Elfing

It's Elf on the Shelf Time.

Holly and Jolly have made their appearance a few days early thanks to my inability to remember where I hid them at the end of last year. Whoops! It sure kept Chris and I on our toes as we came up with stories on the spot about how they magically appeared in the Christmas bin.

Due to the early arrival, their first night of mischief was pretty non-existent. In fact, they gave Nico and Sofia a gingerbread house. Chris has been running ideas through his mind for months on what these two elves will be doing over the next month. It's always a great time. :)

I'm off to go support trapeze making and note writing...

Cheers to late nights and lots of elfing.
And for this, I am thankful.

If You Can Dream It

I believe in dreams...in making them a reality. Reality doesn't happen without plans, however. It takes intention from the mundane to the magnificent. Intention can lead us on quite an adventure when we stop to truly be present in our decisions, our moments.

That is why Chris and I decided to place a dream board in our kitchen. This dream board is also an adventure board...after all, dreams often require adventure to achieve them!  It's a space where we can dream together as a family and be reminded on a daily basis. This is a space where we can dream individually and together. It is a judge free zone.

The kitchen is often labeled as the heart of a home. Ours is no different as we spend a TON of time here between cooking, eating, homework, games, and chats. There is a pulse in this area of our house. This wall with our board lies in the center of it all  and its placement was purposeful -- to drive us from day to day with intention, purpose, grace, humility, confidence, and kindness. This truly will be the heart of our home.

I placed Walt Disney's quote, "If you can dream it, you can do it" at the center as our reminder that anything is possible -- especially when you have a family that loves and supports you. The kids are absolutely dying to put their ideas up and we are excited to dream with them.

Dreaming together...for this, I am thankful.

Content

What a full day! Chris was off lending a hand on a work project so the kids and I got busy around the house with all kinds of odds and ends. This afternoon, I met a friend and her kids at one of those every-square-inch-of-building-is-padded places so the kids could run around and get some energy out. Lots of fun. One exhausted mama. 

I'm sitting here now, in a quiet house because Chris took the kids on a movie date. I've painted my nails, watched trashy tv, and just chilled. And now, I am one content mama. 

It was a full day along the entire spectrum. And for this, I am thankful. 

An Interesting Lineage

Our family has a bit of an interesting lineage. William Bradford, the first Governor of the pilgrims and passenger on the Mayflower, is our direct descendent. If you really want to get nitpicky, he's my great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandfather. It's always been fun passing the story along to classrooms and new family members that come along. 

Today, my Uncle Bill did something really cool as we stood around the kitchen ready to say our Thanksgiving prayer. He had done some digging and found an image of the Mayflower Compact. Before praying, he read the compact and asked us all to think about the immigrants in our lives -- we are all connected to at least one. 

I had never read the Compact and found it actually quite moving. These people had NO idea what they would be facing. They just believed in God, community, and building a better life. 

As should we all. 

And for this, I am thankful. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Traditions

Traditions are important. They help grow memories and long lasting bonds. One of my favorite things about moving back has been the starting of and the developing of traditions with the kids. 

Today, the kids spent the afternoon with GranMary making gift tags (a Daniel tradition) and the evening prepping for Turkey Day with my mom. 

They both were so gleeful when I saw them and I know will keep these special moments with their grandmas near to their hearts for years to come. 

And for this, I am thankful. 

Ain't No School But Old School

Me: How was Girl Scouts tonight?

Sofia: It was awesome!

Me: Really? How come? What did you do?

Sofia: We got to break apart an old computer...you know, like the old box kind.  

(Chris and I started to chuckle)

Sofia: Why are you laughing?

Me: Because you said it was old. 

Sofia: Yeah, it was really old! It was from the 19's!

Proud to be from the olden days...and have a daughter that makes us laugh.

And for this, I am thankful. 

Above All

There were all kinds of moments that I ticked off in my mind today as ones to remember in terms of gratitude.

I worked with a lovely group of teachers; innovative, creative, kind, kid-focused. These are the kind of teachers we all want our own kids to have. I just loved every second of our time with them.

The ride home with my team was full of reflection, planning, brainstorming, and collaborating on the phone with others. Windshield time was non-existent today. I like when each moment is maximized!

Our dinner was a team effort -- every person in the family contributed to getting the meal on the table and Nico even tried a tomato. This is huge people. HUGE.

But tonight, I am most grateful for the squeals of laughter floating up the stairway. I am holed up tight in my office prepping for a few big meetings tomorrow. But I know our kids are happy. They are safe. They are loved.

And they feel loved.

And for this, I am thankful.

Sneak Peek

We're almost done!!

And for this, I am thankful!

A Day of Green

It must have been fate.

Today was our day to trade in our Prius and our original plan was to go with a different car. After many lengthy discussions and a variety of test drives, we decided to stick with our tree-hugging, gas saving Prius. We did do a little upgrade so I could get heated seats. ;)

When we got home, MSU was up against the undefeated Ohio State. While every Spartan knew a win would be possible, I'm fairly certain there was a collective holding of breath throughout most of the game. But then, with 3 seconds left, a field goal was kicked for the win!

It was a day in which GREEN was favored all around.
And for this, I am thankful.

And Scene

The week is done. Time for some family lovin'.

And for this, I am thankful.