Tags
aveline alenka, florida, Josiah, nature, Photography, pretty, sunshine, trees
LIFE IN PHOTOS :: Looking for beauty in all the right places.
13 Friday Jul 2012
Posted in Life in Photos
Tag Archives: sunshine
WRITING & WORDS :: The Bestest Job in the Whole Wide World
17 Tuesday Jan 2012
Posted in Baby, Florida Round Two, Poetry & Words
Tags
aveline alenka, baby, family, full of joy, laughter, life, mama, mama life, motherhood, peace, sunshine, Thoughts, toddler
Today, this has mainly been my view — the back of a very quickly moving Aveline. It’s been a “part of” kind of day.
Part of the laundry folded.
Part of an article for Babiekins Magazine written.
Part of Aveline’s birthday crown made.
Part of the bathroom cleaned.
But that’s ok. It’s been a day full of life, full of laughter, full of joy, full of peace.
I wouldn’t trade my position now with any one.
I love being a mama. I couldn’t think of a better gift in the world than my little, hilarious, laughing miracle.
Winter in Florida :: Aveline’s First Playground Experience
15 Tuesday Nov 2011
Posted in Baby, Florida Round Two
Tags
aveline alenka, baby, florida, florida round 2, playground, sunshine, swings, weather, winter
I had so much fun taking Aveline to the playground for the very first time. And doesn’t our Florida winter look rough? Believe it or not, we are so.completely.over the hot, sticky weather and are pining away for cold air. (The long sleeves were just a formality because it’s November. We were actually sweating.)
Polka dotted sunshine.
25 Tuesday Oct 2011
Posted in Baby
Tags
Today, the morning sunshine is wearing a polka dotted shirt.
How can you hate mornings when they look like this? (And what a ham. She totally poses when she sees a camera.)
More Wordless Wednesday :: Morning Light
12 Wednesday Oct 2011
Posted in Baby
Day at the Beach
07 Friday Oct 2011
Posted in Baby, Florida Round Two
Tags
atlantic ocean, aveline alenka, baby, baby's first time in ocean, beach, cocoa beach, family, florida, Josiah, Ocean, summer, sunshine
We spent Saturday at the beach, and yes, I went a little picture crazy. But do you blame me? I mean, we’re talking about a day at the beach. Delicious picnic food, sunshine, Hannah — who is suspiciously absent from these photos, although she is the camera-girl behind the pictures of Josiah and I together — deliciously salty air, the water’s steady rhythm, and Aveline’s first time splashing in the waves.
Baby’s inaugural trip to the ocean was this spring, but as she wasn’t even three months old yet, she mostly slept. So, last Saturday was her first time really experiencing it. How great is it that Auntie Lauren was there this spring, and Auntie Hannah was here for this moment? Hannah even captured video of the moment Aveline walked into the water. I just wish you could have heard Aveline’s tiny giggles when the water touched her feet!
I was really surprised that she didn’t eat handfuls of sand. I mean, she’s the girl who puts everything in her mouth, so I just fully expected her to try to chow down on sand. (I’m so glad she didn’t.)
We walked alongside her, and let her crawl along in the wet sand next to the water’s edge. She was delighted, and kept making happy little sounds.
Our own little beach baby, our own darling girl. It’s such an unspeakable and overwhelming feeling to share these joyful moments with her. Thank you, Lord!
[Note: For those of you who've asked, Aveline is wearing a Raw Amber Teething Necklace c/o Hip Green Baby. It is designed especially for babies; the plastic clasp is designed to break, and there is a knot between each bead to keep them secured.]
P.S. Yes, yes, Josiah is getting a haircut this weekend. You can stop tsk tsk-ing now. ;-)
Aveline at Cocoa Beach
01 Saturday Oct 2011
Posted in Baby, Florida Round Two
Tags
aveline alenka, beach, cocoa beach, florida, Josiah, pretty, sunshine
We just got back from spending the afternoon at the beach, and we’re all tired out in that “Ooooh, the sun felt so good” sort of way. It’s a good feeling. The house is full of garlicky smells and dinner’s a few minutes away. I just had to stop for a minute and share this precious photo of Josiah and Aveline! (I took a gazillion and three more pictures today, which I’ll put up on the blog later.)
