Where Your Soul is Free

Where is the one place your soul feels free?

The place where you go to get away from it all?

The place where you go to think, to breathe, to be?

My place is the outdoors.

The air is healing for me.

Even if that air is bone-chilling.

I breathe it in and my fears and anxieties dissipate.

This winter we've been hit with record breaking cold temps and snowfall over and over.

By this time, the end of January, I am aching for green grass and warm sun.

I dream about getaways and adventures.

Today I decided to go walk along the lake - just to be outside.

It was negative something degrees but that didn't matter.

Today was good for my soul.

Alone.

In the silence.

In the frozen wasteland.

I imagined crossing the frozen lake on foot to Canada.

I imagined that the grass was new and my girls were running in the sunshine.

I imagined picnics.

kisses.

life.

After today I am okay to wait a while longer for spring to arrive.

The winter, in all her bitter chill, is beautiful.

She is peaceful and slow.

She makes us stop and relish the simple things.

Time is but a vapor.

Breathe this moment.

Live this moment.

XO.

Autumn Fallin' From Trees

Autumn is by far my most beloved season.

I just can never get enough.

I always feel like autumn goes by quicker than the other seasons around here.

Once the leaves start falling from the trees, the weather starts to really cool down.

Winters of course seem to last a lifetime - though I won't even start uttering that W word right now.

I shudder.

We are taking in this gorgeous autumn weather deep into our souls.

Letting the sun rays soak into our skin.

Even when the sun has been shining this week, there is still a crisp little chill in the air.

I love that crispness. 

When it's still warm enough to just wear a light sweater but your nose gets a little cold. 

Joshua was gone all last week for work so the morning after he got home I made a big breakfast and we piled into the car and zipped over to our favorite nature park.

It was still early enough that the sun wasn't very warm but as the morning went on our layers came off.

We picked some wild apples.

Collected tiny acorns.

Searched for the brightest and most beautiful leaves.

 Found vintage bottles and pottery.

Chased squirrels and chipmunks. 

Twirled in circles and laid in fields and watched the clouds pass by us. 

I think we all feel most alive when we're in the woods.

Alone and in the quietness of nature.

There are no boundaries, no fears.

We can just run and be free.

There are no rules and no limits.

These are the best days.

I say that often but when you have children, I feel like every day is just so much better than the last.

Life is constantly changing and moving as they grow. 

We as parents are learning and growing just as much as the girls are.

We grow with them and I love that about parenting.

We change with the seasons - the seasons of life and I'm loving the gifts that come with each new day.

xo.

Pregnancy #2: Week 33

Here are the newest photos from my maternity series with the lovely Caitlin! 

( You can see our other shoots here at 22 weeks and here at 26 weeks)

We got together on Sunday after church for this shoot and I just love how they came out!

Cait really is just so inspiring - I was literally flopping around on the ground feeling fat and awkward but Cait was able to make it look graceful and serene.

Thanks Cait for helping boost my self esteem a little ;) 

I will treasure these photos forever!

P.S.

If you haven't check out Caitlin's blog The Merrythought yet you really need to get over there and check it out!

She along with some other beautiful ladies share some of the most inspiring projects, home tours, and recipes! 

I'm completely smitten with them and their blog! 

xoxo. 

Pregnancy #2: Week 26

I had another maternity photo shoot with my lovely friend Caitlin this week and it was just so hard for me to decide which pictures to post from it! 

Cait is so much fun to work with and I just am so thankful for her offering to do this fun little series! 

The day we had our shoot it was a whopping 50 degrees and sunny outside and it felt so wonderful!

After so many months of weather in the 30s and below, 50 degrees felt like fresh springtime.

It did my soul so much good to traipse around the woods for an hour without freezing to death. 

This outfit was a pregnant women's dream.

Dressing this baby bump is starting to become a bit more challenging but I'm loving it.

I think I will probably wear this outfit a dozen more times before the baby is born - it was that good.

Here are a couple tips for dressing your baby bump:

1. Elastic waistbands are your best friend - embrace them. I'm not talking yoga pant waistbands or leggings-as-pants waistbands (just say no to those unless you're staying at home all day). I mean elastic waistbands in skirts and dresses! They will be your saving grace when you can't comfortably fit into your favorite jeans anymore and you don't want to look like a frumpy mess. This particular skirt has an elastic waistband and I can wear it under my belly, on my belly, or even over my belly for 3 different styles - there really isn't anything more versatile during pregnancy than an elastic waist maxi skirt.

2.  Layering Tanks. This is probably a super obvious and basic thing that everyone already knows but I think is so important to mention. With a basic layering tank you don't have to worry about that belly popping out from under your regular shirts (because I'm sure you're not only wearing maternity shirts). They're also a great support for your newly acquired "chub". I get all my tanks from Forever 21 for less than $4 each and they come in every color imaginable. 

3. A Flowy Shawl. A flowy shawl or cardigan is perfect for throwing on over a boring tank to dress up a little bit. You still get the comfort of wearing your simple tank but without feeling under-dressed or frumpy. 

My outfit details:

Skirt: Forever 21 (they have a bunch more colors in-store)

Tank: Forever 21 (tunic length is my favorite because they're extra long and provide more belly coverage!)

Shawl: H&M (a few seasons ago)

Thanks again, Cait for more beautiful photos!

You're the best!