Just a Phase.

My blogging has been lacking and truthfully it's my fault. I have this problem with over filling my life with things and then running around like a crazy person trying to accomplish them all. People often tell me that they're impressed with all the things I juggle but the truth is, I don't. In fact, I'm a terrible juggler. If you lived with me you'd see that my dishes aren't done, that there's laundry on the floor in almost every room and that we got take out for dinner at least 4 times this month already.

I go through this "transition phase," with every baby I think. It takes me quite awhile to admit that I have to cut some things out of my priorities list now that things are different. I'm pretty stubborn and even though I know it ahead of time, I still try to keep "doing it all," for months until I finally swallow my pride. I'm approaching that phase now.

Life with the littles is amazing and exhausting. Especially for one as particular as me. I hate that my kitchen/living room isn't straightened up when I go to bed. I hate that I haven't prepared a beautiful meal in months. I hate that I'm still barely running a 5k even 6 months after giving birth.

But you know what I love?

Listening to Owen tell me about his day.
Watching June "dance," with her princess figurines.

Snuggling up to Rand's squishy cheeks.

Seeing Tim's scooter come up the driveway.

The fact that I'm still kicking, even on 4 hours of sleep.

Oh, and cookies. Always room for cookies.

I may not be able to do it all, but I definitely feel like I have it all.

Love & Marriage.

Normally Tim and I are pretty traditional. Since year one we've given each other the "traditional anniversary," themed gifts. It started getting old. We realized we were just gathering things we didn't really like or want just because it was "metal," or "linen," or what-have-you. The past few years we have really come to understand how low key we are and noticed that the things we loved best about our anniversaries was the time we had together, not the gifts. (Though some were pretty cool, I must say) Every anniversary that we've been on Saipan we've gone on a hike together before exchanging gifts and this year we decided that would be our tradition for anniversaries from now on. 

We chose an easy and quick hike but it was beautiful and solitary and we loved it.

In my mind my real life started the day I met my husband. It sounds nuts but I knew deep down I would marry him, even on our first meeting when I was young and stupid and he was dating someone else. Everything I am today I owe to him and my Savior. Before Tim my life, though good at times, was mainly rough and rocky. He taught me how to live again, how to love myself and how to rise to my potential. The day we were married I was so happy. I had visions of our happy life together and it looked amazing. I knew life with him would be amazing, but this---this is much, much more. 

I love you Tim. Much more than you'll ever know.

picnic magic.

It was sunny, the humidity was down and we needed a change of scenery. Our solution? A picnic at the park. Simple enough of an idea but it was heaven. We found a nice shady spot on top of a hill and under a tree and let them wind fly gloriously through our hair. We stuffed ourselves full of PB & J, bananas and tortilla chips and I loved every moment of it.

And then we went home. And the kids wouldn't nap. And the magic was over. 

But we still had our picnic. 

Not every moment of everyday is amazing but this moment was. 

And it carried me through every tantrum for the rest of the day.

2013.

It's almost February but nevertheless there are things I am determined to follow through with in 2013.

-Master my SLR. I've dabbled here and there but never really learned any of the technicalities. After over 4 years of owning my camera I finally sat down and read through the manual. It's been my goal for the last few weeks to try to take a few shots everyday and read up on how to use it properly. I've already seen some improvement and hope to master it this year. My instagram is full of them already!

-Learn to play the ukulele. I've always wanted to learn to play a string instrument and we do own a cheap ukulele (like, $8 at the suvenier shop cheap) so what better time than now? So far the chords are fairly simple to get but my strumming is horrible.

-Run a 10k. I got back into running last March but got a little lazy about it after I got bronchitis. I know I can do a 5k but I want to do something that's just a step above.

-Embrace the local recipes. I complain to Tim all the time about cooking here. We were so spoiled by available ingredients in the states and I miss it. But instead of complaining I'm going to really try to cook more with local foods that I'm not used to. 

-Read. I'm a huge bookworm but I haven't had much time for it. I still don't really but I'm determined to read a few books at least.

-Go on a date with Tim once a month. Seriously.

2012 was an amazing year and 2013 is looking great already!

