Sakura Bloom Sling Diaries Vol. IV: Adventure

Dear Ava,

"To live would be an awfully big adventure." -- J.M. Barrie

You should read that in an English accent, because that brilliant author is English and I think it sounds more beautiful that way. ;) Aves, I love that quote, it's simple but powerful. I interpret it as saying that truly living and appreciating each day and each experience makes for an adventurous life!

Your adventures and life experiences do not have to be perfect or go just as planned to be wonderful. Sometimes the ones that have uncomfortable bumps or unexpected left turns are the ones we treasure and never want to forget! They shape and mold us. I'd say being a mother has been one of those adventures for me. You and Brooks are my greatest adventures yet, and I know your Dad agrees. We've felt a rainbow of emotions because each of you have stolen our hearts--the highest of highs, moments of pure peace, and lows that are hard to describe. But you are allowing us to live life more richly! And loving you gives your Dad and I a taste of how much our Heavenly Parents love us. Being able to experience and see life through your ever-learning eyes has been such a gift.  

You have turned mundane moments into pure magic. I can only hope that you continue to soak up and appreciate life's little and big adventures...

Dance in the kitchen--it's our favorite dance floor. ;)

Pick funky ice-cream flavors.

Be brave and be kind to those whom others are not. And introduce yourself to the "new kid" at school.

Go on trips and talk to strangers along the way.

Never take a sunset for granted. Or cool sheets in the summer time. A warm house in the winter time. Or true friends that will always have your back.

Be weird. I promise, everyone else is too. :)

After you find your other half and get married, keep dating him.

Rock your babies to sleep.

Soak up nature! On short walks take your shoes off to feel the grass on your feet. And on multi-day backpacking trips take time to be still and pray to God out loud in His creations.

Laugh when you feel like it, and even when you don't.

Cry when you're sad, and when you're happy.

Write down spiritual experiences you have.

Add as many stamps to your passport as possible.

If you get to visit Niagra Falls and you take the 'Maid of the Mist' tour, stick your tongue out when you're getting sprayed by the water's mist. It's kind of gross, but kind of awesome. Trust me. ;)

Forgive. Yourself and others. It can be insanely hard, but is insanely liberating too.

And wear your babies Ava. Being able to wear you in our slings, at home or on our travels, has made for some of my most treasured motherhood moments.

I love you. And I love our adventures together.

Love,

Mom

PS - These photos are from last night's adventures into the city--the Salt Lake City Capitol sure is gorgeous! Loved wearing you for a bit, and I'm grateful Dad took the photos he did. I treasure them. :) It was such a lovely spring evening with you guys, my favorites.

*** In all of these photos I am wearing Ava in our Simple Silk Sakura Bloom sling, in Bittersweet.

Sakura Bloom Sling Diaries Vol. IV: Education

Dear Ava,

"If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you." -Unknown

I love that quote! Two people came to mind after reading it--your Dad and your Grandma Stum. Ava, your Dad is always wanting to learn more! Whether it's learning how to better his skills on the job, learning to be a better father each and every day (he's such a good one yet keeps improving!), or learning about the Gospel. He's not okay with settling with what he knows now, he want to educate himself and know more because he knows knowledge is power. His desire to learn and grow as an individual is inspiring. And your Grandma Stum, her passion for learning is contagious! Looking back, I was pretty lucky to grow up with a set of Encyclopedias at home, thanks to her. :) And she loves books, just devours them. I don't remember a book I was assigned to read in high school, and some in college too, that she didn't read also. Then she was able to share her thoughts and her perspective with me--she's so generous with her knowledge. Her thirst for knowledge is incredible!

Ava I hope you look to them throughout your life as awesome examples of how gaining and seeking education will benefit you. I feel blessed to get to watch you and your brother learn new things every day! As children you have an innate desire to explore and learn about the world around you. I hope to help keep that desire and flame burning bright in you! I know learning, in and out of the classroom, has its hard moments. But conquering those difficult lessons and gaining an education will truly give you wings to fly, and like the quote said, "no one can stop you."

I love you my sweet girl. You are kind. You are smart. You are important.

Love,
Mom

PS - I loved exploring part of the Salt Lake City Library with you, Brooks, and Dad the other day. And I'm so grateful that our sweet and talented friend Lindsay was able to capture it in these photos!

*** I'm wearing Ava in a Simple Linen Sakura Bloom sling, in silver. Again, huge thanks to Lindsay of Lindsay Dee Photography!

Sakura Bloom Sling Diaries Vol. IV: Confidence

Dear Ava,

"No woman is a more vibrant instrument in the hands of the Lord than a woman of God who is thrilled to be who she is." --Sheri Dew

Thinking back over different stages of my life...I can remember times when I wasn't "thrilled" to be who I was. My confidence was fragile--whether I was struggling with my physical appearance, not believing in my ability to accomplish my goals or try new things, or not having confidence in my spirit being able to get through hard times. I hope you come to know Ava, before I really did, that being confident in your own skin and your body's abilities is awesome, but it's not everything. That no matter how many times you try and fail, you can always always always try again! And that through different stages in life you will be stretched far beyond what you're comfortable with, but I promise that you'll learn through it all and come out stronger and more confident if you remember that you're not alone.

As your mom, I am with you and your sweet brother all the time, and yet I can feel so lonely at times. Honestly, motherhood has thrown more blows at my confidence in myself than I'd like to admit. But Ava, your unconditional love for me--your trust and your forgiving, little heart--is what always builds it back up. You and your brother are daily evidences that I can have an impact on the world. Takes me breath away just thinking about it!

