I just love the sound of laughter. I mean, I don't know anyone who would say they didn't. When that laughter is coming from my girls while they play with each other it is a whole different level of joy for me. My "cup" fills right up!

This morning we got to take things slow. We did our own form of story time that I have done with my oldest since she was a baby. We sang songs and read books. I encouraged my oldest to "teach" her little sister some songs she loves. Head and Shoulders was a must, with the second verse I made up when my oldest was a baby. 

It was a fun day! It wasn't movie "perfect". There were moments of not listening or baby wailing because sister wasn't being kind. But it was OUR perfect, that messy, sometimes annoying, whoops what time is it kind of perfect where we just get to have a regular day together.

I'm grateful for another day to get ready slow. I'm grateful, so grateful, for a day to play with my girls and be present. I'm grateful for a day to be silly. I'm grateful to listen to the giggles as they played together. I'm grateful for my cup overflowing at such a beautiful sound. I'm grateful to give my oldest some one on one time today while the baby took a nap. I'm grateful to stay connected to her even as we navigate a challenging stage of testing boundaries and expressing (loudly) her independence. I'm grateful to even get a few moments alone with the baby to just watch her sweet face and see her smile.

What fills your cup? What sound makes you joyful? 

May today be filled with joyful sounds. May the day be blessed with moments that fill your cup. May we all be present in the moment to witness these blessings. Have a beautiful day!

This weekend was a weekend full of dreams. No, I did not get caught up on sleep...in fact I got very little sleep. This weekend was about dreaming about the future and about seeing a couple dreams come to fruition. 

Saturday my husband and I, with baby in tow, drove a couple hours from home to go to an Overland Expo. While they didn't have quite as many tiny, rugged campers as I hoped they did have some impressive ones. They also had tons of really cool rooftop tent setups and other gear to make overlanding that much more awesome. 

Walking through the expo my husband and I were both floating on possibilities. What would work for us now, what would work in the future, and just what was cool even though it didn't meet either of those criteria. It was awesome! And it was awesome to be surrounded by people with similar dreams and hear their stories.

We took a detour on the way home to look at some campers. They didn't have the one we've been dreaming about but they had some pretty cool setups. It was fun to create stories like "oh yeah this one would be great when the girls are older and each bring a friend for the adventure." It got us talking about which features were nice and which ones we actually wanted. That led us down the dream highway on where we want to go and what our overlanding gear would need to accommodate the off the beaten road adventures. 

We made it back in town last night in time to get our older daughter from her grandparents. Then today before and after family lunch it was like moving day. My dad brought the built in bookshelves we had been working on at his shop to start the installation on either side of the fireplace. This has been a dream I drew up over three years ago but it kept getting put off with other projects. It will still take a couple more days to work on installing them but to see them in place with temporary anchors is so exciting!

We also got a deep freezer and my brother helped us move it downstairs to the basement. I look forward to filling it with bulk meats from the farm as well as homemade, pre-made casseroles and dishes to help the week go more smoothly. Right now my husband is taxed with cooking in the evening while watching both girls while I'm at work, after already working a long day himself. It will be so nice to relieve some of that burden while getting to cook for my family!

I'm so grateful to see my dreams of the bookshelves coming to fruition. I'm grateful to have gotten to help paint them and to know my husband and dad got to bond over building them. I'm grateful to see how much more storage space it will give us. I'm grateful to have a freezer to help us prepare and make evenings a little easier. I'm so grateful for our quick get-away. I'm grateful for an overland expo to bring all kinds of fun gear to one place for us to see. I'm grateful the baby did so great on the trip. I'm grateful for the commitment to get outdoors and raise our girls to explore. I'm grateful to share the same dreams and values as my husband. I'm grateful for a long car ride full of dreaming together. 

What are your dreams? What do you love to do? What dreams are you currently working to bring to fruition?

May today give us the energy to actively pursue our dreams. May we dream as big as our hearts allow. Have a beautiful day!

