What I'm Loving

It's a new year with space for new loves.  Here are a few on the top of my list.

Salad for Dinner. I've said it before, but this is, hands down, the best salad I've ever eaten.  I crave it.  Who craves salad?  Seriously, it is that good.  I am really proud of William and his nutrition goals for the new year.  He is starting his mornings off with Shakeology rather than a diet coke and highly processed granola bar, and at least a few times a week we are making salads for dinner.  This beauty is made with spring mix, smoked almonds, blue cheese crumbles, strawberries, and red onion.  The dressing is Brianna's all natural strawberry blush.

This dish towel was in my stocking.  Love it!

Loving on my niece.  Another reason I am thankful for my online job.  I get to snuggle sweet Maddi whenever I want.

Rain Boots.  With all of this wet weather we've been having, these boots are perfect!  Wills is obsessed with them and tries to wear them to bed.  Thanks, Uncle Tone and Aunt Sissy!

This afternoon snack. I've been topping a slice of Ezekiel bread with Sunflower seed butter, honey, coconut and chia seeds.  Plus a warm cup of coffee.

Gourmet Olive Oil.  Our new favorite shop in Beaufort is called Olive the Above.  These two olive oils happened to be wrapped under my Christmas tree with a tag that said, "To Mom, From Mom." :)  We have been cooking with them almost every night and can't get enough.  Veggies, Grilled Chicken, Salads, Popcorn, Pizza.  It takes it all to a new level.

Giada's New Cookbook.  William must have been listening when he heard me say I really wanted this cookbook.  I opened it on Christmas morning and have been referring to it since.  I love how personal and authentic it comes across as to what Giada eats to fuel her body and maintain her health in a world of food. You will see quite a few of her recipes popping up here, soon.

Philosophy Skin Care.  One of my New Year's resolutions is to make a serious commitment to taking better care of my skin.  This is the year I turn 30, and I want to be pro-active about delaying as much aging as I can.  I am absolutely thrilled with these two products that have quickly become my nightly routine.  I've been waking up with softer, clearer, refreshed skin since I started using them.

These two.  Always these two.  

Ringing in the New Year

I love New Year's.

I guess it's safe to say I love all holidays.  Something about traditions, family, and celebrations make me giddy.  But you know this already.

I love the fresh start, new goals, and reflection that come with a new year.

William, Wills and I had a quiet New Year's Eve together.  It was simple and perfect.

One of my New Year's Eve kisses.

We cooked a delicious sweet, slightly spicy salmon fillet, with garlic red potatoes and grilled asparagus.

We walked over to our neighbor's to watch the ball drop with them.  Happy New Year!

New Year's Day pork, collards and hoppin john.

Time to Relax

After the rush of the holidays, William and I escaped to Beaufort for a night.  It was just what we needed to relax, talk about our goals for the new year, and spend some quality time together.

We spent most of Saturday in downtown Beaufort, came home to a nice dinner, and read late into the evening.

The next day we slept in, made coffee, and enjoyed a quiet morning with only the sound of the rain on the roof.

Switched reading spots...:)

William can't sit still for too long, so we took a nice long walk later in the day.

Enjoyed these views.

And then headed home, rested and rejuvenated, to love on our little boy.

Growing Up

Too many changes at once are making me a bit of a mess.  Time seems to be flying these days, Christmas came faster than ever, and my two year old baby is growing and changing into a little boy every day.

It started with our move into the "big boy bed."  We bought a mesh railing, placed one side of his bed against the wall, and started talking to Wills about sleeping in a "big boy bed."

His first night was flawless.  We followed our same bedtime routine, put him to bed, turned on the monitor, and watched.

I started to slightly panic a few minutes later when I realized his bed was empty.

No worries; he just needed a book. :)

The next night his crib came down, and the rest is history.

Then came the haircut.  William insisted that the curly mullet had to go.  I held off for as long as possible and then sent him upstairs with his dad for his first haircut.  I couldn't watch.  William promised he wouldn't cut anything but the few back pieces that fell below his shoulders.

Much better.

I did save a curl for his baby book.

Last but not least, we have started transitioning into big boy underwear.  We aren't making much progress, and I am doing a lot more laundry, but we are trying.

