Christmas Lights At The Washington D.C. Temple!

Waited 4.5 years to see the temple lights again at the Washington D.C. temple and they never get old. Every time we come here it's as if we are going for the first time. This temple has added so much significance to my life and I am so glad it's opened up again. Renovated and lit! Such a beautiful sight and going during Christmas is truly magical. I LOVE this tradition we created 15 years ago and as long as we live less than 4 hours away we will come every year! Hope everyone had a nice "twixmas" (the week after Christmas) and that everyone starts off strong in the new year! Now for some photos that hope light up your life! 

Christmas Sunday!

 

Here's hoping this time will serve as an opportunity for us all to appreciate our loved ones and to provide moments for us to reflect, reset, and look ahead to a new year renewal. So many of us want change, but I believe that in order to make that change and be happy with others is that we have to look at ourselves and be happy with who we are. Each year is a chance for us to be better. To not let the little things get to us. To even love those... who for whatever reason have caused us harm, suddenly ignores you, or just plain dislikes you for no reason. Those are the petty things that we shouldn't worry about. Even those that don't even know us personally and dislike us for whatever reason is their issue. And to be honest it's liberating to dismiss those knowing who you're true friends are-even those you have met online. 

The world is changing and we choose to change with it. We choose to allow things to affect us. And I choose joy. I choose happiness. I choose positivity. I choose love. I choose gratitude. I choose "to let it go." And man does it feel good!

However you honor this time we wish y'all a Merry Christmas and hope that y'all were able to spend time with loved ones. To seriously not sweat the small stuff. Life is short and with all that has happened lately in the media with suicides it's so important to check up on your loved ones. A simple text, a phone call or even a card makes a world of difference! Believe me, I know! 

Winter Solstice '22.

 

I asked my son the other day what his favorite season was and to my surprise he said winter. I think he's the only one in the family who really enjoys winter and being outside making snowballs and having snowball fights with his peeps and sisters. And me! I personally don't mind going outside for a bit. And when I mean a bit, I mean like half an hour! First snowfalls are the best and I absolutely love that part of winter. It really is beautiful, but then after a day it becomes slushy and gross and the desire to be outside goes away.  Nonetheless I don't mind winter that much because it means that we are closer to spring/summer and longer days are returning. So as long as I have a son who still loves going outside when the snow hits I will be a good sport and join him on enjoying the first snow. They're only young once! 

**Picture taken in 2019 when we had our first snow in November! 

Christmas Magic In NYC!

There are so many cool decorations that go up around the end of November and not enough time to get to all of them. As redundant as these photos get on the internet they never get old! Especially the Rockefeller center tree! We haven't gone to see it since they delivered it last month but hope to capture its beauty again this weekend. As crowded as fifth avenue gets during the holidays it is worth it to take in all the magic of what the city brings when it comes to the holidays. So much to do and see. My two youngest are in their teens and till this day even my 22 year old lights up when she sees the city all decked out for the holidays. It's a beautiful sight and look forward to seeing a little bit more before the holiday ends! Now for some holiday photos of the city!

Macy's At Christmas.

Don't get to psyched on this post because this is the only picture you're going to see from Macy's at Christmas this year. Noah is definitely getting way too old for the holiday display windows at Macy's. He said that this year the window displays were baby-ish (LOL) and I have to agree. Baby-ish for him but not for the million other toddlers and kids who may still believe! Noah still believes in Santa and loves his elf Miles but I have a strong feeling that this will be the last year we see Miles. Who knows. But this is the only photo I captured of Noah walking away from the crowds and display window and because he looks so cool and all had to share! We still had a fun time walking around and in all honesty with all the crowds this holiday it's best not to take photos and to just enjoy the moments offline instead of being in someones way trying to take pictures! 

Temple Day With The Best Kids!

What better way to start off the month of December than to go to the temple- especially during the holiday season. About nine youth and a few adults from our church all ventured out to Philly to attend. Going to the temple, even if it's just to walk on the temple grounds is pure joy! I love the feeling that overcomes me while stepping onto the temple grounds and an even peaceful feeling as I enter inside the temple. To see the youth there with their folks is a sight. And whether or not to they wanted to be there they will still receive those blessings. I love all these kids and wish them the best feelings while they are at the temple. Hopefully it'll be something they will appreciate and on their motive continue to attend as they get older. But for now-just having them altogether warmed my mama heart! 

28 Pretty Good Years.

 

December 15th definitely creeped up on us and to be honest I personally don't mind having a low key anniversary this year. It's nice to just wake up in the morning and lean into each other with a soft kiss (bad breath and all) saying "happy anniversary babe." And that's enough. It's simple and sweet and don't need the gifts of the world to prove our love for one another 9although he did give me some chocolate and a sweet card!)

Time, hugs, great conversation, laughing and just being together watching a movie on Netflix while it's frigid cold outside is good enough for me this year. I am so grateful for this time in my life to feel that I don't want or need a lot. I have what I need right in front of me. my family. Living and breathing the same air as me. My husband, my kids, and my love for God. Just being together for another year is survival. No matter how happy one may seem or how much one travels and explores with their kids-times can get hard. And just celebrating another year of marriage is a milestone. It doesn't matter if it's your 5th, 8th, 13th, 19th, 25th, or in our case, our 28th anniversary. Each passing year together is special because we made it. And we didn't even realize how fast it came upon us. Not that's saying something. Happy anniversary to us! 

I Hate Leaving New York.

The city still continues to surprise me every day. 

How you may ask? 

A city like New York, where everything is moving all the time at this constant driving pace right?

It’s like a living organism breathing and changing, and overtime your relationship to it becomes like this incredible romance. At first it’s intoxicating, irresistible and then slowly it becomes comfortable and safe. You have this cellular connection to it, as if you’ve known each other forever. Like your oldest happiness, and sometimes you’re on the outs, and sometimes you’re making up. And every now and then you catch yourself in this transcendent moment where  you think to yourself, “oh my God, I’m madly in love with you. And I always will be.” 

And I think that’s when it surprises me.

I may not live here on the daily, but these are my sentiments exactly! I Hate Leaving New York. 

Miracles Do Happen! Harry Potter and The Cursed Child On Broadway!

When Noah and I walked into the Lyric theatre to have the usher direct us to the seats in the orchestra section we couldn't believe our eyes as we were walking closer and closer to the stage. Our jaws dropped when the usher said, "it's the last two seats in the front row." I was in shock and Noah sat down all chill while I was still trying to take in this moment at how close we were. We were lucky to have sat together because I heard when you win lottery tickets that chances are you won't sit together but the Gods were on our side and we were together and laughed and sat in awe as we watched this magnificent show. We made eye contact, saw how all the magic tricks were played and even saw spit and all! It was the best evening with my handsome boy and the best Christmas miracle gift ever received! 

A Disco Christmas At Industry City!

Can't believe we are already 12 days into December! Where has the time gone! Especially since I haven't blogged since the end of November. That just shows that I'd rather be offline taking in the moments of the Christmas season and just chilling. I love to write and journal but there are days when I'm just not in the mood and when I do journal/blog I have a lot of catching up to do. Plus, my hands begin to ache after typing for so long so eventually there will come a time when I most likely won't blog anymore. Who knows! But I do love this time of year and couldn't let time pass without blogging about my favorites in the city. We venture out so much in NYC that I love to take pictures of every art installation and epic Christmas decoration! On this day we went to industry city and the courtyard was all decked out with disco balls! Such a cool decoration. This courtyard in industry city always has the coolest holiday decor. Noah and I had a little photo shoot and it was the best!