Happy Place. Vol. 2

The mountains have always held a special place in my heart. I remember family vacations to New Mexico being some of my most favorite memories growing up. They give me peace of mind and the fresh air brings a sense of calm to my chaos. They are a Happy Place for Jordan and I both. We took Eisley on a tiny family vacation to Ruidoso a couple of weeks ago and it is safe to say she was a fan as well.

At the hotel. These two are in a constant state of turning my heart to mush.




Drove up the mountain to take a scenic family picture and this was the best we could get. Just imagine mountains and trees and beauty. Although, that nap was something of beauty for Jordan and I.



First day on this trail she stayed on the path. Day two she was a wild woman and needed to be amongst the foliage.



Bump, Baby, and the ultimate pregnant stance.





We ate breakfast at this place both mornings we were there. Ever so often my pregnant brain will think lovingly about the chocolate chip waffles with fresh strawberries. For example, right now. Take me back and buy me brunch.

Currently.

I love when bloggers post about items that they are currently using. It is a great way to learn about new, fun, or just really pretty things. For me, I have been trying very hard to focus on the baby and keep my spending at a minimum but there is always a little wiggle room for some momma spoiling...especially getting so close to the due date. Here are a few of my current favorite things:

Blue Emu. A few weeks ago my mother-in-law told us about this scent free (!!!) muscle rub when Jordan pulled something in his neck. I have been using it on my lower back and hips before going to bed and it makes the biggest difference on this prego bod. I love that it does not have a smell and that a little bit goes a long way. Walgreens, you know what is up.

Sanctuary Spa Mum to Be Body Butter. I am not sure why I did not think of using this on more than just my belly until the other day but it is fantastic. So creamy, has a light baby scent, and my skin feels smooth all day. My belly is a fan and so are my arms and legs. I found mine at Motherhood Maternity.

Happiest Baby on the Block. To be fair, this is not my book. I actually borrowed it from a friend, lost it in our move, and then found it again. I just picked it up again last night and have really enjoyed the perspective. Plus I owe that friend a HUGE belated Thank You for letting me borrow her books...for well over a year.

Mama Bird shirt. One of the my biggest shopping weaknesses is a soft lightly fitted t-shirt. The number of soft grey graphic tees I have is just embarrassing. Jordan got me this one for Easter and I am over the moon. Way comfortable and with the sweetest little meaning.

Two other favorite things that are not pictured would be short hair and long showers. Life savers.

I have been thinking about this a lot lately

When I was about to start 7th grade, my first year in Jr. High, I met a quiet girl with shoes that looked like water. Literally, they were those Nike slip-ons that looked like water... I thought they were some of the coolest shoes a kid could have. Unfortunaly, I barely remembered the girl in the shoes.
When the first day of school came around, the girl in the "Water Shoes" was new and did not know very many people. She was assigned a buddy to show her around..that buddy was my best friend at the time. Lunch came, this part I don't even remember which is terrible, and we were supposed to show the new girl where the cafetreia was located. As we all went to the bathroom together, we left her in there by herself, not knowing where the cafeteria was or any clue of how to get there.
I continued to see the girl at school and youth group, never talking to her but for the occasional mention of her "water shoes." What a giver I was...talking to this girl that was incredibly quiet and needed my approval of her choice of shoes. Clearly, she need my praise to make her day brighter. Safe to say, I was an ass.
Eventually, she moved away. Where she went I was not sure but I did not see her for years.
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My freshman year of college our dorm rooms ended up being diagonal from each other. We talked about how I liked her shoes back then and how we had net seen one another in years. I learned more and more about this girl and quickly grew to where I could not imagine my days without her. She was caring, sweet, loving, passionate, and so beautifully artistic. She was also the first person I watched get a tattoo, and she took it like a champ.
When she told me about that day I left her in the bathroom, I had no recolection that it had happened. I think we laughed about it at the time, but now it makes my heart hurt so badly to think of how shallow I had been.
That girl, became and still is one of my dearest friends. We lived together, she was a bridesmaid in my wedding, and I in hers...but most beautifully of all my little girl was born on her birthday.

I am counting down the days to when I get to visit her in a couple weeks and (Insert pregnant girl excited dance. Super attractive) think about how amazingly things work out and the people God puts in your life. I am thankful that I got another chance to be friends with that girl. I have been better for it.