We’re a few days out from Christmas and it’s snowing this morning and cozy inside. It smells like a mix of OnGuard and frankincense that are diffusing, and a spicy candle. I’m thinking about the last minute things (always the stocking stuffers), and the food we’ll eat on Christmas. I’ve got to make some grocery lists. The food planning anchors me. I remembered to say happy anniversary to Steve (it’s today! And we never remember. One year–true story–my friend Ahnika texted me at the end of the day to say happy anniversary and it’s the only reason we remembered at all. Note to all future brides + grooms: getting married right before Christmas may be anti-climactic for celebrating in the years ahead! Also, throwback. It’s one of my most read posts and perhaps the least romantic anniversary post ever, but a good one nevertheless. And also–chapter 4 of our story!) Whether we make a thing of it or not, I love the man so much and he’s my best friend in the world. That’s the truth.
five really good things lately that i’m focusing on because the world feels a little bit helter-skelter.
one. the other day parker was sweetness overload. without telling me what he was doing, he went up to everyone in the house and asked what their favorite color was. then he got a piece of construction paper and asked me how to write i love you. he gave everyone a piece of paper of their favorite color with i love you written on it. then lindsey walked in from basketball and told me about how she’d taken a ball to the stomach during practice. listening to this, parker looks at me and whispers, “lindsey needs one too.” he asks her her favorite color and does one for her too. it was the cutest. they’re all still floating around the first floor until i file them away. can’t bear to toss them.
two. i couldn’t remember “return to innocence” by enigma but remembered the tune and that i loved the song back in, oh, the mid 90s (when mtv was actually music!). i called my sister kate and kept humming the beginning like a crazy person until she got it. “enigma!” “YES! THAT’S IT!” i owe her one. been listening to it on repeat. it’s awesome.
three. every morning the boys (usually parker) remember their chocolate from their advent calendars. (i bought four of those cardboard ones for each of the kids.) they rush over to the pantry where we locate the next day. i start it for anders and then he frantically rips it open and takes .01 millisecond to shove the chocolate in his mouth. it’s so funny. he wastes no time.
four. the other night steve and i went to the basement (that’s so much more of a finished space than it was thanks to him, william, and jordan working on it a few weeks ago–space we desperately needed!) to watch love actually. we had wine and popcorn and cuddled and it was lovely. we don’t do date nights in nearly enough and they’re so fun. also, the intro to love actually–hugh grant narrating in the airport–is such a feel good scene.
five. a few of my favorite tv shows are set to start again soon: game of thrones, homeland, and… the bachelor (the guiltiest pleasure; it’s so good). i’m a little excited.
{anders’ adorable outfit is c/o ice cream castles! hat is old from f21 girls section. parker wore the same one.}
weekend links.
A giant picture of my face because I haven’t taken many pictures lately. You’re welcome! By the way, the comments that accompanied this picture on Instagram were my faaaavorite. Thanks for those of you who left them!
Some weekend reading…
these days.
There’s so much joy to be found when practicing mindfulness. My Mom always told me, “God only gives you the grace for this moment.” I understood the sentiment, but did I internalize it? No, I think not. I’m doing it every day, and like a channel grows as the water flows through it, it’s becoming easier all the time. A bit like meditation, perhaps, that I’ve always wanted to learn anyway. Yes, we feel certain things all the time–gosh, our mind can carry us away, can’t it?–but we don’t need to go with it. It’s our choice. What freedom.
taking stock / 18.
Making: I made crockpot chicken tortilla soup last night and it was really, really, really easy. Get the recipe in my IG stories before it expires cause you’re going to want it in your bag of tricks that are not so tricky after all. (From this cookbook which is a forever favorite.)
Drinking: okay, here’s a sort of new one! I’ve been doing 2 parts red wine and 1 part that wassail punch from Trader Joe’s together. It’s like a slightly spicy Christmas sangria!
Reading: yesterday I sat down with the boys and we read Charlie Brown (I couldn’t love that story more.) and the Nutcracker. While listening to… Charlie Brown and the Nutcracker. WE ARE SO CHRISTMAS HERE AT THE HUNTS.
Wanting: this slouchy sweater; I’m very into the oversized trend as of late.
Listening: the Moana soundtrack. I took Parker to see it last week and it was so fun. A few times he closed his eyes (and then ended up on my lap, which I loved), but we really liked it and I loved the message. So, now the music is on all the time. We like “Where You Are” and “You’re Welcome” best. Sidenote: I want to live in Montenui now (I think I said the same sort of thing after watching Avatar.).
Playing: puzzles with Anders; he’s really getting into them lately. The other day a police car flew down our street and he started making his siren noises, and ran to pick up the police puzzle piece to show us. You could see the excitement in his face, “This! This is what just went by!” (His expressive language is limited so we started EI with him a few weeks ago. I think the extra help will be good for him.)
Wishing: for some snow! Weird coming from me, right? (What good is cold without a little snow.)
Loving: this article on marriage by Harville Hendrix; so simple. Listening, validating, empathizing. Isn’t that what we all want and need at the end of the day?
Watching: Home Alone. Parker died laughing at the burglars. I mean so many giggles. It was the best.
In case you’re in need of one more holiday look–how about some sparkle pants?!
tis the season for gift-giving!
I’m not done my Christmas shopping yet, not that that’s unusual. (Are you done yours? Tell me you’re not.) In fact, the only year I was really done by this time was the year Anders was due (my due date was December 6. He arrived on December 7 at 12:20 am!). That year I knew there’d be a whole lot of newborn snuggling and not much else come mid December. It was the best. I don’t know why I don’t start earlier every year but, nope. Perhaps it’s the thrill (stress?) of getting it done just in the nick of time?? No rhyme or reason. But anyway…
weekend links.
This Christmas dress! It’s my favorite. It’s thick and awesome and fits like a dream. We’re going to a few parties this weekend, and I’m looking forward to wearing it (with thick black tights, I think?).
Now for some weekend reading…
Storing (and synching!) the memories.
You guys know already that I get real anxiety at the thought of my pictures not being properly backed up, a computer crashing, a hard drive going missing, you name it… if it involves losing my precious pictures and memories, I’ve probably dreamt (rather, had a nightmare about) it. When Ever reached out to me, it was a no-brainer. A solid place to store and synch my pictures? Done.
happy 2nd birthday, anders.
oh anders! i’ve spent the better part of the last three hours since i put you to bed looking through pictures and deciding how i would ever do a post for your birthday tomorrow that would do even the tiniest bit of justice to how much you mean to me, how much my heart has grown since it came to know you, and how, now that i do know you, you’re a part of me and my life that i could never do without.
i put you to bed tonight, and, lying next to you, thanked God for you, praying that you’d always be protected, and grow to become wise and compassionate. you are so loved by so many. always remember that.
we are so happy you’re here. happiest birthday to you, sweet boy. may your next year be full of the love that you show us every day. i’ll be sure to make it happen. loving you is the most natural thing i’ve ever done.
Christmas 2016 Gift Guide.
I’m always trying to figure out THE gift. It’s so much fun to have many things filling the space under the tree but how many of them really get used all year long? (I shudder to think of the answer.) What are the winners? Here’s some that I hope (and think) are pretty special. Please tell me if you’ve got any awesome ones on your list this year.