A Little Perspective

I recently attended a retreat for a group that I'm a part of at work. It's a peer responder group that helps staff members remain resilient after stressful patient related events. Most of the time, it's from complicated care or unexpected outcomes. It's purpose is to treat the second victim in ways that minimize burnout and drop out. It's a truly great program!

What I thought was going to be a retreat to hone in on my peer responder skills, turned into a renewing and revitalizing retreat for me personally.

I've been feeling anxious and stressed. As most Mom's do, I often feel pulled in a million directions. As much as I try to remind myself that I am only one person and that the dishes/cleaning/straightening can wait, I also know that sometimes things need to get done and I'm not always able to play. It's a balance and one that continually strive to find.

McKenzie has been extra needy recently. There are weeks where she does great - actively playing on her own for small amounts of time and then, BAM! She needs me next to her for everything. And I mean like right next to her! Sitting near her isn't enough. You must be on the floor and she has to be in your lap. I often call her my kangaroo and tell her to get in my pouch, because I believe if she could, she would!

I know these moments are fleeting and that one day I will long for her to want to spend time with me. I know that she won't want me to be that close forever.

As I was thinking about all of that one my drive in, the retreat opened with this slide...

I could feel myself starting to fill up. It completely puts things into perspective. Whether we're going through a difficult time in life, or just the every-day struggles of motherhood and balance, these will be the most cherished times of my life. 

I'm pretty sure this says it all. It's all about perspective. If I can remind myself of this daily, then I can learn to see the beauty of all of the these little moments...messy house and all!

New Year's Eve Reflection

It's 8:51 on New Year's Eve and I'm sitting here with two of the three dogs curled up next to me. McKenzie is asleep (and went down without a fight!) and Brian is at work with Kilo. They should be home by 10, so my night will end perfectly - with my love by my side.

I sit here as the last few hours of 2013 wind down. While most are preparing to head out to dinner parties and a night of drinking, I sit here alone. I'm alone, yet my heart is happy. 2013 has blessed us immensely.    

Today highlights exactly just how blessed we are...

 - I woke up this morning. I was healthy and alive. I had no aches and pains. I wasn't plagued with disease.  

 - I woke up early to get ready for work. I have a job. I can provide for my family. I am thankful. 

 - I drove to work. I have a reliable form of transportation me to places safely.  

 - I was able to leave work early to come home to be with McKenzie. I have an employer who understands that importance of family and allows me to be flexible.    

 - I came home to relieve Brian. He headed to work and I got to be with McKenzie. A double blessing. Brian is employed and provides for our family and I have a healthy daughter who squealed with excitement when she heard the garage door and realized that I was home. 

 - We spent the afternoon running errands to plan for the perfect evening together. Although we're not going out, we know how to make our own fun. We are able to afford to do fun things.  

 - I spent the evening creating a fun evening for McKenzie and I. A night that included dinner at her new Ikea table and chairs in the living room. Chinese carry-out for dinner. Sparkling grape juice. New Year's hats and noise makers. Simple cups that we decorated together to toast the evening and a New Year together.

 - I've got a healthy toddler who ate two helpings of chicken fried rice and spent the entire dinner raising her glass and saying cheers! Be still my heart!

 - We've got a warm house to do all of this in.

 - We've got friends and family that we've talked to and exchanged texts with. We are loved. 

 - I've got a toddler who went to bed without a fit. A toddler who chose a prayer book to read before bed tonight. This literally made me tear up. Although not a conscious choice, it was a perfect book to read tonight. To give thanks for what a great year it's been.

 - I've got a moment to myself. Although sometimes few and far between, they are cherished. It makes me a better person and a better mom. 

 - I've got a husband who will be home to me in an hour. He is the love of my life, soul mate and partner in crime. I'm blessed beyond words to be sharing this life with him. 

 - We've got the evening to spend together. With unhealthy snacks (that will all change tomorrow!) and champagne to toast at midnight.  

 - We've got tomorrow off to spend together with family. What a perfect way to start the new year!

2013...you've been amazing! Thank you for all of your blessings.  

Happy New Year's Eve! 

