Today's high is seventy-six degrees while tomorrow is supposed to be nearly fifteen degrees cooler. It was a no-brainer to make sure we got some time outdoors this morning.

Rather than walk the neighborhood or find a park trail I decided to give the playground a try. One benefit of homeschooling while most kids have returned to school is that on weekdays the park is like a ghost town. The mom in me a year ago would have preferred to find a park with lots of kids for my daughter to interact with and socialize. These days with the pandemic we seek playgrounds that are devoid of all other people. 

The sunshine itself kills the virus pretty quickly and being outside in the midwest wind to begin with does a pretty good job of making me feel comfortable at the playground if no one else is there. And today was the perfect combination of beautiful sunny day and open playground to run and be silly. (I will admit the other benefit of not having kids her age to play with there means I have an excuse to play on the slides and equipment too!)

It still is hard to watch how my little one struggles with these new situations. She doesn't remember playing at the park a year ago, mostly because she was about four months old and in a stroller while we followed her sister around. She is a fairly cautious baby anyway so it takes her a bit to warm up. Today she was really getting the hang of climbing up and going down the slide by herself, after her sister went first of course.

It did my heart good to see them playing together. It did my soul good to be out in the sunshine and wind, playing and being silly. It did my mind good to know this opportunity hadn't been missed and these memories will be enjoyed. 

Even as we loaded into the car and I sanitized their sweet little hands (something I never would have bothered with a year ago) I could dispel my worries. I was using every precaution. And the joys and benefits were worth the minute risk. 

I'm grateful to get outside today. I'm grateful to get to play with my girls. I'm grateful to watch as my oldest blossoms as a big sister, teaching the baby how to be brave and try new things. I'm grateful for these moments. I'm grateful for sunshine on my face and wind in my hair. I'm grateful for time to be silly. I'm grateful to let go of all the craziness going on right now and just be there having fun. (I'm also beyond grateful that we were able to walk away when the timer went off with no meltdowns!)

How are you getting fresh air these days? What risks are worth it for your sanity? How are you connecting with the moment and practicing being present?

May the sunshine feed our soul. May we find opportunities to step away from the weight of the world. And may we take every opportunity to play. Have a beautiful day!

Today was one of those days that plans seemed to get thwarted at each turn. It just wasn't going as I pictured it in my mind. Each redirection seemed to hit its own snag.

Even when I tried to get us outside for a reset we only made it four houses down the street in twenty minutes with one child repeatedly lying down on the sidewalk or refusing to walk, the other one trying to run off ahead, and the dog stopping to poop three times and pee another four. Needless to say when we arrived home I did not feel reset, only annoyed. 

Lunch went well and we had a few minutes of nice playtime. Then it was time for my preschooler and my special time while her sister started her nap. She picked painting only to meltdown multiple times about accidentally putting the wrong colors in the wrong places, but then couldn't even decide which color was in the wrong place. Oy. 

After cuddling up with some books and sending her off to her own quiet time I had to just pause and laugh. No seriously, Laughter Yoga is pretty essential on days like this for my own sanity. After that it was time to let go of what my mind pictured for the day and let my "eye" seek the successes. I have gotten a little rusty at this practice but I'm determined to bring it back and keep positive spirits.

So, what was a success? My daughter's writing practice was beautiful today and she smiled while she practiced. She was so proud of herself! Our egg experiment got the point across, if not as dramatically as I'd hoped. We had a silly time coloring in outlines of the girls on giant paper...and even more fun taping it up for display. (It was the baby's first experience with tape, pretty fun and her big sister tried to show her how to use it.)

Our walk did get us out of the house. The dog's colon is cleaner and healthier than ever it seems. My littlest is finding ways to express herself and gaining new words. 

I got to paint. I love to paint! My colors ended up where I wanted them and the beauty of painting with my daughter is that I'm getting pretty good and letting go of my own perfectionism and just plopping paint wherever I feel like it. Is that a blue leaf? Why yes, because there were already red, orange, yellow, and green leaves...that one felt like it needed some blue. Why not?