As Valentine's Day approaches I find it interesting to ask people if they have any "special" plans. Many people respond that they are going out for dinner with someone significant to them. One mom told me she cooks a ice dinner for her and her children. One dad told me with several young children they don't make plans but simply hopes to have a beer at some point of the weekend. 

Special is in the eye of the beholder. Leftovers for dinner can be made into a "special" meal by placing a candle on the table. A fast food restaurant may be a special treat to someone who doesn't eat out much or to a child in particular. Special plans most often are more about who we spend them with that what is really done, at least in my experience.

I have done several "special" activities with my older daughter as the holiday approaches. I hid little white (her favorite color) hearts around the house for her to "hunt". Then once she found them all I surprised her that there was a hidden message on each one that we had to decode. We made valentines for people we care about and a countdown paper chain to lead us up to the special day. 

Yet when I asked her what special things we have done lately she tells me about me reading an extra book at her nap time or when I taught her the basics of how to play dominoes. She told me I gave her a special lunch which was in my eyes "just" broccoli cheddar soup leftovers. It doesn't take a whole lot to be special to her as long as someone she loves is taking that time with her. 

I feel this to my core. My love language is quality time and so I often seek activities over material things for special moments too. But listening to different people's perspectives reminds me to keep my "child" eyes, or maybe child heart is a more accurate description.

I'm grateful to have such wonderful people in my life. I'm grateful to cherish every moment I get to spend with them. I'm grateful for all the special moments in my life every day. And I'm grateful for a holiday of love to co-create more special moments. I'm grateful for fun little crafts and equally grateful to see that my daughter is just as happy to read a book with me. I'm grateful to get to talk to so many people and see all the different ideas out there on what a special day means.

What makes something special to you? How will you spend a special day? Who will you choose to share it?

May today be special in a dozen ways. May we recognize all the moments and all the people that make our lives special. Have a beautiful day!

The best kind of flow is one that I'm swept into without effort. When I struggle to get in the flow it never feels as smooth and satisfying as when it happens spontaneously. 

Today was the usual hectic Monday. We cruised through the morning on schedule and enjoying the usual events. But when we returned home was when I felt really in the flow.

We shared some laughter at lunch over my little one's first try of carrot baby food. We shared some laughter over my preschooler's thought processes and dialog. 

The best part was once we finished lunch and I got the girls upstairs for their post swim lessons bath time. Silliness continued as it always seems to with a preschooler but the best part was watching my girls interact. The baby is just getting to the age to engage with her big sister and her big sister was eating it up. 

I stayed with them in that moment passed nap time because it was just so beautiful to watch. The mutual adoration filled my heart. Watching the older pour water into the younger's cup then helping her to pour it back in her own cup had them both delighted. Beautiful simplicity. There was no way I was rushing this beautiful moment with my mind's schedule.

I'm so grateful to just sit back and let the best kind of flow surround us. I'm grateful to get to witness the bonding and love. I'm grateful to get to see the adoration on the baby's face as she took in every move her big sister made. I'm grateful to see the gentleness of my preschooler as she helped her little sister learn. I'm grateful to be filled with joy and gratitude at this beautiful moment. I'm grateful to focus on what's important.

When do you find yourself in the best kind of flow? What beautiful moments have you cherished lately?

May we let go of the schedule and be in the moments that mean the most. May we find joy and love in our daily interactions. Have a beautiful day!

The sound of a good friend's voice has me bursting with gratitude today. One thing they don't really tell you when you are planning to become a parent is all the friends that will fade away as the season of your life changes. 

I hadn't heard from this friend but twice in the last year or two. She was always someone I looked up too and reached out to for advice. But on top of that she is just a beautiful person to know and you can tell it by the sound of her voice.

There is something very soothing about the right voice, isn't there? My husband and I "met" online through a dating website. We chatted online back and forth for months before I finally gave him my number. The funny thing was when he called, his voice sounded familiar even though I had never heard it before. 

Some voices just sound like home. You can tell by the tones that they are full of love. I'm not saying these people never yell or get crabby, but at the core of the voice I can feel the love.