What a Difference

I'm back!  I enjoyed the past week with my family and spending some much-needed time away from work!  It was amazing and I am sad to be returning to work today!  The week went so quickly!  We were busy with family visits starting on Christmas Eve until Saturday night!  It was craziness, but such great moments.  We loved all of the time we spent with our family and were spoiled beyond words!  We are so lucky!

One of the highlights from our time off was a get together that we had with our friends.  All of the husband's are fellow police officers and all of the wives were pregnant together - completely unplanned.  We all became good friends during this time and now the babies are friends as well!

We've made it a tradition to get all of our babies together each Christmas.  We decided it would be cute to put the kids in their PJ's and to snap photos each year.  Last year, the babes were so young - from left to right - Brooklyn - 6 months, JoJo - 9 months, Kenzie - 7 months.

Look at how big they've gotten!  It's amazing the difference a year makes!  Last year, JoJo had mastered sitting up, McKenzie was just starting to on a regular basis and Brooklyn was just at the very beginning of sitting up - someone propped her up and let her go just in time for us to snap the picture!

This year, they were moving targets and impossible to get all looking in the same direction or sitting still at the same time!  I love these pictures and look forward to this tradition for years to come!

Here's hoping you all had a lovely Christmas!

Merry Christmas...from our Family to Yours

Merry Christmas!  I hope that your days are filled with love, memories and everything that this season represents!    I'll be missing from this space for the next week or so, but will be back with New Year's posts and lots of re-caps of our Christmas fun! In the meantime, enjoy this time and I'll see you soon!

Tinsel - Our Elf

I debated long and hard as to whether or not we wanted to start the Elf on the Shelf tradition with McKenzie this year.  To me, she seemed too young to grasp the concept of a magical elf reporting back to Santa each night.

Then Halloween came.  We don't have many Halloween decorations, but I thought it was important to be festive and put some out.  I made a mental note to buy more decorations for next year.

Since we didn't have that many decorations, they are stored in a bin with the other various holiday decorations - Valentine's Day and Easter.  As we were decorating, McKenzie found the bin - along with the ceramic white bunny.  That bunny became her best friend.  She brought us each to the spare bedroom to show us the bunny and would say, "Shh..bunny sleeping."  It was hilarious!

Being the slackers that we are, the bin never made its way back to the attic.  It remained in our spare bedroom until the end of October.  Each morning, McKenzie would run from her bedroom to see the bunny.  She loved it!  The bunny became our best friend, as well.  It became the ultimate distraction technique.  Need to sneak out of the house in the morning to leave for work? Kenzie and Dad would go on a hunt to find the bunny.  She would bring her Cheerios to bait the bunny and feed it breakfast.  So cute!  Temper tantrum that just wouldn't end?  "Shh....the bunny's sleeping" would stop her in her tracks every time.

That's when Brian and I decided that the elf was well worth it this year!  Even if she doesn't understand the full magic of the elf, she loves searching for him each day and will circle back to wave to him and offer him snacks throughout the day.   We've been very aware of where we place the elf, as to not tempt her too much, but she has been surprisingly good about not touching him!

So with love, we welcomed Tinsel into our lives.  He joined our family the day after we set-up our tree - November 24th.  Brian was hesitant at first to start this so early, but then he realized that I may be more excited for the Elf than McKenzie.

There were in-depth conversations over whether or not we should have a boy elf or a girl elf.  Brian laughed hysterically at me when I told him that we had to get a boy elf.  In my mind, elves are boys and (I know...this next comment is going to sound so bad....) boy elves take behaving much more serious than girl elves.  Girl elves tend to give second chances and reminders.  Boy elves are going to present the straight facts to Santa!  See why he was laughing?!  It's just how my mind works!

Once we decided on a boy elf, then came lengthy debates over his name.  We liked Jingle and Chip (short for chocolate chip), but ultimately wanted something that we thought McKenzie would say.  We chose Tinsel.  The name also pays direct homage to the grandmother's - one who dislikes Tinsel and never allowed it growing up (my mom!) and the other who is the sole reason that Tinsel companies are still in business (Brian's Mom).

