it's the little things

It's the little things that I capture with Instagram 

{and some big things too, but mostly little}...

 

like the perfect cup of hot chocolate... 

 

 grabbing a moment in time with a boy that is growing up too fast...

and his little sister too... 

 

the little things like peace in the car

and excitedly watching for the next trick or treater

 

...and the sun.  Oh, the glorious sun.  #thankfulliving

It's the little things that

will someday be the big things.  

The happy memories. 

The moments in time.  

Speaking of time... 

The countdown continues.

 

Minnesota...here we come. 

Well, only for 10 days.  But that'll do.

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Linking up with:

Hello Hue for the FANTABULOUS return of "the little things"
Finding Joy for Friday Favorites
Life Rearranged for InstaFriday

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and here's my little link-up again too.  Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, your blog.  Where ever you please.  Its time for #thankfulliving.  Link up here so we can all be thankful together. 

It's the little things: a brain. or maybe its bread?

From 'the big picture' yesterday, to the little things today.

Linking up with Lindsay, and making sure to make note of the little moments that I am so grateful for.

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Earlier this week, I dropped J#4 off with her grammy, and J#3 and I had a mother/son date.  That doesn't happen very often.  Or, since J#4 was born, EVER.

So we headed to downtown St. Paul with Lori and her son Tony, a few of our very good friends.   Lori and I were so excited when we started having kids, because our boys ended up being being just one year apart in age {J#3 is younger}. We couldn't wait for play dates.

And then I up and moved on her.

But we DO visit.  So, on this visit, we decided to take the boys to the Children's Museum.  I am guessing I'll have a huge 'ole post about the day, but here are a few of my favorite "little things":

Play in motion. 

They almost make you think they are working together, don't they?  Hehe. 

A brain.  

Or bread?  

I'll let you decide.  Ha.  Haha. 

Oh.  And guess what?  Lori's daughter?  She's only about three months older than J#4.  

Can't wait for our shopping dates.

Although, I am sure our husbands can wait.  Don't ya think? 

It's the little things: Running and Playing

Friday.  Again time to appreciate the little things.  Be thankful for life right now.

To start out with, I discovered Photobucket and Picnik this week.  My photos will never be the same.  KnowwhatImean?

I challenged myself just to use to my cell phone camera this week to capture these...not sure why, just thought it would be fun.  Plus, then I can join in at Life Rearranged for InstaFriday.  Except that I don't have an Iphone {maybe I'll get one in Scotland?}, thus no Instagram.  So I used Photobucket.  Fun!  Fun, I tell you.



I am really starting to enjoy running.  And I am not just saying that. {Really, I'm not!!} A while back, I had said to J#1, "I want to be able to walk or run to that Park Theater." The building on the right?  That's the Park Theater.  Score!



J#4 continues with her "signs" {remember last week, with the ear rubs?}.  The other night, just around dinner time, she crawled over to the table and pulled herself up to her dinner seat.  Next she'll be yelling, "hey, ma, where's the eats?"



Since our move to Scotland next week is a sure thing {this time}, we had our last mums & tots group this week.  We're gonna miss this.  Because the kids sure weren't having a good time or anything {please sense sarcasm}.   Look, J#3 was even caring for a baby in a stroller.

Does anyone else think it is the COOLEST thing when kids start to really develop and utilize their imaginations?




Mums.  Love.  These are a bright, vibrant yellow.  We turn the corner near our place, and there they are.  Brightens my day every time.

So friends, what are you most thankful for this week?

Linking up with:

Lindsay

& Jeannett

P.S. Just a reminder folks, we are nearing the end of the 31 days series on how to be a better mama.  If you are just joining me here on the blog, please make sure to check it out here. 


P.S.S. If this is your first visit to my humble blog abode, please take a look around {I've got nothing to hide}!  Leave a comment and say hi, because I'd love to come for a visit at your place too.  

Capturing the joy in the little things

This week?  Flew by.  Which is pretty hard to believe, since it was pretty low-key.

But, since its Friday, that means its time to appreciate the little things with Lindsay from From the Aisle to Aloha.  And since those little things are things that make me happy, and I have discovered another link-up on Friday that fits in nicely with that theme, I am joining Erin at Living in Yellow.   Have you checked out her little home on the 'net yet?   If not, please do.  She is hi-lar-ious.

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So, peeps, I need to start taking A LOT more photos.  I had just a few to choose from.

But, can I tell you somethin'?  I have realized this week that I get GREAT JOY out of capturing moments for other people.  Just as much {maybe even a bit more} than I do for myself.

Which brings me to this...the city of Eindhoven turned into a marathon course.

