Taking Stock | Spring

I haven't done one of these in awhile...

taking stock // spring

making: lists of summer projects

cooking: this beef bourguignon - I love it more every time I make it.

drinking: coffee, iced coffee and good ol' water.

reading: Boys Should Be Boys.  Knowing me, I'll still be reading it the next time I do one of these.

wanting: to figure out how to rearrange some priorities.  Especially with photography, blogging and social media.  Some days I feel like just letting it all go but don't know if I should.

looking: through old photos and wondering how so much can change in a year.

playing: less than I maybe should.  I've never been the best at playing with the kids.

wasting: time surfing the web.

sewing: nothing. ever.

wishing: to squeeze my precious niece I've yet to meet!

enjoying: watching Carter work so hard at his Western Dance practice for a week and coming home with a first place medal in dance.

waiting: for the next season of The Crown.  I know, I'll be waiting awhile.

liking: everything I see on Sally's Baking Addiction.

wondering: how and where to start in trying to make our playroom look a bit more like a Montessori classroom.

loving: this coffee that my sweet friend has shipped us twice!

hoping: that my children always know how much I love them.

marveling: at the rolls upon rolls of my sweet little Hanry.

smelling: this candle.  It's a light floral scent and one of my favorites!

needing: to get rid of some things.  Do you ever starting cleaning/organizing one area only to become OCD about another in the process, and the next thing you know, you're working on your whole house?  Just me?

wearing: these leggings.  On repeat.

following: Janel Peyton.  What an artist.

noticing: that I could take a bit more time to slow down and enjoy the little moments.

knowing: I am blessed beyond measure.

thinking: about two little birthdays coming up.

bookmarking: this.  If it isn't a kick in the pants, I don't know what is.

opening: myself to learn to find complete joy in Him, and His will for me.

giggling: at the kids.  Always at the kids.  Sophie has recently starting making songs up all day long.  They are hilarious!

feeling: thankful to be where I am.

Taking Stock | Spring

(outside our window last night)

taking stock // spring

making: plans...for homeschooling, simplifying, photo shoots and everything in between

cooking: a meal for a friend who lost her grandfather.  Included was this potato salad (usually I don't like potato salad).

drinking: water and black coffee.  I'm boring.  BUT!  I want to try this.

reading: Simplicity Parenting.

wanting: to.be.more.patient.with.my.kids.  It's been a rough week in that department.

looking: at these for Sophie's birthday.

playing: hungry hippos.

wasting: too many calories on a candy bar that was supposed to be for the kids.  Oops.

sewing: nothing.  Per usual.

wishing: I made more time for reading aloud.  I aim to change that.

enjoying: the warmth that's made its way into our days!

liking: these educational DVDs.

wondering: if there's ever a time I won't be worrying about something about my kids.

hoping: Genevieve's cough finally subsides soon.

marveling: at how much we've been blessed. Always.

smelling: the cilantro still on my hands from that potato salad mentioned above.

needing: nothing really.  And, trying to remind myself that most things I think are "needs" really arent.

wearing: skinnies, a chambray shirt and my chucks.

following: Father Riccardo, Father Michael Schmitz and Brooke Taylor with my latest podcast obsession.  

noticing: that my days go much smoother when I make time to pray, even if it seems like I don't have time to.  I'm a slow learner.

knowing: that in one month, I get to squeeze my sister and nephew's neck as they come for a visit!

thinking: about a podcast I just listened to of Father Riccardo's as he was giving a homily at his brother's funeral.  He said so many beautiful things, but one that stuck, "What we do here on earth echoes in eternity."  I must make it count. 

bookmarking: always these devotions.

opening: a sweet letter from the priest who married us saying that he was hoping to visit this summer!

giggling: at John Paul again.  The other morning I was hoping to see how many steps I could get in during one mile on a stationary bike.  As I sat down, I realized the seat had been messed with, and I almost fell.  I looked at him and asked, "Who did this???"  His response: "Hey friends!  The word of the day is...ANNNNGRY!"

feeling: sooo grateful for my lot in life...and praying that I act more grateful even on the tough days.

