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Jan 19 2017

treasure rocks

Posted by hayley
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It all started with a rock that Songbird found on a playground. A rock painted like a bluebird, actually. It had been hidden as part of a new activity to cultivate joy in our Va Beach community called 757Rocks. The premise is simple – painted rocks are hidden all around town for anyone to find and bring a smile to their day. Each rock has “#757rocks” painted on the back which (when searched) will invite the finder to paint and hide new rocks of their own to join in the fun.

Well, the bluebird rock had a major prize attached! The gal who hid the rock was Christy Keane, a local professional photographer. Songbird won us a photo shoot at a location of our choice. Major score! We chose the hiking trails and sand dunes of the Back Bay nature preserve where we often get out and walk as a family.

Photos by the Bay | greyhouseharbor.com

As moms it is so important for us to get into pictures with our kids (I wrote in depth about embracing the camera in this post from 2014). Most of my attempts are goofy-faced iPhone selfies—which of course have their own merit. But what a treat to find myself on the other side of a professional lens!Photos by the Bay | greyhouseharbor.com

I wanted genuine pictures of who we are right now (what we wear, our hairstyles, etc), so I told Handsome and the kids to dress however made them comfortable, without regard for matching or fussing with details. The resulting images couldn’t be more “us” : super casual with a hint of fun.

Photos by the Bay | greyhouseharbor.com

For a mom who is always behind the camera, these photos with my little ones are such a rare gift that I will treasure forever!

Photos by the Bay | greyhouseharbor.com

Now we’re painting and hiding our own 757rocks to keep the joy going. If you’re in the Virginia Beach area, do yourself a favor and be sure to check out Christy Keane Photography the next time you too want something other than selfies with your family. You won’t regret it.

Photos by the Bay | greyhouseharbor.com

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Tags: bug, family, joy, our life, songbird
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Jan 14 2017

missing grams

Posted by hayley
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A year ago today, we lost Handsome’s grandma. Born in a small town in S. Dakota, she lived without running water or electricity until high school. Moving to California as a young adult, she married her high school sweetheart and eventually had 2 children. A resilient woman, her life was not without extreme heartbreak – most notably being widowed at age 51 and losing both her children before her own passing. She did however find her soul mate in Jimmy, who was her rock for her last 22 years.

From the time we learned of her cancer diagnosis until she left us was a mere 7 days. So today, I’d like to share a letter I wrote to her that never made it to the mailbox…

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Dear Grams,
I began writing this letter the day after I learned you were ill, to tell you all of the things you’ve meant to me, but then you left us so swiftly that I never had the chance to send it. I hope you don’t mind me sharing it here instead.

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Just 3 months before I married Handsome, I lost my own paternal grandmother. So although you weren’t my grandma by blood, in a way I feel like God poured all of your spunk and loveliness into that void just when I needed it most. The fact that you came as a package deal with the Jimster didn’t hurt either, since I had never known my own grandfather. Together, you two were the storybook version of what grandparents should be: you with your amazing home cooked meals, firm hugs, handwritten birthday cards…  and Jimmy sneaking us chocolate at all times of the day.

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When we all ended up in Arizona for a few years together, I witnessed first hand your resourcefulness, hard working mentality, and love of a good project. Handsome and I marveled at all the improvements you’d make to your already beautiful homes; both of us hoping to remain that productive and energetic in our twilight years. On several occasions, we were even the beneficiary of your skills, like when you helped us build that dog run to contain our reckless puppy or when you coached me on how to pick the perfect lemon tree for our yard. You were never short on ideas or thoughtful suggestions.

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You were never short on opinions either. For better or worse, people always knew where they stood with you. Whether that assertiveness developed as a result of being the youngest of 11 kids or simply from knowing yourself well enough to never compromise, I envied your conversational confidence. Thank you for always being a straight shooter and as genuine as they come.

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The epitome of health and mental sharpness even as you turned 80, I admired how adamant you were about exercising and eating right. How could someone who walked 3+ miles a day, snacked on carrots and sliced cucumbers, tended to all your extensive yard work yourself, and never got sick possibly find themselves staring down such a devastating diagnosis?

Guess we all kinda figured you would live forever.

But in a way, you will.

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I see your work ethic every morning when your grandson leaves our house before the sun to tackle a 16 hour work day without complaint. I hear the authenticity of your words when my kids choose to tell the truth even when it’s the hard thing to do. On the too-rare occasion that the family is all together, the laughter and food reminds me of your love of a great party. And when I think my week has been hard, I channel the grace and strength you showed when faced with more heartache than I could ever imagine.

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Even now, when I publish a blog post or share a new photo of the kids online, I half expect to still see your heartfelt and uplifting comments. I will miss your random texts just to check in and letting me know you’re praying for Handsome when he’s overseas. For 14 years you loved and claimed me as your own. What a blessing it was to do the same.

I love you Grams and miss you like crazy.

Hayley

Tags: family, grams, our life
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Jan 4 2017

five alive and finally gum

Posted by hayley
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We have a family rule that you can’t chew gum until you’re 5. So ever since Bug’s second birthday, he’s been telling everyone “I fiiive” in hopes of swindling anyone into giving him gum. As happens with a second child, however, he talked me into “just trying” a piece at 4½ . When he didn’t swallow it, didn’t pull it out and play with it, and the chewed wad made it responsibly into a trash can at the end, I did in fact allow him to start chewing early.

Then the day of truth finally came. Bug turned FIVE and is officially official for gum! Since it’s a non-party year, we did a family celebration with lots of gifts, cupcakes at preschool, and dinner at Red Robin (oh, my little extrovert – he loves that they get the whole restaurant’s attention and sing LOUD).

Opa and Oma were even able to make it into town to join the fun! Bug was so excited to have them around for the week.

The night before Bug’s birthday, Handsome and I spent a couple hours assembling this all-terrain dune buggy for him. After all the gifts were opened we told him he had one more surprise in the garage. He walked out, jumped in and was immediately racing down the street. After several laps, he looked at me and straight-faced serious-as-can-be he says “So, what’s the surprise?” (Uh….#facepalm)

He did get a pack of Juicy Fruit gum from Oma and Opa, though. So, I’d call that birthday success.

Lego collector, white lie detector, string cheese eater, little dog feeder, full-name writer, nail biter, excited new Power Wheels rider. Funny faces on demand, first to lend a helping hand, loves to paint and build and swim, giving hugs out on a whim. Safety first is still his creed (likes the rules, not too much speed). 

Happy 5th Birthday Bug!

 

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Tags: birthday, bug, family, our life
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Jan 1 2017

the best of 2016

Posted by hayley
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December 31.
7:30p – Songbird out cold on the couch.
8p – Party poppers and the fake countdown on Netflix with Bug.
10p – Handsome and Echo throw in the towel.

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Looks like I’m the last man standing. Or sitting rather… in my jammies by the fire watching the worst performance of Mariah Carey’s life (but seriously, what was that?! yikes).  Hello 2017!

In no particular order, here are a few of our favorite memories from 2016. It was a charmed year full of adventure and wonder. Thanks for tagging along with this little blog of mine—can’t wait to see what our 2017 chapter brings. Happy New Year!

BEST TRAVELS

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BEST SELFIES

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BEST WILDLIFE INTERACTIONS

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BEST HOLIDAYS

best6

BEST TIMES WITH FRIENDS

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BEST OUTDOOR FUN

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BEST FIRSTS

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Tags: family, our life
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I'm Hayley. Wife and mother by day, DIY enthusiast by night. Fueled by sweet tea and jelly beans, I own power tools and know how to use them. Consider yourself warned.

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