Now that I think about it, it was a pretty great day! We got everything done, at least to some degree that I wanted to do and that in itself is a huge success. We still had time to play and paint and read which are staples of joy in our house. Guess my mind didn't get the memo, but in the eye of the beholder this day was exactly how it was meant to be.

I'm grateful to let go of the ideas I created and step into the positive. I'm grateful to take the time to express these positive points to my daughters. I'm grateful to do my best to model being positive and I'm grateful to definitely nail the way I model being human. I'm grateful to admit when I'm wrong, apologize when I'm crabby, and celebrate whole heartedly when we turn it around. I'm grateful to pause the mental dialogue on the "shoulds" and reroute it to all the successes we had. 

How do you turn the day around when it is going awry? How do you move from the mind to the eye?

May today be lived from the heart. May we find the beauty in the moments and the success in the big picture. Have a beautiful day!

I have had plenty of time lately to sit in stillness. To sit quietly and think about what path I am choosing and what I need to do differently. It's a time for me to dig deeper.

I will admit it is not often comfortable in this space. My physical body is peaceful but my mind can be brutal. It is a delicate balance of being honest and asking the hard questions of myself without letting my mind slip to the dark side. I am human. I have to remember to give myself grace. 

Last night I asked for clarity on some areas that I was having trouble consciously working through. My dreams provided a parade of people from my past in different settings and situations. The settings and situations were not real or even realistic in some cases, but they all reflected to me pieces of the answers I was seeking. 

There is more to be done, yet it can all be down from a place of rest...a place of stillness. So I navigate today slowly. I give myself the space to allow processing. I give myself some grace even as I witness repeat mistakes. 

I'm grateful for a day to slow down. I'm grateful for a day to rest. I'm grateful for the questions that circle my mind but I'm also grateful to let them process in their own time. I'm grateful for the clarity that comes in my dreams. I'm grateful for each bit of sleep I get. I'm grateful to keep the negative thoughts in check as best I can and remember grace is for me too. I'm grateful for a positive, fun day with my girls, moving at a slower pace. I'm grateful to just sit and play.

What do you do with the stillness? What path are you choosing? What answers are you seeking?

May today be a step toward clarity. May truth always bring healing and growth. And may there be grace for ourselves and others every step of the way. Have a beautiful day!

This weekend was full of loved ones' birthdays. There were cousins that celebrated birthdays in their corners of the pandemic world. My grandpa had a forever birthday up in heaven.

The most fun for me personally was watching my big brother turn forty. I have always looked up to him in some ways and rivaled against him in other ways. This year, with everything going on, I got to really sit and cherish all the great traits he holds and the lessons he has taught me.

Age is truly just a number. It says little in comparison to how you act. My brother seems to find a way to work hard and play hard with a pretty good balance. He takes care of himself by working out and eating right. (I mean he is a personal trainer with his own gym, but he really does walk the walk.) He meets goals, makes time for date nights, and still has time to spend with his nieces. 

In the past I have wondered if I hold people up on too much of a pedestal. My memories of my Grandpa are mostly held in his wisdom and ability to be goofy. I adored him and I miss him a lot. I know he was human and made mistakes. He spoke to me about some of them during our lone evening chats together after my grandma passed. But he had a good heart and did his best. 

As I think about my brother I realize they have a lot in common. Their knowledge base is very different but temperament and charisma are alike in many ways. So it only makes sense that I would adore my brother too. Yes, he is human. He has made mistakes and as a big brother has annoyed or disappointed me plenty of times. But I couldn't have asked for a better brother to prepare me for life as an adult. 