Needless to say, we love the name and love even more when McKenzie yells  - Tin-Sell each morning as she runs to search for him.

We've had some fun with this!  Below are some of Tinsel's favorite hiding spots!  As an aside: It's our first year, so we're excited.  Don't hate because we planned out a calendar full of ideas a month in advance.  There were still nights we forgot to move Tinsel, but all in all, it's been fun!

5 on Friday | December - Week 3 - McKenzie's Favorite Things Edition

I'm linking up with Darci and friends from the good life blog for another version of 5 on Friday! This week's theme is McKenzie'z Favorite Things!  These aren't necessarily things that she's wishing for from Santa, but items that we have and love and think you should too!

ONE/TWO/THREE/FOUR/FIVE

One.
Fisher Price Little People Christmas Story!   This was actually an early Christmas present to McKenzie this year from her grandmother.  We wanted her to be able to play with the set and really enjoy it.  It was also a great time to incorporate the Christmas story in to her play-time. She loves the set and little animals and even says Jesus...well, more like Cheeze-us, but we know what she means!  If we ask her to find Jesus, she runs and gets the little baby in the manger!  So sweet!

Two.
Mr. Christmas Red Lighted Goodnight Lights Ornament!  Kenzie received this little ornament as an early Christmas present, as well.  I had never seen something like this before, but thought that it was a novel idea.   The ornament is Santa holding a candle.  It has wires running down the back of the ornament that you run through your tree.  These wires are attached to a box that you plug-in to the electrical outlet.  One you hang the ornament and run the green wires down through the tree (just as you would your light wires), you plug your lights into the box and the box into the electrical outlet.  That's when the magic happens.    The candle has a small pin-sized hole in the front of it.  If you want to turn the lights the Christmas tree lights on, you blow on Santa's candle.  If you want to turn them off, you blow the candle out.  It's adorable and McKenzie loves it.  She can't walk by the tree without pretending to blow out the candle.    She doesn't have the height or enough power, but it's fun all the same!  Plus, Brian and I love it, because it means that we don't have to maneuver around/under the tree to get the lights plugged in.   It's adorable!  Check it out!

Three.
Highlights!  For those of you who grew up in the 80's, you probably already remember this magazine.  I know I loved it!  There were stories, crafts and hidden picture puzzles.   My mom mentioned that there was a new version out for toddlers - Highlights Hello.  I was so excited!  We signed McKenzie up and she now she receives her own mail and magazine each month.  The books are amazing.  Toddler sized and printed on durable paper that can't be torn and can be cleaned!

Amazing!  Printed with non-toxic ink, the magazine's durability was even tested by being placed in a washing machine!  As good as new!

McKenzie loves the short stories, the songs and the hidden picture puzzles.  There are even tips throughout the book for parents on how to incorporate the themes, stories and songs into learning each day.  Plus, it's one of those books that's small enough to throw in to the diaper bag or purse and will keep her occupied forever!  Love!

Four.
Rileyroos!   These have been our go-to shoes since McKenzie started wearing shoes.  Sadly, her big feet no longer fit in them, so we've had to move on.

These shoes are developmentally friendly, with flexible soles and curled toes to provide leverage as your little one learns to crawl.  They are lightweight and perfect for providing the protection and traction that little ones need...all while imitating barefoot walking.  Plus, Rileyroos is  a local company from Baltimore - a win-win!  Kenzie literally had shoes to match each of her outfits.  I know...it's an obsession!

If you're looking for adorable shoes, that both you and your baby/toddler will love, check out Rileyroos!

Five.
Crochet Creations by Bibi!  Need a small gift that's affordable, yet personalized for babies, toddler's, tween's or even adults?  Then check out my mother-in-law's page!  She's working on getting her Etsy page up, but for now, Facebook is it!  She has created some adorable hats and will work to create a personalized piece just for you!  Don't see what you want?  Send her a picture with your request and she'll create it for you!  What talent!   Hats range from $7 to $18 (plus shipping) and are completed within a few days!  Check out her page and let her know that you heard about her from Heartbeats and Little Feet.  There may just be a surprise in it for you!

