the present moment // lots of favorites

Thinking about // How insanely cold it is!!! I'm from South Texas and am now living in North Texas. In South Texas the joke is that we have two seasons: hot and hotter. Now that I'm in North Texas I've been experiencing tidbits of most all the seasons and it's been all kinds of wonderful and crazy!

We had some snow yesterday. I guess northerners would say that we had a dusting of snow. Right? Either way, this freaks me out greatly. I mean really, it has been so cold and all the craziness going on in the North is just scary! So many prayers for any and all of you experiencing this insane snow fall! And, God be with us this coming winter. 

Winter is coming, and it's not messing around!

Looking forward // I'm looking forward to hosting Thanksgiving in our home with my parents, brother, and his girlfriend! All the baking, the turkey, the gravy, the green bean casserole, and all the fun, play, and thanksgiving.

Praying for // Everyone up north experiencing this crazy start to this season. Praying for all those needing healing. For mamas with new sweet babies (I'm looking at you Rosie and Mary!). Praying for family near and far. Praying for all dealing with back problems, past or present.

And, praying for God's Will be done in mine and your life and that we be able to joyfully embrace His Goodness for us.

Pinteresting //  These are my five favorite Pins since last week:

1.        2.      

    3.   4.   5. 

All images are linked to their source if you're interested (except the oranges, couldn't find that source)!

Captured // A little bit of my heart. My mom had a work trip last week and I was able to capture these sweet photos filled with so much love and goodness.

They're all my favorites.

Linking-up with Hannah over at Joyful Life for Currently and Jenna at Call Her Happy for Five Favoritas!

Embrace the Ordinary: Tough days

Sometimes days are tough. I know you know that. I know I know that. And still, sometimes I need to remind myself that these days happen, sometimes in clusters, but they happen. 

Lately, I feel like there have been tons of time-outs, lots of tears, lots of testing of boundaries, and lots of tantruming (Is that word? Probably not, but for today, it is.). Not sure if the cold weather is starting to get to my boys, but we entered a new little world of behavior once it got cold and wet outside.

The thing about these cuties is they can go from time-out and tears to sweetness of miracles real quick. Do you ever see that joy and wonder?

Every day. After they have their little bath, they get some shower fun and they literally squeal with excitement every time.

Then we get to below again. Little man is looking at his daddy and not very happily. He wants to be carried and is upset that he didn't pick him up fast enough.

The thing about these hard days is, as much as I cry, struggle, or fail, a part of me feels like in embracing that hard, I am embracing my present moment. It's not always easy to do that, but when I get to that point where there is nothing else but to release and sink into the emotions and thoughts that come with the more challenging moments, the more beautiful ones become more real, and the harder ones become growth.

These little guys sometimes just want to be held a little more than I can offer, which is okay, as long as I try to meet them as much as I can.

Hard times and moments aside, these boys are good. They love each other and I pray that I can continue to help guide their love into more goodness and virtue. And, I pray even more that I can help guide their more challenging qualities into those two same things: goodness and virtue. Teach them to harness all that they've been given so that they can give it back to the amazing Lord who first shared it with them.

Embracing my recent ordinary has been hard. I don't know if it's the weather, temperament, exhaustion, all my recent back issues, or a combination of so many things (most likely the latter). At the end of the day, I do know I have a choice to choose love, forgiveness, humility, and joy.

For this embrace the ordinary, I'm praying for the grace to be able to choose love and joy in each moment that I meet. The good moments and the challenging moments. I'm also praying that I have the grace to choose humility and forgiveness whenever needed. These boys, don't intentionally seek to make my days hard. They intentionally seek to grow, to learn, to love, and to be loved. They seek for their needs to be met. And some days, like today, I really need to remember that.

Linking-up with wonderful Gina from Someday Saints, for Embrace the Ordinary. Be sure to head over to her place, she shared some beautiful thoughts a midst some trying times about prayer before everything.

finding beauty // bedtime

It's Friday! Where did the week go? Pray you've had a good week filled with lots of fun and love!

Today I'm co-hosting (First time to co-host with someone! So exciting!) Finding Beauty Friday with the incredibly talented Aimee who is over at This Darling Day. If you have any beauty finds from this week or a beautiful photo stowed away in a file on your computer somewhere, join in on this fun and inspiring link-up! 

Onto my beauty find.

Bedtime routines have been the same since Linus (our youngest) was born. We all gather in the boys' bedrooms, have family prayer time, then give hugs, kisses, and ugga-muggas. It's one of my most favorite things! Ever since Linus was itty-bitty, Bigfoot has been smothering him with hugs and kisses. And now, they just go to each other, instinctively, after prayer is done. Every night they share hugs and kisses no matter what spat they just had or if they were on cloud nine, they just go and love on each other. It's the sweetest!

