Exploring

One of my favorite things about living near such an amazing city is being able to experience and search through every nook and cranny that this place has to offer. It is a plus that I am not knocking this summer and have triple the amount of time to learn about all of these new places and things. (shout out to the best husband in the world for working his dang tail off). I have the best group of friends too, so that's a plus that I get to do all of the fun things with them.

The past few weeks we have gone to the beautiful city of Berkeley, Ca, visited Fisherman's Wharf (duh) and I had the sweetest birthday celebration and had all of my sweet people celebrate with me. I visited home for a quick minute for a friends wedding and to get some stuff done on our house which was a fun little break.

Some things:
- Great friends are the best. I think that now that as I am getting older I have realized that more and more. They are needed no matter how much we think we can do it on our own. There are sweet souls that are put into your life for a reason, and we need to do all that we can to make sure they stay there. I am surrounded by the best of the best these days and it makes me remember how lucky I have been to have experienced hard times with people because it just makes me the most grateful when I realize that I have the most genuine, loving, and caring folks to be consumed with.

- When you build a house you get really excited about big holes in the ground, dirt, wood, and cement. They are the best things really.

- Bach yesterday was already a let down and I'm not even sad that I'm not watching it tonight. These feelings will probably come and go as the season continues though. What's new.

- I have an obsession with good drinks. If it's fruity and good, send it my way please.

- Cooking can be fun when you want it to be. (and please let me give a shout out to myself and steve for not eating out everyday like we have been the past year. This is a serious accomplishment people)

That's all for now I guess.

Here's Oakland and Berkeley with our besties. They really are great. And babies are fun too.

           

>> Ry

We are HERE! (In california!!)

I'm heeeeerreee!! I am! I really really am haha. I have totally been a slacker lately, but that's not new considering the fact our lives have been crazy lately! We have had so much change happen in the past little while (all for the great) that I have totally put anything that has to do with anything besides spending time with Steve, figuring out our lives, and playing with family the last little while, on hold. Really if any of you are wondering, (this is mostly for our future reference to look back on) we are doing sooo great.

The past couple months have been a whirlwind of emotions with our work plans, our life plans, our future home plans. Everything has just been all over the place. But we are just in the best place right now! We are finally in California again for the summer and loving every second of that. I'm not knocking on people's doors this summer (more on that later), so I have been staying busy taking care of office working and hanging with my besties. I am so excited to be in the Bay Area again this summer. We have already been exploring a few times, and there is sooo much to do. Last summer it was just Steve and I, which was seriously so great. But now we are surrounded by some of our best friends and it is well, the best! For real. Today me and the girls trekked into the city and decided to take the bart. It was an adventure. Some moments waaaay scarier than others, but overall it was a success. And now we are pretty much pros and no what we are doing. We were there all day long and only took one pic, so that pretty much sums up the day. I'm excited to be documenting our lives again!

Here's to summer!

- and the freakin annoying as crap dog that lives next door that wont shut up - don't even get me started on that one

- and to the fact that I ate a box of chocolate covered bananas from Trader Joes for dinner. yup. it happened.

>>Ry

soft hearts & open minds

Steve & I have been so busy the past little while. With work, family, traveling, but despite our busy schedule, I have had quite a bit of time to think and let my mind wander about a few things. I am always, always, always thinking about what is going on in my life, things that I have done, what I haven't, what I should do, something I should have done different, scrolling through the list of relationships that I have in my life, those that are close to my heart, those that are more acquaintances. I have had the opportunity to meet a lot of people in my life, especially with the job that Steve and & I have. With all of the people that I have come across in my life, whether they are family, close friends, child-hood neighbors, or recent introductions, every single on has come from a different walk of life, has different beliefs, standards, and values; but every single person that I have met has been incredibly special, interesting, amazing, and quite frankly awesome in their own way.

(As far as the people that slam their doors in my face - I'm sure that they are awesome too, they just aren't showing me that part of their lovely life).

Anywho, I think back to all of these people that I know personally, or that I know of, to our interactions, to those that have done me wrong, or to those that I wish I would have handled situations differently with and it opens my eyes to how incredibly special each person on this earth is. Each person has feelings, a soul, a family, a want, a need. We may know the things of this persons life, or we may not have an idea. Each person is a child of God who has worth, who is loved, and who has a purpose.

After reading a few articles online the past couple days, watching a few broadcasts, having insightful conversations with Steve, as well as really dialing in this wandering mind of mine, it has been more apparent to me than ever that no matter the person that I come across, they have incredible significance in this life. NO matter their beliefs, their interests, their values or standards, they deserve to be respected. NO matter what they have or haven't done to me, or you, or someone else, it is my (or yours, or the other persons) responsibility to care for that person in that moment. Whether it be with words, thoughts, feelings.

I want to make sure I am always showing kindness to those around me. Even when it may be really really really hard. Because believe me, I have had a some of those moments, and it IS really really really hard to put anger, disappointment, disagreeance behind you, but when you do, it changes everything.

