Avery takes OWNERSHIP.

 Avery is really learning to be accountable and take ownership for her school assignments.

In our home we are very clear with the children that school is 

their responsibility, not ours.  We already went to school.

I know in this day and age that sounds barbaric, but truly, we believe that these personal parenting choices are wise and will lead to a much more 

successful and satisfying future for our children in so many ways!

We do not sit with them after school and guide them through homework assignments.

We do not give reminders about turning in homework or completing projects. 

We do not force/suggest/recommend study requirements for tests.

The beautiful thing about it is that our children, thus far, are quite dependable students who achieve high grades and have the satisfaction of 

knowing that THEY are responsible for their success!

These are all quite intentional choices 

based on terrifically documented wisdom based on....

oh only what parents did for hundreds of years prior to when we started taking 

ownership and accountability away from them and putting in onto our own shoulders. 

This week we were able to see what Avery had created as her 

"Dream Project" presentation. 

*She built a website with Yoga stretching exercises for Irish dancers.

*Put together the images/wording for the tri-fold flyer 

(seen in upper left of picture) and printed it out.

*Wrote a report, gathered props, made tags, got postcards from her academy to hand out, etc...

As I walked around seeing the various children's "dream projects" that day I could not help but observe how Avery had really gone above and beyond with her project.

She was SO proud and so excited 

because SHE alone did every bit of work for HER project. 

Family Theme 2016

Our family theme hangs on the wall right next to the garage door/kitchen entryway. 

Oh how we strive to make our 2016 Young Family Theme a living reality. 

It IS hard.

 Little by little, day after day, those seemingly small consistent efforts to be UNITED, in PEACE, PATIENCE and POSITIVITY will pay off. 

I have faith that intentional efforts will, in the end, make 

all the difference in the world. 

I remind myself of this truth every single day.

Happenings around the HOME

Reese continues to crack us up...DAILY!

She likes to use big words and talk like she is MUCH older than four.

She is spunky, energetic and such a joy to have in our home.

I think I kiss her 3523452 times a day because I realize that this phase of having a little one at home is quickly coming to an end. 

Sometimes this reality makes me smile and other times it makes me want to cry like a baby. Motherhood causes such a mixture of emotions!

I recently took a picture of Brinley's desk. 

She is so type "A" organized like her mother, for better or worse!

I just had to capture the way my teens desk looks...almost always. 

The trees in our backyard went from bare to filled in completely in a matter of one week.

Our backyard fills my soul. I love it so much!

I am counting down the days until the kids get out of school. 

Making all those lunches, EVERY DAY, gets pretty old year after year. 

In the morning while I am doing the girls hair, overseeing piano and math practice, mediating fights, calming tears about outfits, encouraging the girls along on their morning chores, getting myself ready, making breakfast/cleaning it up and helping with last minute homework/singing papers for school....

I am also doing my best to mix things up every day and keep their lunches fun and unique.

By 9am I feel like I need a break, yet onward I go to the 3653457 tasks of the day....

 this is why carving out time to be with my last little one, who is not in school everyday, 

 is just so absolutely important to me.

On Thursday I was suppose to go to yoga with some friends. 

I canceled because I wanted to just be with my Reese girl 

instead of putting her in the daycare at the gym.

We played, she played while I read my "homework" chapters for a leadership group I am in. 

Then we rode bikes to the park and played there, then lunch together and off to Avery's school for an event. 

I am so glad I said no to yoga. 

It was the right thing to do that day!

All in a days work!

Last Saturday (a day before the YOGA training) I was able to attend my 2nd ever large 

Rodan + Fields group training event. 

This one was right here in Columbus!

I was so touched to have one of my new consultants, but long standing friend Andrea, 

drive FIVE hours each way to attend as well!

Top picture =  

Lia Pickle (in the middle)  mother and wife who has been running her business for two years now, is making the same as a cardiac surgeon and having a great time!

 She has been nothing less than an incredible leader and friend 

to me since I started in this business. 

Bottom picture = Several of our teammates, including 

Aubrey (in pink) who brought me into the business. 

Below you will see other friends who attended the training as well!

Gifts and encouragement abound from our awesome leaders. 

During the training I received these beautiful earrings.

What an incredible journey of self discovery and personal growth

this business is turning out to be! 

On the same day Cody had planned on driving all of the girls 

to Cinncinatti, 

which is about two hours away, 

to their compete in their Feis that day.

However, prior in the week Avery and Brinley were offered the opportunity to go to 

Kings Island, an amusement park, with their dear friends. 

After long discussions, they decided to pay us $20 each to contribute towards their non-fundable competition fees for that day, and go to the theme park instead.

   

Still Cody was willing to make the drive so that Aspen could compete that day. 

He is the best!

So off they went, early in the morning, with Reese in tow, which worked out perfectly so that I could attend my training without needing to figure out a babysitter.

It was Aspen's first time to compete in her hard shoe Hornpipe and

  she placed FIRST in that dance.

It was a great day for all!

Session 1, check!

Look who graduated from her first session of gymnastics?! 

Moving on to session TWO! 

Every night at dinner we share our "best and worst" of the day. 

Reese consistently remarks that her "worst" of the day is NOT having gymnastics, 

which is the case 6 out of 7 days of the week.

 I think it's fair to say that she loves it!

Lifetime Fitness Empower 2016

I spent a full day with fellow instructors being inspired and empowered in a yoga intensive training 

by Anthony Chavez! 

So many incredible take away lessons from this fulfilling day.

 Had the pleasure of Rob Glick and Kimberly Spreen-Glick 

(both master instructors I've learned so much from over the years) 

join us for the practice portion of training.

We ended with a powerful meditation that brought tears to my eyes. 

Thankful for new friends and a new yoga idol!