31

31 years today. That number seems old and certain days I do feel old, but today is a good day. 

It's sunny and I've got lots to be grateful for...31 to be exact.

1. This face (see above) that I get to see every single day..for 29 years I've been dreaming of being a mom and this little one has exceeded every expectation and more. I couldn't be more thankful for her and this adorable little face
2. My hubby...he let me sleep in this morning and as I was drifting back to sleep after being woken up by this babe of ours..I could hear my little Wren giggle so loud with her dad. I just love him
3. Speaking of this morning Jas & Wren went on a walk and brought home some Kneaders french toast. That french toast is pretty dang good. Perfect for Birthday mornings.
4. My parents..before they went out of town this week, they made sure to celebrate their baby and made me some thinnies and watched my little bird..she's just so comfortable over there and I love it
5. My job
6. Yoga
7. Jason's parents..just the other day I got a message from Jason's dad saying,"hey Whit, it's your other dad." He and Jean are truly the best
8. My brothers and sisters (inlaws)...they are my best friends
9. Speaking of my sister little Ms Abby is cooking up a storm even as I type this..she is always doing something so thoughtful and nice for someone and today she's throwing me a little birthday bash. So thankful for her
10. Along with my sister..my cousin Marta is always doing something so creative. For the past 12 days Marts been doing a little countdown to my birthday and leaving gifts on my front door (thanks to her helper Dan)..we are kind of obsessed with each others birthdays..she just knows how to make someone's day a little bit better.
11. Morning text messages from family & friends..thank you
12. Packages in the mail always makes my day..thank you Krista..love you lots
13. Friends...I've been blessed with the best friends a girl like me could ever ask for. I'm so grateful that they are in my lives..even if I haven't seen them in awhile, we pick up right where we left off.
14. My health
15. My apartment..even though I'm looking for another place to call home. This has been my home that is full of memories that I love
16. Living downtown being able to walk to Kneaders and getting french toast
17. That sunshine thats on my face right now
18. My cousins
19. sun salutations..my class is doing 31 tomorrow
20. My Aunts..they are great examples to me..all of them. Thanks Jo for the fun day
21. Letters..sharpie pens and cute cards. I'm a sucker for paper goods
22. Home cooked meals and recipe cards
23. My nephews & nieces
24. Sleep..I never had a greater appreciation for sleep like I do now days
25. quotes
26. Movie nights, snuggling with the hubby
27. My grandparents..I think about them all the time and sure miss their faces
28. Utah..even though each winter makes me a little down..I just think of those summer nights and remember why I love this place so much
29. speaking of summer I cannot wait to rock climb. It's been awhile since I actually climbed and I sure miss it. I can't wait for the little one to get some shoes
30. Being a wife and being able to stay home to be with my girl..it's the best job in the world
31. Being a mom

Birthday round 2

Birthday's aren't so bad anymore. When you are surrounded by some love it is the best.

The morning started out with me sleeping in and getting phone calls from dearest friends/family. Jasybuns took me to Blue Plate and got my favorite black bean burrito. He also got me a huge hot chocolate with oreos in it. Super good.

Since we didn't have anything else

planned during the day, the boy took

me flying (I wished I didn't look so tired in all these pictures). It was a gorgeous day, but I'm not going to lie and say I wasn't scared. The plane we were in seemed way to old to be flying and the hubby likes to do little "tricks" that I'm not a fan of, but I love being with the boy and I love seeing what he does best...oh and those views not to bad either.

After the plane session we went to my sisters to have a little pizza get together and found out Jason invited a few

more guests. It was a fun surprise and a fun party that Jason, Abby and Marta put together. My family spoiled me and made me feel so special on my birthday. So a million thanks to my family for all the love and the support they give me..not only on the day that I turned 30, but every single day of my life. It was the best.

Also a big and huge thank you to all of my family and friends who helped Marta put this poster together. It was the highlight of the evening and loved

seeing all of your faces and was touched by all the nice things you guys said about me. It put a smile on my 30 year old face.

Thank you again and again

xoxo...Whit

30 Sun Salutations

"some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle, and end. life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next. delicious ambiguity..." gilda radner

February 18th is my birthday. Tomorrow I'll be turning 30 and for the past year I have been dreading this day until now. Today I have been thinking of the past year, a few years ago, the last 10 years and would not change a thing. My life has not been perfect, there have been a few moments where I wouldn't want to relive again, but those moments are there to test you, to help you become hopefully a better person.

