i'm late, but at least i brought bread

Okay, so I'm a day late with this post but it's still better than my recent track record.

Last week was crazy! It never fails: when husbands go out of town things break, kids get sick and somehow laundry detergent ends up all over your floor. ALL. OVER. Seriously, have you ever had to clean up a pool of laundry detergent? It's insane, but at least my house smelled like fabric softener. I think the kiddos are finally on the mend too, so hopefully we'll return to our normal level of chaos. (It's been slightly elevated lately.)

But aside from the crazy, we did have a big event this week-->Ollie turned ONE-YEAR-OLD! I don't know if I've mentioned it yet, but that kid is a stud. I mean he whines a lot and wakes up way too early, but when you're as cute as he is, one manages to put those things aside. I love him so much you guys. It's still hard to believe that I have a son. There are definite differences in raising boys versus girls, but like I said, man do I love that little guy. When he smiles, it starts in his eyes and just diffuses throughout his entire body. I'm so excited to watch my boy grow. Soon enough he'll be saying all sorts of adorable things and we'll experience those horrific moments when we'll wonder why we encouraged him to speak (just kidding).

His birthday festivities were simple but fun He passed out on our giant bean bag chair before we had a chance to even sing happy birthday to him, so I think it's safe to say that Ollie had an exhausting day.

SO that's my life right now. Playing mama bear to my big ol' one and two year old cubs while simultaneously trying to keep my sanity. It's a work in progress. But hey, since you're here, if your' re in search of the most perfect honey whole wheat bread recipe that can be made in the bread maker, then call the search party off. Minimal ingredients and about as clean as it gets...I'll just leave that recipe here. No joke, it's amazing.

Well, until next week people. Now go eat some chocolate and play outside. Peace.

it's been a while...

Over a year of life has passed since the last time I posted. Seriously?! What kind of journalism major am I?

Well, since it's my birthday I'll go ahead and do a quick recap of the last year.

• Had an adorable baby boy who is turning one in a few days. More to come on Oliver later.
• Penny turned two! What a crazy fun adventure that little is! More to come on her as well.
• I found the perfect dark chocolate granola recipe. It's heavenly, people.

Okay, so it's been a year mostly of changing diapers, feeding babies and providing them with entertainment. And although it's been a hard year, it's been one full of blessings and challenges and growth. Kids, man. They suck the life out of you while simultaneously breathing it into you. Oh I just love them. They could be MUCH better sleepers, but aside from that they're pretty darn wonderful.

Alright, so I know that was short but I've got a feel good chick flick to get back to while snuggling up with my handsome hubby. (The kiddos are asleep... score!) But I will be back. This year I plan on posting every Sunday and I'm gonna do it!

my loves on a micro birthday hike

one year down

 That's right folks...this girl is a big ol' one-year-old now! 

I think she became a toddler around 10 months, but things are in full swing now.
(Tantrums and all.)
This little girl brings me so much joy.
It really is a privilege to be her mother. 

Don't get me wrong, being a parent is definitely the hardest calling
I've ever had in life and there are days when I think
I might literally lose my mind. 

But it's also the most precious and wonderful work
I've ever done and will probably ever do. 

I just love her. 

So in honor of Miss Penny I thought I'd share
some photos from the past couple months. 

Enjoy!

Sunny days in WA make our hearts happy...

This girl loves playing in the backyard (or anywhere outdoors for that matter).

Snacks are an essential when we go walking.

We recently took the ferry to Seattle...best way to travel.

This girl loves fruits and veggies! Here she is eating a sweet baby pepper. (From the stem side of course.) She has also recently decided to re-purpose her infant car seat...it is now a lounge chair.

Watching sailboats at Old Town Poulsbo

Meet Penny's baby, Rosy. Here Penny is giving her kisses. (And can I just say that her tie-dye shorty pants make me smile.)

Penny climbing a rock with her friend, Jaeda.

They look more guilty then they actually were.

Collecting rocks

Somebody got a sandbox for her birthday.

You can't tell from this one photo, but her birthday cupcake indulgence escalated quickly.

I'm not sure...

<3

oh...hello there

From purchasing our first home to first trimester survival, it has been a busy couple of months. That being said, life has calmed down a bit over the last couple of weeks so I thought I'd post some Jameson family updates. (And photos because, let's be honest, that's the best part.)

First and foremost, our not-so-little Penny. No matter how long those sleepless nights may seem, time really does fly by with little ones. This little stinker is 10 months old, has four teeth, has been walking for over a month, has mastered getting off our bed and up the stairs, loves the vacuum cleaner and playing with our dog (June), has a slight obsession with toothbrushes and curtains/blinds and has recently discovered the joy of chocolate. She still refuses to sleep on her own, but hey, I've just started looking at it as extra snuggle time with my baby that won't be a baby much longer.

