I CHOOSE LOVE

Until you LOVE yourself completely and without reservation. You can not share that Love with another.

I choose to wake up and live from a place of Love. I choose to tell people that I LOVE them. I choose to BE the light in a dark world. I choose to LOVE all of my imperfections and to keep working on myself in order to grow into the best version of ME possible.  I choose to make the conscious decision to make sure that my words and deeds align with truth and light. THIS IS LOVE.

Every single day, In every single situation... I CHOOSE LOVE

who I AM

I AM

a woman. a mother. a sister. a daughter. an aunt. a cousin. a friend.
in love with the sun, water, the changes of season.
a lover of the beach, the mountains and the forest.
a lover of all animals ,big and small 

imperfectly perfect and a beautiful mess.
random and a free spirit and oh so passionate.
speaking, walking and living my truth.
beautiful.

 a lover of red wine and chocolate.
and popcorn too.
a woman that eats to live not live to eat.

emotional.
unpredictable.
kind and sincere.

a Lover of LOVE.
resonating love.
giving of love.
deserving of love.

I AM LOVE.

The gift

I truly believe that you are exactly where you are at the present moment for a reason. Every interaction you have, every circumstance you encounter .. All have a purpose. Every single thing is a GIFT to either learn from or grow from.

When you face each day with purpose versus seeing events as random, things shift. Your life shifts in the most amazing ways when your eyes and heart are open to receive . Life has a funny way of sending us signals, of guiding us in the right direction . Many people miss these signals because of the inability to see things with an open heart and mind . Living from fear or by societies "standards" versus living authentically can hinder your ability to move forward in life and enjoy all that life has to offer . We were not put on this earth the be afraid , sad, heart broken or mistreated yet so many settle and live this way. We are here to live of our  best and highest ability. To live and grow from a place of Love. 

When you know better ,you do better .

In Love
-A

KidQ App from Scholastic Parent & Child

                                                  

As the mom of three kids, I get asked tons of questions daily. Some I can answer, and honestly, some I can't. We generally  use the internet to research some of the answers to the questions or sometimes look them up in books we have in the house. 

Recently I was approached by Scholastic to try out a new app that they were launching called KidQ, which is an amazing app that is FREE and kept my children engaged while learning. Each day a question posts on the app that has a playful question such as: Why is the sky blue? or Why do we say "ears" of corn, or my favorite "What are freckles?" (as we all have these little "angel kisses", as I call them ). We would all give the answer we thought was correct and then have fun comparing our explanations to the facts.  My little ones look forward to the questions daily and its a nice way to transition from after school into our evening routine. 

One of the best ways to connect with our children in through conversation and the app allows us to do just that. The app facilitates conversation via fun Q&A's about the things that kids are most curious about.  The app is completely free and available iPhone and Android. You can download Here at Scholastic Parent & Child 

Disclaimer: I received compensation in return for my agreement to post on behalf of this program. I have been asked by Scholastic Parent & Child to write this post. My review  of the product is  my honest opinion.

Some kind of crazy

Today has been some kind of crazy. 

There are certain things that are "triggers" for me: things that make me uncomfortable, insecure, afraid. Things that happen or words that are said that make me question my ability, my self and my purpose . Things that make me feel vulnerable and lost in this world . 

Today I recognized these "triggers" and was able to stop them in their tracks.. To take a step back and not react yet simply respond . I had to sit in my car and close my eyes and simply breathe, knowing that others actions and words were a reflection of them and not me. Knowing that they had no value to who I am as a woman. I am so thankful that I was able to see these actions for what they were before I caved and spiraled into what could've been an emotional mess. 

What I realized is that I am so incredibly worthy of Love. I am worthy of respect. I am worthy of compassion and truth. In knowing these things I also know that I will not settle.  I am exactly where I need to be at the moment and that no matter what twists and turns life throws at me, what the future holds is amazing!!

So dear universe, thank you for testing my limits today, for pushing me and for trusting in me enough to come out on top like the courageous , strong and faithful woman that I am. I  am Living and learning everyday and allowing myself to Just Be.

In LOVE!!

-A

Happy Birthday to Me

Today is my 44th birthday . I like to think I'm not 44 years old but 44 years wise. Grateful for everything that has led me to right where I am. Last year was a challenge in so many ways, but also the year where I grew so much as a person. 

Last year I ran 3 half marathons, a 10k a 9k , a mud run and a color run. Thankful for my legs for carrying me!

I was able to be there for my children every single day. Thru tears and laughter, sadness and happiness , I was able to be there to support and comfort them. Grateful to be a stay at home mom .

Thankful for my good health and my willingness to learn and grow daily.  Thankful for my many friends who have been honest with me even when it hurt, comforted me when I was in pain , and loved me unconditionally .  I am blessed to have such amazing people in my life .

It has been a year of learning and growing, heartache and happiness , finding my faith and living authentically. 

Wishing myself a year of peace, happiness, abundance and good health. Living and loving with an open heart.

When we know that anything is possible ... ANYTHING is possible!! Creating the life I've always imagined, one day at a time. 

thank you for being a part of my journey.

In Love

-A

Wanderlust

I have always loved to travel, it's one of the reasons I became a flight attendant after college. Seeing the world thru my own eyes and heart is an experience that can never be replicated. For me, travel is not for a vacation , travel is something that makes me come alive, something that nourishes my soul. Something that I need to experience on a regular basis to feel connected and whole. It doesn't take a trip around the world to satisfy this need to travel, a simple road trip to a new  destination brings the same amount of fulfillment.

I have traveled to Hawaii where I rode down a volcano at sunrise, I snorkeled for the first time and felt incredibly humbled at what I had seen below me. I have traveled to Mexico and Canada , London and Paris and have gone horse back riding through the hills of Jamaica. it is not the act of a luxurious vacation, it is the act of exploring the unknown and soaking in the sights,sounds and culture. It is about becoming submerged in a different place.

I recently traveled to Denver. I had forgotten how beautiful it was, how the mountains were breathtaking and how the mountain air would fill my lungs with such ease. I had forgotten how overwhelming it would feel to see all of this divine beauty and how my heart and soul would be filled with so much joy that it would take my breath away. 

Oh but it hit me, and my first morning as I took an early morning walk, I cried. The universe sent me a sign.. This time a physical sign that stopped me in my tracks and made me say " ok, I hear you, I get it and I am listening !!" 

I'm in the middle of Colorado taking a 6 am solo walk and run into this sign .. Purdue ..The college I attended in Indiana, the place that I left my heart, the place that always brought me such comfort , the place that I always stop at and sit for hours at a time to clear my head and listen to my heart. A place that I will forever be connected.

I cried out of comfort and connection. It was something I needed to see to know that we are all connected and even thousands of miles away, one little reminder can bring such peace. 

 

I immediately knew that my trip to Denver would open my heart even more, guiding me to pay attention to every sight and sound . Allowing me to Just Be present in each and every moment .

Here are a few more things that let me know that I was exactly where I needed to be:

Wanderlust: the strong desire or need to travel the world 

I have so much to share about my time spent in Colorado. Day one let me know that this was all divine timing.

-A