Thank you for reading this blog in 2011! It was a massive year for me, personally, but also all over the board. SO much happened. The good, the bad and the ugly. It was all there. I look forward to sharing my 2012 and beyond with you all!
Happy 2012!
Filed under Uncategorized
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” – Marianne Williamson
I have loved this quote from the first time I heard it. Despite what my opinion is or has been of myself, this called out treasure in me. Made me realize that the world needs me to be me. I think I make a pretty good me. I can’t expect that anyone else could be me. You do not make a good me. And that’s the way it should be.
I need you to be you. To be your amazing, individual and powerful you. My world is incomplete with you being only a fraction of who you are. I need you to fly, to push the boundaries, to go further and run faster. I need that because I need to go higher, run faster and push boundaries.
I want to celebrate who you are. I love my kids. I love their crazy, their sincere, their joy, their endless supply of hope. Although there are similarities, for me to respond and love each one like Jaeda, would be shoving them into a box in which they are incapable of living in. But when I recognize them for who they are, unique in this family, they all get the opportunity to shine. There’s enough love to go around. They only need to be themselves. That is the only expectation I have of them. When they are who they are, I am free to celebrate their individuality.
Be you. You are amazing!
Filed under Uncategorized
This day 10 years ago, I was in Colorado Springs attending an internship with New Life Church. I was in the parking lot with the other interns in our workout gear and running as we did every morning. I remember one of our leaders stopping the workout and telling us about what had just happened. At that point, I thought it wasn’t real. A sick joke.
But we all abandoned our workout and ran into the World Prayer Center to flick on the news. And there it was. The first of the Twin Towers ablaze. We continued to watch as another plane struck the second tower and watched them crumble to the ground.
I remember crying for weeks. I didn’t know anyone who lost their life that day, but it was my home that was attacked. There was such a feeling of insecurity that rocked my inner core. Even today, re-watching the footage, I gasp when the 2nd plane slams into the WTC tower. I think, this plane is going WAY too fast and isn’t pulling up…I don’t believe that it will actually collide. But it does. And it did. The tears fall fresh.
To all the fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, sons, daughter, friends and lovers who lost their lives. We Will Never Forget.
To all the firefighters and heroes. We Will Never Forget.
To all the passengers on the three flights. We Will Never Forget.
To all the fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, sons, daughter, friends and lovers who survived and are survivors. We Will Never Forget.
To America, land that I love. My home forever. We Will Never Forget.
Filed under Everyday Musings
Ok people! Here are my top 10 family photos for the first 6 (actually, it’s 7) months of 2011.
I’m so not ready for a teenager. 01/11
My beautiful boys on Nathanael’s birthday (Walker one day old) 02/11
Our little surprise was purposefully intentioned. I couldn’t imagine missing out on Walker’s life. 02/11
Nathanael living the dream. He loves trains. 03/11
Oh Hello! 03/11
My loves. 04/11
Wrestling in a high chair? Yeah we do that too. 05/11
Rainy day fun. 06/11
Brad bringing in a fishing boat in Bali. 07/11
Besties.
Probably my most favorite! 07/11
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A few months ago, Jaeda came to me asking to have an art party for her birthday. Such a great idea! One I grabbed and ran with. We covered a wall with butcher’s paper, had crafty bits on the table, played the donut game, made handprints on canvas (although, most kids just ended up smearing white paint everywhere), cake and present! A good afternoon!
Filed under The Fam
Today we went to Jaeda’s school open day for Education Week. She was so proud to show us her book work and creative flare. I think she was pretty tickled that we were there. She was kinda shy when we first walked in, but in the excited way (if that makes any sense, so excited you are shy kind of thing). We’re so proud of Jaeda and how she is going in kindergarten! Here are some pictures from the day.
Teacher’s always have the best handwriting!
Jaeda showing Daddy her book work.
Love her creative side!
Jaeda and her bestie with Daddy, Walker and Katherine looking on.
Filed under The Fam
1. Classical Music. I love the way it moves and inspires me. I just close my eyes and rest floods me. I can feel my heart rate slow. Plus, it’s fun to play.
2. Fresh Flowers. I never have enough fresh flowers in my house on a regular basis, but I wish I did.
3. Candles. Vanilla and Cinnamon candles in particular. All shapes and sizes.
4. Personalized/Monogrammed Stationery.
5. The Great Plains. Maybe you have to be born and live there to really appreciate the wide open spaces, the big sky and never ending horizon. I will always love the Plains. My heart’s home.
6. The Kitchen. This is my most favorite room in my house. I love the life that flows in and out of the kitchen. *Mine doesn’t look like this.
7. Lace. It’s class, and subtle way of beauty.
8. Kung Fu movies. Give me a night at home with Chinese take out and a Kung Fu movie. It’s all I need.
9. Haciendas. I think I was born and maybe even live in the wrong country. I get excited at the thought of living in one!
10. PotteryBarn. Simply, truly, beautiful. They now ship overseas making my life SO much more enjoyable.
11. All things Mac (duh).
12. Robert Doisneau. For The Kiss
13. This quote.
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” – Marianne Williamson
Filed under Everyday Musings
