The Good Life

Over the past few years (on the days between Christmas and NYE) I have experienced a Christmas hangover. Not a hangover from the result of too much alcohol, but an emotional hangover. The build up of Christmas can bring so much (self-induced) pressure to make things magical (especially when you're a Mom to little people). So, I planned, shopped, wrapped, baked, cleaned, showed up to all the parties and events, shopped more, wrapped more and cleaned more until I realized I was so busy doing ALL.THE.THINGS that I missed out on experiencing the true joy of the season. After the "shock and awe" of Christmas, I was left feeling disappointed, empty and regretful and couldn't really understand why. This past Sunday, at our candlelight Christmas service , pastor Scott said something that really stood out to me . It lined up perfectly with something I've been working on all year (expectations). He said "we expect things of this world that the world can not deliver. If

There are less than 50 days left in this year. In this decade. 10 years (almost) gone by. I spent the past 1.5 years doing a lot of soul work. Digging in to who I really am. So many factors play in to who we are. There are so many layers to work through to get down to the real and raw of it. The journey of the past year has motivated me to be more present, while also moving forward with intention.  During the month of November, I have been challenging myself to look for (and give recognition to) things that I am thankful for. Complaining is natural and easy. It takes no forethought to complain. Gratitude is the opposite. It takes being intentional. It means training my mind to look for the good in all things and being content with what I have. This isn't always easy and I do not have this perfected. But, what I am realizing is that contentment is a choice that I can choose every single day.   This gratitude challenge was sparked by my desire to be more joyful. I spent so m

It's been over a year since I visited this place. A place where I used to come daily and spill my thoughts. It's funny how different seasons bring different needs. Several years ago, I was deep in the trenches of new motherhood and this little blog was a place that I needed, a way to express what was on my mind (and heart). Some seasons we need to let it out. Then, I found myself in a season where I needed to process, self reflect, seek guidance and keep it all in. Learning to lean in to and respect each season has been good, although challenging, for me. So why am I hear today? Because I'm back to a place where writing out my thoughts brings comfort (and some joy). Maybe it's because my kids are getting bigger and I have more free time. Maybe it's because my birthday is next week and I'm inching closer to 40. Maybe it's because I don't have a journal so these are my pages where I can come back to re-read, remember and reflect. Whatever the reason, I&#