The upswing yesterday took another turn as my eldest spiked a fever, quit eating, and went lethargic for the day. The baby's temperature is starting to creep back up and my husband is now feeling symptoms the girls started five days ago.

I will admit after riding it out with faith the last several days, today had me anxious. It was scary watching my preschooler sink that low and having to make her take every little sip of water or nibble of food. By dinner I told her needed her to eat or I was going to take her to the emergency room. I just couldn't take it anymore and worry was winning. 

Luckily with some help and a typical dose of drama she did eat dinner. A miraculous thing happened; she perked back up and started joking and acting more like herself again. Just a little food, a little patience, a little love, and a little help brought my sweet girl back.

The baby was content with just a little attention, a little singing, and lots of snuggles. I pray that that will be enough tonight and tomorrow to ward off this second round that hit her sister today. 

As for me I will keep dosing up on vitamins, rest, and lots of water. A little goes a long way but self-care takes it farther. 

I'm grateful, so grateful, for my daughter coming around. I'm grateful to see her silliness returning and even some smiles. I'm grateful to indulge her in some of her requests like feeding her each bite and helping her wash her hands. I'm grateful for all the baby snuggles I got today. I'm grateful my sweet baby was doing ok today with even some smiles and lots of chatting. I'm grateful to know we all have strong immune systems. I'm grateful for being home with them today and to get another day home tomorrow. I'm grateful to make sure I am taking care of me so I can be healthy to take care of my family. I'm grateful that a little love, attention, and nourishment can go a long way.

What is your "little" that keeps you going? What gives you an extra boost to make it through the day? How do you choose to take care of yourself?

May today meet our self-care needs. May we accept the "little" stuff and trust it to take us a long way. Have a beautiful day!

I try to use creativity when it comes to meals and snacks. It is fun for my daughter and adds some fun to my day as well. I could give my daughter a plate of cheese, crackers, fruits and veggies and be done...or I could make a face! 

Our fun with food has translated into her telling me what animal she wants to take for snack when it's her turn to provide for her class. We then figure out how to make that animal. We have done everything from butterflies to bears and even things like boats. It is a lot of fun and keeps things playful. 

Today we were attempting bear snacks so yesterday we made bear shaped pancakes with blueberry eyes. Banana chunks completed the noses. They weren't perfect but we sure had fun working together to make them.

Most of the time when we do pancakes we make "cloud" pancakes. That means I pour them in lumpy cloud shapes and then we try to guess what they look like, as you would with passing clouds. Imagination is a great tool.

My day is much the same way. It looks how I make it to look. I could look outside at the grey clouds and feel the drag of my lack of sleep this week. I could make my day "blah". Or I could look at the fun creative things my daughter and I did today. I could focus on my husband's help or the baby's cuddles. I could even focus on getting some time to get a few things done today. I could "create" my day in a beautiful way. It doesn't happen every day, but when I remember to use my creative side I can make my day look pretty great just the way it was.

I'm grateful for a good imagination. I'm grateful my daughter has a great imagination to keep me on my game. I'm grateful to strive to make things fun and playful. I'm grateful for the energy boost it gives me to find fun activities and playful snacks. I'm grateful for a playful day. I'm grateful for how the schedule worked out smoothly today. I'm grateful for my amazing husband that came to my aid. I'm grateful to (maybe) get a good night's sleep!

What are you creating? How do you choose to make your day, your drive, your dinner?

May today add a little fun to the schedule. May we spark our creativity in whatever way brings us joy. Have a beautiful day!

For those of you that missed my posts back around Halloween, my oldest daughter went as Moana and I went as Tafiti (the volcano to which Moana restores the heart). I had posted how fitting it was because my rainbow baby (my oldest) fills my heart with such love. 

Now fast forward to the tough phase we have been going through the last many weeks. It has been challenging but through it all I have done my best to let her know I love her no matter what. 

We stayed home today. It was much needed, both because there was so much I needed to get done and because we all just needed a day without rushing to get ready and running six different places.  

We cooked the snack for my daughter to take to school tomorrow. We made cupcakes for my husband's party. I cleaned and did several loads of laundry. But most important of all was taking time to play with my girls. 

The beauty of staying home is that I have two baby nap times to juggle all that needs done instead of just one. Even with her struggling at the afternoon nap today I still managed. Afternoon nap for baby means one on one time with my oldest. 

As usual we went downstairs so we wouldn't have to be quite as quiet. We played around with a mini obstacle course and got some energy out, we colored, and we did my oldest's new favorite thing, we had a tea party! 

At the end of the night I asked her what her favorite thing was that we did today. She couldn't decide and asked me what my favorite thing was. I loved hearing her laugh as we played tickle fight and our one on one time but I had to be honest. Lying there in her bed with her snuggled up in my arms, feeling connected to her in a positive way, all I could say was, "This." I felt a little choked up. This moment, holding my first baby girl, being snuggled and knowing how fleeting this time is..."this". So much this!

I'm grateful for this. I'm grateful to be honest. I'm grateful to get to hold her and snuggle her and feel connected. I'm grateful for a smooth-er day. I'm grateful for all the time we got to spend together. I'm grateful she is a great helper. I'm grateful to have so much love for her and to get to express it. I'm grateful for a productive day in so many ways. I'm grateful to get some one on one time with the baby too. I'm grateful for her sweet laugh and all the sounds she is making. I'm grateful to get to be home with her to witness all the mini-milestones getting us closer to those big (moving) milestones...and I'm grateful she isn't moving quite yet.

