Through the eyes of my Mom Part 1

By Jill Marie

Happy New Years Eve (or New Year)!

It has been quite a long time since I posted a blog.  I don't always have 5 great tips or 3 simple solutions to share.  In fact...that isn't why I originally started blogging in the first place.

To me it was a way to share information that I was learning or processing and I liked to share it with others on their journey...not as an expert but as a fellow journeyer.  I wasn't so good at following the proper blog formula to engage the reader.  Which I certainly would like to do...otherwise it is a waste of your time and potentially mine if I was attempting to write a real gem every time I blogged...but that put some incredible pressure on me so instead of writing from my heart I got caught up in the rules and for me, if I'm not passionate about it then it just becomes another chore.

Today I just want to write for me and if it speaks to you I hope you'll read it and it would be awesome if it touches your soul in some way, and if not that is totally fine too ;)

This has been a tough few years for me and now that my Dad passed away it makes me miss my Mom even more.  She died in April 2011, and he passed in July 2013.

That brings me to my story...

For 5 years I have had one of those old disposable cameras sitting on a shelf.  It was my Mom's and I told her I would get it developed for her.  There were still 8 photos left so she asked me to use them up...or I could just get it developed, my choice.

Digital was the hot ticket by now so I never did take any photos with that camera...and I never developed it either.

It sat on my counter, then in a drawer, the hall closet, up to my room on my dresser, then in my sock drawer, back to my dresser...and back and forth it went.

Looking at that camera after my mom died was a reminder that it is something I never did for her.  So again I put it in on the counter to bring with me the next time I went to the store.  Yet I didn't do it.

 Why?  I can't explain it...I wanted to, I planned on it, but it just never made it to the store.

This past Sunday...it felt like it was time, time to take it to the store and finally see what my mom loved enough to take some pictures of.  I was ready, the camera was ready, and it seemed even my mom was hanging around in the ethers reassuring me that this was the perfect time.

So off I went to Costco...only for them to say they no longer develop that type of film.  My heart sank...was this a lesson to do what I say I'm going to do, when I say I'm going to do it...which is some people's definition of Success.  I like that definition...except then that meant that I failed :(

Or was it a lesson in trusting in Divine timing...was there truly a "reason" that it would have waited until now to be developed?  Kind of hard if I wouldn't be able to find anybody to develop it.

Off I went to Target where they too told me they don't do that type of film anymore.  I felt my heart drop, but I did not feel defeated.  There was no doubt in my mind that I would find a way to get that film developed and that it could be easy.

So off I went to Walgreen's and happily they said they could send it out and do it no problem.  I get that film back on Thursday.  I am so excited!!!

Will it be a bunch of blurry pictures?  Will it be of the grand kids?  My mom loved her puppy...will it be of Maddie? Or her backyard with her flower pots that she loved so much?  Whatever they are of...it will be something that was seen through her eyes.

I wonder if  at that point I will have a better idea of what insight (aka learning lesson)  I will get out of this.

Right now it seems like loving and accepting myself no matter what,  and also that trust are just about always the answer for everything!

I'll post them when I get them.

Wishing you all the best in 2014 and a year filled with Inner Alignment

With Heart,

Jill Marie

Take A Moment To Just Be Present

By Jill Marie

How often do you find yourself so busy with your daily activities that you just don't take a moment to really focus and be fully present with what you are doing?

I have been blessed with an incredible schedule for the past several years.  I work from home most of the time unless I'm seeing clients at the Wellness Center, doing live workshops or training's, and I schedule my clients in a way that works well for me and my family.  I also like a lot of downtime so I can be mindful and centered in what I do.

I coach my clients and teach the importance of having a Daily Alignment Practice (DAP) that works well for them and I also teach the F.I.T.T. Principle for when things don't seem to be working as well as they used to.

I am now in the midst of realizing that it is time for me to re-evaluate my DAP. because what I'm doing now is not working!  I've recently been busier than I have since I was a Nurse Manager many years ago.  In addition to Inner Alignment Mandalas, my private practice, and the Wellness Center, I am working on a huge, exciting project that brings 39 Intuitive Artist's together to create an Oracle Deck!

