Last night I came home from work feeling pretty stressed. My engine light had come on and with a little inspection the oil was low. I take good care of my car. I never miss a service and if it weren't against the rules of my warranty I'd just service it myself. What was going on?

After talking to my husband and the dealership it was agreed that I could simply top off the oil until my service in a few hundred miles. So my husband, being the sweetheart-white-knight that he is, ran out to pick me up some motor oil. 

This morning before taking the girls to school I opened up the hood to give her a drink. I was a little flustered because of the rush for time but then my daughter said something that made me pause. "WOW, Mom! I didn't know you were a real life mechanic! What is that? What does that do? What's that hole?" 

The pride and excitement in her voice over something so normal to me gave me pause. It brought me joy! I got to tell her how her Papa used to be a mechanic and how he had taught me everything I know. We explored some under the hood and talked about why the car needs oil. I couldn't help but love this beautiful moment between mother and daughter. 

When I got back from dropping her off at school my little one and I planted some daffodils. Daffodils always bring me such joy in the Spring. It was nice to dig in the dirt together. Again I found myself just in love with this beautiful, dirty moment with my other daughter. She asked questions and I explained why we have to cover the bulb with dirt and mulch and water it. Then we watched a large grasshopper as he wandered by. 

I may not be able to teach my girls the best way to put on eyeshadow as they get older. I can mostly manage my way through a french braid if they sit still for me. And it is a rare site for me to be in a dress. But stereotypes and meant to be broken. Women are more than just being dolled up. And for me a little motor oil and playing in the dirt is just about the best day I can picture for a regular Tuesday morning. 

I'm grateful to show my girls that girls can do anything. I'm grateful to pause and answer their questions. I'm so grateful to let the pride in my daughter's voice fill my heart. I'm grateful to teach and to learn every day. I'm grateful my car let me know something was wrong before any damage was done. I'm grateful for the smell of motor oil that brings back so many memories. I'm grateful to get my hands dirty. I'm grateful to know there will be new daffodils in the Spring. 

Where do you shine? What stereotypes do you break? When do you feel proud and happy?

May we break out of the box. May we quit building the stereotypes that need to be broken. And may we find joy and pride in doing what we love. Have a beautiful day!

Grandmas are such amazing forces in a child's life. They can make you feel like the most important person in the world. They can sneak you treats that your parents would never let you have, or at least not in the bulk a grandma can provide. And hopefully, they are someone you can turn to if you need to talk something out that maybe you can't say to your mom.

There was a time when I was a Grandma's girl. When I was too shy to be the center of attention, she stood with me. We went camping. She made me the most personal homemade gifts. There were times that I would call her from college and ask her to tell me stories just so I could hear what it was like when she was my age. 

I will never forget the day she was pulled away so unexpectedly. But I will also never forget all the love she shared with me while she was here. Today is her birthday and no matter how many years pass, I will always remember. 

I watch my girls building this same beautiful bond with my mom. I watch her step into the role of grandma so beautifully and gracefully. I watch them camp and pretend not to see the extra treats that get slipped to them. It takes me back to that bond I had and I am so grateful they have that relationship too.

I'm grateful for all the beautiful moments I had with my grandma. I'm grateful to celebrate her today. I'm grateful my own daughters have two amazing grandmas. I'm grateful to watch my mom move into the grandma role and fulfill that dream of hers. I'm grateful for all the memories they are creating. I'm grateful to focus on the beauty and blessings today.

Did you have a relationship with your grandma? Did you have a person in your life that filled this role for you? 

May every child know the beauty of unconditional love. May we take the time to find someone who fills the grandma role for us and may we be that person for someone younger as well. Have a beautiful day!

This morning was another rainy, thunder-filled morning. While I absolutely love these kind of mornings, my girls were thinking it maybe wasn't their favorites. For my older daughter it meant darkness, indoor recess, and just wanting to have a movie day rather than go to school. For my little one it meant scary thunder and flashes outside the window and the sun was "missing". 

Some days need a little turn-around right at the beginning. I could tell that this may be one of those days. I told them how much I like rain but also how much I like rainy music. We put on some of our favorite dance tunes, starting with a little Eddie Rabbit, "I Love a Rainy Night". My little one decided she needed her rain boots on in the house to dance to rainy day music. Then my older daughter decided we should turn off the lights so the rain boots really stood out when they flashed and lit up. We had a blast dancing around to the light-up boots and tunes!

I love how just five to ten minutes of silliness and play can turn the day around. I'm grateful to have such a fun morning. I'm grateful to have woke a little early so we could have a few minutes in our schedule for this silliness. I'm grateful for the storm that inspired us. I'm grateful for Eddie Rabbit whose voice encouraged us. I'm grateful to have these beautiful moments with my girls. I'm grateful to watch the storm rolling out and the sun peeking through the clouds. I'm grateful to know the plants have had a good drink.

What do you do to turn your day around when it starts to go sideways? What is something fun and silly you enjoy? How can you build in time in your day for play?

