Sunrise and Sunset

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These aren’t exciting pictures and are hard to visualize, but I wanted to share the Canadian Geese that are in Sunnyvale. They hang out in the ponds outside the city center and in the morning fly overhead for breakfast at the old Corn Palace, eating the leftovers and grazing all morning.

I find them fascinating, because they always come back after the corn stalks have been cut down and the fields are empty. However, I don’t like their huge poops that they leave behind in our parks and green fields.

I saw them early this morning while dropping kids off at school and then again before dinner time on the way home from an event.

I drove by and tried to take photos just because I find their patterns fascinating and like that they consistently come back every year during their migration cycle.

I like the rhythms of nature and enjoyed these calm, predictive moments in between the other chaotic moments of the day.

How was your day? What patterns and repetition do you enjoy?

Namaste.

29Sep2014

My Business Trip

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I got back last night from my “business trip.” That’s how I described it to Jeff and in a way, it was a mom’s networking business trip, in addition to a mini-beach vacation of course.

I came back refreshed and renewed. The kids’ noises didn’t bother me as much today. I was excited again to pick them up from school and to take them to and from their appointments. I enjoyed their company and hugged them more and was a lot more patient. I think it’s so important for mamas to have a break from their routines and to spend time with their girlfriends alone without husbands or kids. It makes us better mamas because we are able to recharge, refocus and to come back home, ready to give unconditionally again when we return.

I was hugging on Charlie before bed, and in the car and just loving him up today. When I tucked him into bed, he said, “Boy mom, you really like me today.” I said, “I always love you and I’m so lucky to be sharing this life with you everyday.” He gave me a big hug and proceeded to tell me which cookies we should bake for Christmas, as he was studying a cookie recipe book that I had on the table tonight. I love that he’s making plans for us.

When I came back from my trip away from my normal routine, I felt thankful for my husband for taking care of our family by himself while I was away, in addition to all he does on a normal day. I’m thankful that my kids had fun with their daddy and were spoiled by him and I’m thankful for my community of friends at home who helped out too. Of course I missed them, but I was so happy to just be me and to have some time to sit by the water and to play with my friends and to reenergize, without anyone needing anything from me.

I enjoyed the time with women who know so much and who shared with me their life stories and where they are at with kids in college, getting ready for college and SAT testing, driving, and living abroad and all that good stuff. They shared their stories of going back to work and finding balance and their choices and they just helped me to ponder all of the possibilities. I respect these women and their choices and love that they are different from me yet we all share a love and passion for volleyball and our time together. I felt like we had these mini-breakout sessions, as you would at a conference, yet this time we were at a beach conference for 3 days.

Everyone needs a break from their routine and this type of business trip was just right for me.

Do you have any breaks planned? If not, start gathering your ideas and your friends and create some space and time to get away. The experience and rejuvenation and connections are priceless.

Namaste.

Life is good and I’m so thankful.

28Sep2014

Living in the Moment

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Do you do this? How do you do it? What does it look like?

I think living in the moment means being present, and creating space and allowing time to do what you love and not being too busy or too tired and just doing what you love.

What do you love and are you giving yourself enough time to enjoy your moments? Sometimes this means work and I’m pretty sure it’s always worth it, if we can just push past or through the excuses, fears and doubts.

What I love the most in life are my relationships with my BFFs and my family.

One example of living in the moment came tonight when one of my international BFFs from 18 years ago was passing through town this weekend. I thought she was coming to town next weekend but she was actually in town this weekend!! The last time we saw each other was 6 years ago, and even though so much time passes by, we still just pick up where we leave off.

Instead of being too tired or busy, we made the time to see each other after I flew back from Laguna Beach. I was thankful that she chose to connect with me, with her full schedule and I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to see her face again and to give her a hug. We made it work and shared a family meal together and for this moment, I am thankful. Love you KG!

27Sep2014

Laguna Beach Volleyball Weekend

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We are 16+ volleyball moms and 12 of us are spending the weekend together with no drama. The group has been meeting weekly for ten years, with some old timers and some newer members. It’s really cool to see all the connections and to share and learn from one another in a fun environment, united by our love for outdoor volleyball. The oldest child of our group is 23 and the youngest is 9. We are good together.

Every so often we take a weekend trip together to play at a beach instead of our weekly grassy playing field in the park.

This weekend we are enjoying Laguna Beach together. We have had so much fun playing volleyball, bodysurfing, snorkeling, playing games, sharing food and drink, going for walks, laughing and enjoying the sun and surf.

Women friends are priceless and I am thankful for the relationships we share.

Life is good.

27Sep2014

The Happiest Place on Earth

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I am content.

This weekend my husband is taking good care of our kids and I am enjoying a mini-vacation with my volleyball friends in Laguna Beach.

I am thankful!!

Hope you all are living it up and having a wonderful weekend filled with love and laughter and happiness.

xoxo

25Sep2014

Give Yourselves A Cheer!

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I just want to thank you for sharing this wonderful life together. I hope your day brought you a smile or two.

I want to thank you for smiling when you read Here I Am and for sharing your thoughts and comments and letting me know you get something out of it.

Sometimes I wonder why I continue to share the highlights of my one life story every day. Then one of you BeLoveRs call or text or comment or like one of my posts and you let me know that something touched your heart or you changed something that you’re doing and you share your happiness and journey with me. I love this. We’re connected. You keep me motivated to write and I thank you for this gift.

