do you come here often?

If you're new here, welcome.

My name is Adriel. I'm a thirty-something music-loving, beach-going, family-advocating, mom-supporting, travel-adventuring, mountain girl (and city-lover) from Oregon who just happens to live in hot, humid tropical Australia with a hunky, spunky Aussie bloke - my husband Ryan.

yes, we were on vacation. nice huh? and no, we haven't had tans like that since,
which is why i chose to use this photo. we look vacationed and i like that.

He does manly things like mowing the lawn, fixing stuff, flexing his muscles, watching football (and basketball and cricket and...), building things in his man cave, fishing, cooking me breakfast, washing the dishes, changing pooey diapers, watching NCIS, and giving himself foot soaks and face masks.

I do girly things like blogging and writing, shopping (and deal-hunting), decorating, planning, toddler-chasing, reading, current events and politics-following, photo-taking, baby-growing, breastfeeding, teaching, yoga-stretching, DYI-ing, accessorizing, endless laundry folding (not by choice, just by necessity), and HGTV and Modern Family-watching.

And dreaming about sleeping in. Can't forget that. I'm always dreaming about sleeping in... and taking naps.

So yeah, that's us - the Bookers: a young-at-heart, cross-cultural, family-first, faith-filled, volunteering, slightly "special" couple who can't believe we found one another.

And apparently the America-Australia combination is a good one because we came out with one of the most gorgeous children you will ever lay eyes on. His name is Levi and he is 14 months old.

careful, he's a heart-stealer.

He does things like guitar playing (he's slightly obsessed), reading storybooks, banging things, walking around the house with a mini hockey stick and my new belt, wrestling with daddy, plowing into and over things, holding my eye-lash curler and pretending he knows how to use it, grunting, giggling, asking for crackers, playing with (and in) anything involving water, and stick-collecting.

He is seriously cute and adorable and hilarious. (Kinda like your kid I bet.)

In fact, he turned out so well that we decided to give him some competition, due to arrive in about six months:

And the Memos?

I write about all things mom-ish.

Sometimes my writing gets a little gritty and sarcastic and feels a bit like this:

Other times it's mushy, sentimental, and reflective and feels more like this:

And still other times it feels a little more "tipsy" and instructional and feels something like this:

And then there's the times that it's a tad less wordy and looks kinda like this:

If you'd like to read some of my best, click over to my besties page or check out the "most clicked" post list on my sidebar. 


I blog to connect, remember, process, encourage, entertain, inform, inspire, equip, challenge, record, relax, have fun, question, provoke, support... and to help me think beyond myself, tap into my creativity, and network with other women - primarily moms and mamas-in-the-making.


Thanks so much for stopping by. Please be sure to introduce yourself!

looking forward to connecting,


p.s. Dear regulars, if you haven't already linked up, consider checking out the Ultimate Blog Party 2011!

adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2011
do not reproduce without written permission