May we connect to our child-like heart. May we take time to play and never stop dancing! Have a beautiful day!

"Two roads diverged in a yellow road..." We are blessed to have so many choices each day. As adults we can choose what to wear, when to go somewhere, how to get there. 

For kids a lot of the decisions are made for them. My husband and I have been making a conscious effort to give our girls more choices over all the regular ins and outs of the day. We give choices for them to tailor their meals within reason. We give a window of time for them to choose to head to bed. And I have begun letting my little one pick what we do for an entire morning at least one day a week while her big sister is at school.

Most the time they make really great choices even without set options. Today was waffles for breakfast. My youngest chose to spend the morning on a long walk at the park followed by a little playtime at the playground. Lunch was black bean nachos with black olives and avocado. They each chose two books before their quiet time and they both went without a fuss. 

Will it always be this smooth? No. Most of these things they have always had some say over anyway so it isn't a major change. But the focus on how we are wording things helps to show them their opinion really is respected and they do hold power over their day. 

Isn't that what we all crave? We all want to be heard and to have a little control. As adults we have that...sometimes we may even want to give a little of that back. Kids are no different. 

I'm grateful for the fun we are having with letting the kids have more say. I'm grateful for the way it helps transitions go more smoothly. I'm grateful for a beautiful morning walk with my little one. I'm grateful she is happily content just wandering along a path and exploring where it goes. I'm grateful to hear her speaking up for what she wants. I'm grateful my oldest has always had a strong voice and opinions about things. I'm grateful to practice giving her more choices and watching her grow into that role.

What choices have you made today? What will you choose differently tomorrow? Which choices brought you joy?

May our choices be conscious and intentional. May we make choices that lead us toward joy. Have a beautiful day!

In the busy schedules of the day it is easy to feel like I don't have time. I don't have time to do that one more thing off the list. I don't have time to read one more book to my pleading kid. I don't have time to actually SIT and eat with my family. But mostly this feeling of "not enough time" is not true.

I have been trying to be more conscious of how I am spending my ten minutes. I don't like to be late so often times I arrive ten minutes early. But ten minutes early could have been five minutes early and five minutes of reading a book. So I am observing where I can adjust and where I can use ten minutes in a more productive way. 

We bring books in the car so as we wait in the carpool line, early as always, we can spend the time reading together. When we walk through the store, does it really hurt to stop for those few minutes so my kids can be in awe of the lighting section? Do I really want to model eating on the run or do I want to consciously choose to sit with my kids and slow down? As it turns out, I have plenty of time for ten minutes in my day to connect, to slow down, to be in the moment. Some days I even have time for multiple ten minute adjustments and other days I can add in a handful of two minute adjustments to get to ten by the end.

I'm grateful to give myself these little challenges that help me grow. I'm grateful to see what a difference it makes for all of us when I can take just a few minutes here and there. I'm grateful my girls love to read as much as I do. I'm grateful to keep seeking balance. I'm grateful to recognize my own mindset and bring in the woosah when needed. 

Where could you make ten minutes in your day to consciously connect? How can you add a few minutes here or there to keep your day more balanced?

May we never stop learning and growing. May we choose connection over chaos and always seek balance. Have a beautiful day!

When I was young I struggled to find and use my voice. I did okay around my immediate family but if there was anyone else around it often disappeared.

As I watch my girls I am amazed at their strong voices. My oldest has always had a strong opinion and been fully open to sharing it. I admire her boldness. My youngest is more "shy" and doesn't say as much around new people. Yet when it comes to expressing her opinions to family, she makes sure to be heard.

The last couple years my oldest chose our whole family's theme for Halloween costumes. One year was Madagascar, the Moana, and last year PJ Masks. This year she decided right off that the girls and I were going to be deer... and my husband a hunter. (I found this both funny and a little disturbing.)

No matter what she said to try to convince her little sister, the little one just replied, "I be a dinosaur." She had seen a blue and green dinosaur costume and had set her mind on it. My oldest tried a number of tricks and threats and pleading. I offered the alternative that she could be a puppy, a hunting dog in training. Nope.

So I hopped online to see this dinosaur costume again to see if it was something I could recreate. Then my oldest saw it and said, "I changed my mind! I want to be a dinosaur too!" And that is how my two-year-old let her voice be heard and chose the family theme this year...Jurassic Park. 

It may sound strange to some but I am completely tickled by this turn of events. I am so happy to see my little one sticking to her own choice no matter what anyone else said. I hope both my girls keep their strong opinions and strong voices through all life's adventures. And even when it makes me pull my hair out in frustration as a mom sometimes, I truly cherish this powerful gift.

I'm grateful for all my daughters' teach me every day. I'm grateful to watch as they grow together and figure each other out. I'm grateful for my oldest's bold and cunning personality. I'm grateful for my younger's sweet but sassy personality. I'm grateful for how they compliment each other, support each other, and challenge each other. I'm grateful for the ways they challenge me to grow and see a new way. And I'm grateful to be a scientist for Halloween rather than an animal being hunted! I'm grateful for my cute little dinosaurs.

