out and about - chikaustin

out and about

August12th

16 Comments

home sweet home

Posted in: mi familia, out and about

Thank you all for your sweet comments and prayers about our bebe who will be here in seven weeks. Aack! After a visit to the prenatal cardiologist we found out that she has a Prenatal Aortic Contraction. The doctor began to tell me what that meant in scientific terms, I should have paid more attention in anatomy in college because it all flew right over my head.

Basically what that means is that there are two halves to the heart and a door that separates the two. The blood flows between chambers, through the doorway. Her door is too big for the door frame. So she has an early beat every few beats. What does all of this mean? He said that when they cut the cord it will all work itself out. He did say that it will drive the doctor and nurses crazy until she is born because of the heart arrhythmia. I now have to see my doctor every week until she is born just to continue to monitor her heart rate and make sure it does not go too high.

Sorry it’s taken me a few days to update this space. From my doctors appointments to the cardiologist appointment to working on the book I haven’t had a moment really to get on here. I do promise that I have been taking it easy, taking naps, and not getting all worked up about things as I would in the past.

Marjorie has taken over Craft Hope for this current project, SOCK MONKEYS! I am so grateful for her friendship and willingness to help out. She’s an angel. If you haven’t checked out the newest project, hurry on over. She’s doing a great job out there on the west coast. I can’t wait to see the comments and results!

We returned from the beach last weekend and actually welcomed the 100 plus degree weather. There is something about the humidity at the coast that makes you feel like your skin is melting. We had a wonderful time. And we were fortunate to travel with my dad who is a professional photographer. He got some great shots that I’d love to share with you.

When I get a chance I’ll go through my camera to see if I missed anything, but I think this is a pretty good reflection of our trip. Playing on the beach, looking at the boats in the harbor, and relaxing.

I feel like I’ve been put through quite the test with the baby’s heart scare and am stronger for it. Today was one of those days of the car breaking down, the printer breaking, my email server being down, and then running out of ink once I fixed the printer.

You know, it’s always something isn’t it. It’s just how you choose to handle it that makes all the difference. Today when things started crashing down around me I just shrugged and took a nap. What can you do?!? No sense in getting all worked up on things outside of my control. God is in charge here and he runs this ship much better than I ever could.
August2nd

25 Comments

on vacation

Posted in: out and about

Howdy friends from the Texas coast. I just remembered that I ran off and left you without saying goodbye.

I had a bit of a shaky week. At my thirty week check-up for the baby we found out that she has a heart arrhythmia. I cried for an entire day, unsure of exactly what that meant. In a week we go to a specialist to get a detailed view of what’s going on with my baby’s heart. In the meantime I’ve given up all caffeine, coffee, iced tea, and chocolate included. It’s been a tough few days. This beach trip was exactly what the doctor ordered. For the next week you can find me here…

I promise to return refreshed, relaxed, and sun kissed. Until then if you don’t mind saying a few prayers for my sweet baby I’d surely appreciate it.
July14th

8 Comments

que colores

Posted in: babes in toyland, out and about

We had one very busy and eventful weekend. A trip to garage sales, Ikea, dinner with family on the lake, small town market days and a visit to El Mercado in San Antonio.

There was very little time spent on the computer, a much needed break. There was plenty of family time. Shopping. Exploring. Playing. Growing.

I’ll have to share with you what I scored at the garage sale and Ikea later this week. Today, I’ve got lots of work to do on the book. Plus I’ve got boxes and boxes coming in for Craft Hope. I also promised a view into the nursery, so I’ll get those images up here too as soon as I can. So much to show you, so little time.

My favorite place in San Antonio is El Mercado, the Mexican market that is a feast for the eyes. This is also where I get the dresses to make the fiesta dresses. The shot above is of tortilla baskets. I own one and think it keeps tortillas perfectly warm straight from the skillet.

Kid’s guitars.

Notice anything different? Other than the yummy snow cone? And the squinty look on Makena’s face in the 100 plus degree weather and killer sunshine? Earrings. Makena asked to get her ears piereced. She said she was ready and ready she was! Too bad she got a cotton candy flavored snow cone as a treat. She’ll learn that pina colada is the way to go.
July8th

7 Comments

hotter than a…

Posted in: mama life, out and about

Dang it’s hot out. I’m sure all of you non-southerners are sick and tired of listening to us cowpoke complain about the weather but this is ridiculous.

My doctor advised me to not go outside unless I’m in a pool. That limits quite a few things. And makes for an even more hilarious view of me scurrying with two kids in and out of stores when we run errands.

That’s me. Back in good old 1980ish in Port Aransas, Texas. Skinny as a string bean with a bikini that probably fit me when I was two.

Our beach plans have taken quite a turn of events. We were hoping to fly to Florida, but my dear sweet hubby thinks that would be overdoing it for my almost 8 month preggo self. And our beach jar is not quite reaching capacity for airline tickets. So it looks like we are going to take the kids to good old Port Aransas, Texas at the end of the month. About four hours from Austin. I’m not going to complain. I’m going to suck in my bottom lip and have a good time. For the kids. And really, they don’t know any better.

