Christmas Blessings

The month of December flew by, but I somehow managed to extract as much of the Christmas experience as I could.  It was wonderful to take on a bit of Christmas Caroling, baking cookies and enjoying the beauty of neighbor's decorations. There was a little more savoring the little moments that can often feel rushed loosing a bit of its full meaning. 

One of my personal highlights is always Christmas Eve service. There is something sacred about dimming of lights, lighting of candles and singing praises to the little one born in a manger who would ultimately be our Messiah and Savior. I am in awe of God's goodness. I am revel in the beauty of His birth, miracles and promises that blow presents and poinsettias out of the water. My heart can often become overwhelmed at how grateful I am for my family, friends, faith and country. I feel unworthy, but so very grateful.
Wishing all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

The Reason for the Season

Gifts wrapped around the tree, Santa, carols and Christmas trees are all wonderful parts of the Christmas Season. I love the smell of Christmas trees, the aroma of baked gingerbread and the twinkling of lights on neighbor's homes. It's pretty heart warming.
What I have found the greatest joy in during this time of year is serving others and seeking ways to meet the needs of those who may be facing Christmas homeless, without a job, with a loved one suffering with an illness or having experienced the loss of someone they cared for. The holidays can be tough stuff, but how totally awesome is it to seek ways to bring smiles to the hearts and faces of those facing the greatest level of adversity? Awesome!
A friend of ours runs Spirit of the Holidays. She started this outreach after losing her brother to AIDS. Years later, this program provides Christmas gifts to hundreds of family members who have a loved one suffering from this disease. A room teeming with beautifully wrapped gifts with the names of young and old none of us would ever meet. Christmas delivered to their doorstep. It doesn't get much better than that.

When we step into the season with the eyes of Christ aiming for no other desire, but to serve those with aching hearts, it's a mind boggling experience. The simple act of serving goes so far. A bunch of kids and one of my dear friends, Terri, trekked to the Cathedral Kitchen to serve dinner to locals in need. We doled out close to 300 plates of turkey, yam and mashed potato dinners. Every seat was filled by an individual with a different story, a heart facing some sort of adversity and each set of eyes looking into a world with varying levels of uncertainty. The reality is, we all have a story. 

My prayer is that we assume the eyes of Christ. As we celebrate His birth I am so profoundly grateful for His promises, for His birth and His grace that was so unwarranted. He is the reason for the season. With Christmas drawing near I am excited to celebrate His birth, but also to continually seek ways to serve and love in a way that exudes the love of Christ.

Retreating to retreat

There is a common misperception that you have to be a certain age to make a difference. So often we underestimate the power and potential in young people. Every year I am left astonished at the energy, compassion and depth of the students attending the Drug Squad Retreat. Kids debunking the norm and striving for nothing more than breaking it all down to re-charge and find ways to make the world a better place. It really doesn't get much better than that.  

This year marked the ninth Retreat and I am filled with amazing gratitude that there has been close to 300 students who have participated in this weekend. It's pretty cool. Over the years the challenges have been pretty consistent. The hope is that these kids will take the time to reflect about HOW they are living their lives WHAT they are doing with their days and the IMPACT that is being made upon the hearts of others by their decisions. These guys have the ability to do some pretty amazing things that will inevitably have a domino effect on the hearts of others. A linear impact that goes beyond what we can imagine if this mentality is carried on through college and life. Bam! 

I'm still regrouping and re-cooping from another truly life altering weekend that continued to reinforce that when we align our words with our actions amazing things can happen. You may be in the minority when it comes to living your words, but it is so very worth it. The outcome will be absolutely life altering. 

Thank someone in uniform. Freedom is not without cost.

The little things in life that are really pretty big and super special

I am not a runner

As educators we always encourage others to dream big and to do extraordinary things. It's a lot easier to be a cheerleader and spectator than to be in the mix and the dreamer. Today I joined 19,000 other dreamers digging deep and running hard along the historic district of Savannah.


God did not make my body to run long distances. There is nothing graceful about me. Nothing. A few years ago a 5k was daunting. Today I stood among thousands of others aiming for a goal that I never thought possible. The truth is we often limit ourselves doubting our abilities and and what we are capable of. Dream big.