What is your "this"? What fills your heart and makes your day shine?

May our day be filled more with the "this" and less with everything else. May we take time to acknowledge and bask in our "this". Have a beautiful day!

My preschooler has been a little more spice than sugar lately. In fact, my husband and I are about at our wits ends with the nasty attitude and tantrums. I keep telling myself it is a phase but boy I hope we find a way to help it pass a little quicker.

Today was my daughter's Valentine's Party at school. It had been rescheduled due to a snow day and then another day off school. As with most school parties, there was no shortage of sugar.

If only it was that easy to change attitude by just giving a little sugar. It got me thinking; what ways can I add "sugar" to my responses? How can I stay sweet with the steady barrage of cranky being thrown at me? 

Step One: Self-care. Self-care is key to me being in my best frame of mind and not sliding into matching hers.

Step Two: Responding calmly and positively.

Step Three: Visuals. I mean, the kid is three, so visuals are going to go further than a lecture any day.

I had her help me get creative. I asked her what kind of road she wanted and she said zig-zag. I drew a zig-zag road on a piece of paper. I drew a big, happy star at the end. Then I let her decorate it with stickers and colored pencils (which are way more exciting to my three year old than crayons). I didn't tell her what it was.

As she decorated it I got another piece of paper and wrote up a little rhyme about good choices being easy to make and using kind words and safe hands feeling great. I drew some symbols on it like hands with hearts and nice big ears and lips with hearts coming out. When she finished decorating I read her the rhyme and we talked about what choices kind and caring. 

I slid her decorated road into a plastic sleeve. Then I asked her if she could hand me a colored pencil. She did and I put it in the box. I said, "You just make a good choice! I asked for something and you gave it to me gently!" I drew a star in dry erase marker on her road. She was intrigued. 

The next ten minutes we added 3 more stars. One was for finding a piece of trash and throwing it away without being asked. One was for picking nap books without any crabbiness. And one was for remembering to say thank you. 

I don't know how long this will work. Token charts burn out as they lose their lustre, especially for my daughter who is highly intelligent and incredibly strong-willed. But it made for several nice, positive interactions this afternoon and that is a good start. Perhaps breaking the cycle will be enough to bring my happy-go-lucky, sweet kid back. Either way it added a little sugar to my day.

I'm grateful to get creative. I'm grateful to not give up and keep trying ways to get us through this phase in a positive way. I'm grateful to do my best to keep calm and keep up my self-care. I'm grateful to recognize even with self-care I am still tired and make sure to take an extra breath or two. I'm grateful to know this beautiful girl that tests the limits and is persistently reaching for power and independence will go far as an adult. I'm grateful to do my best to nurture her even as she is so very different from my own personality. I'm grateful for a little sugar today and a sweet hug to send me off to work.

What needs a little more sugar in your life? What steps would get you there?

May today open our creative hearts. May we find solutions to sweeten our lives in the best of ways. Have a beautiful day!

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!

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!

My preschooler and I got some much needed one on one time today while her sister napped. First we played a board game that she loves. Then she wanted to play Barbies. 

There is a while different dynamic playing dolls from a mom's perspective. She wanted to be the mom and chose me to be the little one, whom she named Noel since she got the doll for Christmas. 

We sat there in silence for nearly a whole minute as we tried to figure out our roles and how to start the game. Finally I had my doll as hers, "Mommy, can I jump on my bed...just for a little while?" My daughter had the mom doll respond kindly with "no, Sweetie, I'm afraid you would fall and bonk your head really hard." 

I debated for a moment. Should the child doll respond as my daughter would with frustration or would it be better to model a relaxed response? I decided to go with what self-regulation would look like so I had her respond, "Bummer. I wanted to do that. I don't want to bump my head though. ...Can I have a snack instead?" 

As my daughter calmly and kindly shot down everything my kid doll asked I got some good insights. At various times I have said no to all of these things. Yet I could understand when request after request is shot down how it would get annoying and frustrating no matter how calm mom responds and the logic behind it. I shifted gears.

"Mommy, I want to play with you. I need special Mommy time. What can we do?" My child doll was open. I watched as my daughter suggested we play with the "pets" together but then got jealous of which one my doll was holding. Finally she said, "Maybe we could just go for a ride in the car." 

They piled in and the Mommy sat in the back with the child. It didn't matter that no one was driving as the car moved along. 

After our playtime I walked away with two insights. First, I am committed to really paying attention to what all I say no to and at least offering a fun alternative if I cannot say yes. Second, I see more than ever how important even a couple minutes of quality time can be. 

While my daughter's play was not an accurate representation in my eyes, it still provided a good look into her perspective. 

I'm grateful to take time to play with my daughters. I'm grateful to get a glimpse into my oldest daughter's perspective. I'm grateful to have a little fun and let a little orneriness come through as I played the kid. I'm grateful to get to spend so much time with my girls. I'm grateful to make a renewed commitment to being my best version. I'm grateful to put down my phone and other distractions and cherish these precious moments.

When was the last time you tried "playing" the other role in a situation? How often do you try to view the other perspective?

May today remind us to be in the present. May we take time to hear the other side and always take time for those we love. 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!

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!