through trust and love

When I am lost he guides me home
When he freaks out I calm his fears
He stands besides me holding my hand
And I remind him that everything will work out

It is a beautiful rhythm we have developed
Through open communication, honesty
And a mutual respect for one another
We have learned the ebb and flow of each other

We blend together
And also navigate our own paths
We take risks and dream big
We share our hearts and our world

It is a life of love
That fills both of our souls
It is a reminder of what is possible
When we trust one another

It is love, pure love

journey to healthy living

Him and I are walking this path together.  Side by side living the moments, embracing life, and chasing after our dreams.  When we are afraid we reach out and hold hands.  We talk from the heart and listen with care and kindness.  He knows how to make me giggle and I know how to make him smile.  Each day we are learning new steps to the waltz we are dancing together.  

I know that in order for us to keep dancing we need to embrace a healthy and active lifestyle.  I want to be able to giggle with him for years to come and I want him here so I can make him smile.  

This year I want to focus on become better at food shopping and meal preperation.  Buying what I need to make healthy meals and not just randomly filling my cart with things that will expire and I eventually throw out.  I need to learn how to plan out the week so that I can stay on track.  Have simple and easy recipes that I can throw together after work.  

Taking the time to sit down and share a meal with someone is such a personal experience. It provides a safe place to open your heart, share your world, and dream up ideas for the future.  When you cook a meal there is so much love infused into the food.  And when a meal is prepared together, it is even better.  Him and I have had some of our best moments in our kitchen creating a meal together.  

I want the question of "whats for dinner" off the table.  I want us to develop a rhythm of planning, preparing, and sharing.  It will become another beautiful dance that we will learn together.  

How do you navigate food shopping and preparation in your home?  Have you developed a rhythm that works for you?   Any hot tips to get me going?  xoxo

journaling the year

I have always been an avid journaler.  The page has held my words, held my heart, and held the memories that I did not want to forget.  I show up on the page often, no sensor or filter only an open heart and mind.  It all spills out.  

I have been intrigued by Project Life and Smash books but have not been able to dig deep into them.  They are fantastic, but I felt confined.  I have even tried filling a spiral bound notebook with memories but I give up before I even begin.  

This is year is different though.  I was determined to capture my world somehow, someway.  I knew it had to fit me.  I new it couldn't be confining.  I knew I had to come up with my own thing.  

And so I did

I folded color water paper in half and I began.  

 I went through magazines tearing out images that spoke to my heart and I collaged

I printed out photos, and added in tokens from our recent New Years Eve night away

I order more photos that will be arriving at my doorstep any day now, and I held on to mementos that I knew I wanted to glue in so I could onto them forever.  

Currently the folded pages are slowly forming a book of memories, hopes, and dreams.  It is becoming a catchall for my heart and a tool to express my creative soul.   I love how organically it is unfolding.  I love that there are no limitations and I can add as many pages as I want.  I don't feel confined, but rather I feel free.  

I have enjoyed sitting down and dreaming, remembering, and savoring the moments.  

I am unsure of how I will bind it all together, but I just know in my heart that as this year progresses so will these pages.  They are helping me to find my path.  They are taking me to places I only dreamed about.  And they are holding my heart.  

How do you catch your dreams and hold onto your memories?  What type of journal practice do you have? 

bloom open

Who were you before the world told you who you should be
Who were you before you were infused with  fear
Who were you before you listened to them

You were once carefree
Making your brothers sit at the kitchen table so you could play school
You were once shining
Unfraid to use your voice, standing up for what you wanted
Even if that was a chocolate chip cookie

You didn't shrink down
You did cheer leading routines on the front lawn
You rode your bike to the library, all on your own
You found your own path

But somewhere along the way you lost your voice
You became fearful
You choose to listen, instead of speak
And you hide that brilliant light shining from your heart

Now here you are 
Showing the world your heart, but still fearful at times
You have found your voice again, and you are ready to be heard
You are stronger than you have ever been

You must take the bold step forward
You must remembe that little girl who wanted to be heard and seen
You must surrendor to outside judgments
And only listen to the sound of your own desires

You are here to shine
You are here to give and to receive
Open up your heart
Open up you hands

The world wants to see you teaching again
The world wants to hear those cheers, even if you didn't make the squad
The world wants you
Exactly as YOU are

dream BIG

Are you ready to dream BIG?  Are you ready to say YES to all that is living in your heart?  The "Dream BIG" worksheet will help you get on the road to living the life you are meant to live.  

Head on over to the TOOLS to download the spreadsheet.  

When you speak your dreams out loud you breathe life into them and set them in motion.  You never know how they will open up and come true.  Don't be afraid to speak your dreams, even the ones you have tucked away in your heart.  Don't be afraid to say Yes to the ones that scare you.  Dream, dream, dream.  

build :: word of the year

Each year I choose a word to tuck into my heart and carry around with me for the entire year.  Some previous words have been wings, connect, love, soar.  I never know what the word will bring to me until the year is over.  I may have hopes of certain things unfolding but the universe may have different plans in store.  

For 2013 I choose a phrase, rather than a word: "all the cards on the table". I wanted to get my act together and do all of those things that I always put off.  Like getting the oil in my car changed, going to the dentist, working out, and getting my finances in order.  And oh how the universe took me by storm.  I have been to the dentist more times this year than I think I have been in my entire life (lesson to you all....go now, do not delay).  I have three doctors appointments set up within the next three weeks....oh joy!.  My finances may not be in order but Dustin won't stop bugging me until they are.  I have developed a routine of working out and I really got into it. And my car burns oil at a rapid pace that I have to stay on top it to ensure it runs properly.  

The old adage "be careful what you wish for" is so incredibly true when it comes to choosing your word.  So choose wisely.   

My word for 2014 felt so right the moment it popped into my head, and not for the obvious reason that Dustin and I are building a house this year but for so much more than that.  

the property we are building into H*O*M*E

BUILD

This year Dustin and I are setting down a strong foundation for our future together.  We are not only building a house, but building a life together.  

This year I also want to...

Build confidence in the work that I meant to do in this world.  To believe with every fiber of my being in my purpose and to share it and spread it.  

Build community.  In person, heart to heart, open, honest, loving, enriching community.  

Build deeper, stronger, loving friendships.

Build a stronger body and empowered mind.  Overcoming mental and physical obstacles.

Building up what is meant to thrive.  Laying down a strong foundation so that it can withstand the test of time.  Brick, by brick.  Showing up honesty and imperfect, but there

This year I want to build the life I am meant to be living.  

What word have you chosen to tuck into your pocket this year?