My little one is more reserved, especially around new people. I am the same way so I can empathize. Yet I find myself struggling to know if she is having fun when I take her to do something special. 

This week her sister was in camp. I took her to the playground and she played with me for thirty minutes, smiling but reserved. Then she wanted to go. The next day I took her to a splash park where she made it less than ten minutes and didn't want to get wet before asking to leave. 

Today I decided to change direction and take her to the library. We collected a bunch of books and played with the kid stuff for nearly an hour. Towards the end she was acting a little silly and wild so I decided to redirect us to a nearby playground where she could get some energy out. But as soon as we got there she got reserved again even though there was hardly anyone there. 

Much to my surprise there was a splash pad at this park. I had not prepared for that at all and had no change of clothes or swim suits. Given our experience the other day, I wasn't too worried about it. I figured we could get our toes wet to beat the heat and most likely she would rather swing or just ask to go. 

She kept reaching her toes out toward the sprayer but not getting close enough to actually get them wet. I was reaching out with mine to show her how it sprayed them and pretending it was tickling me. She asked me to hold her so I held her up above a short sprayer and swooped her feet through it. 

Her little shriek and giggle made my heart swell as her little voice called out "again! again!" It was that connection in play I had been seeking all week. From then on she was all in and I was not about to lose that moment. Thirty minutes later it was time to go and we were both soaked from head to toe and laughing together. If I could bottle a sound, it would be my girls' unrestrained laughter. 

I'm grateful for these beautiful moments of giggles and glee. I'm grateful for the quiet, reserved moments too. I'm grateful to have such great kids that I love with every ounce of my being. I'm grateful for a surprise splash pad. I'm grateful for an empty park on a hot day. I'm grateful to have some time with my little one, just the two of us. I'm grateful to not hold back and just run and laugh and play. I'm grateful my oldest did so well at camp all week and enjoyed her social time too.

When do you just let go and be silly? Do you like someone to let loose with you or prefer to be silly alone?

May we remember to make time to play. May we cherish these moments of finding giggles and glee. Have a beautiful day!

Today is a good reminder to not focus on where I am but what I am moving toward. It doesn't matter if I "fall short" one day or even stumble backwards a little. While it is important to be in the moment and be aware of lessons offered by the stumbles and challenges along the way, most important is that we get up and keep trying.

Today I am getting back up. I am trying again. I am reframing and consciously putting one foot in front of the other to get back on track. It was a minor stumble and my eyes are still focused on my goals.

I'm grateful for minor stumbles that help me evaluate and continue forward consciously. I'm grateful for some pressure, even though uncomfortable, that helps me really hone my priorities. I'm grateful to focus forward not backward. I'm grateful to look up and see a hot air balloon and be reminded there are many ways to reach our destination. I'm grateful for my goals. I'm grateful for my family. I'm grateful to keep cruising along being me.

What are you moving toward? How will you choose to get there? 

​May today remind us to be true to ourselves. May we always get back up and try again. Have a beautiful day!

Today I got some rare time with only my youngest child. Come Autumn this will be a regular occurrence; but this past year and a half it has been so rare. 

While her older sister was at camp we went to the playground, took a walk, saw and owl, and even went to the store to cool off a bit. It was funny because I can remember doing these things with her big sister all the time. Yet between Covid and homeschooling her sister this past year; we have not had these same experiences and quiet moments together that I took for granted with her big sister. 

I'm so grateful for this precious time to build our relationship. I'm grateful to hear her soft voice telling me all about what she sees and thinks. I'm grateful to get to truly focus on my little one. I'm grateful for a fun day camp for her sister to enjoy while we have this time together. I'm grateful for so many parks and trails to explore in our area. I'm grateful for picnic lunches. I'm grateful for the resident owl at the nature center. I'm grateful to pause and appreciate the beauty of days like today.

What makes time precious for you? What moments do you cherish most?

May today remind us just how beautiful life is when shared with the ones we love. Have a beautiful day!

As we take small steps venturing out to do some "normal" things, I have to find balance between anxiety and excitement. My husband and I have been very conservative and cautious on what events and activities we do as Covid remains active in areas near us. 

​Friday we had date night at the ball game. It was wonderful to do something that was once so common! It was also the first time I have been around that many people in a very long time. It took some getting used to but it was a fun game.

