Simple.
I know, I’m always going on about being too busy and wanting simple but that’s because it’s always on my mind. But it’s not just me. We all strive for it, don’t we? In a World where a bigger house, better car and finer jewels are well dangled carrots, fundamentally, we all just really yearn for simple happiness.
As we’re getting ready to leave for a family vacation to California in two weeks, I’m thinking about just what it is I’m most looking forward to. Of course there’s all the usual suspects that make us love our time in the US but truth be told, I’m really happy to just feel excited about going. I’m embarrassed to admit there have been other vacations planned where the stress of abandoning the ‘to do’ list has had me declaring to the family that they should leave without me. With all seriousness, I believed it best for the rest of the Rosemeyers to take care of this family holiday business while I be left at home to get on with clearly more important things. In my manic state of mayhem, that seemed perfectly reasonable. Luckily, my darling hauled my protesting, illogical butt onto that thirteen hour flight and I soon forgot the stupid list. And you know, it wasn’t because of trips to shiny shopping malls or the endless varieties of ice cream.. It was the laying awake at night, all of us together in one room, sharing what we loved best about that day. It was the simple that made me love that holiday so very much and makes me so looking forward to going back.
While I’m grateful to just be feeling pre-vacation anticipation, what I want, what I’m really striving for right now, is to create that simple contentment in the every day. For a long while after losing Ava, it was impossible not to see the simple beauty in everything. Everywhere. I didn’t have to try, it sat before all else and mattered most but it takes work to hold on to that. It’s not realistic to completely forget about the list when there’s a business (or three) to run and chores to get done but with or without grief in control, I never want to forget that these days, these very busy days, are also what my children will recall as their childhood. When they sit with their partners, and their children, I want them to describe great holidays in California, but wonderful days back home too..filled with simple nothings.
So, this weekend. We made blue playdoh with green glitter. We cooked flour-less chocolate cake. And salmon quiche. We cut bunnies out of paper and stuck them on walls. We took off our shoes and we jumped in puddles and we picked wild flowers for our hair. All the while, we made mess and we didn’t rush and we laughed. The most simple of days full of nothing and full of everything. I figure I probably can’t get rid of the list but I can keep that at the top of it, right?
Beautiful weekend to you.
Sheye x
22 shared sentiments
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So true Sheye and the benefits of when we do slow and enjoy the simple things are often some of the best memories for our children.. Miss Ivy is growing into one gorgeous young lady and I simply adore these photos of her.. *mwah*
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Have a amazing time apparently the weather has been beautiful the past week. I wish I going back again. Hasn’t IVY grown in the past 6 months she is a so beautiful…
Eileen
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It can be so difficult to make seemingly simple, effortless days happen. But they are so worth it.
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it’s so easy to forget to slow down when there seems to be so much that “needs” to be done. It’s also a daily struggle for our family. And I find that those are the days that we remember the most – of course. :) Have a wonderful trip to California!! Gorgeous pictures of your beauty (as usual).
-x
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I totally get what you are saying Sheye! Sometimes I spend too much time on this computer, cleaning up my boy’s toys throughout the house, or just worrying in general. I too remind myself to stop and enjoy the ordinary moments, to play with my boys … really play with them, peeking inside their imaginations is the most wonderful thing in the world. Hope the simple moments in California bring you much happiness. Gorgeous images of Ivy. xx
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You’ve got one beautiful girl right there Miss Sheye. Wish I could meet you in Cali. Maybe someday… :) xo
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Forgive me honey but I am still back at you cooked flour-less chocolate cake :P
Love this post & am so looking forward to a weekend of nothing-much-planned. Love these captures of Ivy, would you believe my Asha has that dress but with taste like ours it doesn’t surprise me one bit (;
x
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That girl of yours has the most geaceful swans neck, she is a supermodel in the making:) My life is a series of simple nothings, boring to most, perfect to me:) Vx
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Tell me….when did she grow up? :( She looks so so beautiful! xo
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I hope you have a great trip and enjoy it(: my oh my has Ivy grown too! From the last pictures even that you posted she looks so different and grown up.
Have a blessed week(:
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Ivy is looking so grown up! I see a lot of Mason in her now! Soo preety xx
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your Ivy looks so beautiful. have a wonderful time and cheers for semi-chucking that ever nagging ‘to do list’. :)
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LOVE this:) xoxo
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Damn, your photos always get me. So much spirit.
We’re heading to Cali next weekend – I so wish trips were overlapping because I’d certainly be trying to woo you off vacation for a photoshoot :)
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So true. It took cancer at 28 (my son was 11 weeks at the time) for me to stop and look at what is really important in life. You are such a talented woman and I’m not embarrassed to say I aspire to be a photographer half as skilled as you are.
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Your philosophy to find and follow the simple things in life keeps me on the track I want to be on, living the kind of life I should. Thank you for your beautiful words & photographs.
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Beautifully written. Your heartfelt words and images have put you at the top of my favourite bloggers list. Not to mention your blog design – it is sooooooooooo pretty.
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i worry so much that i am not making great memories for my little girl. that she’ll look back on her childhood and say we never did anything, we never went anywhere. i struggle with that. thank you for reminding me about the simple things. she is my world and i want her world to be a happy magical place. if you listen to her while she plays you’ll agree that it is a magical place. i just want to make sure that i am encouraging that and creating the moments for it to just be. sending you love sheye. xo
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its been a while since i was here and OMG ivy got SO big! shes grown into a beautiful young lady :)
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She’s growing so fast – and so very lovely!
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Oh my Sheye – these lovely words have really struck a chord with me (as most of your words usually do). I often find myself focusing too hard on making sure my children have a childhood they will always cherish without taking time to cherish the small moments. Such a lovely reminder for me – thank you.
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I love seeing in frames, I love the beauty in the ordinary, I love my camera, I love that when I see images I hear too. I love the latelight, I love finding moments I didn’t imagine and I love creating moments I did. I love learning more every day, I love sharing what I’ve come to know, and I love making pictures pretty.
I’m so glad you stopped by. xx
so true. we must remember that we are making their childhood memories – so let those memories be of blue playdoh and puddle jumping – not mommy running manic trying to check off a list – a list that never ends anyway.
enjoy your trip Sheye!
xxxx