A return to the blogosphere!

Did you miss me world?!

Just kidding.  =)  I know I have been out of touch recently.

I have very good reasons.  Shortly after my last post, our family got into a bit of a housing dilemma and have been working to resolve it for the last few months.  But that meant significantly less time to blog because I was working on packing a house, taking care of my littles, and trying to figure out what the future might look like - even a little idea of what it might look like...which has not been forthcoming.

Now the reality is that I still do not know what the future will look like - but we are almost all packed, almost moved, and so ready to get out of this unknown stage of our life.  But I missed my little blog so I am back to give it a little TLC and give people an update about what has been going on.

So here are the high lights of the last few months:

• Baby girl turned 1!

We made a day of it at Disneyland and we actually got a family picture!  Even if the kids are distracted.  =)

• Not so baby boy turned 3!

He was so excited for minions AND balloons that he started jumping up and down.

• Dear friends and family visiting

My "brother from another mother" finally visited us

Grandparents were with us for a few weeks and it was a great treat

That meant lots of story time with grandma

And most recently, tea with my sister and one of my oldest friend's visiting from Hawaii.  Betcha can't tell which one is my sister?  =D

• And lots of boxes...

No, I do not actually have pictures of boxes.  But I probably should document some of that process and stuff.

It's kind of amazing how two birthdays (just in our family - there were three others in the extended family) can fill up time!  There are gifts and family dinners and activities to do and then there is a bit of a recovery period too.  Toddlers who stay up late just a little too long can take a little while to get back on track.  =)  

But with moving into a new place soon, I have lots of ideas for how to make it cute and liveable.  Those ideas will hopefully be making it to the blog very soon!  As well as a bit of a backlog of Project Pinterest posts!  I still have those going and am very excited to share some of them with you!  And if you want me to try anything for you, send it my way and I will see what I can work out!  

Can you believe that it is September already?!  That means it is time to start working on Christmas gifts!  Which I am excited about because I have some fun ideas for friends and family this year.  Maybe we will have a holiday themed Project Pinterest in the next few months!  

Until then, have a beautiful day!

On the days when I "love" but do not "like" my children

I am a young mom.  I have a two and a half year old and a seven month old, both of whom are apparently angels according to everyone around me.  Only my husband and I disagree.

Today was one of the days when I am positive everyone is blind - my children are NOT angels.  Despite a deep, deep love of being a mom, I still have those days when I really dislike having to take care of these two little people.

The worst part?  It isn't because I don't love the little people...I just don't like them right now.

I have a feeling there are lots of moms who may see this and understand what I am talking about.  There are days when it just gets to be a little crazy and overwhelming and chaotic trying to juggle the needs and wants of a toddler and infant who seem to want everything and nothing at once.  Literally.  My seven month old daughter cried for quite a while today because she couldn't decide if she wanted to get down and crawl on her own or cuddle.  So we ended up with a fussy baby no matter what we did and Hito gets upset if Sophia cries, whines, fusses, or talks....which makes everything so great!  And I am supposed to feed them, keep the house relatively clean, and run a business? Ahahaha...that is funny on days like today.

I made this observation to a good friend of mine recently who said that this seemed to be a healthy attitude.  Healthy or not, as she said that, I realized that this was the uneasy peace I have made with the fact that sometimes being a mom is no walk in the park and ends with more poopy diapers than you thought possible or more drool, food, and spit up on you than anywhere else in the house.

Recently, my reflections have changed a little.  It struck me that I am often the whiny child.  The child who can't decide what she wants and get upset when offered different options.  My heavenly Father is infinitely patient with me.  And this is going to be a little cliche but bear with me.  It is something that has so much more poignancy and meaning for me now.  Being a parent has given me insight into the Father/child relationship I have with my Savior.

As children, we are commanded to be holy as "He who called us" (1 Peter 1:13-21).  But that Scripture says nothing about our success in that endeavor. In fact, it seems to count on us failing because it tells us the reason why we have to keep trying to be holy (verses 17-21).   And I am just as whiny and discontent and uncertain as my daughter.

So...as much as I can, from now on, when this momma has a bad day...I will say grace.  Pray grace, be grace, beg grace.  If I have been redeemed with incorruptible things and am held close to my Christ despite my bad days, I will love my children all the more.  Through the drool and lack of sleep, there is the undeniable truth.

I am my Father's daughter and my children are mine and there is always more grace - for all of us.

Have a beautiful day.