It has gotten so big it turned into a  Full-Time job!  Luckily I love what I'm doing and what is being created and at the same time I am doing three other jobs, have my home and my family to take care of and my parent's Estate (thankfully my oldest brother is doing most of it...thank you Jay!) ...and I have officially entered the state of overwhelm!

It snuck up gradually...first I stopped doing Yoga, then my eating habits got bad, my house started getting more cluttered, my daily reflection/meditation time shortened...and now I realized I am drinking less and less water and am dehydrated!

Sure I had moments of realization and knew what was happening and I would take time out to re-group a bit, but not consistently.  I fiddled a bit with my DAP but spent more time focusing on how I could get back to my regular DAP and still keep up with my new schedule...I forgot to incorporate the F.I.T.T. Principle which only led to frustration and overwhelm.

Thankfully I work with an amazing team of Guides who came through load and clear...I am no good to myself, my family, or my clients if I don't take the time to Be Present and connect with my True Essence and take care of my physical body.

My priority for today...revamp my DAP and get out in nature and go for a walk.

How is your Daily Alignment Practice going?  Is it to re-evaluate it , or if you don't have one yet,  is it time develop one?

Faith Hill said it best..."Just Breathe", and when you take some time to do it consciously throughout the day, and connect with your Source of life, it is priceless and brings much needed clarity!

Have a great week ;)

The Teacher in a Tiny Package

Life is so interesting! Everything that happens has a potential to teach you something about yourself and gives you an opportunity to grow in some way.

If any of you have been following me on Instagram you know I have a new puppy. Her name is Elly and she is quite a little pistol. We've had her for about a month and it hasn't been quite as smooth sailing as I had hoped.

From day one Elly was quite indifferent to me, well, to everyone in our family actually. She had a strong personality and did what she wanted when she wanted. I had lived with my little Schipperke, Bear for almost fifteen years and she was definitely the Alpha Female in our house and I was seeing many of the same traits in Elly. Funny how that happens. I knew there must be some kind of lesson for me.

Things quickly got worse. She started growling at me when I tried to groom her, growling when we took her bone away and acting like Cujo when she met another dog. Here was this cute little puppy acting like a tyrant!

I made a one on one appointment with a trainer and the first thing she said was that Elly had no respect for me because I had no respect for her as a dog. I had to stop treating her like a baby and start treating her like a dog.

This hit home for me and brought up a bunch of emotions I had no idea I was still holding onto. You see, when I was a kid, dogs were everything to me. They were my biggest source of love and companionship and I would do anything for the love of my dog. I NEEDED them to love me and they knew it.

The trainer taught me the exercises I had to do and then told me something that changed everything. She explained that she hated to go to the dentist but when the dentist came in and projected confidence and self assurance, she felt at ease. She said it was the same concept with dogs except that while the dentist could fake it, I could not. The dog could sense what I was feeling so I had to get control of my emotions when dealing its her.

This meant that I had to go in and look at what was driving me to NEED her to love me. I had to heal the part of me that had been hiding since my childhood. I had to talk through situations in my head before I reacted. I had to learn and I had to grow.

I am happy to say that Elly has transformed. She is still "spirited" but she has a sense of calm now. She seems happier now that she knows her place in our family. She still has things to work on but it was almost like magic when all the pieces were put together. And now when she challenges me I can respond in a healthy way. She was definitely a tiny teacher.

As you go through your days, look for your teachers. They come in many shapes and sizes. Often they arise as challenges and many times there is a theme that runs along with them. Take some time to get underneath the surface and see what you can clear out and heal. It's a magical process.

From Inspired Idea To Physical Form

By Jill Marie

Have you ever paid attention to how something goes from an Inspired Idea and then turns into the physical expression or manifestation of that Idea?

This is fascinating stuff for me and something I have studied for years and am only now really beginning to deeply understand.  Hundreds if not thousands of books have been written about this and workshops are plenty when it comes to this topic.

And while all that is helpful and fascinating, it isn't until you really take the time to witness and observe the dynamics of it in your own life that you can embody the principles and really know it.

This is only my interpretation and there are several variations.  See what makes the most sense to you as you begin to observe this in your own life :)

Let's look at this from the Perspective of a Journey through the Chakras.

Chakra System

Crown Chakra/7th Chakra/Top of Head:  You receive an Inspired Idea.  This is the Realm of "I Know".  You get this idea and you are filled with excitement and a knowing that you have a great idea!  You are usually full of energy at this point...thought is a very high vibration.

