Day 10: Summer

Happy 1st Day of Summer!

Today finally felt relaxing. Charlie went to camp, the big kids are in Mexico and I was able to work from home with limited interruptions and got a workout in too.

Tonight we had time to play a game together that Charlie picked out for me for my birthday, Pie Face. I love this kind of humor and laughed so hard!! 


Oh guys, take time to laugh really hard!! It’s so good for your soul and it makes other people laugh too!

I am thankful for my crazy peeps that laughed with me with whipped cream all over their faces and melted the stress away!

Happy 1st day of summer, BeLoveRs! Be free.

Day 9: Summer

Caravan 2016 – Mexico


Our high schoolers left first thing this morning with their caravan, heading to Mexico for the next week, on a mission trip to serve others and to work side by side with their peers and advisors. I am scared, excited, happy, proud, anxious, grateful, in awe, and mostly thankful. 


I am thankful that our church believes in our youth and provides opportunities for them to practice our values in a loving environment. I am thankful for the plethora of advisors and volunteers who are dedicated to loving and supporting our youth and who give up their time graciously to be an active part of their lives. This trip takes a lot of work and preparation and dedication on so many levels. It truly is amazing to feel the synergy and I am proud of my kids for choosing to participate and am thankful to be part of this community.

Please send your good thoughts and prayers to keep them safe.

Our future is bright, BeLoveRs.

Happy Father’s Day. 

xoxo

Day 8: Summer

I wasn’t planning to count the days of summer when I started with day 1, but I’m kinda liking it and keeping track of the days passing by.

This is my first summer as a working mom and it has been a bit of an adjustment this first week, as I worked from home and volunteered, had a birthday to celebrate and was helping my kids prepare for their volunteer service trip, along with some other personal stuff.  I was thankful for the weekend to arrive today and to sleep in, however I was still awake at 5:15 am. That seems to be my new normal, along with the birds.

Today I enjoyed celebrating a friend’s surprise birthday party and relaxing with girlfriends in the sunshine. I also was thankful for my birthday flowers that are all over my house and fill the space with a wonderful fragrance and beauty.


I love that I have such great friends and family with whom to share this beautiful life. 

Please send good thoughts and prayers for the kids and youth leaders who leave tomorrow to build houses in Mexico for those less fortunate and keep them safe.

Life is good!

nAMaste

Day 7: Summer

I’m already exhausted!

It’s been a challenging week and I am over it, or at least the week is over and that makes me very happy. That’s how I roll …deep breaths and surrender and flow.  

It’s the simple things these days that make me happy, like ice cream cake the day after my birthday!

thank you juliana!


I fell asleep in the middle of writing this blog. I must be tired, so I’ll say goodnight and wish you well before I fall asleep again.
Good night.

Day 6: Summer

I love open space, old barns and the look of old barn wood.  Today I enjoyed a date with my husband at the Pichetti Winery. We stopped along the way to pick up my favorite food for lunch, a poke bowl from #gofishpoke and enjoyed our lunch on the winery picnic tables and a stroll around the beautiful property.  It was a gorgeous day to be outdoors.







Made a wish!


I love trees, even the old and fallen ones.

Love the light!



I am content and another year older.  How was your day?

Live it up, BeLoveRs!! 

Xo

Day 5: Summer


This was my afternoon stress relief. Charlie invited me and actually insisted that I come sit with him to watch some funny game show that he knew would make me laugh. Kids are so smart. He was right.  He wanted my attention and I reluctantly wanted his. As soon as I flopped into the couch as close to him as possible, Kanan came to claim his spot.  His purring was comforting too. 

Thank you Charlie for making me slow down! I love you and appreciate you. 

I hope you’re having a good week!

xo

Day 4: Summer 


We played dodge ball today. I wish I could share the photo of all the children, youth and adults playing together and the smiles on their faces. I am refraining from sharing to protect their privacy, but it was amazing. My favorite part was playing with the kids in wheel chairs, and watching them play and laugh with the group. 

In the wake of what happened in Orlando this week, and thinking about what we can do, I have the answer.

We can choose to love one another and to play nicely together, no matter what. It’s one small way to make a difference. Listen. Share. Play. Love. Be fair. Take turns. Follow the rules. Include everyone. Be gentle. Run and laugh. Keep moving. Be kind. Repeat. (Just like playing dodgeball.)

nAMaste BeLoveRs. Spread the love.

Day 3: Summer

The birds were chirping early in the morning and I was anxious to wake up and to start the day with them and coffee, of course.

This is my first summer as a working mom and I am new at this.  I am volunteering this week at our church’s vacation bible school in the morning, so I’m juggling my work hours before and after my volunteer hours. I worked from 6-7:30 am and from 1:00 to 6:30 pm. I was able to take the kids with me to volunteer and come home to have lunch together. I am thankful for a flexible work schedule. Luckily the family helped with shopping, chores and making dinner. It’s kinda nice to have big kids and I couldn’t do it without them, yet I have to admit it was a little bit chaotic and crazy at the same time. 

How do working moms, especially work from home moms, do it and keep up with it all, with everyone home at the same time? I am still learning! Please do share your best tips and strategies. 

I hope you had a good Monday!

nAMaste

Day 2: Summer


We spent all day at the soccer field today, after leaving our house at 6:45 am this morning. I loved it and am exhausted!

Charlie’s team won the championships and was so happy! I was excited for him to be on a winning team this year with an excellent coach and great team. It was really fun to be on the sidelines and supporting him with Jeff and the other families.

Life is good. 

P.S. I am sad today about the mass shootings in Orlando. Those families are our families. Their pain is our pain. We are One. We can make a difference in this world by spreading love and acceptance and forgiveness. Be loving. Love you. Love others. Love us. One Love. No Hate.