So inspiring

So you probably saw Nienie on Oprah a couple of days ago. I loved it, loved hearing her talk, seeing her successes right there on the screen. She was poised, classy, as was her husband, Christian. What a sweet thing that this couple has let us into their lives, and that when I read her blog I am inspired to be/do better. I felt that before the accident when Amy told me about the blog, and then even more so since.

I think the thing I've taken most from watching this woman live her life is to slow down and enjoy the mundane, which really is a gift. I have a daughter on the cusp of graduating from high school and has dreams of moving on. I wish I had been more patient and aware of the moment when she and Anna were younger. I was just stressed all the time. I'm grateful to have had another chance with my son, to enjoy the moment and find beauty in the little things.

There are some tender mercies, despite a few regrets, however. I'm finding that Nina and Anna still need me. And that I still have chances to redeem myself- that the patience is just as hard to come by now as it was back then, and overcoming the urge to snap and be stressed is an accomplishment worthy of pride. Or at least chocolate or something.

Oprah touched on the sacredness of nurturing and doing the small things, like fixing meals, and truly, whether a mom is a stay-at-home or working, there is something so sacred about caring for those in her realm. It is an honor, though at times it doesn't always feel that way.

So my official thanks to Nienie and her family for allowing me to learn from them and to cherish the blessings in my life.

How can it be?

It's amazing to me that this place:



Is also this:


a half a year later.

I love seasonal change!

Florida's prettiest lighthouse

Ok, it's kind of a dorky picture that doesn't do the lighthouse justice, but I wanted a pic of all of us WITH the lighthouse. It's the Ponce de Leon lighthouse and is just down the road from the condo where we stayed. So, so beautiful. Gunder wanted to go inside, but we should have gone earlier in the day for that. Next time. :-)

Before and after

Before the trip...


After the trip...


Notice I looked tired before we even left. I was so paranoid I'd forget something that I had made lists about checking my lists.

The beach was divine...

Mmmmmm....Disney fudge!

It's the BEST, Jerry. The BEST.

Mt Everest on the hottest day on earth

Mark and the girls said it was the most awesome ride ever. Gunder and I went and played at the Bone Yard instead, but later we all posed here with the Everest ride in the background. It was so hot we were absolutely wilting, but it was the most fun family vacation, overall, we've had yet. :-)