If this Chakra is open and balanced you will move to the next stage of the process.  If it is blocked or out of balance you will get trapped in over-thinking and over-analyzing it or just feel too confused on how to move forward.  Eventually it will leave your awareness or stay as a "Could have been idea".

Third Eye Chakra/6th Chakra/Middle of Forehead Between Brow Area:  This is the realm of "I See." Now you can "see" what the idea looks like with your mind's eye/your imagination.  You see what it looks like and perhaps what the benefits will be to yourself or others.  You see your idea out in the world.  You can visualize it (in whatever way is natural to you.)

If this Chakra is blocked or unbalanced you can't really see your idea coming into form and you don't see how it could work.  Excessive skepticism can kick in here and your idea is lost.

 If it is balanced, your intuition is strong and you stay in the creative energy.  This also feels really good and exciting.

Throat Chakra/5th Chakra/Throat Area:  This is the Chakra of communication and "I speak".  This is where you begin giving language to your idea.  You might begin writing down you thoughts and visions in a journal in some form of organized manner.  You begin to speak to others about it.  This can be really exciting too and also where nerves start to kick in.  The energy is getting denser so it feels good but not as good perhaps.

If this Chakra is blocked or unbalanced you may find it difficult to put your idea/vision into words.  Or you are afraid to talk about it with anybody.  Either way chances are that it won't go further than this.  Especially if it is an idea that would need to include others to bring it to fruition.

Heart Chakra/4th Chakra/Heart area:  This Chakra is related to "I love and am loved".  You love your idea, the vision of it, and communicating about it.  You feel very connected to it and it feels good. Not only does it feel good to you personally but there will be an element to it that will also serve Humanity or the Whole in some way.  Here is also where you begin building a support system of people that can help you both with the project itself but also as emotional support if you start to feel overwhelmed.

If this Chakra is blocked you won't feel connected to it.  Almost like you will fall out of love with the idea.  You might become withdrawn from the idea or over critical of it.  All kinds of stuff could come up and get triggered in this Chakra that end up taking your attention away from the original idea itself.  Co-dependency issues could come up here that prevent you from moving forward.  You might not feel supported and just give up.

Solar Plexus/3rd Chakra/Below Rib Cage above Navel:  This is the Chakra of "I Can" or "To Act".  This is where your self-esteem and confidence come into play.  The energy is much denser now and your idea can begin to feel like a drain instead of energizing.  This is where many ideas begin to lose their power and are let go of.  You don't think you have what it takes.  Your idea isn't good enough.  Others can do it,  but you feel you can't.  Fear basically steps in big time and you are immobilized to move forward with the steps that need to be taken.  Your energy may be too scattered to pull it together to move to the next Chakra and you quit.  Lack of discipline will be a big issue here especially if that is a pattern you run.

Or you still feel empowered.  You CAN do this... and you Will do this!  At which point you move on...

Sacral Chakra/2nd Chakra/Located Two fingers below your navel:  This is the realm of "I want"  You are getting closer to your idea, your vision, coming into form.  More fear can kick up here.  Especially concern of "How much is this going to cost me?"  When it comes to investing in an idea whether it is in purchasing something, or creating something or investing in mentoring or training...the fear of cost can be paralyzing.  This is also a common place where ideas are aborted.

If you are creating a new program, product or package of services you start to wonder if anybody will want it or if they will pay for it.  You might become overly sensitive to any problems that come up and want to give up.  Fear of change may arise..."If I do create this then what?"  "Will I be too busy for my family if I get too successful or Will this manifestation take up too much of my time and will I lose my freedom?"  You can get too serious at this stage and lose the joy that you had initially.

If you have been working too hard and have lost the fun and pleasure of your idea then you might get burnt out and not want to continue.  As the energies get denser as you move down the Chakra system you need to lighten up and be sure to keep enjoying the creation process.  If you get burnt out you will quit at this stage.

If you kept going you will finally ,make it to the Root Chakra/1st Chakra/Base of Spine:  This is the Chakra of "I Have, "To Be Here."  This is the densest energy of the manifestation process.  To some this represents the actual physical form of the idea, but before you do have the manifestation, chances are there are many little loose ends that need to be completed.

