Christmas Eve Giddy!

It's Christmas Eve and I can't sleep. In years past I couldn't sleep because I was so excited thinking about Santa sliding down the chimney and because of all the great presents under the tree, because of the great Christmas breakfast my mom always makes or because my stocking was filled to the brim with goodies. Tonight is a different story though. I can't sleep because I am genuinely thankful today. I'm really thankful for my family. My big messy family. Malachi got a drum set tonight for Christmas but Mom, Dad, Josiah and I still sat in the living room with coffee and dessert talking/yelling to each other as he banged around upstairs and I was thankful. This morning Dad and I woke up early to beat the last minute shoppers which we denied ourselves of being and grabbed a Starbucks on the way down to complete our Christmas shopping. We blew through Banana Republic, H&M, and Gap in about an hour fulfilling everyone on our list in true Mekenzie/Rustin fashion. We chatted about life and fire arms and politics and marriage and God and I was thankful. My mom is the most phenomenal hostess and if you've ever gotten the opportunity to have a meal around the Carlson table, you know there's far too much food than guests to enjoy it. She overdoes it because she wants you to feel loved and important and honored and fed, not just with food but with love and good conversation. She thinks about you specifically. She made me salmon tonight while the boys ate brisket just because she knew I would like it better. Her gift of hospitality makes me thankful. I'm thankful for my older brother who is the nicest and most genuine guy you'll ever meet. He's sensitive and strong and smart and kind. He really values my opinion so we talk about all sorts of things when we are together and I give him lots of "girl perspective." He makes me thankful. And then there's Malachi. Today we were riding in the car together just him and I. He carefully scrolled through his playlist to find good country music that I would like. We sang at the top of our lungs together and I was thankful. My family is really great and being together around Christmas time is nostalgic and wonderful. I'm so thankful for every weird and goofy member. Here's to another Christmas full of family and fun and memories and most importantly, the celebration of Jesus.

Good Night Friends & Merry Christmas!

This is life. Try to take it in...

Do you ever have those moments where you look around you and wonder, “How the heck did I get here? Why am I so blessed?” I hope you have, because I have had so many of them lately that it could make my head explode. Can I  share in these joys with you? November has been an exciting month and I would love to tell you all about it. 

I’m sure you saw our last post about the Malibu Half Marathon Mekenzie and I ran a couple weeks ago. If you haven’t you can read it now it detail here A Race in the 'BU. It was a life giving, amazing trip. I had one of those “How’d I get here” moments happened when I was running the race. The sun was dancing on the ocean, surfers were unpacking their boards and hitting the waves. There were beautiful homes and rocky cliffs on my left and the ocean on my right. The contrast of the bright sunrise against the glittering water was almost too much for my eyes to take in. I took a deep breath and asked God to not let me forget that moment. I don’t think I will. I felt His presence so deeply and as I looked out into the vast ocean, I was reminded of how desparately I need Him. Blessed. 

Breath taking, right?

I had to leave on my trip to Malibu just moments before my sister gave birth to the newest member of our family, sweet Halle Marie. She is perfect. It’s amazing- life. How it comes into this world and how someone so small can have such a huge impact on my life. I love all nieces and nephews so much. And Halle is no different. I love that my sister and her family live here because it allows me to show up unannouced to hold that precious little girl and rock her to sleep. It’s pretty incredible that watching a baby sleep for hours in your arms can keep you so engaged. It’s like she casts a baby spell on me and instantly she has me falling more in love with her and wrapping me around her tiny finger. And it happens again, “How’d did I get here? Holding this new beautiful life in my arms.” In that moment I took a deep breath, remind myself of the joy of a new life and did my best not to squeeze the love out of the baby. Blessed.

Meeting Halle for the first time!

She has my heart

Just last weekend we got to have our Kenz back on CO soil. It was the Core Four back in each others arms- for an entire weekend. We ate delicious meals together and talked about the hardships and blessings of being single and being married. We laughed...A LOT! And shared beers and discovered our new found favorite called a Moscow Mule. Delish. We celebrated an early birthday for me and indulged in some free birthday dessert. As I was sitting around the table at my birthday dinner I had that weird moment happen to me again, “How’d I get here? Where did all these amazing friends come from?” I took a deep breath and another drink of my aprocot beer - trying my best  not to miss a moment of this joy. Because isn’t that what it’s all about anyway- sharing joy with the people in your life that you love the most. Blessed.

The Whole Gang 

Kenz & Me 

Core Four

Life is good. Really good. Share in the joy with the people you love most. And in those moments pause - take a deep breath and do your best to take it all in. 

Thanks for letting me share my life with you. 

A job, a niece, a wedding, a half, and a whole group back together!

Whoa, what a world wind my life has been on for the last 3 months! Sorry for the long hiatus of blogging! But here I am, back in action and maybe back to some normalcy. But what is normal? Who is normal? I don’t think I fall into that category, even a little bit! Life is constantly surprising me and around each corner is a new adventure, a bride, a new baby or a best friend coming to visit! I am so immensely blessed- I cannot even wrap my mind around it! 

So let me catch you up....

I have a new job. Well, it’s really not that new but new to a lot of you! I am now working at Otter Box in customer service. Not my dream job, but I am thankful to be working with one of my best friends from church and I’m thankful for all the wonderful things the company does for their employees. One of my favorite perks about the job is a free smoothie bar! Complete with every flavor of protein powder, frozen fruit, flax, oatmeal, and my personal favorite- a fully stocked cupboard of Justin’s Peanut Butter! Delish :)

My sister, Emily is having a BABY GIRL!! She is due the first week in November and I could not be more excited. We have spent many hours shopping for baby things, setting up the nursery, planning showers and chatting about all the joy this little girl will bring to our lives. Our favorite activity is watching tv while my hand is pressed tight to her belly waiting for a tiny kick from the little girl. 

