Life is an adventure. It is hard to predict how some things will turn out. What it usually comes down to can be answered by a single question. Is it worth trying? A lot of things are definitely worth trying because the repercussions of them not working are usually minor and at least you tried. (Obviously use some common sense if it is something that could present a danger to yourself or others.)

Most everything in our day to day is a choice. Most of those choices we make without even realizing it. Will I go to work today? Will I call a friend or just read a book when I get home? What will I eat for dinner? We already know the pros and cons of these little choices we make every day and hopefully our choices create a healthy habit. But sometimes it is good to get out of our comfort zone too.

Last weekend we ate a new (to us) brewery called Norsemen. Looking at the menu, my younger self would have said "nope, too different, let's find something else." Instead, my more adventurous self said, let's try it!" It was delicious!

You never know what you are missing if you don't give it a try. So try that unusual new recipe. Visit somewhere new. Try out a new activity that you have always been interested in but never tried. Write up a business plan and see if you can launch a business. Make the most out of your adventure! After all, you wouldn't fly halfway around the world just to hide in your hotel room, would you? Why spend life that way?

I'm grateful for some delicious new food. I'm grateful to be trying new things and living my adventure. I'm grateful to see my girls trying new things too. I'm grateful for microadventures that have really added to our family time and gotten us out and about. I'm grateful for a husband that is very willing to experiment with new recipes. I'm grateful for a husband that is up for an adventure. I'm grateful to be living this life.

May today remind us to enjoy the time we have on earth. May we always be willing to try new things. Have a beautiful day!

Don't you just love it when you want something and then it manifests. Today has worked out so well for bringing my desires to fruition. It is a wonderful feeling!

I found great outfits for our family pictures next week. I even found them cheaper than I anticipated! It warms my heart to think of the next set of family pictures up on the wall, showing our growth.

Work is going great now that business is actually moving forward. I'm excited to check out a space today even as I know I am moving into another space tomorrow. It is nice to see how many wonderful options there are for us. 

I also received an email for a contract to teach some of my coaching programs again. It has been a few years and I am so excited to get back to this line of work! 

Some days things seem to go sideways. Some days everything seems to finally line up. While I am loving this day of my desires being fulfilled; I'm also so grateful for all the sideways days that it took to get me here.

I'm grateful for all the upheaval that led me to this place and taking control of my life and business. I'm grateful to be manifesting and thriving. I'm grateful for all the wonderful people in my life that have been so supportive. I'm grateful for all the amazing clients that have been so patient. I'm grateful to continue doing the two things I love most and getting paid for it. I'm grateful to be opening a new chapter and all the excitement that brings. 

What do you desire? How do you take action to manifest those dreams? 

May today help us see all the ways the sideways days are blessings. May we bask in the days where things fall into place. Have a beautiful day!

There was a moment yesterday when I found myself thinking "okay, I've got my battle plan." I was crossing stuff off the list and pushing emails through with a clear picture of what I needed done today. But when that thought crossed my mind it gave me pause. Do I need a "battle plan"? 

I will admit the last couple months of frustrations with the city and former employer and all of that has kind of put me in what feels like a war. It isn't a war of physical fighting, just a war to fight to get back to the surface and back to work. What if this thought, this energy is exactly why it is a struggle? 

What if I changed it around the same way I try to model and encourage for my girls? What if this isn't a struggle but an adventure? What if I don't need a battle plan but rather an adventure plan? The energy of that feels so much better to me.

So I move forward today with an adventure plan! It is also freeing other areas I didn't realize I was limiting myself. I feel bolder, braver because I am moving in a positive direction. 

I'm grateful when I am able to identify limiting beliefs. I'm grateful to notice a phrase that isn't sitting well and change it. I'm grateful to find a better phrase. I'm grateful to remind myself that I am an explorer of this life adventure. I'm grateful to keep exploring this trail with sure steps and even excitement. I'm grateful to know the path is worth the effort.

What phrases do you prefer? What imagery is helpful to you and which does not feel helpful? Are there any phrases that may be holding you back?

May today remind us of our power to create our story. May we choose the a path consciously and with excitement. Have a beautiful day!

