By Natalie
Is it too late to share a Christmas photo? We’ve had a slow start to our new year which has been a lovely way to start fresh. Last year we experienced our own set of hardship and grief for experiences lost. But by this point we’ve created a new normal, incorporating some new routines that have helped keep us going. This post I suppose is somewhat of a debrief. (more…)
By Natalie
On our way home from our first camping trip with Felicity Brandon said, “Well it was worth a try. If we’d never tried it we would have never known.”
Alot of friends said that we were brave for taking a toddler camping. I’m not sure it was brave per say. Maybe spontaneous is a better word. Going into it I thought that the worst case would be we didn’t sleep well and it’d be a disaster. It wasn’t a disaster, but we also didn’t sleep well which will always put a damper on things. With a brand new family tent and new camping chairs including a chair sized for Lici we had big hopes that our little outdoorsy girl would have the time of her life and we’d be camping all the time. I’ve come to realize that the more activities we’ve done this year the higher my expectations have become. After half a year of blah cabin fever I’ve expected so much joy and refreshment from these new adventures and that’s maybe too much to ask of a camping trip and a pumpkin patch hayride. (more…)
By Natalie
We’re celebrating nine years of marriage today! Our anniversary looks a tad different this year as it has for most during this time but we are still smitten! We grabbed coffee this morning with Lici. She pointed to our cups and said, “Coffees?”. Then we blew some bubbles, chased her around and walked until we found some dog pictures on the side of a pet store. Which our little animal lover found very exciting. (more…)
By Natalie
If you’ve had a meal at our place and the weather was anywhere near decent you’ve probably had me bring a tray of food or water out to you. You’ve probably said “Woah Natalie.” in surprise. I selfishly feed off of this domestic praise. It’s ok I’ll admit it. (more…)
By Natalie
How on earth have we been keeping busy on our stay at home order? With an extra cup of morning coffee and whole lot of video calls to family. Not every day has been perfect but I’m trying to stay positive. (more…)
By Natalie
I lay the little girl down in her crib, my hair hanging over the rails. “Get some rest.” I tell her as I tuck the blankets in around her small body. I shut her door and make my way down the stairs. The dog follows me, then the cat, our ten legs all creaking down the steps. I clear the last of the lunch dishes, clean the cat’s litter, refill the water bowl, make a pot of coffee, check the front door for packages I may have forgotten about only to find a gift left by our realtor. Inside is a balsam fir candle and a Christmas card of her family. The back reads, “Felicity must be enjoying this time of year.” (more…)
By Natalie
In the spring of 2016 Brandon came home not himself. I was busy with something that day not quite paying attention to the worry he’d brought home with him. Like an extra backpack he carried a weight he attempted to describe to me. But as I said I was busy, flustered by my own agenda I brushed off his concern. I wish I could go back to the Natalie in that moment to place my hands on her shoulders and say, “Stop what you’re doing, he needs you right now.” I wish I could have told myself to look in his eyes to recognize the defeat he felt and held him in that moment to tell him it was all going to be ok. But like all regrets in life we can’t change our actions, we can only allow them to teach us to be present in every moment. You’ll never know how big of a deal some conversations can be. (more…)
By Natalie
Our baby girl is so grown up. This past weekend we celebrated Felicity’s first year of life. Perhaps it’s all in our heads but ever since her birthday Felicity seems to have changed. Maybe it’s because we don’t look at her as a little baby anymore but as a toddler. (more…)
By Natalie
On Brandon’s first father’s day weekend he spent his entire Saturday building this beauty of a baby gate. Seems appropriate. It sort of happened by coincidence. We were struggling to find a decent gate for our stairwell so as most things go when we can’t find exactly what we’re looking for, Brandon decided to build one. I found a similar mock up here and Brandon agreed to make it! It also sort of flows well with the banister on our front steps. (more…)
By Natalie
Felicity is still battling some separation anxiety when it comes to leaving her at church. But that’s to be expected with both Brandon and I being home with her. We’re still trying! It doesn’t bother me too much. I’ve recently taken some wisdom from a mother of eight and a mother of six, who I met in the nursing moms room. They make my new mom woes seem piddly in comparison. They both told me to give myself grace. Felicity’s all proud of herself in this photo because we were so happy she made it through a whole service!
God bless those volunteers. I’ve been in their shoes and fussy babies are a handful. (more…)