I'm grateful to celebrate the amazing people in my life as they celebrate another year of their lives. I'm grateful to spend time to remember and reflect on my grandpa. I'm grateful to have ways to reach out to those celebrating their birthdays at a distance here on earth. I'm grateful for an awesome big brother. I'm grateful to know we are given the people in our lives for a reason. I'm grateful to adore and look up to while maintaining the piece of me that knows my loved ones are human too. I'm grateful for a day to celebrate my brother.

How do you celebrate birthdays? Who do you look up to and how do maintain the balance? 

May today remind us to celebrate with the ones we love while we can. May we focus on the positive while keeping the pedestal human. Have a beautiful day!

It is no secret that I love books. My daughters love books too which makes it an easily accessible way to learn. As we wrap up week three of home school I notice we rely pretty heavily on books and crafts. Moving forward I am scheduling more time for games and science. But when it comes to Math, I prefer going by the book.

No, I don't mean reading about math. I mean there are some cute books that incorporate counting and bigger numbers which are fun. I prefer to use them in a more practical way... the book box. 

Do you have a neighborhood book box? I will admit that ours is a bit lacking in kid material right now. But it provides a fun way to practice some math and gets us out for a nice walk in the process. 

Today we found three books we were willing to part with so loaded them up and headed out. We got to count the books in the book box. Today there were twenty-one, not bad. Only four of those were kid books though and only two books were deemed interesting by my girls. We got to talk about if we had three but only gave two, how many would be left. We talked about how many would be in the box if we were generous and gave three and only took two. 

I will admit it is a bit more educational the days we find a handful of books to give because there is more ways we can divide it up. But it is a practical application all the same. 

On the way back we got to count a few more things along the nature trail and talk about more and less. It is nice to find ways in everything we do to use our math. But my favorite way is with books. 

The library has also been providing a good way for my daughter to count higher numbers. How many books did we check out today? 26? Does that match the number on the receipt? (Of course it does because these days book check out is through a drive-thru window, but good practice all the same.)

I'm grateful for books. I'm grateful my girls love books as much as I do. I'm grateful for all the ways we can apply math to our everyday world, especially with things we love. I'm so grateful for a wonderful library system. I'm grateful our neighborhood put in a book box. I'm grateful for a nature trail that leads to the book box to give us an added get-away feeling. I'm grateful to have learned a lot in the last three weeks and to be flexible in our learning style and techniques. I'm grateful for my daughter's input so I can make school as loved for her as it was for me.

How does math show up in your day? What is your favorite way to learn now? If you could study or learn about anything, what would you choose first?

May today spark our love of learning. May we see ways to incorporate learning into every day no matter our age. Have a beautiful day!

One of the best skills we have worked on with my preschooler during Covid is how to ride her bike. It is a balance bike that she has had since she was two and a half.

She used to toddle around with it inside the house but once her sister was born and she was beginning to ride faster, it moved outside. The struggle with that is our driveway is not exactly bike friendly. There is a small flat area at the top surrounded by garage, 5 foot rock ledge (followed by garden and then another one), and the steep decent to the street. 

Our neighborhood is not bike friendly for young learners either with steep hills in all directions. In fact, until camping this summer, she had only been on her bike maybe five times since it had been moved outside. At the campground she enjoyed riding and getting more comfortable on it. 

Today we did something rare and wonderful for us, we went on a playdate. We were definitely in need of some social time and a bike ride with friends seemed the perfect way to do that safely. 

While I didn't get to participate in the actual bike riding, as I was pushing a stroller with the baby, I enjoyed watching her and her little friends cruise at their different levels of comfort on their bikes. They were so happy to see each other and ride together.

We saw a group of young women out riding together on our way back. I asked my daughter if she thought that when her and her friends were that age they might still enjoy riding their bikes together. "Definitely!" 

I look forward to the day when we can have playdates of any variety. In the meantime I'm happy to have found a fun, active way to hang out with friends while still being safe.

