Ohio Food Bank

300 DONE! As the Young Men's president at church Cody has the opportunity to serve 30+ youth in our congregation.

Scouting, service projects, weekly Tuesday night activities, Sunday lessons, camping, high adventure and just being a part of these young men's lives is some of what he is does as he serves in this capacity and he is loving it!

Last night while Cody was working Brinley and I stapled 300 bags, with instruction tags, in preparation for their service project this week. 

If you are local and receive one of these bags on Tuesday evening, we would LOVE for you to fill it up with non-perishable food to donate to the Ohio food bank. 

The Young Men will then collect the bags 

by the date listed and deliver it to the food bank.

My Secret Crush

Dear Amazon,

 I love you for SOOOO many reasons!

 Reason #168 you help me organize my life! 

These shelves in my pantry demonstrate a SMALL sampling of what has 

been delivered to me, from you, by my BFF the UPS man. 

Thank you!

9-11

While watching a 911 Memorial Tribute today she said 

"Who is going to catch those people that are falling." 

I have a hard time explaining and understanding the hatred that exists. At times I feel so helpless to even know how to be a part of the solution. 

All I do know is that I can make a difference in my sphere. I can choose to minimize that hardened world within the walls of my own home. 

I can do my best daily to create a lived reality for my family of love, 

acceptance and safety....

yet especially today I wish I could do more.

YES SHE CAN!

My business partner and friend Heather recently shared 
some wonderful wisdom, which is something she does quite often. She said:

"In theory, running is a SIMPLE act. One foot in front of the other. But it isn't always EASY. You have to train. You have to work. And often, you want to stop. But the more we run, the better we get.Good runners aren't good because they WIN. Good runners are MADE because they didn't stop. They ran through the pain, the doubt, 
and the defeat. They kept going, one foot in front of the other."

Running will never be easy for my little Aspen who was born with a club foot. 
Nearly every day I hear "Mommy my foot hurts." It hurts her to Irish dance, to walk, to skate, to ski and especially to run. Her newest orthotic solution is on it's way. In the meantime Aspen's drive and grit carries her onward.

On Saturday she was determined to go for a run. 

With one leg shorter than the other and a foot positioned in such a way that she runs out the outside of it, this is not a graceful or easy undertaking, 

yet she set out on a mission and made it happen. 

Through the trails, up the hills and down again she gave it her all.

In our family we often talk about how WE CAN DO HARD THINGS. By doing HARD things we grow into a better version of ourselves. As I see my girls making goals and "running" towards them I am comforted and my mother heart is full. 

My girls are growing to be strong and courageous as they overcome the challenges they face AND the many that await them in this journey we call life!

Favorite Things

A few of her favorite things all in one day!

Splits - she does them everywhere...the store, the bathroom, the kitchen, you name it. After the morning of splits it was on to preschool camp with her sweet friend Harper AND after, ice cream to boot! 

Have I Mentioned?

Have I mentioned that I have found my tribe?

Women who are: 

STONG 

DETERMINED

DRIVEN

PASSIONATE

HARK WORKING

ARTICULATE

KIND

BRAVE

Women whom I am coming to love, respect and admire!

I am becoming a part of an amazing movement and it's exciting and inspiring.

I am facing fears and then growing as I tackle them one by one!

I am growing into my leadership role as a team leader to 48 women and counting.

I am finding great satisfaction, fulfillment and purpose in this opportunity and I am

ever so excited about what the future holds!

Simple Joys

This morning I awoke to my two littles tracing animals from one 

paper to another on the great room windows. 

It was lovely. 

Simple creativity is a vital part of childhood!

Dinner...again!

Simple, fast and nutritious. No more, no less. I strive to enjoy feeding my family of six, yet as the years of mothering march on this endless task is well....endless. 

And in those "first world problem moments" I remind myself that accessible fresh food is a gift so many would give anything to have at their disposal. So is running water to cook it with and a roof to cook it under. 

Ultimately I circle back to the beautiful opportunity 

to create these colorful meals for my family!

Sent to Heaven

Dear toads in our window well,

I'm so sorry that I prioritize my daughters desire to play "mommy" with you over your precious life.