Side note: Bibi is what Kenzie calls her grandmother.  Both my mother-in-law and father-in-law refused to pick their Grandparent names, so we chose for them.  It was a very scientific choosing. Brian typed Grandmother and Grandfather in to Google translate.  And there you have it...Bibi and Babu - Grandmother and Grandfather in Swahili.  I bet they wish they had thought that decision through! :)

Have a great weekend everyone!

Our Christmas Card | Photo Affections

This year, I found a killer deal on Living Social for Christmas cards.  I had never heard of or used Photo Affections before, but I thought...why not!? I was not disappointed!

Their site was user-friendly and I loved their layouts.  There were so many to choose from, I had a hard time deciding.  In the end, I created 8 different options.  I printed samples of each and took them home to Brian for him to narrow them down!  It was a tough decision, but here's the one we chose!

I love how they turned out.  The order shipped promptly and I received the cards about a week after I created them.  I did order these in October though, so maybe I beat some of the rush!?  I know...so Type A!

What blew me away about this company was their customer service.  About 2 weeks ago, I received a complete duplicate order of our Christmas cards again!  I panicked thinking that I must have accidentally hit the "Re-Order" button when I was on their site.  I logged in to my bank account to check, but no charge.  Hmmmmm.  Strange.    I ended up calling their customer service department.  As soon as I explained to them that I received a duplicate order but was not charged for it, they explained.  They informed me that another customer called and said that they had issues with the paper of their cards (apparently, it appeared as if something had spilled on them), so Photo Affections pulled all orders that were created from the lot of matte paper that the other's customer's cards had come from and re-created the order.  They didn't want any other customer's having the same issue and having any delay in receiving corrected Christmas cards if there were issues.

I thought that was super of this company - even when our cards were completely perfect!    So, for $20, I ended up with 140 beautiful matte Christmas cards!  What a deal!

I most certainly will be using them in the future for all of our printing needs!

P.S. I love receiving Christmas cards!  It's the highlight of my day this time of year!  It's like having little surprises in your mail each day!  Love it!

Fall Photo Shoot

Now that the Christmas cards have been mailed, I can finally reveal the pictures from our fall photo session!  I love, love, love the pictures.  McKenzie was incredibly uncooperative that day, but Beth our photographer happened to snap some adorable pictures!   If you are in the Maryland/Delaware/Pennsylvania area, I highly recommend Beth from Beth Sabia Photography!  She is great with kids and incredibly talented!

Here are some of our favs!

I love capturing a new family portrait at the same time each year!  Look at the difference a year makes!  This will be a tradition in our household each year so that we always have an updated family photo to look back on!  Love it!

2012 Fall Family Photo

2013 Fall Family Photo

5 on Friday | December Edition - Week 2 - Gift Edition

Happy Friday!  Only one more Friday until Christmas!  I can't even believe how quickly this holiday season has gone! This week I wanted to highlight a few gifts that I love this year!  Here's hoping they inspire you for some last-minute shopping!

One.
Color Me Monthly!  

If you or someone in your life loves nail polish, than this one is for you! Color Me Monthly is a box subscription for nail polish.  For $7 a month, a new color is delivered directly to your door step!  The colors are incredible and the nail polish is non-toxic and carcinogen free!  Plus, the polish itself holds up just as long...if not longer...then brand name polishes!  I absolutely love this and the surprise that each month brings when the box arrives!

Each month, a simple box will arrive.  Color Me Monthly believes in no-fuss packaging to keep their cost low.  Once you open your box, you'll receive you nail polish and a Haiku to accompany your new perfect color!  What's not to love!  You can sign up for monthly subscriptions or give 6 or 12 month gifts.  It's a perfect gift for those teenagers and women alike!

Two.
Alex and Ani

Love, love love Alex and Ani.  I know that these have been around for some time now, but I absolutely love their bangle bracelets.  Each bangle comes with a charm.  You choose what represents you!  Currently, my bracelets consist of May's birthstone, the letter 'M' for Mom and/or Megan, the path of life charm, and the key to my heart charm.  Each has a special meaning to me and each reminds me throughout the day of who I am and why I do what I do.

