1.30.2014

Today was a cold, lazy day and I could barely pull myself off the couch. My husband insisted we take the kids out skiing and while we were preparing to go it seemed like it was sure to be a bust. When we got there Bloom came alive! I feel blessed that I have a son and husband that remind me how fun it is to get out. (Anjali is another story. Like Heath said, she is the type of person who goes outside and talks about all the stuff they will do when they get home...watch Dora, drink hot chocolate...)

1.29.2014

This was a bit of a proud moment for me. My kids asked to do yoga, I put a kids video on while I was getting ready for the day, and Bloom did the whole thing. I snapped a few photos while he was following the video. My heart was full in that moment.

1.28.2014

After a full morning and dealing with a total meltdown that lasted over a half hour right after lunch, I am reminded nap time is a gift from the universe for weary mothers (and fathers). Today without this sweet hour of quiet I would have probably ended up leaving my screaming children locked in the house and hopped in my car and drove to the bar.

1.27.2014

Yep, there is never a dull moment in this household. Between acting crazy at the grocery store and coming out of their bedroom wearing "make-up" with a friend over my kids keep me humble. With them around doing their thing I could never even give the illusion of "having it together" and that's a gift.

1.26.2014

This Sunday was made up of chores. Deep in piles of laundry, taxes, and housecleaning I was a long way from feeling grateful. Then, at 5pm, I looked outside and realized it wasn't dark! I love watching the days get longer and feeling a little closer to Spring.

1.25.2014

Even after one short month of this gratitude practice I realize that two things are important to me: great friends and good weather. Today I got both! Feeling full.

1.24.2014

Today I got to talk about two things I love the most: yoga and clothes. I was invited to check out some yoga clothes and give me advice, insight, and ideas. I know right? I could be my new calling!

1.23.2014

When you work with the likes of this girl it never really feels like work! I love that my job always feels like a gathering of good friends with inspiring ideas. And yes, we had a two hour "work" lunch complete with wine and chai.

1.22.2014

I am totally blessed to have these people in my life.

1.21.2014

On a day when I heard news that would typically fill me with the anxiety of "there's not enough" or "will it survive" instead I have an encouraging chat with friends and realize I have EVERY thing I need plus chocolate cake.

1.20.2014

Today the kids got their art on with some messy finger painting. My mom had them brainstorms words about how they feel when they are spending time at the lakehouse in South Dakota. They thought of words like fun, family, together, sharing, and love and painted canvases with those words. A fun and sentimental project!

1.19.2014

Today my mom took care of four children ages 2, 3, 3, and 6 so that my sister and I could do what we love most together: SHOP! We enjoyed an afternoon at the mall and came home to a very exhausted mother. It was great! (thanks mom!)

1.18.2014

The kids are in bed after party! 

1.17.2014

53 degrees, brilliant blue sky, and barely a breeze = the perfect day to climb and romp at Garden of the Gods. *deep breath* So Great!

1.16.2014

Ah, Colorado, where you can ride bikes year round. It is great to be out of the wind, with family, and enjoying the outdoors. Seriously, just what the doctor ordered!

1.15.2014

My sister and I made it safely to my parent's house with the kids. 

Let the good times roll!

1.14.2014

We got an extra day with Jillian due to weather. She helped with kids, dinner, dishes, and laundry...I realized the extra help is awesome and I'm trying to figure out a way to trap her forever! More than just the help she is one of my best friends and it's great to have her back in my life.

1.13.2014

What's the best part of yoga teacher training this year? Jillian! She is one of my best friends from back in the day and she drives all the way from the Black Hills to come get trained at my studio. I have been enjoying reconnecting and my kids getting to know her. She is the best ever and I am hoping the training will never end as to keep up her monthly visit.

1.12.2014

This weekend was a yoga teacher training weekend which means Heath is stuck with the kids on his own ALL weekend long. I'm not going to lie, in the past this has been a difficulty in our marriage as we were stressed trying to juggle all the demands of work, kids, and life! I am so grateful this year to feel a some pressure released and have a husband who is an amazing dad and is willing to spend all of his free time hanging with them.

1.11.2014

Today at yoga teacher training while our group was in good hands learning about pranayama and meditation Jess and I ate the s*#t out of sushi. We sat in the back office for 7 hours and talked, worked, and ate...and we were just getting started. We could have gone on and on. It was glorious!

1.10.2014

Tonight I got to teach 3 full hours of my favorite topic - body love. I love to opportunity to talk about this stuff!

1.9.2014

A much, MUCH needed outdoor adventure!

