I think there's an epidemic growing within social media. No, not cat videos, or #selfies, not even that sudden impulse to find a like button after you get a text and realize.. THIS ISN'T FACEBOOK. I'm talking about the fact that we've all forgotten to play nicely!
The holidays are nearing and in the great state of Arizona we grab hold of the first glimpse and never want to let go! And you know what? I think that's ok. Yes it's supposed to be 102 this weekend, and YES it's still August. But when the heat is so oppressive and we don't get four seasons, we start to create it within our homes so we feel it within our souls. And it feels good! What makes me sad are all of the facebook posts, blogs, and articles that come about claiming you've skipped Thanksgiving if you want to listen to Christmas music in November. Or how ludicrous it is that you're even thinking about trick or treating in September. IT'S THE SAME THING EVERY YEAR PEOPLE! We should all know by now that some of our friends like to celebrate the holidays for an entire quarter of the year. It should come as no surprise when some of our friends start posting about getting excited for Christmas while it's still October. Who cares. Really, who cares? It brings me JOY to listen to christmas music on a cloudy day. Not because I atually think it's Christmas. But because it just gets me excited for that wonderful season of family gatherings, giving thanks, and enjoying some seriously tasty food in some seriously awesome weather... even if it is months away. Just like I tried on my wedding dress every month for 6 months before my wedding because it would get me excited for that special day. Just like my husband likes to watch football reruns every now and then to get excited for football season. And just like any other big event we make poster boards and countdown chains for- it's fun to look forward to those things!
So this holiday season let's play nicely. Let our holiday loving friends feel free to love the holidays without feeling criticized or ridiculous. Ok, just me. Please can I post about listening to Christmas music without someone posting a blog about it? Please? I'm pregnant and emotional and I just might not be able to handle it ;)
Here's to letting it go and watching our friends get filled with JOY no matter what month it is! #christmastrees #pumpkinspicelattes #noshame #itsaugustwhocares
-AG
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Friday, August 2, 2013
We're growing AGAIN!
Well bring on the stretch pants and decaf coffee you guys.. I'M PREGNANT!! It feels like just yesterday we were welcoming our sweet little Cameron into our family... oh wait. We were. I mean, ever since I had Emma i've kind of lost my mind. In a way that makes me exceptionally talented organizing or getting out the door on time. But my goodness ask me to add 2 + 2 and this college graduate will probably say "grape nuts". It's just sad. So that's probably why we've PLANNED to have our third child before our first even turns 3. Because i'm crazy and haven't slept since 2011. Because I'm borderline in denial that I even have a second human I'm in charge of. And because having kids is the most amazing gift i've ever been blessed with. The squishy cuteness is just on a whole other level, you know what I mean?
So as of Spring 2014 we will have a beautiful new addition to the family! And as hard as it's going to be.. I don't think we're going to find out the sex! I feel like i'm living life on the edge- like when I feed my 8 month old without a bib- it's craziness! But if I had to be real honest with myself, this whole third baby business is a little overrated. Maybe it's because i've been pregnant every year since 2010 and no body really cares anymore. Or maybe it's because it's hard for people to understand when I say i'm pregnant while holding an infant on my hip. I get that. It's quick okay? boom, boom, boom, done. ya feel me? I'm ready for these boobs to be my own again! I'm ready to not be pregnant anymore! And in all seriousness, I'm ready to slow down, enjoy my family, watch them grow and relish in God's sweet blessings He's purposefully given to Dan and I. Can't. Wait!
So as of Spring 2014 we will have a beautiful new addition to the family! And as hard as it's going to be.. I don't think we're going to find out the sex! I feel like i'm living life on the edge- like when I feed my 8 month old without a bib- it's craziness! But if I had to be real honest with myself, this whole third baby business is a little overrated. Maybe it's because i've been pregnant every year since 2010 and no body really cares anymore. Or maybe it's because it's hard for people to understand when I say i'm pregnant while holding an infant on my hip. I get that. It's quick okay? boom, boom, boom, done. ya feel me? I'm ready for these boobs to be my own again! I'm ready to not be pregnant anymore! And in all seriousness, I'm ready to slow down, enjoy my family, watch them grow and relish in God's sweet blessings He's purposefully given to Dan and I. Can't. Wait!
This is totally unrelated to baby #3 but I just couldn't resist. How cute is she?!
-AG
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Let's Just Call it Like it is
Let's be real, shall we? I absolutely love being a mommy. Like love with a capital L.. LOVE it. I sit back during nap time after spiffing the house and think to myself how abundantly blessed I am to have them in my life. I love my little home, with my little kids, and our sweet little love we have for each other. And I can't wait for my cute little husband to get home and give me a sweet little kiss on the cheek.
