Believe In The Wonders Of Tomorrow

Looking out my window....

On this beautiful Sunday I'm finding myself revelling in the midst of the comforts of winter and the hints of a the new beginnings of spring. Not sure if I'm ready to say goodbye to winter. However, I'm feeling anxious for a redefinition of me. I'm re-evaluating some of the priorities and expectations I've written down for myself and thinking it is time to change. After multiple gut checks, I continue to tell my self that I need to be true to my inner self. There are many things going on right now and I promise to share them soon. In the mean time, I wanted to toss the idea out there of taking risks, accepting challenges and committing yourself to all of the emotions such changes can bring about. I have no willingness to let things stay the same. It is in the journey where you evolve and appreciate the depth of your work to reach the celebration, the happiness and accomplishment. Are you about to face a change or challenge? I would love to hear about it!


Today's Link Love:

You can never have to many pillows. Enjoy this!

Oh I could really use these for our garden boxes this spring.

Love Love Loving this band!

EEK! I want this. It would go perfectly on my porch!

Excited to celebrate this event in town next weekend!

Still thinking about getting this! Should I do it?

An Enchanted Birthday

My special little flower, Amelie had her 4th birthday party today. It took everything I had not to ball my eyes out. She is no longer the tiny little baby I once held in my arms. She is now such an amazing young lady! And the time is just going so and too quickly. She came into this world 12 weeks early weighing 2 lbs and 11 ounces. She spent 10 weeks in the NICU. Our little miracle. As healthy as could be... just needed time to grow! I know she has so much purpose in this world. She is just so sweet and loving it melts my heart. While blowing out her candles, I asked her to make a wish and she softly replied "I wish we could all be best friends". Her genuine kindness and open love is a constant reminder to me to be true to what my heart desires and don't let anyone or anything make you lose sight of it. Sometimes as an adult I get distracted with everyone's expectations and judgements. Amelie is an old soul and her confidince inspires me and she is opening my eyes to being youthful and carefree again. She helps me laugh more and worry less. And when it really comes down to it... LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED! And we sure know how to love and be loved in the Bodnar household. So this post is especially for you, my Amelie. You are the bravest, most joyful and kindest spirit I have ever known. Thank you for giving me the gift of motherhood. I am truly blessed! Happy 4th birthday my little flower!

P.S.
We are so proud of you! You are a wonderful Big Sister
xoxo

Amelie ready for her enchanted birthday party at the carousel of happiness

The morning of her birthday party- making apple and cinnamon pancakes for breakfast. Amelie loves to help in the kitchen

So excited for her birthday party!

Penelope-The Fairy is also ready for her sisters enchanted birthday party!

Winter Wonderland

The snow outside is bringing a silent solitude.
I am hear most certainly to grow into these mountains.
It seems as if everything nature has to offer is a tiny miracle.
So often the beauty of the forest speaks in silence to the very core of my being...

I just tucked Amelie into bed for a nap but before she closed her eyes, we read this new book. It was a must have. We are so excited to build fairy homes in our own back yard. We've decided that the winter fairies need homes too and so we are going to start building them some. When I finished reading, I planted a big kiss on her cheek and she kissed me back and said "I love you Nancy". PRICELESS!

Enjoying the snow storm on a silent Sunday. Resting and being mindful of all the little miracles that surround me. How about you? What are you doing today? Oh and if you have ever built any fairy homes please share photos and ideas.

image credit to loretolda's photostream

Rejuvenate

Rejuvenate:to restore to a former state; make fresh or new again.

My family and I are enjoying the first day of the year snuggled in our love nest. The conversations are filled with the excitement of what is to come in the new year. In one word, 2011 will be about rejuvenation. Nurturing our youthfulness. What rejuvenates you?

Link Love:

I absolutely love this song. It makes my heart melt! It's the song I would've written for my family.

I'm excited to decorate our home some more with colorful art! This would look fantastic in Penelope's room.

Wish I had one of these today.

This makes me want to plan a winter vacation to somewhere very warm.

Just can't get enough of this. Such a beautiful capture.

I could go on...but my sweet Amelie wants to jump on our bed...I best join her.

Happy New Year!

A Very Merry Christmas Indeed

It's late in the evening and every one is nestled in bed. I am taking the time to reflect on today. I've added some more pine logs to the fire so that it continues to burn a bit longer in the wood stove. The loud crackles of the burning wood ease me and I sit in my cozy chair and stare at the Christmas tree lights.
I chuckle at the new tradition we started this year and how we strongly agreed to ensure it would become a tradition. It was wearing our Christmas pajamas all day! I must admit it felt comforting and somewhat festive for each of us to fashion our holiday specific pajamas all day. I grab an old knit throw blanket and throw it over me. I find myself drawn to the light shining in through the window. It's a glow from the stars and at that moment I am overwhelmed with relief and joy. Everything I have ever wanted and wished for I have.
My little family. These three people who are my whole world are upstairs sleeping peacefully.
When they laugh, dream, believe I am adoringly engaged and find myself dreaming of how to

ensure that they continue to laugh, dream and believe. Their pure love heals me. It is the gift of all gifts and my favorite one.

I hope that this Christmas you were surrounded by those who give you pure love! And as we embark on a new year, may you write down all of your dreams and find ways to make them happen. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Where I've been...

When you know where you belong, you just have to get there. Right? Well, we are there. It took 3 years of living in the front range to realize that we left our hearts here. This iconic town (mostly known for the frozen dead guy in a tuff shed) has always been home. We rented a 100 year old cabin years ago in Old Town and we actually bought our first home here too!

And now we've found the perfect love nest to raise our girls and just be. We came to the realization that modern conveniences have nothing over living smack in the middle of the national forest and having the biggest playground ever in your own back yard! Only made sense that this is where we should raise our children.. And boy are we All happier, relieved, de-stressed, smiling more, giggling more and breathing deeper. Sometimes you just have to listen to your gut and make things happen. I'm feeling more connected to the desires of my heart. I think we all are. Even Amelie who is only 3 years old repeatedly announces how she loves her home in the mountains.

Because this finally feels like our home, I've named our property. It's called Quinta da Saudade. Of course it's portuguese and I have my father to thank for this name. You see my father always had a way of romanticizing the Portuguese language. My father would argue that there is no english words that could possibly do justice to describing the word Saudade. Well, I'm going to try. In a common way it translates as longing for, something your passionate about. Quinta means a villa. And so officially welcome to Quinta Da Saudade. It's where wonderful things happen! May our paths connect soon and may we be blessed with visits from old friends and new!

I am playing with some new looks to gypsybeing. I have this lovely to thank for the AMAZING banner photo.
I also have to thank my dear friend Angie, for helping me create the banner.
Oh and I can't forget this code guru too!

A few of my favorite things

Oh how I love the weekends! And oh how I love spending it with my family. We started off with a yummy breakfast here. It's one of my favorite places to eat. Next was a stroll down Pearl Street. It was a delicious summer morning. It was a brisk 70 degree morning and the slight chill made me anxious for the upcoming Fall season. The Fall is my favorite season and I am looking forward to putting on a sweater soon. Until then I will enjoy the remainder of the summer bidding it a good farewell.