Happy 7th Birthday Saidey!

You're SEVEN! Can you believe it?!

Photography by Haverlee Photography

Happy 4th Birthday Saidey Bug

Saidey,

Today, you turn another year older. I just wanted to share a few things about you that I hope you will love to read about when you're older. I'm sure you may roll your eyes too, when I say that I just can't believe you are FOUR YEARS old. The last four years have FLOWN by and while my mama heart is so sad to see those baby years fly by, I know there are still SO many exciting firsts for you. Because, with every year you grow older, comes new firsts. First day of school, first loose tooth, first time you ride your bike without training wheels, first time you go to a sleepover all by yourself... I could go on and on. So, I will remember that as we celebrate your birthday this weekend.

Happy 7th Birthday Sophia Rose

Sophia,

You're turning 7 this year and I can hardly believe it ( I know, I know, I say this every year!) And like years before, you amaze me with your ability to turn me to mush with one look into those big, brown, almost black eyes of yours. As each year goes by, you are turning into one lovely, simply amazing young lady. You feel BIG and you love BIG. You do everything with such intention and grace and can get frustrated if you don't get something right away. This can be hard for you but you are working really hard to keep preserving, even if you get frustrated. 

A Magical Unicorn 4th Birthday Party

Happy Monday friends! I'm finally posting about Saidey's birthday party! It was a super fun day and my lack of pictures shows that. Some of the pictures aren't the best but the joy and happiness shows through. =)

30 Things I've Learned in 30 Years...

It's that time of the year again when I start to reflect on life and where I'm at. Do I like the direction life is going? What have I learned? Where am I going? Birthdays never seemed like a huge deal in the past.. just another day and another excuse for cake (like I needed an excuse) but this year feels a little different. I am turning THIRTY guys. THIRTY. Ohmygoodness. I can't even believe it. I can't believe I am THIRTY which is only five years away from 35 which is a mere hop, skip and jump to 40! Catastrophizing at its best. Thanks  to my fellow co worker, Jessica for defining that for me. #therapistproblems 

Anyway, now that I am one year wiser, I'd like to share the thirty things I've learned so far about this imperfect, perfectly messy and beautiful life of mine. Here goes nothin'. 

1) Eat the cake. Seriously. Life is too short to NOT eat the freakin' cake. Or ice cream. Or both- what the heck! Indulge yourself. It's ok. 

2.) Fear is good. It means beautiful things are about to happen. Embrace the fear. Go with the fear. If you aren't scared out of your ever loving mind- something's wrong. Just go with it and watch beautiful things happen. 

3.) Be intentional. I think that should have been my word for 2016. Being intentional in positive thinking. Intentional on choosing happy. Intentional on being kind. Intentional in my responses to family, friends and my kids. 

4.) You need friends. Those 24/7's. Your people. They're almost as important as the air you breathe. It's all about quality vs. quantity, here too.

5.) Chips and salsa is a meal

6.) Being comfortable in your own skin and owning everything about yourself is a process. But as each year passes, it gets easier and easier

7.) Find your thing. You know, the thing that lights a fire within you. The thing that you can't go a day without doing. For me- it's writing and reading.

8.) Some people are assholes. Simple as that. No complex diagnosis. No complex explanation. Just an asshole. And you know what? That's ok.

9.) Getting financials under control is definitely not the most glamorous. But it's important, even if you think you have all the time in the world. Just get it over with and get those finances on track!

10.) You can only control your reaction to certain people and situations. Once you realize this, your life will become a whole lot simpler.

11.) Travel is good for the soul. It rejuvenates you and opens your eyes to the ways we as humans are much more alike than different.

12.) Reacting vs. responding. Two VERY different things. Learning how to differentiate between the two and then acting accordingly can be so.hard. But I'd go as far to say it can be life changing once you know the difference and see it play out in your life.

13.) We all have stuff. Everybody has a story. Taking the time to know their story and getting below the surface, you will only find you connect and empathize with them on a deeper, newer level

14.) Pinterest.(and yes, that is it.)

15.) Even though you are close to 30, it's ok to still jam out to MMMBop and Spice Girls

16.) It's a total cliche. But family is family. They are the constant in life. No matter what, Crazy Aunt Susie will always be Crazy Aunt Susie and you wouldn't have it any other way.

17.) Listen to your gut. Always, always. It will always tell you what direction to go.

18.) Always keep learning. About the world. About yourself.

19.) Less is more (in every sense)

20.) From Brene Brown: "I'll never know if people are doing the best they can or not. But when I assume people are, it makes my life better."

21) Goals. Make them.

22.) You can't please everyone and that's ok

23.) Being vulnerable doesn't make you weak. It facilitates change, compassion and connection

24.) Comparison is the worst.

25.) Invest in staple items in your closet. It is worth the money.

26.) You might like those amazing heels but your feet don't. So quit trying.

27.) Say yes

28.) It's ok to use your kids as an excuse to get out of something

29.) Wait to worry. "The average worrier is 92% ineffecient- only 8% of what we worry about ever comes true." Fred Smith

30.) Love and live with your whole being.

There you have it! The 30 life lessons I've learned in life so far. What would you add?

Happy Friday and Happy Birthday to ME! =) 

Weekend Recap- Strawberry Shortcake Edition

I'm bringing you the weekend recap a day late... better late than never, right?! The delayed post is a sure sign of a busy weekend. More like whirlwind of a weekend. And I loved every single minute.

It all started off on Friday when Sophia went to the Science Center with my sister. They had a blast! Will's parents were in town around 3 and then his sister got here around 6. 

 And of course, it isn't Friday without pizza night! 

On Saturday, we started getting things ready for Sophia's birthday party. The weather was unpredictable but it turned out to be just fine. It was hot but not excessive and it was partly cloudy. We all had a great time but what made it really great was watching Sophia run around and greet her party guests and have so much fun with everyone.

I mean... can we ever get a family picture of all of us looking at the camera, eyes open, and all smiling?! 

Can we all just please look at Saidey's face in this picture. It describes their sister relationship so well. 

Look at that beautiful five year old! 

I realized too late how few pictures I actually took. I guess that's a sign of how much fun I was having! :) After her party, we headed home and let Sophia open up presents.

After a few games were played, we ate supper and headed over to my mom's new place to swim in the pool. How refreshing after a sweaty, busy day! 

On Sunday, we went to church, ate brunch at Iowa Machine Shed and then had a pretty low key afternoon. 

NOOO Aunt Sara, don't go!!

Then, it was PUPPY TIME! We headed to State Center to pick up Odin. I know it's pretty early to say this, but so far he has been extremely well adjusted. He fits right in and it's like it was just meant to be. He is so sweet and playful and the girls are absolutely, positively in love. Potty training has been going really well, actually and he has been doing really well. During the day, we have a potty pad and he uses that until Will is able to let him out at his lunch time. He did great, except when we left, poor buddy didn't really like that. But the excitement for when we got home was awesome! 

Someone's smitten

Heart melting

Three peas in a pod

Aaaand.. that's a wrap!! To say we're taking advantage of after kid's bedtime is an understatement. It feels so good to veg out and catch up on some good ole' reality TV. Can you say Bachelorette Finale?!

We look forward to a low key week and weekend, without any real plans. Join me back here on Wednesday for WHAT'S UP Wednesday!