Whew! Give the Universe a place you want to grow and the challenges come raining in. Remember how I said yesterday that I was working on tone? Well there have been plenty of opportunities to manage my tone...and my temper in the last forty-eight hours. 

Part of me wants to throw my hands in the air and say, "never mind, let's work on something else!" I would much rather give a certain company a piece of my mind. I want to rant and rage. But that would solve nothing. It doesn't change what's already done. 

The world is full of injustices. In the scope of the world this is a minor first world problem, even if to our family it meant so much. So we dust ourselves off and do our best to find solutions. It's part of our family motto after all, focusing on solutions. 

I'm grateful for my husband's level head. I'm grateful for my brother-in-law's efforts to help. I'm grateful to recognize there are much worse problems to have. I'm grateful to do my best to find solutions. I'm grateful for my daughter's song about taking a breath in and letting it out slow. I'm grateful she is learning some of these great techniques at such a young age. I'm grateful to accept my feelings as one hundred percent valid. I'm grateful to keep checking my tone and keep trying to see the beauty around me. I'm grateful for the sunshine and time outside.

What makes you feel like raging and ranting? What are your favorite ways to reframe?

May today give us perspective. May we be willing to accept the opportunities for growth that come our way. And may we sleep well at night knowing we have done our best. Have a beautiful day!

This weekend was Mother's Day. It was a beautiful weekend of spending time with my littles and getting to see my mom. I wish we could have seen my mother-in-law too but at least we got to have a good chat on the phone. 

Mother's Day is so nice. As moms we don't do what we do for the recognition or glory. We do it because we love our children and want what is best for them. But receiving a little thanks and attention is always appreciated too!

I'm so grateful to get to doll my daughter up for her first Daddy Daughter Dance. I'm grateful to have a little date evening with my youngest while they were gone. I'm grateful for the shift in weather that brought warmer temperatures. I'm grateful for my mom and mother-in-law and all the love and support they provide. I'm grateful to have beautiful, amazing moms to look up to. I'm grateful for all the mamas out there and all their hard work. I'm grateful for my beautiful daughters that made me a mama, my dream come true!

How do you celebrate Mother's Day? What special women in your life deserve a little extra recognition this week?

May we cherish the moms of the world who are all trying their best. May every child know they are loved. Have a beautiful day!

Sometimes we all just need time to sit alone with our thoughts. Even my daughter, who normally acts like time alone is the worst thing in the world, chose to spend time by herself today. We need time to unwind. We time to let our thoughts drift. We need time to do the little things that bring us joy. 

I'm so grateful for some time alone. I'm grateful to see my girls needing their space today and help them find it. I'm grateful for separate bedrooms that gives them their own space. I'm grateful to just sit and breathe. I'm grateful to let my thoughts wander. I'm grateful for a new art journal. I'm grateful to take time for me and know my whole family benefits. 

How often do you take time for yourself? How often do you sit alone and let your thoughts drift around? 

May we choose to care for ourselves and see the benefits. May we take time to just be still. Have a beautiful day!

In my effort to do what is best for my kids and family, I often put my own needs last. I then turn into a crabby, exhausted version of myself that ends up upending my efforts to do what is best for my family. It is a hard balance for me. But I am trying and seeking some assistance in making it work.

One thing I have had to be clearer about is my boundaries. It means saying no sometimes or making my kids practice waiting. It also means making myself do something for me even when mommy guilt is banging on the back door of my brain saying I "should" be doing something else. It is a process. It is a journey. And it is a valuable lesson that I am learning and providing for my children. I need this. 

I'm grateful to take some time for me in fluid ways to fit my daily needs. I'm grateful to realize how drained my cup has gotten. I'm grateful to have people reminding me to care for me. I'm grateful to love my family and do everything I can for them. But I'm grateful to also put myself back on that list. I'm grateful for the moon glowing through the clouds. I'm grateful for a quiet drive. I'm grateful for exploring activities that bring me joy. I'm grateful to seek balance and boundaries.

Where do you draw your boundaries? Who tests those lines most? What activities bring you joy?

May we remember even the caregiver needs care. May we take time for ourselves and allow others the same. Have a beautiful day!