My 30 years has been unexpected and full of happiness. I am blessed to be turning 30 as a wife of a great husband, to be able to carry a little baby girl who is growing so fast in my belly, I am blessed to have graduated college, traveled to many amazing places and seen a lot of this beautiful world. I am blessed to be 30 and have great relationships with my family who are my best friends, being able to spend time with my nephews and be part of the Rasmussen family. I am blessed to have amazing friends who I completely adore. I am blessed to be a yoga instructor and have learned so much about myself and am only looking forward to helping more people and learning more things. I am truly blessed to be 30 and to feel a little bit more comfortable in my own skin with flaws and all. Today has been a good day and tomorrow will be even better and I'm looking forward to the next, and the next, etc.

Sending everyone a little birthday cheer
Happy Saturday.

A birthday and an update

Birthday Boy

This little guy turned 2 yesterday. Sammy has energy and he makes me laugh a lot. I love his smile and his little words that he's saying. He brings a lot to our lives and we sure love him. Happy Birthday little Sammy. 


These last couple of weeks have been busy with kiddos, teaching yoga, spending time with family & friends. It's been a great start to holiday season which I'm looking forward too. 


Another thing that I'm looking forward to. Jas and I are moving up in the world. We are actually moving downstairs in our apartment building into 2 bedrooms. It's a huge step for us and I'm actually pretty happy that I'll just have to move boxes down a few stairs into a new apartment. Even though the place is bigger, it has it's flaws and I get a little sad thinking I'm going to not be in my place anymore. But sleeping next to 4 bikes is getting old. The climbing equipment is now pouring out of the closet and it's just time to get some space. Hopefully we'll be in our new place next week so I can finally put up a Christmas tree.

Jake, Abby & Sam

Party man Dylan

Happy Sunday

30

My favorite girlie in the world is turning 30 today. Those of you who know me know Marta or at least heard me talk about her a million times. She is the best friend, the girl who can make me laugh, who knows all of my mistakes and my flaws, who encourages me and makes me better. We have memories that go way way way back and this weekend was a favorite of mine. Marta opened her presents on the wooden floor of her new living room in her new home. We have opened presents everywhere from in our bedrooms at our parents houses to packages in the mail. It was fitting that on her 30th we opened presents in her new place..a new age, a new little life (more pictures to come). That day, we got paint and we painted and painted until 1:30 am. We were sweaty, tired and covered with paint but it was the best time I had in a long long time. 


In the early morning we moved boxes, furniture, toys and dishes. Her unique handwriting all over the boxes, getting little glimpse of the home becoming their own.


We ate chocolate chocolate dougnuts and Marta made sure we had water just because she is considerate like that. It was a great day to a great birthday girl who I love to pieces. She is the best, she is creative, so funny, full of talent, she is one of a kind and my best friend.


Happy Birthday MiniMart!

Birthday Cheer

Happy Birthday Jason!
This guy means the world to me, I have been so blessed for this man in my life. For the past 8 years he has made me laugh and made everyday so much better. To celebrate his day we went rock climbing in the morning, fish tacos for lunch, nap in the afternoon, swimming with family & Indian for dinner. He truly is the greatest guy and I am so lucky to have him in my life.

Happy Birthday!
I love you.

Birthday Cheer

Before I leave for the weekend, I feel it wouldn't be right if I left without spreading some birthday cheer to this little lady. On Sunday it will be my mom's birthday. Here's a lady who knows a little thing or two about making her yard look amazing and her home feeling welcoming. I grew up with her singing me to sleep, taking me to work, checking me out of school to go swimming or shopping, being understanding and caring. She has taught me a lot about reaching my goals and staying positive. I hope someday when I'm a mother that I'll teach my children the importance of being yourself and being able to do whatever you put your mind too like she has with me and the rest of my siblings. She is one of a kind and I love her a lot. Happy Birthday Mom! Will bring you some lunch on Tuesday. 

Birthday Girl

Lets make a toast to this little lady! Today is my sister's birthday and I sure love this girl. Abby has been one of my greatest blessings in life and continues to be my support team every single day. Abby is the greatest mother to 2 of my most favorite boys, she is one talented little mama with that sewing machine of hers and have helped decorated my apartment with table toppers and gorgeous quilts. Not only is she gorgeous and 5 feet tall. She works hard at everything that she does, she's giving, feisty, funny, loving and will help anyone at any time. I love her a lot and she means so much to me. So cheers to the Birthday girl who is having a great time flying to Florida right about now. Love you Ms Abigail. 

oh thank you

Turning 29 wasn't so bad since I was surrounded by so many good souls. I felt truly blessed getting emails, phone calls, texts, letters, packages, flowers. I have gained a few pounds for eating a lot of good food and a lot of good dessert. Thanking those who thought of me, thanking my parents for the veggie party to start off the week right which it did, thanking Abby for my tuna sandwich & for Jake insisting to give me his transformers book as a gift, thanking my wonderful in-laws for taking me to Thai food and letting us sit in their hot tub, thanking all my nieces & nephews for adorable messages, thanking Jo for the fabulous lunch who spoils me rotten, thanking my hubby for making dinner to perfection, thanking Curtis & Dotty for ending this special night with me and the hubby, you guys are the best, thanking Baskin Robbins for creating that ice cream cake that I love oh so much, thanking thoughtful messages & packages (thank you Marta), I felt loved so thank you thank you thank you..it's good to be 29. Happy Sunday. 