Excuse me while I throw up a little in my mouth... What is wrong with me?!
Let's just be real. This is not at all how it goes down. While it's true my house might be little in size, there is nothing little about the noise level, chaos, temper-tantrums, and amount of spit up that is thrown about each day in this house. So why do we (Okay, I) try and romanticize what the everyday looks like? Because life with a cute Instagram filter looks much better than without? Because we want people to think that we are Martha Stewart, Super Nanny, and our bible study leader in one? I think it's much more basic than that. I think it's because we have a desire to be affirmed. A desire to get a pat on the back, gold star, super mom award that we're on the right track. Well let me tell you sister, you are definitely doing it right, and you don't need a Pinterest inspired chevron print banner to tell you either. It's that sweet little giggle, a clean diaper, full belly, and napping sweetie pie that is pure confirmation you are doing just fine. And there isn't a filter in the world that could make that any better that what it is. You've been called to serve your family and I know that it comes standard with no sleep or personal bathroom time, and probably an extra 5 or 10 pounds. But it is so worth it when you see them say their please and thank you's, fold their hands in preparation for prayers, and giggle so hard it hurts. That's you, mom. Sure it took 50 million time outs, a couple arguments, bad hair days, and more caffeine than I think we should mention. But that's the crazy, untamed honesty that I think is more beautiful than anything else. It isn't always Instagram perfect in this house, but that's okay :) Here's to beauty in the mundane, no make-up, everyday routine!
-AG
Excuse me while I throw up a little in my mouth... What is wrong with me?!
Let's just be real. This is not at all how it goes down. While it's true my house might be little in size, there is nothing little about the noise level, chaos, temper-tantrums, and amount of spit up that is thrown about each day in this house. So why do we (Okay, I) try and romanticize what the everyday looks like? Because life with a cute Instagram filter looks much better than without? Because we want people to think that we are Martha Stewart, Super Nanny, and our bible study leader in one? I think it's much more basic than that. I think it's because we have a desire to be affirmed. A desire to get a pat on the back, gold star, super mom award that we're on the right track. Well let me tell you sister, you are definitely doing it right, and you don't need a Pinterest inspired chevron print banner to tell you either. It's that sweet little giggle, a clean diaper, full belly, and napping sweetie pie that is pure confirmation you are doing just fine. And there isn't a filter in the world that could make that any better that what it is. You've been called to serve your family and I know that it comes standard with no sleep or personal bathroom time, and probably an extra 5 or 10 pounds. But it is so worth it when you see them say their please and thank you's, fold their hands in preparation for prayers, and giggle so hard it hurts. That's you, mom. Sure it took 50 million time outs, a couple arguments, bad hair days, and more caffeine than I think we should mention. But that's the crazy, untamed honesty that I think is more beautiful than anything else. It isn't always Instagram perfect in this house, but that's okay :) Here's to beauty in the mundane, no make-up, everyday routine!
-AG
Monday, July 8, 2013
Here's what we've been up to :)
We celebrated a very special 2 year old!
Dan and I took the Honeymoon we never got :)
Cameron hit some major big-boy milestones!
Summer hit... and we are definitely not too thrilled about it.
Sweet things
Mr. Cam turned 6 months old!
Coffee Date
Silly Girl
We are loving this sweet season in our lives. Feeling super blessed with where God has us right now and can't wait to see what else is in store for us. I have a feeling 2013 has some BIG things ahead for us ;)
Friday, June 28, 2013
Be Still
Let me just start you off with a little picture of what my life looks like at the moment. I cleaned, yes it's true. Both kids are napping. The shades are pulled to keep out the 117 degree weather but there's just enough sunlight peeping through to make it feel like sweet summertime. The hour in which I hear my husband's keys jiggle in the door is fast approaching, and i'm sipping on some dark roast iced coffee while listening to some inspiring tunes.
Hold on let me adjust myself in this incredibly oversized plush chair. (Sigh) Life is just wonderful right now.
It doesn't happen often people- but when it does it is a MIRACLE and I treasure the beauty in the slow-down. The time in between 1 kid going down and the other getting up. When Dora isn't singing to me and peanut butter/jelly fingers are giving me a facial. I can eat whatever I want and don't have to share. I can finish a thought and pay a bill. Take a breath. slow down.
