All too often the easy choice in life is to quit because something is hard.

We have made it a rule that whatever the kids start they have to finish. For example. they both played baseball and by mid season of their last year they had decided they hated it and no longer wanted to play. We said ok fine but you have to finish the season and if you really don’t want to play next year fine.

I believe it is important that they follow through on the commitment they made to that group of kids that they would play. The team was depending on them to be there so that they could play all the games.

While listening to a podcast an Olympic athlete mentioned that her parents had a similar rule but took it a step further. They said “Never quit on a bad day”. They made her work though the bad days and would only let her make the decision to quit something on a normal or good day. I never really though much about that but how often do you want to to quit on a good day. If you quit on a bad day you are simply giving in to the bad day.

I really only like getting the mail between Thanksgiving and New Years for one simple reason, Christmas cards. Think about it how many times during the year do you get mail that isn’t bills or adds. We often refer to letters and cards as happy mail in our house. They just make me smile. If you visit my house in September you will still see Christmas cards hanging from the previous Christmas. Some might think I’m just lazy but I leave them up to remind me thru the year of those who thought enough of us to send us a card.

I still send Christmas cards while they might not contain hand written sentiments (my handwriting is terrible) they still contain my heart felt wishes to the recipients for the holiday season. I want them to know that they are in my thoughts and prayers and that we hope the best for them. I hope that they bring the same simple smile to you that I get when I receive cards.

Do you love or hate Christmas cards and why?

We all need to feel inspired to stay positive in life. Inspired to see the good in a world that is scary. There are so many moments that I worry for my kids living in this world. It seemed to be so much harder than it was when we were kids.

This week I spent a lot more time in the car than I normally do and on a whim I decided to check out the Whoa That’s Good podcast. So glad I did because not only has it filled me up spiritually it has led to some great conversations with the kids and Farmer B.

The first season is all about what is the best piece of advice that the guests have ever been given. I like that! Notice it’s not what their best piece of advice was but instead a piece of advice that had been given to them that meant something to them.

If I’m being completely transparent not only am I seeking inspiration but also seeking to lean into my faith. I’ve always had faith even though I don’t frequent church. These podcasts are filled with views on faith and forces you to think about how you are applying faith in your life.

So what do I think the best piece of advice I have been given is? At the moment I feel that it is “Advocate for your kids.” We know our kids the best and if we don’t advocate for them can we really be sure that anyone else will?

What’s the best piece of advice you have been given?

I heard this quote yesterday and it hit a nerve. I’m terrible at walking away from where I have been but this statement is so true.

Making the choice to walk away and move toward something new is hard…it might be the hardest thing about this crazy life we live. We all make choices and goals and dreams. Doesn’t the saying go “We plan, God Laughs” When my plans don’t line up with God’s plan and timeline all too often I fight and spin out and yell.

If I hadn’t let myself walk away from where I was I wouldn’t be where I am and where I am is pretty damn awesome. I am without a doubt loved by the most amazing man and surrounded by family and friends that love and support us. I love the life we are living even when it’s crazy and overwhelming. I still have faith that we are on the right path and heading in the right direction.

I’ve spent months wound tight. First the wedding, then hockey picking up and working getting totally crazy! I love my healthy living group but have completely been slacking off for months now. I can’t seem to get back on the wagon. I feel like I keep getting knocked down over and over. As a result I have decided to theme December around de-stressing.

Today’s challenge was to spend at least 5 mins outside. I have to say I love spending time outside. It always does my soul good! In 2020 I walked all the time and spent hours outside hiking. It was what brought me peace while sorting through all the feelings that went with divorcing.

I need to get back to simply getting outside. It grounds me and allows me to clear my head when life is so busy! It’s hard to keep track of what is important and find the joy when you are trying to remember where two kids have to be plus both of the adults in the house that are both equally busy!

This is the view from my front porch. Today it’s cold and windy but still beautiful! Were you able to get out today?

There are so many things I love about December. It’s the season of giving and miracles. It inspires so many people to be their best selves.

But it also seems to bring out the worst in a lot of people. Remember that everyone is stressed out and budgets are being stretched to the limits to make Christmas wishes come true. Treat those in the service industries with extra kindness. They are doing the best that they can and are likely overworked given the fact that apparently very few people actually want to work anymore!