I'm grateful to get out for some fresh air and exercise. I'm grateful to see our friends. I'm grateful to watch my daughter fall into sync with her playmates even with so much time between visits. I'm grateful for lovely parks and trail system throughout our area. I'm grateful for the understanding and care taken by friends to meet each of us at our own comfort levels. I'm grateful for kind friends for my daughter. I'm grateful for great moms to have as my own friends. I'm grateful for the beautiful day and the ability to build our physical and emotional health.

What are your favorite socially-distanced activities right now? How do you keep your physical and mental health?

May today be the fresh breath we all needed. May we keep focused on the light at the end of the tunnel and until then be safe and happy. Have a beautiful day!

What a great week! Yesterday was World Gratitude Day and today it is officially Autumn! I know 2020 has done a number on us all this year but at least we still have pumpkin spice.

I am loving the cooler mornings and the change in the scents in the air. I am excited to start seeing more oranges, yellows, and reds as the trees begin their Autumnal changes. I'm grateful to have planned a lot more outdoor activities for me and my girls so we can relish these moments before Winter.

While we didn't get to get out much today to celebrate we do have a trip to the park planned for tomorrow. I'm excited to get to see other humans as we go on a socially-distanced group bike ride. 

I'm grateful for this time of year. I'm grateful to look back at Summer and see the beauty it held even within some challenges. I'm grateful to be gaining confidence as we move through this school year at home. I'm grateful for the color orange that always makes me feel energized and happy. I'm grateful for the trees that are abundant in this area and how they will soon begin to change colors. I'm grateful for all the beauty this time of year. I'm grateful to watch the different migrations as the weather changes. I'm grateful for the season of pumpkin spice!

What are you grateful for today? How will you celebrate the change in seasons? What is your favorite thing about Autumn?

May today be a breath of fresh air. May we connect with the cycles of nature and find beauty all around us. May we welcome change with grace and awe. Have a beautiful day!

Welcome to one of the best days of the year! Today is World Gratitude Day! Today is the joy of Thanksgiving without the pressure of making a huge meal. (At least for those who do cook big meals for Thanksgiving, but feel free to buy a pie anyway) 

Today is a beautiful day to remember to be grateful for all the beautiful blessings life gives us each day.

I'm grateful for this day! I'm grateful for the cooler temperatures we have been having. I'm grateful for my girls' eye to the sky that allows me to see cool things I may have otherwise missed. I'm grateful to stop our school lessons to just watch in awe as about three dozen Common Grackles (I am no bird expert so this is my best guess) swarmed our backyard. I don't recall having seen them in our yard ever before. I'm grateful for this opportunity. 

About an hour after that excitement the baby looked out the window and started saying, "ooh ooh, ahh ahh" and pointing. I will admit part of me was like is there really a monkey?! I mean it is 2020 after all, anything is possible. I'm grateful to say it was just a squirrel jumping back and forth on the branches. I'm grateful for the laugh I got from my own thinking and from her cute mistake. I'm grateful to just sit and spend time watching out the window with my girls as different animals parade passed. 

I'm grateful for a little quiet time this afternoon. I'm grateful for the chance to decompress after a weekend of very little sleep. I'm grateful to have caught up on a little last night and hopeful for more tonight. I'm grateful to find a new fun breathing technique for my daughter (and myself) to use when we are frustrated. I'm grateful to just take today in stride and find how much smoother it goes when I do this.

I'm grateful for a day to share gratitude with the world. ...oh wait... Haha, I'm grateful to do my best to share gratitude most days with the world but I'm grateful for a worldwide day to recognize this practice. I'm grateful it is an understated day, not a big production because that seems fitting for gratitude. It isn't about the big stuff, it is about finding it in the every day, ordinary stuff. I'm grateful to see so much in my life to be grateful for each day.

What are you grateful for today? How can you share your gratitude with the ones you love today? How can you sprinkle a little gratitude out for the world?

May today spread gratitude far and wide. May it encompass the world and bring beautiful joys to all. Have a beautiful day!

