Simplify

Heath and I have been married for three years. Though there is no rush to having kids, they (our future children) are on my mind for the better part of my day. While thinking about them, I'm faced with ideas on how to raise them, who to surround them with, experiences to diversify their lives, ect.

And then I think about us, Heath and I, and the things we could start doing differently right now. I know one can never be fully prepared for babies, just like one can never be prepared for marriage; but if we have these ideas, why not try to implement them now?

I just started reading this:

I've talked about reading this book for some time, and I wish I had a long time ago... then, it might have been harder to read, more challenging, made me feel more uneasy. Now? It's like the author has been in my head for months, writing out my exact thoughts and feelings on church, consumerism, food...

I think her words are especially hitting me hard in this season. Christmas is kind of a hard time for me, receiving so much when many around me have so little. It makes me sad actually. No, I am not a scrooge, I do not mind listening to Christmas music if that's what you enjoy... I enjoy twinkle lights and peppermint sticks. But I'm also very aware and cautious of it all. I just don't want to miss the point of why we celebrate Christmas every year.

So.... This year I decided to have a handmade Christmas. I loved making clutches for the girls in my family this year, and I had an even better time giving them away.

I also made Landon (my cousin's son) a color book... and let's just be honest... I almost kept it for myself. :)

Crafting my gifts this year is one little way to simplify and refocus myself this holiday season. There are basic things in my day-to-day life that I've changed as well: making my own laundry soap, deodorant, basic cooking ingredients... but I'm always open to more suggestions.

How do you simplify? Have you read 7? Have you done anything differently since reading it?

Just some thoughts.

Updates

Well friends, we'll start off with sad news first. . . I only have 3 more weeks with the kids. Their parents decided to send them to a year-round school, which takes place M-F 8:30-3:00. So, my help is no longer needed.

For one year and 8 months, I have been with Tristan and Trinity. We've been through barely walking to running, cribs to big girl beds, potty training, more potty training, writing single letters to full names, countless play-dates. . . so many things. I tried to provide them with new experiences to grow and learn. And in turn, I learned a great deal from them. They are just little people who love me so much, and I love them.

Saying good-bye to my everyday life with them is going to be tough.

Oh, I love them so much.

It's not entirely sad though. Nannying full-time has it's high points, but definite lows as well. Those lows have been wearing on me, and I'm pretty sure this change needed to happen anyway. :) Heath will be graduating in August (woohoo!!!) so we're both on the job hunt. I know I want to work with kids... that's all I know for now. 

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In other news, my sweet cousin just welcomed her first baby! I could not be more happy for her, and wish I could be there to help/enjoy baby Landon. Heather, I think a Northwest trip is a must for you in the coming months! I don't think I can wait until Thanksgiving!

Isn't he precious?!

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Heath was playing basketball on Tuesday night and hurt his ankle. I thought it was a break, but luckily it's just a high ankle sprain. I have a picture, but I thought I would spare you. You're welcome. 

We have crutches and an ankle brace, so he should be fine in the next few weeks. 

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Heath and I aren't fast decision makers, especially when it comes to larger, more expensive purchases. But several Saturdays ago in Ikea, we almost bought this:

We didn't, deciding that it would be best to think about it first; the incentive lasts until mid-June so we've got time! And then, I found out I would be losing my job in a month. 

Ah man! We really wanted that lilac sofa... a lot. Ikea, please hang on to this sofa for a while. We'll buy it someday.  

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You should listen to this. I've been fond of Andrew Bird for the past few months. #10 is my favorite. Enjoy!

Do you have any music suggestions? 

Phone Photos

We've had lots of sleepy days . . .

Gazing at Mt. Hood every chance I get (which is becoming rather rare these days... you can see the outline behind the 3 power lines, bottom right)

Runny noses and terrible head colds . . .

Crafty Saturdays, making a perpetual birthday calendar. It's useful and looks like art . . .

Box hats and puzzle pieces everywhere . . . (I love that they love puzzles; they are kind of my favorite!)

                  

Flubber making and tea drinking . . .

And taking in the sunny days when they come. 

I am incredibly thankful for my job and these kiddos. Can't imagine life without them actually. 

Trying to take each day in as it comes. 

Until next time . . .

If you were to visit us in the winter...

We would take you on a few hikes on the coast (make sure to bring your hiking shoes... it will be muddy)

We would share several cups of tea at the Pied Cow, or coffee at Stumptown. 

We would go snowshoeing around Mt. Hood... $13 for a day of fun.

We would escape to Seattle, or maybe Canada (I have yet to go... soon, I hope).