6 months as a momma of two...

My little girl is six months old today...

We have gone from this...

...to this...

...in too short a time.

I had been thinking of what I was going to say in this post...but somehow I'd rather just show you what has been filling my life.  Because it is the greatest blessing I could ever receive.

Six precious months...

There can't be enough time with these moments, these smiles...thanking God for these and praying for more.

Have a beautiful day.

The Good News of Little Drummer Boy

This week, one of my favorite music groups brought out an amazing version of the song Little Drummer Boy.  And I have been listening to it fairly regularly...ok, it's been on repeat but details.

And then my rough morning started today.  Corby had an emergency at work that meant he had to leave the house suddenly, Sophia was getting tired early, and Hito did not want to play by himself.  My sore throat and suspiciously pink eye were bothering me this morning and the list of things to do before Thanksgiving was growing this morning.

Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum
A new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum...
So to meet Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
When we come.
Come, see, gift.  And then it started to sink in...

Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy to, pa rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give a king, par rum pum pum
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum pum,
On my drum?

The gifts we bring don't make us better or worse because really, we have no gifts fit for a king.  The thing that we bring is that little question and the determination to do it: can I play for You?  Can I work for You?   Can I clean my house for you?  Can I live my life for You?...

Mary nodded, pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum.
We often fail at our drum playing...like my morning...and I certainly was not doing my best this morning.  But I come again, to the throne of grace, and ask if I can play for you.  Trembling hands grasp the sticks and try to drum out a life that is worthy to bring the King.  

And I see the baby Jesus smile.

currently

Wishing my dear blogging friends, Megan and Sandy, happy birthdays!  

(I know I'm a little late but I do sincerely hope you both had wonderful days!)

via Julie Ann Art

Celebrating my birthday with family

From phone calls to texts to sweet gifts, it was a lovely day.  Also, my husband is the best.

Getting the new shop stocked and ready for all the holiday shopping that is coming up!

If you follow me on Instagram, some of the pictures I've been sharing of jewelry were for Aime Jewelry.  If anything caught your eye, go check it out because some pieces are limited!  (P.S. Stay tuned here or follow Aime Jewelry on Facebook & Instagram for some holiday goodies that will be coming up!)

Enjoying a good bowl of ramen

That picture over in my Instagram feed on the side?  Yeah, that amazingness.  Egg, pork, bean sprouts, nori, and the most amazing broth.  It has heavenly.

Getting my holiday shop on!

Aren't these cards from Julie Ann Art the greatest?  Kind of love them.  =)

Already have some cards, some gifts, and lots of ideas!    And I actually have ideas for guys this year!  If you need ideas, I am thinking of posting a guys gift guide.  Would that be helpful to anyone?

Have a beautiful day!

October - so far...

Life has once again gotten filled up with so many things that I have not had a chance to sit down and blog in a while.  So in a few pictures, here is our month so far!

~a talking toddler with an increasing affinity for the camera~

he managed to get himself into these positions himself...it makes for a lot of laughs in our house. =)

~a weekend in San Diego at the historic Hotel Del Coronado~

(I did not edit this photo at all - it really was that pretty)

~a super smiley baby girl~

you can tell that Southern California cannot make up its mind about whether to be warm or cold =)

~and kind of most importantly, a new Etsy shop and jewelry line!~

www.aimejewelry.com

After much thought, prayer, and counsel, I have opened a new Etsy shop with a different focus than my current one.  I was finding myself trying to be like a lot of other designers who were/are successful and was losing my vision and personality in that desire to imitate the good practices I saw other people doing.  Sense and Sensibility is not closing, I will still be blogging here, but I will be focusing my designing energy on this new endeavor.  And check back here for new products, holiday specials, and other deals that will be coming up as we launch this new shop!

Have a beautiful day!

Two years...

My Hito turned two today.

This little baby...

 ...grew into this boy in the blink of an eye.

Time goes fast...too fast.  How do I hold on to these moments?  My little baby has become a hefty boy and I am so thankful.  So thankful.

Hito, you are the sweetest, brightest little kid and I am so happy to be your mommy.  There is nothing I would rather do than stay with you for the rest of my life.  I pray every day that you will grow up to love the Lord, your family, and be the best boy you can be.  Happy birthday, little one.

remembering...

Today, I cried.

I don't remember crying on September 11, 2001.  My 15 year old mind understood that something horrific had happened.  But now my mother of two mind understands something so much greater.

The world is different.

And I cry.

