What REALLY Scares me about Halloween... Plus ALTERNATIVES!

This is something for the parents out there who might like a little inspiration in the way of handing out something (anything?!) other than toxin-laden candy this Halloween!

Plus - it includes great ways to get your kids excited for the holiday -
without the need for a candy-binge...

Dig in! There's still time to stock up on NON-candy offerings. Woot!

HERE IS THE POST. ENJOY!
What REALLY Scares Me about Halloween... Plus ALTERNATIVES!

[As posted to my clean-living blog over at The Vitality Lounge.com]

Shameless Plug - Yet Another New Biz!

For those who follow me already - you know I'm a creative. I'm driven. I'm all about freedom. And - I'm passionate. Well - funnel all that - plus my love of writing - into one space, and you have a new business. (At least that's how it works for me.)You also know how I've had to take my health into my own hands and figure out what my body has been trying to tell me. In that process, I've learned SOOOO much about what is truly healthy, safe, and unsafe - and have incorporated many a trick or tip to living a life of vitality....

FIRST (and continued) Entrepreneurial Pursuit...
Passion for photography (as ART, Fun, Real people, & Real emotion) + a Sentimentalist who loves looking back fondly = Photography Biz. (That's been around since 2007.)

AND NOW...
Passion for avoiding toxins, eating & LIVING truly right, digging up the TRUTHS about our foods and personal care products, and sharing what I learn + Writing my brains out = NEWEST Venture! Enter: The Vitality Lounge! http://www.thevitalitylounge.com 

Started this new biz with my nearest & dearest gal-pal, KP - who has a passion for all things "woo" :) She's our resident expert on the metaphysical, & of the mind & soul. She'll be contributing her experience & knowledge about various related topics, including things such as meditation, yoga, and many more!

I know a lot of busy parents out there, who enjoy reading these blogs, will benefit from our learning curve in the way of all things healthy. Please check it out at thevitalitylounge.com & sign-up for our free weekly newsletters... (er, "LoungeLetters") Plus, if you sign up before our official launch (hurry - coming in June) you are automatically entered to win a $100 Whole Foods gift card!

So what are you waiting for? You want the best for your fam, right? Jump in and join us in the (virtual)
'Lounge'! Cheers - and hope to see you there.

TheVitalityLounge.com

(To our vitality. Yay!)

*This may mean I focus even less (what the?) on this here blog... but then again - I may have more time to spill my mommy-brains here in coming months once all is official on the new-biz-front. We shall see!*

One of My BEST Mommy-Decisions EVER!

Oy-yoy-yoy.... You're gonna start to wonder if I write about anything beyond poop & puke on this site.... But I digress. Seems like one of those unavoidable life-scenarios - and so why not find some humor or 'good' within? Show me my silver lining. (Any fans of this here tune by First Aid Kit? I recommend checking it out! Pretty much sums up my approach to life.) :)

First Aid Kit "My Silver Lining"

So - after our last family-puke-fest some months ago - I decided, "What the hell? I'mma gonna put a bucket into each kiddo's bed. Maybe (JUST maybe) they'll use it." Several months passed. One eve before night-night - The KG'r (Addie) mentioned that her 'tummy hurt'. I thought, "Oh goody. Should be a fun night ahead." Turns out - my instincts were on. BUT - there was a pleasant surprise in the mix. 

'Tis the middle of the night, and I awake to "Mommy, Mommy - - - she's throwing up!!!!" Big sis Myla was on duty for bringing us parents (by that - I mean me) abruptly to Addie's aid. "Oh shit!", was all I could muster as I sprung out of bed and flew into their room. I imagined I'd be spending the remainder of the night bouncing between holding a bucket, and tending to bedding in the laundry.

Whaaaaat? Could this BE???? The clearly-smarter-than-I-give-her-credit-for little munchkin had her head right over her bucket already - funneling the stuff away from bedding - entirely!

I immediately felt a weight off of my shoulders and the idea of sleeping on the couch downstairs and being woken up every half-hour to hour for the next 5 seemed like a pin-drop of a problemo compared to the dreaded puke-laundry. Woot! I'll take it...

As an added bonus - no one else in the house fell victim to the stomach bug.

TIP: Buckets IN Children's BEDS - ALWAYS!!!!!!

A QUOTE: "Few things are brought to a successful issue by impetuous desire, but most by calm and prudent forethought." ~ Thucydides

A PIN: 

 

Few things are brought to a successful issue by impetuous desire, but most by calm and prudent forethought.

Thucydides

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Few things are brought to a successful issue by impetuous desire, but most by calm and prudent forethought.

Thucydides

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Out of the Fog, and Into the Fresh!

You ever notice how when you try too hard, your brain turns into a foggy frenzy of gibberish and confusion? Well, I'm still working on that! {Will likely be a life-long work-in-progress, but alas, I'm moving in the right direction!}

I've had a breaky-poo - and now - 'tis time I give this here blog a little attention, and allow my brain-smatterings an opportunity to benefit parents (or generally people) all the world over! Woohoo! 

And with this fresh-appeal, comes a little color-update and general layout-rehab. If you recall (back in October of last year, the only time I wrote here in that span) - I had a drab-looking, rainy-window kind of background, and a deep black center with white type. Kind of fitting considering the ups and downs that were splattered upon these pages (and the lacking time and energy I had to really put into this resource.) 
But now? Now, you see a warm and welcoming center (inner-self, anyone? Refer to previous post!) and a jet-black, blank slate of opportunity surrounding and highlighting the brightly-lit center. Also falls in line with my feminine-with-an-edge appeal. Hmmmm.... Fitting indeed.