I'm grateful for a night out. I'm grateful to let myself feel all the emotions that came up being around crowds. I'm grateful to have the option of my mask when I was uncomfortable. I'm grateful it was just my husband, myself, and a couple friends. I'm grateful for the fun treat. I'm grateful for the awesome firework display. I'm grateful to venture out with caution.

How do you balance the pandemic and still having "normal" experiences? What is a "normal" experience for you that you have missed? What are some things you enjoy that you can still do freely?

May we remember balance as we navigate this ever changing pandemic. May we respect each other's comfort levels and move forward together. Have a beautiful day!

I've had this beautiful sense of calm today. It is a nice feeling after months of stress and change. Things finally feel like there is a flow again and my self-care has gotten me back to a place of balance.

This morning we made some kites to fly on the driveway. I watched as my girls raced around trying to keep their kites in the air. They would run as fast and long as they could with the kite floating behind but the second they stopped it fell to the ground. There is little wind today to help their efforts. 

Watching them I couldn't help but think this is what life has felt like lately. There has been a lot of frantic running around and then, crash. Today I feel like there is some "wind" helping me out. I feel like I am just flying along, held up in support, and taking in the sights. 

I'm grateful for this shift in perception. I'm grateful to feel in a groove. I'm grateful to feel calm and well supported. I'm grateful to observe more than talk, and just take it all in today. I'm grateful to play with my girls and listen to their needs. I'm grateful to try a new recipe for lunch today. I'm grateful to have been pleasantly surprised with how it turned out. I'm grateful to know I can continue to ride this breeze and just keep flying along.

What does it feel like to you when you are in the flow or in the groove? What self-care practices help you feel your best? 

May today help us find that place of easy flying. May we enjoy the ride and just take in all the joyful sights. Have a beautiful day!

Some days are great because they are special. There is something special to celebrate or someone is coming for a special visit and it sparks gratitude. Other days are great because they are just ordinary. 

Today is one of those great, ordinary days. I got to wake up, do some stretching, and shower all without drama. I got to spend time with my creative, explorative children. I got to do a little gardening. There was nothing amazing other than it was just a nice, quiet, ordinary day.

I'm grateful for these quiet, ordinary days. I'm grateful to do a little focused playtime with my girls and a lot of kid-led playtime. I'm grateful to spend some time outside. I'm even grateful for the blazing hot sunshine, just to be outside. I'm grateful to let go of the idea of having a vegetable garden this year as squirrels have once again taken my sprouts. I'm grateful to laugh it off and let it go. I'm grateful to BE today. I'm grateful for a quiet moment now to get some work done. 

What are your favorite parts of ordinary days? Is it a slow start or a productive start? Is it time to yourself or spending it with the usual people? What makes your "everyday" special?

May we have plenty of special days. May we cherish the ordinary days just as much. Have a beautiful day!

A couple weeks ago I had a scare with my dog. We thought it may be goodbye but she pulled through and has shown us she still has some time left with us afterall. 

This week we had a scare with my youngest daughter. It was our first trip as parents to the ER. It is one I hope we don't need to repeat but thankfully everything turned out fine and she is getting back to her spunky self back at home. 

Often times health changes so fast. Everything is fine until you find out it is not. These two scares have reminded me just how precious our time together is, even if both turned out to be easily remedied. 

I'm so grateful to have my kids back home and everyone healthy. I'm grateful for my own health. I'm grateful for parents that will drop everything to come help in an emergency. I'm grateful for more time with my dog and the medicine that is helping her. I'm grateful for my little one being a trooper through our visit to the ER and all the medicine and nose swab over the last few days. I'm grateful she is feeling better and chatting away in her sweet little voice again. I'm grateful for my older daughter who has been resilient in all the craziness lately. I'm grateful for some extra time with her for hugs and reassurance. 

What is on your bucket list? Who do you want to spend your precious time with this week? 

Most likely we have time. Most likely we will see our loved ones many more times. Making what (and who) is important our top priorities is a great way to make sure when our time comes we have no regrets. 

May every child in this world know safe and unconditional love. May we take the time to reach out as often as possible to those we love, no matter the distance. Have a beautiful day!

This is a very old picture, but what better picture to talk about best friends than my dogs that were the best of friends? Dogs have a great way of showing unconditional love. If we are lucky, we get to find some of that in our relationships in the human world as well.

