See ya, Cancer!

Today, my father-in-law finished his 40th (and LAST) radiation treatment. David has been such a champ during the entire process and we are so excited to have our Gpa, Dad and friend lively and healthy again!

Here's to faith, perseverance, health and kicking cancer's ass.

And for this, I am thankful.

Celebrating the LAST treatment

Sweet Nothings

Today, as I was running a training, my phone buzzed as it sat next to my computer. I tried not to let it distract me, but when it buzzed a second time as a second message came through, my words became jumbled as I spoke.

I smiled and made a joke about my husband sending me sweet nothings. The group chuckled....they didn't believe me and thought I really was making a joke.

Little did they know...

After all these years, he still takes my breath away.
And for this, I am thankful.

A Good Reminder

Friends that remind us to be kind to ourselves when the habit is to focus everywhere else instead...

For this, I am thankful.

Pump, Pump, Pump It Up!

Kingdom Cup Champions. Classy and motivated at every point.

The girls created this little pre-game pump up on their own as they got ready for the final rounds today. They believe in each other. They believe in giving their all.

And for this, I am thankful.

Intentionality

One of the things that I most appreciate about Chris is his intentionality to spending one-on-one time with the kids. Tonight, after an entire day filled with kids and soccer, he took Sofia to visit my sister and brother-in-law at their new place in St. Joseph, MI. They took Sofia out to dinner, walked on the beach and have spent time just with her. 

I called a bit ago to check in and say good night and was quickly fed "yeah's", "ok's", and "I know, Mom!" I was intruding...and it made me smile. 

I am so grateful for times like these for both our kids. They are each so unique and deserve that same level of individualized attention. 

My heart is happy tonight. And for this, I am thankful.

Timeless Fun

As a kid, I remember vividly my parents taking me to high school football games. They were so fun!! To be honest, it was likely the time in the bleachers that was the source of the fun...cheering along with the cheerleaders, dancing to the marching band, and standing down along the fence of the field to get an even better view.

I wondered tonight, as we sat in the stands of our high school homecoming game, if perhaps the way fun is found at football games is timeless?

:)

See below:

Memories are being made on cool fall evenings. And for this, I am thankful.

When Mom Guilt Doesn't Win

Tonight I was struggling with the guilt that often comes along with being a working mom. It's a rough space to be.

You see, when we chose to move back to Michigan, a big piece of our decision was based around the parenting flexibility working completely for myself would offer. What we didn't realize, however, was that working for myself would open doors that we couldn't have even begun to imagine. And so, here I was tonight...wrestling internally with the plight of so many working moms: loving your job, loving your kids, finding the balance between putting 110% into both.

So what prompted this episode of guilt this evening?

Today was one of the best career days of my adult life. I couldn't WAIT to share all the details with my family! Yet today, I also missed bedtime with the kids for the second time this week. Instead of sharing adventures of the day, there were tears, when are you coming home's and I miss you's.

My heart broke.

There is nothing more that I want in this world than for our children to feel loved and supported. Nothing. But do you know what else I want for Nico and Sofia? I want them to see a woman who is following her passions, making sacrifices, and committing to good and impactful work. I want them to see that independence also requires teamwork with those you love. I want them to see that while there is huge facet of my pursuits that are personally fulfilling, even more are designed to fulfill the dreams of our family.

This is a tall order but I am wholly committed to it!

I walked in the quiet house tonight to a husband sitting on the couch with a glass of wine already poured. He filled me in on his day which began with his bi-weekly men's bible study. He shared how they learned about Saul and his stories of being willing to sometimes just pick up and move on, trusting that God has a reason for challenges and moving forward without guilt. When I asked Chris how they connected these readings back to their own lives, he simply said, "We talked about you and then we prayed for you...for peace, for releasing yourself of mom guilt, and strength."

My, my. It was just what I needed to hear. You know, kids are exceptionally resillient. Nico and Sofia will wake up tomorrow and be cheerful, ready to have our special morning time together before school. They will also feel my love for them and see my excitement for heading off to work.

They'll be just fine. God truly does work in mysterious ways.

And for this, I am thankful.

It's the Little Things

You know what? The little things matter.

And you never know who is watching.

When you least expect it, your heart will be warmed like mine was this evening.

#godblesstheinterns

And for this, I am thankful.

900

Today's post marks the 900th post on this blog.

I started Adventures Out West when we first moved to Denver in 2005 to chronicle our new life and help our families stay connected. Over the years, AOW morphed from simple digital scrapbook to a platform of gratitude and honesty. And now, it even has an updated name. :)

Our First Weekend in Denver
2005

900 is a lot. But I feel like I am just getting started.

And for this, I am thankful.

Family Vacation, Mackinac Island
2015

Cartwheels

All day today my body ached. It wasn't the the sick kind of ache...but the kind that makes you ask yourself over and over again why you're sore. (I may have even grunted when getting up from my desk chair at one point.)

All morning I wracked my brain working my way through all of yesterday's happenings. I didn't work out or even lift anything heavy. Not only was I feeling OLD because I was sore but now I was also exhibiting this magnificent lack of memory!

And then it hit me. Cartwheels.

I was walking down a hallway at work and giggling like I was 8 again as I remembered back to yesterday evening  when Sofia "double dog dared" me to do a one-handed cartwheel and then really show what I had by doing a round off. The sun was setting, Chris was cooking dinner, the air was cool, and my daughter and I played gymnastics in the backyard. Perfection.

I am so stinkin' sore today.

And for this, I am thankful.