Happy Valentine's Day + a mini photo shoot!

Happy Valentine's Day! I did a mini Valentine's day photo shoot of my girls this year. I feel so blessed that both my girls truly love taking pictures. Lately, Zaylee has been bringing my camera to me and pointing to herself saying, "me! me!" I happily take a picture of her, of course. And we all know that Sophia can out style and pose me for any photo shoot. :)  

Wishing you all the sweetest and loveliest Valentine's Day! 

many small moments

I have been filled with many small moments lately, both incredibly rewarding and exhausting. Feeling blessed to experience it all, the good and the tough.  

We've had a rainy few days here last week. I've been following the weather and saw it coming, so I started to prepared with raincoats and rain boots. Rain or shine, we need fresh air daily. Its good for the soul and mind. It was good to let the girls march outside in their boots and let them enjoy the fresh puddles. I remember loving this so much as a little girl, but to relive it through the eyes of my own littles is even better. The squeals and giggles were heard a block away.

Our church has the best family adoration and praise/worship night. We went last Friday night and was put to tears watching Sophia and Zaylee sing their hearts out. The first song was "Lord, I need you" by Matt Maher and this happens to be one of our favorite songs lately (and we listen to it a lot). Immediately, both girls got so excited recognizing the song, stood on the kneelers and stretched out their arms and sang to their hearts content. Little Zaylee who can't even pronounce all the words clearly, knows the song by heart and was singing and singing. It was incredible to see her praise. We've never taught our children how to "praise" God. We've never taught her to raise her arms out and sing. But in her own littlest way, she swayed her body and reached for the Lord as she sang and sang. She probably was one of the smallest in the room, but you would have never known it by the way she sang. It was beautiful. Mike and I kept exchanging looks and were puddled by her incredible sweetness. How beautiful it is to see your children love the Lord just as you do. I will never forget it. 

I was reminded last week that these moments of staying at home with my children are so short and going to be truly missed one day. I know I enjoy the present moment as much as I can, but I know I also complain a lot about my messy home and being so exhausted. But, I realized that even these small tough moments will be missed too. I'm sure one day I will miss picking up my house after my children have long gone to bed. After all, I do always smile to myself even through the exhaustion at night when I walk room to room and see all the small ways my children have explored and played. The untying of many, many little knots Sophia have tied with string/yarn/rope around door knobs or chairs or other objects around the house, I will really miss that. Also the many nights when I am emptying out a million little purses and backpacks filled with toys, rocks, socks, and tissues that Zaylee have played with through the day. These small and messy times are temporary. One day I will have a spotless, organized and quiet home. The time nor day is now and I'm okay with that.  

PS: click here to see a video of the girls jumping in puddles.  

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 Sophia: she can't wait for the weather to warm up so she can wear dresses everyday again. 

Zaylee: She loves bikes but can't quite reach the pedals yet. Its so funny to see her fall in love some of the similar things that Sophia did at this age.  

5/52

Sophia: early morning cartoon watching.

Zaylee: getting herself dressed. She wont let anyone help her put her pants on. She has to do it all by herself. :) 

"A portrait of my children once a week, every week in 2014."

7 quick takes

 

                     

                                                               


Its been a while since the last time I posted with Jen, but there's been so many things on my mind lately, so I thought it might be a good week to ramble my thoughts on here.

1. Last night I said to mike, "the wifi hasn't been working very well today." Sophia chimes in, "maybe its because you used too much of it, mom." She likes to lay the mom guilt right on me. My four year old called me out. Going to work on being more hands free. 

2. i think i've officially initiated myself into hippiehood again by making hand dipped beeswax birthday candles this week. My freshmen year in college i attended the most tree hugging, volkswagan driving, peace love and rocking rolling university (go banana slugs!). But i hated it, and i vowed never ever to look back so i transferred to Franciscan University. But lately i've been catching myself do bizarre things like shopping for cosmetics at Whole Foods, reading articles about going 'no poo' (its not what you think :) ), and now candle making. whatever...just call it 'going green'.

3. i started attending barre exercise classes this week. i am incredible sore everywhere but i feel good! i'm more proud at the fact i'm keeping up with my new years resolution to exercise more. yay, me! Thank goodness for a friend telling me that shaking in class is normal because my legs were out of control. So embarrassing but i heard "shaking is good! it means your doing it right!"

4. i feel like this was a week of clarity for me. There were a lot of things that were made a lot more clear and bright to me. Its like many many lightbulbs turned on. It feels good to finally see a little more clearer on decisions and walk with the faith of God. I feel like I have fought with myself for so long on some very simple decisions. Have you ever done that before? Things are made so easy and clear but i intentionally make it harder on myself. Geez i'm so complicated sometimes. 

5. I just discovered decaf earl grey tea and its changed my week! Its bringing me back to the days when I used to study abroad in Austria and my roommates and I would have tea time. Pinkies up! 

6. I made the bomb Korean bo sam this week! Now that I live in an area that doesn't have many good Korean restaurants, it has forced me to learn and make more of it at home. When your kimchi stew starts tasting exactly like your mom's then you know you mastered it. :) 

7. I'm still blown away with the March for Life in San Francisco last weekend. There were over 60,000 people there! It was one of the best experiences of my life. I got choked up so many times and had to swallow down the tears because I was so emotionally overwhelmed with the support of all the pro-lifers. I have done side walk counseling at abortion clinics for many years and its always felt so lonely for me. There are really no words I can say to express the emotions I felt that day. A BIG thank you to the police and fire department of San Francisco for your support and standing on our side during our walk.


Have a wonderful weekend everyone!  

my word

You know how people talk about their "word" for the new year. Well, I have known what my "word" for 2014 was going to be for a while now. For months, I have felt it tug on my heart. To let go more, to have less...and to be simple. Simple is my word for this year. Be simple, simplify, simplicity...all variations of this word is to be mine this year. To ring true to it in every form. 

So little by little, I have been making small efforts as the new year was approaching. Buy less, be content with more. 

It hasn't been the easiest thing to do but it sure has been fulfilling in small ways. Its keeps me focused on the real and less on the temporary. 

To keep true to simplifying and simplicity, I decided not to buy any clothes this year. Yes I said it. I have all the clothes I need for every season, for every reason and for every occasion. I do not need anything more. 

You realize how little you need to live by. Why is that when you already have several clean shirts in your closet, you will continue to dig through baskets of laundry to wear that one shirt again? :) This will be my year of seeking simplicity and finding contentment in it. 

I plan to get rid of more things around the home too. We are actually planning on having a yard sale in the spring and I am SO excited! I have always wanted to have a yard sale and I finally live in a right neighborhood to host it. So, all you Sacramento locals...keep you ears and eyes opened for some good treasures to be sold. :) 

Lastly, these pictures were taken a few weeks ago when my good friend May was visiting. We found this awesome hiking trail near Mike's office and it was the most glorious weather outside. The best part of this hike was that we found a swing hanging from a tree at the end of our hike. Sophia couldn't believe her eyes and just had the best time swinging. We will definitely be going back. 

4/52

Sophia: I have always sang to Sophia since she was in my womb, "you are my sunshine...my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are gray." This song holds so true to her personality and who she is. She really is a sunshine to us. 

Zaylee: I have always sang to her, "this little light of mine...I'm going to let her shine." She is our special light that radiates and shines in our family.