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!

I am no stranger to monkey-mind, that chaotic mental chatter that goes on inside. For a few years I had a pretty good handle on it because I meditated several times a day. Then I had kids... 

It's interesting that probably the time meditation is needed most is when you have little ones around, keeping patience as you explain for the fourteenth time today why they cannot use sharpies instead of their washable markers. 

For me, personally, the mental chatter is worse as a mom anyway. I'm sure a good portion of it is lack of adequate sleep. Yet there is a plenty of mom guilt (self-inflicted) with an added layer of mom-shaming from supposedly supportive facebook groups and outsiders. The combination of the two has been known to draw some tears from my tender heart and today was one of those days.

Interestingly thirty minutes after I got mom-shamed I got an email from someone saying what an amazing mom I was, completely out of nowhere. We all make mistakes but we also have our strengths and our successes. It is harder for me to mentally balance and recognize both sides when I am tired so I did my best to reflect on concrete moments. 

This weekend was full of moments of my older daughter asking for special mommy time. She was in need of some extra love and attention. Happily I was able to give it to her most of the times when she asked. This special time included going for a nature walk. As we explored the trail we found some acorns and set a buffet on a log "table" for the nearby squirrels. We watched the creek flowing and we ran along the top of the dam. We also had some yoga time and chose a new focus word for the week, "patience". 

I got several moments of time with my little one too, enjoying her laughter and smiles. 

There were moments I could see where I could have done "better". There were things I could see I needed to shift tactics to get out of a rut with my headstrong preschooler. But overall, I am a good mom. 

I'm grateful to recognize the mental chatter and its link to exhaustion. I'm grateful for a loving husband to bring me back when I take others' words to heart. I'm grateful to know that my girls think I am a good mom. I'm grateful to know I am doing my best even if that looks different day to day. I'm grateful to see when I can make shifts and changes and where I feel I am on the right track. I'm grateful for the beautiful email tonight that was so kind and up-lifting. I'm grateful for the special time with my girls and especially to get outdoors in nature. I'm grateful to see the need to make more time this week for mediation and me time as the mental chatter grows.

How do you recognize when the mental chatter is getting too loud? What does your monkey mind try to tell you? How do you redirect when the chatter goes negative?

May today be filled with supportive and loving dialogue. May we move towards where we want to be while giving ourselves grace in the moments we feel we fell short. 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!

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!

My husband and I have been trying to let our preschool age daughter problem solve. Instead of just giving her a solution we have been asking, "and what can you do about that?". Or "how can you fix that?"

It has really opened up my eyes to a new dimension of creative problem solving as well as child logic. 

One example was my daughter was whining about needing the light on in the bathroom. She has never shied away from climbing anything and everything she can and with a step stool not three feet away so she can reach the sink; I thought this would be a pretty easy problem solving practice. Knowing that a lot of the whining is more about attention that not knowing the "answer" I sat down next to her and said "how can we problem solve this?" 

Four minutes later she had exhausted types of aircraft she could use to fly up there as well as proposing us borrowing a crane or cherry-picker truck. I said, "those are all fun ideas but what could we use right now, with our own bodies to turn this light on?" 

"Well, I guess I could just grow wings..." This went on for another minute and a half of ideas on how she could grow faster or stretch like a giraffe and so on. By this point I was equally impressed with the level of creativity she was exhibiting in this process and getting annoyed because I still needed to make breakfast and six other things before we could get out the door. 

I asked her one more time, gesturing at the step stool as I asked. "Oh! I know, Mommy!" Finally, I thought! "I can just ask you to do it! Will you turn the light on please?" Beggars can't be choosers. I took the opportunity to turn on the light and move on while thanking her for saying please. I had to chuckle as I walked away though, my attempt to get her to creative problem solve worked, just not the way I intended. She creatively found ways to get my attention for much longer than if she had simply answered the question with what was right in front of her. 

I'm grateful to open my eyes to the ways creativity abounds in the mind of my child. I'm grateful to love her ability to play her cards well. I'm grateful to always be learning from her as her quick mind and amazing intelligence teach me new things each day. I'm grateful to breathe through the feelings of annoyance and laugh off the delay knowing this time is precious. I'm grateful to see ways my own creativity could grow when I release my time crunch mindset. I'm grateful for this beautiful life lesson.

What ways do we sacrifice creativity as adults? What helps reconnect you with your own creativity? 

May today allow us to use our creativity in all the best ways. May we find lessons in everyday events, laughing off the delays and finding gratitude in the message. Have a beautiful day!