Thankful

For the little things, the normal things.  

For a tidy house, clean laundry and leftover spaghetti sauce.  (Thanks, Mom!) 

For evidence of major improvement and clearance to start running again (only five minutes out of every 20, but still...I can run!) 

For an insightful friend who knew exactly when to dial her phone and lay out her personal brand of no-nonsense, practical magic. 

For audiobooks and podcasts.

For text messages that bring sweet stories and photos of those nieces and nephews who hold my heart. 

For saying no when I mean no. 

For saying "hell yes!" when the occasion warrants it. 

For weekends away filled with silly and simple fun. 

For books piled high by the Girl's bed. 

For allowing myself the space and time to figure out my next move.  

For continually reminding myself to tune out distractions and drama and feeling the increase in energy when I do. 

For a coming spring already filling up wth family and friends and travel and fun. 

For letting go of the need to explain myself. 

For my white bedspread and raggedy jeans and blue toenails and hello kitty band aids - all things that speak volumes about how my life looks right now. 

For feeling at home in my own soul and for knowing that it's time to speak gratitude out loud. 

Practicing Gratitude. Again.

I am at my happiest and most authentic when I'm consistently and openly counting my blessings.  It's a practice that I really worked to cultivate years ago, and one that I blogged about pretty regularly.  Although the formal practice has waxed and waned over time,  I always come back around to it when I am trying to shift into a more positive, motivated, mindful place.  Which is exactly what I am doing now.  So,  here we go...

 Tonight, I'm grateful for:
*My family and friends, who are always willing to listen and to help me out when I need it.  This single, working, trying-to-have-a-life parent thing would not work as well as it does without them behind the scenes.
*Afterschool care that keeps Riley active, engaged and learning.
*Upcoming travel plans.  We have a Spring Break trip coming up in a few weeks, and I'm planning an end-of-school-year Surprise vacation for the Girl.  (Shhhhh....) It's nice to have something to anticipate.
* Reruns of "The Office" and Pinterest Humor Boards.  As silly (lame, pathetic, whatever) as it sounds, these two things have saved my sanity the past few weeks.  Whenever things get to be just too much, a little humor break brings me back to calm.

When life demands too much ( Gratitude Sunday)

The past couple of weeks have been rough, to say the least.

Between a not-so-fun illness for the Girl, painful dental work for me, the loss of a loved one and some other lame-o drama thrown into the mix, there have been moments (lots of moments!) when I have felt overwhelmed and under -equipped to keep standing and moving forward.  More than once, I have wanted to simply crawl into bed and stay there until the emotional upheaval and the exhaustion passed.  But of course, that wasn't ever an option.  Life doesn't work that way.

Now that I'm on the other side of most of it, I can look back and see how times like these- times when life demands too much- bring their own benefits.  I can be grateful for the strength I receive from my family, the support I receive from friends and co-workers, and the love I've been shown through every ordeal.

As I contemplated this reality tonight, I realized that I simply had to look at the snaps on my phone to see evidence of the blessings that have come with the pain of the past few weeks.  I thought I would share a few here to remind my self of this one powerful truth:  There is a lot of good in my life and even in the darkest time,  I don't have to look hard to find the light. 

This little one- I'm completely smitten with her.

One of my nieces made me an "I love you book." Does it get any better than that?

I haven't seen my youngest brother for almost three years.  It was good to see him, despite the circumstances.

Love these girls.

This girl.  She cracks me up, dance moves and all.

lilacs are my favorite flower.  They remind me of childhood summers.

Me and my wacky little shadow.

Riley's beat-up shoes: Sunday Gratitude and Intentions

These are Riley's shoes.
She's had countless pair like these: Usually black.  Mary jane style (her favorite.)  Usually with velcro closures. 
Always with well worn spots on the toes .


It used to frustrate me to no end how hard she is on her shoes.  It felt like, no matter what I said, no matter the situation, the minute the Girl got new shoes, they had scuffs all over and the toes were pretty much destroyed.   Case in point- these shoes in the picture are only about a week and a half old.

