Ellorie is 3 today!

Today is the day that we get to celebrate Ellie. This time three years ago, she was just 1 hour old and so tiny (I was about to enjoy a spaghetti "breakfast" since I hadn't eaten anything during my 30 hour labor!). I didn't know it at the time, but I was just about to begin what has been the most challenging, fun, crazy, exhausting and soul filling adventure of my life!

Fast forward three years and she is literally, the BEST THING I have EVER DONE in my life. I think this at least once a day. She has such an amazing little sense or humor; she is compassionate, enthusiastic and FUN. We all have a great time together. It is crazy how someone 29 years younger than me can make me so happy!

A lot of people want children and can't have them, or have children who are sick. Hearing their stories breaks my heart. We are all guilty of taking the wonderful things in our lives for granted from time to time. Today, I will remember that we are blessed to have this wonderful little being in our lives, and send a babydust to all who are trying for little ones, and healing dust to all who are sick. Let's all take a minute to do that- maybe our combined energies will make something magical and miraculous happen.

Happy birthday Ellie, Mom and Daddy love you every second of every day...

Thanks for reading...

Delicious traditions when the family is sick...

Ahhh, AUTUMN... crisp leaves, apple cider, Halloween costumes, and yes, the flu and cold season. Today I offer you, (thanks to my sister who is a nutrition EXPERT) a delicious remedy to give all of your family members when feeling under the weather. Add this to your roster of "traditions"; serve it in a fun bowl or mug and give your little sick one some cuddle time while eating it. The nutrients from the soup and the chemicals released from the cuddling will help heal that heart and cold!

** Soup-er Nutrient Chicken Soup to boost the immune system. **
I never measure things out, preferring instead to eyeball things, so I didn't include exact measurements...
Low sodium/fat free organic chicken broth
Diced chicken breast, cooked and seasoned with black pepper
Approximately a cup and a half of shelled edamame
Tons of fresh spinach (in my case, a whole container of it since it reduces so much)
Half an onion, sliced not diced
Several (about four) handfuls of chopped baby carrots
A couple handfuls of chopped celery
Seven diced cloves of garlic
More black pepper, to taste -- please don't add salt!!!

Simmer until carrots are cooked and the spinach has reduced.You might notice that I omitted rice, pasta or other starches sometimes found in chicken soup. I did this on purpose; when you eat starch, it breaks down internally into a gluttonous mass that only adds mucous and wetness. Plus, the recipe provides plenty of substance from the protein-rich edamame and a decent amount from the chicken. Have this soup twice a day, preferably with a warm--not hot--drink-Recommended: Yogi's Immune Support tea to help loosen congestion.
Nutrients in the soup include vitamins A, D, C, B, iron, calcium and, of course, lots of protein.

Sometimes it is the simple solutions.

Ever since having my daughter, I have been very interested in ways to create wonderful childhood memories for her. I started reading books, and collecting ideas. I think I became kind of a "student" of family traditions and activities. This interest has grown into a passion, and of course we want to find ways for our PASSIONS to be our livelihoods! So I started thinking about how I could turn this passion into a job. HOW could I share what I have learned with other families? I got kind of complicated- thinking about working with family centered non-profits, essentially asking them to create a position for me (I don't see many job postings for "Director of Family Traditions"!) Not to mention the fact that I know (after over 13 years in the non-profit sector) that NP work does not pay well and can demand long hard hours.

Then I realized that the answer was staring me in the face. A few months ago, I came across a company called "Once Upon a Family". This company has independent consultants all over the country who are invited into people's homes to share family traditions and rituals with the guests. They have a beautiful line of products which also help people reach their goals of connecting with their families and preserving memories. So one afternoon, while driving (don't we always have our epiphanies in the car!?) I realized that this company could offer me a chance to do what I have been wanting to do!

