I'm Back?

It's been a really long time since I've blogged. It's been a long time since I've even opened blogger to look at my blog. Since I'm working from home, all my old blogging time has been taken up with work, and when I do have a spare minute, it's hard to want to open my computer again. I write for one of my jobs, so writing is almost the last thing I want to do in my down time.

Also, I started to question the reasons behind my blogging. I began to realize that I don't care so much about how many people are following me, or how many comments I get on each post. I stopped looking at my blogger stats and sort of lost interest in the blogging "game." I realized that this blog is really for me most of all, as an outlet for me to talk about my life and my family and let out the thoughts that twirl around my head all day. So instead of just changing things up, I gave up on it all together.

Also, I don't always have a lot to say. Now that I'm staying home with Emmett, our life is so much less complicated. Sometimes, we stay at home for weeks at a time. We don't go out much, so I don't often feel like I have anything exciting to share. I have my daily anxieties, but our day to day is simple, and very laid back. In the very best way for us. I started to feel like my weekly Currently posts were the same each week- nothing had changed from Monday to Monday, so I felt silly writing those posts (and making you read them!)

So, those are the reasons I've been M.I.A. the last few months. Why am I back now? I'm not sure. I've had things on my mind that I want to get out, and I have new things to share and process. I received some encouragement from family and friends over the last few weeks to start up again, so I thought I would give it a try. I can't promise regular posts, certainly not scheduled recipe posts or link-ups, but I'll write when I have something to write about and if no one ever reads, that'll be okay.

This summer has been a crazy one. After lots of anxiety and a couple of tough months financially, our house finally sold. We spent three weeks in Georgia in July and August, where Emmett soaked up all the attention from my family and I did a lot of relaxing. We had an awesome week at the beach, where I spent every waking moment searching for shark's teeth and Emmett spent every waking moment asking to go in the water. Ray got to come too, which was so nice. It's great for all of us to spend time with my family, and we miss them an awful lot when we leave again. Now we're back in the desert, Emmett is back in school in a new classroom with a new teacher, and he's taking the changes like a champ.

Speaking of Emmett.. I am just so proud of that boy. He's so good! Ray and I talk all the time about how good he is, how sweet he is, and how smart he is. He blows me away with the way he adapts to new situations, the way he learns and grows all the time. I love him so much, and feel so lucky to be able to spend all my time with him. I'm the luckiest mama.

More later, I'm sure. ;)

P.S. If you think about it, say a prayer for us tomorrow afternoon. More on that later, too.

Currently.

Hi there! Welcome to Currently, where we share with each other what we are Currently up to and let you share your post through the link-up below. We love this link-up, where we can make new friends and build community. Join us.

Watching: I binge-watched my way through Suits, so I'm on the look-out for new shows to watch during nap times while I work. I'm catching up on Pretty Little Liars but it's shameful so I'd love suggestions! Ray and I watched the Game of Thrones finale last night and all I can say is YES! Team Tyrion all the way. And Jaime- way to redeem yourself you creepy weirdo! 

Also, we started Hannibal. It's so creepy, I wouldn't even recommend it to you unless you like crime dramas and detective stories like I do. Beware, there's so much blood and guts and insane serial killers. Not for the faint of heart, friends.

Listening to: Sylvan Esso. Allllll day long.

Thinking about: Faith. And having it, and needing it. We accepted an offer on our house this week. It's a great offer, and if all goes well it will close next month. The offer came at the height of my stress about money and worry about how we're going to get through this. I had a bit of an anxiety attack while we were going back and forth about whether or not to take the offer. But I should have seen it right away. Here I was full of worry and anxiety, letting the stress affect every part of my life, but I should have let go and let God take care of us. When the offer came, I should have known right away that this was our way out, that this was all part of His plan. I know it now, and I'm working hard to relax into faith in that plan. I believe in my heart that this deal will go through, and by the time summer is over, we will be down to one house. Woohooooooooo!

So thankful for: My baby boy, who's not a baby any more. He's talking so much, repeating everything. We call him a parrot and he repeats that too. He's giggly and happy and so much fun. We bought him a little potty over the weekend and he used it successfully on his first try, then stood right up and dumped it out on the carpet. He's wild and messy but I'm so proud of him! I get worn down from being in the house day in and day out with no one but Emmett for company, but when I get right down to it, I'm so grateful for all the time we spend together. I love that boy so much, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Also, for friends who trusted me enough to ask me to take their engagement photos. We spend Friday afternoon and evening together in downtown Phoenix, and after a while Ray came and met us for drinks and dinner. It was so nice to get out, explore a little, and spend time with Ray and our friends. And it was really great to push myself outside my comfort zone and take photographs of someone who's not.. well, Emmett. It was scary and fun and stressful, and I think I love the result! Once I'm done editing maybe I'll share them here. :)

Also, pizza:

Wishing: 
1. Still dieting, so I'm hoping to keep up with that this week. I'd like to lose a little weight and get in shape for our beach trip in a few weeks.
2. Work out! At least 3 times this week.
3. Take Emmett somewhere new one morning. We need to get out of the house and find new places to hang out!

