The Ordinary Moments

For someone who loves to travel, the last few months have been a challenge. I don’t like the feeling of being stuck, unable to jet off to exotic locations or even easily make a trip home to see family. Not that I would have actually gone much of anywhere (well, except DC for a conference, Arkansas for Easter, and for a long anticipated family trip to Hawaii, but you know, nowhere else). Although I don’t enjoy this feeling, the events of this summer have forced me to slow down, to accept unanticipated changes, and most of all, to find genuine delight in the ordinary moments.

Moments like watching our new backyard bloom for the first time, especially this beautiful blue hydrangea

Harrison’s first camping trip wasn’t to the coast as planned, but we had almost as much fun in our backyard with friends

This sunny floral wallpaper makes doing laundry almost fun. I also love the sense of accomplishment I feel every time I step in this room about mostly finishing our first remodel project

There truly are not many things that are better than sharing a bottle of wine around a fire with good friends

I’m thankful that even when we can’t go far, we can (almost) always go outside to explore and hike

Over the top charcuterie boards/tables are the best

Brandon found this heart shaped rock the first time we spent an afternoon by the river behind our house

Lazy afternoons by the river, with frose, provided fleeting moments of normalcy

There are not many things that make me happier than my boys and the ocean…

…And days spent relaxing with my loves

Afternoon snacks picked from our trees are cuter than they’ve ever been

I redirected the energy I usually spend on trip planning into planning Harrison’s first birthday party, homemade cake and animal shaped foods included.

Hammock naps and Harrison cuddles are the pinnacle of existence, wherever that hammock may be hanging

I ended the summer with a girls’ camping trip to the coast. It’s easy to momentarily pretend that all is right with the world while sharing sunset whiskey on the beach with friends

I may not have spent the summer having exciting adventures in far flung locations, but as I look back on these pictures, my heart is full. Even if I can’t travel right now, my life is full of beauty, love, and friendship. Nothing, not any place in this whole wide world, can compare to that.