Rounding mile twelve there was a hill a very big hill. My legs hurt and my stamina was waning. I closed my eyes and thanked God for providing the ability to do something I never thought possible. I shifted from my aching body to the faces of those I know who could not run. My friend Tricia, one of the most AMAZING people I have ever met, battling CF. In that moment, I tore it up for Tricia.

Do we dream and push our limits not only for ourselves, but for those who cannot do what we so often take for granted? 

Running has provided so many lessons. Runners come in all shapes and sizes. There is no excuse to not run, jog or power walk. Runners are pretty much a group of awesome, compassionate and inspiring people. Pretty cool company. 

Get your fall on

You live once. I think it's important to get sand on your feet every now and again, take a moment to enjoy the explosion of colors painting our trees or simply sit in the backyard next to a roaring fire under a canopy of stars. Live. Don't wait for tomorrow. Do it now.
Half the day had escaped me on Saturday before I realized it was time to enjoy the fact that it was sunny, 70 degrees and the surf was good. We hopped in the car, soaked in the amazing foliage courtesy of Chatsworth and totally chilled.

Sand between the toes, sun on our faces and the smell of salt in the air made for a totally awesome day. Paddling out the spray of the surf on my face and caked sand on my feet I closed my eyes and just gave thanks for that very moment. As I think of friends serving abroad living in areas mired in poverty, heart ache and unknown tomorrows there are moments that I feel guilty for the abundance and goodness around me. It's a hard thing to shake. We have so much and I feel unworthy, but I do believe we can do whatever possible to do something to go beyond ourselves and do much more than less. So even with salt and sand still on my toes tomorrow is a new day with new opportunities to do something. 

AAAAAmaz-Ing Dayzzzz

I was kidnapped...full fledge taken swooped up and whisked away by my husband for a pre-Birthday get away. The timing could not have been better. The past few weeks have been a little on the overwhelming side and the vibe was in the air and Keith stepped up to the plate. Yay!

Before the abduction kicked off we celebrated Taylor's final home game as a Shawnee Cheerleader. All of the senior parents of both the cheerleaders and football players were honored and it was a great night celebrating the celebration : )                                            

GOOD JOB TAYLOR!!!!!

 I was forced to be pampered. I had no choice. Keith planned a totally amazing 32 hours in Hershey, Pa. teeming with chocolate, spa sessions and a little romp around Hershey Park. I am grateful for my husband. I am thankful for a man who finds joy in making me happy, finding ways to make me smile and is my official wing man through life. I'm one blessed chica.
As I hit the big 3-6 tomorrow I am enjoying every moment of my life and look forward to the next 365 days ahead.

A scoop, a run, a zen...

It's Saturday night and I am alone, the house is quiet and I'm finally sitting down. At thirty five I'm beginning to get better at the whole learning what is best for you thing. I like being busy and I'm wired to be uncomfortable in silence, alone and not doing something. I'm a slow learner, but sometimes the quiet and the solitude is just what I need.
The day started before the sun had risen as Taylor, her friends and I schlepped to AC for a Color Run. A few thousand pounds of color later we were caked in all the colors of the rainbow. A whole heap of people came out to run, nosh and raise money for the Big Brothers Foundation in South Jersey. I love keeping fit, raising awareness and spending time with a kid who is pretty rad (biased, but factual: ).

Taylor, who also travels in warp speed, headed to Coneheads ice cream shop to scoop in the name of Shawnee's Glow Run. All proceeds raised from the run in April along with 50% of the ice cream scooped is heading to the Hope Alive Clinic in Haiti. I don't think I have ever met a kid so stoked to serve, scoop and smile where there was no 'perk' on her end.
It's awesome to think that the collaboration of efforts, time and commitment of teens in South Jersey will have life long impacts on so many lives in Haiti. Taylor witnessed the hurt and pain first hand along with the amazing experience of watching kids and their loved ones receive medical care. The hundreds of other kids who will be involved in this process won't fully grasp the magnitude of their impact. Every dollar, each medical supply and individual sacrifices will add up to allow amazing things to happen. How cool is it to think that the little things here over a period of time are going to do HUGE things just a four hour plane ride away? Good job Shawnee High School! Be the change, baby!

swanky south

On the heels of the retreat there was need to schlep a few items down before heading down with the kids and allowed for a somewhat full weekend of hanging with the family. Even though the weather was filled with rain, humidity and a little more rain my heart was happy to be in the midst of family goodness. The ride feels longer and seems to take a little more out of me. I wish they lived closer. 