If this Chakra is blocked it may interfere with the complete manifestation.  You need to complete each step along the journey of creation in a timely fashion or you may give up and begin missing opportunities. While it is true that when one door closes another door opens...if you procrastinate continually your idea will most likely not come into form.

If you don't give up...you will have the physical manifestation of your Idea!  Congratulations.  If you did give up and your idea seems to have faded away...start checking in to see at what point you got most hung up.

Do you see a pattern?  This can be a good indication of why are aren't living closer to the life of your Dreams.

Dare I say to keep ANOTHER type of journal???  Okay I'll say it...you might want to start a Creation Journal and keep notes about the Journey of your Inspired Ideas!

If you find yourself getting stuck in certain areas this gives you a good heads up on where some Inner Reflection is needed or some clarity and clearing of blocks may be helpful.

To aid you on your journey, Michelle and I created a 30 Day Intensive Healing/Coaching program to assist you.  More information to come on our website at www.inneralignmentmandalas.com.  


Here is what some of our recent clients had to say:

"It was such a gift and blessing to work with both Michelle and Jill.  The benefits I received were immeasurable.  With their insight, wisdom and encouragement I was able to clear negative patterns that had been hindering me and I now have tools I can use to move forward and sustain this positive progression.  I learned so much about myself and I look forward to working with Michelle and Jill again.  They have opened a whole new world to me.  Their coaching, compassion and intuitiveness significantly affected my life.  I cannot thank them enough for their support and inspiration. "

~ Helen C.

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Jill Marie & Michelle have a unique and authentic approach for inner alignment.  They helped me see some of the recurring issues that have been clouding my clarity and purpose, and keeping me stuck.  I was having a 2 steps forward, 3 steps back type of experience for a while. Their multiple approaches and talents helped me look at issues form several different perspectives. I experienced several paradigm shifts; one profound shift was with my family of origin and the messages and inherited pain I was carrying.  I also came to see the universe as wanting to assist me, instead of blocking my efforts. 

They compassionately challenged me to look at several aspects of myself, while encouraging and facilitating growth and healing.   I was introduced to many new ideas, which they backed up with valuable resources to help along the journey.   I was impressed with the breadth and depth of what they have to offer.  Each time we spoke, I felt as though I was in loving hands.  I have been richly blessed by this experience.

 ~ Sue K.

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"I recently worked with Jill and Michelle together within the Inner Alignment Mastery program. I knew that from my previous experience with them when they had created my Inner Alignment Mandela that I was in good hands!

They had a very loving and gentle way of helping me gain clarity and perspective within my life. They helped me to move past blockages that I knew existed but didn't know how to move past. They both brought a very unique set of skills to allow expansion both consciously and subconsciously. In working with them my life has been enriched and I feel grateful for the time I spent with each of them!"

Quick note to Jill...since our last session the hip pain that I had been experiencing is completely gone!

~ Jackie D

Do you have any great insight on how you bring your Inspired Ideas into form?  Please Share :)

With Heart,

Jill Marie

Flux Happens! Now What?

By Jill Marie

Holy smokes has this been an intense several weeks for me!  How is it going for you?

You may be experiencing feelings of overwhelm and disconnection in your life right now.  Little things that seemed insignificant or manageable now seem bigger and you may be feeling depleted, irritable, scattered and foggy minded.

What has worked in the past to help you feel centered, peaceful and calm isn't working as good or not at all and the frustration can be overwhelming.  Know that you aren't alone and this is a Cosmic Cycle.  The good news is this Chaos is leading you into your Mastery and you are releasing old energies, ideas, beliefs and patterns to make room for more of your True Nature to integrate into your Physical body. This flux represents the end of one cycle and the beginning of a new one.

And while that's all good the question remains "What, if anything, can I be doing to ease the chaos and discomfort?"

You probably already know what I'm going to suggest right?  Surrender To What Is.  Yup that's right...this is a wave that you need to ride out and let it run its course.

To make the ride more tolerable and get the most out of it though there are a few things that you can implement if you chose too.

If your 2nd and 3rd Chakras are blocked right now it will make this time even more challenging, so you may want to consider giving them some extra love and attention right now.