Lately i've felt like God has gone above and beyond in the area of provision. He hasn't just provided so faithfully for my family. He has given us a torrential downpour of blessing after blessing- more than what we ever needed but so graciously bestows upon us. I wonder if He gets giddy watching our faces light up in excitement like the way I do when I give a totally undeserved gift to Emma (I mean the terrible 2's in no way warrant any gifts). This is one of those moments where I feel so unbelievably blessed. In approximately 17 minutes I will hear the first signs of this peaceful me-time coming to an end. The bewitching hour won't be too far behind that, and this home will soon become rampant with miniature dictators leaving me helpless and more than likely...overwhelmed. Thank goodness I still have time to sit and enjoy this coffee, being still, reflecting on how blessed we are. This feeling just might help me get through dinner time ;)
-AG
Hold on let me adjust myself in this incredibly oversized plush chair. (Sigh) Life is just wonderful right now.
It doesn't happen often people- but when it does it is a MIRACLE and I treasure the beauty in the slow-down. The time in between 1 kid going down and the other getting up. When Dora isn't singing to me and peanut butter/jelly fingers are giving me a facial. I can eat whatever I want and don't have to share. I can finish a thought and pay a bill. Take a breath. slow down.
Lately i've felt like God has gone above and beyond in the area of provision. He hasn't just provided so faithfully for my family. He has given us a torrential downpour of blessing after blessing- more than what we ever needed but so graciously bestows upon us. I wonder if He gets giddy watching our faces light up in excitement like the way I do when I give a totally undeserved gift to Emma (I mean the terrible 2's in no way warrant any gifts). This is one of those moments where I feel so unbelievably blessed. In approximately 17 minutes I will hear the first signs of this peaceful me-time coming to an end. The bewitching hour won't be too far behind that, and this home will soon become rampant with miniature dictators leaving me helpless and more than likely...overwhelmed. Thank goodness I still have time to sit and enjoy this coffee, being still, reflecting on how blessed we are. This feeling just might help me get through dinner time ;)
-AG
Friday, May 31, 2013
Goodbyes are never fun.
Why is that? I spent so many days wondering when my family would be able to move to a better neighborhood and now that it's here, i'm sad. HELLO?! sad? What am I going to miss? The gunshots at night? The shady shade people down my street.. I don't think so. I guess it's the laughter, first steps, pregnancies, and memories that i'll miss. The incredibly sleepless nights, early mornings, dinnertime meltdowns, bath time sea explorations, diaper changes, job promotions, date nights, movie-thons, and countless roll-on-the-floor tickle fests that dad insisted upon doing right before bed. Those special moments that occurred within these walls of my home. What a blessing to have made this house our home for the last 2 years. Sure, often times I looked around and thought in disbelief "I live here?" and most nights saw our neighborhood on the news. Are you starting to get a picture of where this memory-filled home is? Shady town people, straight up shady town. But i'm still sad. God has been so good to us, so faithful with His promises of provision and protection. He helped soften this mama bear's heart and see this home as a haven to grow our family until He moved us elsewhere. And He did. Back to the 85250! I'm coming home folks- lookout! The Golden's are back. in. town.
So bring on the boxes, paper plates, take-out, and home depot trips to cover up theAWFUL unique color-choice in the kitchen. This girl's about to make another house a home. Let's do this! Maybe I should make some coffee first. Coffee? Yeah. I'll start there. And maybe a sandwich for lunch? Iced coffee and a sandwich. Yeah, and I'll relax for like a couple minutes, maybe 5. I should probably just nap while the kids are napping. Yeah, i'll get some rest, eat some lunch, drink some coffee. yeah, good plan. So excited to see what's in store for our family in these next couple months!
-AG
Why is that? I spent so many days wondering when my family would be able to move to a better neighborhood and now that it's here, i'm sad. HELLO?! sad? What am I going to miss? The gunshots at night? The shady shade people down my street.. I don't think so. I guess it's the laughter, first steps, pregnancies, and memories that i'll miss. The incredibly sleepless nights, early mornings, dinnertime meltdowns, bath time sea explorations, diaper changes, job promotions, date nights, movie-thons, and countless roll-on-the-floor tickle fests that dad insisted upon doing right before bed. Those special moments that occurred within these walls of my home. What a blessing to have made this house our home for the last 2 years. Sure, often times I looked around and thought in disbelief "I live here?" and most nights saw our neighborhood on the news. Are you starting to get a picture of where this memory-filled home is? Shady town people, straight up shady town. But i'm still sad. God has been so good to us, so faithful with His promises of provision and protection. He helped soften this mama bear's heart and see this home as a haven to grow our family until He moved us elsewhere. And He did. Back to the 85250! I'm coming home folks- lookout! The Golden's are back. in. town.
So bring on the boxes, paper plates, take-out, and home depot trips to cover up the
-AG
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