I hope you had a lovely weekend!

CURRENTLY LINK-UP RULES

1. Link your Currently post below! Entries unrelated to the theme will be deleted.

2. Link back to this site so others can join on this adventure with us. You can grab the button below:

3. The link up starts on Mondays, but you can join any day of the week!

4. *THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE* We are each here to encourage each other and build a community of women and friends. Comment on the blog post directly before yours to help support and get to know each other. If you do not do this, your post will be deleted from the link-up.

A Mama Collective // facebook // twitter // instagram // pinterest // bloglovin'

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Here’s the template for you to copy and paste and do a post as well — link up with us below!

Thinking about:

Reading:

Listening to:

Watching:

Thankful for:

Wishing: (goals for the week)

An InLinkz Link-up

Currently

Hi there! Welcome to Currently, where we share with each other what we are Currently up to and let you share your post through the link-up below. We love this link-up, where we can make new friends and build community. Join us.

Thinking about: Our weekend! We finally had Ray home for the entire weekend! We spent Saturday relaxing poolside, ignoring the dishes, and just hanging out as a family. It was just what I needed and Emmett seemed to really love having both of us around for an entire day. Sunday, we got to work. We cleaned everything, and finally hung things on our walls. We set up Emmett's room and made it a space we all love. It feels really good to finally put some time into this little rental of ours. Just having the one room put together makes me feel so much more at home. As we left the driveway on our way to the grocery store yesterday, I felt a lump in my throat looking at our little house. I love it here.

Thankful for: Every few months, I see a little glimpse of God working in our life. Last weekend I was so stressed about money and how we're going to get by until our house sells. And then Ray was given an opportunity to do some work for a friend, just a few hours a week after work or whenever he can fit it in. That little job is going to help us get through this, and it couldn't have come at a more perfect time. God is taking care of us. We're going to be okay. 

I feel so incredibly blessed to have the two jobs that I have, to be working at home just a few hours a week, bringing in some income to help provide for our family. When I think back to where I was last year, and how hard things were because of my job, I'm overcome with gratitude. I never thought life could be like this for us, but God knew the desires of my heart and he opened up doors for me. 

Over the weekend a reader and sort of friend of a friend who I've never actually met before did something incredibly generous and kind. Out of the blue, she sent me tickets to Sea World. She'd read my Currently post from last week about how I wanted to take Emmett to San Diego for his birthday, but we just couldn't afford to go. So she bought our tickets to help make that little dream of mine a reality. Isn't that amazing? I still can't really believe it- what an incredibly thoughtful and generous thing to do for someone you hardly know. It made me realize that God really does want to give us the desires of our hearts. He knows what I want, even the little things, and He wants to give them to me. Those tickets to Sea World and the jobs are reminders that He has a plan for me, He loves me, and He will give me the things I want so desperately, in His own time.

I hope you had a lovely weekend! Once again, I'm joining with the ladies at A Mama Collective to bring you this week's installment of Currently.

CURRENTLY LINK-UP RULES

1. Link your Currently post below! Entries unrelated to the theme will be deleted.

2. Link back to this site so others can join on this adventure with us. You can grab the button below:

3. The link up starts on Mondays, but you can join any day of the week!

4. *THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE* We are each here to encourage each other and build a community of women and friends. :) Comment on the blog post directly before yours to help support and get to know each other. If you do not do this, your post will be deleted from the link-up.

A Mama Collective // facebook // twitter // instagram // pinterest // bloglovin'

Home Away from Home // facebook // twitter // instagram // pinterest // bloglovin'

Hand and the Heart // instagram // pinterest // bloglovin'

If you are interested in co-hosting, please email Jenna at info(at)amamacollective(dot)com to get on the list!

Here’s the template for you to copy and paste and do a post as well — link up with us below!

Thinking about:

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Watching:

Thankful for:

An InLinkz Link-up

20, 21 & 22/52

Welp, I'm way behind so here's a three in one. :)

"A portrait of my Emmett boy, once a week, every week in 2014."

