The Paper Mama Photo Challenge: Momma & Me

 This photo was taken a week after William was born.

The Paper Mama is holding a photo challenge with the theme, Mama & Me. Fun, right? I decided to join in on the action and add a photo of my baby squirrel and I.
 

The Alaskan light was reflecting off of the snow and tip-toeing its way through our curtains, dancing on our linen, and lighting our room like Wrigley's Field. It was the perfect photo opportunity to capture our Babe.

I love this photograph. Perhaps it's because William's skin is so fresh and wrinkly. Or perhaps it's the way he is scrunching his face, begging not to be woken. Or perhaps it's because his tiny naked little body fits just so on my forearms.

 I look at him, and I am a different person.

~Em

Black and White Wednesday- The beginning of our Alaskan Journey

This is my very first Black and White Wednesday, hosted by "A Long Road to China".

I took these photos of my daughter a few months after we moved to Alaska. It was a time of big changes for our little family, the beginning of long-once-in-a-lifetime journey.
We were scared. We were nervous. We didn't know what to expect.

Little did we know, this small city was magical. We've grown and learned so much; more than we've ever imagined.

We are forever changed. Thank you Alaska, for giving us new eyes.

The Blog Guidebook

As I was blog hopping and catching up on my reading, I came across this- "THE BLOG GUIDEBOOK." Since I'm a newbie to blogspot, it immediately got my attention. I'm all for learning new ways to enhance my blog and meet other military wives, parents, photographers, artists- you name it! The Blog Guidebook is perfect for just that! It's so easy to navigate around and view other blogs, which are narrowed down by category.

Check them out and jump on board to "The Blog Guidebook".

Safe Harbor

There are some weeks where I grab the steering wheel of my boat and cruise off into a beautiful crystal blue horizon with a sky full of puff-ball clouds, shiny silver-toned dolphins dipping up and down by my side, while sea gulls call from over head. There are weeks where I throw out the oars and just drift; land wherever the tide takes me. There are also weeks where my boat is on auto-pilot and without resistance, I go with the flow. But then- oh then- there are those weeks where my ship is sinking. I’m panicking to stay afloat, patching up the holes one at a time, then two at a time, then three, but no matter what I do or how quickly I weld the holes closed shut, water is still leaking through, the boat is still being swallowed up by the ocean, and I’m still going down.

This was one of those weeks.

My to-do list was racing through my head over and over, each time adding more to-dos. Anxiety was taking on a life of its own, and I felt so confined and claustrophobic. I was tangled in the cobwebs of the city and I wanted nothing more than to get my house in order and spend time with my lovies.

So, that’s what I did. I abandoned that sinking ship, and swam like hell to my lifeboat.






I scrubbed and bleached, organized and re-organized until my head was clear- until the blue elephants were lifted from my shoulders, and I could steadily breathe in and out.

When that grey cloud that hangs above my head starts to blow over and pushes the blue elephants away, a rainbow appears and that is when I can fully enjoy the small moments that makes mommyhood so wonderful.

And wonderful it is. I adore our nighttime rituals.







We read.





We play.





We just be.







And sometimes, Krysta draws pictures until it’s time to crawl in bed. She made me the tiniest, biggest heart-felt card ever. It proudly adorns my nightstand.






After a mentally and physically exhausting day, nothing is more soothing than the washing of a naked baby. The smell of lavender, the popping of bubbles, and the splashing of tiny hands is enough to wash away any and all stress, and put me in a relaxed state-of-mind.







Everyone has days like these- some more than others. It’s what you do with it that makes all the difference between having grey clouds or rainbows.

I’m now chartering through calm waters, in my safe harbor. My home. My family.











HAPPY MONDAY EVERYONE! HAVE A FANTASTIC WEEK!

~Em

A week of "Lasts"

As the rest of the U.S. prepares for autumn, mine is coming to an end. *sigh*

Fall in Alaska is just too shortly lived; like two weeks shortly lived… then it’s gone. Already the temps have dipped into the 30’s and 40’s, the air has thinned out, and the birch trees are almost naked- it’s the beginning of winter, baby! I’m now “preheating” my car before taking Krysta to school, bundling up tiny fingers and ears, and the random clicking of the heater is a common sound heard throughout our home.








As autumn is coming to a close, so is Elmendorf AFB’s Youth Football season. Krysta shook her red, white, and blue pom-poms and gave one last cheer to the Boys of Fall. It was the perfect day for giving a last hoorah to cheerleading. The air was cool and crisp, but we were graced with warmth from the sun’s rays. If this day could be any type of drink, it would’ve been a pumpkin spiced latte. Delish.












For the last dance of the season, Krysta got to be a flier. This was a BIG moment for her! And our hearts were spilling over with pride.








And speaking of pride, check out my future Top Gun. Isn’t he just the handsomest little thing you’ve ever layed eyes on? He has seriously stolen my heart. Swoon.



You can get this adorable Football Hat from CynsationalTreasure !



Thanks Tabetha, for the awesome bomber jacket! We LOVE it!



I’m going to close today with a few videos:






Enjoy your weekend... and those fresh fallen leaves!






~Em