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8.11.2012

note to self


because sometimes i need a little reminder to...always LooK FORward...

7.29.2012

because simple IS better...

so it has officially been 15 days since we moved here and we love it more now then we did before.  we are still unpacking, hubby thought it would be in my best interest if he only allowed me (lovingly of course) one box at a time, to open and put away.  if he left me to my own discretion...i would have 15 different boxes open, all half empty and packing wrap everywhere...he knows me sooo well.

all in all it has gone really well, just still a lot of work to do because it is important for me that everything has a place and everything has a purpose.  if one of the two are missing...it goes in the donations/garbage pile. 

i have been really working the last month on simplifying and minimizing my possessions.  i realize that even though i am not one of those hoarders you see on the television show, i have a tendency to hold on to things, 'just in case,' i might one day need them.  i know that many of you are the same which isn't a bad thing per se, but for me, i have decided that unless it serves a purpose, and on a frequent basis, i don't need it.  i must admit that at times i struggled getting rid of things due to emotional or sentimental value.  in that case i have to remind myself that they are just objects and that i hold a greater value you for them in my mind and in my heart, and in that case i don't necessarily need to hold on to the item itself to relive those memories. 

on a much more positive note, purging and simplifying has been a very freeing experience.  i had no idea the bondage and chains i allowed my possessions to have on me.  i love seeing bags of clothes or toys or nick knacks be given to someone else whom can appreciate and love them in whatever capacity they see fit.  after i finish going through my stuff, i then plan on purging and simplifying the girl's stuff. 

babies don't need 53 onsies or 34 dresses.  they don't need 108 toys and 81 books.  teens don't need 17 different shades of nail polish, four types of nail polish remover along with 77 different tank tops and shirts.  it is my goal to teach the girls the importance of living light and living simple.  i want them to spend their time traveling (if they see fit),  visiting friends and family all throughout the united states while making memories along the way.  i have decided that both the girls will get a good but sturdy camera so they can save and cherish these memories, and i don't want them bogged down with 'things' and 'items.'  i want them to live their lives freely, minimally and chain-free.  we as a society base so much of our self-worth on things that we own, and not only do i NOT agree with that, i feel for those who really believe that. 

with all that said let me say this...please don't think that this is a self-righteous, holier-then-though moment because it is far from it.  i don't judge others and the way they choose to live their lives.  i have made the choice to live simple.  i have come to realize that by living this way i never feel the need to 'keep up with the jones's' or even find the need to have all the newest and coolest gadgets.  i believe that simple living is in the eye of the beholder and just because i choose to rid myself of something doesn't mean you should.  you might be in a different season of life which requires you to hold on to certain things because they serve a certain purpose.  simplicity isn't a competition...it's a way of life and the simpler i live, the less stress i feel, and for me...that is what matters. 

so with all that said my new motto's are such...

simple is better

&

if one comes in...one MUST go out!  {this last one really helps me to stay grounded and focused on my goals}

since i have scaled down my wardrobe/shoes i enjoy walking into my closet and getting dressed.  i never feel as i have nothing to wear, quite the opposite.  i feel like there is so much to work with since i can visually see everything right in front of me. 

"this shirt can go with these pants, or these shorts or even with this skirt.  this skirt goes with this shirt and that shirt.  these shorts match everything so we are good to go!!!"

anyhow, we are headed into town later on this morning, so for now this mama/wife has to get off the computer and get breakfast going.

peace and love to you all on this lovely but very hot sunday morning!