Being with Jess brings a sense of goodness and joy of being with my sister that I find so very special. Having the opportunity to hang out, be with the boys and my parents is pretty great. I cling to our chats, breakfast on the porch and time just being together. Even after nearly eighteen hours in the car over the weekend it was still absolutely worth it. No doubt.

Head lamps, recharge and football

I believe in weekends. The world would be a better place if we had an extra day in the week allowing for a responsible full five day work week leading up to a three day weekend. If I were to run for office, this would be one of my focal points. Everyone would just be in a better mood and there would be time to get the things on the home front accomplished while allowing for a little zing and zang for the heart. Balance is everything.

With yet another completely awesome weekend of clear skies and warm temps I am loving October from my head down to my toes. From a morning run with my girls prepping for our half marathon in November to watching Tay under the lights cheering for Shawnee; it was a pretty great way to kick off the weekend. 

As I sit out on my hammock swing listening to crickets chirp and gazing at the canopy of stars above I am thankful for friends, family and recharge time. There are moments I feel guilty. As I sit here typing, sipping tea and relaxing there is so much pain, loss and struggle happening all over the globe. I feel very unworthy of all this excess and the everyday that I can so quickly take for granted.
So I will sit here and give thanks, lift those in my heart and mind and prayer and ask God for open and receptive eyes to see the needs of others. We can't change the world, but we can impact the heart of one person who can then pass that goodness on. Here's to a week that creates a domino effect of love, compassion and goodness that is one step closer to changing the world. 

chillaxing

If I could manage to pull of having weather like this for the next six months my flip flops would be very grateful. Somehow or other the calendar app managed to remain empty, which is a rarity and obligation and frenzy was replaced with lots of time in the hammock, family time and just sort of being in one place for once. 

I'm not the greatest chillier (defined as a state of chill and relax morphing), but I'm trying. As the week begins I'm still feeling a little funk fest from having the flu, but what shall remedy all ailments will be driving to work in the jeep. To chillax or not to chillax, that is the question. 

pre-Octobre

I would like to have weekends and weekdays switch up once and awhile. I would not be opposed to a two day work week followed by five days of zen. Weekends make everything a little bit better. Add a little sun, bike riding and catching up with good peeps and the world seems a little less overwhelming.

We all have days that can seem daunting, heart heavy and ridiculous in all aspects of the word. So when those hours or days surface I will close my eyes and remember. I will feel the sand between my toes, the sun on my face, the flash of riding my bike along the lake and the long chats with good people over a cup of coffee.


I am ending my week sitting on the couch watching tv with Keith and Taylor. There's not any other place that I'd like to be. In the past 48 hours I didn't do a whole lot, but I did. I'm learning, a little slow at times, that you can recharge and have a whole lot of goodness without running around and connecting a to b and 1 to 2. I enjoyed every moment and for that I am pretty stoked.

Comfort free zone

Life lessons come in many forms. Sometimes it's when you least suspect it. At the beginning of the year when catching up with kids I often do an inventory asking where they are now compared to a year ago.   There are times I think I know what's going to be said. Sometimes I'm wrong.

At one point I was met with a vacant stare and watched as wheels were spinning at the question posed. What had changed? Nothing. As we chatted there was the question of what do you do when you're in the same place? When you feel like you're in a rut? When every day is already mapped out and monotony rules.

My feeling is that complacency is a combination of fear, laziness and even confusion. We chatted and this is what we came up with -> danger is found in not only complacency, but getting stuck in the "comfort zone".  Break free . Go beyond what may have been acceptable and stretch yourself to do new, challenging things. Life is not being fully lived if you are comfortable all the time. Be uncomfortable.
Here are a few ideas we threw together::: take a class to learn something new (web design, salsa dancing, pottery, flute lessons etc.), volunteer at your local soup kitchen, help build a house with habitat for humanity, sit with a new group at lunch, learn a new hobby (cooking, snowboarding, carpentry) or take a day trip to somewhere that isn't exactly a to b coordinated.
Be different. Allow yourself to be stretched, challenged and occasionally, uncomfortable. It's amazing when our eyes are open and our ears are receptive where the road can lead and the lessons that can be learned. Bring it on...

