Our English cousins visited over Christmas. It was such a wonderful time of being together; exploring and relaxing. The kids all get along pretty darn well. Pictured below is Phoebe who really, really wanted to help take care of David. One morning she wanted to feed him breakfast, so I got the food ready, gave her a quick lesson and she went for it.

Phoebe was very careful and attentive and David was very patient. Food got everywhere, it was messy, but also, such a sweet, tender moment. Phoebe is five years old and David is fifteen. Even with the large age gap, she can do what he can’t–and it’s heartbreakingly beautiful. I felt a mix of joy and sadness watching them together. But mostly I felt love–Phoebe’s love and acceptance toward David. She looks past his disability and loves him just as he is.

It made me wonder how many times I don’t accept help, even when I need it. Helping someone else and accepting help means we meet each other in our brokenness. Isn’t that a beautiful thing?

How about some hellos for a brand new week?

Hello taking time to notice other’s needs. In my busyness it’s so easy to rush through my day.

Hello accepting help from others. It’s easier for me to offer help than accept it. Deep down I think accepting help feels like weakness–which is so untrue. We need each other.

Hello reading this book. So good–and she was 17 when she wrote it!

Hello Christmas planning already! There is fun stuff ahead.

Hello Mom 2.0. Are you going? I’ll be there.

Hello overalls. Aren’t these cute?

Hello watching this series on Netflix. It’s kinda creepy but so good. If you liked Stranger Things, you’ll like this.

Hello fighting a migraine the last few days. So yuck. Thankfully it’s low level.

Hello meetings and email and projects this week.

Hello blogging. It’s been a few weeks. Feels good to get back into a rhythm.

Hello to you! What are you saying hello to this week?

Today Matthias is saying ‘hello’ to fourteen! I can’t believe my baby is fourteen–feels like a lot of years and a short amount of time. I’ve heard a rumor next year he’ll turn fifteen. Next year is high school! So exciting and crazy and to be honest, my mama heart gets pulled between missing my babies and delighting in watching my boys grow. Life is a funny, beautiful thing. How about some hellos?

Hello feeling victorious because we finally got our Christmas tree down. It’s not even February yet!

Hello father and son who are so much alike–passionate, creative, hard-working, deep feelers.

Hello three guys who fill up my heart.

Hello new year full of big things ahead.

Hello Matthias, happy birthday!!!

Hello celebrating with dinner and a movie with friends, a few gifts and cupcakes.

Hello to you! What are you saying hello to this week?

I cannot believe it’s mid-December. The days are flying by and Christmas is right around the corner! We are busy busy around here and I find myself feeling a bit panicky at moments. But it will all come together. I know for sure getting stressed never helps. It always makes it worse! deep breath, it’s all good.

How about some hellos for a new week?

Hello taking pics with this incredible photographer {and friend!}. Heather you are so talented.

Hello fires in Los Angeles and Ventura. We are a couple hours north of the fires–out of harms way but close enough to experience the smoke and know our neighbors are in crisis. Lots of thoughts and prayers for California.

Hello cleaning out drawers and closets.

Hello watching less TV and spending more time reading.

Hello Christmas tree with twinkly lights but no ornaments {yet!}.

Hello last minute Christmas gifts. These handmade items ship FAST.

Hello feeling like a homebody lately–I never want to leave the house.

Hello celebrating David who has been healthy for 8 weeks straight!!

Hello planning Matthias’ birthday which always seems to get lost in the Christmas shuffle.

Hello making lists and rushing–then feeling exhausted.

Hello walking and writing and thinking and nurturing my soul.

Hello napping and resting and being instead of doing.

Hello to YOU. It’s a brand new week with beauty to be found. What are you saying hello to this week?

December is here! Hello! With the business, we are preparing for this season all year long. In fact, we are already preparing for NEXT Christmas. Crazy, right?! So now that December is finally here it feels a bit surreal. I want to slow down and soak it all up.

How about some hellos for a new week?

Hello smiles. David loves it when his dad sings to him. Big smiles.

Hello open doors. The weather has been lovely, so we’ve been opening our French doors and enjoying breakfast with lots of fresh air. Just one small problem–flies. inevitably a few find their way into the house and drive us nuts later in the day.