I really let this bother me for a while.  I tried everything I could think of to make her be more careful, to get her to be a little more cautious and to consider her footwear when she was playing.
Then I really watched her play.   I watched her kick and crawl and leap and roll around on the floor.  I watched her run and jump and crash and fall.  It became immediately apparent why her shoes were always so beat up - she played HARD, and her shoes took the brunt of her play.   But her face during this crazy, exuberant play is what i couldn't get over - how her eyes lit up with the thrill of discovery, and her gigantic smile appeared when she nailed a particularly intense landing.  There was no question in my mind that she wasn't thinking about her shoes.  She was thinking about how she could play harder, run faster, climb higher and push her own limits. 

So I got over myself.
She can wear less-than-perfect shoes, or I can buy new shoes.  This part of her childhood- the ability to play with such reckless abandon - this part only lasts for a limited time.   I want her to completely enjoy it and I want to completely enjoy it, without the burden of worrying about something as unimportant as shoes. 


As I've been thinking about what I'm grateful for tonight, I realized that this photo sums up neatly  many of those exact things.   

To be specific, I'm grateful for:
-The little girl whose feet wear these shoes.
-The patience and perspective I gain by being her mom.
-Her energy, her excitement, and her eagerness to explore her world and her willingness to let me be a part of this.
-The knowledge that I'm finally letting go of the idea of perfection and learning to embrace "good enough." It's a work in process, but I can see progress.  
- The resources we enjoy that allow me to not worry much about replacing her "beat-up before their time" shoes (I know that many families have a much tougher time meeting these basic needs.)

Wrecked shoes or not, our lives are really, really good in so many ways.  I have much to be grateful for.

 Next week's Intentions:
*Drink more water.  I'm usually pretty good about this, but lately I need to nudge myself along.  I'm hoping that setting this intention will help me return to a good habit.
*Get out and ride my bike at least twice this week.  It seems increasingly hard to fit this is, but there is nothing as good for my head and my body as a kick-ass bike ride.
*Continue to try to stay focused on the task at hand.  I noticed some improvement last week, but continuing to shine a light on this will help me move closer to where I want to be.


Looking forward to a new week- I always enjoy new beginnings.
Happy Sunday to you!

Sunday Gratitude and Intentions PLUS 52photos week #1

Being very conscious of those things for which I am grateful is an important practice for me.  It helps  me stay present and grounded and helps shift my focus from frustration or lack to optimism and contentment.   It's powerful, it's very real, and it's something I try to do daily.

I used to blog about these things on Friday as a way to close out the work week, but lately I've noticed that Sunday seems to be the day that I reflect back on the week behind me, and the time I also set intentions for the week ahead.  I already do this privately, but I think I'll begin bringing it here, as well.
 
Gratitude
*I've been a bit confused lately about where and how to focus my professional efforts.  Given that my career is necessary, both as an important part of my mental and emotional makeup, as well as the means to support myself and my daughter, I get rather unsettled when this area of my life feels out of whack.  In the last few days, however, some glitches worked themselves out and I found some clarity on a few other issues.  I'm feeling much better about where things are now. 

*I've had my dog, Harley, for 11 years.  He is my first baby, my sweet, mellow companion, and a constant source of unconditional love.  He is about 14 years old now, elderly in dog years, and his health is depleting.  His hearing is almost gone, he has a benign heart murmur which will eventually lead to congestive heart failure and recently, he developed an eye lesion.  This week has seen us at the vet several times for treatment of his eye- a minor procedure but still very hard for me to handle (read: i sat in my vet's office and cried for an hour.  twice.)  This experience made the fact that he's not going to be around forever very, very real  but opening up to a few people about how hard this is for me has brought so much love and support.  That love and support and the knowledge that I have people to be there for me when some hard choices need to be made eases the heartache.    (Also, for those who are wondering, his eye is much better than expected.  Yay!)

