Be part of the MOMENTS that MATTER FUN!

{The little boy on the porch was dressed like MAX}

I walked over to a friend’s house tonight and as I walked home I couldn't help but appreciate the amazing wonders that surrounded me.

The moon, the calico cat sitting lazily in the neighbor’s yard, the slight breeze and touches of red and orange in the sunset, and my favorite: the little boy standing in a Halloween costume on the front porch… (He looked like Max from “Where the Wild Things Are” and from the sound of his Mother’s voice inside the house, I think he secretly hoped to escape in and out of weeks and almost over a year to – well you know).

PS: Our little moments have so much to offer. We just have to stop and notice them. In honor of the little moments that matter, I’m declaring August the month to celebrate the little moments that matter.

Stay tuned – In August, I’ll be featuring some amazing guest bloggers, inspirational moments and YOU! Want to be part of the fun? Simply post up the little moments that matter to you and let me know about it! I’ll share them here on my blog! Leave me a comment with a link to your post and I’ll be sure to check it out and share it.

REMEMBER:
It all begins in August – Don’t miss the fun! Decide right now to appreciate the little moments that decorate your days ... because they matter! :)

Love Notes ... They Matter!

(Ohh la la - write a love note on a brown paper bag ...)

Are you like me and when you get a hand written love note, you save it? OH good, I’m not the only one who adores love notes!

I was reading “Life’s Little Instruction Book” today by H. Jackson Brown, Jr. and flipped to the page that simply says: Never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them.

That is such a beautiful reminder to live in the moment and share how we feel. Words of love have an amazing way of lifting us up and inspiring us to be our best.
So slow down this summer and take a moment or two to say I love you. Say it in a note or sing it in a song… whatever your style.

Let the people around you know how much you love them … :)

Remembering my brother Travis …

My brother Travis on the left ...

The 7th of July is always a time of reflection for me. Many of you may or may not know that when I was 15, my oldest brother, Travis died in a car accident. He was 17 and that event completely rocked my world. Our family (of nine: Mom & Dad and 7 kids) were on vacation in Wyoming and he died en route to doing what he LOVED most – fishing. I must admit that I cried for many years every night before bed trying to make sense of it all. And tonight as I was about to drift off to sleep I couldn’t help but think of him … He died 21 years ago today.

Looking back, I can see that his life and death have impacted my life more than just about anything else. At a very young age I learned the importance of living each day to its fullest. I learned that what we do matters. I learned that time and new days are a gift. I learned that saying goodbye is not easy. I learned that life goes on. I learned that time really does heal hearts and wounds. I learned that memories can carry us for a long time – as long as we cherish them. I learned that what we choose to do each moment eventually turns into a lifetime of moments. I learned that when you lose someone you love – it’s healthy to talk about them and remember them. And finally, I continue to learn that the missing never really goes away.

PS: I wrote this letter to Travis a few years ago. Warning, it’s a tear jerker …

What does FREEDOM mean to you?

Freedom means I can go swimming with my kids ....


Have you ever stopped to think about the meaning of freedom?

Freedom means: I can go to work around the corner or work from my home. I can start my own business. I can attend free concerts at the park. I can choose what to wear today and tomorrow. I can worship how, where and when I want. I can pray out loud and while I am driving. I have a voice and can express it.


Freedom means I can reach and dream. Freedom means I can sleep in peace at night and enjoy another day tomorrow. Freedom means you and I need to stand up for the things we believe in and ensure that we are always free. Freedom means we never forget those who have gone before us to make sure you and I can enjoy living, learning and loving! Freedom means I can become something wonderful with each little moment of life!

Happy 4th of July … Enjoy all the freedoms of this day!