"NO WORDS, JUST WATCH"

I am totally speechless, completely amazed, and beyond inspired.  I just had to share this incredible young man's story of love and courage and indomitable spirit.  Box of tissues needed...

Here is the follow up video set to his song, "Clouds":

"THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS"

"NO ORDINARY GIFT"

Every now and then I receive a gift that makes me feel like the luckiest person in the world.  The most recent one was a little slice of serendipitous wisdom. To me, there is nothing more generous then when somebody shares knowledge they have gained over time, hindsight.  It is a golden opportunity to learn early what someone else wishes they had only known.

On Easter Sunday a friend happened to share the video below, which I (thankfully!) clicked on, and was instantly enthralled.  It wasn't until the video was over that I realized the reader was Katrina Kenison. I had read two of her books a few years back - both of which have earned a permanent spot on my bookshelf.  The excerpt she reads is from her book The Gift of an Ordinary Day.  The video below takes a few minutes to watch, but worth it for a lifetime!

"EASY AS 1 2 3"

Distilled. Succinct. Powerful. These three words best describe the super-streamlined new blog 3 Things for Mom.   I discovered this just-launched site a few days ago and it has since become my favorite spot.

Created by a mom for moms, 3 Things shares a daily "truth" (a life lesson, observation or insight), a "tip" (a practical "how-to") and a "find" (a product you tell all your friends about).  Since January 2013, over 30 inspiring and insightful mom bloggers have already shared their 3 Things (like KJ Dell'Antonia of The New York Times Motherlode and Rivka Caroline).

The daily posts are archived and a shopping guide lists all featured products.  I was blown away by the simplicity and poignancy of 3 Things, as well as her personal blog Sipping Lemonade, and contacted Lauren to see if she wouldn't mind sharing a bit more wisdom...

Q: WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO CREATE A SECOND BLOG IN ADDITION TO SIPPING LEMONADE?
A: The idea for 3 Things for Mom came from the simple fact that there are so many wonderful mom writers out there - and so little time to read them all.  So I wanted to create a way for readers to enjoy a variety of great mama wisdom, in a way that fits their busy schedules.

Q: WERE YOU SURPRISED YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO FIND SUCH WONDERFUL CONTRIBUTORS EACH WEEK?
A: Yes and no.  I am not surprised that I have found such wonderful contributors because there are so many wise and talented women.  However, I was a bit a surprised at how receptive my contributors have been.  Surprised, humbled - and very happy, of course.

Q: YOUR SITE IS SUCH A WONDERFUL WAY TO START THE DAY.  DO YOU HAVE ANY FAVORITE BLOGS YOU LIKE TO READ?
A: One of my favorite blogs would be Kelle Hampton's, Enjoying the Small Things.  Kelle's daughter, Nella, was born with Down syndrome about a year before my daughter, Kate, was born with Down syndrome and we had very similar experiences.  When a friend shared Kelle's blog with me the night Kate was born, it was a great comfort and I've followed her blog ever since.  Another would be The Pioneer Woman - she's hilarious AND she introduced me to the best chocolate cake recipe ever!

Q: WHAT "TRUTH" DO YOU RELY ON MOST?
A: "Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do, but how much love we put in the action that we do." - Mother Teresa

Thank you Lauren for 3 Things, and many more!

"PLANNED PERFECTION"

For those you of who haven't heard, Nora Ephron hated her purse.   That is, until she found the one she loved.   My own purse relationship has been quite even-keeled, but my planner - forget it.

I have dated numerous types: paper, digital, small, large, daily, weekly, and any other combination you can think of. But last week, it was love at first sight when my new best friend arrived.   But this glorious new relationship was not without forethought.  After enough failure I knew what I wanted.  Warning: this is about to get graphic...

It had to be weekly because I can see the week in my head.  The daily gets me all jumbled and doesn't allow for planning (a day or two) ahead.

It had to be big enough for me to take care of business but small enough to go along for the ride.

It had to be spiral to lay flat which makes writing and flipping a cinch.

It had to be flexible in content with additional daily spaces you can customize.  My go to's: children's schedule, writing, personal goals and meal planning.

It had to inspire.  I am a sucker for inspirational quotes so I love them peppered throughout. This week's was a great Irish blessing.

It had to surprise me.  Little did I know I would LOVE having dedicated pages for vacation planning, entertaining, books, wines, fashion, music, nutrition and health.

I know I sound high-maintenance, but it was well worth the struggle...and the wait.  The myAgenda Spiral Refill by momAgenda fits this bill to a T.  And it lives in this Refillable Folio Cover (they had me at shimmering-spring-green and monogram).  A match made in heaven!
PS: This the myAgenda, they also sell the momAgenda. Enjoy!

"SIP IN STYLE"

There's nothing better than when shopping local reveals a hidden treasure, and such was the case on a recent jaunt through my favorite twine.  The store is always crammed with loads of goodies but a basket of cuppows really made my day.

I have long-loved mason jars, and always keep a bunch on hand - but thanks to the ingenious cuppow, any canning jar transforms into a travel mug.  So long sippy cups - I am loving the BPA fee and 100% recyclable cuppow on a half-pint mason jar for my littlest.  Next up - my latte!
PS: Cuppow comes in regular or wide mouth sizes so double check your jar.

"JUST BREATHE"

Every now and then one of my children says something that stops me in my tracks. A year ago it was my little guy and his "Patience Power". Yesterday it was my daughter's turn.  It went something like this:

"Are you okay?"
"Sure. Why?" I asked.
"Every now and then you take a big breath".

Yikes... full disclosure: it also happened earlier in the day on a Staples run with two in tow as the littlest squirmed on the checkout counter.  I gave myself a break on that one, but when I was busted that same afternoon in my own home, I knew it was time for a change.

And I was actually relieved when I realized how long it had been since I carved out the time to take a deep breathe.  Those sighs are a sign.  I forgot how much I used to enjoy using the precious first few moments of a morning as a clean slate.  It's a quick chance to read some inspirational words, or a  minute or two of meditation - or better yet both!

It dawned on me that these two lessons from my children are related.  I guess it's not just the kids that need reminders :)