Taking Stock // Winter

taking stock // winter

making: lists.  I'm always making lists.

cooking: my trial box from Blue Apron - it's delicious!

drinking: mostly black coffee and water but having an occasional glass of Menage a Trois red wine - it's so good.  

reading: The Extrodinary Parents of St. Therese of Lisieux - I've just started.

wanting: to take time to read and pray more every day.

looking: at a clean home after putting the Christmas decorations away and wondering how we can simplify a bit.

playing: with Sophie and her blocks.

wasting: time in the evenings watching any of these - Code Black (my new favorite), Blacklist, Madam Secretary, Downton Abbey, Chicago PD and Chicago Fire

sewing: nothing.  Per usual.

wishing: time.would.slow.down.

enjoying: Winter.  I really love Winter - this is a fairly new thing for me.  But, I love the coziness of it, the warmth of a fire, the shorter days, and the time we have together as a family.

liking: this eye shadow palette I just purchased.

wondering: when I'll see my sister and her family again.

hoping: I'm ready for the next Whole30 I'm going to do with her.

marveling: at how much we've been blessed.

smelling: a fire in the fireplace.

needing: nothing, and trying to keep that up as I strive to become a bit less materialistic.

wearing: my pjs still.  With this wrap that my mother-in-law bought me for Christmas - think of it as a cozy blanket - I'm in love!

following: so many lovely women on Instagram where it's easier than reading a whole blog these busy days.  

noticing: that I have an incredibly helpful husband, and when people ask me how I do it all (which I don't), I'm reminded that he makes it possible.

knowing: that every experience good or bad teaches us something...and hoping that I can see the good it in all.

thinking: about the year ahead and wondering what it entails.

bookmarking: a blog post from Lindsay at My Child I Love You.  She's one of my favorites. Also, this post from Anna!

opening: my gmail to find NOTHING in my inbox.  I'm hoping I figure out the problem really soon!

giggling: at John Paul always.  Most recently, his response to us asking who baptized Jesus..."John the Cactus!"

feeling: sooo grateful for the gift of motherhood.

Taking Stock // Summer

taking stock // summer

making: more time for moments of faithful reading.  I'm loving everyone's devotions at Blessed is She and the few little short readings I get in some days.  

cooking: lots of summer veggies.  I cannot get enough corn on the cob.  And, I added a few raisins and some cinnamon to this bread recently.  So good!

drinking: just water...and coffee when I need more help getting going!

reading: Introduction to the Devout Life.  Yes, it's the one I was supposed to finish during Lent.  Yes, I'm not even half-way through yet.  Ha!  This should tell me something about needing to pick up a book more often.  ;)  

wanting: to learn to truly let things go.  I have the hardest time holding on to worry, fear, doubt and pain.  Right now my prayer is to give it all to Him and to be at true peace.

looking: at my precious nephew this week.  I'd give anything for them to live closer.

playing: so much outside these beautiful summer days.  

wasting: time online when I really should get into the exercise routine that I promise myself I will every Monday ;)

sewing: not a thing.

wishing: I knew Photoshop better.

enjoying: my babies.  I thank God for the days when I can truly sit down and enjoy them and recognize the way they've made me who I am.  Most days, the daily tasks get in the way of that.

waiting:  for our family trip to the beach!

liking: this dress.  Actually, I love it!  It's my favorite maternity piece these days.

wondering: how this next Fall and the beginning of trying out homeschooling will go!

loving: this mascara.  I've used it almost a year now, and I never have black stuff under my eyes.  It's completely different from any other mascara I've ever used, but I'm hooked.

hoping: that my children always know how much they're loved.

marveling: at the changes happening in our country and wondering where we go from here.

smelling: fresh cut grass - a summer favorite.

needing: to get ready for a wedding I'm photographing in Denver!  

wearing: this this weekend.  I know, I know.  Never say never!

following: more people than I should on Instagram.  It might just be my favorite form of social media these days.

noticing: I haven't blogged routinely in so long...and it's been even longer that I've written anything substantial.

knowing: that every day is a gift...yet praying I start living that way.  I'm a planner, and I'm always looking to what I need to be doing to get ready for what's to come.  Yet, I really want to just see the preciousness in each moment.  Knowing something and living something are two totally different things, and I pray that I begin to close the gap between the two in my life.  

thinking: about where to take this photography stuff...always a mental debate of balance.

bookmarking: so many blogs.  I need to catch up on my favorites!

opening: a letter from a dear friend and mentor.  There is just something about a letter that is so meaningful.

giggling: at John Paul recently telling someone they had "a lot of hair in dere nose!"

feeling: a little worn out, but so grateful.

