.....click, click.....

.....it happens every January.....I tend to lose inspiration.....by no means am I in a funk; quite the contrary, as I am thoroughly enjoying all of the indoor time and applying it to home projects....but I lose inspiration to write.....I have ditched my camera so many times lately, making excuses that it's too cold to carry, it's snowing, I have too many other things to lug around, and the best excuse of all; well,  I always have my iphone......

.....pictures always, always inspire......so for me, when the camera is not clicking, the writing well runs dry.....

....so I have made a concerted effort this week to click......

....yes, it has been my iphone, but I am taking baby steps here.....plus, I don't know where my camera is.....

....I am trying to get Brody used to the snow.....it crosses my mind every day how much he reminds me of Elsa as a baby.....both always wanting to understand exactly what it is they are getting themselves into before they dive in.......but once they commit, it is full throttle......I distinctly remember Elsie spending a week at the beach at 9 months old and she would not touch the sand until the hour before we left......it took her a week to decide, but once she accepted it, she was never weary of the sand again.....

.....this week, Brody pledged himself to the snow.....I couldn't get him out of the ice blocks, the snow patches or the infatuation with the coldness of everything around him......

.....the sun blazed and the temps rose to 40 degrees, so we dropped a layer and sought out our vitamin D.......

....the last few days have also taught me that Brody tires of the wagon quickly and we tend to end up like this......

.....I ditched a morning of yoga for a run pushing Callie and Brody while Elsie was at school......I have had this intense need to hang with my kids lately, especially outdoors.......and I also didn't want to deal with the crying at the gym daycare.......good call on many levels because I will tell you that two kids in a stroller, plus some good hills, plus the 40 degree air in my lungs is much harder than my yoga class......

.....and no one cried.....

....I miss the outdoor walking that the city gave me so generously......although, I must say that I don't miss the city like I thought I would.....my friends, yes......the convenience of things, yes......the walking everywhere was a way of life that I loved.....

.....but I do not miss the hardships of the city.....

....things are so much easier in regards to raising children in the suburbs......and we are at a place in life where easy is essential......

.....dinner can simmer while we bounce from the playroom (basement), to the front yard and then back to the playroom......no more all or nothing when it comes to getting outside......that is my biggest praise of being here.....we can all get some fresh air when we need it instead of waiting for the whole family to make a big trip outdoors......

....and speaking of dinner, this was the best one we had all week.....

....greek chicken stew with tomatoes and olives.....

.....click here for the recipe.....easy, tons for left overs and is also perfect to freeze for another night.....

.....while dinner simmered, Elsie decided she wanted to color instead of playing outside......go ahead, babe......I could still see her through the bay window while Brody and Callie continued to play in the snow.....

....happy Momma.....bliss.....ease......

.....things are falling into place.....we are making friends, breaking bread with new people at our table and settling in......

......although I still don't have time to do the laundry.....

......the girls laughed all day that Brody had on pink socks.......

....hey, Momma does the best she can......and I make up for it with cookies, Tinkerbell and a late Friday night bedtime......

.....for any of you locals that are looking for a good Valentine's gift or a family keepsake, Sara has a photography special for the day of love......we had a blast last year celebrating Valentines Day in our pink and red.......and our little man was smothered with kisses......

.....we are feeling very "model-y" that Sara has used our photos from last year in her ad.....

.....contact her for an appointment......you will not be disappointed.....

.....having her click away may be just what I need to snap me back into blog inspiration......until then, I will keep looking for my camera......

.....happy weekending......