Monday, February 16, 2015

Valentine's in a blizzard of goodness


New England was hit for the fourth time in a month with high winds, snow and tundra like temps. It's been a crazy cold season for the east coast and road tripping to New England in the midst of the bread and milk rush in Jersey was the ideal Valentine's trek spending time with Keith and the girls. I figured in order to set the precedent for Jack the little dude will literally have been a couch surfer since he was in the womb. That's how we roll. 

New England is a breathtaking part of the country and taking it in during the winter months blanketed in snow and with a sharp bite in the air makes it all the more remarkable. I'm grateful to have spent the weekend away where we could have had dinner and a movie at home, but instead I spent the day with Keith and Taylor taking a train along the waterways of Ct and then strolling through the streets of Putnam checking out their Fire and Ice Festival. It was one of the best Valentine's Days of all times. The definition of love, family and goodness continues to expand, strengthen and leave me with a sense of overall gratitude that stretches beyond the imagination.

From Ct we hit the road and travelled the roadways leading to RI to visit Jordan. The winds were howling, the snow falling and the beauty of RI's coast is seriously insane. There are perks with blizzard like conditions and it was great trekking in the FJ with no traffic in sight as we crossed over the bridge into Newport with stunning views of the Inlet.

As the weekend is beginning to come to a close I am very grateful for the girls, my husband and God's epic creation. Waking up this morning as the sun rose over the horizon I am in awe of nature, the blessings that surround me and how very beautiful life can be from a million different angles. 

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Goodness in the frosty tundra


It's nice to have days that make you smile and add a little zest to things when it's cold, dark and winter yuck. I hate winter. Truth. So watching Jenna, my cousin, receive her diploma from Harris School of Business brought great joy and pride to my heart. Less than two years ago she was staying with her boyfriends family, unemployed and lacking any form of direction. The truth was, she has never really had anyone to direct her.


With that, she moved to Marlton and enrolled in trade school. Fast forward close to a year later and she holds a medical assistant certification, is fully employed and is making some amazing strides towards independence and beginning to really believe in herself and her abilities. That's a pretty rad realization. I am super proud of Jenna and look forward to where the road of life will lead her.