an adventure with my girl.

Yesterday, we set off on adventure. I just woke up with the feeling that we needed to do something special, just us. The stars seemed to align as we easily found a parking place, spotted a giant rubber ducky on the roof and walked along hand in hand towards our destination, the children's discovery museum.





I love this age, when the pigeons in the courtyard and the stairs between exhibits are as fascinating and brain-growing as the museum itself.



Her eyes widen in fear as planes fly overhead. Her voice squeaks with excitement as birds suddenly descend all around us. Her head is quickly directed upward as she watches a ball make its way through a bumbling maze. She picks up a paintbrush wet and heavy with the paint of children that have come before her. As she runs her brush across the white canvas it's like magic before her eyes as it instantly changes colors.



She takes it all in and it's as if she is growing into a little girl before my very eyes.

Some days, I am distracted with email checking, blog reading, chore list making, even though physically I am right next to her. But not yesterdat. Yesterdat I found myself soaking up each minute and marveling at how this child that I birthed, seemingly just yesterday, is now talking, walking, exploring and making art.

Wordless Wednesday: Toddlerhood

A team effort.

On our anniversary, I had grand plans of getting up early and making an anniversary worthy breakfast while husband and baby slept on, unaware. As soon as I was up and had the ingredients out, so was our little one. I fed her breakfast and once she finished eating she was curious about what I was up to. As you know (I think), I love to bake. As Meredith toddled up onto a chair, working alongside me, dumping ingredients into the mixing bowl, this one big hope that felt so far away had suddenly arrived. There are so many things about parenthood that felt so far away when Meredith was just born and now, after the quick blink of an eye, they are here. Getting to bake with my little girl just about takes the cake.

Steppin' Out: 1/8

 

 

This morning we stepped out to church. We've been slowly looking for a new church home and today was a step in the right direction.

My little lady looked absolutely adorable in her new striped shirt and I'm super happy with some of my outlet shopping purchases from Saturday. Chris was looking mighty handsome, too.

On Meredith

Top: Carter's

Jeans: Thrifted Gap

Shoes: Target

On Me:

Cardigan & Shirt: J. Crew Outlet

Pants: Forever 21

Shoes: Lucky Brand from Dillard's

On Chris:

Jacket: Banana Republic

Shirt:Macy's

Pants: Ralph Lauren Outlet

Shoes: Converse

Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters

Linking up with Mandy at Harper's Happenings!

5 years.

night we got engaged :)

honeymoon!

our first married trip after our honeymoon. a camping trip to Virginia. have I ever told you how we almost froze to death? i should someday.

soon after our engagement

baaaaabies! early college i think?

Five years ago, we made a forever commitment to one another. We shared these vows in front of our family and dearest friends.

"I, Claire, take you, Chris, to be my husband; to have and to hold  from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer,  in sickness and in health, to love and cherish always."

I will be faithful to you and honest with you;
I will respect, trust, help and care for you;
I will share my life with you;
I will forgive you as we have been forgiven;
And I will try with you to better understand ourselves, the world, and God;
Through the best and the worst of what is to come as long as we both shall live."

I am so glad we made these promises. Have our five years of marriage been perfect? No. But they have been amazing. We have shared countless adventures. We have shared countless laughs. We created a little life and have worked on raising her together.

We have also shared tears, hard decisions, rough patches and miscommunications. I haven't always forgiven as I've been forgiven, but have instead held onto wrongdoings (actual or perceived) longer than I should. I have had unrealistic expectations. 

I haven't looked at our vows in a really long time, but it makes me happy to read them and know we're working at it. We are faithful to each other. We are honest with each other. Sometimes it takes some coaxing from Chris to get me to talk about what's tossing about in my brain, but we do it. We share our life. My favorite things to do and my favorite memories are with him. Through the good and easy times and the harder times, I love him.

Happy Anniversary, my dear, dear husband. I love you.