Independence Day

A {very overdue} few photos from our long July Fourth weekend.....

The weekend of the fourth was a long one for me as I had four days off work -- it was glorious! We started out with an outdoor BBQ at a friend's lovely modern farmhouse. We ate grilled chicken, delicious veggies and splurged a bit on this gal's smores bars (divine I tell you), chatted with old friends, made new friends (one of whom apparently grew up in the same county as us!), watched the kiddos play, lit sparklers, watched fireworks and went to sleep so pleasantly happy. It was so fun to see our friends who are at the same place in life as us.. the kiddos hung in pretty well, too! Elliot slept in his carrier for the majority of the party and woke up to see he fireworks, which he actually loved! 

Saturday morning we had a delicious breakfast with friends and headed up to the mountains. We spent most of the day outside in the gorgeous cool-for-July weather and had dinner with old friends. Elliot got to sit in his first tractor and absolutely loved the open fields and beautiful blue sky. Sunday morning we took E for a long walk at the park across from our friends' house before heading back home. On a small side note, we absolutely love our Stokke Scoot that my friend Jodi so graciously sent us. I love having E facing me so I can talk to him while we walk! I also love that I can sit him up and then easily transition him to lying down when he finally falls asleep. Sometimes, it's the little things that make life so much easier!

All in all it was a perfect weekend spent celebrating our independence, family and friends. Hope you had a wonderful weekend as well!

xoxo

copyright Hiking in Stilettos

An Update of Sorts

Things have been quiet in this space lately for a few different reasons... life has been pretty hectic, juggling a full-time job, a commute, managing a household, planning/prepping meals and wrangling a new babe. In all honesty I've stayed away partly because I didn't want every post to read 'oh my gosh, I'm so overwhelmed with life,' but that is often my reality these days. We are in the throes of the four month sleep regression (hello, two hour chunks of sleep, I thought you were a thing of the past!), but we starting to figure it out and make concessions where we can. I'm focusing on living in and enjoying each moment, not always looking ahead to what's next. And it's so liberating, you guys. Especially for this planning, organizing type-A gal. 

That's not to say that there aren't long, difficult days. And my ability to deal with these days correlates exactly to the amount of sleep I've gotten (read: the amount of sleep my baby allows me). I know this is stating the obvious, but motherhood is such an adjustment. One day it's just you and your spouse and the next there is a tiny little life that requires your complete and undivided attention, twenty-four hours out of the day.

It's hard, but it's glorious.

So, a few things...

This post on the first three months of motherhood struck a cord with me. My sentiments exactly.

Loving the new She Reads Truth app. Today is the first day of the study on biblical justice, and I am already excited about what I will learn. Also, the study packs are so lovely!

Husband and I are planning a backpacking trip to the Wind River Range in Wyoming for next August, and my restless soul can hardly wait.

We are also planning a two night backpacking trip to the Smoky Mountains this fall as a small preparation trip for the Wind River Range.

We are in the middle of redoing our master bedroom. (side note: large house projects with a new babe are not a good idea. lesson learned.) So far we have freshly painted white walls, a smoothed out ceiling, and lovely dark hardwood floors. Next up is replacing the windows with full-view panes and painting our wood trim white and our doors black. You can find some inspiration pictures here.

Speaking of bedrooms, this quilt is so lovely. I also really love this coverlet in muslin, which would work well with our current monochromatic bedding. I'm all about light, neutral layers when it come to bedding.

This instagram feed in my new favorite. So many great paleo recipe ideas!

Today is my Monday... here's to a great week!

xoxo

copyright Hiking in Stilettos