I'm grateful for people like this in my life. I'm grateful as a mom to inherently have a voice like that for my girls, that can soothe them. I'm grateful to have given my number to the man that turned out to be my soulmate. I'm grateful for the beautiful sound of a friend's voice. I'm grateful to know she is well. I'm grateful for the sweet sound of a voice that can convey so much love. I'm grateful consciously infuse love into my voice when I speak as well.

How do you respond to different tones? What tones do you use most often? Whose voice soothes you?

May we cherish the friends whom we carry in our hearts. May we always speak with love and receive the same blessing. Have a beautiful day!

Mother Nature seemed to recognize we needed a little reprieve from Winter here in the heartland. The last three days have been gorgeous with sunshine and warmer temperatures.

My husband took the day off work today to see the girls do their swim lessons and to enjoy a day of rest after his birthday celebration. 

It was a beautiful day! We went to the playground after swim lessons and got to enjoy some fresh air. Playing and getting some much needed energy out was important. Soaking up the sunshine felt great. It was fun seeing everyone walking around in their Chiefs gear. 

I'm grateful for a low key day to follow up the late night of celebration. I'm grateful to get some sunshine. I'm grateful to watch my girls get to play with their dad at the playground. I'm grateful he got to see their swim lessons. I'm grateful for a nice lunch of delicious leftovers. I'm grateful to get to rest a little bit before work. And I'm grateful for a day with family before the week's hectic schedule kicks off. 

What simple pleasures did you find today? What inspires your gratitude?

May today be the rejuvenation we needed before the next wave of cold and snow. May we find comfort in knowing Spring is just around the corner. Have a beautiful day!

Children are such a great way to get a better look at ourselves. Not only do they provide a physical reflection but also chances to hear our own words coming back at us. They model themselves after us and we get to take a very real, very raw look at our own habits, words, and interactions through this imitation.

Sometimes this reflection is hard to witness, like when an irritated tone snaps back words I know I have said. Other times this reflection gives us a glimpse of what we're doing right, like my three year old saying "oh, excuse me." at the store when she realizes she's in the way of a shopper. There are moments of denial when I say "nah, she must get that from her dad." And then there are moments like this afternoon when all I can do is laugh because this beautiful mess is so much her mama. 

In the middle of dancing this afternoon my daughter realized she had to go potty. She was running in to the bathroom but turned back to tell me something and ran right into the doorway. Whimpering she came walking back because she needed a hug only to stop two feet from me because she saw a piece of glitter! I could only laugh at what a perfect mini mirror she is of myself and laughed harder at her sweet confusion as she asked why I was laughing. How many times have I asked that? Oh how I love this child!

Children give us the mirror for the ability to choose what we want to change and what we want to love and accept as is. I want to teach her to have good self-care, self-esteem, and self-control but I do this by modeling not by talking about it. So these have become my own priority as well.

Children provide a glimpse of our own imperfect perfection so we can embrace being ourselves. We can laugh at ourselves when we do something silly and we can bask in our own weirdness. 

I'm grateful for this beautiful mirror. I'm grateful how accurate a reflection she is for me. I'm grateful to see where I need to take more time to model virtues. I'm grateful to laugh at my own follies. I'm grateful to have a tough child to balance the doorway crashes and stubbed toes. I'm grateful to love this child so much and to learn how to give this same love to myself. I'm grateful to do my best and give myself space to change as well.

What does your mirror show? Who provides the best glimpse of you? How do you embrace this gift?

​May we see the beauty in our own reflection. May we change the world by changing ourselves. Have a beautiful day!

I recently got a new rug for under our table in the kitchen. Yesterday I finally got around to cleaning the floor and putting the new rug down. I love how much better it compliments the curtains than the old rug and as a bonus it now matches the rug by the sink and one by the back door. 

I didn't think too much about it as we ate lunch yesterday and then we were gone at dinnertime. This morning at breakfast my daughter asked for cereal with milk, which I give to her in a cup so she can pour it in her bowl herself.

As she went to pour the milk her aim was a little off and a little splashed out onto her chair. A few drips made it down to the rug so after handing her a towel to clean up the chair I dabbed at the couple drips on the rug. In my mind I was thinking, "wow, glad it was just a few drips since the rug hasn't even been down twenty-four hours." 