When I drug myself out of bed this morning to the screams of my little one I honestly didn't know how I would make it through the day. I walked in her room well before the sun came up hoping that she would cuddle back to sleep on me in the rocking chair. There was no such luck. She was ready to greet the day.

It was no secret when the rest of the family finally made it upstairs that I was struggling. I didn't try to hide it, not that I could have anyway. I could barely hold my eyes open and the yawns were steady. My husband brought me some tea to try to take the edge off. 

So what gave me the energy bump I needed to push through the day? I don't think it was the caffeine. There was no nap. But I did have an afternoon hosting family lunch.

There is just something about being around family, listening to the stories and sharing laughter, that gives that little pick-me-up. It boosts my energy and my spirits. And this week I was blessed enough to have my mother-in-law in town as well which made it extra fun. The conversations get more animated and old stories get shared. It was just what I needed. 

As the luncheon wound down and everyone left there was a Chiefs game to carry me through the afternoon. They played a stressful game so that helped keep my focus even if it zapped some of my energy reserves. In the end they pulled through with a win. 

Even as I count the minutes until bedtime, I'm grateful for this day. I'm grateful for the positive moments with my preschooler who has really struggled lately. I'm grateful for the kind gift from my brother. I'm grateful for a delicious lunch grilled by my husband. I'm grateful for all the prep work my mother-in-law helped me with beforehand. I'm grateful for two very tired kids who crashed quickly and with little fight. I'm grateful it will be my turn soon.

What gives you that extra boost of energy on a tired day? How much sleep is enough for you? How often do you get enough sleep?

May we take the time to rest and get adequate sleep. May we surround ourselves with the people who boost us up. Have a beautiful day!

If we could do just one thing right in life, what would that be? Over the years my answer would have ranged from loving deeply to forgiveness to making some kind of positive impact in the world. But what if the answer is way more basic than that?

I was listening to a podcast the other night and it was talking about the importance of breathing right. In some countries this is one of the first things children learn in school. Monks learn to master the art of breathing. And to top it off the "belly breath" I had been taught turns out to not be the best way to achieve deep, effective breathing. (Apparently weak abdominal muscles can mean the lungs simply expand into the abdominal cavity instead of the intended purpose of expanding the lungs in all directions.) 

When I stop and think about it, breathing right is huge! When I feel anxiety, what is first to change? My breathing. When I am angry, what technique to I most often choose to try to get back to balance? That;s right, deep breathing. And what is one huge piece of the very core of living...BREATHING! 

Apparently a better visualization for effective breathing is picturing an upside-down umbrella opening. You can even put your hands lightly on the bottom of your ribs to see if they are expanding in all directions. (It is best if the ribs even expand in the back, is what I read.)

I've always been a pretty shallow breather and tried various ways to consciously expand my breathing. I like counting and trying to push myself to take in just a tiny bit more air. I like holding it and feeling the way it stretched at those intercostals (the small muscles between the ribs). Now I have a fun new visual as I practice breathing like an umbrella.

Perhaps more than ever, effective breathing is so important. Between wearing masks at work and subconsciously restricting my intake around others; I need to be practicing good, deep breathing and lung strengthening when I am home and outdoors. 

It also reminds me how important it is to teach my children as they grow to take deep breaths and use breathing techniques for health as well as calm.

I'm grateful for the good pull I feel in my intercostals. I'm grateful for the way deep breathing also reminds me to adjust my posture. I'm grateful to have stumbled upon the podcast about the importance of breathing. I'm grateful to learn that this is an actual study that is taught and the reminder to teach myself and my children. I'm grateful for a new visualization that resonates better with me. I'm grateful to have a new project for myself.

When was the last time you just sat and focused on your breathing? What technique works best for you to encourage that deeper breath?

May today give us the space for deep breathing. May we choose to take care of ourselves. Have a beautiful day!