1.8.2014

We started a new 5 week workshop at Blossom Yoga tonight. The class was full of freakin' awesome people! I am so grateful to have a place to go to daily where I encounter some of the finest people EVER. I am so blessed to be surrounded by people who are willing to love, move, feel, and explore. I wouldn't want to be on this journey with anyone one else.

1.7.2014

Nap time is serious business in this house. It is time I desperately need to keep up with work and school. So I go full throttle while the kids are down. Bloom usually wakes up before Ani. This is one of my favorite times of the day. I put down my work, grab a blanket, and cuddle with Bloom on the couch. Today we looked at the weather forecast and talked about what the weather was like in all the places our family live. So sweet to have my son's arm wrapped around me!

1.6.2014

The holidays are over and we are back to the grind stone. It is much harder to hold on to that spirit of gratitude in the midst of a busy day. I guess that is the point. As we were going to bed Heath grabbed his phone to read my post...and there wasn't one! So what better time then to snap a photo of this guy in my bed. After a long day, it is always nice to have him home to tease the kids, play rowdy, and help make our family feel completed, loved, safe, and supported.  

1.5.2014

Today I was with a couple of friends when some "life stuff" came up. I let myself get stressed and then overwhelmed. Later in the day I got the sweetest text from my friend. It was so encouraging and really helped me see the bigger picture. I really have effing awesome people in my life! I couldn't be more blessed in my friendships.

1.4.2014

Tonight we went, as a family, to Heath and my favorite restaurant. It has been awhile since we have taken the kids to an actual sit down place. One of the last memories of being there was sometime ago with my mom and it was such a chaotic disaster that she spent most of the meal outside walking them around! But tonight it actually went quite well...and sort of pleasant. I really enjoy my children growing and being able to go out into the world again. So, honestly, today I am grateful that my kids are no longer little babies and for being able to explore with them. Heck, we even gave Bloom a driving lesson.

1.3.2014

I am not the most relaxed traveler in general and winter Wyoming driving has turned me into a straight up hysteric traveler. We have learned to track storms, analyze weather reports, and have road information on speed dial. Wyoming in the winter is no joke. One gift these winter months have given me is a deep appreciation for safe travels. To me, getting from point A to B and back again is nothing short of a miracle! So today we made it back home safely with our kids and I am blessed. Not only am I truly grateful for safe travels today but for the safety of all my friends and family who traveled the globe this holiday season. It's good to be home.

1.2.2014

Our good friends, Brandon and Lindsey, had the most adorable little baby. I am psyched to be able to share parenthood with them. Today Jude turned one week old and it was so sweet to be able to cuddle her soft baby skin AND not have to get up three times tonight to feed her!

1.1.2014

I spent all day in my pajamas lounging and watching mid-day movies (nursing a little bit of a hang over). I bet I will be able to count on one hand the amount of times I will be able to have a day like this all year. Thanks to Grandma & Grandpa for taking the kids!

The Start of Something Beautiful

I know I have a lot to be grateful for. Heath and I are about to celebrate 10 years of marriage. If you know anything about us this is practically a miracle. The last three years have been particularly eventful. We've had two children, moved into and remodeled a new (old) home, I have been expanding and growing my business, and Heath has been busy teaching and coaching. Even though I know these are beautiful and amazing days of our life I spend much of the time feeling overwhelmed, over scheduled, over tired, and deflated. I often feel like I am gasping for air, holding on by a thread, and just barely making it. From the outside, I know this is ridiculous. I have an ever growing nagging feeling that one day when my children are grown and I am sitting with my husband in an empty house drinking coffee I will have devastating regret. I will wish I could grab my 31 year old self by both arms, look her in the eyes and desperately exclaim "Wake-up! Your life is so full of joy and beauty and you are missing it! Forget the dishes, the inbox full of emails, and the list of household chores...these are distracting you from recognizing the gift of your life RIGHT NOW!".

So this year, 2014, I am making an attempt to take the advise of my older, wiser, empty nester self. I am starting the 365 Grateful project. Every.Single.Day I will post a photograph of something I am grateful for, something I have taken the time to notice, something I recognize as beautiful. Even in the midst of my daily life - even the days when my kids won't do a damn thing I ask, or the days I have an intense fight with my husband, or the days I end up weeping in the bathtub, or the days I am stressed about money, or the days that I am so behind on work it makes my neck tight - even on these days I will find and acknowledge one of the many things I have to be thankful for.

I am pretty sure this year will be a wild ride. They always are. I would love for you to join me for the journey or better yet share your own with me! Happy New Year friends - here we go...

Here is more information about the 365 Grateful Project: http://365grateful.com/