Every year I feel like we get to Labor Day and time just goes into warp speed. I snap my fingers and it’s Halloween, blink and it’s Thanksgiving then blink again and it’s Christmas! I get it this is always our busiest time of year with getting everything cleaned up for the winter, sports restarting and hunting seasons. But frankly some days it’s exhausting.

We are finally down to the last few loads of stuff that we need to merge into the house. Combining two full households into one has been an exhausting endeavor. I’m not a good purger nor am I very good at organizing stuff.

Travel hockey keeps us all moving all the time. It’s good and it’s bad because it just feels like there aren’t enough hours in the day. But Joey thrives because of it.

We had an amazing trip to Michigan hunting. I have never gotten a chance to hunt out of state before so that made it even cooler. I was sorta nervous as I have never bird hunted like my hubby’s family hunts them. I might have even made the statement “please remember you are in teacher mode this weekend” I shouldn’t have worried, all the guys were awesome even when I couldn’t find the dogs in the woods!

I need some girl time. I love my husband and I love my kids but they are so so boy….I get tired of talking about video games and bodily functions!

Sola Wood Flowers

I ordered a couple of different things from Sola wood and was super impressed with both. For my bouquet, the boutonnieres, and corsages I purchased 2 Lovely Bouquet Kits (no longer appear to be available) and dyed them myself. I also ordered one of the raw assorted packs that I had them dye for me with avocado and merlot. I also ordered a bottle of the powder pink die and used that one some the flowers as well as left some raw.

Photographs by Heather

Heather is absolutely amazing! I’ve known her forever she has done family photos for us in the past as well and I just don’t think there are enough good things you can say about her!

Groove Life Rings

We picked this company just because they would allow us to do custom colors and stuff on the rings. I have a set of the silicone rings that I can wear when I’m worried about losing or catching my rings on something. And we got Brad this custom ring. We went with silicone because of the farm and Brad really isn’t allowed to wear his at work so if something happens and he loses it it’s easily replaced.g

All Things Needle and Thread

The dress was kinda a big deal I had decided I wanted to have my grandma’s dress redone from the get go but there was a lot of uncertainty from family about this plan as to if it was even doable. The dress was stained and my vision was very different than how the dress currently looked. Mind you I sent Miss K a message from the beginning to have an idea of how long something custom would take.

We decided the best option was to go try dresses on at David’s Bridal to see if we could find something similar to what I envisioned. We found some that were sorta close they had the banded waist but were strapless and tulle or they had the lace overlay but nothing really defined my waist.

Then we tried Revelry where I picked out 3 dresses and a top and had them shipped to my house so I could try them on for everyone. The idea with the top was so that I could try it on with grandma’s dress as the skirt. At this point my very opinionated boys decided they needed a say in the dress. They carefully reviewed each dress stated the opinions and went back to playing. Until I got to my grandma’s with the top I had ordered at which point they point blank told me that was the route I needed to go.

So I made an appointment with Miss K and took her the dress and my inspiration photos. I’m so glad I went this route. The dress couldn’t have been more amazing. I was the third generation to wear it and we left as much of it in tacked as we could so that someone else an redo it again in the future if they choose to.

Miss K was amazing sending me up dates and photos to make choices and the turn around time was amazing. If you want something truly custom and unique she’s your girl.

I suck at holding myself to any specific goal especially when it comes to my health and wellness. I can say yeah I’m gonna work out every morning this week but unless someone else is literally expecting me to show up I fail.

If I’m not telling people what I am eating I eat total junk.

If I’m not talking to people about how much water I drank today I don’t even keep track and honestly that generally means I’m not drinking water!

So how do you stay accountable if you suck at being accountable to yourself?!?

I need an accountability partner that is going to hold me accountable!

Today I feel at a loss as a parent.

I feel like while I am continuing to fight for my kids I’m questioning if it’s enough. I’m questioning what happens next.

I’m angry that I have to be thinking about and considering my options. I’m angry that my kiddo has such anxiety about going to school.

My kids love school. They love their teachers and their friends and that they get to learn new things.

This is the 3rd year in a row that that is being taken away from them.

If the mask exceptions don’t work, what do we do then. The boys have both stated they don’t want to stay in school if they are required to wear the mask they make them sick. I have a full time job it’s not like I can just pull them and home school them. Pretty sure it’s too late to get them in to PA Cyber and even then I don’t think my internet can support it.