Today was my chance to get clear on what I want. It was my chance to have my voice heard and my wishes put out into the universe. 

It is interesting to witness the emotions that came up as I sat down to really lay it all out. "Am I being greedy?" "Is that possible?" "Can I ask for that?" But I did. I asked for what I wanted and was proud of myself for only making one small adjustment to my original outline.

Today's exercise was only focused on one small aspect of my life. I want to sit down again later and get clear on what I want for the bigger areas of my life. I want to get clear. I want to make my wishes known. I want to take this first active step toward them.

I'm so grateful for these little exercises. I'm grateful to really start digging in to what I want and what little voices are holding me back. I'm grateful to know that this is a big step for me. I'm grateful to find beauty even in the challenging parts. I'm grateful to celebrate what this will bring and the new beginnings it will create. I'm grateful to feel heard.

What do you want? What areas could you be more clear in declaring your wishes? What things may be holding you back?

Today is a great day to take the next step. May we allow ourselves clarity so that we may voice our wishes and needs to the universe. Have a beautiful day!

My brain has checked out for the evening. It has been on overdrive for a few weeks. The last few days I pushed it even harder trying to make things happen that are outside my control and weigh and reweigh each alternative. 

This weekend I took time to be present with my family as we did a barefoot hike challenge together. I took time with my best friend to catch up and to hear the story I am living spoken out loud. 

This is one small chapter, only one beginning of a new chapter. This chapter is not going to be driven by stress and lack of sleep any longer. I am pushing restart. Tomorrow I will step back into my role as writer. This is my story. 

I'm grateful for the beautiful, intentional moments this weekend. I'm so grateful to have my family and friends by my side. I'm grateful to hear about the wonderful things happening for the people I love. I'm grateful to feel the dirt and rock trail beneath my feet. I'm grateful to share a meal with someone who has been my friend for over twenty years. I'm grateful to reset, regroup, and take control of my next steps.

When was the last time you pushed the reset button? When was the last time you needed to quiet your mind? Who is writing this chapter of your life?

May we take time to reset often. May we write each chapter with intention. Have a beautiful day!

I am all about watching for signs from the Universe. I love feeling that connection and guidance. Yet sometimes I find myself wondering what's the message? 

Sometimes I can clearly see how I have created something with my intention or focus, for better or worse. Other times there is so much information to sift through I have a harder time finding the purpose. Perhaps that static IS what I am creating. Or perhaps I do know what the message is telling me but I am not really wanting to hear it. 

This weekend was full of signs. I could feel several very key moments that struck an emotion or pinged my brain in an "are you getting this" kind of way. Yet as I sit here at the end of the weekend I feel like there was conflicting messages. Am I giving conflicting intention on what I want and where I am going? 

Even as I type this I know the answer is yes, though I would love to say "of course not". The path of least resistance is nice. It is familiar. It is not really easy but it is comfortable. I love being comfortable. But maybe comfortable isn't my best path anymore. What's more, I wonder if it is a poor path for some of the people I love most. Perhaps these signs, these uncomfortable nudges are to prod me into growth. Perhaps they are signs for choosing change. 

It is time to be silent. It is time to ask, not to hear my mind answer, but to hear my heart and soul answer. It is time to ask with the intention of being open to the real message, even if that message is uncomfortable.

I'm grateful for some extra time this week to listen. I'm grateful to take some time to ask and ponder. I'm grateful to see the need to let go of my mind spinning and listen for the deeper message. I'm grateful to be honest with myself on what I am creating versus what I say I want. I'm grateful to recognize the signs, even when I may not be ready to hear the message clearly. I'm grateful to find the courage to hear.

What signs are showing up for you lately? Are they clear to interpret or is there some confusion? How can you seek clarity?

​May we always know we are loved and supported. May we be willing to take the steps necessary to grow into who we are meant to be next. Have a beautiful day!

Today is St. Patrick's Day and while we aren't doing a whole lot this year, we did have some themed crafts to do for a little fun. We also had a leprechaun themed dance party courtesy of youtube. 

My preschooler asked, "are leprechauns real?" 

