Mother's Day Surprises

My love cup is overflowing today; spilling over just a little with thoughts of my Mother's Day surprises yesterday. Ryan has a way of surprising me in the simplest but biggest ways. His dedication to making me feel loved and appreciated is never ending. He soars above my wildest ideas of what I imagined a husband would be.

Edee was especially tentative with her hugs, kisses and Mother's Day wishes. We unexpectedly got to share the day with Maddi too. I am grateful to have had time with all 4 of us together. There was only one thing to do on a holiday together: take advantage of the day.

After my favorite breakfast of Eggs Benedict with turkey bacon and avocado (plus smoked gouda cheese, a new addition), then freshly frothed coconut cream coffee we went on a little adventure to Whitehall. I knew we didn't have to travel far to add a little something new to our day.

It's been a few month since we've visited a lighthouse so I was excited to see a new one (technically, an old one considering this one was built in 1875). The White River Light Station Museum was closed but it didn't stop us from walking the pier and enjoying it's beauty. I especially love the tan bricks and black lantern room.

We were all amazed at the amount driftwood, sticks and grass piled up along the pier. Ryan immediately went to a large piece of wood mostly buried in the sand, he knew it had to be a part of a dock or ship and it was. The buried fragments of a ship appeared in 2018 and will become buried and resurface now and again.

We walked along the beach, climbed a giant sand hill and collected stones, of course. The most interesting pieces we found were are what we assume are old fossilized pieces of coal.

Exploring pieces of history has always been fun but, this light station was a reminder of how exciting it is for us. Even though the museum was closed we did some quick research and found information about the lighthouse keeper and the shipwreck on the shore. Discovering true facts and details that have stood the test of time is exhilarating. This is a part of our adventures that our whole family enjoys.  

I can't wait for our next journey. I hope it includes another lighthouse! 

I hope all the Moms were blessed with quality time and love yesterday. 

Keep Loving.

Impromptu Trips Up North Are My Favorite

I'm not an impromptu, last minute kind of girl. When plans change at the drop of a hat I find myself frustrated and upset. I guess, that's just a weakness. I know this is a small downfall and try my best to have patience and breathe deeply when change occurs. It's a work in progress and guess what?! I must be making progress because an impromptu trip to a cabin up north has been the most enjoyable little getaway. I mean how couldn't it be, right? I’m starting to realize last minute change of plans could kind of be like surprises and I love surprises.

E's first ride on a golf cart!

30 minutes is all it took to pack an overnight bag, food and bug spray just in case. Of course, it took me another 5 minutes to pack my craft bag because I never know if I'll want to crochet a small project or work on a big one. Then we were off.

An hour later we pulled up to a little red cabin with wood stacked so neatly, a porch, picnic table and a golf cart for going down to the lake that’s just a few minutes from the cabin. The lake is just big enough for small boats and fishing. You can bet we took advantage of that. Friends of ours own this little cabin in Walhalla in a small association and we were so lucky to occupy it for the weekend.

E has been waiting for a campfire all Summer and just couldn't wait to sit through dinner so Spaghetti dinner was enjoyed by the fire, a first for us. As I sat by the hot flames watching our family enjoy a single night in the woods I can't believe we don't sit around a campfire more often. I soaked up every second, I could. It felt so good to look up at the stars, roast marshmallows, make S'mores, relax and just hang out. Just enjoying the company, the conversation and guessing what kind of animals we heard in the woods, made this little getaway so enjoyable.

When I woke up Sunday morning there was hot coffee, pancakes and bacon waiting. The guys and M went fishing before dawn and left breakfast for E and I. I am 99% sure I was smiling from the inside out. How nice it was to grab a cup of hot coffee and sit outside while E slept in just a little longer, listening to only the sound of birds chirping. Especially because Saturday morning, before the impromptu getaway I was thinking how wonderful it sounds to go camping. I was day dreaming about sipping coffee by the fire.

Our Summer was jam packed with work and home improvements that we almost miss the chance to camp. Just a few weeks ago I tweeted: "I will swing in a hammock before Summer ends," and I totally did. Crossing that off my Summer bucket list feels great!

Sometimes life brings a change, even just a small change of plans, that if you look at it in just the right way you’ll find it’s a surprise. This weekend was truly wonderful and 100% enjoyable, a change of plans I loved. Impromptu trips up north are easily my new favorite thing to do.

Victory dance for E

Lately I have been having some rather in depth and great conversation with R; about work, family and life in general. It seems every time I talk of something the very next day something happens directly related to the conversation we had. Life is such a coincidence.

For example:

I was talking to T (our daycare provider) about potty training. Recently, I had been worried that E has only sat on the big potty a handful of times. In the daycare hand book it states that T will assist in the potty training process. Which is great, all though I was slightly worried that because we hadn't been pushing E much yet that it would become difficult at daycare. She said her 2 year old kiddos are not potty trained yet so E is just fine. She reassured me that every child learns in their own time.

I felt much better after the conversation. I feel like I was great at the baby stages but the toddler stages take much more effort and focus...some how. I worry more about how she is learning and communicating and developing, when really I should just care that she is happy and healthy (finally).

Well, of course T and I talk potty training then low and behold E goes pee on the BIG GIRL POTTY !! T called us right away and told us. Dad actually got the news first and called to tell me the exciting, good news.

After a celebratory victory dance of my own, tears welled up in my eyes. I was so excited I almost cried. I can't believe she went potty on the big potty. Just a couple days ago she was scared of it.

I think this is definitely a good sign; even if it might be a fluke. E got such a great response from T that I think she knows the potty is a good thing. We are working on a reward system. Even though hootin' and hollerin' and victory dances are probably exciting enough for E I think a little treat will make the experience fun.

Life is full of surprises. These kind are my new favorite.

Keep loving.