season kick off

the Christmas season has begun! what better way to kick it off, than a lovely dinner downtown at the Grand America?! We spent the evening with Ryan's family, appreciating delicious food, stuffing our faces with chocolate cake (Camden was channeling a certain Bruce Bogtrotter...), and being completely mesmerized by the lights and Christmas window displays.

thanksgiving & other things to be grateful for

Thanksgiving was spent with family cozy-ed up in the cabin. 

as we went around the table, expressing our gratitude, I felt so content to be with my sweet boys.  All 3 of them melt my heart. All 3 of them make me want to jump out the window sometimes... (well, more like my oldest son) but I love them so much it hurts.   

 our post-thanksgiving weekend went something like this: 

more birthday celebrations for Camden

following this kid around the house, trying to save him from himself. child knows how to make a mother nervous! he runs into, smacks his head on, and seems to find every corner of un-child proofed fun he can. needless to say, his noggin is one big bruise.

watching Camden enjoy all of his birthday glory.

he got a pirate ship, which he randomly finds me about once a day and thanks me for.

you keep that up, and I'll buy you a million pirate ships!

he also got buzz and woody pajamas...he presses the "button" on them, and his "wings" pop out. man alive, I love this child.

 we also embarked in a little shopping and golfing. 

I'm proud to say that I am pretty much done with all my Christmas shopping!

and that, feels pretty darn good :) bring on the Christmas rush!

a new year

resolutions for me look the same every. year.

study the scriptures more, make it to the gym, cook. in general. and be a better mother/wife.

way too general. way too vague. way too unachievable.

maybe this year I just won't resolute to do anything.

*cringe*

me? the notorious list maker? so much so, that I sometimes color coordinate my lists according to priority... (a major problem, I know). me? NOT make a list!?

I just can't not do it.

so I'll take a different approach...

my resolution:

BE HAPPIER.

there was a time when that would have been a no brainer. I was actually told once that I must be fake, because no one could really be that happy all the time.

pretty sure no one would say that now. Not that I am unhappy. I'm not! I love my life, but do my outward actions mimic what is in my heart? (don't answer. the question is rhetorical.)

a few small goals to help me be happier...

* let it be. -- this will for sure be the hardest thing. a perfectionist at heart, can not just let it be. I  should know. so, I am going to consciously do my very best to step back, and not make things perfect. who knows? Maybe I will find joy in mediocrity. (that sounded bad. I didn't mean for it to...)

* Jean Valjean my life. --seen Les Miserables? it has changed my life. I love the scene where the bishop forgives Valjean and says "I have saved your soul for God."

right now, I think I live my life for myself. I think it would help my happiness tremendously if I turned that over to the Lord.

* expect nothing in return. --dishes, cooking, cleaning, you name it. serve, and do not keep score.

* make time for me. --not enough to be selfish, but just enough to rejuvenate. allow myself to read, go to yoga, head to brunch, get a babysitter, and not feel guilty about it.

*appreciate more, want less. --in the social media, pinterest, grass is greener society we live in, I am way too involved. a step back would do me good. and a little space would allow me to be grateful for my own, and not jealous of what others have.

2013, this will be the year I discover myself and embrace happiness!

a boy of many emotions

Camden is a very emotional child.

not as in "he cries all the time" emotional, but as in he has very heightened emotions, and they can change in a matter of seconds. 

exhibit a: "it's my birthday, yay! and they are singing to me?! how wonderful"

exhibit b: "oh, my cousins are just soo funny! ha ha"

exhibit c: "wait, you mean this is my very last birthday party for a whole year? not cool."

exhibit d: "alright, let's make the most of this, then!"

and a picture of little Turner man, just because I find this buddy heart achingly adorable.

another birthday

is having 3 different birthday celebrations a little too much? possibly too frivolous?

my theory: maybe. my justification: we wanted to give a few opportunities to celebrate with those who love and care about this sweet little boy-- so many of our family and friends have contributed to much of what he is today, and we really just wanted an awesome excuse to get together. 

this party consisted of: party hats and cupcakes (via Smiths, I know you were all dying to know where I got this amazing, super high quality stuff)

chicken nuggets, french fries, and play place (McDonald's, you may be the reason I can't kick my Diet Coke addiction, but I love you for your ability to make my kid extremely happy)

Ice Age movie (only the best dollar theater for us!)

giggles and gifts: the simple joys of a birthday spent with friends

celebration numero uno: Chuck-e-Cheese

this year was truly Camden's own birthday celebration.

I really wanted to do everything just for him-- and while I know a 3 year old would have been perfectly happy with any sort of party, really, I let him choose 100%. ok, maybe more like 90%, considering his first request was Disneyland.

a (much cheaper) second request was chuck-e-cheese.

back to the days of guitar hero, ski ball, and good old fashioned hoops.

family pictures

 

a few months ago, my friend, Christine took some family pictures.

I'd say she captured some pretty awesome moments.

Thanks again, Christine!