Hi friends,
I have much to celebrate this week. First is the launch of this new updated look of my blog. Did you notice? ? I’ve been working on this for a while, so I hope you like it! It should be much easier for you to find what you’re looking for and the framework is enhanced to help me achieve some of my blogging goals, so all in all it’s a positive change. If you run into any glitches, don’t hesitate to let me know. I’ll be adding a few more things on the site soon, so if you catch a glimpse of anything new, it’s just me making a few additional improvements.
Second, I am so honored to announce that I am one of the newest contributors to the MKE Mom’s Blog! This is such an exciting position for me as I love to be part of a mama tribe and empower other women. I have already been so welcomed by the other contributors and love what I’ve experienced from the community thus far. A few months ago I had the opportunity to submit a guest post on the blog and am so grateful for this new role where I will have the ability to write there consistently. I may now be biased, but if you don’t already follow this blog, you must! Don’t worry, I’ll still be writing here regularly. This is my passion after all!
And finally, today we are celebrating the birthday of my better half. He is one year older and wiser as he is turning the big 3-1 today. Each time we celebrate one of these annual milestones, we reflect on how much has changed in the past year. During Mark’s 30th year of life we were blessed to add sweet Sylvie to our family and happily moved into our new home — and even though these are both major events, it’s actually been the quietest year since we’ve been married. We pack so much into this beautiful life of ours because we are constantly striving to make the most of it. Life has this crazy way of moving at warp speed though, so Mark and I do our best to cherish it rather than blink and have it all have passed us by. The last year was no exception. It went incredibly fast, but it was so incredibly good.
Behind the scenes of Sylvie’s newborn photoshoot with Hello Little.
While I am very excited to share all of these wonderful celebratory pieces of news with you, I also want to be vulnerable and honest and tell you that I have been feeling a little down the past few days. Whether it’s a mix of hormones and the blast of cooler weather + darker days arriving, or my lack of sleep catching up with me, I’ve been left a little less than my most happy self. I could choose to be sad and wallow in my own discouraging mood {been there}, but I know that would be an unhealthy choice. Instead, I want to share the ways in which I will celebrate my own self by choosing happy and hope you find this uplifting as well.
Love each moment
Proven to be difficult if you’re in the midst of a challenging time or toddler tantrum, but loving where you’re at is so important in your overall happiness. Don’t ever wish you were someone else because you were created in the exact way you were supposed to be. Don’t wish your time away either because moments don’t last forever. Embrace all of them – the good and the bad – and know they all have a purpose.
Be grateful
Give praise for all of the things in your life.
Have goals
Having goals gives you a sense of purpose. This greater purpose also contributes to happiness. Enjoy the journey toward achieving your goals, even if that journey doesn’t take the path of your original intention or despite success revealing itself.
Life is too short
Blink. Yes, another moment has passed you by. Life is too short to be surrounded by negativity or to waste time. Focus on everything and everybody that make you feel joy.
Say YES to what life has to offer
Whether it’s a new opportunity, a friend, a gift, a meal or a platform to share your message with the world, say yes. You won’t regret it. Life has beautiful things in store for you.
I’d like to conclude this post by saying happy, happy birthday to my husband. He is my best friend and my love, a great husband and father, a genuine and sincere man. The world is a better place because of him. Happy Birthday, Mark!
XO