I believe

One of the things I love most about Christmas is the magic.  Seeing the wonder and delight in a child's eye fills my heart with hope and love.  I am reminded of the good in the world and what could happen when we believe in something.

I believed in Santa Claus for a long time.  Even though I don't remember how old I was when I stopped believing I remember how it all went down.  Each year my brothers and I would write letters to Santa and leave them on our dressers.  When we were safely nestled into bed the jolly old man would come in and scoop them up, or so we thought.  

The year I was on the fence about Santa I went through with writing my letter as usual and left it on my dresser.  The one thing I didn't do that I normally did was tell my parents that the letter was there.  This was my test.  When I went to bed that night I secretly wished the letter would be gone in the morning but had a feeling that it wasn't going to be.  

Just as I suspected upon waking the letter was still there.  There was no Santa Claus after all.  Knowing this was upsetting but it didn't squash my hope.  I still loved the idea of believing and the wonderment and awe that filled the days around the holiday.  

Today that joy of wonderment is still with me as I watch my nieces believe.  It lights me up to see the delight and excitement in those little girls eyes.  Having kids around during the holidays brings a whole new dimension of joy to the holiday spirit.

I may not believe in Santa any more, but I do believe that there is power in hope and coming together.  I believe that when we choose love we find a joyful path.  I believe that family and friends are what matters most in this world and that above all else we must choose kindness.  I believe that there is joy to unearth in the every day and that we must appreciate these little moment.  When I choose to believe in something I know that my heart opens up a little bit more and that is needed in this world.  

What do you believe in?  What gives you hope, lights you up and opens you up?   

fabric dolls :: handmade christmas

Last year I saw this adorable fabric doll pattern from Make It & Love It.  I had just begun my exploration of the sewing machine as I was tasked to continue the family tradition of handmade stockings that my grandmother had begun.  Unfortunately due to lack of time and the chaos that becomes the holidays I was unable try my hands at creating the doll.  

When this year rolled around I remembered the pattern and knew I just had to give it a try.  I wasn't sure how it would turn out as my knowledge of a sewing machine was minimal but I knew it would be a great project to help me brave the blues.  So I dug in. 

This was a great project for a beginner like me.  There is nothing to complicated and it is so satisfying to see something come to life.  

I became and expert at filling a bobbin and threading my sewing machine.  I was able to switch out my threads in a flash thanks to the help of my trusty side kicked who showed me how to do it and sewed his very first piece of fabric together.   It was exciting to learn something new.

I had intended to make the dolls each with different clothing, but there were some mishaps along the way and beginner mistakes of not choosing the proper fabric.  Legs and arms ended up never finding a body and a misfit doll had a face that just didn't seem right.  

Along the way I celebrate the small moments like seeing shoes on the feet.  I was sewing, yes I was sewing.  And in the end it all came together.  I had two adorable dolls made with love for my two nieces.  

am so glad I took the risk and gave this project a try even without much knowledge of sewing.  It was fun to do and even more fun to see the two little girls hug their dolls.  I am looking forward to creating more with my sewing machine.  

winter solstice

Happy winter solstice to you and yours.  Today we welcome back the light and celebrate a little bit more sunshine filling our days.  For this I am grateful.  

choosing love

When you are unsure of where to turn, or what to do
Choose love
Yes, choose love
When you feel lost and afraid, struggling to find your way
Seek out love
Yes, seek out love

It is around even when you do not think it is there
It can be found in the comfort you feel tucked away in your bed
In the warm meal you take time to eat
In the smile from a stranger
Or the kindness from the a coworker

Yes, love is around you
And it wants to be savored and seen
Love doesn't want to stay tucked away
It is meant to be shared and celebrated
Love is a beautiful gift

When you think you have nothing to give
Give love
A smile, a hug, a quiet understanding
Yes, all of this is love
Look for the love in your own heart and spread it

Love opens you up
Makes you see the world with new eyes
It will surprise you
And knock you off your feet
Love is the best kind of feeling there is

So today, and every day
Find a way to share love with those around you
And those you pass on the street
Slow down
And choose love

the biggest lesson I learned this year

2014 was a monumental year for me.  A lot of my focus and dedication was on one massive goal - running the NYC Marathon.  This is something I never imagined I would be able to accomplish.  Running three miles was a challenge for me.  Running 26.2 felt nearly impossible.

So I started small with what I knew I could do.  On these smaller runs I challenged myself by finding the hills and struggling my way up them.  It wasn't always easy and I am sure it never looked pretty but I made it to the top, and each time I did my body was a little bit stronger.   

Then slowly I increased my mileage. Step by step and with each bump up I was in awe that I had did it and proud of myself for making it that far.  Three miles became five miles.  Five miles became ten miles.  Ten miles became 20 miles.  I couldn't believe it.  I was doing it.  I was actually doing it.  

Sometime between fighting myself to run just three miles and still standing and smiling at mile 15 I fell in love with running.  I was grateful for the time it gave me to be with my thoughts, lose myself, travel down roads I never knew existed, and experience cheers from complete strangers.  Training for the NYC Marathon shifted something in me that I didn't realize needed shifting.  

With each new run under my belt I felt stronger, braver, and more fierce.  I held pride in my heart for showing up even when I didn't want to.  I had set a goal for myself and I didn't give up on it, even when it was hard I kept on going.  

I learned that when I put my mind to something I can accomplish it.  
I learned that I have an enormous support system cheering me on each step of the way.  
I learned that it isn't always going to be easy.  
I learned that there will be days when I won't want to do it but then I will show up and be so glad that I did.
I learned that there is still opportunity to fall in love 
I learned that when I stay open I find my way.  

I am grateful that I had the opportunity to run the NYC Marathon. Grateful to those who inspired me to give it a try and to those who supported me along my journey.  I never thought that running would teach me so much, but it has and for that I am in awe.  ​

love notes postcard project:: joy is

Another round of the Love Notes Postcard Project is wrapping up with the third and final prompt:

Joy is . . . 

I love this prompt because joy is so many different things.  There are the simple joys of a child's laughter and the more complex ones of watching something you have worked so hard come to life.  Joy bubbles up in unexpected moments and reminds us of the sweet spot of life.  

Joy is wearing what makes you feel good
Dancing to your favorite song on the radio
Seeing the ones you love
Making it across the finish line

Joy is infused in your home
You will find it as you share a meal around the table
When you look lovingly at yourself in the mirror
And when you take a moment to pause and savor that this is your safe space

Joy is the wave of emotion that overcomes when you recognize that you are standing exactly where you are meant to be.  

Joy is within you.  You seek it out.  You bring it to the table.  You share it with others.  And it makes this life a lot better.  Yes this is Joy!  

What is joy to you?  Where do you find it and how do you savor it?