We now live in a world that is full of this out-in-the-open and hidden-at-the-same-time fear called terrorism.

We live in a world where we wait with bated breath as friends with spouses and siblings and children in the armed services return from still hazardous tours of duty in far off places.  We live in a world where our children were not alive that day and need to be taught about these things.  We live in a world where we can start again to teach our children to love, always love.

Today, I praised.

I saw pictures on Facebook of another army soldier husband who returned safe to the arms of his wife and family.  I prayed thanks with a heart ready to burst that my brother made it back from his tour in Afghanistan safely.  I mourned again reading about families broken, security shattered, and hearts crushed by the hate of a few people that day years ago.

This different world also brings opportunities to us to do right and good.  Soldiers are getting help for PTSD, organizations are freeing the oppressed around the world, and we continue to find ways to sustain the earth's population more and more efficiently.

Today, I prayed.

The world is different but the prayer is the same.  Patience, humility, and love are never outdated, never unwanted.  As a mother of two, I strive, struggle, every day to try and point my children's eyes to the Savior who did everything for them, for mom and dad, for the whole world.  The whole world doesn't see it.  But that doesn't change the free offer of salvation and love - it will always be there.  And Christ draws us to Himself.

So I will continue.  Crying, praising, praying.  In full confidence of a future shaped and ordained by my Maker and Redeemer.

There are far better things ahead 

than any we leave behind.

~C.S. Lewis

learning, growing, and super comfy clothes

This weekend has been a little chaotic.  But it was sweet, challenging, and oh so exhausting.  =)  Let me recap.

My little-brother-in-law is getting married next weekend but this weekend was mostly about my youngest brother-in-law.  My in-laws have a tradition of a graduation to manhood celebration at the end of high school.  They started doing it with my hubby and have done it for all three sons now.  It is an evening of men gathered together to share their wisdom and insights about life with the "graduate" who is starting college or heading out to the work place.  Since it is for men only, I wasn't there but it was sweet to ask my husband and brothers about it and have them talk about the camaraderie and friendship that was kindled in those sharing moments.

And on Saturday morning, I had the opportunity to go to a fantastic PR and branding workshop hosted by Audrey of Conversation Pieces and taught by Tracy of Poi Planet (Do you follow me on Instagram?  Did you see the amazing baked french toast that Audrey made for us?).  It was one of the most challenging things I have ever done.  I loved every moment of it because I knew it was what I needed to hear at this point in my business's life.  But let me tell you, I have not felt that much brain drain since I was working on my largest projects in college.  At the same time, I learned the most from those intense moments.  The moments where you don't have a choice but get it together and keep up or give up and go home.  I'm not about to give up and go home so I am going to keep going!

With everything I learned at that workshop, I am working on some changes to the blog and business.  So keep visiting to see how things shape up in the next few weeks and months!  I am very excited about some of the changes but also more than a little nervous.  =)

And the comfy clothes part of the post?  Audrey runs her business out of her home where she graciously invited us in this Saturday and she gifted me the most uh-maz-ing shirt ever.

Seriously, I don't even know how to tell you how incredibly soft, comfortable, and breathable this shirt is!  Let me just say this - buy one and you will never regret it.  Be looking for a style post featuring this top very soon!  =)

And with that being said, I am going to go try to catch up on some stuff and start plowing through the week and hurry up to my brother's wedding!  

Have a beautiful day!

all growed up...

Today, my baby sister goes off to college.  My baby sister who used to copy everything that I did, said everything I said, and is becoming so much better than me.

There used to be a little bit of an age difference (in years, there is a nine year gap) but she has grown and matured so much.  She is zealous for the Lord, cares for others, and is seriously and deliberately trying to become the woman the Lord is molding her into.

I used to teach her things and now I opportunities to learn from her.  She is a great writer (she and I blog together over at www.couragethatpleases.com) and has helped me process through a lot of my thoughts.  She is a great auntie and fun to shop with.  =P  A requirement for all sisters, right?

She will always be my "baby" (I think I called her that until she was 8) and a little bit of a pain.  But I couldn't be prouder of where she is going.

my unexpected realization as a mommy of two

I have been single mom-ing it this weekend because the men of my husband's family always go hunting in Arizona over Labor Day weekend.  And that's ok (I have no problem with my husband having some guy time in case anyone misunderstood).  But I have been having a lot of internal conversations about whether I should be a full time SAHM or if there is other work for me outside of my home.

