Moving on...

I created this blog in September 2005 in Dallas, TX at a time when I needed to find my voice. I remember typing the first words as a young woman in the twinkle-lit loft of my condo. At first, it was simply an outlet to stay connected to friends near and far and share the tidbits of my newly-married life. Soon, it became so much more...a place for me to share my photography and art, regularly practice gratefulness, and process the way my life was moving to a simpler one day by day.

When we uprooted our lives from Dallas to Nashville in the fall of 2015, I had captured 10 years of our lives in words, photos, memories, details. This blog is a treasure, a time capsule of a very important decade of my life where we were young and married, owned our own businesses, and had two children. 

Now, after a long hiatus, I know it's time to close the door on Dreams of Simple Life and start fresh on my new website.

Here's a list of my favorite things I've written here over the years. Enjoy!

• Goodnight, Nashville

• India and White Twinkle Lights 

• Chlorine and Dried Popsicles: A Memoir of Summertime in Madison, NJ

• I Hope You Dance

• Luci Belle's Birth Story - part 1

• Luci Belle's Birth Story - part 2

• Puddles

• Open Windows

• The Map and the Terrain

• Norah Jewell's Birth Story

• Lack of Sleep, Caked Eyeliner, and Embarrassing Parking Lot Moments

• Mother's Day and Imperfection

• "When the Kids Were Young"

• What I See

• And All the Mamas Said, "Amen"

• Pressing Deeper Into Love

• "We Get To"

• Abide

"Snow date."

My girl has been craving alone time with me so we had a "snow date" today in the front yard, and it was good for both of our souls.  And naturally, because we both love purple, we coordinated without even planning it!

Here's our teeny tiny snow-woman that took quite a bit of work since the snow was so perfectly powdery.  She named her "Sarah."

I treasure these special times with my oldest girl!  Can't believe how much she's grown since her very first snow day in 2011.  See?  We definitely have a purple theme.  It goes well with white!

A little winter photo shoot.

Recently, my dear friend Michelle snapped some photos of me and the girls just to capture this fun stage of life they're in.  Steven wasn't able to join us - it's such a delicate balance finding the exact day and time that's right for photos, when everyone is in a good mood and a photographer is available!  We were lucky to get this window of time and look forward to a full family session soon.  Here are a few of my faves...

These are days...

"These are days you'll remember.

Never before and never since, I promise, will the whole world be warm as this.

And as you feel it, you'll know it's true that you are blessed and lucky.

It's true that you are touched by something that will grow and bloom in you.

These are days you'll remember.

When May is rushing over you with desire to be part of the miracles you see in

Every hour.

You'll know it's true that you are blessed and lucky.

It's true that you are touched by something that will grow and bloom in you.

These are days.

These are the days you might fill with laughter until you break.

These days you might feel a shaft of light make its way across your face.

And when you do you'll know how it was meant to be.

See the signs and know their meaning.

It's true, you'll know how it was meant to be.

Hear the signs and know they're speaking to you, to you."

~ "These Are Days" by 10,000 Maniacs

First smiles...

"The baby has learned to smile, and her smiles burst forth like holiday sparklers, lighting our hearts.  Joy fills the room.  At what are we smiling?  We don't know and we don't care."
~ Joan Lowery Nixon

Let's dance.

This post originally appeared on the JellyTelly blog...

I have a challenge for you.  Try not to crack a smile while dancing the Running Man in your socks on the living room floor.

See?  It’s impossible.

And that’s why in our family, we’ve started having impromptu in-house dance parties – 45 minutes to an hour of completely free, heart-pumping movement to upbeat music.  I tell you, it’s one of the absolute best remedies for a host of things: a mom who “doesn’t have time to exercise,” a bored child, a rainy afternoon stuck indoors, or just a discouraging day.

Admittedly, on many tough parenting days, especially as we walk through the “twos” with our spirited daughter, I want to retreat.  I want to put on a movie or TV show for her and go do something “grown-up” like catch up on emails or read a book.  Some days I do just that, as I am human.  But on the days when I can choose to combat my frustration by engaging with my daughter in a positive way rather than retreating, we do something fun like have a dance party.  As I dance next to her, or pick her up and spin her round and round, the day turns from sour to wonderful pretty quickly.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Turn on a peppy CD or playlist or your favorite Pandora or Spotify station.
2. Start dancing.

Yup, it’s that simple.  And by “dancing,” I mean, just start moving.  It doesn’t matter if you jump and twirl in place, do the twist, or try the Moon Walk.  This is your chance to let go, be silly, release some of that bottled emotion and adult sensibility.  This is not the time to care about your hair getting messy or to be shy about the fact that you haven’t danced since seventh grade.

On a chilly evening over Christmastime when my parents were visiting, we decided to have one of these impromptu dance parties in our living room.  Of course our daughter was thrilled and immediately donned her headband, turquoise tutu, and tap shoes. We opened Pandora and listened to everything from country to praise music to the “Kidz Bop Kids” station.