Hello white tree. The boys are trying to talk me into taking down the white tree and replacing it with a real tree. I really love our white tree though!

Hello lights around the kitchen window. This has got to be the easiest decor in the world–but it makes me so happy.

Hello brothers. It melts my heart to see them together. I see Matthias being more in tune with David lately.

Hello week of worry. I’ve have felt so out of sorts this week–overwhelmed and exhausted. I feel like I can’t pull it together.

Hello preparing for family to visit this Christmas. We can’t wait!

Hello reading this book and loving it.

Hello Christmas shopping. I think I’m about 2/3 done. How about you?

Hello family pics this week. Preparing for a photo shoot is always a bit stressful. The best thing is to relax about it, right?

Hello brand new week with beauty to be found. What are you saying hello to this week?

Hello friends! We had a very wonderful Thanksgiving this year. Lots of delicious food, time with family and time to rest. That’s a perfect formula for a good holiday, I think!

How about some hellos and thankfulness for a new week?

Hello thankful for a new aqua door. It’s bright and happy!

Hello thankful for my two boys are our two pups and lots and lots of love and snuggles.

Hello thankful Rosie the pup is mending well after a pit bull attack. She’s getting stronger and braver every day.

Hello thankful for lots of delicious food. We went out for a big breakfast at the Madonna Inn, then snacked for lunch {above} and a big Thanksgiving dinner.

Hello thankful for a table where we can linger and talk and laugh.

Hello thankful for silliness and pictures that capture a little of the crazy.

Hello thankful for a successful first pie. Yum!

Hello thankful for a little down time to rest. Naps are the best.

Hello thankful for a season of health. David is back to the doctor today for a checkup. He’s been happy and healthy the five weeks {after four bouts of pneumonia in five months!}

Hello thankful to be loved just as I am, right now. And even more, I’m learning to feel that love and acceptance deep in my soul.

Hello thankful for you! What are you saying hello to this week?

Hello friends!

We are in our busy season–it’s here! I look at my calendar and can’t believe Christmas is six weeks away. Crazy!! We have been updating our bathroom and the boys’ bathroom is finally done. I love the way it came together.

How about some hellos for a new week?

Hello BLUE vanity. We painted the old vanity and added hardware. Blue felt risky to me–but it’s the boys’ bath and I wanted it to feel masculine. I love the way it came together.

Hello vintage rug that ties in the wood shelf and the darker vanity. It’s a little funky but I like the mix of patterns.

Hello cement tile floor. This was top of my wish list and the tiles took forever to come in. I’m so glad we waited though.

Hello attending a conference this week. I hope I come away stretched and inspired.

Hello reading this book–I’m just starting it. I’ve heard such good things. Have you read it?

Hello headaches. I’ve been fighting them lately and it’s awful. I think it’s stress. Do you get headaches?

Hello busy busy in the workshop. We have such an incredible team–I am grateful for them!

Hello new leather bags designed by my sweetie Stephen David Leonard. They are AMAZING!

Hello menu planning for Thanksgiving. I want to keep it simple but yummy.

Hello to you. It’s a brand new week with beauty to be found. What are you saying hello to this week?

Hello friends. We are thankful to be waking up to a new week. Last week was full–with good and hard stuff. Aren’t new beginnings a beautiful thing? How about some hellos for a new week?

Hello pups. My MIL last one of her precious dogs to a pit bull attack last week. Her other pup was badly injured. It is so heartbreaking. I’m still reeling from it. Our pets truly become part of our families, don’t you think?

Hello visiting the dentist this week. I am overdue.

Hello HUGE announcement. Steve has been working on this project for a while and it’s finally out in the real world. The response has been amazing–which doesn’t surprise me because his designs are incredible. Hop over and check it out.

Hello chilly weather and pulling out sweaters FINALLY!

Hello Halloween. We don’t have plans–maybe we’ll just pass out candy and watch a movie at home. Are you dressing up?

Hello trying new supplements for David to try to boost his immune health. I feel hopeful.

Hello new tile around the fireplace. it’s not quite done yet but you can see a bit of it in the pic above.

Hello thinking about praying for friends who are healing from surgeries and struggling with illness. Sometimes life is heavy.

Hello to you. It’s a brand new week with beauty to be found.

What are you saying hello to this week?