Weekend “Vacations”

I’m treating my weekends like mini-vacations in an attempt to feel more rested and rejuvenated by Monday AM.

Friday after work we drove 90 min away to see Michael run, it’s his senior year so I’m soaking up every track meet. It was so wonderful to be there and see his new PR. We got home late but I’m so glad we went. 🏃‍♂️

Saturday I woke up at 6am and had breakfast with Finn before he went to work. Then I journaled, meditated, did some homework for an online class I’m taking, started the dish washer and folded some laundry before I headed on my super fun adventure with Story Exploratory. I had a 6-hour writing retreat today, in person! It was so nice to be together in a physical space, meet some new wonderful people, and have time for reflection, learning and a brand new experience – reiki. We had great conversations and I had so many wonderful epiphanies and learnings. Tonight I’m in cozy pjs on the coach looking at photos and photo books while some old favorite movies are on tv in the background (Sweet Home Alabama, Forrest Gump, Shawshank Redemption, American Sniper, Barbie and Little Women).

Tomorrow I have tons of Abbott work to do, so tonight I am soaking up the art, cozy blanket and me time. 💕

Thanks Universe! The last 24 hours were a gift!

2023 was pretty great!

Adventure is out there! #Up

Winter Solstice

on the darkest day of the year, may the light shine within you and around you.

⛄️☀️❄️🌟

may every sunrise bring you hope; and every sunset bring you peace; today and always. ❤

Happy 17 FJK

I love you. You never have to earn my love, I want you to rest in it, and know it’s always here.

I always know it’s the good times with Finn.

You are always up for an adventure, whether it’s a walk around the block or a monthly photo challenge. You find the fun all around, at school, work, home. I love your spirit!

You are competitive but realistic and put your health first by resting when you need to. I want to be more like you!

I love how your brain works and you problem solve, like ordering a square to take credit cards for your lawn mowing and snow removal business.

I love the energy you have around your little cousins like Brock and Luna and with your campers from Banner.

You are an amazing storyteller!

I love that you try new sports and advocate for yourself. You have an amazing way at looking at life. Don’t ever lose that!

You are off to do great things, and I’m so proud to be your mom and so lucky to be here to celebrate 17 years 🎂 with you.

I love you with my whole heart! And I always will! 💕

Float Sixty

I tried something new today, a daily dose of novelty. I floated in a cocoon and loved everything about it!

When the world yells “sink or swim”

be a rebel and just float.

I felt weightless, what I imagine floating in space would feel like. Zero gravity. Pain free. A little disoriented but relaxed and supported.

Can’t wait to try the fire and ice room next 🙂

Awe

How can I find more awe? That’s the key to a great life! This a reminder to me, but I thought I’d share in case it helps someone else. Because our worries aren’t as big as we think, but the difference we can make in our community is way bigger than we can imagine.

First. Nature. Go outside! Fresh air, a slow walk, glistening sun, tall trees that climb into the sky, it all slows you down long enough to live mindfully and fall in love with the world around you. Or even just watch planet earth on BBC with my pal David Attenborough. Today I learned frog fish are a thing and they are ridiculously amazing!!

Second. Love. Notice and honor acts of love all around. Love yourself, love your people.

Third. Art. Have an artist date, look for found art, public murals, watch a comedy on Netflix, review photobooks. Redecorate your house, draw something. Listen to classical music or blast your favorite song.

Fourth. glimmers. Small moments of hope, like wheelchair dancing, a jar of seashells, a conversation with a 2 year old, take a nap and dream. Watch the sunrise.🐬 stories of the kindness of strangers. Clean your closet, make one thing better (more beautiful, cleaner) in your immediate surroundings.

Fifth. Growth. Read a book, listen to a podcast, watch a documentary. Journal, write, plan, make connections, reframe something that is bothering you. Learn something new. sign up for a race or challenge, that is outside your comfort zone and grow into the person that can complete it.

Sixth. engage your 5 senses, use your favorite lotion or soap, massage your hands, get a pedicure, make a cup of hot tea, hold the mug in your hands. Take a bite of your favorite food and savor it. Listen to the vibrations around you. Light a delicious candle. Take a deep breath.

Seventh. Fall into your body and bring it into the present moment. meditate 🧘‍♀️ and relax your tight muscles, stretch. Breath into any pain. Your own, or the world’s (war, climate change). Notice, don’t numb. Be authentic, not anesthetized. Find awe, be amazed.

Eighth. Appreciate the invisible. Let it flow freely. Let energy unfold.

Single Ladies

I had a pretty good weekend without my husband …. I didn’t allow myself to work (which I am proud of), I went to the gym twice!

I mean there is no expectation that I’m invited to hang out with the other wives, I need to let that go …. And not worry about it. Release the jealousy …. ☮️ just because our husbands are friends doesn’t mean we are!

I read 4 books, saw a comedy show, rested, meditated, slept, and had a peaceful day to myself. It’s really ok if I didn’t talk to anyone for 24 hours….. solitude is not loneliness ❤️‍🩹 (I am learning this, and I have grace for myself while I continue to learn.)

A MOTHER’S PRAYER FOR HER SON

May he always be kind, even to people who don’t deserve it.

May he be strong in mind and body.

May he be brave enough to stand up for himself and help protect his friends from bullies.

May he make good choices in friends, food and social media posts.

May he be wrapped in bubble wrap all the time; whether it’s walking across the street or playing ultimate frisbee.

When he fails, may he see the lesson.

May he take care of the Earth and find new solutions to big problems.

May he be interested in Legos and cartoons way too long.

May he always count his blessings and stop to appreciate daily miracles of sunrises and friendships.

May he always pay attention and drive carefully.

May he dream so big it scares him.

May he remember his childhood as Little League games, ice cream cones and board games. May he not remember his stressed out mom yelling “hurry or we’ll be late.”

May his first broken heart be quickly healed.

May he lead a long, healthy, and very happy life.

May he not sweat the small stuff.

And most of all may he know that I will always love him with my whole heart, forever!

worth resharing an excerpt from my kindle book Letters to My Children

love letter 💌

Dear Uterus,

I love you. Thank you. Thank you for teaching me about growth, and allowing 2 precious children to develop fully inside your warmth, energy, nourishment and protection.

Thank you for reminding me monthly, for 32+ years that I am a woman. And I have the magical, mystical ability to create life.

Thank you, even for your pain, fibroids, cysts and other health scares, as they became moments to pause, reflect, refocus.

I am sorry I stuck a metal implant in your neighboring fallopian tubes. I am hoping to find balance with that inflammation I caused 14 years ago.

Please be kind, execute your eviction notice nicely and don’t cause undue harm or infections on your way out.

Hospitals always bring me so much peace, these kind souls paying close attention to me, a warm blanket, no responsibilities besides just breathing. A complete surrender. I shall go into the OR calm, peaceful and full of joy.

And if I don’t make it, I had a wonderful life. We always want more time, more hugs, more laughter, more memories, more life…. But my love will continue, even if my life doesn’t.

And if I do survive, I shall put all my work emails into a folder and read them only if I need to. I will heal, relax and watch hallmark 🎄 movies and let Finn bring me a Christmas coffee. I will breathe and stretch and do hinge knee workouts and give up sugar and alcohol to aid in my hormone balancing and gut health.

As I heal I will understand that forcing my body into corrective destruction was not a nice way to treat the one and only body I have. I will reconnect and love my body. With stretches and massage and hot showers. And pedicures and haircuts. And meditations, mindfulness and better choices. And healthy food and lots of water and tea.

Much love, ❤️‍🩹 Me

PS I love you Ryan, Michael and Finn, with my whole heart and I always will!