Hurray!

Details

Published: 18 June 2013

Hurray, the Father's Day coffee mug came in! :-)

Father's Day 2013

Details

Published: 18 June 2013

Father's Day Sunday was kind of like Mother's Day Sunday....a quiet but lovely event. ;)  We woke up and went swimming!!  Liam's first trip into the big pool!  He loved it, we caught some great video which hopefully we can put together in the weeks ahead and share but yup, it was a big success.  We're ready for our camping trip later this week for sure.  Just learned that the Sunday we'll be at the camp site will be a full moon so that's going to be so gorgeous!  

After swimming, we came home and gobbled down lunch and then Liam went off to nap for a good long stretch while Alex and I enjoyed cupcakes from Crema, our new local bakery right down the corner.  We kind of dig them. ;)  

In the afternoon, Alex took his two children (yes, Liam and Abbey) out for a walk around the neighborhood and I tackled an entire bird.  I mean, I wrestled it to the kitchen floor, and it wound up on my stove. :-P  No, I kid.  But I tackled a recipe calling for an entire chicken and it was a first for me (Alex has never cooked an entire chicken either....Thanksgiving turkey though, yes).  It really was a delicious and easy recipe so my stress factor was kept down.  Plus, I find if you have a glass of the wine you're cooking with...that makes things run a lot more smoothly too. :)
Alex has a Father's Day coffee mug coming to him but alas, I ordered it too late so we're still awaiting delivery.  Well, it's the thought that counts right??!

Hope you enjoyed your Father's Day Alex.  We're so lucky to have you.  ~Valerie

 

Kickstart #23

Details

Published: 17 June 2013

As it's no longer morning over here, happy Monday afternoon!  It hasn't exactly been the kind of morning for leisure time on the computer in this house but I'm finally sneaking on here to post a quick hello.  We're looking at a short week and then off to our family camping trip!!  Definitely excited for all that's in store!  Hope all pops everywhere had a wonderful Father's Day yesterday.  It's a blessing that Liam has such a wonderful, caring Papa in Alex.  Bless the fathers who live for their families.

Here it is, a Monday kickstart!  ~Valerie

 

1.     pinterest.com / 2.     franklyesoteric.tumblr.com / 3.     freepeople.com / 4.     perpetuallyengaged.com / 5.     pastryaffair.com / 6.     abduzeedo.com / 7.     fashioncannon.tumblr.com

Nook

Details

Published: 14 June 2013

When my sister and brother in law moved into their new home earlier this year (was it this year? who can remember now...) my oldest niece serendipitously (if that's not a word, I just made it up) wound up having a bedroom with an extra closet.  The room has two closets of equal size and since she's a modest girl and no diva/clothes horse, she doesn't require such a large amount of clothing space.  Personally, I would see it as a good reason to invest in more shoes.  A clothes closet, a shoe closet...makes all the sense in the world. ;)

Sooo...what to do with that extra space?  First of all, what a blessing.  And as a teenager?  All the more so.  Space, privacy, a moment to yourself every now and then....this is something I think we start craving as teens and it only intensifies as you get older. ;)  My sister, the mother of four children, can probably attest to that.  My immediate thought for my niece was what a great reading nook.  She loves to read and what an awesome space to turn into her own little hideaway.  To read, sketch, day dream....nap.  I don't know if she's done anything with the closet yet but hey niece, if you're reading this.....you should know your aunt is fawning over your fortuitous extra closet! :)  Happy Friday all ~

Valerie

Left to right: 1.     calllmeclassy.tumblr.com / 2.     pinterest.com / 3.     pinterest.com / 4.     thephotogoo.blogspot.com

Devoted

Details

Published: 13 June 2013

Try treating each moment like it's the only one that matters. ;)

Valerie
- http://pinterest.com/pin/102034747780327781/

Wait, It's Wednesday?

Details

Published: 12 June 2013

Somehow this feels like the longest week ever.  Or maybe we were just coming off the longest weekend or something, it barely feels like our week is starting.  Either way, I'm only interested in Fridays so let me know when you find Friday. ;)

Valerie

Birthdays

Details

Published: 11 June 2013

Hello!  Long time, no talk.  Yes, with the busy birthday weekend behind us and the dreaded 12 month checkup taken care of this morning, we're all officially getting on with life, same as always except that now someone is one. ;)  

Saturday in the park was wonderful and a big thank you to everyone who came out to enjoy Liam's birthday with him!!  Our friend Twyla Hall was able to capture a few photos and we're sharing those here ~~ More birthday photos to get posted on our Flickr album in the days ahead!!  Happy Tuesday!

A & V

photos by Twyla Hall

One

Details

Published: 07 June 2013

At 8:56am on June 8, 2012, Liam Elijah Street was born.  It's hard to believe that a year has already passed and yet at the same time, it feels exactly like a year.  We've all changed and grown considerably in the past year.  You learn something about yourself when you become a parent. They teach us something vastly important about ourselves.  Who we are, who we're not.  To what lengths we'll go.  Dogs teach you important stuff about yourself too so you know, don't think we're about to go on a "have children now!" tirade.  You should definitely get a dog though. :-P

Tomorrow is Liam's birthday and it feels a little like a graduation ceremony.  This is the end of the baby phase and we're stepping into the land of toddlers.  There's not as much bittersweet feeling as we would have expected.  Just sweet.  The sadness has been replaced with pride.  We're just very proud of you Liam.  You're turning out so well and honestly, we're not sure we can take a lot of credit for that.  You're just a cool kid.  You make us laugh all day long and you love to charge at life.  Whatever the adventure, whatever the task, you charge up the hill....ready to conquer the world.  We hope this is something you'll hang onto as you get older because it's a great way to be.

Tomorrow you turn one and we're going to celebrate you and watch you have fun, enjoying your day.  Of course you won't remember your first birthday but who cares?.  You've earned your first year.  The honor of growing up doesn't belong to just us old people.  It belongs to the children as well.  Congratulations on your first birthday Liam and we love you!

Mom & Dad 

Moving Along

Details

Published: 06 June 2013

Well my 31st birthday has come and gone and it was great.  Thank you husband and son for making it such a wonderful day and thank you to all our family and friends who sent me birthday wishes! ;)

We're just trying to get things together for our little morning party at the park on Saturday for a certain almost one year old -- Below are snapshots of life in recent days!  Hurray tomorrow is Friday!!

Valerie

To many more years together

Details

Published: 04 June 2013

Given the current state of social media, everyone is most likely well aware of the fact that you've gained another year of wisdom, and I've gained another year of joy.  

This year in particular has been an interesting one, all starting last year with you giving me the gift of our first child together.  It was really quite a gift, and it's the kind of gift that has continued giving even more each day.  It really has been quite the amazing year.

This is inherently the issue, though.  How exactly do you follow up a gift like this?  There's not an item that exists that would stand up to what you
provide to our family on a daily basis.  Even words may not be enough to describe what it is you mean to me, but I'll take a stab at it.

You are the reason I wake up the morning, and why I delay going to bed at night.  
You are the rock that keeps me grounded in reality, and the strength that pushes me to fight for my dreams.
You are the song that plays in my mind, and the love that warms my heart.
But more important than any of this, you are the mother of our beautiful child, and the most wonderful wife and mother I could ever ask for.

Today I say Happy Birthday to an amazing partner, a loving mother, and dear friend. It may not be much to offer, but I can promise that every day following I will show you through love and appreciation how truly blessed I am to be beside you.
Alex