our beautiful life: 2013

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I found this link on facebook that read "the 2 words I'll never say to my daughter again". I clicked on it and couldn't stop reading. This was a good read and I just had to repost it & share it on my blog.

I like to think I am laid back enough being a stay-at-home mom that I don't find myself saying this a whole lot....but I did find myself thinking "wow, I probably say these two words more then I should".

I am just going to copy and paste this from her blog. So these are not my words or story. Enjoy the read though. Its a good one.

Here is her blog

When you're living a distracted life, every minute must be accounted for. You feel like you must be checking something off the list, staring at a screen, or rushing off to the next destination. And no matter how many ways you divide your time and attention, no matter how many duties you try and multi-task, there's never enough time in a day to ever catch up.

That was my life for two frantic years. My thoughts and actions were controlled by electronic notifications, ring tones, and jam-packed agendas. And although every fiber of my inner drill sergeant wanted to be on time to every activity on my overcommitted schedule, I wasn't.

You see, six years ago I was blessed with a laid-back, carefree, stop-and-smell-the roses type of child.

When I needed to be out the door, she was taking her sweet time picking out a purse and a glittery crown.

When I needed to be somewhere five minutes ago, she insisted on buckling her stuffed animal into a car seat.

When I needed to grab a quick lunch at Subway, she'd stop to speak to the elderly woman who looked like her grandma.

When I had 30 minutes to get in a run, she wanted me to stop the stroller and pet every dog we passed.

When I had a full agenda that started at 6:00 a.m., she asked to crack the eggs and stir them ever so gently.

My carefree child was a gift to my Type A, task-driven nature --but I didn't see it. Oh no, when you live life distracted, you have tunnel vision -- only looking ahead to what's next on the agenda. And anything that cannot be checked off the list is a waste of time.

Whenever my child caused me to deviate from my master schedule, I thought to myself, "We don't have time for this." Consequently, the two words I most commonly spoke to my little lover of life were: "Hurry up."

I started my sentences with it.

Hurry up, we're gonna be late.

I ended sentences with it.

We're going to miss everything if you don't hurry up.

I started my day with it.

Hurry up and eat your breakfast.

Hurry up and get dressed.

I ended my day with it.

Hurry up and brush your teeth.

Hurry up and get in bed.

And although the words "hurry up" did little if nothing to increase my child's speed, I said them anyway. Maybe even more than the words, "I love you."

The truth hurts, but the truth heals... and brings me closer to the parent I want to be.

Then one fateful day, things changed. We'd just picked my older daughter up from kindergarten and were getting out of the car. Not going fast enough for her liking, my older daughter said to her little sister, "You are so slow." And when she crossed her arms and let out an exasperated sigh, I saw myself -- and it was a gut-wrenching sight.

I was a bully who pushed and pressured and hurried a small child who simply wanted to enjoy life.

My eyes were opened; I saw with clarity the damage my hurried existence was doing to both of my children.

Although my voice trembled, I looked into my small child's eyes and said, "I am so sorry I have been making you hurry. I love that you take your time, and I want to be more like you."

Both my daughters looked equally surprised by my painful admission, but my younger daughter's face held the unmistakable glow of validation and acceptance.

"I promise to be more patient from now on," I said as I hugged my curly-haired child who was now beaming at her mother's newfound promise.

It was pretty easy to banish "hurry up" from my vocabulary. What was not so easy was acquiring the patience to wait on my leisurely child. To help us both, I began giving her a little more time to prepare if we had to go somewhere. And sometimes, even then, we were still late. Those were the times I assured myself that I will be late only for a few years, if that, while she is young.

When my daughter and I took walks or went to the store, I allowed her to set the pace. And when she stopped to admire something, I would push thoughts of my agenda out of my head and simply observe her. I witnessed expressions on her face that I'd never seen before. I studied dimples on her hands and the way her eyes crinkled up when she smiled. I saw the way other people responded to her stopping to take time to talk to them. I saw the way she spotted the interesting bugs and pretty flowers. She was a Noticer, and I quickly learned that The Noticers of the world are rare and beautiful gifts. That's when I finally realized she was a gift to my frenzied soul.

My promise to slow down was made almost three years ago, at the same time I began my journey to let go of daily distractions and grasp what matters in life. And living at a slower pace still takes a concerted effort. My younger daughter is my living reminder of why I must keep trying. In fact, the other day, she reminded me once again.

The two of us had taken a bike ride to a sno-cone shack while on vacation. After purchasing a cool treat for my daughter, she sat down at a picnic table delightedly admiring the icy tower she held in her hand.