So cheers, my friends! Continue to let your light shine and make this world a better place, one moment at a time. xo

24Sep2014

It’s Never Too Late to Be hApPy

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I like to think of happiness like wanting to be skinny or let’s be real, and maybe just 5-10 pounds lighter.

It’s a journey and a process and takes work and mindfulness and dedication. Kind of like belonging to Weight Watchers. Wouldn’t it be cool if we could measure our happiness and we learned best practices to help us increase our happiness quota? What if we could join a group and share stories and have measurable goals to increase our happiness?

The cool thing about Weight Watchers is that it is a mind set, a way of thinking about what we eat and why we eat and developing life skills and portion control to enjoy all that is good and to attain healthy weight goals.

What if we could do that with happiness? What if we could set goals and measure and be ok with where we are on our personal journeys? Wouldn’t that be cool? I’d sign up!! I’d love to join a group that was talking about our happiness goals and sharing our stories and what worked for us and learning from each other, but maybe that would be weird? Just a thought.

What I’ve learned from participating in Weight Watchers, is that we get to choose our goals. We get to choose when we decide to follow the plan and when we decide to cheat and the good news is we can always start again. I also like doing WW with friends and having a leader that guides me and gives out stars for success and measures me each week. What if we could do that with happiness? Hmm…

I like to think that it’s ok for us to not always be happy. We might be chugging along and doing ok and happy with who we are and what we’re doing, and then some days we’re not. That’s ok and doesn’t mean we have to give up. I think we just have to give ourselves permission to start again and to do the things we know that create happiness for us. Just like with weight loss. Some days are good and some days we binge and then we get to begin again.

Every day is a new day to start over. And just because we got mad or are unhappy doesn’t mean we have to stay in that state of mind. We can begin again just as soon as we are ready. I love that. I think we just sometimes need a reminder to let go of the negative and to embrace the positive and do the work that helps create happiness for us. And as we practice, we become successful and happy again.

Believe me, I am not always happy… just ask my kids or my husband! But I always strive for happiness and finding ways to increase the general happiness of my family and to start over to create joy whenever and as often as possible. I’m still learning and make PLENTY of mistakes.

Luckily it’s never too late to be happy and I choose happiness. How about you?

“Surround yourself with people who make you happy. People who make you laugh, who help you when you’re in need. People who genuinely care. They are the ones worth keeping in your life. Everyone else is just passing through. ” Karl Marx (thanks LB)

Be happy, BeLovers! It’s better than the alternative. xo

23Sep2014

Smart Girls and Great Mentors

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I was at a dinner tonight and listening to so many different conversations.

My favorite conversations were those of the women who were sharing stories about their smart daughters, not that they used those words, but that’s what I heard.

One friend’s daughter is studying chemistry at a California University and wants to go on to graduate and further her studies to become a pharmacist. She had a great science teacher in high school who inspired her to become who she is today. She also has 6 pharmacists in her family whom I’m sure have also inspired her.

Another mom was talking about her daughter who is studying for her PhD also in chemistry and was studying nanotechnology and how to use it to administer cancer treatment in a very focused manner. I love hearing about young women who find and are pursuing their passions.

And the last 20-something that captured my attention had her degree from USC and came home to help her family and respectfully gave up an opportunity to provide community service abroad. I wonder if she knows how awesome she is to be of service right here in her own community. I bet it doesn’t feel like that right now, but one day I’m sure she’ll know she made the right and best decision.

My own daughter dreams of becoming a doctor one day and one of my BFFs is her mentor. I wonder if by the time she gets to college, if this dream will become a reality. For now, I’m happy that she’s thinking about her future and how she’d like to spend her days as a grown up.

We have some cool, super smart, future women leaders among us!! Maybe it’s because they have some cool, super smart Mom mentors too?!?

Someone asked me what my dream job would be and for some reason I replied being a talk show host like Oprah Winfrey. I think I would love talking to people and hearing their stories and making connections. I’m fascinated by the differences and connections we all share and the struggles and celebrations that come in so many different forms. This made me smile. Maybe I’ll be a talk show host when I grow up. What will you be when you grow up?

Goodnight BeLovers. Sweet Dreams.
xo

22Sep2014

Fall

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I sent the kids out to capture some photos that represented fall to them that I could use for my blog tonight, while I was busy preparing dinner and working in the kitchen.

I loved that the two younger ones were up for the challenge and loved all their selfies that came along with the fall foliage shots.

Happy first day of Fall! It’s a time for new beginnings and do-overs and to rest before the craziness of the holiday season is upon us!! I hope the rain comes soon too, to fill our lakes and reservoirs and end the California drought. Namaste.

21Sep2014

Rest and Recharge

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How did you spend your Sunday?

I hope you found some time to slow down and to relax before the new week begins again.

Our family is trying to not be as scheduled on Sundays as we are so busy during the week. We are open to play yet we don’t want to feel committed to responsibilities if that makes sense.

For example, after church, one of my BFFs came over to have lunch and to watch a chick flick matinee together. Jeff went to watch a football game with his buddy and the kids just hung out. This was totally relaxing.

We came back together later in the day to share a celebratory dinner in honor of Charlie’s presidential win for his elementary school, followed by a trip to the grocery store to bring home ice cream.

This is how we relaxed and rested today. What did you find relaxing? I wish you a peaceful week, filled with love, BeLovers.