And maybe (JUST maybe) you'll see more consistent write-ups again toosies! Now, what more could you ask for? Me thinks I'm going to hone-in on some of the funnies, the freakies, and the "stresserations" - as my heart deems necessary. [Per the little ladies, we sometimes become 'stresserated' around here. Think of it as a cross between 'stressed' and 'frustrated' - mashed together in Kindergarten-friendly lingo.] 

Whatever the mood of the day might be, you'll see a consistent push to move inward. This process of blogging will serve as my online journal... whilst giving other parents and peeps around the globe an opp to see that they are not alone, that they can be a dedicated parent AND fully their own being, and that they can enjoy one more little blurp of 'hope', inspiration, and overflowing ideas to make life easier and more meaningful along their own journey. That's my hope, anyway! I'm also definitely going to be filling your plate with ways to positively substitute unhealthy thoughts, "poisonous" foods (deemed 'safe' by our government, but I'm learning there's more than meets the eye), and toxins in our environment. I'm super passionate about moving away from unnecessary stressers, unnecessary additives and other toxins in our foods, and negative mindsets. 

And - it's my belief that you don't have to be an 'expert' or have to go out-of-your-mind in order to implement little things - one step or day at a a time - to make your life more fulfilling and increase your overall quality of life. {Before it passes us by!}
Maybe simply by sharing more details and tips from my own journey - others will find humor, strength, inspiration, and uplift. Seems like a goal worth moving toward. 'Tis a win-win, after all; We're all here to lift one another up... Mama likey!

Follow my blog by signing-up in the above right-hand-column to stay up-to-date on the happs!

TIP: Fuel yourself - mind, body, and spirit!

WHIDFML: Conspired with a much-loved soul-sista of a friend in finding a shared passion to celebrate with the world! 'Tis a process... baby-steps and all - but forward momentum. (You will likely be hearing more about these things over time, so stay tuned!)
A QUOTE: "Every choice moves us closer to or farther away from something. Where are your choices taking your life? What do your behaviors demonstrate that you are saying yes or no to in life?" ~Eric Allenbaugh
A PIN:

Sabbatical... Er, Hiatus... Hmmm. Both? 'Accidental' Re-charge!

Whatever you wanna call it - it's clear that 2013 wasn't exactly a "year of writing" for this mommy-artist-writer-entrepreneur! I wasn't sure just what I wanted to write, and I didn't feel compelled to - as I often felt like letting it out somehow manifested into more negativity. 

While 2013 wasn't truly a "negative" year - or a "bad" year overall, I have a confession: I was totally in a personal-slump, and it was eating away at me without my even realizing it! Sadly, I let the outside world impact my inner-being far too greatly. I thought I was doing a pretty good job of disallowing that... But, truthfully, I had an 'awakening' that brought me slowly back around to my 'higher state of being'   

Putting off the writing... I'd definitely consider it a sabbatical of sorts. I mean - I did take (almost) an entire year away from it... which makes it official, by true sabbatical standards. It was, in fact, a 'rest or a break from work', as cited by Wikipedia. However, I didn't exactly 'rest' or break away from work at all! Actually, I later realized that I had been trying TOO hard with many aspirations (particularly financial ones, as well as general frustration with some aspects of our culture as a whole)... which broke up the natural flow of things, preventing me from being fully open to opportunity. 

Nonetheless, it did lead to some form of achievement. A) I learned some things... about myself and about life - including how to manifest the POSITIVE. B) I did further myself in my business as a MN wedding photographer - re-designing the biz to better-suit my life and long-term goals. And - C) I fell upon some amazing teachers and guides - wise in the ways of learning one's way through life, and reaching our fullest potential (through an ongoing and ever-changing journey). 

I literally "found" one of these fab women by 'accident' (Um - actually - I believe there is no such thing!) And, this lead me to another, and another... and there are many more resources that I've come upon! But - here is a list of my top-3-faves - who truly started me back down the right path (the one that is right for ME) - the path to being present, being true to myself and my heart, and opening up to what the Universe (aka: God) might have in store for me, and sending out positivity into the world around me - which in turn breeds more of it in my own life. Sounds magical, doesn't it? Well, let me tell you that I started putting many of these seemingly little things into practice more consistently, shifting my mindset toward letting go, toward trusting the Universe, toward tapping into the abundant energy that I'm already a part of, and toward forgiveness (of others, of the past, of myself)... And POOF! Yep... MAGIC. 