Harley, at the vet on Tuesday, April 23

*Riley and I spent the weekend in Idaho visiting my family.  We hadn't been there in a while and it's always a good time for both of us.  The added bonus for me, though, is that I sleep better at my Dad's house than I do anywhere else on earth.  I don't know why this is, but after a few rough weeks with lots on my mind and too little sleep, I really needed those hours of deep, restoring sleep.  Although I could use another few days of that level of rest, I got enough to feel rested and ready to start another week.

*Oh, yeah...did I mention... it's Spring!  It's Spring!  IT'S SPRING!  Warmer weather!  Bike season begins!  Flowers!  Evening walks!  I am so ready and grateful for this season!

One of many photos I took wandering around my neighborhood this week.  I love Spring!

Intentions:
Moving into next week, I am setting the intentions to:
*Be mindful of those things I know help me stay balanced:  clean, healthy food, plenty of exercise and a tidy, organized home.  
*Stay focused on the task at hand.  I've picked up a tendency of floating between several projects at once, meaning I get a bunch of things halfway done.  I find this method distracting and unsatisfying, so I'm working hard to break this habit.
*Carry a 'real' camera with me more often.  My iPhone is such a handy way to capture life, but I find that photos I take with my Cannon or even my toy film cameras are more satisfying; they are usually visually superior and it gives me a chance to work on my technical photography skills.  Plus, having my 'real' camera shifts me into a more creative mindset-which is never a bad thing. 

So now I'm wondering -
What are you grateful for this week?
What intentions are you setting for the week ahead?


52 Photos project:
I'm playing along with Bella's 52 Photos Project, and this is week's prompt was "conversation."  Luckily, I took a photo of a my sweet 15 year old niece right before her shift started at work.  Having a chance to catch up with her, even for just a few minutes, was a highlight of my day. 

 

Grateful for...

*a newly purged and organized bedroom for the Girl
*new methods for dealing with an old annoyance
*mental health days
*strength training
*quality time on my bike
*dairy-free green smoothies
*nieces and nephews
*a long walk with a good friend
*menu planning
*faith building moments
*summertime reading
*journal writing
*family who watches out for us 
*random texts with sweet messages
*really being heard

What are you grateful for?

Beautiful Easter Day

My sleep has been disturbed the past several nights.  Horrific images, terrifying stories and disturbing ideas have run rampant in my mind during the time I am trying to rest.  The time I need to rejuvenate.  Often, I have ended up wandering around my condo, waiting for the hours to pass so I can get up and move on with the day.

Last night was the worst it has been.

Rather than waking refreshed on this beautiful Easter morning, instead I woke with all of those anxiety producing thoughts racing through my mind.   I felt physically ill from wakefulness of the night, felt like my skin was crawling with the aftermath of the dreams. 

I knew I needed to move my body in order to work though some of the thoughts in my mind, but I also knew I was in no shape, physically or mentally, to run or bike.  Instead, I grabbed my dog's leash, zipped up a fleece to ward off the chill of the early morning, and started walking.

We walked for miles this morning. 

We walked until my mind worked through some of what was bothering me.
We walked until I was able to let go of the disturbing images in my head.
We walked until angry words were no longer ringing in my ears.

and then we kept walking.

We walked until I noticed the spring time birds singing.
We walked until I heard the cathedral bells chime out their Easter morning greeting.
We walked until I could smell the sweet fragrance of a million tender blooms.
We walked until my eyes and mind were focused on the blossoming flowers, the budding trees, and the soft, sweet breeze.

and then we began to walk home.
And as we walked, I felt my heart open up, and I  began to feel grateful.

Grateful for the beautiful place I call home.
Grateful for the beautiful people I call family and friends.
Grateful for the beautiful girl who calls me 'Mom'.
Grateful for my faith, for forgiveness and for the future.

We arrived home, and I readied myself to attend church service, to celebrate the resurrection of my savior. 
And as I walked into my place of worship, I was no longer focused on the terrors of last night or the anxiety of this morning.

