Gifts

1056. Out of struggle and difficulty this morning with a sensory meltdown and the clock ticking, framing the challenge and emotion in a different way.  What is the gift I am supposed to get from this?  What can possibly be gained from such struggle and ugliness?  We made it through, I dropped Lily off at school and thought and thought as I drove in quiet.  And the answer came to me. 

With each one of these experiences, we learn something new - an insight to help us prevent, soothe, or recover in the future.  With this one, I remembered that we forgot to have the outlet for the frustration before trying to move on.  A simple concept looking at it completely removed now, but in the moment, this completely escaped all of us and the release did not happen until Lily and I were driving down the road.

1057. Watching this short clip the night before on Facebook courtesy of Louise Hay: Cheryl Richardson TV, You're So Sensitive, The Art of Extreme Self Care.  This we are, a sensitive family.  I thought of this clip this morning, which is what helped me choose to drive in silence and reflect instead of numbing/tuning out the sensitivities of this morning.

1058. A surprise package of fun toys and treats from Aunt Joan and family, and my cherished phone time with her this afternoon to catch up.

1059. Andy and I in the kitchen together busting out the dishes, lunches and snacks for the next day and venting our frustrations in a humorous way to lighten the load.

Gifts

1048. Incredible customer service that makes professional relationships so valuable and meaningful to so many; the ripple effect in action.

1049. Getting a last minute appointment at the chiropractor and receiving recommendations for more information on healthy living: The Doctor Within

1050. Sprouts' product selection in bulk bins and supplements. 

1051. Traditional Medicinals Organic Echinacea Tea and Oil of Oregano to boost my immune system.

1052. Being calm, present, and validating this evening even in the face of homework drama.

1053. Francesca's Collections - Love this store for gifts and more, such as the perfect little mother's day trinket.  Hope she likes it:)

1054. My fourth night in a row of in bed at 10:00pm (on my way now)!  This is a huge accomplishment for me, a chronic late to bed and too early to rise gal.

1055. A Taste of Milk and Honey's blog post on Pursuing Dreams that ended with this picture below, and a dare of "who's with me?!".  Sure is some heavy food for thought for nearly 10:00, but if not now, then when?  Thank you Tina for your unending inspiration, courage, and drive!

Gifts

1040. Making myself step outside for a night walk.  That first step out from under the patio overhang when I feel the breeze on my skin and hear it through the leaves on our tree out front makes me inhale so deeply, exhale, relax my shoulders, and smile in gratitude to myself for doing making the choice to exercise, and to nature for being around me to experience it.

1041. Reading Nora Rose's update and being reminded of how beautiful life is and how much we can learn from each other.

1042. All of us crowded into Emmy's room after baths and showers to talk and wind down for the night.

1043. Getting to hug two special friends tonight who make me smile so big.

1044. Following through with my annual well-woman exam today.  Although an awkward experience that women go through, getting to see the doctor who so gently and calmly helped bring both of our girls into this world and our lives is always such a joy for me.  And, I got a good recommendation of a book for our upcoming trip:)

1045. Getting the update today that our Southwest Human Development/Easter Seals Walk With Me event over the weekend exceeded our fundraising goal for the year to help children with disabilities and their families!

1046. Back to my favorite healthy start to the day.  Breakfast smoothie with kale, spinach, avocado, blueberries, strawberries, banana, apple cider vinegar, ice and water - and, Andy s ending me a video clip this morning of Emmy sucking the last of it down with a straw on her way to school this morning!

1047. A picture message from my sister-in-law today, what she called a happy mother's day early, of Lily, our niece, and our friends' girls (not in that order) at school this morning.  Seeing their smiling faces made me smile!

Never, Ever Give Up. Arthur's Inspirational Transformation!

1034. One of the most amazing gifts of today that I think will last a lifetime was this short clip - an incredible story about NEVER, EVER GIVING UP.  Thank you Arthur for sharing your story!

1035. Finally getting to catch up with Victor Encinas, Financial & Vocational Coach to recap our work with him towards financial peace and venturing out on our own.  We are grateful to Victor for teaching us about money and how to gain control of where it goes.  We have a long way to go, but would never have known the path or taken our first steps without Victor.

1036. Roasted pistachios, tasty and crunchy.

1037. Good Earth Lemongrass Green Tea, a light refreshing surprise.

1038. Andy's stamina to get through this difficult, extraordinarily busy week and weekend to come.  Thank you for working so hard to help our family become debt free!