My friend Tracey finished the marathon.  So awesome.  And I got to sort of be her unofficial post race photographer.  So awesome. {I was going to delete that second "so awesome" since I had just said it, but it. just. was.}

These little puppies.  They arrived a few days too late, so have delayed our move to Scotland.  BUT they arrived {with special little UK Visas stamped inside}.  And that is what matters.  I just about could have kissed the DHL guy {he was kind of cute, actually}, but just settled for a "you've made my day!"

See that hand on the ear?  A tell-tale sign that J#4 is tired.  I love signs.  Its sort of like a warning bell, you know?  Rubbing of ear.  Tired.  Rubbing of eyes?  Really tired.  Go directly to crib, place her gently in it. Do not pass go. Do not collect 200 Euros  {I wonder if it is less because of the currency conversion?}.

He's finally back on a peanut butter toast kick {picky eater + phases =not many choices of what to feed him}.  Yay!!  And those pjs are too adorable for words.  Flannel pants.  Swoon {about the flannel pants...I grew too small for my old ones, need to find some new ones!}

Have you heard of NaNoWriMo? This is going to be my vehicle for starting the book I want to write   {on my bucket list, look under miscellaneous}.  It means I write every day during November, with the goal of writing a 50,000 word novel {about 175 pages} by midnight on November 30.  What happens when I'm done?  I get a web badge, and I get listed on a page on the NaNoWriMo website.  Not too exciting, but at least I'm on my way, right?  

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If you have a few spare minutes, link up, or at least go check out some of other fun ladies over at both of these sites: 

It's the little things #5 :: friends & food

It's amazing how these weeks fly by so quickly.  Sunday {while pondering the next day is Monday and J#1 goes back to work} I am wishing for it to be Friday. 

Then it is.  And I get to reflect on the little things that made it the week that it was {mostly good, sometimes...eh}. But I choose to remember the good.  So here it is...

We are quickly winding down our time in Eindhoven, the Netherlands.  A week from today the movers will be packing up our furniture and we will be driving to Amsterdam for an overnight stay before we fly to Scotland.  Wow.  We will have lived here for a year.  To the day. 

So we spent some time last weekend taking a walk around the Centrum. And I spent time capturing our life while we were here.  {Is it just me who likes slightly overexposed photos outside?}

Slippers?  Yup, slippers.  I have been ADDICTED to Tuc Crackers {made by Kraft, they are my stand-in for Cheez-its}.  Right now they have a promotion running; buy three packs, get a free pair of slippers.  Perfect.  Now I can always remember those Tuc crackers.   {They have them in Scotland too, but I haven't seen the exact ones I have been married to here.  Oh well, perhaps it is time for us to go our separate ways.  For my waistline?  Probably a good idea.}

One of my {new} all time favorite photos.  Waiting for her homemade applesauce to be finished.

Speaking of the kitchen.  I finally caved.  J#1 has wanted a deep fryer.  Forever.  And people, wowza...deep fried french fries?  In the comfort of my own home?  Num. 

Capturing a moment in time.  J#3 has been in the habit of sleeping by the window/door in his room.  He was majorly anti-nap over the weekend, so I took advantage of it so I could get this photo and "remember the time he wouldn't sleep in his bed".  

Dinner out with friends {and a photo bomber}.  Seriously.  So rejuvenating to spend a night out without kiddos.

Can't wait to check out what other lovely bloggers have to say where the little things that they are grateful for this week.  Check them out over at Lindsay's blog: 

It's the little things #4: bags & dates

Seriously folks.  We have moved a lot.  So why, oh why am I stressed about this move?  Maybe the question is when will a move NOT stress me out?

With the lists of stuff to do from canceling accounts to getting copies of medical records {in Dutch.  eek!} to determining what needs to be packed for temporary living and oh so much more, I am excited to talk about the little things.

The little things that make my life joyful.

Like having a moving date.


And browsing Etsy for a fun diaper changing set.  This should be perfect in my Jo Totes camera bag I am pining after.  I may have asked for it for Christmas already.  My Mom {hi Mom!} said she "might" get it.

Source: etsy.com via Jenny on Pinterest

At least she didn't say "we'll see".  Because do you know what "we'll see" means?   It is Mom speak for "no".  Which actually makes me a bit curious.  Did your moms use that as an answer when you were younger?

Speaking of bags.  Have you seen these things?