Instead, I entered with an open heart and a clear mind.
And simply gave thanks for the beauty of this day.

Gratitude Friday

Instagram from my friday commute *

Today, I am grateful for:
hard work
opportunities to advance my knowledge
meaningful apologies
shoe swaps
sushi with a wonderful friend
budgets
prayer
encouragement via text message
phone chats with longtime friends
upcoming challenges
simple living
sunny skies
a window view of downtown SLC
impromptu visit from my mom
peppermint laundry soap
5 minute (or less) commute
feeling strong and healthy
streaming netflix
meeting new people
having enough
knowing enough
being enough


*Beck, I was stopped at a very long stoplight when I took this.  I was not driving.  :)

Thankful

Riley and I spent Thanksgiving in Idaho with my family.  We stayed at my Dad's home, and enjoyed four days of family, fun, and aMAZing mexican food (we branched out a little for Thanksgiving Dinner this year.)  We drove back to Utah this afternoon, and I spent most of the drive thinking about how good things are for us right now, and how thankful I am for the life I live and for how things always seem to turn out how they are supposed to.  It reminded me that I needed to catch up on posting my November Gratitude lists here.  

upside down me

Nov. 14 - Grateful for Mondays, for my full schedule and the fulfillment that I find in my work.
Nov. 15 - Grateful for the opportunity i have to work with several 8-11 year old girls in my new church commitment.
Nov. 16- Grateful for a flexible schedule and an understanding boss - taking a sick day to care for Riley is not nearly as stressful as it could be. 
Nov. 17- Grateful for the sorted and organized home and mind that comes with some time to myself.
Nov. 18- Grateful for the chance to end the week with some of my favorite people and for an evening of rest and relaxation.
Nov. 19- Grateful for my dear friend who helped me out at a moment's notice, and for the cheerful spirits that she and her three girls posess.  Being in their home, even just for a very short time, left me uplifted and happy.
Nov. 20 - Grateful that, despite the fact that Riley is not feeling her best, we were able to enjoy a quiet Sunday at home together- reading, cooking and napping.
Nov. 21- Grateful that my girl was well enough to go to school today, and that I finished up my Christmas shopping today.  I still have to work on some gifts that I am making, but by and large - I'm done!
Nov. 22- Grateful that I'm finally able to work out at my normal level.  It's been almost a month since I've been able to work hard at the gym, and I really missed it!
Nov. 23- Grateful for my daughter's newest obsession - Gala apples.  I'm always happy when she adds another healthy item to her limited eating repertoire. 
Nov. 24- Grateful for my family, especially those that are not with us today.  I'm very blessed to be part of such a tight knit family, a group that truly enjoys each other's company.  I'm also thankful for the hilarity a turkey pinata adds to the traditional Thanksgiving celebrations.

Riley and Lexi and the iPad

Nov. 25 - Grateful for the friendship my sweet nieces offer to my daughter.  As an only child, they provide her with a sense of what it would be like to have siblings, and she just adores them (as do I).  I'm so grateful that we can spend time with them this weekend.
Nov. 26- Grateful for the truly excellent sleep I've had for the past three nights.  I sleep better at my Dad's home than anywhere else on earth, and three days of that type of rest will hold me for several weeks.  I always leave there with a rested and happy heart.


Things are good.
Things are just really, really good.
I'm so very Thankful. 

Hello out there! and November Gratefuls

Hello.  Hi.  Remember me?

I'm the girl who usually posts here three-ish times a week?

Yeah?  You do remember?  Oh good.  Just wanted to stop in, say hi, and that I'm hoping to be back in full swing soon. 

 

Her current choice of "me" time entertainment - the Riley playlist on my iPod

The past three weeks, I've been hit and hit hard by a wicked sinus infection, which joined forces with a double ear infection to really give me a run for my money, health-wise.   Sure, there are much worse things I could be suffering from, but for a person who is usually insanely healthy...well, I'm frustrated.  And tired.  And irritable.  And ready for this bump in the road to smooth out.  I'm trying to stay positive though, and am grateful for great medical care I have access to, and that things are getting better day by day.  I'll get there.  I'll make it.  Still, any prayers or positive energy or healing vibes you want to throw my way are very much appreciated.  Thank you.