How would you describe your voice? When do you speak up? 

May today be an exploration in voice. May we speak up for the things that truly matter and inspire growth all around us. Have a beautiful day!

Over the weekend I was not feeling my best. Stress and lack of sleep had overtaken me and my body rewarded my efforts by getting a little sick. I say rewarded because in hindsight that would seem to be what I was subconsciously asking for by my imbalance and the Universe does love giving us what we ask.

Needless to say, once I had manifested it I changed my mind. Thankfully my husband was right there to offer some extra care. These are the moments my husband really shines. 

He cooked all morning to make me some homemade chicken noodle soup. It was amazing! And just a serving or two already had me feeling ten times better. 

Later he made croque-monsieur for an extra delicious dinner. He went out and bought my favorite, fresh basil and mozzarella and made it into a cute kabob with tomatoes. It wasn't just the extra effort, it was the extra mile! 

Today I am back to health but I can tell my "cup" is still refilling. Even as I take time to care for myself and get my own cup full again, I can't help but think "where can I go the extra mile?"

One of those places is here. Often I sit down and rush through a blog based on my day and the gratitude I find. But once this blog was a little deeper and farther reaching. 

Somedays I wonder if this blog still reaches the audience that needs to hear it. I wonder if this is worth my daily effort or if I should let it go and go back to journaling my gratitude in private. Where can I go that extra mile in my life to bring joy and gratitude to people? Is it here? Is there a new calling waiting to be heard? 

I do not have the answers yet. But I am open to the questions. I am opening myself to where I can go the extra mile to make a difference. I am opening to where I can go the extra mile to care for myself and my family. I am open to the answers. 

I'm grateful for my husband's loving care. I'm grateful for him going the extra mile to make food to help me back to health. I'm grateful for whoever first found basil...yum! I'm grateful to be bringing myself back to health and focusing on manifesting more positive things. I'm grateful to open myself to possibilities of a pivot coming. I'm grateful to ask myself these questions and focus on making a difference. I'm grateful for my amazing kids and family that give me ways to help and grow each day.

What is the extra mile for you? Who takes the time to give you a boost? What are you manifesting? 

May we take the time to ask the important questions. May we never be afraid to pivot to something new. May we take care of ourselves and those who need us with balance. Have a beautiful day!

Today seems to be calling me to slow down and listen. It is time to push the pause button even as my mind says, "but it's only Tuesday and there is so much we need to get done!" My body is telling me the opposite, rest. And my kids seem to be more in sync with my body, calling for more attention and more cuddles. 

I will pause. Thankfully there are several things I can look over and cross off my to do list while still just sitting. I will also take some time to truly just relax because I'm not defusing bombs; most things on my to do list will be perfectly content there until tomorrow.

I'm grateful to listen to my body. I'm grateful to listen to my kids. I'm grateful to remember that even a couple weeks in we are all still adjusting to this new schedule of school. I'm grateful for salads. I'm grateful for water. I'm grateful to just sit and be, both with myself and with my kids. 

How often do you pause? What is your favorite way to unwind?

May today be just the right speed for what we need. And when it gets moving too fast, may we always remember the power of pausing. Have a beautiful day!

When water flows over a stone it slowly smooths and carves it. It isn't an overnight event. It is something that happens over time. This is what I keep reminding myself as my family navigates a whole new schedule and new routines. 

I love mixing things up but I also love having a baseline routine. Certain times set aside for work, nap, and play help me to be present where I am needed. The routine is still new and in limbo as we try different things to see what helps us all transition most smoothly. But for now it still feels jumbled and a little chaotic.

This is the water from the storm. It is rushing and flowing any which way it can go to keep moving forward. 

Just like the storm water returns to a slow stream, so will my life return to smoother days. Those smoother days will slowly begin to carve a new routine. It will get comfortable.

Sure, there will still be times of storm and rushing water. There will be times the water changes course and has to begin again in smoothing a new path. This is all part of life and I welcome it.

For now I will let it flow in all its chaotic rush. I will take deep breaths and observe. I will watch for places the water seems to flow the smoothest and the routine seems to be working. And I will follow its lead. 

I'm grateful to just pause and focus on nature. I'm grateful to witness the rush feeling and observe it as if it was a river flowing past. I'm grateful to know the waters will smooth and slow again soon. I'm grateful to let it flow as it needs as my whole family adjusts to all the new. I'm grateful to be as calm and steady as possible for my kids in these times of change. I'm grateful to learn from them the art of rolling with it.

Which stage of life is your water flow? Is it rushing and changing? Is it smooth and steady? What visuals do you picture to help yourself stay steady even when life is shifting?

May we be steady as the rock and flowing as the water. May we find comfort in being the observer while still having both feet in the game. Have a beautiful day!