The little big things

Every day brings another sunrise and closes with a sunset. Simple concept with beautiful details If you think back from now to the beginning of 2013 how many sunrises and sunsets have you taken the opportunity to see? Every day we're given an opportunity to view some of God's most spectacular creation with brilliant shades of red, yellow and purple. No matter what part of the globe there is a rise and fall of each day and an art show right outside of our doorstep.

With the crazy train nature of the beginning of the school year I've been guilty of allowing days blend together and for losing sight of the beauty of what each day holds, from beginning to end. As Keith and I sat on the beach today with waves crashing on the beach and the smell of a light salt swept along the shore line I was again reminded of the richness and beauty of the little big things in life. I am grateful for the little big things in life. 

musica y verano

Music and summer are two of my favorite things and when combined lovely things happen. You have tunes, flip flops, good people and, most of the time, super chill surroundings. Getting to take in two concerts in 48 hours proved my theory to be nothing short of flawless. 

I love Irish Trad music. Scoring tickets to see the Dropkick Murphys was great and the greatness was reinforced with it being held at the Stone Pony and I was accompanied by one of my oldest and raddest (true word, look it up) friends of all times. The music was great, but Carrie and I realized we were old when the following occurred: 1) one of the only people not clad in black 2) when we were taking pictures of the 'crazy people' in the mosh pit instead of being part of the chaos 3) feeling the need for an early departure after the second inebriated large man fell onto us after a failed attempt to crowd surf. I'm thinking the next show we will stand about twenty feet further from the stage as to avoid a brawl or a flesh wound. Tis but a scratch! 

So we transitioned from Stone Pony madness to VIP box seats for John Mayer and Phil Phillips. We were very gratefully hooked up with seats that I could very easily get used to. That includes getting used to the VIP lounge with their own popcorn machine, appetizers and area of zen. It was a little different from previous experiences squished with a million other people on the lawn (very ok when pertaining to either Dave Matthews or Jimmy Buffet) hoping to not have to wait 43 minutes in line to use the restroom. It may not happen again, but we embraced the gold star treatment and made sure pics were taken in abundance. 

Musica y verano = perfecto : ) 

farm fresh ventures

Spontaneity is most definitely a positive thing under most circumstances. Hopping in the car in the middle of the night to surprise the family was not a good idea, it was a fantastic idea. The looks on the boys and Jess's face were priceless. I couldn't have asked for a better welcome than Tristan and Gabe launching into my arms along with bear hugs from my parents and Jess. That's what love is...it's togetherness, love and joy that surges through your heart even when distance separates and time places obstacels between you.

It isn't always easy finding opportunities to be together, but when I'm with them it's a good thing. I love sitting on the porch with my parents. I love being in the kitchen making a meal with my sister. I love watching Gabe and Tristan play super heroes and even taking in those few moments when their battery runs low and a nap is in order (or they actually pass out...the pic above is at the local Sweet Shop).

As August begins to wind down and make its way into September I am grateful for the time I am given. I am grateful for Keith's understanding of my need to visit and have my Faith Farm time when the opportunity presents itself. So it may be awhile until the next Faith Farm trek, but I'm very happy for this last little venture cramming in 82 hours of goodness.

August don't end

The past few weeks have been brimming with summer goodness. I have to admit that I've made a concerted effort to savor each day as August feels to be slipping away. But there is nothing to complain about. I have enjoyed late afternoon drives to the beach getting my toes sandy as well as spontaneous trips to embark upon the latest and funkiest festivals in the area. Random, laid back and sun infused days that have paved the way for a recharged start of the school year. 

Sun is good. Coffee is wonderful. Family and friendship are worth more than their weight in gold. They are two aspect of life I consider myself to be beyond blessed. People who make me laugh, cry and just be in a good place over a three hour cup of coffee or in the car en route to somewhere getting off course making the journey all the richer. Sometimes getting off course is the best part of any journey.

I will cling to August, but when the time approaches I'll also be ready for September. For everything there is a season, a different chapter and a new journey.