Now, on to the real topic of this post....


In November, I join several friends in recounting something I am grateful for each day.  Many of my friends post these thoughts on Facebook, but I am spending very little time on Facebook these days.  So, I am writing them in my journal instead.  Still, I wanted to post them online, as well, since many of the good in my life is due to the amazing people I am surround by and I think it's important to acknowledge the good in our lives out loud, and often.  There is no rhyme or reason as to why I chose to post the list, thus far, today.  I just wanted to get it out there and am excited to continue through the rest of the month.  

Nov. 1 - Grateful for a small home that goes from trashed to tidy in less than an hour.
Nov. 2 - Grateful for a much-needed evening to myself.
Nov. 3 - Grateful that my little girl is learning the value of "me" time (see photo above.)
Nov. 4- Grateful that I have an objective person on my side, to listen and to advise.
Nov. 5- Grateful for the dedicated 'creative space' in my home, one that I can close it off to keep little hands out of projects.
Nov. 6- Grateful for a quiet day at home to rest and get myself back on the road to health.
Nov. 7- Grateful for excellent healthcare providers and insurance.
Nov. 8- Grateful for a productive day, despite large amounts of cold medicine and antibiotics and painkillers.
Nov. 9- Grateful that a much anticipated meeting went well, and for an early night and 10+ hours of sleep.
Nov. 10 - Grateful to have spent the evening at a good friend's home, soaking up her wisdom and her girls' playful happiness.

Nov. 11- Grateful for my military experience; for the opportunity to serve, for the life lessons I learned and for the committed, brave, and generous people I met along the way. 
Nov. 12 - Grateful for a plethora of little girls; for giggles and hugs, for dances and drawings.
Nov. 13 - Grateful for a new chance to serve others, and for the songs and words of children.

5 (good) things!

Thankfully, the hullabaloo that accompanies a four-year-old's birthday party is over (pics to come soon!), and now I am in the post party cleanup, catch-up-on-everything-else stage. The nice thing about this is that it gives me a chance to reflect on what's going on in my life, and to be grateful for the good things. I have a lot, but for tonight, here are a few of those good things.

1. I have the best sister in law ever. No, seriously - E.V.E.R. I can't even begin to count how many times she has kept me from crossing over into insanity, and she did it again this weekend. She helped me pull together all the details of Riley's birthday, and while I was at a work commitment the night before the party, she made three dozen cupcakes for me so I wouldn't be up until 3 am. She's a keeper, I tell ya. Jamie- Thank you for everything you do for me and for Riley. We sure do love you!

Jamie with Karlee and Riley, July 2011

2. Since I'm staying put in my condo for a while, I've decided to make over my bedroom. I've given myself a pretty decent budget (in my opinion), and am going to make it into exactly the space I want it to be. The last time I had a bedroom that was exactly what I wanted was in high school, and I am more excited about this than is actually reasonable. Oh well - I'm allowed, right? I'm getting started this week with some closet deconstruction and reconstruction, then painting a new color and getting new bedding and whatnot. I hope to be done by the time labor day weekend is over.

3. The Girl received a set of different card games for her birthday, and I've spent a good portion of today teaching her to play 'Go Fish' and 'Crazy Eights'. It's so fun to watch her try to strategize her way through these types of games. She's pretty good at Go Fish, Crazy Eights baffles her every time, but the one game she can beat me at every time - Memory Match. Really! She has an amazing photographic memory and can kick my trash every time we play.

Go Fish

4. So far, it seems like all my east coast friends weathered the hurricane safely and with minimal problems. There are a couple I haven't heard from yet, but it seems like they are ok from their facebook and twitter updates. I'm so grateful for their safety, and for the technology that helps us keep tabs on each other quickly and easily.