Most of my charms are the Russian Silver finish, but I plan on adding some color in the near future!  I love these because they are a great reminder and piece of jewelry for me to wear each day without being over the top.  It goes great with my work clothes, as well as casual weekend wear - plus McKenzie loves playing with them!  Great distraction technique!  Plus, I get so many compliments on them!


Three.
Sloane Ranger

Looking for the perfect crossbody bag, tote or weekender, then look no further.  Sloane Ranger has it all.  With a variety of patterns to choose from, these preppy bags are perfect for those with the need for style, yet functionality.  Printed on durable canvas, these adorable totes are as functional as they are stylish and fun!

Four.
May Books

For those of you who love carrying a notebook with you (because inevitably you'll always need to write something down!), then May books by May Designs are for you!  Completely customizable, these 5 x 8 canvas coated paper covered planner are amazing!  


You can choose to design your book online in real-time. You pick out your color, then choose your monogram, font and color!  Amazing!  You easily could spend hours on this site designing multiple books.

After you are done designing, you choose the kind of pages that are right for you.   There are 15 options that include planners, lined pages, blank pages, exercise journal, wedding and bump diaries and more!

Check them out today and have fun creating!  I've created one for McKenzie.  I was going to keep a written journal of each month's milestone's, but then have been doing so on the blog.  It's new use will be to jot down all of the hilarious things that she says as she starts to talk more and more!  I can't wait to fill the book as a journal to look back on as she grows!

Five.
Personalized Otterbox Cases

As Mom's, we know that our phones no longer are our own.  Despite our best efforts, little hands grab our phones.  The same little hands also drop and throw our phones.  I've learned how important it is to have a tough case that can withstand all of the drops.  I love Otterbox's but hate that they were so generic.  Well...problem solved!  Lipstick Shades offers customizable Otterbox cases!  You choose the color, the background, the monogram and more!  Amazing!  If you're looking for a tough case with a feminine look, than this is the case for you!

Happy shopping and happy weekend!

Fabulous Holiday Fun!

What a weekend!  Busy yet so much fun!

Kenzie is in love with Christmas lights.  She ohhh's and ahhh's as we pass houses with lights.  She points out her window and giggles.  As more and more people are putting their lights up,there's even more to look at.  Friday night after dinner, we decided to drive to the Herr's Factory to look at the light display that they put up.  It was a great night, filled with Christmas music on the radio, and pretty lights to see.  Kenzie loved it!  It was raining, so we didn't get a chance to get out and walk around, but still so worth it.  Here are some pictures that we captured!

Saturday, we spent the morning doing laundry and cleaning up the house.  We were hoping to get the outside decorated, but ran out of time!  We're hoping to get it done some time this week so that McKenzie has time to enjoy them before the holidays are over.  As an aside, I have never been a fan of lawn decorations at Christmas and I refuse to get a blow-up one, but a simple light up snow man or reindeer may be in our future.  Kenzie would love it, since she's obsessed with Frosty!

A-Ra, Jessica's Aunt, spoiled her by buying her every Christmas movie possible.  We've watched a few of them, but Frosty is her favorite!  She marches around the house they way Frosty and his crew marches around town.  Her stomping is hilarious...she only marches with one foot.  It's adorable!

Saturday evening, we went to dinner to celebrate my Mom's birthday.  It was a great evening had by all and we are lucky to have her in our life.  After dinner, we stopped at a local creamery that makes homemade ice cream.  Kenzie's patience was starting to wear thin, so I downloaded the JibJab Elf Dance App.  I quickly snapped pictures of everyone and created an elf dance sketch.  She loved it!  It kept her laughing for the rest of the evening!  Oh technology!  I highly recommend this distraction technique!

On Sunday, we took McKenzie to have breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus.  From a distance, Kenzie thought Santa was the coolest.  She would point to him, smile and wave.  Up close, she didn't care for him too much!  She didn't scream, but was really unsure.  Look at her clenched little fists.  I think Mrs. Claus was our saving grace!  Very cute little breakfast put on by our local volunteer fire house.

