#37: Swim With Sharks

So, anyone who knows me knows I do NOT like getting in the ocean. I'm terrified by what could be lurking below the cashing waves - and yes, mostly I'm afraid of sharks. I seem to be the only one in the family with this fear...and so I bite my tongue as the kids play with Dave and venture further and further from the shoreline.

Thinking about swimming with sharks made me think of an important lesson. There are so many people out there who are scared to swim with the sharks (aka: big dogs/executives/etc) and I want you to never be intimidated. Swim with the best! Learn from them. One day, I'm sure you will all be sharks in whatever sea you decide to venture into.

#36: Positive & Honest Reflection Provides Continued Motivation

I love my birthday. It is the only day that is ALL MINE! Each year on my birthday I take a minute to reflect on myself and what's going on with ME. This year was no different - but so different at the same time. Here's what I know:

I am a 35-year-old woman. I am a mother to 3 of the most beautiful people I've ever known. I am a wife to my best friend and #1 fan. I am a sister who misses her little sister everyday. I am a daughter who is still trying to make my mom and dad proud. I am a daughter-in-law who is thankful to have a 2nd family so full of love. I am a friend to so many - old and new...and I treasure each relationship. I am overweight but so proud to no longer be OBESE. I am blessed beyond measure with family/friends who love me, support me, challenge me, calm me, excite me, push me, pull me and most importantly - believe in me!

In the spirit of honest reflection - check me out!!! 100lbs lighter since Louie was born - well on my way to achieving my ultimate goals...Here's to a new year - an even better year - a year of progress and forward motion - a year of results - a year of ME!

Take the time to give yourself a POSITIVE annual review. I use my birthday because it is easy to remember...ask yourself - where am I? where am I going? where have I been? How do I get there? Who can help me? Don't forget to keep it positive. It does no good to beat yourself up with negative self-talk and low self esteem...be proud...believe me, I look at these pictures and my gut reaction is disgust...but when I take time to give myself honest reflection I see a woman who is trying her best...Believe me, YOU can make the most amazing things happen!!!

#35: Eat FRESH Fruit (and Veggies)

Recently we visited a FL orange grove and it was beautiful. Orange is my favorite color - so this has definitely been on my FL bucket list...One of the best parts about our visit was getting to eat fresh oranges/grapefruits...there is quite simply nothing better (in my opinion)! It made me think of Paps and Grams because he had an orange tree and a grapefruit tree in Arizona and it was one of my favorite things to do...pick a grapefruit and eat breakfast with them...

There's no deep lesson here - just always look for and enjoy FRESH fruit (and veggies) when you can! :)

#34: Check and Change Your Filters

So, the week before last both of our home furnaces (yes we have 2 in FL) had to have their motors replaced. What are the chances, right? Luckily, they were covered by our home warranty and were able to be fixed easily...but I did learn a valuable lesson that I wanted to pass along...check AND change your filters! lol FYI: They should NOT look like this:

Now our filters are all clean and this is now a task on my home to do list every couple of months...but more than a house filter, this got me thinking...how often do we check and change our personal filters. Perhaps I've been thinking too much...but hear me out...filters trap all of the crap that is in our house's air...thus allowing for clean air to be cycled back through our ventilation system and back into our space. I'm pretty sure I have a personal filter that works the same way...it collects all of the trash I read/see, all of the nasty things people say, all of the doubts/fears I hide, all of the troubles I face...etc...so as I quickly approach my 35th birthday - I think I'll take a minute and check and clean my filter...start fresh and enjoy the life I'm working so hard to create. There are people/things that don't fit in my world anymore and I think it is time to do some spring cleaning...think about it...

#33: Always Root For Each Other

We spent the weekend in Melbourne cheering for your dad. He ran a 1/2 marathon today...and we wanted to show him how proud we were! He has always been such a positive role model for you in terms of leading an active/healthy life - it wasn't always this way...but I'm so glad he has made this committment not only to himself, but to us! I'm finally listening and doing my best to catch up so that we can all enjoy getting growing up together! :)

Official Stats: 1:57:50, 8:57 pace, 70F, 97% humidity

As you grow up, please remember to root for each other. Cheer each other on to the finish line - whether it be with school achievements, extra-curricular activities, career successes, personal growth...whatever it is - let's root for each other!!!

#32: Positive Self Image

This is Lyla's January 2014 Self Portrait - don't you wish we all had this positive self image. I mean, flowing long hair like Rapunzel, glass slippers like Cinderella, a beautiful smile and FIREWORKS overhead...

When we are young, we know how awesome we are. We are thrilled with even the smallest of accomplishments. As we get older, the accomplishments have to get bigger and bigger or they just don't matter - we stop celebrating small victories - we start focusing on negatives - we lose sight of the idea that anything is possible - we get comfortable with 'real life' - we stop seeing fireworks...

Well, I'm telling you to hold on to your positive self image forever. Nurture it. Give yourself time for YOU. Celebrate YOU and every unique thing that you offer to this world. You have a purpose...and I can't wait to see what you become! Thank you for bringing fireworks back to my life...truly one blessed mama!!! :)

#31: Talk To Strangers

After your cross country meet, we went to the grocery for a quick trip...you had asked for a box of Little Debbies and I said no because they were not on the quick list...when we got to the checkout lane we put our things on the belt to be scanned...I moved up to the cash register and watched the prices add up. All of the sudden I saw Christmas Tree Cakes ring up and I said, "Oh wait...those aren't ours...he would love them to be ours...but not this time..." The older man behind me laughed and said that they were his for he and his grandson...We talked a bit while we finished paying and then as we were walking toward the door, I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was the man - he asked if he could give Edwin the box of Christmas Tree Cakes - apparantely he had bought 2 boxes and "really only needed one" ;) So sweet...

You just never know the importance of saying hi and offering a kind smile to a complete stranger. Obviously, I want you to be careful and not talk to just anyone...but when you are with me - I want you to see how awesome it can be to make "friends" with everyone you meet. It makes such a difference when you live life being nice to everyone! You enjoyed the Christmas Trees and look for that man every time we're at that grocery store! I hope he shared a similar story with his grandson!