I'm sorry she drowned one of your siblings when she tried to make it go swimming. I'm sorry that she set your babies free into a completely opposite end of our backyard forest. I'm sorry that she buried your mother under a pile of rocks to keep her safe. I'm sorry that she likes to jump with you on the trampoline.

You see, you are her most favorite "responsibility" and she really believes that she is taking excellent care of your entire family.

Yesterday she went out to find you...unfortunately I think she's prematurely sent every last one of you to heaven because you are all "missing." Thanks for letting her love you to DEATH. She really had a terrific time!

Love,

Her mother

Level V Necklace

It was SO sweet of my friend Kristin 

to purchase this lovely necklace for me when I hit Level V.

It is a team tradition that your sponsor gets you this particular necklace. 

Rather unfortunately I have no contact with my sponsor, so 

Kristin has really stepped up to the plate 

and gone above and beyond to support and encourage me in the business!

I am making SO many new amazing friends! 

What a wonderful perk to my new job!

Wicked

We took the children to see Wicked on Broadway...again.

It was their second time, Cody's third, my fourth.

We LOVE the play, but I think we have had our fill of it for now.

It was a lovely family date night!

Visiting Grandma Lewis

This morning I touched down in Virginia and reunited with Kelty at the airport. 

Grandma has been so excited for our visit, maybe a little too excited because that nearly 95 year old heart of hers decided to have an attack a few days ago, 

which landed her in the ICU. 

Aunt Mel reports that through her muffled words she was able to understand Grandma saying "Leah, Kelty" over and over again. 

For the next two days she is our world!

Jumping Jacks

As an enthusiastic fitness instructor of 30 years she sailed past her 90th faithful to show up and offer a great class every time. 

Tonight as I fed her dinner I told her that as soon as she gets to heaven 

she can do jumping jacks again. 

She laughed, I cried. 

Loosing her independence has been her Gethsemane. 

She has handled it with such dignity and grace. 

It's time for Grandma to be free of a body that is holding her captive.

 It is time for Grandma to run again!

Level V

I arrived home at 12:35am this morning after visiting Grandma Lewis and another gift from my company was waiting. 

This bracelet completes the set! 1,2,3,4,5! A mighty team of 

doers who are taking action stand behind this accomplishment!

Their presence in my life is WHY this journey matters. 

My personal milestones are nice, however it's when my amazing team achieves 

their promotions that I feel the most excitement and purpose!

A Special Spot

Our sitting space in the master bedroom was an important consideration when building the house. One on one chats with the children, our weekly planning meeting and late night talks happen in this special space.

Heading back to Disney World

On her first trip to Disney World at the age of FOUR Avery 

fell in love with the Tower of Terror. 

To be more specific, she LOVED the elevator DROP free fall part. 

We went again and again and again. 

Hope she still loves it because we are headed back THIS month. 

I get the feeling that Reese will not have the same favorite ride 

during her maiden voyage to Disney World?!

August TOP 13

I proudly present the TOP 13 consultants 

on team Forever Young for the month of August! It was a record breaking month and we are just getting started!! These women are growing successful businesses as they help hundreds of people change their skin AND change their lives. 

Supporting this amazing team of leaders is the most 

incredibly fulfilling and exciting experience for me!

Managers Of THEIR Chores

As we see it, one of our most important responsibilities as parents is to teach our children to be hard workers who complete responsibilities thoroughly and with positive attitudes. Learning this will bless their lives forever.

It's is hard, day after day, week after week and year after year...but most worthwhile lessons and accomplishments take consistent, diligent and often HARD work.

Brinley is responsible for all the family laundry each week, this is ONE way she contributes. Reese takes pride and ownership of the locker spaces as one of her daily contributions to the family. 

When it comes to the car cleanliness Avery has become quite proficient and her detailing skills.

 Aspen takes pride in keeping all of the garbages empty and silverware emptied and stacked.

Their daily and weekly contributions not only help our world turn, but also offer them countless and immeasurable perspectives, ownership and attitude opportunities and a sense of being value contributors. Ultimately they are happier children because they work hard!