Cutest Preggo Girl you will ever see! 

One of our Core got married!!!! It was the most beautiful wedding and day imaginable! And not because Mrs. Lobdell has a wonderful eye for decor and is stunningly gorgeous but because of the beauty of the love shared between her and Mitch. It was such a blessing to stand up there and listen to their sweet words and promises to each other. Congrats Mitch and Gabrielle! Two down, two to go! 

The beautiful bride with her Core. 

Because of our obsession with running and California, Mekenzie and I decided to sign up for the Malibu Half-Marathon! We could not be more excited to run this beautiful race together. It’s on November 11th which is close to both of our birthdays so we are using that as our excuse to take a little vaca with a long run in the middle. Running is my passion and I’m thrilled to be doing this race beside one of my best friends. 

Framtasic is one of Mekenzie talents. She made this! Can't wait to be there! 

Gaby’s wedding provided the Core Four with many opportunities to spend some much needed time together. With all of us being spread out across the country (well, mostly the state- Kenz being in Kansas forces me to say country!) we do not get these moments often. So when they arise we soak up every possible moment. One of my favorite times in the last couple months was the day before Gabrielle’s bridal shower. The four of us went on a run/walk around Wash Park in Denver. It was beautiful! We talked wedding details, life, and hardships of growing up. Makes my heart ache with joy just thinking about these precious friend moments. Followed by our walk was, of course, a trip to Starbucks where Gaby introduced me to my new fav drink- a triple tall americano with one pump of coconut. Life changing good! It wouldn’t be a Core Four morning without coffee :) We brought our drinks home and Lo made us some incredible protein pancakes and eggs for breakfast. It was a simple, yet unforgettable morning with my girls. One that is locked away in my memory forever and I will cling to until our Kenz can come be with us again. I treasure the friendship I have with these ladies so much. It is a uniquely wonderful, out of the ordinary friendship that cannot be matched, duplicated or replaced. 

Making breakfast after our morning walk at Wash Park

Feel the love! 

Life is good. God is so good to me! As I reread these lines and relive these moments I realize how blessed I truly am. Praise the Lord for all of it.

Welcome to the world, little guy

Welcome to the world Darren Mathias Mattox. Born Saturday February 25, 2012 weighing in at a whopping 5 lbs 13oz. He is the tiniest little guy with reddish- blonde hair, just like his daddy's. It's pretty amazing how much you can love one little human so much, but I do! I never thought I could love any baby more than my first nephew, Brogan (his older brother) but I loved my niece Lucy just as much. And I couldn't wrap my mind around finding more love in my heart for another nephew but I love him with all the deepest love I have! He is absolutely perfect!
Amy (my sister-in-law) was so brave and strong through out the entire labor and delivery. She did the whole thing with ZERO pain meds- no epidural! Amazing. She allowed me and my sister, Emily, to stay and watch the delivery. It was by far one of the most miraculous things I have ever seen. What a special moment is was to witness the first seconds of his precious life! I will treasure that time forever.

I am a very proud Auntie! So here are some pics to show off the newest addition to the Mattox Family.

Sweet little guy! Darren Mathias 2-25-12

I never get tired of just staring at his precious face :)

Auntie with her 2 favorite men! Brogan and baby brother, Darren!

Darren,

I am praying for you everyday. I pray that you learn to love the Lord with all your heart and trust Him. I pray that you would follow Him and become a God-fearing man. You have been given the most amazing parents- trust their wisdom. You have a great big brother, become his best friend. You should know are a lucky boy to have them! I love you so much and you will always be my precious nephew no matter how old you get. I am always here for you and would do anything for you. My life has been change forever because of yours!

-Love, Auntie

Baby Girl Braverman

I got to check this off my List this past weekend........... :))))


At 9:37pm on Saturday February 11 a little miracle entered this world and changed mine forever.
  I would like to introduce you to the most precious, beautiful, and sweetest baby girl, My Niece :)

 After a 24+ hour labor my sister-in-law, a warrior goddess, gave birth to this 21inch 7 1/2 lb little nugget

She is already making her Uncle Mitch proud by pullin' a Rocky Balboa

 She is the most content baby, and she just sat here happily in-between dad and mom without any fuss... I love her SOOOooOoO much!!

We are still waiting for my brother and sister-in-law Mackensie to decide on a name, they have a couple in mind but since it's such a huge decision they are undecided.... I will let you know as soon as I do!

Until then we'll just call her baby girl..

Here is a treat that is aLmOsT as sweet as my niece:
Black Bean Brownies

1 15oz can Black Beans {rinsed and drained} 
3 eggs
3 Tbs vegetable oil
1/3 C cocoa powder 
1 pinch salt 
1 tsp vanilla extract 
3/4 C sugar 
1 tsp instant coffee {optional}
1 cup choco chips {optional}
1/2 cup chopped walnuts {optional} 


-Preheat oven to 350'
-Lightly grease 8x8 square pan
-Combine all ingredients and optional instant coffee into a food processor or blender and beat until smooth {if using choco chips or walnuts stir in all walnuts and 1/2 c choco chips after ingredients are blended}
-Pour mixed ingredients into 8x8 pan and remaining 1/2 c choco chips on top {if using}
-Bake in oven for 25-30 mins until sides pull away from pan and top is dry 
-Make sure you wait until they are completely cool; they taste better that way!
-And ENJOY!!! 




Quote for the Heart: "Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward!" -Psalm 127:3