Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Hey, Good Morning.

Or as William says around this time of day (5 pm)... "good mornin' mama." Melting my heart 24 hours a day, I tell ya. Things have been good around here. Definitely busy, but a little more restful. I am working hard at meditations and staying in tune with myself, though not always easy. Summer is whizzing right by and I can/can't believe it's almost August (the last official month of summer). It has been a hot one and I will be glad to welcome cooler weather in a few months (maybe Octoberish?). It has been a good Key West summer and the memories will live in my heart forever.

My favorite memories so far have been... hammocking at Ft. Zak with Nick and the boys, hopping on a paddle board for the first time on my b-day, Mother's Day dinner (technically Spring, but felt like the first part of summer to me!) and taking photos with my family at Fort Zak last week. I will share these as soon as I get them back! 🍊🍍🍓

Other than that, there has been lots of ups and downs. Downs have been getting sick and wearing myself out and just not feeling good flow in my life. I think that is getting better though! Nick and I have ridden the roller coaster of life these past few months and I think it's time to say "ok. We want off." LOL. I know there will always be ups and downs, but maybe more of a surfing analogy and less of a roller coaster. haha. Like riding the waves of life. together. =)

I am so thankful when my days off roll around for the one simple reason that most likely, I am going to get to take naps with the boys. I love it so much and even more on days like today, when it is raining outside. Yes, we will stay inside and nap! Thank you, rain!

In other news, I am looking forward to the end of summer (bittersweet), but hope to enjoy a nice cool breeze in October forward! Though, I am not rushing this year AT ALL because next Fall... the S word- school. But, I hope to enjoy every moment and not think too much about this in the meantime. One day at a time, Feryn. One day at a time.  ☕

I am entering a new season of my life and I can feel it. Today, during my meditation I heard "this is the part where you start to like yourself." I love it. I think I have always tried to show myself a lot of TLC but I'm not sure that I ever really LIKED myself ya know? Like embraced myself fully. I'm really excited to do so and I can't wait to see the person who pops their head up at the end of this bridge. Haha. I know she is awesome and quirky, funny and loving.

Well, here's to August! My dad's birthday, and we are entering into the sign of Leo (the independent Lion, strong and passionate) .♌ . Leo is one of my favorite signs as it has been the sign of two important men in my life, my dad and my Grandfather (which is funny because the swinging bridge I am imagining is the one on Grandfather Mountain in NC). ☽

(Ps. just learned that August 4 is Barack Obama's birthday, make it 3 of my favorite men.)

Anyways, this has been a bit of a ramble but I love it and it helps me to clear my thoughts! I am super excited for this next chapter! Thanks for being with me BanPan fam. ✌













So, this is my life. And I want you to know that I am both happy and sad and I'm still trying to figure out how that could be. - Perks of Being a Wallflower 🌻

Monday, July 10, 2017

Ice cream, Swims and the 4th of July

Hello,

It's a warm summer night here in Key West =) The sunsets have been AH-Mazin' lately. I find myself having to see them and each one seems more beautiful than the last. I always think of a saying I heard about how Key Westers think that their sunsets are the best in the world =) so true. Of course, I am biased! 

We are having a great summer here this year, filled with lots of activities for the boys (and ourselves!). Time is finally starting to slowww down a little bit. We spent yesterday on the boat with mom & dad. It was so nice and we had such a good time. I LOVE BEING ON THE OCEAN. Omigosh, my soul is made of salt water and ocean breeze. It is truly the place that I feel the most at ease. No matter what is troubling me, the ocean makes it all better. I know with this, I will never truly be alone and I will always find healing. 

While the summer has been so beautiful (and the pictures will show this in the years to come!), it has been a trying time for me. I learned today (from Molly) that this year, 2017, represents a brand new year, energetically and it is common to receive some "nudges from the universe to release what is no longer serving us." Definitely been happenin' round herr! It is not easy, and I don't always handle it with as much grace as I would like, but I'm getting through. 

I wish it wasn't necessary. I wish that every day was as happy as the pictures, but I have been REALLY looking at my ish the last few years and it is not easy! Closing chapters, forgiving ones self and others, and really looking in the mirror and asking "who am I? who do I want to be?". I guess (I really hope) that this is common at my age, where I feel like I am really just entering into adulthood, but trying to hold onto all the good parts of myself as a youth. 

So yea, I can only hope that the inner work I am doing now will benefit my future self and the future selves of my little ones and my family! I know there were some doors that needed closin' and skeletons that needed to be put to rest! But, for the most part, I am happy. I am happy to be home, I am happy to be with my family and to be making good memories. So, that's all that really matters and I can only hope to be able to look back on this time of my life fondly. 

So here are some pics of our summer 2017! I am working on a little surprise project (for Nick) but it has to wait until the end of the Summer! I hope it turns out as good as I imagine it. So, I will be sure to share it with you here. Good night BanPan. ✨

Next stop: Cocoa Beach!! 

ice cream cheers


always talkin'





little ones


goin in




they gave themselves beards (still not sure who was behind this one)

beyond love




hammockin'

















On that note ✌

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Fathers Day Reflections & Sweet Summertime

Hello!

