1.2.2014

Our good friends, Brandon and Lindsey, had the most adorable little baby. I am psyched to be able to share parenthood with them. Today Jude turned one week old and it was so sweet to be able to cuddle her soft baby skin AND not have to get up three times tonight to feed her!

1.1.2014

I spent all day in my pajamas lounging and watching mid-day movies (nursing a little bit of a hang over). I bet I will be able to count on one hand the amount of times I will be able to have a day like this all year. Thanks to Grandma & Grandpa for taking the kids!

The Start of Something Beautiful

I know I have a lot to be grateful for. Heath and I are about to celebrate 10 years of marriage. If you know anything about us this is practically a miracle. The last three years have been particularly eventful. We've had two children, moved into and remodeled a new (old) home, I have been expanding and growing my business, and Heath has been busy teaching and coaching. Even though I know these are beautiful and amazing days of our life I spend much of the time feeling overwhelmed, over scheduled, over tired, and deflated. I often feel like I am gasping for air, holding on by a thread, and just barely making it. From the outside, I know this is ridiculous. I have an ever growing nagging feeling that one day when my children are grown and I am sitting with my husband in an empty house drinking coffee I will have devastating regret. I will wish I could grab my 31 year old self by both arms, look her in the eyes and desperately exclaim "Wake-up! Your life is so full of joy and beauty and you are missing it! Forget the dishes, the inbox full of emails, and the list of household chores...these are distracting you from recognizing the gift of your life RIGHT NOW!".

So this year, 2014, I am making an attempt to take the advise of my older, wiser, empty nester self. I am starting the 365 Grateful project. Every.Single.Day I will post a photograph of something I am grateful for, something I have taken the time to notice, something I recognize as beautiful. Even in the midst of my daily life - even the days when my kids won't do a damn thing I ask, or the days I have an intense fight with my husband, or the days I end up weeping in the bathtub, or the days I am stressed about money, or the days that I am so behind on work it makes my neck tight - even on these days I will find and acknowledge one of the many things I have to be thankful for.

I am pretty sure this year will be a wild ride. They always are. I would love for you to join me for the journey or better yet share your own with me! Happy New Year friends - here we go...

Here is more information about the 365 Grateful Project: http://365grateful.com/

Training Begins

Walking Event Training from Emily Brown on Vimeo.

The Birthday Bash

We went camping to celebrate Bloom's birthday. We camped in Lyons, CO. The weather was perfect and we even got to spend some time in Boulder! We went with our great friends Brandon and Lindsey and even got in a couple of bike rides. Bloom had lot of room to wonder and ride his bike. It was tons of work getting ready, loaded, packed, unpacked...but totally worth it.

Happy Birthday Bloom

Bloom Year 2! from Emily Brown on Vimeo.

Bellingham!

A few weeks ago I went to Bellingham, WA to visit my sister (and get out of Laramie for awhile!) I took the kids down to Colorado Springs. Bloom spent 5 fun filled days with his Nannie and Poppie and Anjali and I took her first flight to WA. It definitely wasn't relaxing. Is traveling with kids ever? But the trip was great! I LOVE Bellingham and any chance to see my sister is always what I need. We even managed to go out for a girls' night with some friends and stayed up past 10pm! And for the cherry on top, we leave this weekend to meet up with the family in AZ to get some major vitamin D.

Here's some highlights: