crunch

you can hear it
across the house

the first batch of
pumpkin seeds

tradition

celebrating a season
a sensory experience

laughter in the hay maze
awe upon seeing the day old calf
bumping along on the tractor ride
getting chased in the petting zoo
forward rolls down the cotton seed hill

pumpkin patch tradition

real

She's the real deal
and I miss her.

She moved 4 months ago.

I miss
her honesty
her laughter
her reflection
her empathy
her glow

I am recharged
after our visit today.

strengthening our friendship
even from far away

It's possible right?

illuminate

bringing light
to a situation

making it ripe
for an "ah ha" moment

giggle

a giggle
like a fingerprint
individual
everlasting

laughing from her belly
remarkably her

laughing so hard
she has to catch
her breath

lightening the mood

birthday

We gathered together
to celebrate Daddy today.

home made
gifts
cards
dinner
birthday cake

not just home made
but heart made

I recognize and express gratitude
for what he has "birthed"
into our family.

motivation

Some days it's harder than others to get motivated
to do a long walk on my own.

Then I say to myself, "I GET to walk."

I've never finished a long walk
and said, I wish I hadn't done that.

Gratitude is always right

GO!

At the swim meet...

We holler the word
as the girls
take a breath
in between strokes

GO!!!!

Shelby

You
dreamed big
trained hard
accomplished much
and inspired many

The definition of challenged in the dictionary is to be
"presented with difficulties."

Challenged is an action for you
not a description.

You challenge yourself and others to
focus on positives, possibilities and potential.

Challenged Athletes Foundation
Bringing out the best in people.

variety

Don't you love it when
a school night has the feel of a weekend?

a boost of variety put a smile on all our faces

rainbow

laundry
dinner
chores

looking at the dirty dishes
piled in the sink
thinking I'd rather take a walk

and so I did...

serendipity shined
on the giant sky canvas

a rainbow

women

I'm surrounded by
brave, reflective, empathetic
women.

Women who...
share their greatest fears
live by example
create support networks
are advocates
include and embrace others

women who get awful news
and still find ways
to be grateful

discomfort

I've had some conversations
that are unpleasant
and create distress.

I've realized that
avoiding the discomfort
creates a sore that festers.

It's better to feel uneasiness
and push forward
even when it's hard.

empowered

determination

Maintain a firmness of purpose
even when there are obstacles
and discord emerging.

And when discord surfaces,
fight the urge to be preoccupied about being liked
preoccupied with others' perceptions
losing sight of the purpose

feeling buried in the sand

shake it off
revisit the goal
stick with it

compelling

We are reading aloud
the book, Swimming to Antarctica,
as a family.

All together
in the big bed
limbs tangled
unaware of the clock

wonderings generated
exclamations expressed
quiet contemplation

absorbing the story
of Lynne Cox

talk of
potential
effort
strength
focus
dreams

example

our principal
ran 42 miles today
to represent and honor
the work, focus, and perseverance
of the students and teachers
at Einstein

he lifts us up
exudes potential
seeds confidence
and reminds us
to do what we think
we cannot

clarity

clear, transparent

free of ambiguity

living with guiding principles

as your core

advocacy

putting my thoughts and words
into action

engaging in conversations
that pose a challenge

focusing on being solution oriented

blind-sided

It's that unexpected jolt
sparked with emotional flutter.

Contemplation, writing, rehearsal
bring me clarity.

Engage in a conversation
with the Golden Rule
as the basis

Perceptions rule.

Situations are complex.

Stand up for yourself
with integrity.

sand

The wind was steady
at the beach

I spread out on a towel
face close to the sand
and watched the grains tumble by

gentle

setbacks happen

be gentle to yourself

every moment is a choice

suprised

unexpected and amazed

whisked up
into the positive, playful energy
of our circle of friends

they hid the tickets inside the bread

we're going to the Jack Johnson concert!

what a boost of excitement

a time to recharge

empathy

blurring the line
between yourself
and others

thorough

Dang!

I'm frustrated about
overlooking details that matter

setting off a domino effect

I pick up the pieces
and begin again

slow down

assumptions

create drama and discord
escalating problems

recognize
the complex, multidimensional aspects
of people and experiences

instead...
stop, reflect, wonder and empathize

quality

we are lifted up
by the swim team community

setting goals
building on strengths
celebrating improvement

gatherings that create
a place for the kids to shine
and families to connect

high challenge environment
with high levels of support

quality

essence

shedding
layers
that dull
my essence

attracting
experiences
that strengthen
and grow my
passions

nature, movement, words, food
creativity, relationships
kindness, gratitude
reflection, exploration