It started snowing around 11 yesterday and didn't stop until the evening. Then we had bouts of freezing rain and sleet overnight.

We spent the day making cookies with my Mother-in-law, Mom and sister.  It was such a nice way to spend a cold, winter day.  There is more baking in store, but we had to call it quits so that we could get home before the roads got too bad.

Kenzie is currently spending the day at home with Brian and loving life!  I can't even stand how cute these pictures are!

Hope everyone had a great week!

Random Acts of Holiday Kindness

Happy December and the beginning of Christmas craziness!  I completely enjoyed Thanksgiving and spending so many days home with my love and little girl!  It was nice to disconnect and really just spend time with family, some of whom traveled in from Houston!
Although my favorite time of year, it's also one of the busiest.  Our family has lots of traditions and fun events that we like to do during this holiday season.  I'll touch on more of those later. All of these traditions keep us so busy though.  I don't think there is a weekend until half-way through January that we don't have something planned!
I find this season incredibly fulfilling, yet at times, incredibly stressful.  It's those stressful moments that remind me that I am loved and blessed.  From buying presents to holiday parties, I know that I am lucky.  Lucky to be able to afford to do so.  Lucky that I have so many family and friends.  Lucky that we like each other so much that we want to spend time together.   It's this time of the year that causes me to stop and think.
What if other's aren't so lucky?  What about those that spend the holidays alone?  What about those who wish they had enough money to buy presents?  What about those that wish they had a warm place to stay?What about those whose only wish for Christmas to is be healthy?
But better yet...
What about those that have all of the above, but get so caught up in the commercialism and business of the season that they forget about others?
This holiday season, wouldn't it be nice to show others that we care?  That's why I'm requesting that for the month of December, you join me in displaying random acts of kindness.  To help those in need. To help those who need a reminder that Jesus is the reason for the season.  To help remind yourself that even the smallest acts of kindness can mean so much.
Below are just a few ways that you can pay it forward this holiday season.  There are so many others!

Not all of the acts of kindness need to be momentous.  Just the other day, while sitting in the Starbuck's drive through, I decided that I would pay it forward.  I pulled up to the window to pay for my order and told the barista that I would like to pay for the car behind me as well.   She was taken back and just kept saying over and over again, "That's so sweet.  That is so nice of you! This just made my day".  I didn't even do anything that directly affected the barista, yet, she was moved.   I'll never know what the reaction of the person in the car behind me was, but I can only hope and assume that it brightened their day.
I know my random act of kindness was just coffee.  I didn't solve world hunger or find a cure for cancer, but I can hope that the cup of coffee and scone reminded the customer that there are still good people in the world.  That maybe it changed their mood and outlook for the day in some slight way.  That maybe they chose to pay it forward to someone as well.
This holiday season, let's pay it forward with random acts of kindness.  You'll never know the impact that you could have on someone's day.

What random acts of kindness will you do?

The Thankful Project: Day 28 - Topic of My Choice

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

For those of you that stuck with me throughout these past 28 days, thank you!  I know some of the posts were more serious than others, but I hope that you enjoyed taking the journey with me.   I’m thankful that I stuck with it.  Some of the prompts encouraged me to write outside of my comfort zone and for that I’m thankful.  This series has allowed me to express myself and make new friends along the way.   For that I’m grateful!
You’ve heard what I’m thankful for during the past 28 days, yet there’s even more I’m thankful for.  Today, among all of the other blessings in my life, I’m thankful for this space. Something that I started a few months ago as a place for me to jot down my, has grown in to so much more.  I’ve developed friendships with incredible other women – women that come from all walks of life, from place throughout the world.  The sense of community has been incredible.  We’re all on our own journeys, but it’s nice to know that we’re all in it together.  Some days, the little comments of encouragement, support and gratitude are what get me through the day!  Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
In light of Thanksgiving and spending time with my family for the next few days, I’ll be missing from this spot.  I’ll be back in December with more holiday themed goodness, but for now, enjoy this day with loved ones and know that I’m thankful for you! 

I’m linking up with Kenzie over at Chasing Happy for the month of November.Be sure to stop by and check it out!