Suddenly a look of worry came across her face. "Do I have to rush, Mama?"

I could have cried. Perhaps the scars of a hurried life don't ever completely disappear, I thought sadly.

As my child looked up at me waiting to know if she could take her time, I knew I had a choice. I could sit there in sorrow thinking about the number of times I rushed my child through life... or I could celebrate the fact that today I'm trying to do thing differently.

I chose to live in today.

"You don't have to rush. Just take your time," I said gently. Her whole face instantly brightened and her shoulders relaxed.

And so we sat side-by-side talking about things that ukulele-playing-6-year-olds talk about. There were even moments when we sat in silence just smiling at each other and admiring the sights and sounds around us.

I thought my child was going to eat the whole darn thing -- but when she got to the last bite, she held out a spoonful of ice crystals and sweet juice for me. "I saved the last bite for you, Mama," my daughter said proudly.

As I let the icy goodness quench my thirst, I realized I just got the deal of a lifetime.

I gave my child a little time... and in return, she gave me her last bite and reminded me that things taste sweeter and love comes easier when you stop rushing through life.

Whether it's ...

Sno-cone eating

Flower picking

Seatbelt buckling

Egg cracking

Seashell finding

Ladybug watching

Sidewalk strolling

I will not say, "We don't have time for this." Because that is basically saying, "We don't have time to live."

Pausing to delight in the simple joys of everyday life is the only way to truly live.

(Trust me, I learned from the world's leading expert on joyful living.)

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I love reading blogs about fashion, style, design, DIY projects, beauty, hair, make-up, skincare & all that sort of stuff.

I thought I would talk about all my favorite little things that make me smile from make-up, jewelry, skincare and whatever else comes to mind.

First off lets talk about my favorite jewelry. or should I say PIECE of jewelry. I love, love, love twisted-silver..seriously they have the most unique, fun, classy, trendy jewelry ever. when I say jewelry I am mostly talking about their necklaces! Love them

I bought this piece about 2 months ago and couldn't be more obsessed with it. It literally can go with anything. Dressed up in heals and skinny jeans, or dressed down in my baseball cap & yoga gear. Just what I want in a necklace.

My Husby recently just bought me this necklace. This was a just because I love you necklace. I sent him a text with a link to where this necklace was telling him this necklace was 60% off and only for a day..next thing I knew he already had bought it for me! what a guy right?!

Both these Necklaces are from twisted-silver. I have my eyes on a few more, but those will have to wait ;)...

Twisted Silver

Ok how many of you love baths?! Let me just make 1 thing clear..no 2 things clear.

#1 baths are not just for babies & kids & #2 baths are not only for women!

I have this amazing stuff that my Dad got me for Christmas last year. He knows that I have a hard time falling asleep at night. I got home and tried this stuff and it literally works people. I fell sound asleep! Not only does it really help you to relax and to fall asleep but it smells heavenly. Also, they have different kinds, not just this sooth sleep one. they have a relax & relief a comfort and calm a Therapeutic one. They have whatever you need to feel AMAZING, no seriously. They make them in bath salt and also a foaming bath.

Ok, stop reading this, go buy / order yourself some of this amazing stuff then come back & we will continue talking.

Dr. Teals

Now for my favorite skincare products. After a long day my favorite thing to do at night is come home and take off all my make-up and apply my amazing skincare products. Now a couple of these products can really dry out my skin (anyones skin) so its very important to have a really nice moisturizer.

One of the things I love dearly is my Clarisonic! My parents bought it for me 2 Christmases ago and I have been using it religiously ever since.

Clarisonic

After I wash all my makeup off, every night to every other night I use these retinoid pads. These are awesome. Love them. This is a great Anti-aging product.

Miracle Worker

After my retinoid pads I use 4 drops of Skinceuticals blemish + Age serum. (my skin is prone to

breakouts and this has helped a lot.)

Blemish + Age Defense

Last I use my favorite, favorite moisturizer. This is by Eminence Organic skincare line and I can honestly tell my skin just loves this stuff and feels like a baby's butt after I put this on. It feels heavenly.

They have a ton of great skin care products and I love that its organic.

Once a week or every other week I use my PMD (Personal Microderm)

This is a great at home device to get the results you would get if you go in and get this professionally done at a clinic. This is a noninvasive form of exfoliation and mild skin resurfacing that removes the dead skin cells from the outer layer of the skin.

PMD

Some of my favorite make-up