When we decided to go the Santa route with our oldest we agreed that one she began to question it, we would not lie, but rather tell her the meaning of Santa and why we use that story as a tool. It would be a way to share about giving selflessly and maintain integrity by being honest. Little did we know that our little smarty pants would start questioning things much younger than we had anticipated. While Santa has survived another year, it appears that we are already on the cusp of holding up the integrity side of our promise. 

When my preschooler asked about leprechauns I responded that they were much like fairies and unicorns. She said, "oh, so they ARE real because unicorns are real animals." I found myself torn. I myself love living in the magical world where fairies may exist so do I really want to take away what she finds magical? I said, "if unicorns are real they are very rare and magical creatures." 

She asked if I had seen a unicorn or a leprechaun. I said no to the unicorn but that I had seen a man dressed as a leprechaun when I was in Ireland. I told her I haven't seen a fairy either but it doesn't stop me from putting out fairy garden things. 

I hope she will keep some magic as she ages. It is not easy. I hope she looks to the sky and finds delight in its beauty. I hope she sees the benefit in believing without seeing. I hope she adds her own magic and whimsy to this world. 

I'm grateful to be a mom. I'm grateful for all the ways it has matured me and all the ways it has kept me young. I'm grateful to try to balance magic and integrity as I build the relationship with my daughters. I'm grateful for opportunities to add magic to our lives. I'm grateful to find beauty in this gift. I'm grateful to believe seemingly impossible things can be possible. I'm grateful for delight, for whimsy, for creativity, and for the beauty around me.

What do you believe? What magic do you allow in your life?

May today remind us the beauty of believing. May we play and be whimsical. Have a beautiful day!

Love has made some people do some crazy things. Love makes us stronger and can make us more passionate. There are millions of different forms of love and yet there are not even a dozen ways (in english) to say it. The same "I love you" to my daughters means something a little different than the one said to my husband or to my mom or to my best friend.

I was reading about why we celebrate Valentine's Day and Bishop Valentine marrying people in secret during a time marriage was outlawed. It is a beautiful gift he gave and he and those he helped obviously felt it was worth the risk. 

I think of the challenges some people face even today just to get married to the person they love. It seems odd that any human would stand in the way of another human's right to express love to their partner. Even with the Supreme Court saying marriage is a legal right there are still places refusing to provide these services. 

While I sit, snuggled with my husband and watching out daughters today; I am happy. I am living my dream. But I cannot help but think maybe Valentine's Day could be more. Maybe instead of a holiday that has been commercialized and caters to the chocoholics, maybe it should be a holiday of voices. We could let our voices ring out in gratitude for those who get to live this right and also let our voices rise together demanding this right for all. 

To feel loved is something we all need. We may show it in different ways, need it in different ways, and receive it in different ways; but love is a necessity. It is a basic human right. And marriage is one way we are able to express this love. The same act that Bishop Valentine fought to give people thousands of years ago is still withheld from some. In honor of Valentine's Day, in honor of Valentine's sacrifice, let's remedy this and give everyone the right to marry the love of their life.

I'm grateful to be so blessed to have been allowed to marry (twice). I'm grateful for my amazing husband. I'm grateful to live my dream with my beautiful family. I'm grateful to have assisted others in finding places they could marry when our own state did not allow. I'm grateful my state does recognize the right for same sex marriages. I'm grateful for everyone who is expressing love today. I'm grateful for the love I receive each day and for the abundant love I have to give. 

How do you celebrate Valentine's Day? How can you have your voice heard in making love available to all?

May today remind us that we are all human and all in need of love. May we share love as easily as we breathe and cherish our loved ones each and every day. Have a beautiful day!

This is the morning of my week that requires a little extra oomph. Instead of taking a shower and then getting my girls ready for the day; I wrangle a dog into the shower, then each of my girls and finally do a quick shower myself. It is a process for sure but much faster than giving everyone a separate bath. 

On this particular morning I also had some vacuuming to do because my vacuuming day is Thanksgiving this week. I am grateful for my vacuum and a clean house...but I am not using it on Thanksgiving if I don't have to!

In the midst of everything I am feeling excited and a little nervous as I took on another commitment starting December 1st. I did something for myself that I have always wanted to do. I joined a book club. It is a weekly one that is only for the month of December so it is quite a commitment. 

