currently {vol. 9}

m a k i n g
I spent this week organizing the photos from 2014 on my computer...oh my gosh that was a lot of work. I'm resolved to do this monthly in 2015 so I don't have to spend two full days at the end of the year deleting, filing and backing up the years pictures. Now that they're all cleaned up, I'm working on our 2014 part two photo book. I use shutterfly to make photo books with all our family photos instead of printing them out and manually putting them in albums, it works great! I also print out my instagram photos in books using chatbooks. 

l i s t e n i n g   t o
The dryer and washer are both running, KSKA (PRI's The World, to be specific) is on the radio in the kitchen, and Riggs is telling me everything he's thinking about as I type this. The soundtrack of my life, haha.

h o p i n g
A lot of my houseplants desperately need to be repotted and I'm really hoping I can find some cheap but not hideous pots at the thrift store in Palmer. Maybe the subtitle for this should actually be dreaming as I've never had the best luck at this particularly thrift store.

r e a d i n g
Slowly making my way through David Starkey's Six Wives. Every paragraph in this book is packed with historical information making it nearly impossible to read when the kids are awake. Since I haven't been able to commit to any fictional books lately I decided to read some history instead and learning all the actual details about Henry VIII's wives and marriages to them is really hitting the spot for me. 

p u r p o s i n g
I took so many pictures of Riggs with my real camera when he was a baby (see my 365 projects from 2012 here and 2013 here) and I've been feeling a little bit guilty lately about how many I've taken of Raina (not very many). So I'm purposing to keep my camera out and handy so that I can grab it instead of my iphone when I want to capture a special moment in her life. I wish that I would I have started an actual 365 project with her from day one, but I didn't and I can't go back, and late is better than never, right? I might actually have a photo a day of her since she's been born, but definitely not using my real camera.

Here are a few I've taken lately that really capture who Raina right now:

and one of Riggs and Tutka, I couldn't leave them out...

currently {vol. 8}

t h i n k i n g  a b o u t ...  how much I miss this space. I so wish I had just two more hours in the day so that I could spend more time editing/organizing pictures and writing blog posts. I have so many ideas and things that I want to write about and they just seem to fall to the wayside as the days and weeks pass in a blink. I'm working on setting up one day a week where I have childcare for two-four hours so that I can work on personal projects, but it's also the worst time of year to try and add one more thing to our schedule.

l i s t e n i n g  t o ... the washing machine run. Other than that there is purposeful silence so that I can listen for Raina waking up. Both babies are sleeping in their room for naptime now and so far it has worked out pretty seamlessly. Even when Raina has woken up sooner than Riggs I've managed to sneak in and pluck her out of her crib before he wakes up.

I did (finally) order a video monitor for their room because I want to be able to go in my room or even outside to do chores during their nap without worrying about them. And it makes me feel better safety-wise once they share the room during the night too. Riggs wouldn't mean to hurt her but I have these awful scenarios pop up in my head from time to time, like stuffed animals or blankets being tossed into her crib and covering her face while she sleeps. So...video monitor it is.

w o r k i n g  o n ... editing pictures from a 'session' I did for my bff and her new little family of four. I'm trying to work on my photography and editing skills (the latter needs the most work, editing is sooo time consuming and I become a mega-perfectionist and I have no actual training whatsoever, I'm just sort of learning as I go) and taking pictures for friends is a great start. I'm loving the pictures so far, the lighting was just gorgeous, as evidenced by the photo I included above - and for those of you non-Alaskan's that was taken at about 11am. We have barely any daylight this time of year, which can be challenging for taking natural-light photos, especially inside.

h o p i n g ... that I can keep up on eating better and running 2-3 times a week. I've done a pretty good job over the last two weeks but every day it's like a giant test of self-control (convincing myself I really don't need to eat and entire bag of peanut butter m&ms) and will-power (convincing myself it will be worth it to bundle up both kids, pack them in the stroller, get cold weather gear on and the dog leashed up, to run for 30 minutes while also praying I won't have to pee five minutes into the run or worse - you other mamas probably know what I'm talking about...). Luckily it has been worth it every single time I've forced myself to get out there.

