storms make trees take deeper roots

Photography by Bluebird picturesDress by Tashi and Cataleya Hairpiece by Lizzapooh Challenge topic for today is something difficult about your "lot in life" and how you're working to overcome it....

10 words

Sell yourself in 10 words or less is today's challenge prompt. This is an old picture from July 2011. I love that Sarah Dawson caught this moment between us. Sell myself in 10 words or less?...

a moment.

Today's prompt for the blog every day in may challenge is a moment in your day. The above photo is from a few days ago. I was sitting out in the backyard with little miss S after enjoying a...

what i do.

A few minutes ago, I took a photo of the chicken salad and book (The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks) sitting on our kitchen counter. I wanted to remember how many pieces of myself were conflicted...

she has trouble acting normal when she's nervous

You have no idea how long I've been waiting to use that subject line for a blog post. (wink) It is day 3 of blog every day in May, and...I'm already behind. Ha. It is all good. I will catch up...

250 words

Today marks the first day of May and the beginning of the blog every day in may challenge over at story of my life blog. I'm nervous and excited to be participating. :) The topic for today is: The...

life is in the details.

I cry every time I braid her hair, even if other people are around and a few tears sneak down my cheeks. It is a little victory in this very big mountain of our story. It is a daily thing to...

the four agreements

Sometimes a book comes along into our life and changes us profoundly. It takes a deep hold onto everything we struggle with daily and forces us, strongly albeit gently, to turn all of that darkness...

hello monday: dreams don't work unless you do.

Hello to happy rainy Monday things such as star fruit, (I'm in love with a new grocery store about 5 minutes away from our new place; tons of organic options and they are open until midnight every...

every day is a tiny little life

the twinkling notes of music from the ice cream truck are ringing in my ears in a very welcome fashion. so happy, so whimsical, so sugary sweet. (ha, sorry. i couldn't resist!) the first time i...

5 tips to make the most of the precious toddler years

ah, toddlerhood. challenging, glorious, chaotic, magic filled, stubborn to the bone, beautiful, fleeting, toddlerhood. i was a nanny for several years before i became a momma. five years ago, i...

hello monday: little darling.

hello monday. hello overwhelming news over the weekend. back to back. and then, waking up on sunday to find out my great uncle has gone on a new journey and passed on. please keep his family in...

embracing where we are

(as she sits on the edge of the tub, waiting patiently as i brush my teeth) s: why are you here? me: what? s: why are you here? me: in the house, in the bathroom...or something else? s; why are you...

because inspiration doesn't favor those who sit still

"let's go places, not just the ones you can find on a map, but the ones you can find in your heart. because inspiration doesn't favor those who sit still, it dances with the daring & rewards the...

one little word 2013

well, hello there. i've missed this space. let's jump right back in, shall we? with the exploding popularity of it, i'm sure you have heard of the ali edwards one little word challenge. i'm in love...

dear world, thank you.

dear world, thank you. this year has been one of the hardest to date in my 29 years here. i'm happy for that. it has shown me how capable i am. dear world, ...thank you for the love. the pulsing,...

thee networking blog hop {november edition}

Are you ready to network??Are you prepared to make some new bloggy friends??Well, here's your chance! RULES: Link up to the homepage of your blog. ....follow Host and Co-Hosts {pretty please}Feel...

little specks of hope

the weekend was good to us! bringing in freezing temperatures and snow but also scooping us up in her hands as she said "be quiet, be still, make yourself cozy, revel in the magic of your little...

the front row (life lessons from pinterest)

there was an image on pinterest that screamed, "psst hey! look at me!" it showcased a roller coaster and the difference in the facial expressions between the people inhabiting the front row and...

oh happy day; a cystinosis fundraiser giveaway!

i'm a big ole ball of sunshine today! juggling momma duties, projects that fuel my inner creative gal and best of all? bringing this incredible giveaway to you sweet readers! this month, on october...

momma lessons

i had a vision. this fun, simple, little vision for my family for halloween. ...and can i say the electric hope that runs through my veins upon typing or even saying, my family, is glittery magic...

halloween snake wreath

i made this spooky snake wreath for halloween yesterday with our sookie girl! it was silly easy and cost under $5! my kind of craft! ;) i saw the original on www.marthastewart.com and because i am...

health & heart things

the lymph nodes in my neck are stinging today. a sure fire sign i pushed my body too far yesterday. as we were jumping into the car yesterday morning to head out on a mini road trip to meet up with...

frogs, dinosaurs, & organ donation

18 years ago today, my momma gave me life for a second time when she donated her kidney to me. today, i'm hanging out with my girl & a frog. ;) twirly swirly fabulous how that all worked out, isn't...

somewhere over the rainbow

i get really happy when i'm blessed with sharing in the sacred moments of watching sookie fall asleep. there is something so other worldly about it. watching the calm envelop a little being who is...

hello monday: threw away all her excuses

hello monday. hello to my new goal of going for a walk every morning. hello to pushing myself to new heights. hello to baby in the buff sitting in daddy's guitar case. hello to cherishing every...

one foot in front of the other

on friday, i had an early morning nephrology appointment. this was only my second time seeing my new kidney doctor and i'm still getting used to working with her. and that is exactly what i think a...

on friday, i had an early morning nephrology (kidney doctor) appointment.

we write to taste life twice

this need i have to write, to document, to record...well, it is big. often bigger than me. ive felt unsettled lately that the lack of writing here doesnt reflect the enormity of what has been...

clouds make me think of care bears

Clouds really do remind me of care bears! I told this to Roar a few minutes ago. He thinks (well, okay, knows) Im wacky. We are on our flight, headed back home from our trip to Maryland.The...