Summer Family Photos: Cash Is One

 Summer Family Photos: Cash is One

Hey loves, I hope you are having a lovely weekend so far. We have been relaxing and soaking up this great chilly Fall weather! I wanted to finally share these summer family photos my sister Kesley Steindler Photography snapped of us to capture Cash right after he had turned one.  If we could take family photos every few months I totally would because its so worth it when these little babies grow like weeds! They change so much month to month and to be able to remember these moments and milestones in photos means so much to us as a family.  I hope you enjoy and be sure to check out my sisters work if you're local in the Orange County area and looking for someone to snap some photos of you and your fam!

For those who asked on Instagram (@tessaarmstrong8)

My dress is by Free People

Cash button up from Janie and Jack

Leggings H&M

XO

Life Lately Via My Camera Roll:

Life Lately Via My Camera Roll:

Life this past month or two has been so much fun. We have are definetly going out of summer with a bang! Fall weather has not offically began yet so we are still hitting the beach hard.  We have had birthdays, weddings and some date nights and boys/girls night outs that have been quite fun the past couple of months.   Since im no longer doing monthly updates on Cash (don't worry ill do them every few months still), just to fill you in on this little dude lately: hes been walking since 13.5 months about a month ago, he says "mama, dada, keys, Cash, cheese, this, that, hot, wawa (water), hieee (hi), huu see (horsie), bubbles, ball, nana, he tries to say doggie but hes not quite there yet it sounds more like dada, he sings "ee na, ee na" for "clean up clean up".. the song, current word today he was trying to say was "eyes", and im sure there are a couple others im forgetting or we still have not deciphered what they are yet lol.  For the words above he can say them really well and most people know what hes trying to tell them. Its so sweet because he says hi to everyone and it is literally the cutest voice you have ever heard (@tessaarmstrong8, video posted on instagram of him saying hi).    He points to everything still, he is sleeping 12 hours at night still 7pm to 7am, takes 2 naps that are each 1.5-2 hours long and is quite possible transitioning to just 1 nap soon, he loves to water the grass at our new home, his new favorite thing is drawing on everything (i.e. the walls, the floor, every piece of paper and toy he can find and even little kids at the park haha) ..don't worry he doesnt realize i close off the colored pencil so nothing really comes out.  Today he thought he was coloring with my chapstick. He cracks us up every single day.  He has learned where his eyes, nose, head, mouth, peepee, boobies, and belly button are.  

^^^he talks to the fishies every time we walk past this wall to the beach (hat by Of One Sea)^^^

^^^stealing bread from the grocery bag^^^

^^^learning to surf in the pool^^^

^^^my hot date and i heading out to celebrate my mamas 55th birthday^^^

^^^boys will be boys^^^

^^^will these windows ever be clean? ha.^^^

The cutest little tee perfect for Fall c/o Whistle & Flute. If you follow us on instagram you know that Cash is their new brand rep (;

^^^church'n with my gang^^^

^^^slide rides are the best^^^

^^^he hurt his lip AGAIN.  He fell face first on concrete but visiting with great Nana all afternoon made it all better^^^

^^^more Whistle & Flute panda goodness..you must get your hands on some of their goodies^^^

^^^we are fishie obsessed over here.. oh yes thats another one of his sweet little words^^^

^^^snackin and relaxin on his papa^^^

^^^celebrating our sweet friends wedding day^^^

^^^our little bunny Grey came out to visit with his pretty mama in August and we had so much special time with them (moccs c/o Starry Knight Design)^^^

XO

Welcoming Fall: Solutions or Surrendering?

Welcoming Fall: Solutions or Surrendering?

Happy October!! I love the Fall and I'm so excited that it is October and we get to decorate, make pumpkin spiced everything, and light up the seasonal candles that make our home smell so delicious you could eat the air.  Theres been a lot going on lately with the move, redoing our kitchen, my husband about to switch jobs, and just life in general being busy and full of surprises. I've received some emails from you guys about my lack of blogging recently, and I do apologize for my absence, I will do a couple posts soon on recent updates for all that life has thrown our way this past month or so soon! Hold tight (:

I've been doing some reflecting lately and really feeling like I've been too focused on things that arent important and less focused on what is, my walk with God. I have felt sort of like I've been in a desert, a desert I slowly put myself in by not keeping my eyes on Jesus. I learned years ago, if Satan can't make you bad, he'll make you busy. Well, busy is always where the enemy gets me. Even if I'm not that busy, my mind creates busy work and things to worry about that need resolution. I'm a worrier by nature, a problem solver, and do-er, a go getter, I get things done.. its both a gift and a curse.  When I'm worried it means im not trusting. When I am solving everything on my own with my head down then how am I surrendering? Im overly self-sufficient sometimes. It hurts me because we are meant to lean on God daily, moment by moment in all of our decisions and especially in the areas we feel fearful in. A lot of times i'll try to find an answer or resolve something my way because I suppose I think its quicker or it seems easier that way?  When really God is showing me I need to get on my knees, pray and then trust Him with it.  So today I am on my knees. Today I know I don't have all the answers. Today I trust and today I believe that He is sovereign over all the details of my life big or small. 

It is always my hope that by sharing in my struggles and being transparent we can feel connected to one another and know we are not alone in the struggles of life.  By sharing my heart I pray you find peace knowing Jesus is the answer always.  

^^^His best spooky face!^^^

^^^two tiny pumpkins^^^

Jammies by Cotton On Kids (here)