Turkey-it-UP

We are in a culture that is constantly pushing the future where there's little pause between clearing the Halloween candy tray and putting up the Christmas Tree. It's a fight to enjoy the present and as I've aged my tolerance for the exploitation tactics for the holidays has diminished. There is so much goodness to be had this time of year.
We had our annual Thanksgiving basket drive at school where over 40 families were provided Thanksgiving dinner from goods gathered from both students and our community. What better way to embrace Thanksgiving than working with others to impact people, of all ages, in our own backyards? Frozen turkeys, boxes of stuffing and bags of potatoes filled each bag making it a seriously awesome kick off to the holiday season.

This year we stayed home for Thanksgiving and it was amazing. After a pretty intense and fast paced week being able to be home with the girls and just enjoy being together while plenty of time to relax was one of the greatest possible gifts of all time. No driving, no tolls, no road rage and it was awesome. I am thankful for family and the freedoms in our great country that can so easily be taken for granted. Loving the now and the beauty of a very full present.

Another Retreat in the books

Ten years ago the first Drug Squad Retreat was held at Camp Ockanickon. At the time I had a bunch of ideas, visions and goals without grasping what the program would eventually blossom into. I am in awe of the students that have gone through this program, the risks they have been willing to take and the growth that has occured on both an individual and group level. I'm honored to say that I have witnessed lives and hearts change in some dynamic ways. 

Witnessing kids taking a step in trusting their peers, allowing their personal challenges to be funneled to help others and to assume the title of a role model within their school is nothing short of  amazing. After three and a half intense days I am left exhausted, inspired and humbled.

For the past seven years the retreat has been held on my parent's farm. The intention was to provide an informal, personal experience detached from the world back home. We're away from cell phones, face book and the obligations of home. The really cool aspect of this is having experienced all of this goodness with my parents, sister and my nephews. Tristan and Gabe have not only met some amazing kids, but this is now something they have pretty much had in their lives since birth. I love that.

I'm not at the point of wrapping my head around what next year holds, but instead I will just soak in what the last four days have held. I feel profoundly blessed to be a part of something that is nothing short of epic. Drug Squad Retreat 2014...bam!

Farm Foliage

It's insane to think it's already November. Leaves are falling, temperatures are dropping and it definitely feels like we're on the cusp of winter. Having a weekend to spend on the farm was awesome even though my energy level isn't nearly what I'm accustomed to. It was weird spending more time sitting on the porch, napping and taking short strolls around the farm instead of the normal mach speed. 

Having opportunities to sit, be still and enjoy time with my parents, Jess and the boys brings joy to my heart. I value the moments we have and watching the little dudes tend to the calves, ride on the quad and roast marshmallows makes my heart happy.
I am grateful to have time with my parents sipping hot tea on the porch and to catch up with my sister. Life seems to short to let little moments slip through our finger tips. So every visit brings more memories and deeper bonds that make life all the richer.