The Luckiest No Matter What!

A while back I read a Tweet from a teacher I admire sharing how he does smiles and frowns in his High School English class- it gives his students a time and safe space to share their voice about what's going on in their life; I thought it was great and genius. We began doing it at my house at bedtime and now it's become a staple routine- the boys sharing their smiles and frowns from that day. A lot of times this short reflection is super insightful and leads to other wonderings and talks and sharing. The smiles can show that even if the day is challenging, even if I find myself being a mean mommy, there are things my boys take-a-way and cherish that show me and them that there is good in every day... because there is. The frowns help draw out what may have happened in the day that isn't perfect and it shows me what's been bothering one of my boys. Again, it also shows that there is an ebb and flow to the day to day. Thankfully, even though our Disney trip feels like...

Last week, at this exact time, I was braving a torrential downpour at Epcot with Nolan, Judah, Carter, and my mom. The wind was howling, the rain was pelting us, and we were sloshing around as water soaked through our socks and shoes. Somehow it feels like ages since we've been on vacation! Disney World was magical, of course. But, I also learned a LOT bringing kids here for the first time! I'm a sucker for a top-ten list so here are my top ten reflections from our trip: 10.) Bring help, send help, get help: I have four kids, four YOUNG kids. Most of the time I don't notice that as being atypical because it's our typical. However, the more out in public we go, the more I find myself thinking four kids is a lot.  We could have never EVER done this trip with my kids at their current ages, if we did not have other adults with us. My mom and Josh's parents were GOD-SENDS/ANGELS to us: extra hands to hold onto my children, extra entertainers during the endless ...