If you are traveling with a toddler any day soon run {don't walk} to your nearest computer.  Oops.  Guess you are already there.  Now that you are there, order a Trunki.  We were going to wait until we got back to the States this fall to order one (only available online in the States, as far as I know) because it is a lot less expensive there than in Scotland (where we go this one).  Or add it to J#3's Christmas list.  But he came across Freddie the Fire Engine and we were sold.  Or it was sold.  Whatever.  This is a rolling carry on bag.  For kids.  That they can ride.  Genius.  A toy and storage all in one.  The genius behind this evidently brought the idea to "Dragon's Den" {the U.K. show that "The Shark Tank" was based on...is that even on anymore in the U.S.?}.  Pretty sure they are going to be a millionaire, if they aren't already.  Oh, and to finish off this glowing testimonial?  Psst...Grandma, J#4 will be needing one very soon.  Say, maybe around December or so?  Wink, wink.  Nudge, nudge.

Do you see this people?  We have entered the age.  The age of siblings, playing together.  This was not staged.  Guess they were having some sort of dinner date.

And J#3 was talking calls on his potato.

Then there's this.  She's helping out in the kitchen!  Nice, huh?

Thanks Lindsay, for hosting this awesome link-up.  Please make sure to visit her blog and shop.  Found something there this week, that I am thinking would look awesome on a gallery wall surrounding by family photos.

It's the Little Things #3: a ham & a house

Ah.  Now this feels right.

The internet at my fingertips.  And time for another little things post.  Which means its Friday too...yahoo!

And finally a chance to share some fun photos of our last week and the little things that made it awesome.  Oh, and I might have dropped in one item that is a bit of a "bigger thing" but important to note {at least to me}.

Trying to take passport photos of a 2 and a half year can be a bit challenging.  Especially when he has become a bit of a ham when the camera comes out {finally!}.

Best part of having your photo taken with J#3?  He is so cute, everyone just looks at him so they don't notice how shiny face is.  Right?   No?   Oh.  Bummer.

Restaurants with humungous play areas for kids in Scotland.  People, this thing is huge. I have told you about it before.  But J#3 got way more adventurous this time, climbing up to the top on his own.  And getting back down too.  Whew.

Perfect find of a jacket for J#4 the day before we left for Scotland.  On sale too!

Smiling boy.  Love it. He's enjoying an outlet mall play area.  Even in the rain.

And now for the bigger thing... 

We found a place in Scotland!  Here is a little teaser...this is the conservatory.  

And I didn't take this photo, grabbed it from the internet (rightmove.co.uk).  There is currently a sleeping baby in the room where my camera cord is.  And people, we know you never wake a sleeping baby, right?

Linking up again this week with Lindsay of From the Aisle to Aloha.  Thanks for providing the link-up Lindsay!

It's the Little Things {like FedEx and duffel bags}

I am getting more excited each week {okay, so it has only been two weeks, but still} about this link-up party.  It is truly a good way to build up my list of 1000 gifts {I just need to remember to transfer them over there, wink, wink}.  Plus,  I have made it a photography challenge for myself.  And challenge it is, especially when most of them are taken inside. 

And people.  It is hard, very hard, to make a photo of a duffel bag look interesting.  Read on to see what I mean... 

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 "A Fedex envelope Jen?  Really??"  Oh, yes, a Fedex envelope.  See we have some of our mail forwarded to an address in Florida (via usabox.com in case you are interested) so that it is cheaper for folks in the U.S. to send us packages and for things like the mortgage, etc.  When we send it over here to ourselves it gets delivered 2 day Fedex.  And they usually require a signature, which means I have to coordinate the mailing to make sure it is a day that me and the kiddos can be home all morning.  Have I lost you yet?  Hopefully not.  Anyway, there was a delivery scheduled for this past Monday.  Good deal, we had some friends over so knew we would be around.  Except the buzzer to call our house (there is a locked gate) was broken. So they couldn't call to be let in for the signature.  Which would have meant a trip to their office to pick it up.  But, then, magically, the envelope appeared in our mailbox a few days later.  Score!

 Coffee.  Coffee with a message.  "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams!  Live the life you've imagined."  -Thoreau

 Love this mug.  See the chip?  Still not getting rid of it.

Lots of days crossed off.  79% {thanks Kindle} of the way through the Bible in 90 days.  I may have read ahead a bit.  We are now in the New Testament, which I really, truly appreciate.

A duffel bag.  {not actually packed yet, but a flattened duffel is even HARDER to make interesting}   Waiting to be packed for a {rental} house hunting trip in Scotland.  Yahoooooooooooo!

Oh, and my challenge for the day?  Fitting clothes for six days for four people in that one bag.  I'll let you know how it goes...

Candle and wine.  Relaxation.  So glad to have J#1 home again.  I can take a breath, and let him run after J#3 for a bit.

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Linking up with Lindsay...go check out what little things everyone else are excited about this week.