These brothers. Gosh, I love them and their beautiful brotherhood.

So excited to see y'alls Beauty Finds! And if this is new to you, like I mentioned earlier, join in on the fun!

An InLinkz Link-up

A day in the Life: Black and White Edition

Aimee over at This Darling Day challenged me to a Black and White Photo Challenge on Instagram. Since I feel like indoor photos, night time photos, and black and whites are my struggle, I welcomed this challenge with open arms. Read: must practice more!

   

   

Top Left // After Linus woke one morning he instisted his brother walk with him hand in hand down the hallway to help keep him from slipping (He was wearing socks and isn't too good on managing the slippery.).
Top Right // Linus at the Nature and Science Museum.
Middle Left // Linus imitating his brother with a random little stretchy bunny. Hop. Hop! HOP!
Middle Right // Me sneaking in some Mama-time during nap-time. Coffee, book, and snuggly fluffy.
Bottom // Resting after having my (hopefully) last procedure done on my herniated disc.

How do you get your black and photos communicate nostalgia, beauty, and all things story-telling? I'm open to any and all tips! Is it more about catching stellar light? Contrasts?

Also, go check out Aimee's black and white photos. So beautiful! Also, linking-up with the wonderful Kathryn from Team Whitaker for Week in my Life 2014.

Guest Post: Children with Type 1 Diabetes and Heroic Courage

I'm over at Theresa's beautiful space, Ordinary Lovely, today for my first guest post ever! I'm sharing about my experience at a camp I worked at while in college that is for children with Diabetes. Do go check it out, see how these amazing kids inspired me, and stay awhile. I know you'll love her and all that she shares!

But, for now, here's a little glimpse of the start of my share.

* * * * * * * * * * * 

Years ago I went to a camp to staff, partially because I love working with kids and also because it was encouraged by a child development class I was taking for my degree. I was in college. Knew little about what all my role would entail, but knew that I would love it. The camp had an awesome reputation and I was excited to get to work with the kids.

Years ago I had no idea how these kids would impact me. How they would impress and inspire me. I had no idea how they would challenge me and make me want to be better. I was young, naive, had good intentions, and am so glad I took the steps to be a part of the two week stint I was there.

Years ago I spent two weeks at a Diabetic camp. I was on medical staff. I didn't expect to be, but, in the end, it made sense. I knew very little about Type 1 diabetes prior to arriving for my training, but you can believe that I left this camp knowing Type 1 Diabetes like the back of my hand. I had to! For the sake and care of the outstanding 9 and 10 year old girls that would share a glimpse of true heroism that I was not expecting.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Now get on over to Ordinary Lovely to finish reading about these incredible kids!

Easy-Peasy Fall Burlap Wreath

A few weeks ago I went on a crafting-fritz! I crafted all the things in my home and was pretty excited about how everything turned out. I shared the final product of this wreath here, but also wanted to share the photo process along with the video that made me realize I could craft up this wreath in 30 minutes flat!

What you'll need:

Wreath-Wire Frame

30 ft of Burlap Ribbon

Fall Decor (I picked up these Fall leaves from the Dollar Store for $2 and had a cross from another wreath I re-used.)

Scissors (If you need to trim up your Fall foliage like me.)

Here's the video I watched that made this craft a cinch!

Now, back to the photo process of the wreath party that lasted 30 minutes:

Fast-forward...and..

Tadaaaaa! Easy Peasy!

I'm thinking about switching it up with some Christmas colors post Thanksgiving, but we'll see! Any wreaths up in your casa?

the present moment // museum mondays and more

Thinking about // How much I love my mom's job! Since retiring she's been working for a company that brings her up to see us at least once a month. It is all sorts of amazing!

Seeing her face, being able to talk with her, hug her, and seeing her with the boys makes my heart happy!

Loving // Going to the Museum on Mondays with friends. This place is amazing, the boy L.O.V.E it, and I get to be alongside some dear friends.

Thankful for // November and all it brings. Thanksgiving is just around the corner and I can't wait to host our first Thanksgiving in our new home with family! I'm so excited! Can't wait for all the baking, cooking, feasting, fun, fellowship, and memories!

Any favorite Thanksgiving recipes y'all recommend? I'm all ears and love trying new things!

Learning // About faith and virtue and how lacking I can be! I have so many loved ones that teach me so much about having faith as well as how to practice courageous virtue. Faith in the good times and the hard times. Faith during struggle and in joy. Faith in contentment and faith in suffering. All of this intermingled with such beautiful virtue.