I do have to agree with him, I wouldn’t be up for doing much. Can’t snorkel. Can’t ride in a boat. Can’t go down a water slide. Can’t ride a bike. Can’t drink a margarita. Can’t scuba dive. Sorry, I said I was going to suck it up. But I can sit by a pool. Sit on the beach. I can look for seashells with my kids. And just enjoy watching my kids play and fish with their daddy. And I can take pictures. I think I’m going to like this little vacay after all.

Are you going anywhere this summer? I’d love to hear all about it. I’m a traveling fool. Wait, that didn’t come out right. Nevermind. Carry on.
June13th

6 Comments

life on holiday

Posted in: out and about

It all started a couple of years ago when I announced that I was changing my perspective.

To live a life less ordinary per se.

To live like I was on holiday.

Not that I could. Oh, but I would.

Take advantage of each day. Not necessarily go with the flow. To take the path less traveled.

Two years ago we moved thirty miles out of Austin to the lake. We reduced our cost of living. We greatly reduced the square footage of our house. And we’ve never been happier.

You don’t have to sell your house to change your perspective. You don’t have to do anything. In fact, do less.

I have learned that it’s okay to say no. With no guilt strings attached.

The beautiful part is that your kids just want to be with you. They don’t have to go anywhere. You don’t have to buy them anything. Just be with them. Be in the moment. Watch them catch bugs. Encourage them to build forts. Color with them. Read to them. Explore with them.

I now spend each day, not racing as fast as I can to beat or keep up with the pack, but enjoying the simple quiet moments.

And as a mama, I do this for my kids.

By changing myself, I change the future.

{a huge thank you to my hubby for designing my new banner, he also did the craft hope logo and i feel mighty lucky to have such a photoshop savy man in my life.}
May11th

4 Comments

the hills are alive

Posted in: out and about

We spent the weekend in the Texas Hill Country doing a few of my favorite things.

Stopping to smell the flowers.

Noticing the unusual. As a good friend said “God is in the pokey uncomfortable places.”

Remembering the past.

And embracing the unpredictable.
January19th

9 Comments

snow day

Posted in: babes in toyland, mama life, mi familia, out and about

We survived our first family roadtrip to Taos, New Mexico. The bags are still not unpacked, but as a good friend put it ‘you won’t need those clothes anytime soon.’ Wise words since we are back in Austin and I’m back in my flip flops. So for now, the bags are stacked in the corner and we are enjoying this beautiful Texas sunshine.

We spent the week hanging out and bundling up.

Playing in the snow.

Building a snow tribe.

Making snow angels.

Enjoying the fire inside with a good book and the view outside.

Spending time with great friends.

And enjoying time as a family.

It’s good to travel, but it’s also good to be home.
January7th

9 Comments

pre-trip road trip

Posted in: babes in toyland, out and about

Thank you for all of your well wishes on our trip. I do believe that we need them. I welcome and desperately need any ideas to make the trip easier. Things to pack. Games to play. Music to listen to. Any and all advice is greatly appreciated. Like should I pack individual ‘car packs’ for the kids so they each have their own things? Come on mamas… I need you.

$there\'s just something about this guy$

Today we did a mini-roadtrip to San Antonio to pick up a much needed portable DVD player from grandma and grandpa’s house. While we were in town we arranged an outing to the San Antonio Zoo with my fabulous sister-in-law and her beautiful little girls. My kids adore their cousins just about as much as I adore my sister from another mother… and father.
December30th

9 Comments

the holidays

Posted in: mi familia, out and about

I just want the hit the pause button. To savor these restful moments. No need to hurry, to get things done. Nope. We are truly enjoying the holidays.

Our Christmas morning can be summed up with this one picture. Keegan’s feet in his sisters new princess shoes. The boy would not take them off.

While in San Antonio we spent a lot of time with family. While I didn’t get my lights shot, I promise to try again on New Years, I did get some bowling shots. Yes, I did say bowling. And let me tell you that I have not been to a bowling alley in about ten years.

We have all spent plenty of time with Wii bowling over the holiday, but this was a whole other beast all together.

Makena had a style all of her own. Run. Drop the ball. It would barely roll. And she would squat or lay down to watch it creep down the lane.

$it\'s all fun and games$

And it’s all fun and games.

Until the boy gets hit upside the head with a bowling ball. The bruise appeared in about two seconds.

We have returned from San Antonio and the house has been declared a natural disaster zone. Toys, bags and everything in between lay strewn about the living room.

Today we rest.

Tomorrow we party! Happy New Years Eve Eve!
August20th

5 Comments

Summertime

Posted in: out and about

Both of my kids long to live on a farm. Makena likes to sprinkle sand from the sandbox like she’s feeding the chickens. Keegan spends most days on his rocking horse yelling ‘yee-haw.’ So when the opportunity presented itself to spend a weekend on a farm, they couldn’t have been more excited.

There were animals to watch.

Tractors to ride.

Stars to gaze.

Croquet to be played.

And swimming. Lot’s of swimming.

Ahhh fleeting summertime.