I didn't have to purchase a thing; I simply had to make a little time, and be willing to go within myself - and it was soooo worth it! I think so many people out there can benefit from this... I highly recommend subscribing to their blogs via email - so you'll receive (usually weekly) tid-bits of inspiration and tools to help you fulfill your dreams - one step at a time. Each dose builds upon itself, and before you know it a few drops of water have become a puddle of positivity and momentum! My goal? To see my puddle develop into a winding, evolving, RIVER of love, creativity, and inspiration! 
Okay - so here's that list: [Side-note... I receive nothing to promote this... I just adore these peeps and their provisions! Maybe if my readership grows some more... I could get a kick-back. But for now - just genuinely want to share in the happies!]
~ Marie Forleo/ Marie TV: MarieForleo.com 
Hands-down my top-fave! She's so down-to-earth, genuine, honest and REAL (um - some ways in which I like to describe myself!) But also - she's FUN! (HUGE for me. What is the point of anything unless we are ultimately happy? And what better way to promote happiness than through learning in a FUN manner?? Exactly!) It's extremely valuable insight - in small, digestible doses, and HIGHLY entertaining to boot! OMG - stop reading this already - and go click over there for some fun insights! 
~ Danielle LaPorte: DanielleLaPorte.com
I ADORE this woman! Some may view her in the woo-woo light... I could see that. But, not this chic! I freakin' think her insights - into tapping into self and the greater energy in a  simplistic and tangible way - are amazing! I seriously can't say enough good things! She's super laid-back and collected... I could strive for that ;)
~ Gabrielle Bernstein: GabbyTV.com
MORE super-insightful-amazing-guidance to helping yourself find yourself and listen to yourself (your heart)... Plus, guided-meditation. Okay - you're thinking "woo-woo" again. But really - all mediation is meant to be is a calming/ quieting of the mind - so we can create that space and allow ourselves to hear our own hearts. Our heart is all-knowing. Our mind is logic-based and cluttered. We have to clear away that clutter (ideally daily) to allow ourselves the opp to hear what our hearts have to say. When we lean in the direction of our hearts/ innermost selves - the Universe conspires along with us to guide us along the path. It's about opening up to yourself, and your God. The guided meditations are a great way to start - to figure out what works for you and what you should think about when you're trying NOT to think! 
BONUS! I changed my mind. (See, isn't that in itself a beautiful notion?!)
You get one more...
~ I also happen to like Natalie MacNeil: SheTakesontheWorld.com 
Ideal for entrepreneurs, there's a lot of good mojo happening here, and all these women listed here are interconnected. Imagine that, huh? They all offer very similar teachings, and yet - they aren't cut-throat or back-stabbing. In fact, they recognize that they can boost and promote one another, and by doing so - they are actually promoting themselves in that process - whether directly or indirectly (good karma!) That's what I'm talking about! (It's one of the things that I can't stand about the wedding photography industry. Everyone is so cut-throat and impersonal, and just trying to 'outdo' the next guy.... Ugh. Glad I don't have to deal with it directly... and by choice. I'm choosing to align myself with peeps in the biz who are like-minded and open-hearted - knowing that we all stand to benefit one another by lifting one another! It's one of the top-priorities on my list of things to instill in my little girls! Holla!) 

Cheers to (personal, spiritual, emotional, health, relationship, & financial) abundance in 2014! 

TIP: Sometimes you need to slow down to speed up (as suggested by Gabby Bernstein).... I listened to my inner voice and allowed myself a 'break' to refresh!
WHIDFML: I took a REAL sabbatical (a mini-one) - since Friday of last week. I let my mind rest & wander, and I didn't schedule anything... I meditated, and tried to be more 'quiet'. Spent some time as a family in there, and some time as a couple - but overall, it was spontaneous and opportunistic... and fully Zen-licious!
A QUOTE: "A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle." ~ James Keller
A PIN:

A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.

James Keller

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Listen, Trust Your Choice....

Actually... I had it written down like this: "Listen, Trust, Your Choice" (all broken up and separated by commas. You know... Three separate thoughts). I've been jotting sketchy little notes-to-self whenever I think of a 'blog' write-up that I'd like to post. One of the more recent notes stems from my realization that my God is trying to reach out to me via my kids... as I desperately reach out to them.

I kept telling my girls over and over again in recent months, "If you would just LISTEN. How much easier would life be? How much more pleasantly would we start our days? How much happier would we all be??" Oh. My. God. I then realized how much I'd been slacking in the "listening" category myself... In particular, I think that intuition is direct communication from above. When we get caught-up in the worldly crapola, it's easy for that instinctive knowing to start to fade. I'd been over-thinking, over-worrying, over-trying, but not nearly enough listening to my inner voice. K - good one, Big Guy. I get it. I'm listening. (Sorry!)

Then there was this whole battle about trust. I was explaining that when they lie, I lose their trust. Though, thankfully, they rarely play that card. The flip side of that coin?? When they don't trust me I about want to scream - because I (rarely) lie to them! (Sometimes, as a parent, it's a prerequisite, and I'm practicing when it is actually necessary. Think, oh - Santa Claus?!) But overall - I've learned early on - that honesty really is the best policy and not just a bunch of bs gibberish. So - I employ it. Hence my need to remind them, "Why can't you just trust your dad and me? Have we lied to you before?? Why won't you just TRUST us?!" Um. Yeaaaah. I get it. Okay. GOT IT... Again. (Sorry!)

Then, I was going on and on about how the consequences become THEIR own choice in the matter. We warn them about what will happen regarding their choices. When they choose poorly, there will be consequences (whether doled out by us, or by fate, depending on the situation.) Here I was saying, "Hey. It's YOUR choice, not mine. You have the choice. YOU make the choice about whether or not to listen, and therefore you make the choice as to whether you'll have to endure the consequences." WOW. Did You.... just do that... AGAIN?! Whew. Okay - yep! MY choice. Got it.

But then as I re-read my little list upon sitting down at my desk, I read it more quickly and without as much thought (over-thinking? Me?? Nah.) and it suddenly read: "Listen, Trust Your Choice." It was like, "Lalalalala" {Insert rays of sunlight beaming down through fluffy clouds.} It hit me differently. I've been questioning myself a little too much lately. And - wallah - once again - via my children (initially) - I'M the one being taught! What can I say? I guess it's fate! And truly - I did need the reminders. So be it far from me to sit here and wallow in hypocrisy, for cryin' out loud! 