But for now, back to snuggling my sweet, freshly-bathed beach baby.
Monday’s Pretty Things :: Sunshine Yellow Edition
19 Monday Sep 2011
Posted in Inspiration, Monday's Pretty Things
Tags
art, home decor, illustration, inspiration, interior design, monday's pretty things, sunshine, sunshine yellow, yellow
Let’s Go Anywhere via Emily O Photography on Flickr
It’s our motto.
Wherever We Are via vol.25
I love this. Have you seen vol.25′s other prints? Such fun illustrations!
Wooden Yellow House via MerrittHyde on Etsy
I seem to have a theme going on this week. I love how that happens without me even realizing it or planning it out ahead of time.
Felted Acorns via Fairyfolk on Etsy
I miss acorns. Florida is severely lacking in the towering oak department.
House facade at Old Kastro village in Sifnos island, Western Cyclades, Greece via Gargaro on Flickr
This Mediterranean house is so very bright and sunshine-y!
Citrus Baby Blanket via The Purl Bee
I really like the fun, bold stripes on this baby blanket. There are other great striped color combos over at The Purl Bee.
Alright, back to Monday chores! The house looks like it’s enjoyed the weekend a little too much…
Meanwhile, while I’m cleaning up, you might like to read Monday’s Pretty Things from previous weeks.
God led us to this oasis (August Photo Challenge: Day 1)
01 Monday Aug 2011
Tags
California, Daily Photo, florida, God, monthly photo challenge, photo a day, self-portrait, summer, sunshine, the August Break, Thoughts
It’s AUGUST. I don’t know how something like that could have happened. Funny, the chatter today about Fall being just around the corner. It sure doesn’t feel that way here. The crickets’ dusk song hasn’t slowed; one chirp blends into the next with scarcely any time at all elapsed in between. The humid air is thick and unforgiving, holding up so much water it’s a wonder the clouds don’t come crashing down around our feet. My toenails are brightly painted orange – neon, not autumnal; more like sherbet than like maple leaves. The inside of the car is scorching, and the seats burn our summer legs as we climb in.
This is not the crunchy and dry California summer. This is not the verdant green, sweatshirt-clad Midwest summer. But this is our summer. Our summer, and we are peaceful. God led us to this oasis, this palm-tree laden land where our table is filled with food, where the pool is clean and refreshing and ours to enjoy, where the row of windows in the living room look out over roads and into the sky, and not into other windows.
Sometimes, it’s hard to see that this is an oasis. Our families are thousands of miles away. I do not have friends here to laugh with, friends to share a summer afternoon with. I get lost trying to find simple places like the post office. The street signs are all unfamiliar. It is hard, sometimes. Hard to be so far away from what used to be home.
But mostly, somehow, I am peaceful.
God saw what was going on with Israel. God understood. (Exodus 2:25 MSG)
Image: Day One (Self Portrait) of the August Photo Challenge.
Guacamole, anyone?
31 Sunday Jul 2011
Posted in Florida Round Two, Food
I keep looking at this avocado we bought at the Farmer’s Market yesterday. I can’t help it. It’s the biggest avocado I’ve ever seen in my life! Maybe this is old hat to Floridians, but in all my trips to good ol’ Denios in California, I’ve never encountered an avocado of such Biblical proportions. I felt a little like Caleb and Joshua, coming back from Canaan with those ginormous grapes.
I can already taste it with a little bit of tomatoes, cilantro, garlic, lime & sea salt. YUM.
Happy Friday!
29 Friday Jul 2011
Posted in Baby
Tags
aveline alenka, baby, beauty, laughter, life, love, morning light, pretty, summer, sunshine
Happy Friday, beautiful people! This is what my day has looked like so far. What’s happening in your world today?
P.S. Are you on Google+ yet? Circle me there to see my daily “blog of the day” recommendations. Oh, and if you still need an invite, just comment and I’ll be happy to send one your way.