Within mere minutes, the adults were not only wearing huge smiles but sweating profusely.  At one point, I looked over at my 66-year-old mother who was completely oblivious to anyone else around, doing a crazy “dance move” that seemed to be a combination of squatting and rowing a boat.  And I burst out laughing.  I couldn’t help it – I was just so full of joy at that moment, so grateful for my mom.  Yes – dancing can be the best medicine for everyone from babies to senior citizens.

There are also many references to joyful dancing in the Bible.  In 2 Samuel 6, David rejoices over the ark of God, and Scripture says he was “dancing before the Lord will all his might” (2 Samuel 6:14).  I absolutely love that image.  It’s how I feel sometimes in our living room with the music blaring, my eyes closed, allowing my body to jump and sway and twist, pushing my muscles to their limits.  For me, it’s about embracing the moment, enjoying being with my family, and practicing thankfulness to have arms and legs that work and a body full of energy.  Besides, I want my daughter to know I’m never too old to dance with her, just as my mom has clearly shown me.

So try it sometime – dust off your socks and your pride, gather your kids, and turn on the music.  You might be surprised what a little silly dancing can do to raise your spirits and enhance the connection with your children.

A letter to you at two-and-a-half.

Luci Belle,

It seems that you've changed overnight - chattering and joking and pretending more than ever.  I don't want to forget the details of these fleeting days with my toddler-who-is-becoming-a-little-girl.

So, here are some fun things I want to remember about you at age 2 1/2...

• You sing "happy birthday" to everyone and anyone, regardless of whether it's their birthday.  We actually had a real birthday party to attend on Saturday - a "dress-up" tea for your friend turning 3.  Before the party, we had to have a little talk because you grabbed your friend's present and said, "This is MY present.  I'm going to MY birthday party."  You chose your outfit for the party - a ballerina tutu and pink tights.  At the party, were the presents or cake your favorite?  Nope.  You were perfectly happy playing kitchen, hopping like a bunny down the sidewalk, and chasing after a round birthday balloon.  That evening before bed, I asked, "What's your favorite thing you did today?"  You smiled and acted like you were about to tell me a secret and whispered, "Berfday party."
  

• Later in the day as we were passing a grouping of trees on our way to the park, you asked, "Mommy, is this a rainforest?"  We'll credit Dora and Diego for that one.

• After the park, we were driving to a friend's house, and you declared, "I want an ice cream cone.  With chocolate chips."  I told you we didn't have cones, but maybe we could make ice cream later when we got home.  You replied, "Mommy, let's go to CONEY ISLAND!"  What?

• When we got home from the park, you wanted to get out of your car seat and play in the front seat of the car (turned off of course).  After a lot of fresh air and sunshine, Mommy was in a good mood so I let you linger and play in the car instead of rushing you inside.  I sat on the front steps for a good 20 minutes as you explored the front seat, turning down the visors, examining your teeth in the mirror, playing with bobby pins in the console.  After awhile I sauntered over to check on you.  "Whatcha doing?  Ready to go inside?" I asked.  Without even looking up, you answered, "No, I'm fixing this right now," and continued "fixing" the mirror on the visor.

• You love to yell, "WATCH ME!" and then do your latest "trick" for us.  Lately, that includes lining up your puzzle pieces or toys and counting them, "reading" a book out loud, or building a castle with wooden blocks.  Sometimes you'll say, "STOP!  You stay here.  Now, watch me," and then go jump off the couch or go down the slide by yourself at the park.  I love seeing you develop self-confidence!

• A few nights ago, I pulled out an old issue of Mothering Magazine and found an article that said, if you really want to get a good laugh, ask your toddler how they came into the world.   So I asked you, "Luci Belle, do you remember how you were you born?"  Your answer: "Jesus."
  

• You are very - shall we say - spirited!  It keeps me on my toes!  We're working on keeping eye contact when you need to listen to me or Daddy and trying to teach you to relax a bit when you're all riled up.  The other day, I was upset about something and you put your hand on my shoulder and said, "It's okay, Mommy.  Just relax."
  

• A few days ago, I asked if you wanted to take a walk and you said very matter-of-factly, "No, not today.  To-mow-wow."  Well we did take that walk the next day, and what an outfit you chose...
  

Yes, you are quite the character, little one.  And such a delight.

I had the sobering realization the other day that right here, right now...we're creating your childhood.  This is it.  What a responsibility, yet what an opportunity for me to remember that I can do my best as your mom, but ultimately I have to open my hands and know I cannot control your life.   I've said it before, and I want you to know it: your mommy isn't perfect.  But I hope in my heart of hearts that your first memories are wonderful ones, that you know how much you're loved and celebrated and treasured for the unique person you are.

Love,

Mommy

3 peas in a pod.

Something that makes me happy?  A little impromptu hammock photo session in the back yard yesterday evening.  Obviously I wasn't prepared, with my hair clip nonchalantly attached to my necklace and all.  But it captured the three of us in our element, and I love that.  I think I just might have to frame some of these.

I love my people.