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Empower Others

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Empower Others

This is one of my all time favorite quotes. As you begin a new week, I encourage you to think about others. Set aside your selfish feelings of how they could be better, do more and fulfill your needs. Instead, be kind, reach out to them, be selfless and strive to meet their needs! You never know what another person is going through, or the story that makes them who they are. Love others! I attended church this morning and the message moved me, oh how I fail daily. Thank you Jesus for your grace! We can walk down a grocery store isle and be annoyed that someone is in the middle, yet they may be broken, moments away from tears and our grace may be all they need to get through that encounter. When is the last time you honked at someone on the crowded freeway or used words you shouldn’t in anger over frustrating circumstances? Raising my hand here in complete honesty — this is me! Did you lose patience with your child? Your friend? Your spouse? Everyday I give myself a pep talk of what I could do better!

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Perseverance

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Perseverance

When I think about life, I know it can be hard and completely unfair at times! I have experienced hardship firsthand, and I know that we all have unique struggles that color and create our story. That is the beauty of life! We all struggle, but we also all have the opportunity to persevere and shine! If blood runs through your veins, you will at some point in life feel defeated, be defeated or defy. One thing I believe the majority of people have in common though, is the understanding and necessity of perseverance. Somewhere along the way, you have had to dig deep and push on. You have survived! You have succeeded! But where did you learn those life skills? If you were blessed with great role models, you likely learned it from your parents, or sadly, if you were raised in an opposite environement, maybe perseverance was a means of survival. Something I cannot relate to, but deeply respect. Regardless of the how, most of us as adults will take pride in teaching our children the same values. Perseverance is all about working hard despite disappointment or failure. It teaches us to keep trying even if takes days, months or years to succeed.

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Alabama - Take Three!

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Alabama - Take Three!

Ever year the month of February brings the Phoenix Open to Scottsdale, crazy amounts of traffic and tourists, the Superbowl, and for our family — a trip to Birmingham Alabama! Be honest, did you break into song with the legendary Lynard Skynyrd when you heard the lyrics above - “sweet home Alabama … where the skies are so blue”? I have to admit everytime I hear the song I cannot help but belt it out, it’s such a feel good beat! However, if music is not your thing, perhaps you prefer romance and turn to mush over the handsome Josh Lucas and his enticingly sexy blue eyes, understanding without question why Reese Witherspoon falls for him all over again in the movie! I mean who doesn’t want a man that loves his dog, flies a plane and can create hand blown glass kitchen items and decor, while becoming successful on his own! If you have no idea what I am talking about, I may question our friendship - and if you don’t know who Josh Lucas is, we really need to plan some quality low key girl time - also known as movie night. I’ll provide the comfy couches, blankets and place to relax - you bring the popcorn, wine and an open mind to one of my favorite chick flicks of all time! My list of favorite movies is a blog post in itself for a later day — Wimbledon, Pretty Woman, The Lucky One, How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days, I could go on — but I am way off subject now — so enough about that and back to Alabama!

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Friendship

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Friendship

The topic of friendship has been on my heart and mind lately - please take a moment to grab your coffee, glass of wine or beverage of choice as this is a lengthy post! I do my best to respect the time my readers have, but some topics require more words! So without further ado, I hope you experience sincerity, laughter and encouragement as I examine the depth and authenticity of friendship.

This year I am determined to take more time to express my appreciation and support of those dear to my heart. I look forward to hosting more events and bringing those I love together! I have been blessed with amazing friendships over the years and I pray that God continues to grow them and bring new individuals into my life that are unique and beautiful. My heart bursts in gratitude for all I have learned, even when the lessons were difficult. Some friends have known me for a lifetime, others a few years, and some relationships are brand new! While I am excited about those friends above, it is important to share honestly that I have also failed at friendship. I do not call enough, I let too much time pass without checking in when friends are far away, I’ve missed major moments, and I need to be better about prioritizing my time. With failure comes humility and in some cases, I have re-kindled a bond of friendship once lost, while others are imprinted deeply in my heart as a mere fond memory of the past. I have had to move on when I was not ready and for periods of time I have been angry, crushed, saddened and misunderstood.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year

Wishing you all a happy, healthy, successful 2019! I took a much needed break from blogging in 2018 to focus on my furthering my education, settling into a new home, and of course adventures with our little guy who is now five! I look forward to blogging more this year and hope you will join me on my journey as 2019 is bound to bring change and excitement!

Alabama Bound

Alabama Bound

February is flying by at a rapid pace!  Every time I turn around another weekend has come and gone, and I still have so much to accomplish.  The end of January to the beginning of February is usually a whirlwind in Scottsdale with the Barrett Jackson car show, the Phoenix Open golf tournament and superbowl parties, all of which tend to bring our home amazing visitors in the form of friends!  Add still trying to get settled in the new house, work and all three of us being sick at different points, life has been chaotic!  Time does not stop for life though, no matter how busy we are.  So ready or not, Lincoln and I leave for Alabama tomorrow.  I have been running around like a chicken with my head cut off preparing and I figure whatever I forget can be found in Birmingham when we arrive.  

