blogging is awesome

we had a rough handful of days at the beginning of the week.  ian's teething made whining the background noise for 3 days straight.  those 12 month molars are killer.

we've been reevaluating parenting strategies to kick some disrespect in the booty.  that's always fun.

and parenting from 12 - 2  a.m. just shouldn't be part of the job description.

i was dragging on wednesday. going through the motions of my day.  getting some school done, laundry, counting the minutes until i could put everyone in their beds.  and when it was finally nap time, i microwaved my coffee and then sat down in our hallway with our crazy computer set up (long story).

now, i'm always a fan of checking out blogs at naptime and peeking into others lives, but on this day, blogging refueled me, it motivated me, it lifted me out of my loneliness as a mom in a very unique way.

i read about how jody was all snowed in with her crew.
and read about holly's beautiful daughters.
and got caught up of all of the awesomeness at the cassada house.
and who doesn't love reading kelle hampton and that video for nella's birthday is both inspiring and a shot of perspective right in the arm.

i was so thankful to be in my cramped hallway with my little internet connection.  it's such a blessing to instantly be lifted from loneliness and look past the four walls around avery, ashton, ian and i.  i mean, perspective is powerful and i needed a heavy dose on wednesday afternoon.

so to all of you who share honestly and candidly about your life, thank you.

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i, unfortunately, am very lame and am still sorting through all of my christmas pictures.  sorry.

gg elaine is a hit.  this is what happened minutes after the girls greeted her the day after she arrived from iowa.


my mom and dad always take us to the cheyenne mountain conference resort around christmas time.  yummo.


making candy cane cookies and cornflake wreaths.


avery snapped this one.


we had our "Christmas" with my mom and dad on new years day.








look at those amazing great grandmas






ashtons new ballerina outfit.


and you wouldn't believe what is happening tonight.

we have a p f changs gift card (thanks ben)
and overnight babysitters.

we'll be making plans, writing goals and trying to be intentional with our schedules.

and i've been dreaming of mongolian beef all week long.  :)