Little of This, Little of That

I've been not very inspired to write lately. Everyone hits a lull sometimes, I guess. No biggie. Things are good, though. I've kept busy with random stuff, but here's a few highlights:

I've been to IKEA twice in the last couple of weeks because we are putting together a playroom for Gavin, which has proven to be the most convenient thing in my life. We call it Baby Jail. Nothing is close to my house, but IKEA is really far away. I bought a piece of furniture that came in two separate parts...and I bought mis-matched parts. I have no idea how I let that happen. I am so careful with my little pencil and order sheet. So I went back today, but let's be real, I wasn't that bummed. IKEA is the bomb dot com.

I bought the cutest prints for the playroom. You must check them out at The Animal Print Shop.

Gavin and I hit the early church service on Sunday, and Kris was watching the kids in the nursery. What a treat! We hit the playground afterward for a few minutes with the Larson girls. A great way to start our Sunday!

IKEA is not the only thing I've done twice lately, but the chiropractor, too. I always hear people rave about how getting an adjustment changes their life. These people are correct, and now I, too, love going to the chiropractor.

Back to Sunday. It was incredibly busy and so hot. I hate running errands in the heat, but I suppose there's no other way to run errands in Scottsdale in September. We also picked up sandwiches at Paradise Bakery (home of my most favorite chocolate chip cookie) and met Dylan at the airport for lunch. Additionally, we went to a co-worker's open house to meet his baby girl, and also his horses, chickens, dog, cat, and goat. And lastly, we hit up Cruz's third birthday party. Happy birthday, sweet nephew!

Other than that, I've just been doing the things I do. Gavin has continued a happy streak, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed he can keep this up for a very long stretch. Dylan has been out of town here and there, but also at home quite a bit, so he's been building a lot of IKEA furniture and staying with Gavin so I can run around. I've had a couple of dinners with girlfriends in the last few weeks...birthday dinner for Meredith at Sauce and also Barrio Queen (not to be confused with Barrio Cafe) the week before with Jess and Nora. Last night was pizza night with the fam. (Papa Murphy's is so good.) We've got some fun on the agenda for tomorrow (think Waffle Wednesday, a new tradition in our house, and also a date day), and the weekend should prove to be decent as well. And there you have it. Life lately in a nutshell.

I have no idea.

Dad brought home a Jeep from The Price Club, and G went nuts for it before we could even get it out of the packaging.

Walking home.

Our little bundle of joy.

Thanks for the mini-eggplant, Amanda! I was trying to figure out a recipe for them, and G showed me he'd rather just eat them raw.

But I do want to leave you with a few interesting reads, if you'll allow.

I have probably referenced this blogger before because I feel like she and I are kindred spirits. Except she makes a living doing something cool as a designer, and also she has dreadlocks and once wore the same pair of jeans about three days a week for six months without ever washing them. So we're not completely the same. But anyway, read this...25 Ideas for a More Ideal Day. I know some might not find this completely inspiring, but if you're the type to take deep breaths and appreciate the little things around you and look for joy in the simple life, then you just might.

Here's a quote I came across that struck me deeply and has lit a fire under my butt to define what I value and act accordingly.

“To be mature you have to realize what you value most. It is extraordinary to discover that comparatively few people reach this level of maturity. They seem never to have paused to consider what has value for them. They spend great effort and sometimes make great sacrifices for values that, fundamentally, meet no real needs of their own. Perhaps they have imbibed the values of their particular profession or job, of their community or their neighbors, of their parents or family. Not to arrive at a clear understanding of one’s own values is a tragic waste. You have missed the whole point of what life is for."

- Eleanor Roosevelt

And then there's this article that Lena Dunham wrote for The New Yorker. Difficult Girl. Whew, some people had a heavy upbringing! I can't much identify but found it interesting all the same.

And there's nothing that'll make you more grateful for your life here in the U. S. of A. than reading about the way things are in one of the zillions of impoverished countries in this world. Tim (who, I might mention, is ridiculously cool...at least I imagine him to be) shares with us his experience visiting Iraq. Iraq's Full Story. He took suggestions from readers and went off and visited the most random and sometimes scary places (hence his trip to Iraq) so that he could come back and write about it. It'll give you a nice little background on the ISIS craziness, too, if you feel as though you could use some more information.

And speaking of ISIS and all the horrific things happening internationally, if you'd like a brief daily update on the goings-on, you should subscribe to The Skimm. (I think I've mentioned this before.) If you'd rather not know about these things, then please let me into your bubble. I am seriously worried about the state of the world, but I feel this moral obligation to stay informed even though I think I'd be a lot happier in a state of ignorant bliss. However, back to The Skimm. The girls that write it tell it to you straight and offer language that you'll understand. They were featured in Business Insider this morning because they rock. 

Ugh, it's 8:39. Sooooo late in my world. 'Night!