She's 2!

I know it's what everyone always says, but I cannot even wrap my head around the fact that Viv turned two yesterday! 

Where does the time go?!

Time is such a weird thing.

It goes so slow.

It goes all too fast. 

Though now, in this time of my life, it only passes too quickly. 

It's a funny thing how children make life go by so much faster.

The days are so full and they pass with only a blink. 

It feels like only yesterday I was rocking this girl to sleep as a tiny babe. 

Now she's speaking and having opinions of her own. 

I am so proud of this beautiful soul. 

She's a special one, that's for sure.

She is feisty and opinionated.

She is kind and generous. 

She is loving and nurturing. 

 She is adventurous and fearless. 

She is devoted and loyal.

This girl,

the one who made me Mama,

she never ceases to teach me new things every single day.

She is my light and an incredible happiness in my life.

Happy Birthday Week, my Vivy. 

XO.

Oh! 

And...for those of you who don't follow me on Instagram and have been overwhelmed with photos, we got Viv a kitten for her birthday! 

She is the sweetest little doll I've ever met.

Her name is Margaret Prue and she is our Sweet Love. 

A Valentine's Day Dessert

Vanilla Crepes with A Chai Cream Cheese Filling 

I think by now it's safe to say that the only food I'll ever blog about is unhealthy, desserts. 

We eat really healthy in our house, but when it comes to desserts everything goes out the window. 

Josh is always asking me to bake something - and I, along with my sweet tooth, always oblige. 

He had been asking for crepes for awhile but I kept putting them off because they take a little bit of time to make.

Since Valentine's Day is coming up (also, my favorite holiday! So much pink and hearts and love!) I thought I would start documenting all of the fun foods and decorations that go along with it!

My house is always completely over-decorated for this silly holiday.

For the crepes I always use this Martha Stewart recipe. 

The only difference is that I add 1/4 cup of Powdered Sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla.

Chai Crepe Filling:

This was the first time I had made a Chai filling for the crepes. 

Usually I just make a vanilla cream cheese filling, but Josh has recently (I know!) discovered that he loves the flavor of anything Chai so I surprised him. 

What You Need:

- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

- 6 ounces softened cream cheese 

- 1/1.5 cups powdered sugar (more or less - you just want the filling to be thick)

- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

- 3 tablespoons of Chai concentrate 

- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

In a large mixing bowl cream together all of the ingredients. 

The filling should be thick.

If it's a little too soft and liquid-y, just add more powdered sugar until it starts to thicken. 

After the crepes are completely cooled down, use a knife to spread the filling onto the crepe and roll it up tight. 

You can also just put a big spoonful in the middle and fold up the sides, but it's so much easier for Viv to eat when it's rolled up tight. 

My filling ended up being a little watery, so I drizzled it over the whole pile of crepes too. 

Ugh, all of the sugar kind of kills me, but it's only a once-in-a-while treat so...I guess I can justify it! 

I boiled down some strawberries so that I had a lot of juice and let it cool in the fridge until I was finished and drizzled the strawberry juices on top.

The Chai flavor is subtle.

It actually reminds me of what a Chai Cheesecake would taste like! 

Oh...hmm...maybe that will be my next dessert! 

Enjoy! 

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.

Guest Posting Today!

I'm so thrilled to be sharing my breastfeeding journey today over at Danielle's blog Miss Verse!

Danielle is such an inspiring woman to me and I just adore her so much. 

I've had the privilege to get to know her for awhile now through Sakura Bloom and I'm just smitten with her and her family!

Jill started this "adventures in breastfeeding" project a while ago and then Danielle took over the project. 

I've been following since the beginning and seeing all the beautiful women's stories have inspired and encouraged me so much. 

There is such a comfort in knowing and reading about women who are on the same path as you, and hearing their stories is so uplifting. 

I hope you stop over to Miss Verse and get to know Dani and her beautiful family!

XO.