New York, New York

 

To infinity and beyond......This is the first time we visited Manhattan in the fall. We had such a great time! I did miss Lincoln like crazy, but I think he enjoyed hanging out with his Nene and Papa.  I think my picture above speaks to the lighthearted trip we had.  It was wonderful to have couple time. 

 

We saw some wonderful on and off Broadway shows.  Breakfast at the Russian Tea Room was wonderful, always wanted to visit.  I enjoyed shopping as usual (my suitcase is never big enough to transport stuff back).  We met some really nice people on the trip.  Also spent time looking for investment property.  There are some really great options out there.  Looking forward to possibly making a move on an apartment in the future. 

 

I think I've mentioned before how much Jeremy and I  like the city.  Since we live in a very small town, the energy in Manhattan is a great change of pace!

Baby's First Zoo Trip

Okay....So I am a sucker for zoos, love them! It doesn't matter how many times I have been to one; I still enjoy it.  I have been to a lot of them from San Diego to Tulsa to Fort Worth to the Bronx.  The one closet to where we live is the Little Rock Zoo.  I have fond memories of this place. I've went since I was a kid.  We used to take a trip with my grandma and cousins and have a picnic after the visit.  They have made many changes over the years, but it still holds a sense of nostalgia every time I visit. 

I took our son Lincoln to the zoo back in September (on his 6 months birthday) to visit.  It was a great time.  We went with my mom, sister Jessica, and niece Ryleigh.  I know he will probably not remember, but it was still fun to share the special time with him that day.  We enjoyed looking at all the animals, lions, tigers, and bears, oh my..... Great food in the cafe! A great girls and Lincoln day for the books. 

I'm excited about going again when he is a little bigger.  I know he is going to love seeing the animals, riding the carousel and train, and running around like a typical little boy.  The next time we will bring daddy along to share in the memories!

Forever Friends

 

My little sister just turned 29, what?  It seems like just yesterday, I was five and a half waiting for my baby sister to arrive.  I was so excited! Jessica was like my living doll.  It was great to have a kid sister around.  Sure we argued some, but what siblings don't.  Fast forward several years later, when I entered my pre-teen/teen years our age gap began to be noticed.  I was growing up and she was just to young to be around. 

 

There were several years that we were simply sisters.  Then one day the age gap finally closed.  The day everyone had spoken about finally arrived.  My little sister became not only a wonderful sister, but a great friend.  I am so thankful to have her in my life.  We are very different, but so much a like too.  It's wonderful to have another human being that understands the inside family jokes, cheers you on no matter what, and believes you can do anything.  There is truly nothing like having a forever friend.  We are there for each other, through thick and thin, come hell or high water.  She has my back and I have hers. 

 

I have shared with my four nieces to embrace their sisterhood.  One day having sisters will mean so much to each of them.  A future time, not long from now they will discover they are forever friends.

 

 

Mommy Time

Mondays are mommy and Lincoln time.  It is wonderful!  I'm so glad I chose to devote one day for the sole purpose of quality time.  No errands or busy tasks.  We simply spend the whole day, just being together.  Since he has been born, the weeks have been passing so quickly.  Lincoln is constantly changing and growing.  It's great to be able to capture every single moment. 

I know I will look back on these days years from now and cherish them so much.  I'm thankful to have the opportunity to take extra time out of my week for us to be together.  I know there are many other daily routine activities that can encroach on the free day, but my goal is to keep our day truly free.  Currently it's great just to cuddle, play, read, etc.  I know in a few years it will be a great day to explore and charge off to our next adventure. 

Even though carving out an entire day during the week may not be reasonable for some families, I say take any little piece you can.  It's all about relationships in the end.  Making the time to connect with your child is truly one of life's great pleasures!

Time Flies....

Where do the years go?  It seems like my niece Ryleigh was born yesterday.  She will be 2 in a few months.  Wow!  She was the first grand baby on my side of the family.  We loved watching her grow.  It was amazing to see all the new things she could do, from cooing to crawling, then walking.  I feel so blessed to have been able to be there to see these moments.  My sis and I are very close, so watching her baby become a little girl has been such a joy!

I'm so glad Lincoln will have an older cousin as a playmate in a few years.  I have such wonderful memories of time with my cousins.  I remember begging our parents to stay the night at one another's house.  We played together and made a lifetime of memories. I know that Ryleigh and Lincoln and anymore grand kids that come along will also have a special connection.  My hope is that our kids are close throughout their childhood and keep that connection into adulthood. 


It's incredible that we will be able to watch as new generation of relationships unfold through our kids over the next decades.  I hope they find the same unbridled joy and sense of adventure that we did while growing up.  To many nights of catching lightening bugs, whispering, laughing, dreaming, riding bikes, counting stars, silly dancing and faces, etc......

Making it Count!

Making it Count! Our son makes both of us want to do this.  Everyone told me how quickly time would pass with your children.  I believe it. Lincoln will be 15 weeks old this Thursday. He has grown so much in that time period.  I could spend all day just hanging out with him.  He does so many cute things, smiling, cooing, laughing, etc... Jeremy and I can't get enough of him!

So we are faced with what most parents struggle with the balance of  work and family. Jeremy and I are learning to "make it count".  Sometimes it's not the amount of time, but the quality of that time.  Families can spend hours together without really connecting.  We are learning how important it is to seize the moment, live in the present.  Today is all we have.  Cherish every moment! Make every moment count!

It Takes A Village!

It takes a village.... I remember hearing this phrase years ago. I think it was coined by Hillary Clinton.  I didn't realize it's significance until my son was born.  I love this little man so much (always have to throw that in there)!  The first few weeks after Lincoln was born I remember being so tired and basically out of sorts from my typical organized self.  I truly appreciated my mom, Jeremy's mom, and step mom for being there with love and support.  Also my sister, dad, Jeremy's siblings and step siblings, his future step dad, his dad, our dear friends the Devores, and countless others who checked on me, called, sent texts and gifts.  I really felt very secure in a time I was adjusting to the new world of mommyhood. 

As the weeks have progressed, I realize help and support will always be appreciated.  I'm more in a groove now, but I realize this groove will continue to evolve as my son grows.  I am so thankful to have a strong support system of both family and friends.  I love this circle of connection not just for Jeremy and I, but for Lincoln as well.  It's reassuring to know in this life you're not alone.  Each of us feel so blessed to have our group, "our people".  This circle is here for us no matter what, thick and then, better or worse, and so on.... 

Our little village may never be recognized with a nobel prize or other prestigious awards.  No one else may ever recognize the impact they have on our daily lives, but we do.  Jeremy, Lincoln, and I are the better for knowing all of the people in our village.  Our lives are enriched daily by their unconditional love!  Our world would be a lesser place without each of them in it.  So take time to count your blessings in all shapes and sizes.  Take time to say thanks to your "village".