This weekend Steve and I hiked in Girdwood on the Winner Creek trail (which is four miles round trip) during most of which both kids were in packs. Riggs walked about a mile combined on the way there and back but Steve and I were really wanting to go at our own pace to get an actual work out in. We talked a lot about wishing we could have run the trail and how we want to make it a priority to get out and hike every weekend.

currently {vol. 7}

c u r r e n t l y

t h i n k i n g  *  we have a lot going on this week and so all day I've had thoughts, ideas and to-dos swirling around in my head. I have a whole lot of list making I need to do tonight after our babies are in bed. Good thing I love making lists!

I've also been thinking a lot about my fitness goals and how much I've not been making them a priortity lately. One of my goals is to run two to three times a week and so this morning I forced myself to pack up the kids, lace up my shoes, and head out into the cold, dark morning. It's such a great way to start the day but at the time feels like so much work. I'm so glad I went!

d r e a m i n g  *  some of those jumbled thoughts I talked about earlier are all about winter and the upcoming holiday season. I've been dreaming about snowy days and snowy nights. skiing adventures. weekend getaways with family. christmas carols. pine boughs garlands on my front porch. finding the perfect tree with my love. pinterest craft parties. cookie baking marathons. It's a Wonderful Life. picking out the perfect Christmas card design and then addressing each envelope with warm thoughts for each recipient. 

the list goes on and on. I've been trying to hold off on pinning Christmas-related things but this week I finally caved in and pinned something Christmas-y. Sorry, not sorry haha.

o r g a n i z i n g  *  in the hopes & plans post I typed up last week I mentioned getting ready for winter. I'm still working on it, including going through our snow clothes and figuring out what each of us needs this year to make it through the winter. 

I also did a little stroller DIY today to keep my babies extra warm and cozy while we stroll about this winter. We went on a run this morning and I realized how irritating it is to drag a blanket in and out of the house for them to sit on. So I cut out some sherpa I had and made little seat covers for them. I based it off the one you can buy for your BOB stroller, and I'm really happy with how it turned out. now I'll just have to see how it holds up...

l a u g h i n g  *  about all the little things Riggs has been saying lately. he's my entertainment for the day. I'm trying to remember to write down the funniest things he's said in the little journal I have for him. It's so easy to forget things, especially now that I have two babies to keep track of!

Riggs talks so much right now and has his own way of pronouncing quite a few words. Some of my favorites are 'baboon' for balloon, 'gargage' for garage, 'gorgot' for forgot, 'debotions' for devotions, 'winkle' for twinkle, 'howt' for heart, and so many more.

r e a d i n g  *  lots and lots of children's books. lots and lots and lots. Riggs is so into the Berenstain Bears and Little Critter right now, and I'm happy to read as many books as many times as he asks me to (most of the time haha). I would love to read a book for myself but I have so much else going on and no motivation to go out and find something interesting. It's sad.

linked up with Hannah for Currently at Joyful Life blog

currently {vol. 6}

t h i n k i n g  |  about the things I need to get done with the rest of my day after Riggs wakes up from his nap. my list includes a trip to town, figuring out what to make for dinner and then actually making it, and laundry. there's always laundry. also hoping to get some more sewing done tonight after the babies are in bed, but I'll probably just end up snuggling on the couch with Steve, which is probably better anyway.

m a k i n g  |  the fall urge to craft has come upon me once again and I've been knocking out sewing projects right and left. I also have some plans to crochet a few more scarves (for me and Riggs and also for some friends) and am toying with the idea of making a few things here and there as I craft for my babies to list in an Etsy shop. this stroller quilt would be one of the items I would have available for preorder...thoughts?

w e a r i n g  |  oh Hannah why did you have to include this one?! you guys, I seriously wear workout/lounge clothes all day, every day. I only wear jeans to do outside chores and for special nights out on the town. also, I would wear skirts/dresses more too if I could find some that I loved. it's tricky to nurse in most dresses. 

also I still don't quite fit into my pre-pregnancy jeans (I can get them up and even button them, but it's not a pretty sight haha) so that's a problem. maybe I'll go work out after I finish this post, except that I probably won't. sigh.