To me it is hard and saddening to see people, children of God, regardless of their religion, social status, beliefs, or values, to treat one other with negative, hurtful, hateful comments. People who know each other, and more disturbingly, people who have never even met or heard of each other before. When communicating with others, let us not put our opinions aside or disregard our standards and beliefs, but learn how to respect and appreciate other with dignity and fairness. Let us not comment to create hurtful controversy. It IS possible to do both. One of my good friends Abi said it best, "We are here to love one another. We are here to bring one another unto Christ. We are commanded to be kind, to be good, to work together to create a world filled with hope. When we discuss these things on the internet or in real life, remember our Savior and do as He would."

I want to be the bigger person
I want to be the example
I want to be the kind one
I want to be the one that people can turn to when they need support, or trust.


To working towards soft hearts and open minds forever and always. Let's do it.

>>  Ry

watching babes

This past week I have been watching kiddies and lovin it. (most of the time) haha these are family kiddies that I love like my own children (or assume that I do because I don't know what the actual feeling of having a child is - but I think I have a pretty good idea considering all of the children that I have been around in my life and the different feelings of love and annoyance that come to me around these different children  - insert laughing face). Want to know what we have done? Take a look above, and read below.

- Ballet classes
- Singing lessons
- School drop-off and pickups
- Chick-fil-a dinners
- Orchestra concerts
- Science fairs (which bella won FIRST place in??)
- Ridiculous math homework
- Piano lessons
- Wiping baby boogers
- Wiping toddlers bums
- Baths
- Lots of bottle makings
- Monitor watching
- Bunnies & rabbits & fish
- Teeth brushing
- Thumb sucking & Downeast furniture loving
- Dog Washing
- Chipotle sofrita deals
- Sick husband
& - Lots of driving driving driving!

Its been great. & It's not even over! Although I have absolutely loved this time, I can't wait to sleep for 24 hours. And by now I really really want a raspberry dream from Swig. Any takers??

Want to hear some of the best indie talk over the past few days? Sometimes I wish that 4 year olds could talk the way they do forever. (then we would have grown men and women talking like 4 year olds - and I think that would make the world better) Enjoy.

[getting dressed in front of steve & I]
Indie - "It's okay if you see me naked, cause you are my brother & sister" 
(ooorrr your aunt and uncle, but that works too)

[putting on her swim suit that has a little rip in it]
Indie - Oh no, it has a small rip in it cause I am so big. It's okay though, it will fit me because I am four
(sometimes you just don't need to make sense)

[waiting for Bella to get out of school]
Me: Indie want to go feed the ducks?
Indie: No, i'm sorry but we can't do anything fun without bella, remember? She will be so sad
(and the conversation ends there because I was trying so hard not to lose my cool and bust out laughing)

[Just randomly]
Indie - "Bella, you are my best friend"

[After telling Indie about the stuffed badger at my mom's house]
Indie - "Can it kill you?"

[The I love you more argument we had in the kitchen]
Me - I love you Indie
Indie - I love you more! 
Me - I love you more than the whole universe!
Indie - I love you more than the whole sky!
(good come back darling)

sometimes I am literally baffled at how incredibly smart she is. How such a young little mind can be so pro at critical thinking. Really every single word that comes out of her mouth is so adorable. And now Trey & Jami are home and I am literally having withdrawals from my favorite girls. I miss those chubba cheeks. But I'll see them tomorrow so all is well.

To a few more sister days before I head to california! Cheers!

>>Ry

Welcome 2015!

It's only customary that I post about the new year when the first month of it is almost over, right?? I have been through a little writing blockage the past few weeks, thinking about journaling, getting thoughts in my mind out in words, and then I get bloggers cold feet for a little bit and avoid it all together. whatevs.

I can't believe this year is already here! When I look back at 2014, I can't help but be grateful for a year full of amazing adventure, trials, learning, & growth with my most favorite human. This life really is a gift to me, and I love every second of change that it brings! (change really actually gives me a lot of anxiety when it's first happening, and then there is this point where I'm okay and I can handle things again haha).

We have been back and forth from california twice (nothing new there), we have spent tons of time with our families, celebrated birthdays, have had tons of work meetings, watched little kiddos, i've taken pictures with lovely ladies (hopefully posting those soon), and we have been designing our HOUSE (ahhhh)!!! I know that last time I updated on that part of our lives, it was a while ago, and all I can say is that A LOT has changed. All in amazing ways though! Which is beautiful! That whole situation deserves it's own home in a post so we will leave that for later.

I'm dedicating this to a happy, healthy, adventurous, changing 2015, and i CAN'T WAIT!

Cheers!

>> Ry

we love pictures 2

me
dress: Gap (similar here, & here)
tights: Target
shoes: Target (similar here)

him
hat: H&M (Similar here)
vest: H&M (similar here)
shirt: Asos
pants: Pac Sun (similar here)
boots: Diesel (similar here)

>> Ry

Agnes & Dora

I love love love meeting new people. I love being able to make new friends and learn about other people's lives and experiences. That, plus all of this winter wonderland business happening, I haven't been able to help but think back to this fun shoot that I did with Hunter Kofford & Agnes & Dora a little while ago. It was the best! Check out some of the fun outfits that we put together. Also, head over to Agnes & Dora's website to get some of their goodies! I wear their product on a weekly basis whether its leggings, or skirts, and they are the to die for.

>> Ry