Being

While I am not usually a fan of all the rain, I have enjoyed the gift it has given me. I can't remember the last time I spent this much time just "being" with my little family. The other night I was out with some girlfriends talking about resolutions and choosing a word of the year instead to live towards. The rain has made me realize my theme for the year, Just Be. Just Be in the moment. Just Be happy. Just Be myself. Just Be.

Date Night!

The weather outside was frightful, but the company I kept was delightful.  Happy to have spent an evening last night with the handsome Hubby and several of my oldest friends.  As much as I love the little people in my life, I need to add more adult interaction into my conversational rotation.  Maybe that will be my goal (not resolution!) for 2015.  

Yes, those are my Hunter rain boots I am wearing with my lace skirt and blingy jewelry.  The weather sucked so I made do!

The Mother's Room

Yesterday the Hubby and I took the opportunity to do some last minute shopping before all of the kiddos are out of school.  It's fun to have a little "date day".  At Toys R Us, I had a moment that made me pause.  It was one of those, I didn't expect that things.  I was simply walking past the Mother's Room that they set up.  I remember so vividly my time with two different babies in a room like that.  Thankful that a store recognized a new mommy may want a little privacy when feeding their child or maybe they just need a few moments to decompress with a little one.  I remember relishing those moments out and about with my tiny little babies.  Thankful to be able to go and accomplish things with them, but still be able to escape if need be for a few moments.  I realized yesterday, that the day of sneaking off to that little room is now done for me and for a brief moment my heart hurt.  I still grieve that stage of my life is over sometimes.  Yet, I am realizing too that I actually like the years after the infant/toddler ones, even the teenage stage ...even with all of it's dramas.  It's amazing to me how something so simple as a smell, song or quick glance can immediately transport you back in time.  It's also amazing how you can miss those days so much it can cause a physical ache, but you can also be madly in love with the current place of your life. 

Tis the Season

 Close up of the sweets and the precious gingerbread train we made last weekend with cousins.

 The entire sweet treat set up.

The year has been long, but the time has felt short.  Happy at Christmas time to spend some moments reflecting and also with family and friends.  Last night, we hosted a group of preteen/teen girls for an Ugly Sweater Party and white elephant gift exchange.  It is food for the soul to watch these young ladies come together and enjoy life.  I hope you all are having a joyful holiday season.

OOTD

Know what you get when it's a rainy Sunday and you've been crazy busy for weeks on end?  This for an OOTD.  Be jealous of how fashion savvy I am!

Throw back Thursday

One of the weddings I planned 2 years ago is featured today on The Frosted Petticoat!  Go check it out.  It's one of my faves if I do say so myself!

411

Can anyone give me any info on Silver Spring, MD?  Looks like Lovebug and I will be spending a night there in October and I need to know where to eat!  Yes, it always comes back to food for me.