365 Grateful

This year I’m taking a simple approach to gratitude via social media, and I’m participating in the #365grateful project on Instagram. I feel like I’ve sort of been a lame blogger lately, using mostly mobile phone photos, not writing very often, blah blah blah, but I’m digging the simple things. And what’s simpler than seeing something amazing in your life, snapping a pic and sharing how blessed you feel to have experienced it? Life is so good right now, so lovely and warm (even though it’s freezing outside) and magical and joyful, I have found myself wanting to spend less time blogging it, and more time living it. This is just the swing of things, I suppose, in a few weeks or months I’ll probably be on a blogging binge again. But for now, a few grateful iPhone photos will have to do.

Starting a cleanse tomorrow, so I'm celebrating with the best ever, Dr. Pepper and Red Vines... #365grateful

My loves. #365grateful #latergram #hug #blurry #sister #brother #love #blessed #pattern #kczoo

"In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer" - Albert Camus #serenity #365grateful #joy #love #happy #recovery

Love really is all around...#365grateful #heart #rock #love

She reads to him using lots of funny voices  #365grateful #reading #brother #sister #love #bedtime

Friday night party pals. #puppy #rottie #instateddy #teddygram #snuggle #bestfriends #365grateful

2014 : A Year of Acceptance

Well, it’s here! 2014! Cue the parade!

(Wait, they already did that? Okay, nevermind.)

I am so excited about 2014, it’s honestly a little strange. 2013 was a difficult, life-changing year for me, in every, single aspect. I had to change everything in order to find myself in a place where I am FINALLY at peace with who I am and where I fit in this giant universe we call home. Every year I choose a word that will hopefully signify that year’s journey, and give me something to use a touchstone as I work through issues and experiences throughout those short 12 months. In 2013, my word was “COURAGE.” Most every decision I made last year was with that word in mind. There were so many times in 2013 when I was afraid, worried, and feeling rejected, but in the back of my mind, a little voice told me if I kept working toward living courageously, it would all turn out okay. Thank god for tiny little voices.

Untitled

This year, my word is “ACCEPTANCE.” This is something I truly struggle with on a daily basis. I am just not very good at acceptance. I want things to be the way I want them to be, and when they are not, for whatever reason, I go in to toddler meltdown mode. Even when I’m right (most of the time, obviously) I need to be able to accept just because I’m “right” doesn’t mean things will go the way they should. And when I say “should” you can just replace that with “the way I want them to go.”

Radical Acceptance : Accepting of life on life’s terms and not resisting what you cannot or choose not to change. Radical Acceptance is about saying yes to life, just as it is. (Source)

Happy 2014, y’all! I wish a year of acceptance, love and joy to you! What is your word for the year? What goals do you plan on working toward?

A Year In Review

"Seriously, you're packing again? Where are we going now?!" #instateddy #puppy #rottie

Wow, 2013 is coming to a close. I’m feeling a little emotional about the ending of this year. Past years have had lots of life-changing events, but this year was a time of subtle changes. There are a few epic moments, but mostly it’s been one minute, hour and day at a time. I used an app called Flipagram to compile a year’s worth of Instagram photos into 30 seconds, and I felt overwhelming gratitude as I watched the images flip past. I am so blessed. I am so fortunate.

Thanks for sticking with me this year. It’s been a year of changes here on the blog as well. I went from posting 5+ times a week, doing sponsored posts, working with contributors and freelancing around the web to posting 2 or 3 times a week (at most) and getting back to why I started this blog in the first place…to write. I write because I don’t know how I feel about things until I read my thoughts written down. My brain works a million miles a minute, and unless I force myself to sit down and reflect, my thoughts can get pretty jumbled and I have a hard time figuring out what I need/want/think. I needed to get back to that.

2014 has more changes in store for this space. Until some back-end issues are finalized, posting may still be a bit sporadic for a bit. Hopefully soon we will get those items figured out and I will get back to regular posting. Until then, thanks for sticking around. You are the best.

Things to Remember

Growling voices, pretending to be monsters. Hiding under beds and blankets.
Pre-bed dance parties, elaborate shows with intermissions and multiple curtain calls.
Sweet cheeks resting on mine as he snuggles in for a nap, both hands holding my face telling me not to leave.
Yelling from the car, “I love you!” and seeing her eyes light up as she waves back.
“I’m never too old, mama. I will never be too old for snuggles. Not even when I’m in college.”
The fighting. They scream at each other with the passion of two little people who are so different and yet so very alike. They hate each other. They love each other. They despise each other. They are each other’s heart.
They call each other “teddy bear.” When one falls and scrapes a knee, the other comes running. “Teddy bear, oh my teddy bear.” In the morning it’s “wake up, teddy bear.” Then they nuzzle into each other and hold on tightly.
Mysteries and games, made up outside. They come in, telling of their clues and what they’ve found. I play along, following the trail, seeing their faces brighten when I pretend to find a new clue they’ve left in the open for me to stumble upon. They giggle, trying to cover their glee.

Happy Second of December!!!

We had so much fun making this holiday video last year, I had to share again! I doubt we will make one this year, due to our star’s dislike of the camera these days, but luckily I feel like last year’s stands the test of time. Happy December 2nd!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...