It was an extremely hot weekend so we were sort of confined to the few rooms that we have put air conditioning units into.  Well, I have a nearly 2 year old boy and a two month old girl.  It makes for some creative parenting, lots of mommy guilt, and more tv shows in one day than I normally allow.

But despite the mommy guilt, I did have a blinding moment of clarity.  At one point in my afternoon, I had a fussy infant and a fidgety toddler.  As I held my baby girl, I couldn't help but marvel at how beautiful she is.  My son was settling down with some markers and paper, focusing so intently on what he was doing, blond hair falling forward as he tried to copy the way I hold pens and markers.

And my heart was full.

I stopped and began praying out loud because I couldn't believe that God had blessed me with these two huge responsibilities that I love more than life.  Even at a distance, I felt supported by a husband who was recharging the same way I need to do every now and again.  Perhaps the sweetest thought was knowing that when dad does get home, both children's faces will light up the way they only do when dad comes home.

It was a long weekend that was rather out of our routine.  But it was precious.  I prayed and sang and laughed and cuddled with two children whom God has given me as a charge for the time being.  I was humbled as I remembered again and again that it is all His grace that gets us from morning to night and His grace that draws my children's hearts to Himself.  I carried on in His strength.

And again the blinding clarity.  My place, for the time being, is at home.  My children's physical and spiritual growth is my responsibility.  My family has the luxury of me being able to stay home and as long as God allows, I will be here.

I will be here so that when I tuck my children in at night and they instinctively fold their hands so we can pray before bed or crawl into my lap throughout the day to fold their hands and ask "pray", I can again be blinded with the knowledge that my work is here, at home.

missing home...

It has now been two weeks since I got back from my trip to Hawaii (hence my prolonged blogging absence) and I still can't get these things out of my head...

the view I grew up with every single day growing up...never gets old

my son beginning to appreciate the same view

H figuring out how to lick an ice cream cone for the first time!

a date with the hubby at Salt where we had the most amazing dinner: kim chee reuben sandwich, "ham and eggs" (pork belly and a space egg on mini english muffins), and a Hawaiian mud pie that had soy sauce caramel.

It was a three week trip that was still too short.  Hawaii, you will always be home.

Have a beautiful day, everyone.

One week as a momma of two

Hello all!

It is now officially summer!  I am writing this post while sitting outside watching my toddler play and listening to the sleeping baby snuffles of the newest member of our family.

Everyone, meet Sophia Aiko.  =) She joined us last week Wednesday and has been increasing our joy so much.

Being a momma of two is...interesting, challenging, amazing, rewarding, and more than anything else, exhausting.  But none of those things makes me regret anything or wish that I wasn't on this journey.  And for the sake of getting some of these thoughts out of my head, I thought I would share a few of the lessons I've learned so far here:

• No matter how many kids you have, an infant's feeding requirements make sleep a scarce event.
• When you have multiple little ones requiring your attention, you have to make certain arrangements to make sure your body heals after having a baby.  It is easy to forget that your body needs a little time to recover but I have a feeling that it will be well worth the consideration now.
• Husbands/fathers are God's greatest blessing to moms.
• Most importantly, nothing could have prepared me for the richness of love and sweetness of big brother getting used to her and the swelling of emotion from this momma.  It is an amazing thing to see and feel your family and love growing.  

There are certainly challenges.  I have been near tears with exhaustion but also over the moon with the beauty of the relationships that are being developed in our little family.  God has always given the grace needed for each trial and I know He will always be faithful.

Have a beautiful summer day!

anticipation and thankfulness, or pregnancy and baby showers

Tomorrow is 38 weeks on the baby wait calendar.  And it has made for some interesting personal reflections.  It has been interesting seeing how my thought process has evolved from when I was expecting no. 1.

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote this post about my insecurities about being a momma of two.  Since then...I have realized more and more strongly that things will work out.  Not easy, lots of hard work, but exactly how God plans them to be.  I have an amazing husband, supportive family, dear friends, and a heavenly Father who are always with me.

The point is that I am really looking forward to having two.  I am very aware that my time will be even less my own than is currently the case but does it matter when you have another pair of arms to nurture so that they will give me hugs and cuddles like Hito does already?  I don't think he quite knows that he is going to have a sister but that's ok.  =P  He is growing into quite the affectionate, curious, mischievous little guy and I can't wait to have another little person in our house.

Am I being very biased if I say he is getting to be too stinking handsome?