We would watch sunsets on the coast, and run on the rocky shore to escape high tide. Hannah K can tell you all about this. :)

I'll be honest, Heath and I don't do a lot of exciting things during the winter. It's usually cold (40-50), rainy, and mildly windy. Winter activities are a little out of our price range, and we don't own chains for the car. 

Most of the farmer's markets are closed January through March, and the Saturday Market is the same. 

But, this allows for soooo much more quality time with us!!! We (meaning I) love a good coffee shop. Exploring Powells is the best. Breweries are plentiful and provide great samplers. You can walk around with us in the rain... without umbrellas. That's right, no umbrellas. 

There's plenty of good food. We have great friends. We enjoy card games, puzzles, having fun. 

Have I sold you yet? 

We also enjoy exploring coastal towns. Like Canon Beach... home to Haystack Rock, which can be seen in the opening scene of The Goonies.


We would have a lot of fun. I can promise you that.

Until next time.

Tire Swing

This was a good day. 

Our first vineyard wine tasting, a picnic lunch, tire swinging, and movie watching. 

I remember laughing a lot that day. Appreciating my relationship with Heath, having our money stretch farther than normal (we had several groupons), and loving the beauty of the Northwest. 

We haven't gone to many other vineyards since. We'll just have to change that this year. . .  though I don't think any of them will be as cool as this one with the tire swing. 

Heath is coming with me to work tomorrow. I always love those days because we get to have a "trial-run" of how we'll work together as parents. It's usually helpful and always a lot of fun!

--Tristan and I were discussing what we could do with Mr. Newton on Friday. Eventually, he asked me if we had kids, implying that he wanted to have a play-date with them too. I replied "No, not yet". To which he responded, "Well. . . I can be your kid, Katie! I can stay with you guys 3 days a week, and with mommy and daddy the rest. I just love you four so much!" (referring to his mommy and daddy, and Mr. Newton and I) Ha! Tristan definitely makes my days interesting.--

More on nannying and the kids later. I honestly feel like I have kids, and just get to have quiet dinners and full nights of sleep. You know, it's the perfect equation really. ;)

Did you know...

a. Cherry trees have started to bloom here. Unfortunately, it's the beginning of February. The weather has been unseasonably dry and warm... not that I'm complaining, I'm just hoping our spring and summer flowers and berries will come in as they should.

b. Speaking of berries, my favorite thing to do up here is go berry-picking. Whether I'm with the kids, a friend, or by myself, I seem to find a lot peace at the farms. I am thankful for the farmers who work so hard to provide quality, reasonably priced products ($1.50 per lb. of raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, or marionberries).... mmmm I can't wait for June. (I tried to freeze several pounds of berries this summer, but I ate all of them before they could make it into my freezer.)

c. I've taken 11 baths within the last 6 days. Let's just say I've been a little under-the-weather, but I'm finally getting better!!! Heath hasn't picked up this terrible cold yet... keep your fingers crossed.

d. Putting together my mom's book for Christmas was one of my favorite things. Receiving emails from her friends (really, I consider most my friends too!), reconnecting with people I hadn't talked to in years, and being reminded constantly that we are loved and supported was an immense blessing. thank you for contributing.

e. I chose to focus on three activities for the new year. Running, Reading, and Cleaning. I recognized I wasn't very intentional with my alone time last year for many reasons, so I wanted to concentrate on things that would make me feel better and be better. Reading is my favorite thus far. I'll be running a 1/2 marathon in July.

f. Kisses from Katie was such a beautiful story. I literally couldn't put the book down. It made me aware of the types of things and people Heath was surrounded by during his time in Africa. Loved it, highly recommend.

g. I'm a non-fiction kind of gal. I don't mind if it's heavy or sad, I just want to be able to understand the majority of what I'm reading :) Got any suggestions for me???

h. Trinity (2 yrs. old) and I were talking about our nearing play-date today, and I asked her if she was excited about playing with Ellie... "No thank you, Katie. I just want to be with you. You's my favorite."

i. Most of you are probably aware of this already, but I am a Pinterest fan. I'm on pinterest more than facebook for sure. The creativity and visual interest bring me in every time.

j. Heath is awesome. How lucky am I to have such a sweet husband who works to understand me and grow with me. I am really thankful for his strength and love for me.

k. Tristan refers to Heath as "that big, tall, silly guy". The kids love Heath so much and they've only been around him a handful of times. I guess they think he's pretty great too.

l. I am currently reading The Happiness Project. A friend gave it to me to read one year ago. I was not in a place where I was capable or ready to hear it's message. Now, I am pleased to say that I am capable and very ready to work on being happy and growing daily. And that feels good.

Obviously I've missed writing on this; I have more to say, but I don't want to scare you away. I'll have letters m-z another day.

What brought a smile to your face today?