Your Summer Photo Favorites!
21 Thursday Jul 2011
Posted in Florida Round Two
When I put out the call for your favorite summer photos, fellow Floridian Drea of Ohdeardrea sent me these absolutely gorgeous shots. (They were actually taken in winter, but shhhh…don’t tell. It’ll be our secret.)
Now how absurdly cute are Emma and Spencer? Their dad, Aaron Klein, is always tweeting the adorable things these two say. I especially love what Aaron writes about orphan care and adoption.
And finally, my coffee-drinking pal Dina sent me this shot of her fiancé, saying, “My sweet man can sleep anywhere, as well as multitask; slumber whilst petting the pooch.” She doesn’t have a blog, but she is planning a wedding and curating her (stunning!) wedding inspiration over on Pinterest.
LITTLE STYLE :: Aveline’s Room (and her newest Felted Owl!)
19 Tuesday Jul 2011
Posted in Little Style
Tags
aveline alenka, baby, baby nursery, baby rooms, children's rooms, handmade, Home, home decor, interior design, nursery, nursery decor, sunshine
Good morning! We’re way overdue for a little sneak peek at Aveline’s room, right? I don’t think I’ve posted any pictures of it since we moved to Florida.
I recently won this adorable little handmade felted owl from a BlissFull Essence / Evenswood Owlbums giveaway. Isn’t he ridiculously cute? I told Christine I’d send her photos of the little fellow in his new home, and I thought I’d share them with you as well.
We seem to be amassing a collection of owls, which I am totally okay with. (Remember the hand-appliqued owl onesie?)
Here’s the little owl on top of Aveline’s dresser next to Lotta from Charlie and Lola and some Urban Outfitters Owlets (no longer in stock). I don’t remember where we purchased the plush lemur.
Aveline hasn’t officially moved into her room yet (her crib is still next to our bed), so her room doubles as a guest space. My mom handmade the gorgeous duvet cover you see below.
We love textiles and books around here! My mother-in-law made this beautiful quilt — you can usually find out on our living room floor with a little Aveline on top of it.
I’d love to see how you’ve decorated your little ones’ spaces — if you have a blog post about it, leave the link in the comments!
WANTED: Your Summer Photo Favorites
24 Friday Jun 2011
Posted in Inspiration
You might have seen my tweets about this…Oaxacaborn is looking for YOUR favorite summer photo! It could be a photo you took, or one someone else snapped of you, or even an amazing shot you spotted on the internet (with appropriate credit, of course). I’ll showcase these images in a special Summer Photo Favorites mini-series here on the blog.
You’re already thinking of a specific photo, aren’t you? One that just screams “summer”? Well then, wait no longer — send it on over to oaxacaborn (at) gmail (dot) com. You can include a link to your blog too, if you’d like, but that’s not required.
I can’t wait to see what summer looks like through your lens!
Aveline’s First Swim (30 Day June Photo Challenge – Days 19 & 20 – Summertime & Water)
20 Monday Jun 2011
Posted in Baby, Florida Round Two, Monthly Photo Challenge
Tags
aveline alenka, baby, florida, life, monthly photo challenge, moving, summer, sunshine
It’s easy to complain about the weather. Yes, even in Florida, I am ashamed to say that I complain.
It’s too hot.
It’s too humid.
Granted, the humidity is pretty suffocating (83% humidity at 9 am; forecasted high of 98° with heat index of 105°), but when you think about it? It’s actually kind of extremely ridiculous to complain. I mean, we’re living in a destination city. People pay money to come here. They pay money to experience what I take for granted.
So what would it look like if I stopped comparing Florida to California and started treating Florida as if I was on vacation here? Well, it would probably look a little bit like this:
Beautiful, isn’t it?
This weekend was Aveline’s first time swimming.It was so beautiful to watch as the uncertain look on her face faded away and was replaced with a contented smile.
As she happily splashed, I thought, Lord, let me jump in to Florida. Wash away my uncertainty and let me trust your arms to hold me up so I will not sink.
