New-Old Surroundings

I haven't written anything in a while; haven't even felt like writing. In fact, when I would sit at the computer I would usually just end up staring at it for a bit, searching the web for something interesting to read, rummage the cabinets for something to eat, come back to the computer only to stare some more, then be done.

This usually takes place during Penelope's nap (notice I said nap as in singular; apparently she has decided that she is a big girl now and no longer needs two naps a day! Mommy wasn't ready for that one!)

Within the past three weeks my little family has made a ton of moves, stretches, and adjustments. We are officially in our third week of Abhi's deployment and I'll just be honest; it sucks. Just like we knew it would. We said our farewell's in Texas and with the help of my amazing brother (who, by the way, has made the drive to and from Texas THREE separate times in six months), packed up the car and drove back home to sunny Florida. This is home for the next year. Yes, Year.

Life isn't all shadows and loneliness though. I am so thankful and even happy to be back around my family- it totally beats being alone out in Texas. Abhi is in a safe place and we are able to talk regularly, which really eases a lot of the separation. All in all we have decided to make the best of our situation and take advantage of every opportunity we're given during this deployment.

I've even committed to running a half marathon in February. Yes me! Running a half! Crazy, I know... hehe. I've been running and exercising regularly so I decided to take a leap and really push myself. I've already started my training and just need to make sure I am able to stick to it and stay committed (so far, so good). I also have an awesome group of cheerleaders to keep me encouraged and excited about the race.

That's about it as far as life is concerned these days. For those of you reading, my little family can always use positive thoughts or prayers as we move through this next year. Some days are good, some days are bad, but everyday is a blessing.

Sweet Berry Farm Pumpkin Patch

We made the drive to Marble Falls to spend the day at Sweet Berry Farm this weekend.

This farm is amazing with the amount of activities it has for families and young children; if Penelope was a little bit older we would have spent the entire day there, I'm sure.

We spent over an hour inside the Texas corn maze alone! Not to mention the huge varieties of pumpkins, stuff-your-own scarecrow, painting pumpkins, face painters, petting zoo, hay rides, flower picking, and more.

We had an awesome time.

How We Spent Our First Day Of Fall

Topsey Exotic Ranch
Topsey, TX.

Magic

"Children see magic because they look for it."

-Christopher Moore

I celebrate.

Today I celebrate the anniversary of my sweet baby's birth.

I celebrate one year of life and blessed motherhood. Of experiencing a love I never knew possible, and finally learning what a full life consists of.

I celebrate the joys, the laughter, smiles, cuddles, kisses, milestones met, and challenges overcome.

I also celebrate the tears, frustrations, struggles, confusion, sleepless nights, and endless dirty diapers.

As I think about the past year with my little girl there are an extraordinary amount of feelings and thoughts that come to my heart and my mind. Gratefulness, happiness, beautiful memories, joy, LOVE, LOVE, so much incredible love.

And yet at the same time there is always that one overwhelming feeling that will never leave my being. The knowledge that I am completely unworthy of such a beautiful, precious and angelic gift that I get to call my daughter. I am overcome with more love, delight and wonder that I could have ever dreamt when I look into her beautiful brown eyes.

All the while I know that no single explanation nor eloquence of words could ever describe the sorcery of beauty that connects a parent to their child.

When I rest in stillness with my little one after a full day of pure and exhausting fun, I observe her breath as she sleeps, watch her chest rise and fall, brush her hair out of her eyes, I sit in awe of her perfection...all I can whisper is thank you, thank you, thank you.

I celebrate that unexplainable, ungraspable perfection of my underserved blessing; my daughter.

Rainy Day Play

It is a rare occasion that we have an overcast, wet day. Penelope isn't used to the sounds of raindrops and the lack of sunshine through the windows. Not able to go outside and play today; still, its a nice change from the extreme heat of summer. 

Playing around with a little photo editing in between study breaks and baby girl's nap time.

The Austin Zoo

With an upcoming deployment, we have been trying to take as many small vacations together as possible, squeezing them in the cracks of Abhi's somewhat demanding work schedule. We had a nice little family outing around Austin with a visit to the Austin Zoo along with a little sightseeing and plenty of shopping this weekend.

I've been to a good amount of zoos in the States and the Austin Zoo is quite different than your typical zoo. Its actually a non-profit animal sanctuary for rescued and abandoned animals, which I love. Many of the animals had suffered from injuries or abandonment in the past. The Austin Zoo was small in size, but we didn't mind because staying outside in the summer heat for long periods of time isn't really an option for us with little Penelope.

Reaching for her furry friend.

Penelope loved the animals; she wanted to touch everything.

On a funny note, while we were observing the primates a group of about 8 zooworkers ran out with their nets searching for one of their animals that escaped! We're guessing it was a monkey because they were searching high in the trees, and the rest of the monkeys seemed to get riled up in excitement that one of their friends was on the loose.

Cheering on his escaped comrade.

I'm Back! With News.

I have come to my page over and over and over again trying my hardest to pull fancy words out of my you-know-what. Something special to say, a funny topic to comment on, even a good segue from my last posting (almost 2 years ago, living in India!)...but guess what? I've got nothing! SO I will leave it at that-a big two year gap between my last post and now, hoping to fill in for lost time as my writings continue. A TRILLION changes have happened; good, bad, ugly, and brilliantly beautiful-all to bring me to life in the here and now.

My family is facing a deployment- a year's separation between Penelope, Abhi, and myself. If I were writing the story of my own life I would never put this kind of family separation in writing. I would keep the pen far away from the pad, lock it up, throw away that god-awful key and keep my husband close and tight every single minute of my life. BUT, as life would have it-I am not always in control of my path- though it is my choice to make the most of what I am given. And I have learned from experience that God's plans are always better than my own-as cliche as that may sound. Its true! The best things in my life have always come from the plans that I never would have made for myself. My best moments in life were thrown at me, snuck up behind me, blasted in my face, or have shocked me with surprise- these are the life-changers, life-improvers, and strengtheners.

So we will move forward one step at a time, with wobbly legs (just as my sweet baby tries to stand on her own), and though we may fall and tumble from time to time, we still move forward. We roll, crawl, stretch out and scratch our way forward, as watching little Penelope has taught me. In the end we get there, in a better place and in better shape than when we started.