It’s the eve of another full rotation around the sun—my birthday! 🎉 Honestly, after you hit your mid-40s, birthdays become a little blurrier. I still tell people I’m 38 because it just feels right. 😉 Of course, I want the day to feel special, and it usually does with all the texts, phone calls, and […]
You Do You: Surviving the Noise by Focusing on What You Can Control
“Words, words, words, I’m so sick of words…” Can’t you just hear Eliza Doolittle belting that out? And honestly, who can blame her? In a world that feels like one giant, never-ending debate stage, I think we’re all a little sick of words. Everyone has something to say, and it’s all coming at us like […]
Back to School, Back to Change: Embracing a New Season
Soooo, school has started, pumpkin spice lattes have officially arrived, and fall décor (along with a sprinkle of Christmas) is already taking over the stores … and it’s not even Labor Day yet. And this NOVA weather—wow! Last week was all about those gorgeous fall vibes. But now? Summer’s back in full force. Talk about […]
Nailing It: Finding beauty in the imperfect build
So, I thought it would be an amazing idea to get our 3-year-old son an outdoor play set for his birthday. You know, with a two-story playhouse, slide, swings, climbing wall, picnic table—the whole shebang. I have visions of lounging in our backyard on our Adirondack chairs, sipping a glass of wine, and watching him […]
Olympic Inspirations: the village behind every dream
It takes a village. We hear this a lot, don’t we? But it really hits home as I watch the Olympic Games. Seeing the camera pan to the coaches, parents, and friends of these athletes—each one glued to their seats, hearts racing (did you catch them tracking Simone Biles’ dad’s heart rate during her routine? […]
Unlocking the Power of Acceptance: Lessons from a Locked Gym
Sometimes life throws you curveballs, and you have to roll with it. Quite literally. I mean, isn’t that part of what “balls” do? When unexpected things happen, how you respond to them is really what defines the experience. If you get super frustrated or angry, those feelings will dominate your day. Part of that frustration […]
Embrace the uncomfortable: where real growth happens
“Get comfortable with being uncomfortable.” This is something that has been on my mind quite a bit of late. And I’m not just talking about surviving the summer heat. It’s about those moments that push you beyond your cozy comfort zone and help you grow in ways you never thought possible. I most recently heard […]
Kindness on wheels: Lessons from a Little Blue Truck
Any parent knows that they are going to read a handful of books 459 times in a given week depending on what their little one is into. It can be incredibly mind-numbing and hilarious when you find yourself reciting the books in your sleep. Our current favorite is “Little Blue Truck.” Thank goodness my kiddo […]
Summer Adventures: From Global Travelers to Local Wanderers
As the school year winds down and the days grow longer, summer break beckons with its promise of relaxation and adventure. Even if you’re working full-time, summer just has a different vibe—fewer cars on the road, colleagues taking time off, and a general sense of ease in the air. Before our son was born, my […]
Tapping into new skills: The joy of adult learning
The other day was National Tap Dance Day, and it got me thinking about how much I’ve come to love tap dancing. I’ve always wanted to learn but, truth be told, I was pretty uncoordinated as a kid. Formal dance lessons were never my thing. On the dance floor, I’m more awkward penguin than graceful […]