Spring has returned.  The Earth is like a child that knows poems.  ~Rainer Maria Rilke

I think this is definitely something I need to hear. For some reason I have it in my head that to be a successful human being, everything in your life needs to be scheduled, regimented and routine. I have grand ideas of grocery shopping on a certain day every week, having a cleaning schedule which consists of vacuuming on Mondays, dusting on Tuesdays and so on. Maybe in this little ideal world of mine, I take Raleigh to the dog park on the same day each week. I think its cute when couples have a date night every Friday. And of course, this plan spills over into working out as well. If I could just have a weekly schedule, I would most certainly stick to a fitness plan.

But of course, none of this ever becomes reality. I go grocery shopping when we have absolutely nothing left to eat. I clean when company is coming over. I take Raleigh to the dog park only when the weather is nice (which basically means we haven’t gone since…October??) And working out is sparse despite my plans to be in awesome shape.

The truth is, life gets in the way, and that’s OK. Its more important to embrace the moment and take things as they come than to say ‘no I can’t come drink wine and watch trashy TV with you, tonight is my dusting night!’ LAME! I would much rather enjoy the small things in life than to make a big deal about sticking to a schedule. But for some reason I still feel guilty about it, so I need to let go. Sometimes plan, but sometimes wing it!

PS Sorry for my lack of posting this week, regularly scheduled programming will resume next week!

Since the last Raleigh post! This is one of my favorite pictures of him, he is so little here!! I can’t wait to take him back to the lake and watch him play in the water. Spring is just around the corner!  

our souls are not hungry for fame, comfort, wealth, or power. our souls are hungry for meaning, for the sense that we have figured out how to live so that our lives matter.

— Harold Kushner (via Zen Habits: Becoming Minimalist)

“As long as the world is turning and spinning, we’re gonna be dizzy and we’re gonna make mistakes.” – Mel Brooks 

animation via dvdp

This monday morning, I really wanted to stay under the covers and never come out. But then I heard this song on the way to work and it lifted me up a little, especially the chorus.

And then I realized today is 2.22. Two is my favorite number, how could this not be a great day??

Happy Monday

I saw this movie Saturday afternoon with some lovely girls who came in town for the weekend! Overall it was a cute, fairly predictable movie with some touching moments. As far as ensemble casts and intertwining story lines go, it was better than “He’s Just Not That Into You” but not as good as “Love Actually”.  I definitely enjoyed it, but would probably be a good video pick as well if you don’t feel like getting to the theatres.

My only gripe about this movie was Taylor Swift. I am a fan of her in general and like her as a musician, but her acting was AWFUL and pretty much ruined parts of the move. Please stick to singing Taylor!

I love you so much!!! In celebration of this day of love, I’m posting the first picture we ever took together, back in August of 2007:

And the most recent picture taken of us in Februrary of 2010:

The memories sandwiched between these two moments in time are so priceless to me. Over the past two and a half years I have learned so much about myself and what it means to be fully connected and commited to another human being. Every day I feel grateful to have you in my life! We have been through so much together, and I wouldn’t change a moment of it because it got us to where we are today. I have never been more sure I want to share my whole life with you, I love you infinity and beyond!!!

XOXO, Leah

Hello! Well to continue the theme of things I love, I present to you videos of baby animals. Who could resist??

Please to enjoy:

First saw this kitty one via Chloe

The first two are pretty short and funny, the third is just adoreableness…

It is one thing to see a picture of a cute baby animal, but to see a real live action video?? I think this is really the true benefit of youtube.

And I will leave you with my top five favorite baby animals in no particular order:

1. Puppies
2. Bunnies
3. Sea Turtles
4. Pygmy Hippos
5. Puppies