December 6, 2010 – With Amazing Grace

Thinking of Elizabeth Edwards today and learning from her positivity.  Below is her statement released today after being given only weeks left to live.

"You all know that I have been sustained throughout my life by three saving graces – my family, my friends, and a faith in the power of resilience and hope. These graces have carried me through difficult times and they have brought more joy to the good times than I ever could have imagined. The days of our lives, for all of us, are numbered. We know that. And, yes, there are certainly times when we aren't able to muster as much strength and patience as we would like. It's called being human.

"But I have found that in the simple act of living with hope, and in the daily effort to have a positive impact in the world, the days I do have are made all the more meaningful and precious. And for that I am grateful. It isn't possible to put into words the love and gratitude I feel to everyone who has and continues to support and inspire me every day. To you I simply say: you know."

And yet… still finding gratitude.

May we all learn from this beautiful, strong woman and the way she has carried herself with positivity and dignity and grace.

I am grateful for her.

~K

December 5, 2010 – Playdates and such

My girl went on a date today.  Without me.  Or her dad.

She went with four of her friends.  (And their parents)  She got all dressed up.  She waited at the door for them to come.   She was ready 15 minutes early.

She spread out and did well.  She was ready and excited and had so much fun.   I’m so grateful and proud.

We have a great relationship with her friend’s parents.   They do things as we would also do.  There is a strong trust.  They were the perfect people to help my girl experience additional independence.   For them, I am also so grateful.

Our boy got some special time with just his mommy and daddy while she was gone.  Some time he, too, deserves and enjoyed. 

Playdates with friends.   Growing independence.   Special times at home.  

A wonderful winter day.

~K

December 4, 2010 – Back in the Saddle

I went to yoga today for the first time in a bit.

I’ve been significantly under the weather.

I didn’t have time for the whole class, but showed up early and stayed through 20 minutes in.

It was worth every one of those twenty minutes. 
I’m back in the saddle.  And very grateful.

~K

December 3, 2010 – Date with Friends

It’s the simple things.
Ending the week with a family dinner date with good friends.

Kids catching up with crayolas, knock knock jokes and giggles.

Adults catching up with wine, tales of the week and giggles.

Dinner Date with Friends on a Friday.   Perfect ending to the week and a beautiful start to the weekend.

~K

December 2, 2010 – Naked Bikers

I am so grateful for the smiles that one particular naked biker gives me each day.

He circles my house in his blue Harley, sans pants… and sometimes with a snake in hand.

He and his bike are loud and often destructive.

But I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Today, I am grateful for my Naked Biker and the endless joy with which he provides me.

~K

December 1, 2010 – Enthusiasm

It’s 6:15am. 

The house is dark and quiet. 

For just a moment anyway.

Within seconds there is screaming that awakens us both.

“HEY GUYS!  HAPPY FIRST DAY OF DECEMBER!”

Our children are awake.   They are squealing in delight.  For no other reason other than it is 12/1.  The beginning of a month.   And this is the enthusiasm in which they wake up.

I am so grateful for the joy they bring to our lives.  Even when it’s at 6:15am.

~K

November 30, 2010 – Details

My little girl heard a recording of another little girl singing yesterday.  She had a beautiful voice.  My six year old said she was ‘jealous’ of the girl with the angelic voice.   Jealous, she said,  because she couldn’t sing like that, but would love to.

It was time for a talk and so we sat down and discussed a few details.  Details about ability, motivation, determination and attitude.   Spoken well below with the words of Lou Holtz.

"Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it."
Lou Holtz

I hope she learns and remembers what we all need to remember:   that motivation and determination are huge components in achieving our goals and the attitude of which you handle any task certainly changes the outcome.

~K