TIP: Listen, Trust Your Choice  ;)
A QUOTE: "The more you trust your intuition, the more empowered you become, the stronger you become, and the happier you become." ~ Gisele Bundchen
WHIDFML: Made that massage a "Chakra balancing massage" - and I feel more at ease and much more open to my own instinctive thoughts again. {Yay!}
A PIN:

Faith is a passionate intuition.
William Wordsworth
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/intuition.html#2H3U8RdV1YYLDDE9.99

Faith is a passionate intuition.
William Wordsworth
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/intuition.html#2H3U8RdV1YYLDDE9.99

Faith is a passionate intuition.
William Wordsworth
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/intuition.html#2H3U8RdV1YYLDDE9.99

Island Time. A New Revolution!

Oh my gosh... I can't believe how long it's been since I've blogged here! Some days things just have to be put on the old 'back-burner' until time permits. Alas, this was one of those things. For many days. While I allowed life's demands to pull me out of my Island Time mentality.

Honestly, sometimes I'd think, "I don't need to blog about it. I'm just too busy to care, and why pressure myself." Other days I'd think, "But I WANT to blog about it. It's such a great record of my evolution (I imagine myself reminiscing in my rocking chair on the porch when we're in our 80's), and a creative outlet as well as an emotional one." Whatever the case, I just didn't feel motivated or inspired often times, to actually sit down and write. I have a theory on that....
Running and updating a photography business. Writing for income via an at-home-job-opp. Tending to children's continual needs. Laundry. Bills. Groceries. Grocery shopping. Children's continual needs. Making lunches for husband. Playing husband's secretary. Making lunches for children. Organizing dinner (and helping to cook & then cleaning up afterward). Keeping up house. Tending to children's continual needs. Did I mention children's continual needs? Because, well, they are continual. "Mommy" "Mommy" "Mommy" - the soundtrack to my life ;)

Ironically though, my lack of 'motivation' began with something much more positive and inspiring than being 'too busy'... It was my adoption of the concept of "Island Time'. For TWO full months after returning home from our amazing opportunity to visit the island of St. Kitts in the Caribbean, I felt this inward sense of peace and serenity - even in the face of day-to-day challenges that life may present. For those of you who have not (YET; If you dream it, it can happen) had the pleasure of visiting a Caribbean island... allow me to expand on this intrinsically beautiful, and simple concept that can be implemented into anyone's life at will. I highly recommend it too! Basically, it can be summed up like this: "Ah yes. We're here. We're working on it. We're all in this together. It'll GET done. Eventually." There you have it in plain old, upper-mid-western-life-constantly-on-the-go-go-go- translated-English... Island Time!

Actually, we had read about this other-worldly phenomenon during our research prior to arriving on the island. Sadly, it was portrayed as a very negative thing - in a number of restaurant reviews, in particular... "blah blah blah... and you'll probably wait at least 45 mins to get your food.... blah blah blah..." I was like, "WHO CARES?! Seriously - that is how our culture is? We're even in a 'hurry' to 'eat and run' while on vacation on a distant island?? Are you in a hurry to get back to - oh - I dunno - the BEACH? UM.... It'll still be there. Additionally, most of the restaurants are on or very near a beach. We ate on a sandy beach every evening! I can't understand why people are so incapable of just enjoying themselves leisurely any more, without the need to find something negative to remark on, or continually be in a hurry. It's got to be exhausting and disappointing to require such perfection and high expectations from people and from life.

Anyway - I see it purely as a positive thing, and - something I really needed - to help me maintain a more care-free way of life going forward. Now, when I begin to lose my grip on my "I'm not a robot" and "no need to be running constantly like mutated chickens without heads" approach to life, inevitably getting sucked back into the whirlwinds that constantly surround me, I conveniently remind myself, "Hey! It'll get done. On Island Time. 'S'all good."

It's not always easy. I did get unwittingly yanked back into the ol' hamster wheel for a while there... But, at least I have felt this basic, innate human inclination to slow down and actually ENJOY life in the process of living it! I know this way of life exists, and is absolutely beneficial to our overall well-being and health. I know, too, how to summon it again, and I even have a name for it now; Cheers to Island Time!

TIP: If your kiddo won't eat her sandwich at school because it gets a little bit 'icky' from condensation (due to a cold pack)... Try just a PB sandwich and 'sides' that don't require refrigeration. We use Santa Cruz Organic - in GLASS jars-  PB (My fave ingredient list EVER: "Peanuts, salt"!), and include things like dried fruits, plantain chips, organic crackers... You can also include whole apples or bananas without the need for a cold pack.
WHIDFML: Scheduled my first massage in many moons... Can't WAIT!!!!!!!!!
A QUOTE: "Beware the barrenness of a busy life." ~ Socrates

Beware the barrenness of a busy life.
Socrates
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Beware the barrenness of a busy life.
Socrates
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/busy.html#jv1Q3KTepHSGPtWv.99

Beware the barrenness of a busy life.
Socrates
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/busy.html#jv1Q3KTepHSGPtWv.99

Beware the barrenness of a busy life.
Socrates
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/busy.html#jv1Q3KTepHSGPtWv.99

A PIN: Notebooks for sale! {Just remember, there are really only so many things that you HAVE to get done.... Island Time!}

I choose growth. What will you choose?

 "Change is inevitable. Growth is optional."   

~John C. Maxwell 

When Joel and I set goals for ourselves and our family - we in no way intend for these goals to hurt other people. However, we can't spend our lives worrying about who might take our priorities personally. Numbers 3 and 4 above really speak to this. Often times, people are so fearful of change, that they get stuck in a rut. I refuse to allow myself to be stuck in a rut... Especially if it's because other people react strangely or negatively when I am motivated to pursue the necessary change!

