Florida road trip: Part I

Posted on June 6, 2012 by somestuffaboutstuff

facts:

my life is messy right now
i have kids
i love to travel
i grew up in Florida
i want to be at the beach for always

sometimes i have to break things down for myself and regardless of how scary or hopeless the big picture seems in the moment, i try to make a little picture that i can enjoy. one foot in front of the other. one day at a time. with that said, a month ago i took m’self a road trip.

i decided to post this trip (and a couple more trips i have taken) for a couple reasons:

1. i hope to encourage anyone that even when you’re in the middle of a category 5 tropical shit storm, you can still make strides to do things that make your heart happy. it won’t change all or any of your circumstances, no…..but for me, having a smile on my face for a week was a place to start.

2. i hope to inspire Mom’s (especially) to take more risks with their kids and then be surprised at how resilient and flexible all of you really can be. i drove my 3 1/2 year old and my almost 2 year old from Charlotte to Jacksonville, to Orlando, to West Palm Beach and back – by myself. i’m not trying to toot my own horn…..i’m just bearing witness that you can do it too. you’re not trapped and you don’t have to sit in your yoga pants all day and watch Curious George and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse for the next 5 years. just make a plan. save some money and dig deep for your adventurous spirit – it’s still in there!!! was it tough? yeah i have kids remember? but we made a lot of great memories, saw some old friends, made some new friends and drank up the sun and sand like there was no tomorrow. i also got closer to my kids. which is always a plus.

now here’s a ridiculous amount of pictures from my iphone (sorry for the grain)…..

first stop Jax Beach

we stayed with one of my childhood best friend’s: Kaci and her husband Daniel. Noah and Sparrow hit it off with their kids Elijah and Ryland. It was delicious toddler mahem.

i am so sad i didn’t get a picture of Kaci and i together. she and i have been friends since we were 7.

above photo is so cute i just want to throw up

saw this incredible Florida sunset driving from Jax to Oviedo – our next stop.

new pup at The Dorn’s and Noah’s little bed on the floor

spent a few hours with dear friends Amy & Lisa and their brood of children

spent that evening with besties: Matt & Jennifer Fox and my very own Stephan Monteserin at Redlight Redlight!

i look so tired, because i am so tired. kids don’t care how late you stay up. they want warm oatmeal and tickle sessions at 7:45am.

Jenn & i have been friends since we were in 6th grade.

stay tuned for part II! Florida at it’s finest: sea turtles, jacuzzi beds, art shows and a flat tire.

xo,

jessie

bucket list

Posted on May 1, 2012 by somestuffaboutstuff

people, it’s time for another list. i saw a dear friend recently and we got to discussing bucket lists – she confessed she didn’t really have one and so i encouraged her to start thinking of things she’d like to do at some point in her life. a week later she sends me a picture of herself on a motorcycle and says bucket list: CHECK!

so here’s a slice of mine. i kinda feel like it’s always changing; or i’m always adding to it. so don’t hold me to this in a year. it might have changed drastically by then.

what’s on your bucket list? i wanna know!

l’océan enivrante

Posted on April 26, 2012 by somestuffaboutstuff

there is a sacred place that dually gives the sensation of feeling infinitely enormous and vulnerably tiny all at once. it’s broad, bare beaches beckon a burning deep in my soul. deep calls to deep, i suppose. and i answer. i come.

this place is my sanctuary, my temple, my home. so vast and dangerous and yet so comforting and alluring. maybe that’s why i love it so dearly; it carries the weight of an eternal unexpectedness. not knowing what may come with the next tide: hope or harm? it’s belly is always bursting with secrets, treasures, desires and dangers.

the sea is my apothecary. salt water coursing through my veins and the constant cathartic crash of waves bring me to center. i remember myself. i remember peace. i remember adventure and love and light. i am drunk on it’s beauty and sobered by it’s ominousness. so big and so small.