One of the things that I am so thankful for right now are a church family and dear friends who mean the world to me.  These ladies threw me a baby shower about a month ago and that was when it really set in that another baby was going to enter our lives.

My dear friend Kristin (who you have heard me talk about regularly) threw me the shower and did such an amazing job!  I felt so spoiled and loved!  I mean, just look at what she did!  She knows that this book, Jamberry, is one of my absolute favorite children's stories and used it as the theme for the shower - it was to die for!

Kristin used the book as a guest book!  It was the sweetest idea!

And her decorations on the dessert table alone are kind of amazing!  And the food was fantastic too!

Kristin, thank you so much for the time and effort you put into this shower and for your sweet friendship.  You are a huge source of encouragement and love and growth to me and I thank God that He put both of us in the same church with the chance to meet and grow together!  Xoxo!

Check out Kristin's blog for more pictures too!  (As well as her website because she is kind of amazingly talented and makes beautiful bridal and hair accessories!  She even made me a hair piece for the shower - but you have to go check out her blog to see that!)

Have a beautiful day!

the confessions of an only human momma

With the approach of #2's due date (June 14th, if that was your next question), I've been having some inner...turmoil...about taking care of Hito and how adding another child to the picture will effect my ability to maintain my pursuits...and the house...and life.  This inner searching has been helpful and unsettling at the same time.  Maybe it is just a different version of the nerves I dealt with before H came.  Either way, I thought I would share them in case any other mommas need a little boost - because as anxious as I may be, I know that things will work out.

Will I be able to balance spending time with two kids?
Will I be able to adequately take care of my husband and his needs while juggling two kids?
Will I be able to pursue the jobs/goals/tasks that I see God opening up for me?
Will we be able to train our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord?
Is my behavior modeling Christ or making Him harder to see?

I don't have answers for these questions at the moment.  But somehow, I'm ok with that now.  Having written them down and being aware that I will shortly be clicking the "publish" button to share them with the world has reminded me that things will work out.  That doesn't mean that I know how they will work out.  But I know that the sun will rise, my children will grow, my work will go on, and my husband will be by my side the whole way.  And through it all, I have a loving and merciful heavenly Father who is only giving me what I can handle.

"...My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness..."

2 Corinthians 12.9

Have a beautiful day!

an early thankfulness post

As my readers will have noticed this year, life has been...crazy, chaotic, congested, colorful (I admit it, I got stuck in alliteration there).  But some of the things that have happened recently have made me realize a few things.  Or rather, one big thing.

I am immensely blessed.

Regardless of what has happened in my life this year, I look at my situation and I can do nothing but praise a very gracious God for all His many blessings.  I have a healthy family, roof over my head, and a new baby on the way.  Oh and by the way, we are expecting #2 kiddo summer of 2013.  =)

Hito figured out how straws work and now wants to drink anything that has one - including dad's milk tea.  =)

How ungrateful am I that these thoughts only come to mind during holiday season?  And these are blessings that I have always had!

So I am going to leave these lyrics here as a little reminder for us to think of these things all year long!

If you're worried and you can't sleep
Just count your blessings instead of sheep
And you'll fall asleep
Counting your blessings.

"Count Your Blessings" by Irving Berlin

Have a beautiful and thankful day!

back to the grind...

It has been a while since a normal blog post has come from this keyboard.  Many thanks to all my readers who sent very sweet notes of prayers and encouragement as you read about my grandmother passing away. Unfortunately, two weeks after posting that note, my grandfather also passed on.  It has been an emotionally charged month and I am still working out some of those details in my head and the ramifications for my life.

But I will say that I am so thankful to be striving for a normal blogging schedule again and hoping to be here more regularly.  I am excited to write and catch up on all my reading that I haven't been able to sit and do with family affairs and illnesses going on (oh, and did I mention that my whole family got the flu right after coming back from taking care of my grandfather's affairs?).

And if you haven't heard it before, I'm going to tell you again.  Don't sweat the little things.  We live in a world that has unseen events and circumstances right around the corner.  Whether they are good or bad, it is never too soon to tell someone you love that you still love them.  Again.  And again.  Enjoy.  Love.  Dream.  And enjoy.  People, places, good cups of coffee, baby kisses, and corn mazes.

1) Corn maze with my mom, sister, and cousins (currently behind the camera)
2) Grandma and Hito walking around the pumpkin patch
3) And a moment of mom and kiddo just enjoying...

Have a beautiful day.