Here is my FB post - which has received 15 "likes" thus far, among other positive commentary: 

"Starting a new family tradition for Christmas Eve - Just the 4 of us... Fireside, Christmas music playing, games, books (The Night Before Christmas, anyone?), candles, twinkling lights, Wine, hot cocoa for the girls, and just being together. And I make no apologies nor do I feel guilty about it! Haven't been this excited for Jesus' birthday in a number of years. Merry Christmas!"

In describing our new traditions for Christmas to the extended family (and some close friends) - and creating some new traditions with said family in that process - here are the responses I received:

#1) "Yes. You have your own family now, and you need to enjoy this time with your little girls."  ~Friend

#2) "I guess we won't see you or your brother on Christmas Eve this year.... New traditions and all..." ~Family member

#3) "AH! We did that exact kind of thing every year growing up... I absolutely loved it. Some of my favorite memories of Christmas..." ~ Friend - (whose mother passed away while my friend was quite young; These are fond memories with her mother! We are not promised tomorrow!)

#4) "Good for you, D... You gotta follow your heart!" ~Friend

#5) (After suggesting, twice, that we meet with this group for gifts for the little girls prior to other plans in order to prevent it from getting too late for our very young children who require a scheduled sleeping pattern to function properly and avoid manic melt-downs and further illnesses...) "Or why don't we just send them [gifts] home with you and you can have them under the tree for Christmas eve....I guess we've seen them open gifts on Christmas before.  We sure wouldn't want them to be too tired for Christmas. I guess what ever you feel is better and I can always send cheesecake home with you to enjoy later..." ~Family member

#6) Lastly, My FAVE! "Sounds like a lovely new tradition. I'm just glad I'll get to have all of you here together on Christmas day then!" ~Family member!! (Yay! 1 for 3 on the fam-spectrum)

And hence, the struggles that accompany change AND growth. Attempted manipulation, guilt-trips, and other jabs... But alas, Joel and I had decided that something needed to change - and we really wanted to make sure Christmas had meaning for us and the girls. Rather than being bound by outdated 'traditions' that capitalized on the commercialism of it all, we want to create real, cozy, family-oriented, real-meaning-of-it-all, truly happy with no awkward anomosity, expectations or other negative influences, down-home memories!  Sure, the fams got together - but then we were also running around from place to place, trying to please everyone, enduring some unpleasant things in amongst the enjoyment of family - ultimately exhausted & unfulfilled ourselves. And so - we are growing, as we make changes that have been prompted in our hearts. Here's hoping some of the folks on my list can also learn how to grow as they accept the changes that other grown adults in their lives will inevitably make, based on their priorities and what holds meaning for them in life. Our families - the people who make up our family, that is - do hold meaning in our hearts; We are, in fact, gathering with all of them (and then some) for the holiday festivities!! Now, we simply spread things out, and enjoy Christmas the way we desire in there as well. To me, seems like a win-win-win! Christmas is spent with one side on an afternoon of the weekend prior or following - with a new restaurant to try out each year! For the other side, a Christmas Day dinner - where each smaller family-unit will be able to be present at the same time! In between - we visit a place of worship, and then enjoy the warmth that only home can provide, while reveling in the joy of this occasion! AMEN!

TIP: A tiny little thing called compromise, or meeting in the middle, can often breed happiness for all involved. If only we could all think like this more often!! 

A QUOTE: "He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree." ~Roy L. Smith

WHIDFML: BEGAN to instate my FAVORITE-EVER New Year's Resolutions! A) I will no longer allow moments to pass me by/ potentially regret a decision over the possibility of another's negative reaction to my choices/ or their weirdness/ being stuck in their own habbits. B) I will no longer allow the negativity of others to influence ME negatively. There is a difference between caring about loved ones, and no longer caring about what they THINK of me/ how they may judge me (particularly since they should be the last ones to judge their own family), based on my personal priorities in life. Refer to #4 under Dr. Seuss! C) Even when life gets frustrating - remember it's all going to be just fine, and remain calm, and stay POSITIVE. D) Last but not least - BE KIND. ALWAYS. Let in the people trying to move over into my lane. Allow the person behind me in line with 2 little items go ahead. Think more about WWJD... Just represent the change I want to see in the world; (No more of this "Me, me, me... gotta get ahead. I don't care who I 'run over'! More kindness, more realizing we're all just people... and we all are struggling with something.) 

 

High on a Mountain Top...

"High on a mountain top, we live, we love, we laugh a lot. Folks up here know what they've got, high on a mountain top... I ain't comin' down, no never, I'm not... High on a mountain top..."

Loretta Lynn - High on a Mountain Top

This has meaning for me figuratively, since I don't actually live on a mountain top... 

Living for love... Living for joy.... Living for each other... Living for what really matters! And that keeps me 'up' - happy... and I ain't comin' down no, never I'm not!
Started to (unwittingly) allow some external 'forces' affect me & my sense of what matters... Caught myself slipping - figured it out & made amends with myself & remembered I don't have to justify what I prioritize in my life... But I'm back on top of my mountain again!

In line with that, and my own Christmas ideals (Our Christmas this year, per a previous post)

- a SPECTACULAR write-up from my fave mommy-blogger, Glennon Melton:

"Mastering the Mom" - by Glennon Melton

I'd move to the mountains any day :) 

TIP: Make it MEANINGFUL!

A quote: "It is not what we get. But who we become, what we contribute... that gives meaning to our lives. " ~Tony Robbins

WHIDFML: Limited the shopping this year, and completed it here at the computer desk, wine in hand, Christmas music playing, candles glowing, and children all nestled snug in their beds....  

