#13 - 21

#13 - What abilities are you grateful for?

The ability to gather people. I am blessed to be a people-gatherer and I strive to find more ways in 2020 to do just this.

#14 - What sight are you grateful for today?

Sunrises from my bedroom window

#15 - What season are you grateful for?

Fall, of course. 

#16 - What about your body are you grateful for?

My shoulders.

#17 - What knowledge are you grateful for?

Business knowledge.

#18 - What piece of art are you grateful for?

Pictures of my family.

#19 - What touch are you grateful for?

The feel of my girls small, soft hands.

#20 - Who in your life are you grateful for?

Tough to chose just one person but ultimately, the full gratitude to our Lord.

#21 - What song are you most grateful for?

Pitbull songs - they pump me up!

#9 - #12 Days of Gratitude

#9 - What place are you grateful for?

Turks + Caicos

I wrote this on the flight on my first trip to this beautiful island and have kept it on my phone ever since...

11/30/2016

The extreme joy I am feeling as I overlook the deep blues of the Atlantic Ocean,
comfortably seated in first class with the love of my life.
We are about to embark on a bucket list item...visiting Turks and Caicos for the first time.
I am ready!
I am ready to see this beautiful gift from God.
I am ready for the start of something great.

I miss my girlies like crazy but I know they are in safe, loving hands...I know that our hugs will be embraced extra strong when we get back home.

I truly feel like this profession was my calling and feel blessed beyond belief.

#10 - What taste are you grateful for today?

Vino!


#11 - What holiday are you grateful for today?

Christmas is most definitely my favorite holiday.


#12 - What texture are you grateful for?

My children's locks of hair.

# 8 - What book are you most grateful for?

This book is sooo good and I loved it! But I especially loved how it came to me in such a special way. My younger sister and not yet a mother herself, sent this book to me based on suggestions she had read with different blogs she followed, combined with knowing I was in the thick of motherhood challenges. It hit me right where I needed and I will forever be grateful.

#7 - What memory are you grateful for?

This is difficult...soo many to chose from. I think I am most grateful for the memories with Jeremy's dad, Pa. So many fond memories but the way he made everyone smile and laugh is the most memorable. XO

30 days of gratitude

I recently came across a chart of 30 topics to consider gratitude for each day of November. I'll kick-start #1 - 6 tonight and hope to keep up with the remaining days in a more timely fashion ;)

#1 - What smell are you grateful for today?

Burnt leaves. I have always loved the smell of burning leaves. I just learned recently that my grandmother does the same thing as me in the late fall, that is, rolls down the windows while driving down the road when I see/smell burning leaves. The ultimate fall smell.

#2 - What technology are you grateful for?

Marco Polo - a video chat app on my phone that keeps me connected and has reconnected me with friends and family across the country. It's a simple and free way to actually see and hear them and I often MP while on the go or at my desk.

#3 - What color are you grateful for?

Pink. I used to love purple but pink has brought me joy and excitement towards my passion and my life as a mom of girls.

#4 - What food are you most grateful for?

Pineapple. {Surprise} It's a great detox-get-things-moving food...it's tasty in a smoothie with vanilla protein, banana and pro-biotic orange juice and was great in my Evol bowl with Hawaiian Chicken and Rice today!

#5 - What sound are you grateful for today?

My girls giggling and laughing when their daddy chases them around our home.

#6 - What in nature are you grateful for?

The symphony of colors of fall in Indiana. Having lived in MI, IN, IL, MN and CO...I can honestly say, Indiana has some of the best fall foliage. I am constantly in awe of the gorgeous maples as I drive down the street.

20 Nineteen

We are on Day 236 of 2019...where has the time gone?!!

I listen to A LOT of podcasts these days...I mean A LOT...perhaps more podcasts than music on most days...which is kind of huge in my space. I just can't get enough of information. I listen to podcasts about business, travel agent life, motherhood, Christian devotions, and healthy living. I recently heard on one podcast that "writing" 20 minutes per day has significant improvements to one's mind and soul. I remembered how much I enjoyed blogging and using this blog as a means to document our life in the years filled with crazy chaos, so that I could one day go back to read and reminisce. I've always "wrote" for me and plan to strive to do this more.

I think 2019 so far has treated our family well. We continue to improve our stride with child-rearing, with balancing work - travel - home life. We are peeling back the layers of our first born to help her develop and be the best version of L through surgery to remove her tonsils and adenoids to correct her sleep apnea...to behavior therapy and now occupational therapy to address her sensory processing needs. We continue to grow in this space and must work hard to be patient with the process.

J and I have enjoyed the turquoise waters of Exuma, Bahamas...the warm hospitality of Mexico...and our family enjoyed weekends at our best friend's lake home, a family cabin in Northern Michigan and a week long escape to paradise...Hawaii this summer!

These girls fight often but manage to love a lot, too!

Sophia's comments lately have included:
S: "I just love our house" {as she was walking down our stairs}
Me: "Why do you love our house?"
S: "Because it's just so beautiful!"
Me::smile::

or the other day she told me "Daddy's in love with you!" And I said, yes, yes, he is and I love him, too!

She still says "gah" instead of "the" and we question when we start correcting her but it's soo damn cute right now...neither of us want it to end.

First born children help you realize how fleeting each season is and to just soak up the goodness of each moment as they come! 

I'll try to be back soon!