Cinnamon.

We made cinnamon ornaments.

Now our house officially smells like Christmas.

(Jacqueline is the little girl I nanny. Her mother is a good friend of mine and we love them all to pieces!)

holiday in the tropics.

Christmas can be a little strange when you're still sweating in the tropical heat and frequenting the beach. It's hard to make it feel like Christmas. This year I wanted to do everything I could to make it really feel like Christmas.

Miraculously, our tree from last Christmas survived the entire year! It's a bit taller and the leaves are a little more green than burgundy (we've kept in the house) but we still love it all the same.

My sweet June was a little under the weather the day we decorated the tree. She put up a few ornaments and then quietly rested her head on my chest while I talked to her about the lights and how exciting it was that Christmas was coming.

Owen was really into it this year. He's really grown with his independence and was such a great helper with the tree. I loved watching him stretch his little arms as high as he could to get the ornaments in different places.

I can't help but laugh at this silly boy!

And I just couldn't get over these little hands putting decorations on our tree!

That night he was having a hard time going to bed so I brought in some lights to string around his bed frame. He was delighted! He kept pointing to them saying, "Look Mom, look! Wow!"

When I snuck back in later that night to turn them off I couldn't help but take an extra minute to see his sweet sleeping face basking in the glow of Christmas lights. 

Our Saipan Charlie Brown tree.

For the first time ever we are doing an advent calendar. I scoured the internet for ideas on activities the kids would like and what style I liked. I'm really excited to make every day of December build up to Christmas.

June would have me rock her to sleep every night if I let her. Since she's been a little sick I've been indulging her more. I admit I stay longer than I need to just so I can look at her sweet little face lit up by the lights. Christmas lights really can work magic.

Now we can linger in the living room, lounged on the couch, eating popcorn and watching Christmas movies all we want. The holidays are definitely among us, and we couldn't be happier.

things from my happy list part II

June and I went flower picking in our neighborhood the other day. It was so nice outside and I loved watching her run to the nearest flower, put it to her nose and take a big whiff. We didn't actually come home with any flowers this time but watching Bugsy frolicking through the neighborhood, waving hello and blowing kisses to the gardeners made my morning a happy one.

things from my happy list.

We went to Himawari for ice candy the other day.

It made a huge mess but even bigger smiles. 

homemade ice candy! a million different flavors including pineapple, mango, green tea, banana milk, and my favorite, lemon soda.

Owen insisted on sitting in this cart and pushed himself around in it with his feet. I couldn't stop laughing.

Best donuts on island. For reals.

Sushi heaven. We come here for lunch sometimes because they have so many options.

The spicy tuna roll is the BOMB.

I love all the cute things they have for kids. These are meant to go in a bento box but they were out of boxes.

Himawari is a Hotel, Restaurant, Bakery AND Store all in one. These wild orchids grow on the balconies of the hotel rooms.

After our ice candy eating Owen re-purposed the sticks into musical drumming sticks. This kid cracks me up. He loves music and dance (and sports. He's seriously a mini-me) and can find a way to make music with just about anything.

And then we returned home to this gorgeous view.

the sun, sky and salty sea.

After a morning of errands I looked outside my car window and saw the shining sun. Right then and there I decided I had enough momentum to run home, throw together a beach bag and hit the waves. I was determined. 

It turned out to be a GLORIOUS day at Wing Beach that day.

Owen is so much his mother's boy. He LOVES the water and is so adventurous. He ran straight to the ocean, splashed around and begged to jump on this rock.

reliving "Ariel."

June however isn't very keen on the beach. She loves the sand but is not a fan of the water. Or my kisses in this photo.

Saipan beaches are beyond beautiful. Tim and I always joke about how any vacation we take now will be "the poor man's Saipan beach."

We had such a beautiful afternoon. We rode some waves, picked up sea glass, watched/chased hermit crabs, built sand castles, laid in the sun and I just soaked up every beautiful moments I had with my children. It was truly one of those afternoons where the world is just a better placed and filled with so much love.

double time throwing.

This boy can throw sea rocks as big as his head!

mer-MAN.

What a beautiful world we live in.