Day 17: Summer


All these lemons came from the same tree, and this picture made me think of my kids.

You see I’m thankful that I have one large, one medium and one small one.  As the two big ones are growing up and becoming more independent and less needy of me, I still have the small one to grow for a little while longer and this makes me very happy.  Having the little one makes me remember that the big one was once small too and makes me even more aware that the little one is going to get bigger too one day, which makes me be even more present with all three of them. This is an amazing, little, magical gift of three.

Today the little one and I went to the craft store together to get stuff to make stuff. We like to make things together and I love that he is creative. He picked out a wood burning tool and some wood pieces to create some art, even though we were really going in the store to find neon, erasable white board markers that would show up on his metal black board. Luckily we found some of those too on the clearance rack. 

And that’s my happily ever after story for the day.  How was your day?  Did you make lemonade from lemons today?  

Oh, and P.S., This was my way of making lemonade out of lemons today…I was actually momentarily sad about the feeling of letting go and really knowing that my kids are growing up. There’s usually a back story to every happily ever after, isn’t there? Just sayin’

nAMaste BeLoveRs

Day 11: Summer Lovin’

Today we celebrate 19 years of marriage! 

I am thankful that we have never given up, despite the struggles and tribulations! I am thankful for the three kids we’ve created and are raising together, who were born out of love. I am thankful for my husband’s unconditional love and support.

Love is good! 

xoxoxoxo 

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 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 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.

Happily Ever After Today

How did you live your happily ever after today? After all, we are not promised tomorrow. So how did you make the most of your today?

This is how I think. I think that today is my best life ever and how am I going to live it up? What will spark joy?

Today I got to go for a walk with my BFF in the middle of the day, since we had to miss yoga. We made time for each other to escape our responsibilities and to go outside for a short while and to enjoy the sunshine, today.

I took my kids out to celebrate Charlie’s Student of the Month award to get bubble tea before dinner, as he requested. We took time to celebrate his gifts and he even got to sit in the front seat, a place usually reserved for the eldest. I loved just sitting with him and Juliana, sharing stories about our happily ever after day.

What else? I called my sister, I texted with my family, and made dinner and we gathered around the table. We didn’t have to go anywhere tonight and it was a gift to stay home and relax.

Today was good. I liked going with the flow and enjoying my family and friends, living the dream, one day at a time.

 What’s your dream? Are you creating it? Go ahead… get started! You’ll thank yourself later for choosing to start right now.

Bubble Soccer


The boys played bubble soccer today at their end of the season soccer party and everyone had a good time, watching and playing. It was hilarious to watch them bumping into each other and trying to get up again. I would definitely recommend this for a party!


June is a busy month for us and it feels like Christmas time with all the commitments and celebrations.  Maybe bubble soccer will help us to remember to go with the flow, to let things bounce off of us, to get back up when we fall and to laugh along the way!

Life is good! Stay calm and cool.