bloom.

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 ...  bloom  ...

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"Bloom" is the May writing prompt of The Mommy Blogger Collective. In addition to a monthly writing prompt, the collective hosts a monthly blogger featurette. This month we are featuring Misty of Momista Beginnings. A few words from Misty --- I'm Misty, the southern California blogger behind Momista Beginnings. I began this blog while pregnant with Mia over two years ago to create a space for mamas out there to connect with their inner "momista." According to me, a momista is a devout follower and lover of motherhood who takes her role to the next level. She uses her strengths to create the best childhood for her kids through activities, traditions, adventures, exploration and experiences. My blog aims to inspire all of this. Other bits of me make up my blog as well, like my passion for photography, art, crafts, my love for baking and cooking and family updates. I'm an ex art teacher of over 10 years and my art projects for kids make appearances from time to time, too. You can also find me on Bloglovin', Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and at my photography website and its Facebook page! /// The Mommy Blogger Collective /// Christina, Courteney, Dena, Erica, Erin, Gillian, Katie, Misty, Nicole, and Renée. ///

mother's day.

(my dress: c/o matilda jane)

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i love these dreamy pictures of my biggest boy and i spinning in the trees in front of the mountains
and i thought today was a perfect day to share them.
i love when unrealistic photos capture things that are absolutely real.
i mean these photos are staged; this photoshoot was planned and posed.
but somewhere deep inside my heart, this is exactly how i feel about my love for these little boys.
it's all fields and soft light and flowy gorgeous twirly magic.
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we're just spinning and spinning in super slow motion love.
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so yeah, it's not always expensive dresses with cowgirl boots + a little boy wearing his nicest flannel.
that is a little bit premeditated and maybe slightly pretend.
but these feelings are real and run deep
and i'm happy to capture them this way.

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happy mother's day, mommas!

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friday.

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(just some happy photos i snapped yesterday of my wild, wild one and myself yesterday.)

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oh hey, i'm back!

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     unfortunately, i had to take a 2 week trip back to ohio because my father passed away pretty unexpectedly. he was struggling with some health issues but no one really expected it to end this soon or this quickly. i probably don't really need to explain that it's been a really crappy,

emotionally exhausting, crazy/intense/powerful couple of weeks. 

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     after all the work that my middle sister (we also have a 12 year old sister) and i along with other family members poured into planning and sorting and preparing things to celebrate and organize my dad's life, i am kind of feeling a little bit in a denial. although it has in many ways, i don't think that my dad's death has really truly hit me yet. and honestly, i'm not sure that it ever completely will. 

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     i don't think i'll ever stop waiting for a million voicemails or a text. or stop expecting to see him at christmas or call on my birthday. it may not ever really start making sense. how someone can be here one day and just completely gone the next. it's a lot to sort through.

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    the little boys and i got back to colorado yesterday and for now, it's back to real life.

because life just keeps on going on regardless.

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     happy friday everyone.
thanks to all of you who have reached out to me with condolences. :)

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$150 giveaway!

hey everyone! i'm on a little blogging break but i'm here today with a giveaway that i'm participating in via erica's blog. 

be sure to check out the blogs of some of these awesome ladies who are participating!

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good luck!!

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True Colours

The Phuket Family

Tales of a Young Mama

Momista Beginnings

Comes in Colours

HI & LO

Enjoy Essential

Rachel Boulevard

Foreign Geek

Life of TOI

A Gray Rainbow

A Moving Story

To the Sea

This giveaway is open to anyone with a PayPal account (this is how the money will be sent).

The winning entry will be verified.

The winner will chosen on Mother's Day (May 11th) and be notified via e-mail.

If the winner doesn't respond within three days a new winner will be chosen.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

FabKids review!

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     I'm SO excited to have the chance to work with a really neat company and to be able to share a little bit about them with you all! FabKids was started by a team of parents including mom and actress Christina Applegate. They are an outfit club offering parents and children  the chance to choose from a selection of affordable and unique outfits each month. 

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     If you check out their site, FabKids will ask you to take a style profile quiz for your child and based on the results, they will suggest outfits. From there you have the option to purchase outfits or just browse the site!  Clothing is currently available for boys and girls sizes 2-12 and each outfit includes 2 pieces for $29.95.

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     FabKids clothing items are put together in "outfits" which each have a name. I seriously had so much fun looking through all the outfits on their site and picking some for my boys! Asher has a good collection of hand me downs from his big brother, but Roman is definitely in need of some new summer clothes! 

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     For Roman, I decided on the "totally fly outfit." I am really into the color block shorts that come with this outfit. There isn't much cuter than little boys in preppy shorts and these will also be perfect for nicer occasions this summer. Roman strongly requested this fly shirt when he was browsing FabKids with me so this outfit was a perfect combination that we were both happy with!

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     To coordinate with his brother, I chose the "Fly Stripes Outfit" for Asher. I thought the little color block shorts would be adorable on Asher as well but we are currently struggling to convince him to even wear shorts! Asher is VERY particular about his clothing. He is slowly warming up to the idea but I thought that these harem knit pants would be a good transition for him. Not to mention they are so, so adorable. 

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     I seriously adore this outfit; it's probably my favorite outfit that FabKids is offering right now! It's so soft and cuddly and Asher has literally refused to take it off since these photos were taken yesterday!

(I love these photos of Asher pointing to the letters on his shirt!)

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I encourage you all to go check out FabKids for yourself!
Currently, they are offering each new member their first outfit for only $15 + free shipping! You really can't beat that!

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 *FabKids provided my children with new clothing in exchange for this review. This post also includes referral links. Thank you so much for supporting my family by reading and providing us with these opportunities!*

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earth day.

in honor of earth day, i wanted to share some photos of my boys playing in the pine trees from a few weeks back. they went through a little phase of climbing around in these trees in front of the condos where we live. asher was determined to climb up high just like his brother and absolutely nothing would stop him. it was slightly terrifying but he got up there as well and was so proud of himself looking into the sky as he exclaimed, "i diiiid it!"

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these photos make this scene seem super foresty and wonderful. in reality this is right between the parking lot and the road. and that's one thing i love about photography - you can take a mundane situation and make it beautiful. ;)
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happy earth day!
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