Sometimes we just need a day to laugh it off. Perhaps it is my lack of sleep or maybe I have mentally "cracked" a little bit, either way I'll take the laughter over the stress any day. 

When school pictures arrive and your kid's tongue is sticking out. When the cashier tries to charge you for a gift card instead of using it for your purchase. When your child insists on singing the potty song even in public bathrooms. When you trip on your own pants. These are moments for laughter. Just let it out. It's minor. It's silly. So enjoy the moment and just laugh. 

I'm grateful for the shift in energy. I'm grateful for shenanigans. I'm grateful to just laugh. I'm grateful for a fun day spent with my mom. I'm grateful to just sing, potty song or whatever my kids request, without care of who will hear. I'm grateful for my daughter's commitment to being one hundred percent herself, even on picture day. 

What helps you laugh? What shenanigans are going on in your life this week?

​May we never lose our sense of humor. May we enjoy the little moments as they are happening. Have a beautiful day!

Life has stages. Some of them blend and blur and transition smoothly. Some transitions feel a little more like Frogger on the highway. 

My life is on the cusp of several big changes and, while the full effect will not transition until Fall, I can feel some of the blocks quivering with the upcoming shift. The foundation of the schedules we have become accustomed to are beginning to shift now as we attempt to prepare for the big changes. (And no, I am not pregnant.)

This stage feels a little uncomfortable and a bit stressful. I'm doing my best to move forward gracefully, for myself and for my kids. 

This stage is also exciting as it is providing a bit of "light at the end of the tunnel". I'm confident there will be so many blessings and gratitude in this next stage.

I'm grateful for the amazing stages of parenthood I have traveled. I'm grateful to be coming up to a new stage to grow into. I'm grateful for my amazing kids that teach me so much every day. I'm grateful for all the loving support I have found as we begin the transition to this next stage. I'm grateful for carving more time for family, for listening, and for creative solutions. I'm grateful to sit with all the emotions. I'm grateful to move forward with the things I can and let other things be. 

What stage are you in? What helps you move through transitions with grace?

May today be a reminder to be gentle with ourselves. May we do what we can and let the rest go. May we give ourselves grace that we are doing our best. Have a beautiful day!

Life can be challenging sometimes. As a mom, it is hard when I see my kids struggling. It is moments like these I am grateful to have the superpower of the title "Mom". 

It doesn't matter if I actually feel like a super-mom. It doesn't even matter if I feel like I'm flopping as a mom that day. If my child is crying, scared, or had a bad dream; mom is the only person who will do. They call for me and it kicks on the superpowers. MOM IS HERE! 

Honestly, it isn't even just my kids. I do the same thing. Sometimes...okay a lot of times, I just need to talk to my mom. Most the time it doesn't even matter what she says in response, it's just that comfort of knowing she's there. 

I'm grateful to be a mom. I'm grateful to be able to claim this superpower that my kids see in me. I'm grateful to be able to help fix some things with just a hug or holding their hand. I'm grateful to be there for them, as my mom is there for me. I'm grateful to be blessed to spend a lot of time with my mom. I'm grateful for all my mom has done for me to help me grow into the person I am today. 

What brings out your inner superpower? Who do you lean on when you need a hug?

May today remind us that we are all superheroes in our own way and we all need a hero every once in a while too. Have a beautiful day!

There is no doubt we had a lot of fun last week. Yet returning to routine was a welcome break this morning. I'm not saying it went smoothly, there were plenty of bumps and grumbles with the girls, but it was nice all the same. 

I'm grateful for my husband who can step in with a second reserve of patience when mine is spent. I'm grateful to find ways to step away and refill my own patience. I'm grateful for my girls making it through the morning routine. I'm grateful for school and teachers for all they do. I'm grateful for some one-on-one time with my youngest. I'm grateful to reconnect with my oldest when she got home. I'm grateful to take extra time to focus on my oldest to help her rebalance. I'm grateful for days ahead of routine.

What do you enjoy about time off? What do you enjoy about the return of your routine?

May we find balance. May we make the most of each phase as we pass through it. Have a beautiful day!