True Beauty Runs Deep

True Beauty Runs Deep

Have you noticed that social media and society in general is flooded with the "perfect" idea of what a woman's body should look like, and the age she should get married, or what kind of job she should have?  The list is endless and the levels are hard to keep up with, let alone live up too.  But why do woman feel they have to compete or be placed in such a secluded box?  While each category bothers me, body image really gets me the most.  What are we teaching the future generation?

An Outside Perspective

An Outside Perspective

When I think back on my own experience of having Lincoln and the NICU stay, the months of tests that followed and then finally receiving the official diagnosis ... there were so many emotions and things I can still hear the doctors saying.  Some telling us that he may or may not walk, he may or me not talk, and so on.  When I came across the paragrah below, written by Laura San Giacomo, who's son has cerebral palsy, I felt like a part of me could relate to her feelings!

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The Presence of Loss

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The Presence of Loss

"Let your moments of pain remind you to practice deeper gratitude, compassion, acceptance, meaning and forgiveness."  Dr. Amit Sood (Mayo Clinic)

There is so much power written in the phrase above it takes my breathe away.  While I have read it over and over, and I know the meaning it holds, I have to admit --  it is not always easy.  One thing I do know though, is the trials I have been through and the grief my heart has faced do make me think twice about being a more understanding and compassionate person!  

Love Your Life

Love Your Life

Wow, 2017 has come and gone and I am welcoming 2018 with open arms.  I have no idea how it came so fast but I am ready for a fresh year to begin.  2017 held some amazing moments for our family and I am grateful for the memories.  I am also glad to put some stressful moments behind us and move forward.  

I have never been a huge resolution person, as normally mine are losing the ten pounds I should of lost for 3 years straight or working out more, to be less sassy,  etc.  This year I have decided to follow a motto more than make a single resolution.  I am encouraging my readers and friends to LOVE YOUR LIFE!

The Importance of Water

The Importance of Water

Did you know that our bodies are made up of 60-80% water? (numbers vary based on different research) Living in Arizona, the climate is very dry and it is important to hydrate!  Regardless of where you live though, it is important for everyone.  In a world of energy drinks, coffee, soda, and alcohol - it is easy to forget about plain ole water!  During the holiday season, I found myself constantly forgetting my water.

Warrior Strong Fundraiser Round 2

Warrior Strong Fundraiser Round 2

When I launched the Warrior Strong project in November it was with the intention of running a two week campaign to raise money for other special needs families in our area.  We know firsthand the costs that may be unforeseen or treatments that feel out of reach financially for parents/guardians.  Lincoln has been blessed in many ways and I wanted to give back to others.  My husband and I are big advocates of our son and we know the anxiety added costs can bring into an already difficult situation.  I had a vision of creating a shirt that describes how I feel about my 4 year old son and the words WARRIOR STRONG stuck with me.  The original campaign did very well and I had multiple people request more shirts!  So Round 2 was launched and will be open to purchase until December 3, 2017.  With this as our close date, shirts should arrive in time for Christmas.  For round 2, I have challenged people to share the campaign and purchase shirts as I will match the donated amount.  

Warrior Strong Campaign

Warrior Strong Campaign

Lincoln and I have teamed up to raise funds to help other special needs families with costs that may be unforeseen or treatments that feel out of reach financially.  Lincoln has been blessed in many ways and I want to give back to others.  My husband and I are big advocates of our son and we know the anxiety added costs can bring into an already difficult situation.  I had a vision of creating a shirt that describes how I feel about my 4 year old son and the words WARRIOR STRONG stuck with me. 

2017 Pediatric Stroke Awareness Photos

2017 Pediatric Stroke Awareness Photos

I have always said it takes a village of people to get through life, true friendship and support!  I am overwhelmed with gratitude as I post these photos for you to see!  So many people supported our first "May" collecting purple photos for pediatric stroke awareness and in turn Lincoln and I had so much fun with give a ways and posting medical facts! 

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My Wish For You

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My Wish For You

To My Sweet Little Boy, You were my biggest dream!  Sure I dreamt of college, a wedding/marriage, vacations, building a home and a life, but all of those things included wanting a child at some point in my life!  While a dream come true is amazing, you are even better than I could have ever dreamed!  Everything I wish for you, you have helped me grow into!

Show Up To Your Life

Show Up To Your Life

I have had this "title" in my drafts for over a week now, maybe two.  Every time I open the page to write about it, I end up leaving it blank and closing it out.  I enjoy blogging, but sometimes I feel passionate and inspired to write and other times I don't.  I know I have something to say about this BOLD statement though because I keep coming back to it!  I overheard someone awhile back say, "it's your life, show up to it" and I loved that.  Everyday we are given a choice.  Wake up, light a fire, burn it bright, blow it out, repeat.  Or we can wake up, go through the motions, be mediocre, and fall into bed.  Which description do you prefer?   I have pondered this over and over in the past week or two.