3rd Chakra

Your 3rd Chakra carries the energy of I Can and represents Power, Vitality, Will Power, Self-Esteem and Confidence. It's color is Yellow.  Ways to open and harmonize this chakra are: Yoga, Dance, Movement and Breath work to name a few.

2nd Chakra

Your 2nd Chakra carries the energy of I want and relates to Emotions, Desires, Creativity, and Sexuality.  Its color is Orange.  Moving your hips and lower abdomen will help keep this chakra balanced.  Also engaging your creativity in a fun and enjoyable way such as journaling, paining, gardening, etc.  is very beneficial.

And while doing that will help,  you are still being called to face your worst fears and look into the dark shadows of your life.  You will benefit greatly when you learn to confront what you've avoided and instead walk courageously through it.

Take a look at what each Chakra represents and see what may be out of balance in your life and causing you some dis-ease.  How is your Self-Esteem and Confidence?  Is there anything there that is surfacing now that needs to be looked at?  Where do you feel like "I can't" instead of "I can"?

How about what you want?  Are you clear about what you want in your life?  Our job is to know what we want and it is the Universe's job to provide the how, then the ball gets passed back to us as we take the inspired action steps we receive.  This is how we ebb and flow in the co-creative process of life.

Know that there is Light at the end of the tunnel and as stated in the beginning of this post...you are making way for more of your True Essence to come into your physical body.  You are birthing a new you.  It might not always be comfortable, but what emerges is well worth the discomfort.

To help you integrate this Light and open your Chakra system I will be facilitating a group Anchoring The Light energy session on August 31, 2013 at 12 Noon Central Daylight Savings Time.

All you need to do is say Yes and intend to receive these energy frequencies in a way that is most beneficial to you at this time.  If you would like you can leave a comment below so I can write your name down or like the FB post I will be sending out so I can add your name.  Even if you chose not to include your name here...just give your Intention to the Universe and you will be sure to receive these wonderful frequencies.

This is my gift to you and to all of humanity because as each individual awakens, activates, integrates and amplifies their Light Body it benefits everyone ;)  Thank you for being part of the Inner Alignment Community ;)

What ways do you find beneficial to confront your fears and do your  Shadow work?  I invite you to share so others can benefit from your wisdom.

With Heart,

Jill Marie

How To Claim Disowned Aspects of the Self

By Jill Marie

You may be familiar with the concept of "You Spot It You Got It."  This can be challenging Shadow work to accept and it isn't for the faint of heart!  Yet if you really want to embody your Authentic Self you have to move into a state of Wholeness and that includes all of you.  We are both Light and Dark in this physical world and you know what?  That's totally okay!  It is part of the human journey.  The question becomes ~ Can we love all aspects of ourselves without judgement?

 Now that doesn't mean we can go around being jerks and intentionally hurting other people, but it does mean that if we do something or say something that isn't perhaps the kindest or most life affirming then we can look at it, learn from it and move on.

Becoming the observer in your life can be eye opening and beneficial and help you move into deeper alignment with your True Essence.  From the vantage point of the observer you can engage in life and at the same time have awareness of what is serving you and what isn't.

One of the easiest ways to do this is to pay attention to how you interact with others or to what you are feeling when you are in a group setting.  Who's company do you enjoy?  Who irritates you?  What mannerisms do you find life enhancing and which ones totally turn you off?

Recently I was volunteering at an event and I was a bit nervous about it.  I run the pattern of being a bit shy so it is always a good challenge for me to step outside my comfort zone in the name of growth.  I was working with several other women and didn't know any of them.  It's probably important to add here that it was a metaphysical event and there were many healers and artists present. I love seeing the way people of like mind combine their gifts and talents and share their work with the world.

 It still amazes me though how rude and self-centered some people can be (at that point in my judgement I had forgotten "if you spot it you got it!)  I was acutely aware of this particularly with one woman who was super irritating me.  She was abrasive and pushy and a know it all.  In order to not get stomped on I got a tad bitchy with her just to not get swallowed up by her overbearing personality. While I wasn't necessarily proud of myself for getting bitchy I was glad that I had stood up for myself and held my ground.  Imagine my surprise when my Guides suggested I step back and become the observer. I was clearly told that I am witnessing different aspects of myself.  Kind of like I was at my own personal play seeing my different aspects ~ all ones that I don't own on a regular basis or have disowned.  It wasn't just the negative aspects either, but the positive ones as well.

