Facing The Sunset

Colorado has a little law against texting while driving. But what about taking photos while driving? I didn't see any laws against that :) I just couldn't help myself...it was breathtaking!

Tonight as we were driving to go meet Matt at Chipotle for dinner, I was greeted with this beautiful fiery sunset over the mountains. The thing is, as I was driving south, I had no idea that once I turned the corner to drive West, I would see this!

Isn't this how life is too? We get so focused on the bumpy gray road we are currently on that we forget what beauty is all around us...just waiting to be seen. All we have to do is just turn and face it.

Yesterday, Ann Voskamp's new book arrived at my door. I read the first chapter this morning and was a little shaken for the rest of the day. You'll have to read it to see what I'm talking about. Let's just say that it reminded me how fragile life is. I drank in everything that the girls did today with extra care. I smelled Lucy's neck for longer than normal and squeezed Bella so tight.

Today was like every other day. But with eyes wide open, not wanting to forget these moments...I chose to see it differently.

  • A newspaper magically arrived at my door for me to read while I sipped my mate.
  • Steamy pancakes flipped by an excited 6 year old make life worth living.
  • An ecstatic little Lucy leads me over to her most recent artwork (nevermind that she drew in a book instead of the paper).
  • Sisters creating together. Such sweetness (and sometimes fighting, but mostly sweetness) :)

Oh these precious moments...I want to always have open eyes to see them for what they really are. They are little blessings in the every day of life. There is so much joy to be found if I just remember to face the sunset.

*you can (and should!) read Ann's blog, A Holy Experience, here.

DPP '10 // Magic

One of my favorite things about staying at my parent's house: the morning hours. The busyness of the day has not crept in yet...and we can sit together and just enjoy the dailyness of life. And in the dailyness of life...there is magic.

The way my mom's hand look as she sips her coffee. The way Lucy looks at her Nana. The sparkle of the Christmas tree. Bella's pink cozy pajamas. My dad making breakfast.

Enjoy the magic you see today in your own life.

Date Night Delight

Matt and I recently went on a "date night" in Des Moines. We left the girls with Nana and Papa and took off for a night of just US! First we went to our favorite Thai restaurant and shared spring rolls and curry. Then we headed down to a sweet little alternative theater and saw The Social Network (which was excellent!). On the way home, we grabbed some coffees at Starbucks.

It was delightful. We were able to sit and really SEE each other and talk without interruption. Even though we spend all day, every day together...the connection is sometimes lost in the daily-ness of life.

We are definitely not "regular" date-nighters...although I long to be. I have friends that have been doing it every week for YEARS! I'd love to hear about the special ways that you re-connect with your spouse or loved one...

Do you have a regular date night? Have you taken a special vacation together? How do you re-connect/slow down...especially during this hectic holiday season?