52 Weeks of 2013 - Week 21

I am one of those rule followers, I admit it! However, I was out on Saturday afternoon with my girls and we stumbled upon a park. It was a beautiful day, but not overly hot and said park had a water feature. The girls spotted it at once, but I told them we had no swim suits, no towels, no change of clothes, so it wouldn't work that day and steered them towards the rest of the playground. They were a little disappointed but there was other new equipment to explore and they were soon happily climbing and playing.

As I watched them laughing and giggling together and reflected on the fact that they hadn't complained and whined at being told 'no' for today I decided to let them do it. Who really cared if they got wet?

I didn't tell them right away, I told them it was time to start heading out and as we got closer to the water they asked me again "Please Mommy?"!

I didn't have to tell them yes twice. They were thrilled! They tossed aside their shoes and just went for it.  The water would spurt at varying intensities at different times and from different directions and the anticipation then squeals, the sheer joy and excitement was priceless.

There was no holding back, they got thoroughly drenched, and enjoyed every moment. They were kids being kids, having fun, being free. Not much can beat that.

Being Proactive

I LOVE my family SO much. Yet I so often fall short.

I can be grumpy (especially in the morning before I've had my tea). I get frustrated easily. I can snap and I get angry and impatient. I am far from perfect and I am blessed that my family loves me and forgives me for all my short-comings.

But...I want to do better! I need a constant reminder of what true love is and what it should really look like.

Wanting to be more proactive and actually work on this, I made myself this little card that can be printed off as a 6 x 4 and tucked into the corner of the mirror over my dresser, or over the sink in the kitchen or in my purse. I've left it as full resolution so you can do the same too, if you would like. You should be able to right click and save it to your computer - I give you permission :P,  then just upload it to your printing lab of choice, easy-peasy. It's nothing fancy, but I wanted to share.

52 Weeks of 2013 - Week 20

There are those RARE moments in life when your little girls say "Mommy! Take a picture of us" and you don't argue, you grab your camera quickly and don't worry about what the background looks like, or whether outfits match perfectly, or are cute enough. Then they spontaneously hug each other without you  asking them to. They smile....then they really surprise you and even do a sweet kiss and you are just doing as you were told and documenting that they really do love each other. Which, of course you knew.

Sometimes, though, with all the bickering and yelling and pinching, you wonder if they will both survive, or if you will even be able to handle the teenage years if it's already like this now. So you'll take these moments and treasure them and of course record them. They will be proof. (One day you may need to shove a photo like this in their faces and remind them how they really are best friends because, maybe, for brief moments they might forget.)

I realize, this could just be how it is with my kids and yours may be just perfect at all times, loving and sweet and kind to each other. But, I seriously doubt it.

Love these unscripted moments. Sigh.

Mine

I know I may be a little biased, but I think she is beautiful. That's all!

52 Weeks of 2013 - Week 19

We get to choose! Life is not perfect but there is beauty to be found everywhere, if we will just look for it. A rose in bloom, the sound of laughter, a hug, a smile, a sweet memory...

Each day we make choices, which impact not only our own outlook but the lives of those around us. Some days we do better than others but each day we can start afresh. Aware. Have a positive influence.

Choose to be happy and see what a difference it can make.

Time for Tea

I do not live in the country in which I was born. Yes I am English, but there are many days when I no longer feel as British as I used to. It makes me a little sad. My children, who have English blood running through their veins are, to all intents and purposes, American. Their father is American, they live in America and are surrounded by Americans. They speak with an American accent (which is very cute) and know all things American. They have never lived in England, which means they barely know my family, or any of the English traditions.

Now don't get me wrong, I have grown very fond of this country and of course I much prefer the weather, but I will never consider myself to be an American. Watching last year's Jubilee Celebrations, or the royal wedding left me feeling far, far, removed from it all. My children had NO clue. (Sigh).

Of course tea always helps me feel better. It's a comfort. We've always done tea parties, my kids and I, ever since they were small. I decided I wanted to do a little tea party shoot towards the end of last year (which I realized the other day I had never got around to blogging). I wanted it to be extra special so I baked, got out some cute china and we headed out, the wagon loaded with goodies and set up their little party. It was pretty fun little theme shoot.

Let me know if you have any ideas for another themed shoot or if you would be interested in capturing something similar for your family.

52 Weeks of 2013 - Week 18

Something as small and insignificant as a grain of sand, if left long enough can end up derailing us. It can be the same in our lives. We need to take care of the little problems, the niggles, the doubts, the frustrations, as they arise. How else will we be able to handle the larger battles we may face?

Don't ignore the little things, don't allow them to build up. Don't save up all the minor grievances, don't be a martyr...until you reach exploding point and those around you (most often those you love the most) are left wondering what on earth just happened.

If we can intentionally start each day afresh, with a clean slate, without yesterday's, or last week's, or even the baggage from decades ago weighing us down, just think how much more could be accomplished. Choosing to be happy with where you are now, often means choosing to not be stuck in the past.

Choose to move on, to forgive, whether it be another person, or maybe yourself, to not regret. You cannot change what has already happened but you can face what is ahead of you unencumbered. There is power in the choices we make, on a daily basis, let's make the right ones!

Almond Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

Normally when I have bananas starting to turn a little brown, I whip up a batch of banana chocolate chip bread in my bread machine (so good toasted). As much as I love the convenience of a bread machine, however, I miss the great crust from baking bread in the oven and I just wanted to make something a little different. So I went online to see what I could find and found a recipe, which I tweaked a little. So here you go, a super easy, quick recipe, perfect for a snack or even breakfast.

Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Muffins 

(makes 12 muffins)

Ingredients

1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup almond butter
1 egg
2 very ripe bananas, mashed
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spray muffin pan and set aside.
Whisk all the dry ingredients together until well combined.
Pour in remaining ingredients, except for chocolate chips, mix until just combined.
Stir in chocolate chips.
Divide evenly between muffin pans and bake 20-25 minutes, until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
Cool 5 minutes in pan, then remove to cooling rack to finish cooling.