The truth is, I don't mind the mess or the laundry because "one day soon that little boy is gonna be all grown up and gone. This phase is gonna fly by. She's trying to hold on; it won't be like this for long."

The Christmas Season

I took a deep breath this holiday season and decided that I wouldn't try to document every Christmas carol Wills learned to sing, take a picture of all 5 stages of Gingerbread house decorating (I didn't even take one), or write about the few times I baked Christmas goodies.

This holiday season, I just wanted to be.  I wanted to be with my little boy, our family, unplugged from my computer that I spend hours working on every day.  I wanted to soak up the moment with my eyes on Wills, not behind my i-phone or computer screen.

Now that it's all over, I do have a few pictures and memories to share.  The pictures aren't perfect, details are missing, but love is there.  And more importantly, I was there.  With my boys.  I wasn't worried about writing it all down or missing a photo opportunity; I truly cherished the time away from my computer and the sound of the clicking keyboard.

By far, Wills' favorite thing this year was his nativity scene.  He learned all about Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus, knew what each wise man brought, and the animals, shepherds, and angels that were all there in Bethlehem.  He played with this nativity, and a "Little People" version for hours upon hours.  He stacked, sorted, and lined them up, and they may or may not have taken a few rides in his jeep. :)

Although he knew not to play with Mommy's manger scene, I did walk in the foyer one day and find this. 

He helped Daddy with the lights on the tree.

We decorated it the next morning.

I was able to spend a lot of time with this little Christmas baby.

We continued our "Night on the Town" tradition in Beaufort.

Santa was not a hit this year.  Oh well..

I love Beaufort's festive crowd, lights, and music, that always get us in the Christmas spirit.

Dinner at Paninis.  The tradition continues.

We hosted a fun Christmas party with friends.

Wills spent the evening making Christmas cookies with Gaga.

Jack, the elf, spent Christmas at our house and reported to Santa on Wills' behavior.  Naming him was quite the ordeal.

After fighting off an ear infection and missing his Mother's Day Out Christmas party, he was well enough for his last day and the pajama party.  He was so excited to see his friends one last time before next year.

Having the chimney swept was on the top of my Christmas list.  An indoor fire was the perfect addition to our cozy Christmas nights.

Christmas Eve church.

Wills opened his new Christmas pajamas, from my parents, on Christmas Eve.

We read The Christmas Story, Twas the Night Before Christmas, and The Polar Express while having chocolate milk and a bedtime snack.  Then it was time for Santa!

He came, emptied his sack, and was on his way!

Christmas Day! (The only picture I took.  We recorded Christmas morning, but that's it.  I am really hoping my Dad and Dede have a few to share.)

Look at this precious girl!

The day after Christmas, we stayed in our pajamas until 4 pm.  It was glorious.

Seeing this special season, through the eyes of my little boy, made it, by far, "the most wonderful time of the year." We are truly blessed.

Happy Thanksgiving

Don’t worry; I didn’t forget about Thanksgiving. It’s just that when the weather turns cold, white lights start going up around the neighborhood, and stores begin softly playing “Baby it’s cold outside,” I can’t help but get excited about the December Holiday, that I’m not mentioning today.

Why? Because it’s Thanksgiving! And I have SO much to be thankful for, including these two loves of my life!

I can’t even begin to list the blessings that surround my family. I try to talk a lot about gratitude around here. When we stop to notice our blessings (something my dad taught me to do) we become so full of JOY that we are able to regain perspective and not “sweat the small stuff.”

This Thanksgiving week, I am especially thankful for her.

Welcome to the world, Madelyn Davis. I am beyond excited to be your Aunt Evie, and I couldn’t be prouder of your mom and dad. We have so much to do together, sweet girl. I can’t wait to have sleepovers and bake cookies, watch your ballet recitals, read Anne of Green Gables and Little House on the Prairie together, tell secrets about boys, play dress up in sparkles and high heels, watch Little Mermaid, write letters back and forth as pen-pals, and be the very best of friends.

But for now, I just want to hold you and stare at you and thank God for this new life and blessing to our family. We have plenty of time to get to know each other, Maddi. Happy Thanksgiving.