Some of the women were quite and had a gentle energy that was pleasant to be around, some were nice but reserved and seemed a bit standoffish, some were only concerned with what they were doing and paid no attention to anybody else and came across as rude, one was passionate about what she did but was a bit all over the place and hard to follow, and then there was the really abrasive one. One lady was so funny she totally cracked me up and I loved being around her, and a few were very caring and nurturing ready to show me the ropes.

 I was invited to see how I was like all of them in different,  yet similar ways.  Either I was like that now or have been in the past.

It was very revealing for me and I was guided to really explore this.  When I got home I pulled out several pieces of paper and I labeled each one to represent the unique personality I had come across.  I wrote down the positive qualities and the ones I didn't care for.  Then I asked myself how am I like that in my own life?  Does it serve me? How do I think it comes across to others?  Is that okay with me?  Is that how I want to show up?  To be perceived?  And while I'm not out to please other people at my own expense, I am directly interested in how I myself show up and feel.  I like being kind, helpful, enjoyable to be around, and of service. When I do come across  aspects I don't care for do I push them away, repress them and try to hide that part of me?

I got some great insight and was able to sit and dialogue with each aspect that I was able to connect with.  I was able to talk to the abrasive part of me and find out why and when I felt like I needed to be that way.  What purpose did it serve?  Could I move through it differently?

I have more to look at in this regard.  I'm seeing some deeper levels of healing that I'm ready for.  Areas where I am too left brained when more right brain would be beneficial and other areas where being more left brained would be better.

If you are feeling brave and there is a person or event that has been upsetting you or difficult in any way, or if you are feeling under confident but there are people around you that you admire.that radiate confidence, see how they are mirroring aspects of you.

And remember to love and accept yourself each step of the way!

Did this post speak to you?  Do you disagree with the You Spot It You Got It point of view?  Let me know, I would love to hear your thoughts about this controversial topic :)

How the Love of Another Means Nothing Without the Love of Yourself

By Michelle:

I am a big proponent of self love, self care and finding your own inner peace inside of you. I know that we are the only ones who can make us happy.

One example of this theory revolves around my husband Ed. I met him 19 years ago. I was divorced and had two young sons despite only being 25 myself. He was unlike any of the guys I had dated before. He was polite, clean cut, quiet, thoughtful, and so caring. He was so cute with my kids and loved that I was a mom.

It didn't take long before I knew that he was the perfect person for me and that I was going to marry him and make a life with him.

Everything I thought about him in the beginning was true and yet he was even better than I imagined. He is the most loving man I have ever met. He is quick with a compliment and dotes on me every day. He calls me twice a day during the week amd his eyes light up when he sees me after a long day of work. He supports me, loves me unconditionally and will do anything to make sure I'm happy. He is truly a dream come true!

And yet, there was a time when I couldn't let that in. I was unable to appreciate him and to some degree I didn't feel worthy of his attention. I was shut off to his love to some degree.

Now don't get me wrong. We had a nice life. We had 3 more beautiful boys, we lived in a great house, had great friends and on the surface everything was great.

But underneath, I wasn't as happy as I could be. Here I had everything I could ever want...and I do mean everything...and yet I wasn't happy. I had this great guy who loved me and these amazing children who loved me and I couldn't really feel it. What was missing?

Looking back now I realize that the missing link was my inability to love myself. Once I had my healing crisis and started on my path of healing and growth, things began to shift and my heart began to open more and more.

I started practicing gratitude and I was able to see my husband with new eyes. I began opening up to him and sharing parts of me I thought were so ugly no one could love. I allowed myself to be vulnerable.

And in the process of learning to love myself, our love grew stronger and stronger and I have to tell you that right now, I can't imagine our relationship being any better. I feel like a princess living a dream life with my Prince Charming. And I know that none of this would be possible if I didn't learn to heal myself, take care of myself, and love myself.

Today is my husband's birthday and we will be celebrating it together as a family and showering him with the love he is oh so worthy of.

I want to invite you to open your heart and let the love flow in honor of the greatest man I know. Let's make today a love fest in honor of my wonderful husband. Share the love with someone close to your heart today and especially send some love your own way!

Xoxo

This Is Why Forgiveness Work Is Essential...

