Thursday's Small Successes

I know I haven't done one of these in a while.  It's possible I've accomplished things, but sometimes I'm too tired to recall :).  It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So on Thursday of each week, we do exactly that. (Danielle Bean at Faith and Family Live.  Head over there and share your successes, too!)


1. Anni and I survived our 6 day trip away from home.  This was a big deal to me - we not only had to fly, but I didn't have Daniel to spell me through her restless nights and I had to leave her (with family, but nonetheless) for a full day while I worked.  whew.  We're all settled back in and she has remembered she loves her daddy, so it's good.

2. This is really a baby Nugget success, but she's sleeping through the night again!  We're finally reaching the end of yet another family cold, and the sleep that has come with recovery has been blissful.  We did have to let her cry for a few minutes a couple of times, but it is never a full blown screaming (I just can't handle that, it's not in my list of mommy abilities), just some whines and whimpers as she drifts in and out.  She was waking up at one or two in the morning and only sleeping when being held even after diaper changes, milk and a whole lot of rocking.  The part that made us giggle?  One night after she had put herself back to sleep, I went in to check on her and she had fallen asleep sitting up!  Her new pulling herself up to sitting skill (and a recent half standing splits skill) might start making nighttime even more interesting.

3. I have felt really fulfilled in my work lately.  The six day trip was primarily to photograph a wedding (as well as a maternity shoot and family shoot), and I really felt like it was one of my best to date.  I've even proofed out the maternity shoot and have made good headway into the wedding thus far.  It's a really good feeling.  You can check out my work on my business blog.  

4. Oh, I thought of one more I just have to post... my loan is all nicely paid off!  I know I blogged about it before, but the money is officially out of my account now, and my loan online says. "Paid in Full."  YES!

A traveling we shall go

We've been back for a few days, but a few members of my family drove back with us and spend a couple of happy days exploring Denver and the mountains and immediately following their departure, we all came down with a cold and have been shuffling along ever since.  I was granted a beautiful nap today and so am ready to fill you in on our trip. 

It was both wonderful and difficult at the same time.  We were able to spend nearly a week with my family.  This was wonderful.  I love that we live in Colorado, but miss my family a lot (our phone records will attest to this). 

I was able to spend almost a full day with one of my older sisters, which is always good for my soul.  She's terrifically wise, beautiful and makes and sells the beautiful hats you will see in this post (don't worry, I'll be sharing info in a post to come very soon).  She also makes the best oatmeal cookies ever.  I am crossing my fingers that she'll share the recipe with me... because not only were they delicious, but they had whole wheat, and oats... yum!

 

She was also my baby's "faux mama" while I was there.  Stranger Danger is still a very real part of our lives, and our nugget did not want anyone but me to hold her... except Aunt Katie.  Because, see, the difficult part about us being gone was that Daniel had to stay behind to work and I did quite a bit of work while we were there (the actual reason for the trip) and so Anni needed to stay with my family (whom she doesn't see quite often enough to recognize from trip to trip).  Luckily, the combined skills of my mom and my sisters and the entertainment their babies provided, we made it through.  And, I was able to photograph some really beautiful events.  It was soul-stretching for me.  I love my job.  (Check them out on my photography blog.)  

I love that my family is close.  Even living 8 hours away, I always know that I have a village backing me up.  And when we're near, I always know there will be cousins playing, walks by the river to take and zoos to visit. 

Zuzana was utterly proud to be pushing Anni in the stroller.  (Katie made the cloche Anni is wearing in this picture as well.)

The zoo is a time-honored tradition in our family.  I grew up going to this zoo and now my mom and Charlie are there at least once a week (family zoo passes are incredible).   

 I was also able to spend some time with one of my bridesmaids and former roommates.  Cheese pizza on a Lenten Friday and catching up.  Lovely.

And, not only did I get to visit with my older brother's family, but I finally got a tour of the house they moved into in December!  I love it, it is very much them (and has many pieces that fit my brother's personality to a t). 

Miss Zizzy on the left was born only a few days after Anni, although she was patient and came on time.  I'm hopeful they're going to be great friends.

Celebration!

I am so excited!  We just got our tax refund (it looked so nice in our bank account for the brief amount of time it was there) and turned around and used it to pay off my student loan!  I was lucky enough to not have a huge loan, but it was big enough.  Daniel didn't have any debt, so I really wanted to get rid of mine so we could be debt free before we buy a house.  I really wanted to have it paid off right after college, but that wasn't exactly feasible, so we've been chipping away at it, trying to at least make double payments every month.  And there you have, it!  No more monthly payments!  Now, I do still need to pay my dad back a comparably small amount, but at least I can do that now (he's been very patiently waiting while I pay off my federal loans as his interest rates are about half the amount I was paying on those).  The college I attended was wonderful, but not exactly cheap: it feels good to have it paid off.  So, do a little celebration dance with me!  Debt-free is the way to be!

Family time

 

I hope your weekend was as lovely as ours.  Anni and I are going to be away from Daniel for nearly a week starting on Wednesday, so we spent the weekend just being together as a family.  And it was good.

Former Fridays: A Salute

 

I know, I know... how many times am I going to post today?!  But I realized it was Friday and I didn't want to forget.  So, today's picture is dedicated to all soldiers (especially Miss Tara)!  This is my maternal grandmother, Bernice.  I was never able to meet her as she passed away before I was born, but I have always thought she was absolutely gorgeous!  This was probably taken in the late 30's or very early 40's.