I am trying to write this before the boys realize I am doing something that doesn't include them =) They do not like that! So, what have we been up to lately? A lot of fun actually! We had a day where we played in rain puddles which was super fun and Lukey's first time actually doing so! We went on a rainy day walk afterwards. We spent one rainy day (we have been having a rainy summer!) walking and picking flowers. We had a great day spent with mom, we went to breakfast together and went to the park. It was nice. We played for a while and even stuck it out through a misty rain shower. It was definitely nice to get out and just play for a while. We had a boat day with Dad. It was the most beautiful day at the Sandbar and getting to swim in the ocean = 👌 William went to the movies with my dad, to see Cars 3! That was fun for him! Also, I got stung by a jellyfish! =( Which, reminds me of summer in Cocoa Beach when I was young (where I am going in just a few short weeks! The ocean waves are calling my name).

We celebrated Fathers Day, it was fun, a little chaotic. We started the day with breakfast at a little cafe, which is super cute and we have enjoyed going there in the past. But, on this day it was crowded and stuffy and just did not feel like the most kid-friendly environment. It was a tad stressful.And then, Lucas fell down the stairs (about 4 of them). Thankfully, he was not hurt, just scared. But, I spent the whole day feeling like the worst mom ever. On the positive side, we ate yummy food and did fireworks! We went to mom and dad's for dinner and I gave my dad his Father's Day gift of macaroons! He loved them! I got Nick a Yeti cup in Seafoam green, but it didn't come until the next day! The boys had a great day LOL. I am starting to wonder if this is really the only part that matters? I am trying to figure out (at this stage of my life) how to help others be happy, as well as myself. And as a family, I believe we are trying to figure this out as well.

ps. was happy to find this post with a photo of William on Nicks first Fathers Day.

In the future, I would like Fathers Day to be more relaxing and fun for Nick. This year, I just did not feel the relaxation! I know it's not easy with two kiddos to get out and actually enjoy ourselves, but this year... I don't know it just didn't feel quite right. Anyways, it was good to be together. (Next year goals: breakfast and something with the ocean!) I hope the rough patch we have been having is behind us. It seems to be getting better. What else? Today is summer solstice. The day with the most amount of sunlight and full of energy!

Other than that, just trying to stay cool in the summer heat, eating popsicles, swimming, a little boating, and all that fun stuff that we love to do.

Days are defnitely warm with the occassional afternoon rainstorm (my favorite part of summer). Lately, we have really just been spending time indoors with the AC crankin' or at Nanny's where we have the pool, canal (for fish feeding), park and quick access to AC, cold juice and snacks! lol. Trying to keep us cool, calm and collected here.

When we are home, the boys play with toys and do pretty well (for about 5 minutes) playing together. Lucas' favorite game for the past few days has been having me read him every show title on Netflix while he says "nope" to each one. LOL. After a while, he finds what he is looking for and mommy gets a break =)

Nick's buisiness, Made By Soto is taking off! Each day seems to bring a new "first" and new projects. Nick is settling in nicely to his new, little workshop at Washed Up!

Me? I'm ok. I am trying to do my best (some days I know I can do better). A little uninspired lately, feeling a lack in some way. I don't quite know what it is, but according to my boss at work, Charlie, it's all normal for a 31 year old "woman" =). Just feeling like my best is not good enough! Feeling like my spirit wants to jump out of my body and do back flips or somethin'. I just have this feeling inside of me like... I want to be doing more, seeing more! Something different! I don't know. Sometimes, I feel like I will never be satisfied. I have this burning part of me for Boston some days. I still miss it. I loved being so independent there. But then, when I was there, I just wanted to be here! Here, I have the support of my family. Sometimes, I just feel so disconnected from Key West and the life before Boston. I feel like a different person now that is not fully able to BE! Like a tree, that has branches but keeps them wrapped around itself instead of fully growing and expanding and blossoming into the big, glorious, colorful, flowering tree that it is! Sorry for bitchin' because I have so much to be thankful for! I know and I am! Every day!

Starting an amazing program with my guru, Molly Hamill this week! So let's hope for lots of amazing transformation! Anyways, happy summer solstice. Peace, love and light!

The Ultimate and Immediate Why
By: Danielle Laporte

After a long night
I wake up
with infinity on my lips and I must tell you:
Everything turns out okay.
Put down your worries,
even though you must take up the cause.
On the Light crusade
we must remember
The Ultimate and Immediate Why:
Swallowing fresh water,
inhaling
clean air
through our mouths,
speaking
words of adoration,
and kissing.














“We are but visitors on this planet. We are here for ninty or one hundred years at the very most. During that period, we must try to do something good, something useful with our lives. If you contibute to other people's happiness, you will find the true goal, the true meaning of life.”