lately

Lately...

... Afton has gotten so funny! She's a little tease and likes to hide things - including herself. She has the most infectious giggle and has developed a little maniacal laugh that is side-splittingly hilarious. She's the cutest girl, and everyday I'm not sure how there's any more room in my heart to love her more, but I do.

... Our chickens are almost full grown. And it's a good thing, too - have you bought eggs recently? We didn't time our flock switching very well this year, and for the first time in y.e.a.r.s I had to buy eggs at the grocery store, and whoo-eee, was I shocked at the price tag. No thank you. We should have fresh eggs again in a month or so!

... We've had so many celebrations. I think every other week for the past few months we've had some reason to celebrate and (maybe more importantly) make cake. Yum. Easter, Birthdays, Mother's Day, more Birthdays, Memorial Day, our Anniversary. So any great things to celebrate.

... We celebrated our 7th Anniversary. (Seven!) It's flown by. I'm so lucky. Brans is my perfect compliment. He's just the best. We celebrated with the most delicious crab dinner and the world's prettiest bouquet of roses gracing the table. It was low key, and accompanied by a delightful 17 month old waitress, who instead of serving our food, actually threw half of it on the floor and played the drums on the table with a spoon the whole night... And it was perfect.

... I've been in simplify mode - in every area of my life. I'm trying to simplify our house. Our routine. Our schedule. Our stuff (we have so. much. stuff.). I'm making progress, but it's quite the task.

... I've also been trying to be more present in the... present. Ha. I'm trying to remember and enjoy every moment of being a mom - the good and the bad. We're lucky and haven't had hardly any bad, and I'm soaking in every second with this adorable girl and handsome guy I get to call mine. I'm trying to become less attached to my electronic world, which is really a challenge. But I'm trying. These days, hours, minutes... They're passing way too fast for me to spend half of them playing Jelly Splash or flipping through a Facebook feed. So my online interactions and mobile attachments have started to become fewer and further between, and for now, it feels like the right move.

... Work is going well for Brans. He's really liking his full time gig at the Library, and they just had an awesome Grand Opening of the new Library. It's a beautiful building! Seriously, I could spend everyday there. It's gigantic and awesome and I'm so grateful he's doing something he really enjoys.

... I've just been really, really grateful. Grateful for such awesome family. Grateful for our little farm. Grateful for the gospel. Grateful for trials - even though they are so hard sometimes. Grateful for good friends. Grateful for life.

And life is good.