E-Motion

I was moved today - and I put into motion my emotion as I recognized how God is moving in my life. I was at the counter preparing my 'wing-it-night' meal, while the girls were seated at the small kitchen table for 2, having just finished theirs. They were playing so sweetly across the table with a toy or two - giggling away, and just being their sweet selves - (you know, the versions-of-self that emerge when there is no 'wanting', no 'but what ifs' and no overtired crabbiness taking over....) It was another moment of Kairos. Little giggles, amid the festive Christmas music, and a day of zen - and I got caught up in an emotional moment - holding back tears so the girls wouldn't think something was WRONG during this in-the-now wrinkle in time.

Without much more thought, I swooped little Addie up and sat her upon the table saying, "Don't ever sit on the table, it'll fall over and you'll get hurt." As I pulled her close to Myla seated at the other side, and wrapped them both in my arms, Addie gave me her "Um - MOM!" look, as she informed me, "Uh... I AM sitting on the table...." (complete with a knowing head-tilt bearing some "I just though YOU outta know" flair.) "I know - but I'm holding you. Don't ever do it again though." (Teehee.) I squeezed them both as I told them how much I love them and daddy, and how happy I am to have them in my life, and thrilled that God gave them to me. They snuzzled-in, rubbing those soft cheeks & little noses against my own, as we all just stopped what we were doing, and held each other. LOVE. As much as I like to believe it's a moment I'll never forget - realistically - it'll become buried deeper beneath the continual ebb & flow of life's commitments, goals, and other business, and the details might become foggy. Hence - e-diary to the rescue :)

I want them to KNOW... REALLY know - what they mean to me. I hope I show it on a regular basis - but at least I took an opp to put it into words as well. I hope THEY will always remember~

TIP: Training my brain (STILL) to be more in the here & now, and less in the "what do I have to remember to do?" mode of thinking... Keep training. It'll never be perfect - but it'll keep getting better. :)

A Quote: “There is no way to be a perfect mother, and a million ways to be a good one” ~ Jill Churchill 

WHIDFML: Let go of some things... Found a greater sense of inner peace again, and have taken that and am RUNNING! ;)

Ages & Stages

I had a light-bulb moment recently - when I realized how AWESOME this stage in our lives is right NOW. Wheeeeeee! Okay - life with kids - is just that. There are always things going on... Always unexpected 'emergencies' that come out of nowhere... And of course, let's not forget that they still eat up a lot of room in the old noggin - which I still blame for my brain's lacking ability to retain information and have it at-the-ready on a still-far-too-regular basis. 

Among all of the chaos of an utterly busy (yet fun) whirlwind of a summer, I'd finally had a moment to contemplate a couple of poignant occurrences that took place during said season. Two things stand out: #1) Our longest road-trip with the girls so far - and - - - NO crying en route! We explored more than we could have dreamed!! #2) Undeniably huge MN State Fair success! We literally got in EVERY item to see/ do/ explore/ experience that was on our list (and then some, including a bit of time left to just me and the beau the preceding day!) Not only that - but we managed to accomplish this feat on a SATURDAY - - - WOW! Not too shabby if I do say so myself :) 

This is fab! These girls are learning & growing by the minute... They are still little and sweet and oh so innocent. (Read: Fun!) And yet - they are more independent, and are beginning to really grasp a greater range of conceptual information - leading to much more mellow and enjoyable experiences overall. Woot! I can't complain. I see other fams in the earlier stages that we've waded our way through over time ourselves; I know it's just 'their time'... their place of transition for the moment... But I'm so glad I'm into this next realm. I love my girls - and have adored them during all stages (yes, even the frustrating ones.) But there is something to be said for this age & stage, and I'm going to soak it up!! (Before they are teenagers.)

TIP: Revel a little. :)

A Quote: “The great thing about getting older is that you don't lose all the other ages you've been.”
~ Madeleine L'Engle

WHIDFML: Laughed with a good friend - at a comedy club - in the middle of the week! :) 

Kids - Helping to Maintain that PERSPECTIVE

So - - all this Christmas talk, and I was feeling weighed-down a bit by the need to 'make a decision'. Not sure why the urgency. I mean, it's September. Perhaps this was due to the fact that we were considering a stay somewhere that would require advanced reservations... Yep. Pretty sure that was it. While this may very well be something to continue contemplating for future years,  I had an overwhelming desire to just be HOME for that peaceful celebration this season. So - we're in the vehicle and I'm describing my ideal scenario to Joel - with little ears listening intently from the back seat... 

"Okay - when I think about the perfect, mellow Christmas Eve, I envision a glowing fire in the fireplace, lights twinkling on the Christmas tree(s) (we have 3!), candles flickering and filling the room with a calming aroma, Christmas music playing, some games played with the girls, and reading some Christmas stories - including "The Night Before Christmas"... and just BEING. You know - laughing, having fun, a little dancing & singing if so inspired, and reveling in some family bonding time." At this time I looked over at Joel and asked, "What do you think?!" 

Before he could answer, Myla spoke up from the back seat - clapping excitedly, with grinning eyes, "That sounds just PERFECT, mommy!" God, I love that kid! I peeked around my seat to Addie, and when our eyes met, I knew that she, too, concurred with this serene concept of a Christmas Eve that will be remembered fondly for years to come. Super-love that kid too! :)

Joel finally got his say in this (after all of the estrogen beat him to the punch) - and he smiled with enthusiasm too. "Sounds great to me!" 

That settles it! 

