I’m grateful to my friend Kelli for sharing her words today about intentional gratitude notes.  This gal is one of my favorites.  Not only is she a fierce proponent of cardigan wearing (a cause I fully support), but she also volunteers with Junior Achievement and helps organize TedX Lincoln all while making the people around her more joyful just…

Each of the colorful cups was overflowing, the canvas–a white piece of cheap computer paper–was drenched. “I painting Mama!” my two-year-old squealed with her chubby fingers clenched around her yellow brush. Yes, she was, and with gusto. Her little torso danced with excitement while she sat on her red plastic chair. “It’s beautiful,” I said,…

I always wondered who would marry my friend Sarah Meyer. She’s a delightful mix of quirky intelligence, someone curious about the deep questions but still quick to goof around, hoping she’ll win the pie at the end of your 30-day gratitude challenge.  (If you haven’t yet, post a gratitude here to win!)   Mr. Right for…

I came back to see what looked like a snowstorm. . . in our living room.  Our lovely dog, Daisy, had ripped up one of our couch pillows, leaving in her wake couch cushion carnage. This was probably not a big deal when looked at with some pen-tip perspective, but it came as the last straw…

I screeched into the darkened church, tucking my hair behind my ear and double checking my phone ringer.  Silent.  Good.  The soft glow of the candles called my pace to slow after the go go go work day and then dropping off the kids.  MY TIME had been frantic this week, but a breath came…

I’m a bit of a pen snob. Cheap paper, but nice pens.  So, as I write here–on a sturdy-yet-elegant handcrafted wood farm table in a 19th floor apartment in Chicago with twelve ceiling-to-hip windows on both the east and the west wall framing up a breathtaking sunrise over Lake Michigan with a pale blue somehow…

On Sundays during the 30-day gratitude challenge the goal is simple rest.  I don’t want all of our gratitude muscles to get too taxed. 🙂 Day 5 Challenge: Use your phone or camera to notice something that brings a sense of gratitude.  *This post is part of a 30-day gratitude challenge.  Subscribe via e-mail (on…

I’m grateful to my second cousin (who feels more like an uncle), Phil Rogge, for writing these poignant words about gratitude in his life.  I have to tell you, that Phil is one of the most inspiring people I’ve met–choosing to live a life of clear optimism, making ripples in the face of challenge that…

A tiny two-year-old finger smacked down in seconds on the red slide image.  “There mama!  I wanna go there,” Charli said said jumping up and down with anticipation.  All of the scary-yet-fun options on the Roca Scary Farm Map had paralyzed me, but Charli was decided and already moving toward her clear choice. Yes, I…

His eighteenth birthday would have been yesterday. He was only in my life for a short time, but I knew him long enough to see his sparkle, to think. . . this kid is fantastic.  He was funny, hardworking, unique, and so many other words I’ll never know. I want to start all those sentences…