Giving Thanks to you.

{free 16x20 download here}

Normally in November I do a daily thankful.  I've missed it a little bit this year but I think saying I'm grateful for Axel every day might get a little repetitive.   And while I have so many things to be thankful for, he is always the first thing that pops in to my head.  When I look back over the past few years and think about where my heart was when I started an I'm Thankful month it kind of seems like a lifetime ago, and a different me.  I feel like I am whole these days.  I feel happy and amazed that I feel happy.   Its good.  So this month I'm giving thanks.  To my friends and my family.  To everyone who has been a part of this story.  I couldn't have done it without you.  

: rustic graphics via 

6 months of Axel

I've gotta get a 6 month picture of Axel in before he is 7 months old!  This time of year always seems to fly by for me.  October here was glorious.  Too bad I was sick for two weeks of it.  But we are finally better and have tried to enjoy as much of the sunshine as we can.  Now on to November which is full of exciting times for our family.  Axel's adoption will FINALLY be finalized this month and I'm looking forward to the holiday season.  What is your favorite part about this time of year?

Falling in love with fall.

It is fall everyone.  In case you missed it.  I love summer its no secret.  But I'm a sucker for the change of the seasons too.  And transitioning in to fall has been really easy for me this year.

 It has something to do with boots and sweaters and cozy drinks...

Soundtracks for the season that just make you feel fall in your heart...

Cooler days to get outside with my guy...

Soup and football...{this one is yum and so easy.  also I might be a seahawks fan.}

And weekends like this.  

How could I not fall in love with fall?

First Grade!!

There she goes.  My kid, off to first grade.  We are in our second week of school and loving everything about first grade.   Her teacher, eating lunch at school every day, science and the monkey bars are all of her favorite things about being back in school.  

She gives it two thumbs up.  

What my little girl is made of.

Ivy turned six.  How can it be?  Birthdays make me so sentimental.  We took our birthday adventures to the mountains this year.  Why is it that the mountains always feel like home?  

This girl grew up the day Axel was born.  I've watched her this summer blossom as a big sister.  I've also become keenly aware of how much she is affected by the things I do.  How who I am is shaping who she is.  It is scary and awesome.  

I hope I can teach her to be better than I am. 

 In our adoption profile I described Ivy as being part princess, part pirate.  She is the best of both worlds.  The things my little girl is made of.  Be still my heart. 

It is magical to me to think of all the things she is capable of becoming. 

Courage.  Sacrifice.  Determination.  Commitment.  Toughness.  Heart.  Talent.  Guts.

Thats what my little girl is made of.