5. I have some major creative energy going these days. I love how it feels to be in this mode, and to have that mojo carry over into other areas of life. My brain is exploding with a bunch of ideas and I am actually making the time to execute them. It's a good thing, and I've found it is so important in helping me stay open and centered.

What's good in your life tonight?

A Gratitude List

As a very long, very hectic, very draining week draws to a close, I have carried with me the feeling of being so thankful for the good things in my life, for the things that keep me going when life gets overwhelming.

This morning, I am so grateful for:

*an evening spent celebrating the impending arrival of a good friend's baby girl with wonderful women, excellent food and lots of fun.
*this afternoon's plans of a party and a parade. Should be a fun, relaxing afternoon for both the girl and me.
*an 80 minute massage and oriental hot rock treatment - one of my favorite ways to rejuvenate and recharge. I know I'm blessed to be able to indulge in this type of luxury every once in a while.
*family and friends who are always there, always my constant sources of love and support.
*my daughter's growing independence and ability to think and do for herself.
*deepening friendships with some really amazing people.
*living in a place where my surroundings- whether downtown in the urban jungle, or out on the lake or in the mountains- are a constant source of inspiration.
*the knowledge that I'm exactly where I am supposed to be, doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing - understanding this has helped put a lot of issues into perspective.
*a fuller understanding of my own goals and desires, and how to make them happen.
*getting my life organized and open enough that there is time for fun and play without dropping the ball on work, my home or my other obligations.
*neighbors and friends who share their garden goodness with us.
*knowing that I am in a really happy, really healthy, really balanced place.

This is just some of what is filling me up lately. What are you grateful for today?

Lessons learned in Santa Fe

the only picture I took in Santa Fe

I'm in Santa Fe for a few days this week for work meetings, and although I've heard this is a beautiful city, full of art and culture and amazing food, I've spent most of my time sick in my hotel room. Oh, well. I'll have to come back one day soon, with daughter and camera in tow.

Still, despite being confined to a hotel room, Santa Fe has made an impression on me in a way I didn't expect. This evening, after having spent most of last night and all of today holed up in my hotel room, lying on the bathroom floor and trying to keep it together, I realized that I really needed to try to keep something in my stomach. I called room service, and explained my situation. I told them that I knew it wasn't on their menu, but if they could bring me some really mild soup and some dry toast, I'd be very grateful. The voice on the other end said it would be no problem and when I thanked him again for going out of his way, he replied "It's no problem, honey. My wife eats like this too. It's what happens when you are expecting. I'll try to send you up some saltines, too." I didn't try to correct his assumption and just thanked him again and hung up.

My order was carried up by a young guy, probably in his late teens or early twenties. To be honest, he looked a bit sketchy, but he spoke with a soft, polite voice and asked where he could set the tray. He went through the usual "here's your toast, here's your soup" routine as I signed the check and started to back out. As he headed to the door, he turned to me, looked me straight in the eye and said "I know you don't feel well, my boss told me. I'm really sorry about that. There isn't much I can do, but maybe these will help" and he handed me a handful of ginger candy chews. I must have looked very surprised because he said shyly "my girl eats them when she doesn't feel well. She says they help. I hope they help you. God bless you." and he back out of the room and was gone. When I looked at the tray, besides the soup and toast I had ordered, there was a huge pile of saltines and a ginger ale, courtesy of the voice on the other end of the phone.

As I ate my soup and toast, I couldn't stop thinking about the kindness of these men. I know they are in the hospitality business, but they went above and beyond to offer me some comfort on a night that I really needed it.

Isn't this what we are here for? To help each other out? To ease one another's burdens? To go above and beyond to offer the kindness to another that we might one day need ourselves? For me tonight, this kindness came in the form of a pile of saltine crackers, a soda and a handful of candy, but I tear up whenever I think of how much I learned from these small gifts.