I have so many posts swirling in my brain and pray that I will be able to share them sooner than later so I don't forget them! I know they all have a purpose and they are all something I want to remember. What better way to solidify some memories than share them on the blog?!

Hoping // That this last procedure I'll have done on my spine will be the last until I'm 80. I'll be getting a shot on Thursday that will go straight into the herniated disc. Even though I'm doing worlds better I know I'm still fairly fragile.

Also, hoping and praying that this medicine helps me heal well and quickly so that we can God-willingly welcome another little one into our family. My heart yearns to be a little home again for another sweet soul. Pray that this desire will come into fruition in His timing and according to His Perfect Will. And, hoping for the grace to joyfully embrace our path, whatever it may be.

Linking-up with the lovely Hannah over at Joyful Life for Currently.

Embrace the Ordinary: These Brothers

“Blessed is the servant who loves his brother as much when he is sick and useless as when he is well and can be of service to him. And blessed is he who loves his brother as well when he is afar off as when he is by his side, and who would say nothing behind his back he might not, in love, say before his face.” 

― Francis of Assisi

 These brothers...

 enjoy family movie night together,

 play time together,

 nap time together,

 and wake time together.

These brothers. I love them. I love their friendship. I love how they look out for each other and look for each other. I love how they love each other. I love their togetherness in all these moments and more.

And, even though they drive me bonkers in the crazy-boy rough play that always makes me feel I am moments from making a rush to a nearby ER, I love how they are growing together.

Linking-up with the lovely Gina for Embrace the Ordinary.

finding beauty // web hugs, mama-tography, and lipstick

This post is going to be a hodgepodge of life lately. Here we go!

Last week, the amazing Bonnie at A Knotted Life and Nell over at Whole Parenting Family mentioned my little blog on their blogs. I woke up and saw my stats abnormally high and felt like a little blogger turned superstar for a day. It was exciting to get those little shout outs and very humbling!

This blogging community has been such a gift of encouragement, mama-support, and fellowship that I never anticipated. So many wonderful new friends that I'm so very thankful for! Years ago I blogged so that extended family as well as friends near and far could keep up with our little growing family and I couldn't be more thankful that I did. So many gifts have come from it. So many blessings and friendships!

Continuing on with wonderful blog friends, Aimee at This Darling Day has shared a couple of my photos and has made me feel kinda awesome! I've been working on taking more pictures that capture what my heart sees. Her choosing some of my photos to share on her blog has been so affirming and makes me feel like I'm improving!

Outside validation not only on my little blog space but also on my photography has really just made my month! Thank you all so very much for being so encouraging.

On that note, these are going to be my photos for the Finding Beauty Friday link-up. It's a couple favorites from our visit to the pumpkin farm.

And one from Halloween.

I treasure this photo because I know my boys won't always look to hold my hand. Right now, they're so sweet about it. Holding his precious little hand makes me happy. I love walking along with them. Moments I want to hold on to. Thankfully, we have cameras nowadays to snap so that we can keep and treasure these moments forever.

Have any beauty finds that you've snapped lately? You should join in on the fun!

Moving on to a little update. My back is doing worlds better than it was last month. I went from having 75% limited mobility (even after all the medication and shot procedure) to having 10% limited mobility. How amazing is that?!! I haven't taken medication in weeks and overall am functioning better with day-to-day duties. Thanks be to God.

I have another shot (Last one for forever, hopefully!) scheduled for next week and physical therapy has been going really well. I''m so ready to put this all behind us and God-willingly not have to deal with this severe of a scenario again until I'm 80!

So, thank you everyone for your prayers and for those who have asked me how I'm doing. I'm doing very well and couldn't be more grateful!

St. Gemma Galgani, thank you for your continued prayers.

Okay, now onto something amazing! I won two giveaways in one day! What? So crazy! Sarah from Two O's plus More had a giveaway for a St. Nicholas DVD for kids and Christy from Fountains of Home had a giveaway for SoulCore, a workout that involves praying the rosary. I am so excited about both of these! Thank you both so much for that!

And, lastly, I found a red lipstick! Oh my goodness! I think the last time I purchased a lipstick was back in high school. And, that's a maybe! I've always done glosses (even on my wedding day). It's just how it's been. Lip gloss for my big lips and slight tints to go with my skin color.

With some encouragement from Jacqui and Jenna, I was able to find one while out with a good friend. In fact, my friend had this lovely number in her possession and thought that I should try it. Tried it I did and felt so pretty, classic, and all kinds of fancy! 