So I am excited to announce that I have signed on as an Independent Consultant. I present "tradition" parties for hosts and thier guests ( friends, family co-workers, classmates, neighbors etc). They all come to hear about ways to connect with their families and create meaningful moments. Everyone leaves with tangible ideas and activities, and they can browse through and order from the catalog. I am relativly new to RI, and some wonderful angels have already agreed to help me get my start by hosting a party. I hope I will hear from others as well. This is truly a meaningful company, and I am so excited about this opportunity to work at what I am passionate about!

Thanks for reading...

P.S. You can learn more about Once Upon a Family by going to www.onceuponafamily.com

A birthday, a blackout and camping in the living room...

The family got together over the weekend to celebrate Joyce's Birthday. It was the first time in a long time that we were all able to get together and it was really great to see everyone. The mood was light and festive. The adults caught up while the three kids all had a great time playing with each other and being big goofs.

Just as we got dinner on the table, we lost electricity!! Luckily the food was cooked and the quick addition of candles only helped to enhance the festive mood of the occasion. We really had a great time- as I sat and looked at everyone at the table, and then the kids, at the kid table, I was struck by the fact that this is FAMILY. And moments like birthdays give us such a great opportunity to gather and celebrate not only the birthday person, but to celebrate being TOGETHER. And a lively, fun dinner table is what the kids especially will remember in future years.

So after dinner, Jack, the oldest of the 3 children had the fantastic idea to bring porch cushions into the living room and have a "camp out". The kids loved that and giggled and cuddled and read books. They are all getting to that really fun age now, where maybe they are old enough to start remembering moments like that. I know that I remembered many moments like that as I sat watching them.

I guess there isn't really a point to today's post, except that, amid the chaos of larger family gatherings, it is sometimes hard to sit back and appreciate the diverse mix of great people who make up a family. Joyce's Birthday Party on Saturday was just one of those magical nights where it was easy to see why we are such a great family!

Thanks for reading...

Believing...

While in Ogunquit a few weeks ago, I found the most unique book. "Fairy Houses Everywhere" by Barry and Tracy Kane. This beautiful book contains over 20 photographs of whimsical fairy "houses" created in nature, out of natural materials.

The book really struck a cord with me. It stirred a long forgotten childhood memory of playing and creating in nature, much like the authors did for this book. It also reminded me that once upon a time, I believed in fairies. Sifting through the pages of this book I realized that I actually still do!

My friend Kate says that she thinks "grown ups" still believe in a lot of the things that we did as children- just now we are too busy to give them much thought. I love this idea, and in response I say that having children gives us the best excuse to believe in these things again.

What did you believe in as a child? Do you still get a giddy excitement on Christmas Eve? Do you still sometimes think there is a door in the back of your closet that leads to a magical world?

Take an afternoon to "believe" with your child. Share your childhood beliefs with them, and they might share a few with you. And heck, indulge a little and "make believe"- you and your child may create new magic together.

I would love to hear what you "believed" as a child. Post your thoughts here and and maybe we can all discover a little extra magic today!

Thanks for reading...

Beginnings

Meaningful Moments...

Well, we are one month away from E's 3rd Birthday. I found myself thinking about this the other day, and realizing that we will not get these years back. I searched for memories of our early time together and found some real gems. Lately though, I have found myself wondering if I will remember the LITTLE moments, the quiet moments spent just chit chatting while looking at the clouds, or the times that she says something that makes me laugh out loud. Will these moments get lost in the memories of the "Bigger" moments? The birthdays, Halloweens, Christmases, First Days of School, Dance recitals etc? How can I preserve these smaller, but no less meaningful moments of motherhood?

Well, the solution I came up with is to buy a "meaningful moments" book (I love journals and I know I will have fun choosing just the right one!)- and from now on, when we share a moment, whether it's funny, sad, tender or loving, I will write it down and date it. I know that someday, when these early years seem like a distant memory, I will treasure this book as a way to relive those little moments from long ago... I would love to hear other ideas as well!

Thanks for reading...