7.24.2012

bright eyes, rain and a fogged up camera lens...

wow! things around here are CrAzY!  i will do my best to update you all but there is so much to tell and so much to show you i don't know how long this post might actually be.  so here goes...

we left new york early thursday morning on the 12th...bright eyes and all.


after a quick trip through mcdonalds for hubbys mUst have coFFee, we were off.  we knew the first day was going to be a loooooong one, and it was!  our first pit stop allowed everyone to scretch...


eat a bone...


and enjoy a homemade green smoothie.


it wasn't too long before dad was hollerin' at everyone to pile back in because we had more ground to cover. 

after another looooong stretch we stopped at a truck stop in pennsylvania...i think????


this just proves...truckers need church too...



those last two shots were by far my favorite! 

before long we were on the road again and after a few more stops for gas and food we ended up stopping for the night in ohio.  we found a small, close to the highway hotel and called it a night, but not before we did a little indoor swimming.


all in all we had a good first day.  the little one did great!  i couldn't have asked for a better first day.

the following morning we were up and at 'em and on the road, at least some of us were up and moving.


after a few spills...

lots and lots of pretzel stix...


and after plenty of pitstops...


we were overjoyed to see this badboy...


i was informed that before we stopped and called it a day we MUST stop here...


for things like this...


and this...

and of course this!!!


after spending waaaaaaay too much money on things that blow up or that light other things on fire we headed a little farther down the road...


and after about an hour or so, we finally called it a day.

saturday morning came very quickly, but we didn't mind, we were excited to get to kansas...to get home!


as you can tell at 630am in missouri it was already hot and muggy...blah!  my camera lens instantly fogged up the minute i stepped outside to take this pic of beloved packing the cars.  while dad was busy repacking and readjusting our stuff...


abbi kept watch over the pups...


while the boy packed. 

after check out we got gas, some coffee and mama's oatmeal.


is wasn't too long before we saw this...


it was then that we knew we were home.  we had traveled over 1400 miles in 2.5 days and how great it felt to FINALLY make it to kansas.  i plan on posting again soon about our place and all the other things going on, but for now i must end this post.  i have been working on this post for 3 days.  i post lots of pics which is why it takes me so long.  after previewing this blog post it dawned on me that maybe my readers don't want to see all these pics...then i remembered it is my blog and it only makes sense that if i like it that my readers would like it...right?  :)

anyhow, i hope all of you had a great weekend and an even better start to your week.  know that we are all doing well, just very busy. 

until next time...peace out!

7.07.2012

moving day (i warn you now, this is very picture heavy)...

the past two days have been chaotic, messy and very long.  see for yourself...




there was packing and packing and more packing...and of course lunch!


friday consisted of the movers and the removal of everything not nailed down...








and apparently powerade is a movers necessity...


after all was said and done, this is what it looked like at the end of the day...


notice the adorable baby in her swing fast asleep???  i just had to make sure she made it in one!

i still can't believe how much crap we have.  it is rather disgusting if you ask me.  what is worse is that we purged before they came and believe me when i tell you there will be even more purging when we unpack!  i will throw everything out other then the bare necessities if i have it my way.  i am all about simplifying and minimizing now.

last but definitely not least...hubby bought this shirt last night when we were at target...i think it rocks, and not only does it rock but he looks totally hot in it!



i hope you all have a killer weekend!

7.03.2012

people watching & a big floppy hat....

this past weekend we took a trip to alexandria bay.  beloved hadn't had the opportunity to see alexandria bay or boldts castle, and since we are leaving here VERY soon it was now or never.

so after a yummy breakfast we made the 30 minute drive farther upstate and was there in no time.
after driving around looking for a place to park...


we found one, fed the meter, and headed off.  as we walked through the crowds of people and weaved our way to the ferry, this is what we saw...




bikes and people and more bikes and more people.  apparently there was a bike run in alexandria bay...it was pretty cool.  there was music and food and t-shirts for sale, it rocked!

after drooling over the bikes we hopped on the ferry...





and while on the ferry i got some pretty cute shots of our little keiki in her floppy sun hat.  isn't she adorable????

anyhow we finally got to hart island...


and we had a blast!

after our boldts castle tour we headed back for some coffee...


and even though we walked around to people watch and shop, i still thought this was pretty adorable...


after daddy's cafe mocha and mama's soy chai tea latte we decided to play some chess...


and enjoy some window shopping...



before long we headed back and had a great dinner at texas roadhouse and finished the night off with a movie.  a perfect end to a perfect day wouldn't you say????