You'll be two this March, and you're already miss independent...as long as you feel comfortable in your surroundings. ;) When we're out and about, you are passionate about either being worn in your sling or walking and exploring all by yourself. I appreciate both! Aves, I think that wearing you from the start has been a beautiful way to instill in you a comfort and confidence that you are loved, which has helped you feel good about venturing out and trying things on your own. I'll wear you as often as you'll let me. Seeing the world from similar points of view never loses its magic. It sure added to the magic we experienced at the Ice Castles in Midway this past weekend!

And back to the quote I shared with you at the beginning...I am thrilled to be your mom Ava. I am thrilled to be your sweet Daddy's wife. I am thrilled to be a sister and a friend and a woman of God who makes mistakes but tries to learn from them. And I am thrilled to be able to watch you become an instrument in His hands. I love you Ava, always. 

Love,
Mom

** I'm wearing Ava in a Simple Linen Sakura Bloom sling, in silver. Thanks to my sweet Adam for taking these pictures. :)

Sakura Bloom Sling Diaries Vol. IV: Dreams

Dear Ava,

"A dream is a wish your heart makes."

That quote is from a song in the Disney movie Cinderella, a movie I'm sure we'll watch together one day. The soon-to-be princess in that story lived in such sad circumstances, but she never let it break her hope, her heart, or her dreams. She was still kind to those around her and made best with what she had, and eventually lived out her dreams...all while singing happy tunes. :) The song she sings of dreams being wishes our hearts make is a simple, but incredible sentiment! Aves, your heart will drive you to take risks, love deeper, make changes, and dream big. Your heart, and my heart, is where I feel our faith lives...even when our once-burning faith--in ourselves or in those around us--is just a glowing ember after life's storms pour down on us. The dreams we have for our lives take faith and passion and dedication on our part, but the people we surround ourself with also influence how those dreams unveil themselves and eventually turn out.

I hope you surround yourself with people that lift you and encourage you to dream big! Your Dad, older brother, and I will always be some of those people. Even though you'll have hard seasons in life, and you'll walk through frigid, snow-packed trails (like our wintry walk we took last Sunday), you may feel like your dreams are frozen and they'll never see the warm sun. Sometimes we'll carry you over the ice, like your Daddy as he wore you in the sling. Or we'll hold your hand to keep you steady, like we did with you brother. And then one day I know we'll have to watch you fight for you dreams on your own. But we'll always be here for you, cheering you on as you reach for your dreams. That's a promise. I see a strong woman in you Ava, and I'm so excited to see what dreams are in that beautiful heart of yours! 

Love,

Mom

PS - Watching Dad wear you makes me melt every time! Thanks for making one of my dreams come true...to see my love raise a daughter. He cherishes you Ava. So much.

** I am participating in the Sakura Bloom Sling Diaries, sharing thoughts and photos of our baby wearing adventures. See my other Sling Diary entries/letters to Ava here. In these photos Adam is wearing Ava in a Sakura Bloom Simple Silk sling in Bittersweet. And please excuse the poor quality of some of these pictures, I take all of my photos with my iPhone, and when I lose day light I lose quality. xo

Sakura Bloom Sling Diaries Vol. IV: Culture

Dear Ava,

This is the first of a set of letters, a bit different from others I've written you, in that these will hold my feelings and hopes for you based on specific prompts (this first one is culture) that the lovely ladies of Sakura Bloom have given me. :) Their incredible slings have made for the sweetest of memories with you, my little love. When I wear you, we have the same perspective of the things around us and I love it! Our perspectives won't always align though, and I'm okay with that, because we are individuals. But I hope we'll always trust and share with each other.

Aves, as women we are part of a subculture...and it is awesome. Well, at least you can make it awesome. I believe it is what we put into it, that determines what we can gain from this great culture of womanhood. You're my baby girl now, curious and innocent and lovely. As you grow older you will discover that the world wants so badly to define what a girl and woman should be and how she should act. They'll have grueling expectations and call for perfection--whatever that is. But as women we have a responsibility to embrace each other, to lift each other and encourage each other in our beautiful "imperfections" and differences!

From sisters in the same house, to friends in your neighborhood, to strangers you'll meet when you travel and explore new places...I hope throughout your life you'll be lucky enough to know women that embrace their individual gifts and who respect others for doing the same. We all see and do things differently, but our hearts are oh-so similar. Our hearts long for love and acceptance. Ava girl, you have a chance--every day of your life--to make a difference. You are a daughter of God, an incredible Heavenly Father, who loves you unconditionally. And each woman you meet is loved by Him too, which makes you sisters. So be kind to them. Give them the benefit of the doubt, and have faith in them. Look at them through His eyes. I promise that when you do, your heart will grow and make room for the most incredible relationships that will bless your life. There is nothing quite like the bond of a sisterhood.

I can't tell you how lucky I feel to have the chance to raise you, sweet daughter. Before I know it you'll be a woman out on your own, making your beautiful mark on the world. So for now, I'll just soak up the naps you sometimes take on my chest as my sling holds you snug. Wearing you, with our hearts as close as they can be, is a privilege.

I love you sweet girl. Never forget that.

Love,
Mom

** I'm wearing Ava in a Simple Linen sling, in silver. Thanks to my sweet Adam for taking these pictures as we wandered around lovely Park City on Thanksgiving. :)