1039. The super moon reflecting off every curve of the block glass window wall in our bathroom tonight.

Gifts

1024. While dreaming up a name for Lily's new white seal pup stuffed animal that her teacher gave her today, we explored aurora borealis online as a potential name and found this really amazing time lapse video (above) from space of aurora borealis.

1025. So grateful that my body made it through today after two nights of not nearly enough sleep and feeling the effects big time.

1026. Peeling and chopping green apples, sweet potatoes and onion for beautiful, creamy, fresh soup tonight.

1027. Ham and cheese quesadillas for the girls that I couldn't resist.

1028. The kid table all decked out for a tea party with name cards and all, courtesy of Lily, and Lily waiting anxiously at the front window for her sister to come home from school and join in the fun.


1029. Two days in a row after school with my Lily.

1030. Finding two all natural face products today with Try Me Free rebate coupons attached!

1031. Seeing our sweet neighbor's belly that dropped today, one day closer to delivery of a new life!

1032. Giving my body the extra rest that it needs tonight. If all goes as planned, I will be in bed at a record early time - 9:30pm! So looking forward to it!

1033. Andy already in bed doing the same thing after his crazy week and even crazier weekend with an upcoming catering.

Gifts

1013. Smoothies for breakfast in the morning, three days in a row. 

1014. A morning chit chat with my dear mom, finally hearing her voice after two weeks of phone tag.

1015. Bonding time with puppy Olive today and noticing the similarities between puppies and toddlers.

1016. Sitting out on the patio with Lily, sharing time face to face to listen to her thoughts, and also sharing Trader Joe's Jalapeno Cheese Puffs and a Cherry Vanilla Hanson's (not that those two go together, by any means!).

1017. Making a new dinner, hearing Lily tell me, "Mom, this is the best dinner you've ever made,"  and finally catching on that she says this because she sometimes means it, but more because she knows how good it makes me feel.

1018. One of the neighbor kids making a crown for Emmy tonight out of the most gorgeous vine in their backyard and delivering it over our backyard wall. 

1019. A walk to and from the park with the girls after dinner in that most perfect moment of sunset when the earth seems to be enveloped in a warm, comfortable, safe glow.

1020. More phone time with Grammy and the girls after bath, laughing over Emmy's pronunciation of Chip ANN Zee.

1021. Making silly faces for our photographer Emmy tonight moments before bed.



1022. Hearing Emmy tell me tonight as I crawled in bed next to her to snuggle that only I do this, Daddy does not.  I love that we each have our very own rituals with or girls, the kind that fill everyone's hearts.

1023. Loading pictures on Kodak tonight for Grammy like I said I would and knowing how very happy it will make her tomorrow:)

The Gifts Begin Again

Returning tonight to acknowledging the gifts in my days makes me so happy (and an audible exhale making room to soak it all right back in).

1002. Almond milk and Kroger brand Chocolate Toasted Oats.

1003. Running 1.2 miles tonight and not being winded when I stopped.

1004. A moment shared with Lily like none other.  I learned that in my silence, respecting her silence, she finally welcomed me in to her vulnerability for the first time.  I climbed up on her seven-year old body that lay curled up in her hot pink 'tween papason and held her, resting my face on her face and hearing her heart beat under me.  She wrapped her arm around mine, placed her hand on top of mine, and closed her eyes; such surrender, peace, and love I felt in my heart for my sweet Lily.

1005. Halls wild with laughter, talking, and the many colors and textures of grade school art, the fine young artists, and their families.

1006. Noticing how much Lily has grown over the course of first grade at her Habitat Open House night tonight.

1007. Delicious new pizza for dinner - thank you Andy!  Cheddar, tomato, broccoli, bacon and green onion on corn meal dusted crust.

1008.  Getting belly laughs out of Emmy tonight by making puffer fish faces and letting her squash my cheeks to get the air out with funny sounds.

1009. Back on track with May's budget tonight and geared up to get serious after our first Financial Peace University class last night.

1010. A cool breeze in my face as I stepped out into the evening of May 1st in Phoenix.

1011. Meeting Olive, a 14-week old fluffy Australian Shepard puppy with one hazel colored eye and one blue.  Such a beauty.

1012. My first issue of Eating Well in the mailbox tonight - thank you Rose!