Eating Tips for E

I am putting these here as a reminder to myself. My little E is the pickiest eater of all time, and I'm ready for a change. Those bags under her eyes aren't going anywhere until she starts eating better. All the tips below were taken from the enormously helpful website of nutrition expert Ellyn Satter. Definitely going to be revisiting that one.

Oh and the design of this has absolutely nothing to do with nutrition. It's a blend of simple illustrator work and a mextures image (I'm way into these mextures right now). Check them out if you're interested in free, high-resolution super galactic looking images.

You, Little Baby

Tiny hands and fingers
Raised eyebrows, wide eyes
Bubbling over with joy and excitement

Wiggling arms and kicking legs
Lack of coordination
But trying so hard

Pride in little accomplishments
Smiling even when frowns creep in
Love personified

Wintertime in California

I have been dreading the day that I'd leave California to go back to Texas, and it's hard to believe that day is here. The past four weeks have been so wonderful. I guess, looking back, I got to do everything I had hoped (except more dates and more thrifting, both of which I can't get enough). I hung out with about half of my "salad club" girls and their growing families, saw my favorite friends (didn't get enough of them either), spent time with my cousins and all the Garfield's (which included grandpa's memorial and a day at Disneyland), had a fun Christmas, went to downtown Fullerton, did a photo shoot, was in two photo shoots, ate cafe rio with more awesome friends, watched my girls LOVE their family to pieces, and enjoyed watching them get spoiled (and being very spoiled myself). Alright, it was an incredible and eventful vacation.

After doing this little recap I realize that I have no reason to be sad and no regrets. All that I'm left with is gratitude. I need to get myself back to Texas where I can be with my own little family and continue to develop friendships with the great people I've met. I am so blessed to be able to experience all I have in the last four weeks, and even more so because I can fly back here any time. Here's to Christmas vacation 2013!

Words For M

You. The most important part of me. How deserving you are of my words and attention. Not only here of course, but in reality. I have been flooded with love toward you, and appreciation for all you are. The way you carry joy in your stance, how your thoughts are often turned toward others. Your exceptional people skills leave those you interact with feeling validated and desiring more attention from you. Humility is another strength, as well as intelligence, dedication, perspective, charity and simplicity. For each of these words I could cite volumes of examples.

We have much more than just a marriage, we have a bestfriendship. It extends back ten years and thousands of miles, through venues and states, in the sky looking down, or as words on lined paper. There is so much to draw from.

I love us. Think about that. It's not just that I love you, but I love what the two of us are. Isn't that feeling the definition of togetherness? You + me...so glad it's forever.

A Long List To Begin 2013

I'm constantly coming up with goals for myself and my family. Some people (esp. husband) say I have unrealistic expectations and I set my standards way too high; I know they're right. But that won't stop me from setting some resolutions, especially this time of year. The satisfaction of crossing things off that list of goals is just too satisfying.

Plus, I love looking back and comparing how I wanted things to be with how they actually turned out. It's pretty much a guarantee that I couldn't have planned for a life as good as the one I end up with. Even when things get crazy hard, I'm learning and becoming a better person.

Organization goals:
-have a place for everything even if that means getting rid of stuff (rephrase: that DEFINITELY means getting rid of stuff)
-put things away right after they are used
-prepare at night for the next day
-make a side-of-fridge wooden canned food storage thingy
-make something to store Evie's hair accessories

Photography goals:
-launch a portfolio website
-blog my past work
-create new pricing which includes mini sessions
-save for 35mm 1.4 or 24-70mm
-learn more about lightroom
-offer one on one mentoring sessions for illustrator, photoshop and lightroom

Family Goals:
-have a family night once a week
-have a date night every week (even if it's a stay home date)
-consciously spend at least 15 minutes a day playing with E (maybe switch between activities she wants and ones I want to show her)
-learn how to parent a highly sensitive child
-learn more about my husband by asking new questions

Personal goals
-do not criticize myself or others
-do not complain
-see the good in life and each one of my family members
-make new friends and get to know current ones better
-be grateful
-be ME
-do more of what I love
-let go of the past
-make time for myself

Believe it or not, I have even more goals than this, but they are just for my eyes. By the end of 2013 I hope to have a stronger marriage, be a little better mother, have greater self love and peace, and be more positive over all.

Finding Importance In The Name I Carry

Tonight I finally learned the importance of upholding your family name. That concept has always bothered me a bit, why should what *I* do matter? Who cares about the name of the family, it should be about individual people! But now I realize how much went into ME. I wouldn't be here without the parent's whose name I carry, or without my grandparents who also reside in me.

My grandfather's memorial service was held in the La Habra LDS building where all his prodigy attended. We enjoyed stories about papa and watched a slide show. In it were many photos of him, but also a live interview that had me laughing at what a character he is. I was overcome with love for him and gratitude that I have been blessed to be his descendant. He was a strong man in the gospel and taught his children to love The Lord. He raised five children on his own, all of whom remained faithful followers of Christ. So far each of his grandsons have served full time missions (9 down, 4 to go). I am amazed at what one person has left behind and I am so proud to be his granddaughter. The love I feel for him and my entire family inspires me to live in a way that would uphold our name and allow others to know what a great man I come from. I hope to teach my children this deep love and pride for family so that they, in turn, will be proud of their names.

To Me You Are Perfect