My Three Green Girls

Well it's been a looong time since our last post & I am hoping that with the start of a new year, we can change that! After an endless (lol) pregnancy, my 3rd miracle finally arrived in October. A lack of a working laptop, a dislike of typing from my phone, and her crazy weeks of colic kept me from heralding her arrival.  Hopefully as things are settling down we will get back in the swing of blogging. My oldest now has her own laptop and her own room, so I'm sure we'll be seeing more from her!

So without further ado...

My beautiful daughter arrived October 20th, weighing 8lbs 11oz and was 20 inches long. She is named in memory of her Uncle Joe, after her father, and in honor of her great-grandmother. I've dubbed her our "tribute" baby!

Welcome Josie Mikayla Adele!

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

Nine years ago today, I gave birth to the little girl I had waited my whole life to have.  She's fiery and wild and sweet and shy.  We share this crazy sisterly bond. We look the same - she has my hands and my feet and my body.  She is wildly imaginative, insanely athletic and has the most incredible grace about her.

In all her years on earth, I have only been sad on two of her birthdays. Her fourth, when I was so sure that she was going to be an only child and that my baby was now on the brink of becoming a kindergartener.  And this year. NINE. Nine years has gone too fast. She has been my light and my rock, my best friend and my biggest challenge and in NINE more years, she will be graduating.  This is the halfway mark of raising her.  I am halfway done. And for some reason it makes me sad because I am not ready for her to grow up and move on. (and yes I know nine years is a long time!!)

So my darling Meira, this post is dedicated to you,

my magical, beautiful first born daughter.

Happy 9th Birthday!

I can't wait to spend our day together!

Which Side Are You Standing On?

I'm standing on the side of LOVE!

Imagine what this world would be like

if we approached every situation with love first!

Goodbye road rage!

Goodbye bullying and relational aggression!

Goodbye impatiently waiting in line, in traffic, at the doctor's office!

Goodbye jealousy, hatred, gossip, selfishness!

When we stand on the side of LOVE,

we react to everything differently.

Better, smarter, safer, kinder.

So the next time you feel your temper rising,

you feel yourself getting agitated, or annoyed or mad,

ask yourself "is this negativity really worth it?"

and then ask, "how can I approach this situation with love?"

BE LOVE!

(I love that this banner hangs outside my daughter's preschool!)

(For more on being LOVE check out Jason Mraz - master muscian and awesome activist.)