28

i have 30 more minutes left and tomorrow i'll no longer be 28. 29 seems a little old, 30 seems older. i've decided this coming year that i need to embrace more, do more, even if i'm 29 or 30, or whatever age i am, age really doesn't matter, it's just how we feel am i right? this last year has had a few ups and a few downs, i feel that i've learned more and i only hope that the things that i have gone through have shaped me a bit, have helped me see things better and helped me become only better. i feel these last couple of months all that i've been thinking is how i'll be 29 soon and that i haven't really embraced being my good old 28 year old self. before i fall asleep here's a few or i guess i should say 28 things that i have loved, love, will continue to love..

i love..
how this past summer i took up rock climbing..my new pink finger nail polish (thanks krista)..my mornings where i get to sleep in past 6 am..making new veggie meals..my green kitchen table..fresh tomatoes..my new stackable measuring cups (thanks to mr hubby)..phone calls from marta..chats with jake and hearing sam laugh..the smell of new books..yoga..my family..the new kanye west album (i do and i love him)..flipflops..blue plate diner and that black bean burrito..david bowie..pictures (old, new)..Abby's quilts..anthro bowls..clothes right out of the dryer..fish tacos..mom's garden..baby d. axel..hummus harvest on savory please..how good my nephews are at sports..my dad..being content. being happy.
i have a feeling this next year will be a good one, today as my students helped me with my 29 sun salutations i read this quote,

"every day that we wake up is a good day. every breath that we take is filled with hope for a better day. every word that we speak is a chance to change what is bad into something good." walter mosley

so here's to another year of waking up loving and really enjoying each moment.

happy friday

a valentine to whit.

this is marta here. don't you love this pic of whit and jason?
they look so granola chic together. i think these two belong in magazines.

okay i'm hacking in because whit asked for a prettier blog for her birthday. i think it's pretty perfect as is. but while i'm here, i thought today would be a good day (as it is valentine's afterall) to get started on a little group activity, i think we should fill this comment box with birthday love for whit. (her official twenty-nine is on february 18th. you still have time to mail her a card, as letters are among her favorite things ever. she'll likely save it somewhere special. because she's like that. but you already know this.)

onto loving whit. why do you love whit? let us count the ways. is it her stylish persona and laid back laughter. her pumpkin chocolate chip and itsy bity star shaped frosted cookies. her amazing yoga skills. her party-throwing talents with darling details all about. the way she lightens up a whole room. her cheerful attitude. her mad abilities at face cards, dominoes and the name game. the way she laughs at herself and loves life. her raven hair and twinkly eyes. or maybe it's her tiny feet and defined arms. could it be her vast knowledge of classic films like beaches and rear window. (wait, you don't consider the bette midler movie beaches a classic? hmmm. maybe you and whit need to have a serious chat.) maybe it's her spontaneous, thoughtful note cards in the mail and how her handwriting is your fave. how she remembers so many good stories from the past. her artsy creative side. how she is sentimental and strong. the way she knows all your secrets. how she is still listening to counting crows. her giving ways, her open-hearted conversations, her listening ear, her happy smile. the way she is always on your side and comes rushing to your rescue. the way she is always up for an adventure. maybe it's her cozy colorful apartment with stacked anthro bowls on the shelves, beloved books along the walls, cute clothes in the closet, something vegetarian cooking in the oven, cartons of juice in the fridge, snacks on the coffee table and quilts toppling over. she is the sunshine, when clouds are grey.

now it's your turn to write a valentine to whit.

The 3 year old

This little boy turned 3 yesterday. Many of you know that I adore this little guy. He has brought a lot of love to our family and I have loved watching his personality grow. Abby celebrated his birthday with pumpkin soup bowls, pumpkin chocolate chip bunt cakes, and with a lot of family. We sure love this little man. Happy Birthday Jakeybuns

Little MiniMart

September 25th is one of my most favorite days. We get to celebrate someone who has been by my side for my whole life and will always have that permanent spot. My cousin Marta turns 29 today and I will follow her in a few months which seems suitable for us. I have looked up to her for the past 29 years and am always striving to be a little more like her.

