- oh, hello there -

Oh, hello there...does anyone still remember me? My name is Kyna, and I used to be a blogger. But then, something happened. I fell off the wagon...I can't even tell you what I am doing instead of blogging. I wish I could say I've been running ten miles every night instead...or that I've been getting into bed by 9:00 every night to make up for all the sleep that I've been missing out on when my sweet, innocent child wakes up 3 times between 1:00 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. (yes...we're STILL dealing with that). Or that I have been so busy taking amazing pictures and editing away and I just don't have time to blog anymore. But....unfortunately, none of those things are true. I'm still a night owl...still staying up till 11:30 p.m...but not getting a good workout in...not getting more sleep...and certainly not spending time with my camera or my editing software. I can't tell you what I've been doing instead...except spending some time with Matt, and just vegging...doing nothing after putting Ellie to bed. And it's been wonderful!!! I needed the break!

Summer is just about here...and my friends...summer is by far my absolute favorite season! There is nothing better than summer around here. Picnics, beach days, homemade sangria (compliments of my wonderful hubby), long evenings playing outside in the warm sunshine. Summer is the season that we make plans literally every single weekend...because we just can't have a down day where we just run errands, or a have a quiet night at home...there's too much warm weather and beautiful days to enjoy! I won't let any single day go to waste during the summer!

I'll be back...I promise! I'll be back to document the magic of summer...we have so many adventures planned already...weekends away already planned....travels and vacations that we will soak up every minute of. Weekend plans with our friends....running through the sprinklers...riding our bikes (note to self...buy bikes for this summer! I plan to live on our bikes this summer!).

Here's to some amazing magic this summer!!!

(Image credit Nina S.)

(Image credit Nina S.)

(Image credit Nina S.)

- lessons in life -

Over the past few years I have grown so much as a person. I have laughed harder than I have ever laughed before. I have smiled harder than I have ever smiled before. And I've also cried harder than I have ever cried before. And through it all, I have learned some important life lessons.

I have learned...

 that nothing will melt your heart more than a hug, or a smile, or a kiss from your child

no matter how "child proof" you think your marriage is, things change after having kids. It's then, that it's most important to guard your marriage and make a real effort to keep it fresh and happy.

that 2:00 in the morning, when your 3 year old is once again wide awake, is the worst time ever to try to talk calmly to your spouse. Being overtired will cause you to unnecessarily snap at each other. It's best to leave the conversation alone until you are more rested and you are thinking with a clear head.

that sometimes Google, and the doctors, and all of those parenting books will not have the answer as to why your child is doing what she is doing or acting the way she is acting. Children are just little people...they have their own personality just like you and me. Sometimes the answer is really "that's just how she is" and that's okay!
 

that it is so so so easy to judge, but is so hard to be judged.

that sometimes its okay to stop and enjoy the moment....usually more than sometimes!

that some friends are just "circumstantial" friends, and some are lifelong friends. And there is a big difference between the two. Circumstantial friends you often see a lot of, but once a particular circumstance changes (You move out of the neighborhood or they get a different job. You have a baby or they have another baby. Your interests change or they get a new hobby), you'll start seeing them less and less and the friendship will begin to fade. Lifelong friends are those amazing friends that you can see every week, or go months and months without seeing, and nothing ever changes. And even if your circumstances change tremendously, your friendship will never change.

that I just don't have time to do it all. I have to let go of something. Recently, it has been this blog. It might be something else further down the road. But in the end, I am not superwoman, and I need to prioritize and let some things go.

that my baby girl's smile always, always, always makes everything okay...

Image credit Nina S.

- so very true -

Oh so true....so very true!

- to kill a mockingbird...well, not quite, but almost -

If any of you guys knew Matt and I about five years ago, you would know the story of the mockingbird that lived outside of our condo (back when we lived in a very urban part of town)...and sat on the telephone wire by our bedroom window, and sang...every night...loudly. It drove us CRAZY! Matt was so determined to scare it away, that there were quite a few nights he would actually get his shoes on, and chase that darn bird across our alley and into other condo complexes parking lots...all while holding the BB gun that our friend lent us to scare the bird away (yes scare, not hurt or kill). And you can imagine when he did that, although it was pretty comical, I was always pretty scared that someone would call the cops on him, thinking he was running loose with a gun in his hand (picture a crazy, sleep deprived man, running after a tiny bird...that most people wouldn't even notice...He would be jumping over parking lot walls and charging down the alley...shouting a vulgarity here and there, and holding a gun...yes a BB gun, but a gun nonetheless!) But I'll tell you, that bird was a stubborn one...and would come back EVERY NIGHT. It was so loud when it sang, and it sang all night long! We tried white noise, music, ear plugs...everything! This went on for at least 3-4 months, and then one day, the bird just disappeared and never came back! Hooray!!!

But ladies and gentleman, you will never guess what has made it's way to our yard...and has been "singing" every night as loud as can be?? Oh yes, another mockingbird! And the kicker? He's placed himself right outside of Ellie's window...yes, to sing loudly to my 3.5 year old who already is a crappy sleeper! Why thank you Mr. Mockingbird, for choosing our yard, and for choosing her window to perch outside of! Cause this momma never really wanted to get any sleep anyways, right? Sleep is overrated...and nature and all that it entails is such a beautiful thing, right?? UGH!

I love nature, I love animals, I love everything and anything outdoors. But really Mr. Mockingbird? You're waking my child up, keeping her up once she is awake, and keeping me up once she finally falls back asleep!

According to Wikipedia, only the male mockingbirds sing at night, and they are one of the only birds that ever choose the night to sing. And why are they singing? Well, to find a mate, of course!

"Dear Mr. Mockingbird, while I know most females think it's utterly romantic to be sung to, I will be more than happy to show you some quieter ways to find a suitable mate! I'm pretty sure my husband didn't sing to me at all hours of the night, and I still fell head over heels in love with him. So I promise you lonely little bird, there are other ways to attract your soul mate! Tonight, I will even gladly leave my laptop outside for you, and you can try your hand (or beak..ha ha ha) at online dating. It's a much quieter way to find a mate, and my child and I will be much happier and so much more well rested! Sincerely, one tired momma that has already had her share of mockingbirds in her life to deal with"

Image credit carolinabirds.org

*disclaimer - I would never really "kill a mockingbird"...although, I HAVE laid in bed many nights this past week scheming...because I have not much else to do at 2:30 a.m.!

- this world -

this world is filled with hate

this world is filled with destruction...

...it's sad, and scary.

I am just one person, how can I make a change?

I can touch the peoples lives around me with love. 

I can share, and help.

but most importantly, I can teach my daughter how to love, how to care

how to accept people despite their differences

how to handle disagreements with words, rather than violence

how to spread her love around her, and make a difference in other people's lives.

I can make a change, even if it's just in one person's life...

Please wear a red heart of some kind to show Boston we care. ♥

- throwback thursday -

This is still one of my very favorite videos ever of Ellie!! Enjoy! :-)

- it's life -

and it's impossibly complicated
 especially when I...

...fall too fast
crash too hard
care too much
forgive too easily
miss people I shouldn't
worry over nothing
give too much
expect too much in return...