When I was asked to join my initial reaction was "I absolutely can't take on one more thing!" I mean I'm working and navigating the covid cancelations and surveys and precautions, homeschooling, raising two girls, caring for an ailing dog, treating our house for the fleas she had, trying to maintain the house and spend some few minutes a day with my husband...oh and blogging. Some days it feels like a lot! 

Something stopped me from saying no. Perhaps it was the book that was going to be discussed and how it resonated especially as I process a recent loss. Perhaps it was a need to reconnect with these friends that I have not gotten to physically be with during the pandemic. Perhaps it was just wanting to do something for ME and it being one thing I've been wanting to do for years. No matter what the reason I finally told myself, "I can do this." And if keeping up with everyone else doesn't work, the worst that happens is I read when I can and chat with them later. Either way there is nothing to lose if I am moving forward with grace.

The most important factor in success is in what we tell ourselves. How are we going to frame it? What defines failure anyway? Success is only gained from trying and believing in ourselves is the first step.

I'm grateful to give myself some faith. I'm grateful to believe I can do this. I'm grateful to believe this book has something to offer even as it is different from my usual type of books (or possibly BECAUSE it is different). I'm grateful to say yes when I could have said no. I'm grateful to give myself this opportunity. I'm grateful for my friends inviting me. I'm grateful for a productive morning and a day of leisure and thanks tomorrow. I'm grateful for all my husband's help in cleaning and in helping with the shower shuffle of children. 

What can you reframe today? Where can you give yourself some grace and where can you believe in yourself a little more? What is one thing you have been wanting to do?

May today give us the boost of self-confidence to say yes. May we take the opportunities as they come and know it will work out as it is meant to work out. Have a beautiful day!

We decided to go on a short weekend camping trip. Isn't that the whole beauty of owning a camper? So off we went, just the five of us, on a little getaway just an hour away. 

It was only our second time camping with our little camper so there were still a few kinks to work out. We are figuring out a routine of how things need loaded and what needs brought along. There were a couple hiccups as things got forgotten, but nothing we couldn't make do without. 

I managed to get us ninety percent packed Friday so that when my husband got off work we could head out quickly. We knew we needed to be home before noon Sunday so that we could still meet up for family lunch. It gave us all day Saturday to just enjoy nature and family time.

When we camp we all get less sleep. We are up later but usually wake at the same time, sometimes earlier. We skip the baby's morning nap unless she grabs it as we hike but we do still try to take some time to rest in the afternoon. 

This trip we got to explore and play in a lake. I hadn't thought about it but it was my preschooler's first time in a lake. Having grown up around a lake it hadn't occurred to me the newness of seeing it through my kids' eyes as they experienced it for the first time. There was sand! There were waves! Look at the boats! 

Even making the hike back to the campground solo, carrying two crying kids and our stuff was still a memory worth making. (One kiddo got sand in her eye, the other cut her hand on a rock, and Dad was back at camp already making dinner.) We got to see a whole group of deer eating, take evening walks, and even took a whole family, snuggly nap. 

We got home, unloaded in record time, showered and made it to family lunch just a few minutes behind schedule. There is no question that I am completely exhausted. But it is the best kind of tired I could ask for at the end of a weekend. It is a tired full of memories made, moments shared, and treasures to cherish. 

I'm so grateful for our camper. I'm grateful for this trip. I'm grateful for the beautiful memories we made and will be able to keep making. I'm grateful for my girls' love of nature and getting dirty. I'm grateful the baby can be entertained for hours with just the gravel of the camp pad. I'm grateful for the renewed life our trips have brought out in my sweet dog, who is 14 years old. I'm grateful my preschooler is so inquisitive and wants to learn about everything. I'm grateful for my husband's sense of adventure that equals my own. I'm grateful to just say, "let's do it." whether "it" is a last minute trip or swimming even when I forgot a suit for myself. I'm grateful to seize the moment and live fully.

What is your best tired? What is your favorite way to seize the moment? How are you finding ways to live fully even in these odd times?

May we find plenty of moments to live fully. May we embrace the moment and float on the waves. Have a beautiful day!