Summer Camps @ Sweetwater

I can't help but share the above photo from the summer of this great group of tweens and the incredibly talented Shannon Kidwell also known as Fit Piglet. As soon as the camp came available, my 10yo was signed up in less than a minute. There is just something so special about this experience not because it has all the latest gadgets, games and technology but because it offers an opportunity for kids to be here now. My favorite thing besides her increased awareness and offer to help with things that week was the time they spent writing their thoughts and feelings about the world. She shared a lot of her thoughts with me which for a mom who loves to write was such an awesome moment. It's easy as a parent to forget that in addition to the stuff kids are doing all the time - school, sports, hobbies, events - that in the middle of all of it is an actual person who has their own voice and are so intuitive. Love that camp brought a lot of positive moments for her and a reminder for me to listen more and to stop and see more.

Learning as I go,

Last First Day of Elementary

There is so much truth in how quickly time goes by. So here we are...The summer is over. It's already the second day of school but according to my little FIFTH (yes, fifth) grader, "it already feels like the middle of the year" after one day. The start of school this year was a bit calm. This is the first one where I wasn't doing a mad dash to get all of the stuff - the supplies, the backpack, the uniform skirts and the shirts. Since July was going to be a busy month for our family due to travel and competition, we went ahead and tackled the back-to-school shopping in early June. And even though I kinda (just a teensy kinda) missed the last minute hustle, I did enjoy having things ready to go, with little drama or trying to track a package that was mis-delivered by UPS (horrible story from two years ago and the package was never recovered due to an older neighbor that I actually talked to over the phone and provided my address to but decided to drop the package with my daughter's backpack in it at a random house that he thought was ours but then couldn't remember which house). Moving on...Her first day of school was a success! This is her last year at this school since there are no more grades offered. It's bittersweet since it represents the final chapter in her book of elementary education, but also the beginning of the next adventure also known as middle school. Middle school was the so-so for me so part of me wants to do a remote year or three. I have yet to find someone who was like - "Middle school - LOVED IT!" I know it has been a few years since my middle school days...like a lot of years but has it gotten any better. But like most things, she's probably more ready than I am. All this to share a few photos taken at the last first day of her elementary school. Not crying and will not. Nope. Just cheering her on, as I always do and always will. Go get 'em!

The walk in. It's happening. Can't stop. Won't STOP.

Getting organized! Desk is ready
and backpack already on the floor. 

CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT PLAN
My favorites - #5 and #7. May we all do that every day.

Positively amazed by all of this,

A Decade of Magic

Happy Birthday to my baby girl. Every day is a gift and every day I am so grateful to watch you grow into the person you are. Being your mom has been so much fun, and of course challenging but mostly, full of magic and adventure. So proud of all that you have accomplished so far. Love you always.

Every day - THANK YOU

It's become an every day practice for me to just stop and say thank you. Early on, I realized that nothing great can really come into your life without constant gratitude. I am thankful...for all of the good things and even the things that seemed not so good but taught me what I needed to know to overcome an obstacle. Thankful for my friends and for those who weren't ready to be a friend. Thankful for the process of learning and growing and seeing what is around me. Thankful for love - the opportunity to feel it and the ability to share it.

Forever grateful,

Happy Holidays from our family to yours!

C & me with our favorite Theodore's 

Kids vs. Pros - Orlando City Soccer Club

On Thursday, March 2, baby girl and her bestie were invited to participate in the Orlando City Soccer Club Kids vs. Pros game at the new stadium in downtown Orlando. It ended up being such a great event and an incredibly special way to kick off the season. We truly hope they do it again...maybe even every year. Many thanks to the Orlando City Foundation staff and volunteers for putting together such a fun time for the kids and a wonderful way to showcase the beautiful game. Below are a few photos from the evening: 

Thank You 2016

I am ending this year in gratitude for the big, the little and all of the moments squeezed in between them. As always, I send happiness and light to the world as well as hope that the new year will bring exactly what we need to learn, to grow, to be better than what we are today.

2016...

Thank you for the opportunities.

Inspiration

Choose beautiful today. 

Every day...

I am incredibly grateful.

Thank YOU

My girls and I in the Carolina mountains.
One of the most beautiful places in the world.

What ever you're doing today or wherever you are, I hope you are enjoying it and know that someone is here (me) thinking of you because your joy sparks my joy and your victories are my victories. That's what keeps the world turning for me. Thank you for being you today!

Threemember

Thanks Susannah Conway for sharing this...

I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures. 
- Lao Tzu

Beautiful Yoga

Enjoyed a quick class today at lunch today. So grateful for my mat, my breath and my body. The way the three work together to create movement and stability. I open my heart and clear my mind even if it's only for an hour. Such a special thing.

Remembering My Beautiful Best Friend - Doris Jane Fowle

Doris and I at my baby shower in Orlando, circa 2008.

Today, I celebrated the life of one of my best friends Doris. She was 90 years old, almost 91 early next month. She was the mother of three, grandmother to ten and great grandmother to four.