I believe in Karma, in the idea that what you put out into the world comes back to you. I'm not sure what I've done to deserve tonight's kindess, but I know that now I need to pay it forward. I'm not quite ready to say I'm grateful to be sick in Santa Fe, but perhaps I will get there one day. I am, however, so grateful for what I was reminded of tonight, for a small gift of crackers and candy from a room service voice and a young waiter, and from the lessons they left behind.

Happy Friday! (A gratitude list)

Today, I am grateful for:

**the glorious weather we've had all week. this time of year reminds me of why I love Utah!
**finding a new babysitter. Riley loves her (and her sweet 9 month old) and she has given this mama some much needed respite.
**the fun time, great life skills, and energy burn that Riley's swimming lessons have turned out to be. 4 days a week for a month is a lot for me to commit to, but I really want her to learn to swim well and to be safe and skilled in the water. it seems we are well on our way.
**how (relatively) easy it has been to keep my house in "show" condition, now that it's on the market. I thought this would be much more difficult, but Riley is really pitching in and it's becoming routine.
**the beautiful display of roses in the Avenues during June. it's truly my favorite time of year in my neighborhood.
**You know those moments of uncontrollable laughter, the ones where your stomach hurts and your face aches from smiling so much? I've stumbled upon several of these lately, and it's amazing how much they do to keep me balanced. (thanks, G, for catching this one on camera - I know i look goofy but it was such a purely joyful, funny moment that I love the photo,anyway.)
**friends who listen when I just need to talk things out, to hear my own voice make sense of my world.
**a whole weekend stretching out ahead of me with no major obligations or commitments. My plans include sleeping as much as I want to, riding my bike, reading, long walks and a hike in there somewhere. Sounds grand, no?

A Gratitude List

It's been a hell of a week.

Not a bad week, just a crazy-busy one, crammed with obligations and committments.

I also had to make a quick trip to Denver for work meetings, adding substantially to the chaos.

It is weeks like these that remind me to be grateful for the many good things I have going on, because without them, I'd get bogged down in the minutiae of a complicated, busy life. And so...a gratitude list.

Right now, I am grateful for:

**an evening spent snuggled up with my kiddo, reading books and making up silly stories.

**board meetings with myself on my rooftop deck.
**a fulfilling, mind stimulating, challenging career.

**an amazing support network.

**knowing my girl was well cared for and loved while I was out of town. (This is so critical for me to be able to do my job to the best of my abilities.)

**seeing the payoffs of all the work and time I spent streamlining both my time and possessions. It's so nice not to be owned by stuff.

**parenting a creative little soul - check out her 'mermaid tail' (both feet stuffed in one of my fins and legs wrapped in a bath towel). She keeps things so entertaining around here.
**a long, hot bath after a day of airport delays.

**running the trails around my home (have I mentioned how much I love trail running?) These are some iPhone photos I took on a recent run.

(is there any question about why I love trail running so much?)

**new friends and new projects.

**2.5 hour phone conversations with my Dad. That man just. gets. me.

**recognizing that it's time to come back to center and get back to the basics.

In good hands (Gratitude Friday)

This is why I was able to really relax and enjoy my vacation. I knew I had left my girl in the best hands possible.

So grateful for my sister, her husband and the twinners. We love them so much.

Grateful.

Today, I am grateful for:

-Sunday afternoon visits from friends who are out-and-about on an alphabet walk.
-The anticipation of a busy but productive week ahead.
-Learning to say no to what doesn't serve me.
-Hot baths with essential oils and gentle piano music in the background.
-Sudafed, Vitamin C and a killer immune system.
-GoodReads.
-Forgiving, letting go, moving on.
-My little girl's wild, colorful imagination and her inquisitive nature.
-This talk from last week's LDS General Conference.
-Phone dates with long distance friends.
-The ingredients for a week of healthy meals waiting in my refrigerator.
-Prayers that are answered in a way I couldn't have anticipated.
-Finally feeling like I have organized, tossed, and recycled my way into a clean, manageable home.
-Homemade brownies and wise advice, both courtesy of a very kind, very insightful friend.
-It's getting to be that time of year - time to ride my bike.
-Feeling very much at home in my own skin.