We'll be planning some gatherings with the ext-fams the weekend prior, for sure. Regardless of when - it isn't about avoiding family - but creating new traditions with our immediate family that are embedded in our values and our desires for embracing greater meaning during the celebration that gives greater meaning to this very time of year. We have to continue to live according to what has inherent meaning for us - regardless of past traditions. No more feeling like Clark Griswold as he revs up his chainsaw with crazy-eyes to cut down the pine tree in the front yard, determined to make his Christmas COUNT! - CHEERS!

TIP: Christmas falls on a Tuesday this year! That means - the weekend prior is wide-open for other gatherings. Make it work to your benefit! This so fits in line with my 'movement to mellow'. 

A QUOTE: "Well I'm gonna park the cars and check the luggage, and well, I'll be outside for the season." ~Clark Griswold, in "Christmas Vacation" 

WHIDFML: Took a much-needed mommy break. I'm not that into "Opener". I like to hunt, with my beau, and in a mellow-fashion... (Our lives don't depend on acquiring this meat!) I also happen to love the evenings & sunset... Not much of a morning-person. AT. ALL. The boys hunted, the girls played with Grandma & Grandpa, and mommy - stayed in her jammies ALL DAY :) Monumental. 

Life Lessons~

So - - - sometimes life's lessons aren't readily understood - at which point they are forced onto us via, typically, unpleasant circumstances. I'm not going into detail about my recent lesson's manifestation. However, I'm realizing that I had many lessons in one - related to one (largely-small?) incident. 

A) SLOW down. It was that nagging reminder (um, neon sign, which I DID - in fact - request in recent prayers). Since I wasn't listening to other smaller promptings, I guess this was the neon I was looking for (Not exactly what I had in mind??)...  I want to spend more time actually enjoying and LIVING life - and a little less time letting it be all-consuming in a too-busy kind of way... Less energy spent on giving-in to society's expectations, and more time spent upholding my own expectations.

B) Stay positive. Er... focus on the good, seek the lesson or other value in the 'bad', and recognize that it's all temporary anyway! All things = a reason.

C) Listen to my gut. Just quiet the mind, and LISTEN, damn it.

D) KEEP the FAITH. TRUST! (I've written about this 'trusting' thing once before.) Sometimes it's easy to get caught-up in what life throws atcha - and I'm reminded not to allow it to bring me down... but rather - to slow me down, and leave the rest up to G.O.D. He happened to literally whisk me out of a potentially very difficult situation - just like that! {Kudos, Big Guy}

E) Humanity isn't as bad as it seems! There are still understanding, compassionate, live-and-let-live, community-driven, genuinely considerate & caring people out there. "Love is PATIENT"... (Which brings us back to letter A, above; What do ya know? It all ties together.)

 F) View the world with compassion, love, and understanding, and you can avoid unnecessary stress right there. 

WOWZA! Amen.

TIP: See A through F above...

A QUOTE: “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.” ~Plato

WHIDFML: Beautiful Fall-evening river-walk with the whole fam in tow! :)

SPEAKING of Peace...

I got to SPEAK mine recently - though by speak, I mean write! Gah - I wish I'd have more nerve to speak up in crowds to get the PROPER words across when it comes to topics I'm so impassioned about... In this case - it was regarding the food industry, and the conventional farmers' ploys to convince the public that there are "misconceptions" about our food sources. Yes. Sadly - there are many misconceptions. Once something gets 'leaked to the public' it creates consumer awareness, uproar, and demand - for change/ betterment/ choice. Then undoubtedly - the at-fault parties and their dollar-protecting organizations begin to negate any negative impacts on humans. (Think cigarettes, rBST, BPA, etc, etc!) Finally - enough knowledge circulates, and enough demand for what's RIGHT overcomes the demand for the damaged goods - and the companies are forced to produce what consumers actually WANT, if they wish to avoid going under. All this - only after their attempts to confuse the public and convince them that they've done no 'harm'.
Let me just say - that while I get all nervous, tense, and shaky with public speaking - I'm an avid writer... and I've done a lot since this interaction to help spread the RIGHT word about where our food is coming from - to all of my social networking 'buds'! Maybe this is why these things come my way?? I feel called into this more and more~

First - the organization invited me to a free dinner. Red flag #1. Their vague invite included some wording to the effect of 'open conversations about how our food gets to our forks, between women who farm, and women who purchase the produce..." Hmmmm. I'm definitely into REAL food and all things related... I'm thinking - this could be another learning opp! Once I did my research (which I've gotten pretty darn good at over the years. We have to be vigilant about digging deeper into these confusing subjects, to weed out the facts from the pre-paid-propaganda) -I realized this was a sorry attempt by an organization designed to protect the profitability of the conventional farmhands to mislead consumers - touting conventionally farmed and GMO produce as "safe" and "no different from" organic and sustainably produced goods. Hmmmmm once again.... only with a different tone. Funny how these things come out in waves just prior to our country's attempt at finally signing into law a GMO labeling standard to keep consumers AWARE, and give them a CHOICE!

