this is the life

hello 2014!

This was my most "liked" photo on Instagram in 2013. Rightfully so, too. In many ways, this photo represents the start of a new chapter in our lives. The chapter that we had been working so hard to get to; Jason finishing school and becoming a CRNA and me landing my dream job as a ~~Stay at Home Mom~~ Domestic Engineer. However you want to label what I do, it's amazing. Everyday I am blown away by the awesomeness of Joanna. We are so blessed.

So here is to 2014! I have a feeling it's going to be a good one.

five years

A little over a month ago, Jason and I celebrated our five year wedding anniversary. It's crazy to think it has already been five years. This past year of marriage has definitely been a life changing one as we became a family of three. I think I had this big idea that once we reached this milestone, we would be able to take this huge second honeymoon type trip and it would be grand. Reality check. That didn't happen. And at first I was pretty bummed that we weren't going to be able to do something "big," but in the end I couldn't have asked for a greater celebration. My mom watched Joanna for us and we went out to a nice dinner downtown. Afterwards, we walked around and ended up finding a hot air balloon and a concert going on in the middle of the street. The whole night ended up being such a special occasion and simply to spend it with my love was amazing. Here's to another life changing year!

pumpkin baby

Of the hundreds of pins I have pinned, there are only a handful and some change that I have actually taken a second look at. So many pins and so little time. But before October completely passes us by, I had to share a few photos from our *pinterest success* photo shoot with Joanna and the pumpkin. She was all about this pumpkin. I have to admit that I was a bit nervous and I was trying to prepare myself in case there was a complete meltdown like some of the photos I had seen. You just have to feel so bad for those poor babies crying and screaming while sitting in a slimy pumpkin all for the sake of a silly photo. And here I was, about to be one of those awful mean parents. When we placed her in the pumpkin and her face lit up, it was like a choir was singing and I could breath. She was game and I was ecstatic. Jo has been such a good sport with the bajillion photos I take of her and I am hoping it stays this way. I just love capturing her sweet and spunky personality, such a little ham ;)

what if

What if I could get all my daily cleaning done. Everyday.

Have my weekly meals planned out and groceries bought.

Take a shower and make myself look decent...often.

Have a new and fun learning activity for Joanna each day.

Sing on tune. On purpose.

Get out of the house more.

Keep up with blogging.

Make all of the photo books I need to make.

Finish the painting for Joanna's nursery.

Pick out paint color for the dining room. Guest bedroom/office. Master bathroom. And then paint each room.

Finish the desk.

Be more romantic with my husband and show him that I appreciate him more often.

Exercise 2 or 3 times a week.

Wax my eyebrows.

Get a pedicure.

Call, text and/or e-mail all the people that I have been meaning to.

What if I could do it all. And more.

(sigh)

play date at the park

It's looking like I am blogging on my new mommy time, which happens to be about a week or more after any event has happened. I'll catch up one day....some day. These photos are from a gorgeous evening last week at the park. We had a really great group for our play date and Joanna was loving it. I think she really thrives in a group. She must get that from her dad. Although I love hanging out with people, Jason is the one that usually shines when we are with big groups. He has a very electric and outgoing personality - a great match for my more introverted self. Anyway, so we have been doing great sticking to our weekly trips to the park. (we made this plan here) I hope this amazing weather stays at least through the month of October....even longer would be nice. (crossing my fingers and toes!!)