Monday / green grass

Tuesday / blue skys

Wednesday / Work

Thursday / new pieces

Friday / Peter Pan with best friends

Saturday / treats

Sunday / just sunday

1/ office work     2/ pending spring

 3/ tooth fairy   

1/ sweets

2/ dreaming of buying

3/ teaching

4/ finished

5/ gifted and known

6/ growing

7/ triple trouble

8/ dreaming pt 2

9/ ha!

10/ teammates

11/ desk

 

   
    
    
   
1 / little church doodles 

2/ waiting 

3/ so many bruises (climbing) 

4/ comfort 

5/ her 

6/ him

7/ progress 

   
    
    
    
    
    
 

I took a trip to New Mexico over Christmas, traveling with Briggs & Riley luggage, for a photo project with my brother and photographer, Andy Johnson III. This series of photos showcases my experience with top-of-the-line Briggs & Riley luggage that embodies a sense of ease and class.

One of my favorite features of the luggage is a compression technique that makes it easier to pack more items into a smaller suitcase. This eliminates the need for carrying extra bags and makes packing snow gear easy. I always aim to travel as light as possible no matter how long or multifaceted the trip is that I’m taking. During my packing process I put together pieces that are easily interchangeable. After I’ve narrowed it down to the basics I step away for a bit and come back with a clear mind and simplify it once more to about half what I originally planned to pack.

One thing I’ve realized in all my travels its that I’ve never under-packed (unless you include forgetting my bathing suit). Even with goggles, gloves, snow pants and hats I was able to feel light as I boarded each flight with my Briggs & Riley luggage. Using the backpack that comes with the set made it easy to navigate and replaced my need for a purse on the trip. I used it to carry my valuables as we explored New Mexico and snowboarded in Taos.

Traveling never goes the way you plan. Being flexible and viewing things with a sense of adventure is key. I never would have believed if you told me that I would leave home in 70 degree weather to get snowed in while in the southwest. Waiting out the blizzard enabled us to spend an extra two days in Santa Fe, which I absolutely fell in love with, even though we had to forgo some of our other travel plans. My silver lining is feeling myself being pulled back for another visit to New Mexico and hopefully very soon.

Photos by Andy Johnson
Web: JustAndy.com
IG & Twitter: @justAndyPhoto

   
I’m laying on a blanket in the shade. A yellow finch is singing right above my head and a hummingbird flying from bloom to bloom. The boys are catching tadpoles in the lake. The breeze is slight and calming. I spent the morning making eucalyptus garlands for a friend. Everything feels calm and perfect and I don’t want to miss a thing. Both boys will be in school the end of summer and it’s been on my heart to take a break again for the summer from social media and posting. Harder than it should be to break away from the habits we find ourselves in isn’t it? But that’s what I want and the freedom that comes with it. We don’t have any big plans this summer and I’m not obligated to anyone. I want to spend the summer focusing on my parenting and developing a better base for who I want to be as a mother and learning to care for myself better as well. 

With beauty and grace,

Bekah

            Today is our first full day of summer break. I’d be lying if I said my nervousness didn’t equal my excitement. It takes several weeks for the boys to adjust back to life full time together that makes it especially hard around here.

It’s been an interesting season of reflection and tackling old projects. Almost as if I’m subconsciously pushing out the old to make room for…? More good.
A friend sent me this article this morning and I’m overwhelmed by how accurate it explains what I’ve been learning over the past few years. Not a popular topic but something I think should be talked about more. Personality disorders and relational abuse. I wish I was better at articulating these things but feel grateful for the people who do and do it well. I’m planing on making a list of books and resources that have helped me learn to identify unhealthy relationship patterns. The least I can do is pass on what’s helped me understand myself and those around me better because I know I’m not alone in this. Truth is I’ve grown into adulthood believing what I feel and need isn’t important only meeting the desires of others is. So not only learning to say “no” learning when I WANT to say “no”. Identifying my basic needs and desires has been one of the biggest challenges I’ve faced. Such irony!

This week I’ve been taking the goats to the woods to forage since my fence doesn’t reach all the way back. It’s been so eye opening to sit there with my quilting and watch them mow through the brush while the boys swing on the wild vines. As I sat in the shade with a spoon and half a watermelon the other day I was overwhelmed by what surrounded. My yard is beautiful with the most peaceful view and at least half a dozen large shade trees. A beautiful small brick home that rents about the same as a one bedroom appartment in the city. Life isn’t easy and more often than not I heap more work on myself than necessary but man we’re so blessed. Seeking to truly embrace all this beauty and let my heart settle here.

                

Yesterday a close friend told me she lost her baby this week. My heart ached and tears poured. I’d like to say I handled today like I did my last hard anniversary but for me the loss of my baby has never gotten easier. 

Four years ago I remember like it was yesterday laying in the hospital while an insensitive nurse delivered the news. I remember thinking “you don’t understand” or maybe not every woman is affected like I am. 

The words keep going through my head “you’re missing from me little one”. Hard to even dream about having a two year old in my life right now. But then I sit back and have to thank God for the two beautiful boys I have and pray He teaches me to love them better every day. 

I think about moms all over the world. The ones who watch their children taken into slavery knowing their fate, the ones who can’t afford to feed their babies, the ones with incredible supportive husbands who can’t conceive and want nothing more, the ones who effortlessly have one after another but are too tired to enjoy it or the victims of rape who have to make a hard decision based on trauma. This world can seem so cruel and often is, there’s no cure, there’s no formula to protect yourself from pain. 

There are people who go through their life somewhat fortunate to never be greeted by such tragedies but while appealing I would never wish for such a life. It’s in pain and heartache I’ve learned compassion and in my faults I’ve learned humility. This life isn’t fair and never will be but it is what we make it in how we respond to what life gives. Isn’t that beautiful? We’re not victims to life it’s our choice even when circumstances seem far out of our control. 

Looking around seeing the beauty. 

Our newest addition. Angora goats, Aslan and Aspen. 

Morning poragae on the sun porch with this sweet one. 

Hot days of yard work. 

Tristan bent on learning and getting the “squeaks” out. 

The adorable face that relentlessly digs holes in my yard and kills all my bushes. 

My preschool graduate.

Tristan the goat whisperer. He begs me every day to keep these kids! 

Practicing walking the line after a water balloon fight. 

Summer is off to a good start here. Hope everyone is enjoying the long weekend!  

        

10,000 apologies, 500 boxes of bandaids, 556 peanut butter sandwiches, 307 games of monopoly, endless car pool lines, birthday cakes, road trips and dance parties! What a life we share both the beauty and the sadness. My boys have watched me curse and fall and get back up, they’ve watched me fight my way out of depression, countless amounts of tears and belly aching laughs. They’ve forgiven me more times than I even want to remember. The list could go on forever. I’m so grateful for them and so grateful for this life and journey I’ve been given. 

To four years, I wouldn’t change a thing.