Happy Places

There are special places that cause my heart to skip a beat. I hold my breath and release it slowly. You can feel the magic in the air. If it's really good, you get a little choked up too. 

When your happy places become your kids happy places the feeling doubles... no triples! 

Things to Note:

The waves in Texas aren't that big, but they are waves and that's what matters.

My sand-castle-making-skills are on point.

But my sunscreen skills are lacking.

Sand gets everywhere and in everything, I'm still finding it in things that didn't even come with us. It's like a special way of reminding you of where you've been, of the memory. 

Payton hasn't stopped trying to jump since we taught him about jumping over the waves.

Life is happier with sun-kissed cheeks and sand in your toes.

The magic of Simple.

Sadly, we have not been making it to church lately. Er, let's be honest, since Payton was born really.  I battle myself weekly over it.  However, even though we are not the most committed church goers, I find church inside of our lives as often as possible... and not just on Sundays. We find family, faith and magic shining bright in simple.

There's no need to justify or explain how strong we are in our religions. God understands. I know he does.  Otherwise, he wouldn't give us the gifts of moments like this:

(Note the "toddler rail" - now sleeping in what I like to call his "hybrid bed"!)

Lord, thank you for giving me (us) the ability to find our own time frame, to seek our own patterns of faith and for giving us the gifts, tools & blessings that keep our faith alive and strong.

Conversations with a 3 year old Volume

There have been some pretty comical conversations lately and I had to share them. The play-by-play will probably not do it justice, but it's the best I've got.  This isn't the best of the best, just the handful that I've remembered or have stopped to write down.

C:  I need another haircut.
Me:  Already? Why? Do you want it shorter?
C:  Look at it, it's so crazy!

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C:  If we leave the light on I can get up and go potty if I need to.
Me:  You're right, that's a good idea.
C:  Is our house made of straw or bricks?
Me:  Our house? Uh. It's made of bricks.
C:  No straws, like the ones in the drawer.

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Me:  Can you do this? (I curl my tongue like a taco)
C:  Look I can do it too, Mommy! (he copies and curls his tongue like a taco)
Me:  Did you know that Gobbie can't do that with her tongue?
C:  Yea, she needs to go to the doctor to get it fixed.

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C:  Only you and I can see the sun. Payton can't see the sun, he's not wearing sunglasses.

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C:  This could sharp you, Payton. Be careful.


Funny sounding words:  hangaburger, chepup, a'cado (as in avocado)

Lazy-Daze

I'm going to be lazy. There's just far too much to catch up on. So the following hodge-podge are some of my favorite pictures / videos from the last 3 to 4ish weeks snagged from my phone. 

Too much 4th of July fun!

A gorgeous Texas Sunset with Friends.

First Sparkler:  Thanks Aunt Sarah!

We've officially conquered the haircut! Thank the Lord!

Payton's first trim and I didn't catch it, however I got this at the park afterwards. The "stylist" asked if we wanted to keep his hair. Is that normal? Just to be clear, I said NO.

Brothers.

Vintage gumball machines and an escape artist.

Learning how to "pancake", aka float. (or as I know it - relax)

If you're in New Orleans, find these two - I could have listened to them all night.