There MAY just be a bit of uncertainty surrounding the subject of determining whether there are any scientifically evidenced, profound differences in nutritional values between organic and conventional goods. However, this is the one and ONLY possible aspect anyone can doubt when it comes to our foods. The rest is purely common sense - and it also happens to be backed up by facts put out by numerous independent parties - whose primary goals include the protection of people and the planet (rather than the profits of businesses.) All of this information remains consistent across the board as well. This makes it difficult, at best, to deny such facts - but those who succumb to the convoluted & manipulative promotion of GMO sourced produce, are simply bowing down to the bottom-dollar they hope to uphold. There are many facts that can be found via many various resources now - holding strong to the truth behind the subject at hand. Here are the "bottom lines" for the PEOPLE - ALL of us who reside on the planet and intend to continue eating to survive. We have a right as a people to KNOW and CHOOSE what we put into our bodies and into the mouths of our children & grandchildren:
A) Soil quality is a direct link to the quality/ nutrient-values of the crops grown within those soils. If the land is mis-treated, poisoned by chemicals (pesticides, fertilizers, sludge/ contaminated waste, injections of ammonias to try to re-gain nutrient-loss), and stripped of its nutrient content - the plants grown there will harbor these same traits and toxins. [Helloooo common sense!]
B) Regardless of nutrient content - we know that there aren't any fewer nutrients in organics. The argument stems from the conventional farmers (who receive subsidies from our tax dollars to uphold certain practices - such as fertilizer and pesticide use, as well as GMO produce) who wish to attempt to 'prove' that there are supposedly "no differences" between conventional and organically produced vegetation. (Refer to point A, above!) 
C) Again, regardless of nutrient content, I want to know that my food is free of any unnecessary (did I mention this is UNNECESSARY!?) chemicals and other contaminants, as well as anything created by a man in a science lab who knows nothing about immediate OR long-term effects of utilizing such man-made foods! (GMOs - or GE foods, that is.) 
D) If there is ANY question at all about even the slightest possibility of GMO/ GE foods causing any ill-effects on people or the planet/ soil - - shouldn't we simply be saying NO?!? Yes!!! AND, in the case that the farmers receive the right to GROW this variety of vegetation, then we certainly have a right to KNOW that's where our food has been derived so that we can make educated & informed choices when we shop for food for our families. *Please make your voice heard by signing the petition for GMO labeling standards Here!
E) Yes - organically grown goods generally cost a bit more. When you make comparisons of these foods in their own retail settings (i.e. - co-ops, larger stores with their own brands of organic goods such as Trader Joe's, and farmers' markets) - the price increase is not much of a difference at all. (If you go to the natural foods section at large-chain-stores, such as Cub, you're going to pay much higher prices because it's being offered to you as a convenience. SAD! Maybe one day we can do away with all of this nonsense, get the big-box stores on board with REAL food as their staples - as will we - and therefore, availability will increase, and prices will decrease further!) HERE's THE THING: I'm willing, and wish more Americans were, to simply pay a little bit more up-front to KNOW exactly what is being introduced into our bodies for our overall HEALTH and QUALITY OF LIFE. You'll pay more for that television with the better screen quality... So why not the foods that we fuel our very bodies with?? Plus - why not pay more for REAL food, and less in costly medical bills later in life??
F) Our health and the health of our planet should never be secondary to business and monetary concerns over an outdated and unhealthy means of producing our food! All of these farmers have a CHOICE. Why shouldn't WE?? [This is where the labeling comes in.] They can simply join the movement to propel our country FORWARD in ways that sustain our bodies, our health, our planet, the animals, our air quality, waterways, and soils - for us, and our future generations. Those farmers who follow such strict regulatory guidelines and pay a fee to be certified organic - deserve our recognition, or thanks, and a pat on the back! You can thank them directly - by purchasing REAL, organically grown, non-gmo FOOD! They can sleep well at night - and so can you - when you really consider what you choose every day to keep you and your family going strong!

Knowledge is power! Please - share with those you love and wish a happy, healthy life for... Remind them to use caution when they select their resources. Is the organization whose publications they are reading from, there to protect business & profits? Do they accept paid advertisements or request a paid subscription to their publication?? OR - are they people who genuinely wish to protect other PEOPLE, quality-of-life, and our planet? THESE are the resources you want to help you in your discovery of what's really going on behind the scenes with the foods we eat every day. WE have the power to choose... by what we buy. The corporations will be forced to change if they want to remain in business. THANK YOU for taking the time to read all of this and pass it on! Below are some very interesting links that I've found in my own research that can be listed for you here - at your fingertips, to get you started. Cuddle up with your sweetie and watch a documentary or two. This info would never be publicized otherwise. Very eye-opening and informative! Here's to a better life and means of sustaining it for all Americans and the world-over! Cheers~

First-hand experience leads to change in approach by farmers who care about more than just profits:

http://www.cornucopia.org/2012/09/balancing-environmentalism-and-profits-works-for-texas-farmers/

Reality Check… Honest info requires extensive research:

http://www.organicfoodee.com/sense/tooexpensive/

GMO Debate (Er – third-party-information vs. information put out by paid reps):

http://www.nongmoproject.org/learn-more/

More about their independent verification procedures:

http://www.nongmoproject.org/learn-more/understanding-our-seal/

Independent publication on GMO/ GE foods:

http://www.nongmoproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/GMO_Myths_and_Truths_1.31.pdf

Specific to Sweet Corn – not enough study to determine safety!

http://www.nongmoproject.org/learn-more/sweetcorn/

About the USDA resources:

http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/nop

Please pay special attention to the 1^st lengthy and well thought-out response below the info:

http://www.anh-usa.org/how-safe-is-our-food/

It took them paying farmers a premium to prevent them from using the hormone???http://www.stonyfield.com/healthy-people/our-yogurt/why-we-oppose-rbst

http://healthycrush.com/food-inc/

http://www.thedirtmovie.org/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4DOQ6Xhqss

http://boulderganic.com/media-coverage-misleading-on-stanfords-organic-vs-conventional-food-study/
http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/2011/08/11/nutritional-differences-in-organic-vs-conventional-foods-and-the-winner-is/
http://www.chiro.org/nutrition/FULL/Nutritional_Quality_of_Organic_Versus_Conventional_Fruits.html