 Adam and Valerie being their usual selves.

It was such a lovely birthday. I hope 33 is filled with health, love, and as much time with my friends and family possible.

more or less

I love many things a little. I love few things a lot. One of the things I love a lot is a mountain full of trees and a forest full of soft pine paths. It might be where I'm happiest - my dog, my love, and some trees.

It is not so much for its beauty that the forest makes a claim upon men's hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air that emanation from old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit. ~Robert Louis Stevenson

holiday cheer

I don't know why Adam and I think it is so funny to torture poor Kira sometimes - is this how we will be as parents?

Adam is trying to carry the tree in the house and Kira is on attack mode - she is the holiday grinchiest so far this year.