Dear Autzen,

Autzen Man,

You made me so incredibly happy today.. 3 weeks ago we were told that you may have a heart murmur (totally not a big deal.. but I had nightmares about it) Today... we found out you were heart murmur free! You also weighed over 12 pounds and you don't necessarily fit on my chest anymore but thats ok. You are into army crawling across the bed, sticking your chicken legs out behind you. It makes me laugh every single time.

You're just so special to me. 

Making an Impact {series}

I am going to be completely honest...

I think our culture has swayed SO FAR away from the good old days and it makes me sad. 

{By the good old days, I mean when I was between ages 7-12}

I desperately want people to think back to those days....

life was frickin simple.

We werent consumed by social media, online bullying, reality tv and so much more!

I will be the first to admit that I am constantly on social media, texting my friends, catching up on the latest tweets 24/7... but isn't it sad that a majority of our day is consumed by some sort of screen??

Lets change this cycle.... honestly and full- heartedly.

Make an Impact

Now...

I'm going to tell you a really sad story, that I just can't get off my mind... SERIOUSLY after 3 weeks, its stuck there, waiting for me to tell the world and show you guys on how sad our life has become...

Ben and I were eating at Fresh Thyme in Beaverton{if you havent gone there... treat yourself and go. It's our favorite} .. any who... At Fresh Thyme has long tables and so sometimes you sit next to someone you don't know. You dont have to engage in their conversation or anything, but your casually {or awkwardly} sitting next to them... 

As Ben and I were enjoying our meal {his a roast beef and onion panini; hers a turkey and harvati without cranberry panini with cups of soup} I looked over to this family.

mom.dad.5 year old boy

All on their Ipads.

No conversation... just some casual swipes on that trail running game. 

Since when did our society become SO far removed from having conversations that we are resorting to eating a family lunch with our Ipads??????

{and I am still upset... that I swear to god if I see a technology based family lunch again.. I am going to stomp on their ipads and forcefully engage their family in a conversation}

Broken screen? who cares. A valuable conversation with your kids is far more important than Apple's brilliant invention. 

I, myself, am going to consciously make an effort to let go of social media in social settings {unless there is a sweet picture that I can instagram} so I can make an impact on my family, friends and peers, instead of waste valuable time with a screen. I wanna take it back to the simple days, ya dig?

{did you hear that, Ben? xo}

Autzen Man

"He might be only part of your life, for him, you are his everything, the only person in his whole life."

Autzen Man,

I didn't know what I was getting into when I sketch-ly found you on craigslist & dad and I waited for over 30 minutes in a mini mart parking lot for you. All I had was blurred picture, a phone number in Washington, and I knew you liked to cuddle... Little did I know that you would turn into the littlest 3 pounds of joy in my life. Even though you snore, pee in the house, chew up my favorite shoes; I would not trade you for anything in the world. Everyday it makes me sad that you are getting bigger, plus you have tripled in size practically overnight! Even though you dont fit on my chest anymore, I still appreciate how you love to be in my arms and sleep under the covers with me.   And although you are asleep 60% of the time.. I treasure that time together so much. I cannot wait for the day you start speaking English... because I know it is fully capable of happening judging by the amount of time I spend talking to you. You make me laugh every day and you have taught me so much in this tiny time together. Thank you for being my favorite little boy. 

oh, and Autzen... even though I am your momma.. doesnt mean you can try to breastfeed with me... you may have taken the whole momma thing a little too extreme this morning. 

The Mish Mosh Life

Aye aye aye..

It's been a LONG time since I have sat at my computer and typed on here! Perhaps I'm feeling inspired? Who knows...

Some of you know, I use to blog all the time. I loved it... absolutely loved it. I would dib dab in outfit posts, DIY shenanigans, pinterest pictures... you name it the whole 9 yards. 

But then it all became boring to me... I sounded like a broken record. and lets be honest... realized I was never gonna be like Sydney in the Daybook, or Taza.. or Kendi... or Julia... you know exactly who I'm talking about and I know 95% of you strive to be like them in your everyday posts... I see you. 

No I dont have cute babies yet, nor am I married, engaged or can EVEN take cute pregnant pictures yet.... but I do think I'm hilarious with a cute dog and  rockin boyfriend who is slowly learning life. By that I mean- how to fend for myself in the kitchen while getting a college degree.

So here I am, with a snoring pup next to my side named Autzen, in a 2 hour distance relationship, finishing up senior year in Eugene, a lot of adventures ahead and lots of learning to look forward to. 

We call this a Mish Mosh of Life because I cant promise you an outfit, food or craft post everyday... but I'm gonna try my best.. & hopefully Ben will make a few guest appearances & maybe you will even hear from Autzen once he learns English. We make a good team.