What are you grateful for today?

Gratitude Friday

I haven't posted a Gratitude Friday post for a while, and I feel like it's high time. I definitely have a lot to be grateful for.

**Given the recent news coming out of Libya, Egypt, and Tunisia, I can't help but feeling incredibly grateful to be an American and for the freedoms I enjoy. I'm so grateful to live in a country that, despite our fair share of problems, has a democratic system that allows me to make my voice heard without fear of retribution. It also makes me so thankful that I gave myself the experience of serving in the Air Force, because I think it gave me a different understanding and deeper appreciation of the liberties we have in America.

**It's funny how, when you begin to take bold steps towards creating the life you want, The Universe seems to line circumstances up to support you on that path. I've been experiencing this phenomenon lately. I can't explain it, but I'm so grateful for it, anyway.

**This past week, I re-read some of my journal entries from last year at this time. It's amazing to me how differently I felt about so many things and how much happier and how much more at peace I am with myself, my values and my lifestyle now. I also can't help but be grateful that some of the things I wanted to happen then DIDN'T pan out and how those experiences helped me to grow, strengthened my sense of self, and helped me to more fully define what I DO want and need in my life. I guess I could sum all this up by saying how grateful I am for seeing the "Big Picture".

**You know how sometimes someone shows up in your life, and you just know they were supposed to be there and that you've known them on some level all along? Well, I have one of those people, and it just so happens to be her birthday today.
I'm so thankful for the person who continually lifts me up, who is one of the most honest people I know, who is a great example of being an engaged and present mother and wife, who gives of herself more than is ever expected, who has walked with me through some of the hardest things I have ever done, who busts out with the most random comments ever, who is one of the most talented people I know, and who is the only person in my entire life with whom I have stood on both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts (that seems like a big deal for some reason). For my photo taking, hula-hooping, crepe-making, kick ass friend, G Love - I am so grateful!

Bright spots in a dreary week (Gratitude Friday)

Miss Yaya came down with a nasty virus over the weekend, so we started this week off by staying home, forcing fluids, doing load after load of laundry, trying to shut out the Barbie DVD's that were on constant loop, and trying to keep her temperature in acceptable range.
Now the stomach virus has passed, but she's back in bed with ear infections and an awful chest cold. My poor kiddo. She's had a rough week.

There have been some bright spots, however, and today I am grateful for those good things that get us through the rough times.

For example:

We finally got to meet our friend Katie's baby on Sunday night. This little sweetheart is precious! Such a doll! So sweet and so tiny (I forget how teeny newborns are).

Riley brought her some purple sparkly sunnies, just like her pink ones.

This photo just cracks me up, for no particular reason.

I think these two are going to be good buddies. Riley already has renamed one of her babies, so we have a "Baby Quinn" around our house, too.

I did someone a little favor, and they brought me a dozen cookies from this shop as a 'thank you'. I'm not a huge fan of sweets, so I only ate one, but I did have fun handing them out to everyone else and watching their enjoyment. And the red polka dot packaging- pure eye candy.

This is my wonderful friend, Kris. I adore her. And because of both of our busy schedules, I don't get to see her as often as I'd like. I finally caught up with her one evening this week, and it did wonders for my spirit. She's one of the coolest, kindest, most genuine people I know.
(not to mention gorgeous, huh?)

We chatted for several hours over sushi. One of my favorite foods and one of my favorite girls. It was a fantastic way to spend an evening, and just what I needed.

A few more things I'm grateful for today:
*A wonderful pediatrician who is always happy to answer questions, provide information and help me out however she can.
*Good insurance that makes a week like this so much less stressful because I don't have to worry about the costs.
*A very understanding boss who totally gets the struggle between professional demands and motherhood, and who supports the choices I make on that front. It can be a tough balance often, but I'm totally willing to go the extra mile for her whenever it's needed, because she's always so great when weeks like this occur.
*Good friends who offer help and assistance always, but especially when weeks like this roll around.