The Thankful Project: Day 27 - A Simple Pleasure

This one was easy.  It's the thing that can make everything better and cause me to giggle from my toes with her.  We often find ourselves in laughing fits, where neither of us can stop!  The simple pleasure I'm thankful for...Kenzie's Laugh!

Simple Pleasure: Kenzie's Laugh from Heartbeats and Little Feet on Vimeo.

I’m linking up with Kenzie over at Chasing Happy for the month of November.Be sure to stop by and check it out!

The Thankful Project: Day 26 - A Criticism You've Received

So you know when I miss a blog post, when I've signed up for the challenge of writing for 28 days straight during the month of November?
Or when I did’t get that job I applied for?
Or when I miss a day of P90X or Jillian Michael’s Body Revolution?
Yep.  All of that.  It bothers me.  I am a perfectionist at heart.  Even border-line OCD.
I pretend like it’s okay to miss the blog post and that I’ll catch up later.  The truth?  It bothers me all day that I didn't get a chance to post, when clearly I knew what the prompt was for Day 24.
That job? I pretend like it wasn't the right fit.  The truth?  I self-examine and over analyze every single thing I do to figure out why I didn't get it and what more I could do.
The workout’s? They’re over until next Monday, because no workout can ever begin mid-week and you must start again at Day 1, since you missed a workout somewhere in the series.
I say all of this to show that being a perfectionist is a double-edged sword.  I work hard and put all of myself into everything I do, but I’m thankful for the criticism I received that says I’m too hard on myself.
I don’t know if it’ll ever change me, but it can remind me to put things into perspective.  That it’s okay not to have blog posts scheduled and set-up if I wasn't motivated or inspired to write.  That although I may not have been the right person for the job I applied for, I’m not a failure.   That workouts can start mid-week and that you don’t need to start over.

That it’s great to put so much of yourself in to all you do, but that you've got to take care of yourself as well.
I’m thankful I’m a perfectionist, and even more thankful for those who put it into perspective.

I’m linking up with Kenzie over at Chasing Happy for the month of November.Be sure to stop by and check it out!

The Thankful Project: Day 25 - Something You Know

After cutting down our Christmas tree and decorating with a toddler this weekend, I learned a lot.  Who would have thought the lesson would have been taught by a toddler?
Let me back up.  This weekend, we spent Saturday cutting down our Christmas tree.  It’s a tradition that Brian and I have done every year.   Last year, Kenzie was just 6 months old and I carried her in the baby carrier.  Let me tell you, much easier!

Tree Farm 2012

This year, we have a 18 month old who has more determination and will to do things her way than most adults I know.  Honestly!  We arrived at the tree farm and had a slight melt-down early on because we were making her wear a hat.  Once we were over that, things were smooth sailing…until they told us the tractor that takes you to where the trees are, wasn't up and running.
“OK", we thought, "we’ll walk it.  It can’t be that hard.”  Again, naive parent’s here.  McKenzie wanted to walk the gravel road herself.   She wanted to walk it at her pace and if you attempted to pick her up, then she would lose her mind.

See the tree on the upper left side of the screen?  The one at the top?  That's where we walked to!

The whole tree experience, that should have taken 30 minutes from start to finish, ended up taking 2 hours.  When we finally reach where the trees were, she had a melt-down because she didn't want to walk in the grass.  She wanted to stay on the gravel road.

Melt-Down

We finally found the perfect tree and cut it down.  We figured she’d be tired and would want to be carried on the walk back.  Again…we were wrong.  She walked the entire gravel path back.

Our tree 2013

I wish I had a way to track how far this little girl walked.  It was easily 3 miles.  She never gave up.  She never quit.  She just kept walking, as fast as her little legs could carry her.

So you know what I know?  Toddlers…they can teach you a lot.  Like how to slow down, to enjoy the moment, to take your time and to really appreciate the things that you are doing, because if we hadn't, we would have missed the opportunity to capture such gorgeous pictures - the lake, the green trees and the sky.

Tree Farm 2013

I’m really thankful.

I’m linking up with Kenzie over at Chasing Happy for the month of November.Be sure to stop by and check it out!