We met in the late 80's through The Salvation Army Orlando Corps through the Best Friend program, a mentoring program for teenagers to be paired with an elder of the church. The list had several people on it and I remember initially asking if Sam (her husband) could be best friends. Of course, at the time they were trying to pair women with girls and men with boys vs. the other way around. Well, it was meant to be because for the next 25 plus years, Doris and I became best of friends. And earlier at her funeral service, I shared that she was not only my Corps Cadet Best Friend (because of the program) but one of the best friends I've ever had.

I'm so glad I was able to attend her Celebration of Life this morning with friends and Doris' family. A friend's tribute was given by Thelma Birmingham and her son, Ken, gave a tribute to his mother. Beautiful words for a beautiful person.

On the back of the program was a poem written by Vickie Couture. Doris was a poet herself so it made my heart smile to read a poem dedicated for her.

My Tribute

I have known her for as long as I have lived, 

To all she met, she did give and give, 

She was our Sunday School teacher, 

You know, a children's preacher, 

Who showered us with love, 

Offering guidance from above, 

Pretty to look at, and oh how she smiled, 

Patient and caring all the while. 

Her time on earth is done, from here she did depart, 

But forever she will live, in each and every heart. 

For Heaven's gates would wait no more, 

On earth, her memory, we shall adore. 

I was honored to present the Benediction for the service. All morning my head was filled with memories where Doris showed her kindness and her sense of humor. She was one of a kind and so special for many reasons.

I prayed...

Dear Heavenly Father - 

Today we come to you in gratitude and love for the gift of life, for the gift of friendship and the gift of unconditional love through Doris Fowle. We thank you for the time - whether big or small - that we all had with Doris. She did great things for your Kingdom, and will be missed by her family and friends. She lived an amazing life as your child, your servant, as a daughter, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a great grandmother and a beautiful person. She lived and did so much for others. (She did so much for me and for my family.) Thank you God for showing us your love through Doris. We will always remember her, and we are eternally grateful for her life. In your name we pray...

Amen. 

Thank you Doris for your friendship and your love. The world is a better place because of you.

Best friends always,

December 4 :::: RED

Day #4 - RED

Today's December Reflection is RED. Even though red is not my favorite color, it's one of my favorite colors to wear as an accent, especially as shoes. I love red shoes. Recently, I found these very comfortable red flats that can be worn to work or around town for errands. They are not only comfortable, they make me happy when skies are grey.

The woman with two red shoes,

December 3 ::: Best Day of 2015

Day #3 - Best Day of 2015 
During the summer, the family, including my baby girls' bestie Bells, headed down to Key West for a visit with good friends, the ocean and Florida sunshine. My favorite and best day of this year was watching Mr. Wonderful, baby girl and Bells snorkel together in the Atlantic Ocean. The sun was shining and the water was a beautiful crystal blue. It was as if the trip was just for us even though we shared the boat with about 40 other people. These are the moments that I'm happy to collect versus anything I could ever buy in a store.

Your moment collector,

December 2 :: Hot Drink

#2 :: HOT DRINK - December Reflections continue. Yay!

Today is a Holiday Spice Flat White from Starbucks. It's hot and festive and not too heavy first thing in the morning. If you don't know already, I love coffee. It is my friend. It has been there for me for many years and helps me through the good and the bad.

Keep on brewing,

December 1: SPARKLE

It's December! Yes...Hello there.

Let's reflect together on the last 11 months of 2015 and celebrate the next 31 days of the year by participating in Susannah Conway's December Reflections on Instagram, Flickr and many blogs including this one.

#1 - SPARKLE
Been married to Mr. Wonderful for 11 years now and every day I'm reminded of this beautiful sparkle that he placed and we had blessed together during our wedding ceremony and first steps of husband and wife.

Grateful for what the sparkle represents and for the life we continue to build together.

With extra sparkle today,

Give Kids the World Black & White Gala

Soluna - Me - Theo 
Black & White (Soluna in Orange) Gala

Remembering Erin...One Year Later

Today is the one year anniversary of my sister-in-law Erin's death. I still have mixed emotions about it all...even a year later. Despite my feelings, I wanted to share the below message from her sweet husband, my brother-in-law Stephen, who has continued to show how true love exists and continues forever. 

This is for all of you. Please reach out to someone today that might be needing a word of support, a shoulder to lean on, or just simply a reminder that they are not alone. Sometimes even seeing someone far off in the distance can bring them back from the cliff. That would make Erin very happy, and with the 1-year anniversary of her death, a great remembrance for her. On behalf of our family and friends, I thank all of you for the kind words and support over the last year. You know who you are. For those of you who knew Erin, know she's at peace. And if you didn't know Erin, well that's your loss. The rest of us are smiling at the one-of-a-kind woman that was my best friend of 14 years, my wife of 12 years, and a source of every emotion under the sun.

Thank you Stephen for the photos and for the beautiful words in Erin's memory. 

The Joy Of Best Friends

My best friend Joy and I in Hilton Head last year celebrating her graduation. 

Best friends CJ & Bells enjoying Spring Break together. 

Today I'm grateful for the power of friendship. It keeps you moving forward. It hugs you when you can't hold it together on your own any longer. It celebrates you and helps you where needed. 

Thank you for best friends and for friendship.