Beautiful Struggles

Years ago while working at Shane Co., we started an employee encouragement with the motto "Be Here Now". At the time this meant be at work while you are at work, check the home life at the door. Be with the customer that was right in front of you, don't worry about the tasks that you could be doing. Be present in whatever you are currently doing. My manager at the time gave the example of being on the phone with her parents, and while she was having a conversation she was also checking her email, watching tv, and trying to carry on a conversation. (Now for many of us this may sound like daily life, doing a million things at once.) She then continued to her story explaining that once they rolled out the motto of "Be Here Now", she really tried to be more attentive to whatever task was in front of her. She actually had conversation with her family, her emails were actually understood, and everyone in her life felt more engaged with her. Little did I know wh...

TimeHop... An app that I both love and hate. An app that allows me to see what silly things I have posted in the past on this day as long ago as I have been on social media! This app has allowed for me to see the transformation of Kaleb and I's relationship, the friends I have developed over the years, and the way may faith has grown. It is normally the thing that makes me giggle through out the day.  Today there was a little less giggling as I reflected upon my TimeHop. Today the photo that popped up was of Kaleb and I standing together for the last time as two able bodied individuals.  Three years ago today we walked around the glorious city of New Orleans looking at engagement rings, while strolling hand in hand. We enjoyed a meal on the river, and took in the sounds of one of our favorite neighborhoods.  We went to a jazz concert off of bourbon with two of our favorite coasters. We wondered around bourbon street with several of Kaleb's dearist friends, an...

A lot has changed since I last took the time to write.  We moved apartments last February, and had my wonderful parents assist in setting up our little home. I accepted a new position last January with a wonderful company, and have the best of friends to call co workers.   We joined our church in July, and know that Denver is exactly where God wants us.  Those are all the things that have changed in the last few months, but one thing has not we are still a family of two. After trying for a little one  for almost a year, and doing acupuncture for six months, we have decided to seek advice from a professional.  On Wednesday I had my first appointment with the infertility Doctor, and I must admit that I absolutely adore her. She knows Craig Hospital, where Kaleb has been doing rehab for almost three years. She is calm and takes the time to truly explain everything that could possibly be going on. She has a wonderful team that additionally makes you...

As I sit here madly in love with 2015 already, I cannot help but long for the memories of 2014. 2014 brought me the best memories of my life, and as ready as I am to welcome a new year I would like to take a post to review the past.  January, bridesmaid dress shopping with the most amazing women.  February, deserves many photos! February I read our engagement announcement in the local newspaper, I watched a family embrace their standing son for the first time since November 2012, and we were able to take standing engament photos.  March, between a visit from two of my besties, and my church bridal shower it was an incredible month. I picked out my viel, and celebrated Kaleb and I's future with the same church family that has supported me my entire life!  April, I began my job at Moji a bang salon, I celebrated my Mom's 40th birthday, and I experienced an amazing photo shoot that would later be the most perfect gift ...

"Traditions are behaviors and actions that you engage in again and again – regular rituals that you perform at the same time and/or in the same way. Traditions can be big or small, but they differ from routines and habits in that they are done with a specific  purpose  in mind and require  thought  and  intentionality . Meg Cox, the author of  The Book of New Family Traditions , defines family ritual as “any activity you purposefully repeat together as a family that includes  heightened attentiveness  and  something extra that lifts it above the ordinary ruts .” Traditions, when done right, lend a certain magic, spirit, and texture to our everyday lives." Brett and Kate McKay As we approach the wonderful holiday season my heart begins to journey  back to childhood memories and the family traditions that make those memories so perfect. I come from a large family filled with lots of cousins, tons of laughter, and of course many tradit...

Well, hello there November, and yes I am aware that it is November 3rd and well I should have written this three days ago, but anyway  November has always been one of my absolute favorite months, for well the obvious, Thanksgiving, fall decorations, and MY BIRTHDAY! Which is in two days, I'm like V for Vendetta REMEMBER, REMEMBER THE 5TH OF NOVEMBER. All of these awesome things are reasons to absolutely adore November, however two years ago November also developed a very different feeling.  November 10th will mark the two year anniversary since Kaleb's accident. And though I will always love November I now have a heavy heart as we fast approach that day. It is as though every birthday will in some odd way be a reminder of my 21st which is what I was celebrating when I received the phone call that forever changed our lives. Every Thanksgiving as joyous and wonderful as it will be will also remind me of the saddes...