Coffee&Kids&Yoga

As I sat here with my kiddos, and scroll through some memes and things, it all sparked an idea for this post. So often we are told we are broken. So often we focus on the negative. So often we focus on where we need to improve, we focus on the guilt, we focus on the things we handled poorly today. In some ways, it can be beneficial to us. Improvement is something we always need to be striving for. It helps us grow, learn, change. But what if we focused today, on the things we do really well?  What if in the morning, we remind ourselves of the things we are great at? Maybe you can't think of anything right now.... so keep thinking! Make a list! Sit on it, pray on it, get out that pen and paper and write it out. What did you handle well today? Maybe it was a minor (or major) conflict that you would not normally handle with grace. Maybe you made a really awesome meal for your family. Maybe you kept the counters clean? Maybe it's just that you kept the kids alive... that's a ...

In a perfect world..... what would you choose your gifts/talents to be? I always wanted to be good at volleyball.... or singing.... why? I have zero clue but it sounds fun. Plus, watching all the talent at church really blows me away. Their singing is INCREDIBLE. Now, focus for a moment on what you ARE good at. Are you good at being a friend? Do you have a hobby that could benefit others?  Are you a good listener?  Are you great at motivating others? Are you a morning person? Are you good with numbers/budgeting? Now think of how you can extend that to others. I think so often we focus on what we can do to make money and that makes sense, we need money to live. But what if you choose to give/help others just because? What if you did it just to spread kindness? What if you extend your gifts and talents onto your community because... because it's really awesome to be giving? I pray every day that my children remember how giving we are as parents. How giving we are with our ...

Holidays, big and small, have always been "my thing." Much to my husband's dismay sometimes, I make a big deal about them all. To me, this doesn't mean spending a ton of money or being insanely over the top. Of course I am a HUGE advocate for showing your loved ones that you care ALL YEAR LONG, especially after losing my mother and realizing just how precious time is with our friends and family.   I know a lot of people become sort of angry and annoyed with these holidays but it doesn't have to be this way. Easy for me to say, right? Since I have a husband and family but even if you don't have that, there are still ways you can make the most of it!  This year, I am the coach of about 30+ volunteers and I made them little goodie bags for valentine's day. Nothing super crazy but just a little something to show them that I am thinking of them and appreciate them! My daughter also made a valentine for her karate teacher, some family members, and some friends...

I have wanted to do this for awhile now buuuuuut just now found the motivation to actually do it. Do you struggle with too many toys in your home? I know most of my parent friends do.  It has taken me a few years to get to this point BUT.... I am finally getting somewhere with it.  SO.... I came up with a challenge. The challenge is this..... how much time do you want to spend cleaning up toys each day? Do your kids struggle with clean up time? I will say, my three year old is slow as a turtle when it comes to clean up time but my almost 8 year old is finally getting to the point where we are quick and  efficient in the clean up department.  For the three year old, it helps to pick up a few toys, hand them to him, and excitedly ask him to put them in the ______ box. Whichever box the toy belongs to.  We have our toys pretty well organized to make clean up a breeze.  In our play room, we have a train table, ONE mixed toy box, a kitchen, and a market. ...

Do you find yourself reading conflicting articles about. well..... everything? Is it hard for you to keep up with the latest advice? So. Many. Parenting. Articles. Do this.... NO! don't do that. Do this... wait.... not anymore. Want a magical stop to all the things that are hard in your life? DO THIS! Nope.... just kidding. that doesn't work either. And don't you dare tell anyone of your struggles because you'll hear one of two things (or maybe even both at the same time, if you're lucky!) 1. Suck it up. You're blessed. Stop whining. or 2) A TON of unwanted/bad advice. Those are your options. And we wonder why depression is so rampant in our society? You can't vent. You can't admit weakness. You can't admit that you are human. We live in a world full of lenses and you must have it together ALL the time. no excuses. Or maybe.... it just is. MAYBE.... life is meant to have it's struggles. Think about it. Do you care for something a little bett...

I can't say this idea was completely my own, but I want to reiterate what I heard this past weekend.  Loving others when they don't "deserve" it. Our church had a completely amazing sermon on it and I was convicted to my core.  The basic message is this: how often to we come in contact with people who are just downright unlovable sometimes? Bosses? Coworkers? Family? The general population? I see the memes on social media daily about not liking people and not "people-ing." Is that how we want to spend our one and only life on this Earth? Avoiding people, holding grudges, being angry? Anger is definitely a huge issue for me lately. Angry with life, situations, angry with certain traits that I possess. Angry about my anger and short temper. It's never-ending. And honestly, we all have people who bother us, infuriate us, annoy us, etc.  Do you know how much joy and energy is stolen from us when we continue to live life that way? It's exhausting. H...