Showing posts with label Zion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Zion. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 9

Innocent Beauty

Dress & Headband by Rogue Baby Boutique
When I look at my daughter I see the beauty of her innocence.  In so many ways she is so much freer now than she will be years from now.  Right now her worries are few, her troubles mostly unimportant. She lives fully in the present with very little grasp on the reality of darkness in our world.

Months after I left my full-time hospital administration job to be a stay-at-home mom, I remember running into an old co-worker, who told me how alive I looked compared to when I was there on the job.  I worked in a very high stress role, where I often had internal battles based on my passion for justice and the money-hungry reality of doing hospital business.  At that time my job was sucking the life right out of me.  I was in the office and commuting anywhere from 12-14 hours a day.  I wasn't sleeping well, rarely taking time to eat and exercise right, and I was in a rut.

It wasn't pregnancy that made me leave my job the first time, it was actually a call to action from God.  A movement within me that led me on that day to give my two weeks notice and pack up determined to leave New York city.  That is a story for another day though.  I ended up back in that environment, although this time I took a different approach.  It didn't take very long for me to start feeling drained once again.

I've always known that the corporate environment is not the best place for me.  When my husband blessed me with the opportunity to come home full time, I almost felt entitled to it.  And now, as I look back over these last three years that I've been privileged to be home, I see the beauty in it all.  I've grown so much as a woman, as a human, as a wife and as a mom.  

When I look at my daughter, and recognize that I get to be a part of protecting her innocence for as long as possible, I feel honored.  When I see that my life and the struggles I've been through, and my determination to overcome the residual effect of those experiences, have given Zion the freedom to enjoy her childhood without worries, part of my innocence is reclaimed.
      


Wednesday, June 26

Little Miss Big Personality

 Sometime in the midst of our crazy Alaskan adventure all the baby escaped from my little baby cutie pie and now all that is left is this adorable, spunky little girl.  Zion turned 3 last month and I feel a combination of pure joy and sheer terror as a result.  How did we get here so soon??  How can I make time slow down when she moves a bazillion miles an hour!?  I remember thinking that I couldn't wait until she could converse with us and do all sorts of activities - ones that didn't require a stroller or her being strapped to my chest or back, and now I crave the moments she will actually let me scoop her up in my arms and hold her tightly.
Even with each day's challenges, I am learning that parenting is teaching me to appreciate life's daily treasures in profound new ways.  Even in the midst of the power-struggles and testing moments of this "Threenager" stage,  nothing can distract me from savoring the special moments in between.  
       

Thursday, August 30

Coney Island Beach

 

Savoring Summertime

With Labor Day (and my Birthday) approaching this weekend, its time to officially wave good-bye to Summer.  As this season closes, I'm busier than ever as I plan home-pre-schooling curriculum for Zion, gear up to lead the Manhattan MOPS group, and try to implement some big changes in our diet for September.  I feel as though I'm stuck in a whirlwind at the moment, unable to escape to a place of peace...and quiet.

Quiet doesn't seem in the cards for me at this point - I've got my in-laws coming this weekend and we'll be taking a fun road trip to Vermont, Martha's Vineyard and Mystic (again - I love it so much there)!  It will definitely be an adventure considering we'll have 4 adults and a toddler packed in a car and doing 2 hours stretches of travel.  Zion will get to have her first ever Ferry ride, we'll visit a huge Farmer's Market in Vermont (hopefully stocking up on delicious Maple syrup).  I can promise one thing - it won't be quiet but it will definitely be a fantastic adventure!
When I look back on this Summer it has been one of the most busy and stressful I have ever had.  A lot of days I haven't had the true joy that I usually feel when it comes to this time of year.  We've made some sacrifice-: Jerry decided to study and take his CPA exam (effectively sucking every last minute of downtime away to studying), and I've done some major learning about God's plan for my life: hint - it's not running a blogging business.




At the same time, I have had some of the best moments this Summer - and this adventure to Coney Island Beach with Zion was one of the biggest highlights.  We just had the best time together - from playing in the sand, to floating in the waves, experiencing the thrill of an amusement park for the first time, enjoying Nathan's on the boardwalk, and delicious Ice Cream - everything was just wonderful.  It is a day that I will forever treasure in my heart.  Zion was just so happy - the entire day!


What are some of your favorite memories from this summer?  I asked a few of my lovelies to share theirs with me as we collectively move forward into Fall.  :)  I really love what they shared.

Have a favorite Summer memory you want to share with me?  



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Thursday, August 16

8.16.12

 

The Weekly Wrap

1. Little Gym Grand Opening // Rejoice // Action // Sweetie
2. Carpal Tunnel // Insomnia // Pachyderm & Jelly // BFF's
3.  I'm Still Here // Tweet // Playdate // Gameface
4. Freeze // Snacks // Color // Bliss
 1. Turtle Shell // Solace // Like Mother // Fancy Snack
2. French Toast w/PB&Maple // Boots! // Selfie // Sleepy
3. For Real // Hippo Park // Steeple // Lounging
4. Hudson River // Vivid // Epic Haul // TJ's
1. Sunset // Te Amo // Not Acting // Cheese & Crackers
2. Marker Pedi // Marker Mani // Marker on Mommy // Retouched Vivid
3. Turkey Burger w/Garlic Fries // I Win // Swangin' // Four-legged-Daddy-Creature



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