Some friends come into our lives for a purpose and when that purpose has passed they go their separate ways. Friendships can be kind of fluid like this. Then there are best friends. If you are lucky enough to have a true best friend, they ride out the changes with you. You might drift apart for short periods of time but the second you reconnect it is as if no time has passed. 

In Junior High I met a friend that was in almost every way my polar opposite. It was actually what drew me to her as I was nervous and shy and she seemed full of confidence and personality.

Over the years we have both grown and changed. We have been with each other through some tough storms and through some great celebrations. She is my best friend. I can tell her anything. 

So when she came to me several months ago and told me about some job opportunities that would take her far away, I have to admit I was sad. When she asked my opinion about it, I told her I thought the opportunity sounded too good to pass and if it was what she wanted she should go for it. She is such an amazing, strong woman I have no doubt she will do great. 

Now the time has arrived with boxes and a moving truck. I will miss her so much! But I also know we have been great distances before. It is a great excuse for a road trip and a great way to walk my daughters through some valuable life lessons. They are sad to see their "aunt" going. But what a beautiful reunion it will be to see her again. 

I'm grateful for my best friend and all she has taught me. I'm grateful for all the times she was there for me and the opportunities to be there for her. I'm grateful she valued my opinion when I know she is fully capable of making decisions on her own. I'm grateful she is following her dreams. I'm grateful to make a plan for video chats to stay in touch. I'm grateful for a fun new place to visit. I'm grateful for true friendship and the way it can weather the miles apart. 

Who is your best friend? How often do you connect with them? Do they know how much you appreciate them?

May today remind us to hug the people we love. May we appreciate the friendships that came for a season and may we cherish the ones that last a lifetime. Have a beautiful day!

Each day is made for something. Some days have a big long story to tell while other days feel more like a quiet breeze. Today, for me, was made for snuggling up and reading. 

Normally I would save that for a cloudy, stormy kind of day. I love cuddling up to read while the rain patters against the window.

Today was sunny and beautiful. It was our typical snuggle day and yet my energy level and my kids' moods told me we needed so extra bonding time today.

After a quick drop-in at the library, we were on our way back home with two dozen books. Even my two-year-old that tends to listen to books while roaming was cuddled in snug against me as we read. 

I'm so grateful for these moments. I'm grateful to listen to my own needs and my kids' needs. I'm grateful to make space and time to just snuggle up. I'm grateful for an amazing local library system that keeps us well stocked with books. I'm grateful for my kids' cuddles. I'm grateful to have them small enough to share my lap for a little while longer. I'm grateful that each day was made for something and today was for feeding our family connection.

What was your day made for today? Do you have ideas on what you want the rest of this week to be made? Try putting out some intentions or simply listening to what your body is telling you. 

May your day align with what you need. May we always take time to cherish what is truly important. Have a beautiful day!

Today was exactly the start to the week I needed. I woke up early and did a short meditation followed by some Qigong. It was that slow start to the day that I cherished before kids and rarely commit to now. 

Once my girls were up and around we planned to go for a walk. Instead we got sidetracked making puppets after breakfast. 

When my older daughter asked if we could go for a walk still, my instinct was to say no because I didn't want to be rushed for getting back for lunch. Instead I took a deep breath and said, "a short one."

I have found myself so wound up in anxiety lately and most of the time over things that are not so important. So, armed with "I'm in A Hurry (And Don't Know Why)" by Alabama playing in my head, I let go of my need to keep glancing at my watch and I just strolled along with my kids. 

I really like their pace. It includes checking on every ant and roly-poly we pass. It includes speeding up to see exciting things like the utility cherry-picker truck parked down the street. And it includes stopping for my almost five-year-old to tell any neighbor that may be out about birthday themes for her birthday next month. It's a very nice pace. I think I'll follow their lead more often. 

I'm grateful to toss my "rushed" attitude aside. I'm grateful to follow their lead from making puppets to taking a stroll. I'm grateful to say yes when I could have said no. I'm grateful to recognize how much we all needed this day to just wander and go with the flow. I'm grateful for kind neighbors that will listen to all the details my daughter gives of her own upcoming party after a weekend of celebrating her sister. I'm grateful to see both their personalities blooming each day. I'm grateful for songs by great artists like Alabama that bring me perspective. I'm grateful to just stroll with two of my favorite people in the world. 

What did you say yes to today? What did you say no to that could have been a yes? What did you do to feed your soul?

​May today be exactly what you needed. May we take time for the simple pleasures each day. Have a beautiful day!