This was just two weeks ago but the weather was so much cooler. We spent our late afternoons and evenings in the back yard, soaking up the last bits of spring before the heat hit us like a ton of bricks. When I took this photo, Emmett was telling me about the very hungry caterpillar and all the "nummy" things he eats. He's starting to understand stories. He picks up a book and when I start to read he surprises me by reciting a few words on a page. Like "eat three plums!" or "sun, pop!" He's so smart, and holds on to knowledge to surprise me with it later. I love his little mind!

"A portrait of my Emmett, once a week, every week in 2014."

This week, we went swimming for the first time at his grandparents this year. He was nervous at first, but after watching his friend Paul (Ray's best friend) swimming, he lost all fear and started jumping off the stairs all by himself. That's when these arm floaties came in. We're swimming most days now, since that's the only thing we can really do outside now that it's so hot, and he's really taking to it. I love watching him learn new things and his fearlessness.

"A portrait of my Emmett, once a week, every week in 2014."

More swimming. I picked him up from his crib after his nap today and surprised him with a trip to the pool. His little smile whenever I mention swimming.. I'd do anything for that smile. He sits on the steps to play in the shallow water, and I just watch his little mind working. Out of nowhere he shouts "be whayel" and jumps off into the water, away from me because he wants to do it by himself. He is still for a few moments, watching the little waves, and then he turns and kicks his feet. "Dolphin kick! Whayel kick! Shark kick!!" he squeals as he tries to squirm his way back to the stairs. It's then that he remembers he needs me. "Up stairs," he says quietly, allowing me to help him. I love that spirit of independence. I want to foster that in him. But oh, how I love it when he needs me.

Currently. Keeping On

Thinking about: Oh, life. I don't even know where to start.

Things are busy, stressful, and slow all at the same time. The house hasn't sold, so we just paid rent and our mortgage and man, that hurts. It hurts a lot. We're squeaking by, we have enough, but only just. Saturday I found myself wallowing in self pity. Ray and I don't go on dates or eat out, ever. I need a haircut, I'm wearing old clothes that don't fit, and so is Emmett. I want to do a million things to the rental to make it feel more like home. I want to take Emmett to Sea World for his birthday. None of that is going to change any time soon, and I was feeling really sorry for myself about it all. Then Ray came home from the store with enormous mason jars and filled them with margaritas, and all was well with the world again. Sometimes you just need cute new glasses and a drink to set things right.

We are tired. We're weary from the work at the house and from watching our bank accounts drained each month. We are ready for things to be normal again. One home to worry about. Weekends together. A little extra money to save and to have fun with. I'm ready to feel free to leave my house without fear of spending money (this is self-imposed fear. Ray doesn't make me stay at home all the time, I'm just so worried that if I go out I'll end up at a Target or Starbucks or be tempted to spend money somehow.) We're ready for a change.

Emmett talks non-stop. He says words like hummingbird and submarine and his voice is so sweet it breaks my heart. He sings. Yesterday I caught him singing Winnie the Pooh's exercise song while he played with his airplanes. He does the head, shoulders, knees and toes dance and sings along with the song. He's so smart and funny and sweet. I'm so proud of him.

He and I are in a nice rhythm. We're used to being home together now and we both love it. I'm a better mama to him now. I've let go of a lot of my selfishness with him. I don't put pressure on myself to keep the house spotless and plan perfect meals for the week. I'm enjoying just being with him, riding our bikes if it's not too hot outside and swimming in the afternoons when it is too hot outside. It's peaceful and nice and I love that boy so much.

I've figured out a nice rhythm with work too. That job I was so scared of has turned out to be a huge blessing and I really love it so far. God knows, and He's providing for us little by little. Not having extra money is wearing on me, but it's also been really good for me. I see that and appreciate that and I know God is teaching me. Life is good and full.

Also, I started a diet today so y'all pray for me. My name is Anna Kate and I'm addicted to bread.

Reading: Rebus again. I know, I have a problem.

Watching: I'm slightly ashamed to admit it, but I'm binge-watching Suits and I don't hate it. People have been telling me they love that show for months, but I was dead set against watching it. Then one day during Emmett's nap I couldn't think of anything to watch (I'd just finished Nashville. *tears*), so Suits it was. It started out not horrible, and then got better and better over time. I'm currently a few episodes into season 2 and it's definitely keeping me entertained while I work during nap times.

He loves to play with my brushes in the morning while I get ready.

Such a weirdo. He thinks my underwear drawer is actually full of "tank shirts" for him.

How we get through hot days:

Wishing: Oh, so many things.
1. Get caught up on The 52 Project. I'm two weeks behind I think. I've all but given up on this blog but I'm not letting go that easy!
2. Meal plan!
3. Work out, at least 4 days this week.

