first things first

Simplify.

Talk about one of the most difficult mantras to actually practice. However, I have made a step or two (or just one, actually) in that direction.

Take "exhibit A"-- my newest and best goal yet: Wake up earlier.

I have been testing out this goal for weeks now, but I finally just jumped in and fully committed. My, how it has been fabulous. (Read "tested" as "tried several times and hit the snooze button about 85% of the time.)

For my own benefit, I am reminding myself why I am sticking with the routine (because it is hard for me to get up at 5:30 on purpose each morning):

1. I am most productive in the early morning, so I knock out all my cleaning and organizing to-do's along with a short little workout. This equates to more play time with the family. I come home and make dinner and PLAY and PLAY and PLAY...you get the point.

2. Who needs to stay up really late anyway? I just spend that time usually searching for a new tv series to digest with Dane. I might as well be sleeping, one of my favorite hobbies.

3. A good start usually means that you will keep with the goodness. If I have a lazy start to my day, I am way more willing to justify more laziness.

This may not seem like simplifying to some, but it is freeing up a lot more of my post-work time. At night Enzo and Dane had to compete with dishes, laundry, chores, grocery shopping, etc. My time can now be more about them. And that makes me one happy momma!

My Legacy

Tonight my little family did our weekly trek to one of Pocatello's shopping meccas--Costco. (I swear, we just can't seem to stay away from that place!) And of course, we had to treat ourselves with a little frozen yogurt because who can turn down enough cold goodness to feed your family for $3.01? NO ONE.

Plus, it was family night, so the ice cream was all a part of that. Dane jokes that I label anything we do on Monday night our "family activity." I will admit that I just might do that. Is that really bad? Don't answer.

On the way home I decided to have a little part-ay in the back seat with our munchkin. It started with me feeding the little man and followed quickly with him taking right over. He is definitely a first-born, independent man. No big deal though--this would just call for an instant bath when we made it home. 

When in the back seat, a little Eric Clapton and Babyface came on the radio. We turned up the music a bit, and I sang out to the little guy. Cheesy, I know! When the song ended, I told Dane that I had definitely been thinking about how I could make my own little stamp on the world. (Maybe I have been watching too much "Secret Millionaire" lately.) After brainstorming for days about starting a non-profit and donating more of my time, I had finally realized that Enzo is my mark.

He is my legacy!

He is the way I can change the world!

Someday I will trust that chocolate-covered little person with my name!  (Please tell me that won't come too soon!)

I have made so many mistakes and frequently think about what I would have done differently. I suffer from a case of chronic disappointment, and because of that, I often overextend myself while trying not to miss out on a golden opportunity. I feel a sense of urgency to "make up" for lost time. Instead of investing all of this energy into other things, Enzo is the best avenue for this drive and love and time. Dane just might have laughed a bit about my timing with the "Change the World" song tonight, but I don't think I will soon forget that sweet little car ride, singing my own soft-spoken message to my ice-cream covered son.

dearest enzo

Dear little Enzo,


Today was long--and so busy!  Oh, it felt like one thing right after another...after another...after another.  And you know that I love a nice, productive day as much as the next person.  But, once 8:00 hit, I felt like crying--knowing that tomorrow is just another busy day.  Things were just starting to feel monotonous and somewhat repetitive, then you gave me that mischievous, adorable smile.  You know, the one you learned a few weeks ago that always makes everything better!

That's the one!

Oh, and here it is again!

Oh, thank heavens for that smile tonight!  You flashed that grin a million times while I was giving you a fun little bath or playing pillow fight on our big bed.  

Now, that wasn't monotonous at all!  That made my day extraordinary!

Thanks, little one, for knowing how to turn a busy, regular Tuesday into something truly special!  

Love,

Your Momma!

like mike (and jeri too)

Now that we have a little baby man, Dane and I have really become future-oriented in our daily chats.  (Maybe even a little philosophical--just look at us!)  Right now Enzo is still so young, but we feel some urgent need to start patterning our lives after some families and parents that we really love.  We might as well just start now, then we might have some stuff figured out when things really get crazy.  Let's be honest though--who really has everything figured out?  

So, this Beorchia clan is headed in a positive direction with Dane as our trusty captain, me as the loud-mouthed but lovable wife, and Enzo as someone who just looks super-cute along the way.  Oh, and he is cute.  Right now he has the best cheesy grin, where he scrunches up his nose and shows all 6 of those teeth, and people just melt.  What a charmer!  Anyway, back to the topic!

So, on the drive home today from a 4th of July shindig in the Magic Valley, Dane and I were talking about how his Uncle Mike and Aunt Jeri always have a gift or goody bag when we see them.  We always leave with more than we brought. 

In fact, Dane told me about a time when Mike drove way, way, way out of the way to pick up the best doughnuts around for a little golf outing.  Dane enjoyed his doughnut when they met up, and before he knew it, Mike was offering the delicacies to the men working at the course.  I just love that!  Don't you?!

Enzo got a fabulous dinosaur pillow pet out of yesterday's deal (which I love nearly as much as he does), but I also learned a valuable little lesson.  I want to be like Mike and Jeri.  And Dane does too.  

So, we have decided that we are going to try not to go somewhere empty-handed.  We may come with snacks or little gifts or something, but we would love to share the blessings we have received.  I can hardly wait.  

And maybe some of those Pinterest pins will finally come in handy!

Uncle Mike and the little man!  Enzo really just loved the whole Beorchia family.  They were so playful and fun, and Enzo couldn't get enough.  More will definitely be posted soon.

The Beorchia troops brought these amazing vegetable straws.  It was a heavenly mix between potato chips and french fries.  Enzo had to double-fist the snacks, he just loved them so much.

Enzo just finished opening the pillow pet, thanks to some help from Dad and a couple of cousins.  What wonderful family members we have!