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!

Capitol Adventures

^^ The gorgeous view from the stair of the Capitol. ^^

^^ I was watching close and stepped away to take a quick picture, but Brooks was a sweet worried brother of Ava on the stairsBaby Ava!! You be care-foo!" ^^

After running some errands in Salt Lake last week, we stopped at the Capitol building on our way home. Goodness that building and land around it is gorgeous! It makes me happy to see autumn linger in the city, especially in such a charming area. Loved walking around with Brooks and Ava (chasing after them too), catching them share kisses, getting cozy with Ava in our sling, standing with Brooks in awe as a helicopter flew over our heads, and then watching our Nation's flag whip in the wind...and as a mother myself, I couldn't help but think of the mothers (and fathers) who have said goodbye to their sons and daughters who leave to serve in the United States Armed Forces.  Makes my mama heart ache and feel inspired at the same time! It's incredible, the sacrifices the veterans of our country have made. I know Veteran's Day was last week, but and Thank You Veterans--you and your families.

Utah State Fair

The other night we went to the Utah State Fair. It was rainy at the beginning of the day so we wondered if we were going to need to bring umbrellas...but the skies cleared and we were even lucky enough to see a gorgeous rainbow! I wish Brooks would have been awake for that, but Mr. Sleepyhead fell dozed off on the way there, so he was in dreamland the first half. Which meant that Ava only had to share her corn dog with Mom and Dad. ;) On our walk to the animals, Adam stopped to show his animal strength and do 20 pull-ups to get a shirt from the Marines. Ava and I had fun cheering for Daddy! Brooks woke up just in time to see the goats, and goodness he LOVED them! The goats were his favorite, and the chickens were Ava's favorite. Adam and I would crack up when she'd say, "Bock! Bock!" at the roosters and hens. We grabbed some fresh lemonade and cinnamon pecans on the way out...the latter of which we put on top of vanilla ice cream when we got home. YUM. We ended the night by on the giant "Fun Slide"...what a hoot! You can watch a little video of Ava and I on the giant slide here. Even though he face didn't show it, she loved it and wanted to go again. :) Sadly Brooks wasn't a fan...that boy is pretty fickle when it comes to "thrill" rides. ;) All in all, such a fun night and a good way to bid summer farewell!

Gram-mom's Weekend Visit

We have been beyond lucky to see my Mom two months in a row! This time she came for a High School Seminary Choir reunion, but she stayed a few extra days and we're so glad she did. Can you tell Brooks was more than a little excited to see Gram-mom?? ;)

Straight from the airport we enjoyed lunch and some time at the fountains at City Creek in Salt Lake...a fun but very tiring afternoon, hence Grandma falling asleep while reading Brooks a bedtime story. ;)

Saturday morning I experimented with a frittata so we could have an extra special breakfast with Grandma. :) Then we headed to the Downtown Farmer's Market in Salt Lake. Brooks fell asleep on the way there, so it made for a fun girl's afternoon with just my Mom, Ava, and me soaking up the market scene. I definitely know where I get my drive to talk strangers and make new friends, my Mama. ;) And then Brooks woke up just in time for some playground fun! We left with honey sticks and shelling peas in hand.

Monday we headed in Salt Lake again, it's a good city! First, cooling down with a Hire's Big H root beer float to share. :) Then we met up with my sweet Aunt Chandra, Uncle Conrad, and their family at Liberty Park. Such a beautiful evening with some of my favorite people on the planet.  

Tuesday we packed up the kids and went down to Provo to visit lovely Great-Grandma Smith. We went to BYU's Dinosaur Museum. It is as awesome as it is tiny. :) But they packed it full of incredible fossils and displays, and it was free! We'll definitely be back, Brooks loved it! Then we picked up some icecream from the store to enjoy at Grandma's house. Watching Ava dance in the kitchen was magic. And then we explored Grandma's garden. I remember making family trips to Utah when I was little, and enjoying delicious fruits and vegetables Grandma and Grandpa grew in their garden. Loved watching Brooks and Ava soak it all up...even a few of her oh-so sweet strawberries.

As always, we were sad to say goodbye! We loved your visit Gram-Mom!! xo