a n t i c i p a t i n g  |  and planning for the upcoming winter months. we've been making plans with both sides of the family for fun weekends out and about around the state and I can't wait. I'm trying to brainstorm fun actives and delicious foods for us to eat while on our adventures, and so pinterest has once again become an evening hobby as a result.

t h a n k f u l   f o r  |  the way all the little pieces of my life have come together to make it what it is now. my heart is so full everyday, despite the struggles that come naturally with being a wife and a mom to two babies. At nearly twenty-eight years old, I feel like I'm doing what I truly want to do and free to be myself, to really be myself. It's amazing to realize and as we enter the season of holidays that focus on giving thanks and spending time with the people we love, I feel incredibly blessed to have such a full heart and fulfilling life.

currently {vol. 5}

t h i n k i n g  | |  about what we have planned for today and hoping I don't forget something. I feel like every time I leave the house I forget one major errand or item from the store that I specifically needed to do. two kids has wreaked havoc on my brain, I swear!

r e a d i n g  | |  blessed is she devotions every morning after they've been delivered to my email inbox. ladies...these are so encouraging and the one form of devotions I've been consistent on since having kids. first thing in the morning while I'm still cozy in bed I can pull out my bible from my nightstand, open my email, and nourish my soul. I've never needed my time with God more than since I've had kids. I beg for his strength every morning so that I can make it through the day with my babies, and make it through with patience and love rather than exasperation and frustration.

d o i n g  | |  getting into sewing projects and loving it. it feels so good to be back at the sewing table. this week I got fabric for drool scarves/bibs for Raina and infinity scarves for Riggs in beautiful fall flannels and some quilted fabric to make into a stroller blanket for Raina. next on the list? finally sewing the binding on Raina's quilt and finishing a fall maple-leaf quilt I started years ago.

e n j o y i n g  | |  the beautiful fall we've been enjoying up here in Alaska. I know winter is coming quickly too, yesterday it rained at our house, a cold rain - only about 40 degrees. And when the low clouds cleared and the rain stopped, there was snow on Pioneer Peak. Enjoying the crispy fall air while it lasts.

t h a n k f u l  | |  for the wonderful weekend with family and friends we had - birthday parties and church and (nearly) childless lunch dates with friends. for Steve working so hard to provide for us even though I miss him desperately. for apple crisp, warm from the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream. for my sweet and loving babies who make my heart overflow with love and drive me slightly crazy at the same time.

currently {vol. 4}

wondering | if I'm going to make it through today. It's just one of those the-weekend-wasn't-long-enough sort of Mondays, for both me and the kids I think.

thinking | about so many ideas I have swirling around in my head for how to occupy my precious free/me time. I want to get better at knitting and sewing (fall&winter give me the crafting bug) and actually use some of the yarn and fabric I've been hoarding. 

wishing | as much as I love fall, I'm wishing we had gotten to do more things this summer. like camping. and more bonfires. I think next summer I'm going to have the kids spend the night at grandmas so Steve and I can go camping one night by ourselves. that pretty much sounds amazing right now. 

listening to | the faint sound of the washing machine. Riggs pulling his little wooden snail in circles around the kitchen island where I'm typing. bird noises outside the kitchen window where we have a feeder hanging up. 

reading | nothing. it's sad, but I just haven't made reading a priority lately. there's so many other things I want to do in my free time. especially since I haven't found any books lately that really interest me. I did order this and this off amazon last week, maybe I'll actually read them right away when they get here instead of waiting a year (or two).

hoping | that I actually blog more than once this week. that I fulfill my goal to work out every other day. that soccer goes better next week than the nightmare that was last week (pretty sure we don't pay for Riggs to go lay on the floor in the middle of the gym and cry for snacks). that it snows a lot this winter, instead of the freeze/thaw cycle that was last winter. that I eventually fit into all my jeans that are neatly folded up in my closet. that I'm able to get my mood turned around during naptime. 

thankful | for fall. for family. for friends. for Steve getting up at 4am to go to the gym before work instead of after so he can spend more time with us. for yogurt and chocolate chips that I wait until naptime to eat so I can savor each bite. for this space where I share good time and hard times and make friends that I wish I could hang out with in person. you are all amazing!