Just then a bowlful of milk and cereal came pouring down onto my head, my clothes, and yes, the rug. Apparently as my daughter was turned to wipe the chair she hit the bowl with her elbow. I couldn't help but recognize the humor in how the universe had responded to my thought. I mean it was only a matter of time, especially with two young children. 

A rug is just a rug. While I would love to keep things clean, it isn't worth crying over spilt milk. Besides, I would much rather have a lived in and loved in home that an immaculate one. My daughter seems to feel the same as we cleaned jasmine rice off it after dinner.

I'm grateful for the lessons my daughter continues to teach me. I'm grateful to know my child is much much more important than a clean rug, even as I work to instill some cleanliness practices in her. I'm grateful to have the rug christened on the first day so there is no built up suspense as to what will happen tomorrow. I'm grateful to let it go. I'm grateful for my new rugs and to make these little touches and changes to our home. I'm grateful for the "never a dull moment" that life brings with kids.

What stories do you have about kid christening moments? What thoughts is the universe helping you explore? 

May today be created consciously with love ,laughter, and maybe a few shrugs. May we let go of the small stuff and focus on what's truly important. Have a beautiful day!

Often when I think of mindfulness, I think of meditation. But mindfulness does not have to be confined to times of meditation. In fact, mindfulness is most helpful when sprinkled in throughout our day or even embedded in every part of our day.

Today I was blessed with several reminders for mindfulness. One happened this morning while I was sweeping. Sweeping?! You ask. Yes, I was sweeping with a good old fashioned broom because my baby fell asleep before I had a chance to vacuum the kitchen.

As I chased dog hair tumbleweeds around the floor with broom and dust pan it occurred to me how very "in the moment" I was. Sweep. Watch hair drift in the wind of the movement. Sweep. Watch hair drift. While there was definitely some sleep deprivation playing a role, it was also very peaceful and cathartic to be so mindful of such a simple task.

Then later as I worked out on my rowing machine I felt it again. Normally I would be listening to a podcast or letting my mind run away building the to do list for the evening. Instead I found myself, eyes closed, just rowing. Forward, tense, pull and back. I could feel the different muscle groups taking their turns in the rhythmic movement. 

I'm grateful for these moments of being present. I'm grateful for the way sleep deprivation can provide a deeper mindfulness. I'm grateful to still own a broom for moments like this. I'm grateful to find rejuvenation both for my body and mind in rowing. I'm grateful to recognize how beautiful this mindfulness felt and to try to incorporate it into more of my day. I'm grateful for gifts that come in strange and beautiful ways.

What brings you into the present moment? What times of day do you feel most mindful? 

May today allow us to slow down and be in the moment. May we engage in this mindfulness as often as possible. Have a beautiful day!

Every day of the year is some weird "holiday" or "National Day" of some sort. Today was National Bubble Wrap Day and to my disappointment I was not prepared. But at my house any day that bubble wrap arrives is worthy of a mini party so I can handle the delay. 

Tomorrow is National Plan a Vacation Day. This seems particularly fitting to me since it is supposed to snow tomorrow. What better time to dream of a getaway? 

Whether here at home celebrating with something minor or planning a big getaway there are plenty of ways to enjoy my time. Even just coming home tonight to my daughter asking me to dance with her and hearing her giggle as I twirled her around the kitchen was a beautiful celebration in itself.

I enjoy reading each day what someone decided to make a "holiday". It could be that I resonate with it because I like trying to find things in each day to celebrate too.

I'm grateful to have a dance partner with equal skills to my left feet. I'm grateful to hear the sweet sound of giggles. I'm grateful to watch in adoration as my husband dances gently with the baby too. I'm grateful for these beautiful little moments to cherish. I'm grateful for a special day each day and to try to find something to celebrate whether it corresponds to the "National Calendar" or not. I'm grateful for this crazy beautiful life.

What little things do you celebrate each day? Who shares your quirks and hobbies?

May today be a day of celebration. May we cherish the little things that make the best memories. Have a beautiful day!