That's enough for one week, right? ;)

Hi there! Welcome to Currently, where we share with each other what we are Currently up to and let you share your post through the link-up below. We love this link-up, where we can make new friends and build community. Join us.

Thinking about:

Reading:

Listening to:

Watching:

Thankful for:

Wishing: (goals for the week)

CURRENTLY LINK-UP RULES

1. Link your Currently post below! Entries unrelated to the theme will be deleted.

2. Link back to this site so others can join on this adventure with us. You can grab the button below:

3. The link up starts on Mondays, but you can join any day of the week!

4. *THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE* We are each here to encourage each other and build a community of women and friends. :) Comment on the blog post directly before yours to help support and get to know each other. If you do not do this, your post will be deleted from the link-up.

If you are interested in co-hosting, please email Jenna at info(at)amamacollective(dot)com to get on the list!

Here’s the template for you to copy and paste and do a post as well — link up with us below!

Thinking about:

Reading:

Listening to:

Watching:

Thankful for:

An InLinkz Link-up

Currently: Memorial Day

Hi there! Welcome to Currently, where we share with each other what we are Currently up to and let you share your post through the link-up below. We love this link-up, where we can make new friends and build community. Join us.

Thinking about: How busy life is! I am just not in blogging mode these days. Obviously, since I'm a day late to my own party (sorry ladies!) Life is so full, with working two jobs, the holiday weekend, and little Emmett's non-stop chatter. I haven't had it in me to sit down and document things. I think things around here are going to be a bit sporadic in the weeks to come, but who knows! Inspiration hits when it wants to. :)

Thankful for: Emmett. That boy is so special. His little personality is bounding out of him these days and Ray and I are so happy to be along for the ride. Wether he's mistaking my underwear for "tank shirts" and putting every pair over his head until he can't see anymore, walking around with a laundry basket over his head for entire afternoons, or just chatting about nonsense and airplanes literally all day every day, we are over the moon in love with him. He's a mess, and we can't get enough.

Dreaming about: Our weekend. It was pure bliss, from start to finish. It started with a girls' night in at our house Friday night with the lovely ladies from A Mama Collective and Corinna from Track 8. We had margaritas and ate kettle corn from the bag, and just caught up with each other. I think we all needed that and it was such a fun way to start the long weekend.

Saturday we had an open house at our condo, which went really well. That night we sent Emmett to his grandparents for a spend over and Ray and I went to a party to celebrate the engagement of our dear friends. We stayed up late and got to sleep in until 9 (!!). But then we rushed over to get Emmett because we missed him like crazy! 

Sunday was the best day. After Emmett's nap, we headed over to Mary of A Mama Collective's house for a BBQ. Her daughter greeted us with a huge grin and said "happy swim party!" We ate amazing food, swam in the pool, and ended the night with the kiddos snuggled on blankets watching a movie outside. It was the best night and we can't wait to do it again! 

We kept Emmett up until 9:30 for the first time ever. He did so great, and slept until after 9 Monday morning! I can't remember the last time I slept in that late two days in a row, much less on a Monday morning! It was amazing and he is such a good boy. We hosted a BBQ for family in the afternoon to finish off a wonderful weekend.

Wishing (goals for the week): 

1. Decorate my house! I've done almost no decorating since living here. I have a million things I want to do but I've been holding off until I have money to do them. But I'm tired of waiting so I want to jump in and use what I've got.

2. Work. I have a lot of work to get caught up on. Making that a big goal.

3. Cook. I want to make something I've never made before this week.

4. Spend some quality time with Ray, sans Emmett, and not just on the couch watching TV. Maybe even a date night out!

I hope you had a lovely weekend as well! As always, I am joining with A Mama Collective to bring you this week's installment of Currently. Use our template below to join in!

Thinking about:

Reading:

Listening to:

Watching:

Thankful for:

Wishing: (goals for the week)

CURRENTLY LINK-UP RULES

1. Link your Currently post below! Entries unrelated to the theme will be deleted.

2. Link back to this site so others can join on this adventure with us. You can grab the button below:

3. The link up starts on Mondays, but you can join any day of the week!

4. *THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE* We are each here to encourage each other and build a community of women and friends. :) Comment on the blog post directly before yours to help support and get to know each other. If you do not do this, your post will be deleted from the link-up.

If you are interested in co-hosting, please email Jenna at info(at)amamacollective(dot)com to get on the list!

Here’s the template for you to copy and paste and do a post as well — link up with us below!

Thinking about:

Reading:

Listening to:

Watching:

Thankful for:

An InLinkz Link-up