Growing up with Marta was such a blessing, we spent so many years together laughing, becoming more alike, never getting in fights or getting sick of each other. I have loved seeing her catch her first fish, going horseback riding, talking about boys dealing with mean girls, I have loved seeing her fall in love, being a wife, becoming a graphic designer, letting the world see how creative she always has been, I have loved watching her become a mother, and seeing how she deals with trials with gratitude and love. I have loved being by her side and watching her become the great person that she is today. It has been one of my greatest blessings to have this friendship in my life. She doesn't realize all the greatness that she holds and I love her to tiny pieces.

Happy Birthday Mart, wish I could check you out of school to go shopping, have lunch and make a cake with swedish fish on top. You're the best!

Wish

Birthday wish was granted. It was a good day.

Happy Birthday Jasyman

Birthday Boy

Happy Birthday Jasybuns. I don't know about you guys, but I love celebrating other people's birthday and if it's the birthday of this guy I feel very lucky to be celebrating it. Turning 26 was a big deal to me, I felt old now the hubby is catching up and I can only think of all the great big and little things that he does to make our lives a much happier place. Jason is really the sweetest guy around and I love him a whole lot. Happy Birthday!

Flag Day

"It's noon and I must get going, always a hundred things to do everyday. June is a glorious month. I'm glad I was born."

Grandma June

June 1976

Today is my grandma's birthday, I have a picture of her on my coffee table and is the first thing I look at when I walk in the door. We sure miss her.

ode to dad

Today we get to celebrate one of my top favorites. My dad's birthday is today, I called him yesterday and complained to him about my car not having ac, he told me complaining doesn't solve anything and to figure out what to do. It's always good to know that I can call my dad and he'll listen to me complain and help me figure out what's next. I learn a lot from my dad throughout my life. He has taken me on the prettiest hikes, can really fix about anything, is a hardworker and will do anything for his family. Through him I've had a great passion for the outdoors, camping supplies, not smacking my food, to be honest, and to never give up. He's truly the greatest dad and I wish him nothing but a very happy birthday.

Ode to Polly

This tan beauty happens to be my mom and it so happens to be her birthday. Today I treated her to a little lunch, I smiled when she asked the waitress that she would love to have a diet coke with a little bit of lemonade. She had her favorite quiche and I ate my pear salad and we talked. I was reminded in that conversation how much she has gone through and has overcome a lot of obstacles..she is grateful for her struggles and see them only as learning experiences. I have learned so much from my mom and feel very blessed to be her daughter. She is the mom that would sing to me every night growing up, she would check me out of school to go swimming, she's friends with my friends, she cleans with pinesol and sings to James Taylor, she paints, sings, writes, sews, cooks, loves to garden, she has always taught me to be open minded and to reach my goals. She has been my support and my constant friend. Happy Birthday Mom..we love you so much.

Birthday Girl

March 2 is where we get to celebrate one pretty talented girl. My sister Abby has been a great blessing in my life. I talk to her almost every single day. I always go to her for advice, for a ride, a hug, a good laugh, fabric, & for being my constant support. She is amazes me everyday for all that she accomplishes, for being the best friend I could ask for & for being the greatest mom to her 2 little boys. I am one lucky girl to have a sister like her. Love you lots Abby. Happy Birthday!! Lunch date when I get back.

28

Today being my 28th birthday has made me smile. Thanks for my family, my friends, my students, my husband for making me feel pretty important..I'm pretty grateful for the following 28 things in my life.

1. waking up to rain
2. birthday lunch with my family...thanks mom & dad
3. anthro dishes thanks Jas & Abby
4. 28 sun salutations
5. students clapping after 28 sun salutations
6. morning drive with robin
7. birthday texts messages in the early morning from the following: Ty, Marta, Ems, Monica
8. Calls from Abby, Marta & Jean
9. Surprised Ugg boots found on kitchen table
10. Early morning hug from Jason
11. Indian dinner with gormet dessert..thank you Jean & Lee
12. flowers from curtis & dotster
13. jake & jason
14. wearing my favorite outfit: yoga pants, sweatshirt with ugg boots
15. lunch with Abby
16. 6 yoga classes
17. Lunch with Jason
18. Dinner with Jason
19. Project Runway
20. Anthropologie
21. Jason
22. My parents & the Rasmussen's
23. emails, facebook bday wishes, cards, etc
24. This post
25. and this one
26. love this one (not really the picture though)
27. dr pepper
28. All of my family & friends who have been the best to me for the last 28 years. I love you all and am very blessed, happy, in awe of all the kindness that everyone has shown me. A million thanks to all who have made this day and everyday truly the best.