And then there's my wonderful husband. Bryce was recently called as Ward Clerk at church, so between that, his job with the Navy, school, refereeing, family and his newly required handyman skills, the boy has been BUSY. He works so hard for our family and is definitely the more patient one between the two of us...I just love this man. Did I mention he's building me an island for our kitchen? Love doesn't get more real than that.

As for me...the first trimester of pregnancy for our newest little hitchhiker was rough. But, I'm happy to report that over the past few weeks I've been feeling SO MUCH better! I'm truly thrilled about it since I was just one very bad day away from swearing off pregnancy ever again. We'll be finding out the gender in just a few short weeks. I'm so excited to have another little peanut! I'm hoping that Penny and the baby are just the best of buds. Oh the adventure and sleepless nights that await!

And finally...OUR NEW HOUSE! It all happened pretty quickly, but it just felt like the right time and the right house, so here we are. Only 358 more payments and this baby is ours! ;) It's a tri-level with 3 bedrooms and 2 1/2baths. It definitely hasn't been boring as a new homeowner...broken furnace, broken water heater, huge tree falling in the backyard during a windstorm, buying a new roof and gutters...you get the point. Nevertheless, we feel so blessed to have found this little gem. It's sort of ridiculous, but one of my favorite things about the house is that there is a toilet in the laundry room. I call that a cloth diapering win! Aside from that, the landscaping is beautiful and we are on about half an acre. It'll be a great backyard for the kiddos and Junebug to run around in. There is a lot we want to do cosmetically, but it'll just take some time and money and effort. It's great to have our own place...now hopefully the Navy doesn't move us any time soon. I'm sort of over packing for a while.

Anyways, thanks for stopping by. I'm trying to be more diligent with posting, so hopefully it won't be months before I get to another update. (fingers crossed)

oh the places you'll go...

Oh the places you’ll go…I love this saying penned by Dr. Seuss. I must admit, I’ve never read the famous children’s book, but the title alone stirs within me a burning desire to embark on a grand adventure. 

 

When I was younger- not that I’m that old, but I’m not exactly counting the fractions in my age, either- I dreamed of a life very different from the one I have now. Not that I’m complaining, it’s just different. Instead of a briefcase, I carry a diaper bag/purse/”where the heck are my keys” sort of thing. Rather than wearing fancy threads I’m usually sportin’ my chucks with jeans and a cardigan. If it's a really good day, I've got mascara and Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer on, too. Look out world! Instead of spending long hours hovered over legal documents, I generally read aloud to my 6 month old and when I’m lucky, I get to read a “grown up” book that I’ve downloaded to my iPhone, because seriously, who wants to go check out a book at the library when you’ve got a baby time bomb strapped to your chest? Reservations at a fancy restaurant? No, thank you. I saw the recipe on Pinterest and I’m pretty sure with some slight alterations and swapping the butter for coconut oil I can cook/bake/eat just about anything. Jetting off for a quick relaxing trip usually entails hopping in my car sans baby, and going to the gym or grocery store ALL. BY. MYSELF. 

You want to know something wonderful? These are my adventures. You want to know something crazy? I wouldn't have it any other way. It’s not the places I go or don’t go, physically speaking, that make my life an adventure. No, it’s living every day and taking in that exact moment that make my life spectacular. Adventure beckons my name every minute, if only I choose to see it that way. And believe me, I didn't (and I don't) always. 

Perspective is a silly thing. Only when we learn to master it, or even attempt to do so, do we truly begin to understand how beautiful and grandiose life, and the moments it's made of, truly are.

Baking chocolate chip cookies for my husband with Disney music playing on Pandora, babbling with my daughter as she learns how to crawl and make new noises, going for long walks with my family while my Bryce holds on to Junebug’s leash and I wear my sweet little Penny close to my heart: these are my adventures.

And oh...the places I go.

a place called home

Writing your first blog entry is a lot like being on a first date. You only get to make a first impression once. I find myself nervous and over-thinking every word that comes out of my mouth- or in this case, from my fingers. What do I talk about? Do I try and be funny and down to earth or do I play it cool and mysterious? How much information is too much information? Do I mention my fondness for dark chocolate and penguins or my growing collection of buttons, affectionately known as flair? I don’t know. I just want to get this awkward moment over with. (That’s a lie. I actually get quite a thrill from awkward moments.) Moving on.

I majored in journalism approximately 307 years ago. I haven’t done much with my degree since I walked off campus, diploma in hand; never quite found my niche, so to speak. I interned at various magazines my senior year and became disillusioned with the whole writing thing. The artistic and cathartic elements seemed to be removed when you added a paycheck. It became a business of over-thinking and, quite honestly, giving too much weight to others' opinions of the words one chose to string together. 

Once upon a time I wrote for the love of it, and that’s why I’m writing now. It’s like William Faulkner once said, it’s not about being a writer, it’s about writing. Somewhere along the line, I forgot that.

That being said, dark chocolate & rain boots is born with no expectations except one- to be a home to the words that I choose to write. And like they always say, there's no place like home.