and i don't wanna miss a thing

I've done a lot of contemplating lately. Scott and I both have done a lot of talking and hashing out. What do we want our life to look like? When we grow old, what do we want to look back and say? What will our 80 year old selves say about our 27 year old selves. Did we live our lives to the complete fullest, recognizing that this day this moment would only last for a small split second in the grand scheme of our lives? Or would we just allow life to mozy on by us while we got caught up in the daily stresses and worries that we all have and wake up one day to regret it all? This has caused us to make some pretty interesting decisions. Decision #1 was obviously getting rid of TV, and I have to say that neither one of us miss it even in the least. Decision #2 was integrating different fun traditions during our week to look forward to that take the monotony of daily life- i.e. Sunday night soup, Miercoles Mexican night (it used to be Taco Tuesday, but now Scott has class on Tuesday so we had to move it to Wednesday, only nothing that has anything to do with Mexican food begins with W so we had to change it ok?) and even small little routines that we have- Mom does bath, Dad does bedtime with a song. Decision #3 has been to wake up every day together and do devotions with our coffee. Decision #4 has been for Brinkley and I to leave my phone and computer behind once a day and go down to the beach- or if it's raining into her room- and play together for an hour or so. I like going to the beach more, and I know B does too but sometimes you've gotta make do. All of this pondering came to a head tonight while I was doing my Monday night workout video. I thought to myself, "No one would really know if I only did 20 instead of 25 reps." Then I thought, "yeah but if I do 5 less reps per exercise I do, that's a heck of a lot of exercise I'm missing out on." And then I went so far as to think how less toned I would be at the end of the year, if I cheated myself out of that hard work. And then it struck me like a flash of lightning. No one would know if I skipped my hour playtime with Brinks outdoors one day. In fact no one would even know if Scott and I were just "too tired" to go in and get her one morning and let her cry herself back to sleep. No one would know if I got a babysitter so I could take off all the time on vacations with out her. (I am not referring to the occasional getaway, I recognize that this is deserved and pretty much needed) And it IS hard work. It's tiring. It's easier to hire help, or take off every chance you get, or do what's "best for you." But if I did all of these things, I would be cheating myself out of a heck of a lot of time without her. And Scott and I would be cheating ourselves out of a heck of a lot of closeness that we could have with her. And we would also be cheating ourselves out of a tight relationship that we could form with her early on that could last her entire life. So although it is a lot more work to pour ourselves completely into our parenting roles, I encourage you, mothers, your souls, just like my abs will be so much more refined.

not an uncommon day with my girl

For Real Friday... it's back.

A peek into my life based on random photos taken throughout my week. Enjoy!

holding my friend's newborn Joshua in the hospital when i visited her


decorated her house for her return from the hospital


some shots from baby Noah's first birthday party




some beauties of my flower child



my yummy homemade vegetarian pho for dinner


the morning routine


the end of my perfect week

A Birthday Dinner for the books

Last Saturday night a group of friends (planned by my love) took me to Del Agave in San Clemente for dinner. It was a fantastic evening filled good food, good drinks and best of all good friends. Scott gave me a toast after dinner and we kicked off my 27th year and 2010 in the right way. Concentrating on the important, God, family, friends, experiences!











the surprise toast and thank you kiss

New York and a New Year

You may remember that Scotty surprised me for Valentine's Day last year by honoring one of my lifelong goals to see the ball drop in Times Square on New Year's Eve. Well, after all of the Christmas craziness, the two of us left- sans bebe to the big apple for some romantic fun. Here are some of the highlights of our amazing trip. Well, the outdoor stuff ;)

the first night we got there we took advantage of the free wine and cheese reception at our hotel




we then headed off for a yummy italian dinner, dylan's candy shop, and serendipity






the next morning we headed off to the Guggenheim and then to Central Park and the Boathouse restaurant for lunch






that evening we headed off for a Ranger's Game- front row! and Rockefeller center







the next morning we awoke and snow covered the ground. security in the city was thick and we set out to find me a new years eve outfit. we went to South Pacific that night





we fought our way to Time Square and then...5! 4! 3! 2! 1!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!





we watched the ball drop live and in person!! we trucked back to our hotel and crashed. the next morning I awoke to breakfast in bed, a gorgeous bouquet of tulips and cards and gifts from my love. all in all- a perfect birthday. we spent the rest of the day shopping and eating and returned home to a very sweet little girl.