thanksgiving [2012]

It's true...I've been given more and better than I ever dreamed possible. And, my hope is that you have too. We've got so much in this life. When things in this life seem tough we have to hope and believe that they will get better. We have too much in life to be grateful for to let the little things (even when they seem big) rob us of the joy of each moment. May we have a perspective through every day we're given of gratitude, so that we become more joyful. That as we count the gifts we've been given, our perspective will change, giving us joy and changing our lives.

a few of my gifts:

a husband I adore, who adores and supports me intensely

a life full of BIG and little adventures

a family who I get to live close to and also have a close relationship with

friends, near and far, old and new...

and a year that's revealed the beauty of true relationships to me

and mostly...the journey of a new life being readied within me.

five: home made

I don't know if I've been more aware lately or what but I've been finding so much joy in the little things around me. It makes me happy to have simple things that, well, make me happy!

[Three little pumpkins all in a row. Just because Halloween is long gone doesn't mean that our fall decor has to be. I love these three little ones and their variety; one sturdy one for my man, one round one for me, and one little pure white one for our little babe.]

[Mo's Bacon Bar Chocolate Chips ready to be added to make some stunningly amazing bacon chocolate chip pancakes from Vosges.]

[A beautiful hourglass that I was given at the Imagine Conference serves as the perfect reminder to slow down and enjoy, and utilize efficiently, the time that I have been given here.]

[The little details found on some fall florals!] 

[A ridiculously delicious and airy coconut angel food muffin from Fox & Obel that my husband picked up and brought home from a quick stop into Chicago for work.] 

10 for the weekend

Barbie did this to us...bizarre

a beautiful concept for an urban lodge

a yummy chocolate treat for a chilly fall day

I'd rather smell like sweat than eat these candies

getting to travel in search of treasures... I want her life

if you are a mommy or mommy-to-be you gotta go here

come on guys...come up with proposal ideas on your own

if you want a start on a personalized Christmas gift...go here

a beautiful (and I think necessary) fall leaf DIY...pure beauty

if my blog was a hipster, it'd have this tattoo...but not temporary (thanks little sis!)

it's fall somewhere...

[image via]

I woke up this morning to the chilly, fall, Washington air. (It was such a welcome change to the crazy weather patterns that we've been having in LA. It seems that LA is just starting to realize that it is actually fall.) I am in Seattle for the first part of the week, sipping some of the best coffee, kicking up the fall leaves, and soaking in every minute with my best friend and her new baby girl. 

I am beyond blessed to have friends like this is my life. Friends that take the extra time, and make the extra investment to celebrate lives BIG moments together. Friends like this are not to be taken for granted. If you have one, call her up, make some plans, give her a huge hug and kiss on the cheek and tell her that you love her. If you don't, don't throw yourself at the girls who are in your life and want desperately for them to be there for you, you'll know when you've got one of the good ones...there will be no doubt. When she comes around, hold onto her tightly, for she is one of the best gifts you can have. 

[my last trip to Seattle]

veteran's day

[photo merge by my sis]

"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave." -Elmer Davis

Happy Veteran's Day! (yesterday was the actual day but it feels like today since the banks, post offices, schools, etc are closed) 

I am blessed that there were two veterans I was raised very close to. Both my maternal grandmother and grandfather served in World War II. I look at photos like these ones and think about the risks that they took, hoping they would pay off both for their country and their futures. I think about how brave they were to go off to serve at such a young age and about what it gave to our country as a whole but also to our family. 

To them, and all veterans, I am forever grateful. 

a birthday of 30

[image via]

Monday was my 30th birthday! Part of me can hardly believe I'm 30 and the other part of me is glad to leave the years of 20 behind. The years of college, searching for purpose, running around with lots of expectations for myself. I am happy that, for me, 30 means being more settled, more grounded, more secure.

It's been quite the year. It started off (on my last birthday) celebrating the life of my grandfather who had just passed away from cancer.  Then, just two days later, my grandmother was taken to the hospital and just over twenty days later, she passed away. I continued on with my Pilates Certification program as well as work per usual. In May, my love and I celebrated our 3rd anniversary in Hawaii, and on Mother's Day I found out that we were pregnant with our first little one! I tested out of my Pilates Program at 5 months pregnant and now we await the holidays and getting to bring this little dude into the world.

I can't believe all that has happened in 365 days. It has been one of the most eventful years of my life. One that has had GREAT challenges and GREATER rewards. I have spent many days wondering what on earth was going on in my life and have always come to the same answer; that I am not the one who is in control of my destiny...and for that I am grateful. My life is blessed beyond anything I would have chosen for myself...and for that I am grateful. I have the most amazing husband, a great family, and some of the best friends...and for that I am grateful.

I spent my birthday waking up slow; eating bacon chocolate chip pancakes that my husband made, in bed. It was delightful for this mama-to-be! The rest of my day was spent doing some shopping with my mom and sister and a mellow lunch at Urth Caffe. Post-work, my dad and my man joined us for dinner at Houston's...yumm. It was an all-around good day. This weekend my love has something up his sleeve for Saturday night. He knows I don't love surprises so it's a half surprise. I know who was invited and what time we have plans but I have NO idea what those plans are. Kinda the best sort of surprise; not thrown in my face but I'll still get to relish is the amazing celebration he has in store. AND, he is a good good planner. (Remember our proposal!)

You'll have to check back in next week to find out what he has planned.

Have a great weekend yourself!
xo