Taking Stock: Winter

It's time for my quarterly Taking Stock post.  It's winter (although we've had some beautiful days lately), and I wrote a post like this in the fall.  So, here we go again.  The photo is of a hay trailer loaded with three round bales and set on a hill in the event that it snows so much that the cows need a bit of extra fuel.   It will be ready to go!

taking stock // winter

making: time to rest.  I just had my gallbladder removed on Friday, and it's taking longer to recover than I thought.  I'm not great at taking time to rest, but I'm trying.  My family has made it so much easier by taking the kids.

cooking: nothing lately.  People have brought meals.  However, I'm putting up our super-easy posole recipe soon.

drinking: water.  And, black coffee.  And, occasionally Naked Juice - this is a new fave.

reading: Unbroken.  I know it will take me forever to finish - always does - but I'm determined to! I asked what others were reading on my Facebook page and even on Instagram this week and got a ton of great suggestions - head there if you're in need of a good read!

wanting: to be with my babies.  There are so many days that I think "I just need a break" -- now I get one, and I just want to be with them.  Will I ever be content?!  Ha.  Seriously, having the help as I recover has been such a godsend.  Yet, I still find things to worry about.  What would I do without my husband, parents, inlaws, family and kiddos?  My mind runs away from me.  This teeny tiny little surgery makes me realize just how important our health is and how quickly things can change.   

looking: at photos of a wedding and a newborn that I've yet to edit.

playing: lots of pretend lately - policeman is the game of choice.

wasting:time worrying.  My vice. 

sewing: nothing again.  I look to Nell for my sewing needs ;)  My mom is my sewing machine.  She seriously can do anything.  

wishing: for a fruitful Lent that's quickly approaching.

enjoying: time with my husband.  He's an amazing caretaker.

waiting:  for a new episode of Chicago Fire.  I just watched Blacklist's new one - always has me on the edge of my seat!

liking: this outfit for Sophie.  Wouldn't it be sweet for Easter?

wondering: how to to find more balance.  I need to re-prioritize daily, I think!

loving: these caramels.  I found them on someone's Instagram account (that's how I find almost everything new-to-me these days), and I ordered them for stocking stuffers this Christmas.  Soooo good.  I might have ordered a few more for Valentine's Day.  Might :)

hoping: that my children always know how much they're loved.

marveling: at how much you can connect with someone you've never actually met - thank you internet and all of my blogging friends.

smelling: this perfume.  I received it as a gift from my aunt, and it's just perfect.  Not too strong.  Not musky, etc.  I'm also a huge fan of their Orange Blossom scent!

needing: to make a few Valentines with the kids.  It might be one of those projects where what I envision and the end result aren't much the same.  Maybe it's time I change my vision, ha!

wearing: this robe.  I've never really worn a robe.  But, I received this one for Christmas (maybe I should retitled this post "What I got for Christmas").  Life changer.  

following: Lamb Loves Fox.  Another new-to-me account on Instagram.  I'm in love with her photos.

noticing: I could use a pedicure...or just a removal of the old polish!

knowing: I have SO, so much to be thankful for.  When I was little, I used to hate spending the night with friends because I was worried that something would happen to my parents while I was away.  Who know there was so much more to worry about as a parent?!  I know that God has everything in His hands, always.  Yet, there are some days when it gets to me still and all I want to do is hug those I love and repeat over and over again how much I love them.

thinking: about schooling options for the kiddos and trying to figure out how do try homeschooling.

bookmarking: this.  The bond of motherhood.

opening: my heart to receive love and to give it more freely.

giggling: at the kids and their little daily things: Carter having to get his goodnight kiss just perfect.  Peter waking up looking for his belt and cap-hat.  John Paul never wanting his tiny green hay bale(r) to be out of sight.  Sophie laughing at her brothers.

feeling: tired.  Goodnight :)