Cider Berry by Clinique

After finding this lipstick I think everyone should find their red! Let me know if you do! Or if you already have one that you love! I'd love to know about it. Like I said, I've never been a huge lipstick person. I've, for the most part, always kept it pretty plain and simple. I love how I now have this lovely color that doesn't make me look scandalous nor like I'm trying to hard. It just is. I feel like I'm putting on high heels for the day (Rarely do that ever too!) that just fit.

Thanks so much for stopping by! What have y'all been up to these last weeks? Fun All Hallow's Eve? All Saint's Day? Pumpkin farms? Kid crazies? Funny kid words or to-dos? Share in the combox! :)

Linking-up with Jen for 7 Quick-Takes and Aimee for Finding Beauty Friday. Thanks ladies for doing what you do!

{PHFR} Punkin Farm Fun

~Capturing contentment in everyday life~

According to my oldest, we went to a punkin farm this past weekend. We've never gone before, but I'm glad we did because fun times were definitely had! It's the end of the season but this little farm was a great time for both the boys and us.

The boys were so happy! Once we got in to see the animals and how ready they were to snack on the feed that was given to us to share, their little faces lit up and their little feet just wanted to go, go, go.

Just not too close. The funny thing about Linus is that he took off the moment we got there. Straight to the animals he went. When it came time to feeding them the little man got a little hesitant. It was cute and pretty funny.

There was this tractor train ride that the boys, upon seeing it, became thrilled!

However, as soon as Bigfoot realized that the tractor train was going to make it's round of the farm and we weren't necessarily going to be in sight, he kept waving at us to come follow with this little worried look.

Meanwhile, Linus was just eating it up. The tractor left and Linus did not look back.

Funny little man below kept sticking his little tongue out for whatever reason. You'll see more of that little bit of him in other photos taken.

Linus loved being able to carry his very own pumpkin. I think he was really proud that he could lift the weight and waddle around.

There was a hay maze that was pretty fun.

I love this photo of these little brothers. These shared moments and memories are the bricks that lay the foundation for their brotherhood. I'm loving watching them make these memories. I'm loving watching them love each other. Seeking each other. Playing and experiencing life with each other. That has been such a gift for this young mama.

Harry Potter made an appearance while in the maze.

I absolutely love the capture of GeekMan and Linus below. I love the sun, the sky, the hay, and the two of them, together. Linus wanted to be held while in the maze. By daddy. That in itself is all kind of pretty!

The boys enjoyed searching for their punkins. They ran around for awhile, but kept passing over them as if they weren't up to their punkin standards! I wondered if they would ever pick one!

Sure enough, they did. Punkins were picked to take home. Bigfoot's tongue made another appearance and, he too, was so proud to carry his own little pumpkin. He started talking about his amazing strength and the weight of the pumpkin.

Lately, it's been so funny how Linus goes up to his big brother and starts mumbling jibber-jabber. He tries so hard to engage Bigfoot in real conversation and his big brother definitely responds every. single. time.

What Eli?
Eh.
Tell me?
Ehhhh.
The pumpkins? Oh yes. There are so many! 
(nods head)
What's that Eli? What are you saying to me?

And, on they go...

These next two photos are so telling of their personalities.

First, we have Mr. Smiley-pants-snuggly-bug-sweetie-face.

And, next we have Mr. Grouchy-pants-make-you-laugh-personality-for-daysss.

There was this beautiful little chapel on the farm.

And, a board story along the trail of the hay-ride that ended with a farmer getting stuck in a bale of hay.

The boys thought it was funny.

Linus, by the end of our stay here, managed to stick his hands into poo, picked up and dropped to the point of almost breaking an assortment of random pumpkins, and could not stop picking up every other little thing under the sun that was on the ground (hence, the poo).

Mischief managed thanks to the wagon.

Pumpkins were picked and hauled.

Last picture of our little pumpkin farm trip was taken on a frantic-whim while both children were scrambling and Dada was ready to pack up. Obviously.

But, this next photo... I want to remember. It really was a beautiful day. The farm had so much to offer! Food, farm animals, pumpkins galore, hayrides, sights, tractor train, and memories.

The best part about these little family to-do's are all the real and beautiful moments that happen under the sun. A Dada and his boys making memories while mama just soaked up as many smiles, giggles, hugs, and love that she could.

We had a good day. Thankful for this pumpkin farm that really wasn't too far from our little home.

Did y'all make it out to a pumpkin farm or patch this year?

Linking-up with the wonderful women of Like Mother, Like Daughter for Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real and with Cari over at Clan Donaldson for Theme Thursday. Today's theme is brick.