Writing Again, Discovering Me.

I used to write all the time. In college and high school I always kept a journal, it was a great outlet for me. I miss writing. I haven't really written out my innermost thoughts in awhile. I miss how my thumb hurts after I finish writing a really good entry (I hold my pen/pencil differently than most people and it kills my thumb if I have to write for a long period of time). I think the past couple of months I've gotten caught up in the hustle and bustle that we have been living. There has been so much going on the past 6 months.
Moving to Lawrence.
Steve traveling or working overtime
Getting the kids back in a schedule
Trying to meet new friends
Getting back in the gym
Getting my Photography business off the ground
trying to find a church family
having friends and family visit
Visiting friends and family out of state.
waiting for our house to sell
keeping up with the housework and laundry
trying to budget our finances
trying not to bite off more than we can chew.
and now fall is here. I need to breathe. I need to let go of all of these things that are running through my head. I need to remind myself that tomorrow is never promised, and that I don't need to be a super hero, I need to be me. I need to take in the moments around me. I need to learn to say no. I need live more simply, I need to show my husband and kids each day how much I love them, I need to show my kids how blessed we are by God's amazing grace and I think maybe it's time to pick up a new journal again and write.

Blessed.

Even though Steve is gone
Even though the kids weren't listening to well today
Even though the laundry pile has grown into a mountain again
Even though I miss my friends
Even though our house is still for sale
Even though money is tight
Even though I'm exhausted

I am forgiven, I am loved, I have true riches, and I am truly BLESSED.

Keep it Personal.

So I was debating keeping this blog open, since I opened up my new photography blog. After thinking about it, I decided that I wanted to keep it for the more personal part of my life. I love writing down my thoughts about the wackiness of my children, or our adventures in Kansas so far, the latest recipe's we are trying and about storms we are going through. I like to be able to write without worrying if I'm keeping it professional or not.
So needless to say My Heart's Moments will stay up and hopefully be more active. I know famous last words right?

Things are starting to warm up more around here, which is nice. We are still on the journey of looking for a church. As of now nothing in Lawrence seems to be a good fit, so it looks like we are going to have to drive a while and go to one in Overland Park. We have found two that we feel would be a good fit, so it's just narrowing it down from there. We are also going to have to be more creative in finding ways to meet people here in Lawrence. It's amazing how much harder it is to make new friends when you are older.

Anyways, just wanted to update this blog and let everyone know I've decided to keep it open. I hope everyone is enjoying the spring!

Wanted MIA Blogger!

Geez can you tell I've been busy by the lack of blogging going on here? Well we are in Kansas. It was a crazy and very eventful trip. We are going on our 3rd week now, I think and we LOVE Lawrence!! It's wonderful, I love this town so much. I'm soo excited for the Farmer's market this spring, I'm excited to photography in so many great places, I love our house here, and the block we live on is so friendly and full of kids.
The kids are adjusting and I'm still unpacking, so hopefully I will have some house pictures by the end of the week. I need to get to bed but wanted to post the link to my new photography blog.

http://www.mariahaysphotography.com/blog/
I love it! I'm debating about just writing on there full time for both family life as well as photography related stuff. I will keep you posted though. Thanks for the emails and calls lately, when I wasn't posting. You guys are awesome, and I'm so blessed by such great friends and family!!

Okay it's past midnight and I for sure need some sleep!

Please Help Try to Save SAHM Businesses

I have several friends that help bring income into their family by selling clothes, cloth diapers, etc. their businesses are being threatened by the new CPSIA Law.
It would mean a lot and could really help if you could take a couple of minutes and sign some petitions and even link to the blog I will in your blog or email to help get the word out about this issue.
Thank you.

The Sky is Falling - CPSIA article on Boutique Cafe



Five Steps you can take to save natural and handmade companies

Please Vote here

365 Challenge

A couple of friends of mine started doing the 365 self portrait challenge on flickr this last year and so I decided that I was gonna start with the new year. So I have done 3 pictures now, and I have felt somewhat limited without my photoshop with me, it's nice to be able to smooth my splotchy skin out a little bit! I'm excited to do it because I know that it will help me grow in my photography and creativity. Although I'm really wishing I had a remote for my camera and a tripod (hint hint birthday presents!).
I thought I would share my first three pictures, and I will put a link to the right with for my set on flickr.

Day one


Day two


Day three

Happy New Year (almost)!

We have been having so much fun, and eating such yummy food out here in New England. That is for sure one thing I miss about being out here, the delicious Chinese food ( you cannot find it anywhere else, or I have yet to find it this good), the great pastries and Italian food. I gain weight just thinking of the food out here.
We had a couple days of a snow storm and I ended up cooking these , I just love Ree's http://thepioneerwoman.com/, and her recipes are scrumptious!

Thanks to all the snow we definitely had a super white Christmas. The kids had so much fun playing in the snow with Steve!! I took pictures but those ones will have to wait till we get back to New Mexico next year (really in 2 weeks).

Wow, can you believe that 2008 is almost over? I can't, although I am looking forward to a new year, with a lot of new beginnings for our family. This year we will start our adventure in Kansas, Ava will start kindergarten (trying to decide on homeschooling still), and Steve and I have a couple other challenges we are going to try out this year. It's going to be exciting and hard, and I llok forward to discovering more of God's plan for us.
Here are a couple pictures from my sisters camera. I hope everyone has a happy new year, the kids and I will be counting down and drinking sparkling cider, since Steve is in Kansas again. We miss him so much. Love to you all, may this year be one you truly live the life you dream!

before being put in the oven


After, and not lasting more than 5 minutes in the pan.