By Jill Marie

In Memory of Jacob

Many of you know that my Dad passed away while in the Intensive Care Unit on July 16, 2013.  My Dad and I danced a very intricate dance in this lifetime, one in which I fully believe/know that we had Soul agreements planned before we came into this life experience.  There is no doubt in my heart that it was truly for our Soul growth and evolution.  It wasn't always easy for either one of us and honestly some of it was really hard.  I am glad that I got to have a higher awareness regarding our relationship, and  I am thankful that over the past few years that I took the time to do a lot of forgiveness work around certain events.

All four of us kids got a chance to tell our Dad how we felt from our hearts.  That we loved him despite not always agreeing with the way he chose to do things.  We got to have our voice and honor his beliefs at the same time, nobody had to be wrong.  We needed to say how we felt and he needed to hear it.  None of us had to make the other one understand...just witness and speak what we needed to speak.

Since I had spent the night in his ICU room, had been up for well over 24 hours, and he was pretty stable,  I decided to go home and get a few hours of sleep before I went back to the hospital.  We had just had an intense conversation so before I left I gave him a kiss goodbye and asked him if there was anything else he wanted to say to me before I went home.  I did this just in case there was more that he wanted to clear and I wanted to give him that opportunity.  He looked a bit sad and very tired, and he said "Just that I love you" then his voice trailed off.   That was the last time I saw my dad alert and oriented before he slipped into a coma.  He took his last breath the next day while  my two brothers, my Dad's best friend, his favorite cousins, and I were at his bedside.

I am eternally grateful that I was able to be there at that time. I know not everybody has this type of opportunity for many different reasons, but what I do know to be true is that any type of forgiveness/release work doesn't need to be done in person and can even be done if the other person has already passed on. It is so beneficial to clear that heavy energy that just doesn't serve us.  Those that have crossed over constantly gives us messages that we will benefit greatly by taking care of our business while we are here in physical form.  Many times that includes some type of forgiveness work.

I've talked a lot about Colin Tipping and his Radical Forgiveness work and I can't stress enough how life changing it has been on so many different levels in my life and the clients that I work with. If it had not been for Radical Forgiveness, the work that I have done,  and the support and prayers of many like minded friends, I don't believe things would have ended with this much peace and closure.

I've tweaked Colins Forgiveness Prayer to meet my needs and I had the opportunity to share it with my Dad before he died.  

"To anyone I have ever hurt knowingly or unknowingly, past, present or future, I am so sorry, please forgive and release me now fully and completely.

To anyone that has ever hurt me or caused me pain, knowingly or unknowingly, past, present or future, I forgive and release you now fully and completely.  

For any pain or hurt that I have caused myself in Body, Mind or Spirit, knowingly or unknowingly, past, present or future, I completely forgive  myself and choose to fully love and accept myself now."

I also like to incorporate the Violet Flame in my forgiveness work.  I don't remember where I learned this Decree but it is the one I use the most:

"I call upon the Violet Flame of Transmutation.  Please surround us now, 9 feet in front, 9 feet behind and 9 feet on both sides. 

 Blaze, Blaze, Blaze  

Transmute, Transmute by Violet Fire all causes and cores not of God's desire.  We are beings of Cause alone, that Cause is Love the Sacred Tone.

Transmute, Transmute by Violet Fire all causes and cores not of God's desire.  We are beings of Cause alone, that Cause is Love the Sacred Tone.

Transmute, Transmute by Violet Fire all causes and cores not of God's desire.  We are beings of Cause alone, that Cause is Love the Sacred Tone."

I had asked Michelle to create a Violet Flame Mandala because I was being guided that it would be very beneficial to not only me but for all those that are called to work with The Violet Flame.  Here is a Mandala Crystal Forgiveness Grid that I made when I was having a particularly challenging time with my Dad.

Forgiveness Mandala Crystal Grid

If you have any forgiveness work to do with anybody in your life, including yourself, I encourage you to find some tools like the ones listed above to help you clear that energy and help you find the peace that you deserve.

With Heart,

Jill Marie

Take a Vacation in Everlasting Joy and Love

I was sitting out in my screen room today working away on my computer. In a split second I caught a glimpse of my reflection in my laptop screen and I was taken aback. Who the heck was that looking back at me? I did not recognize that person.

When did my eyes change so much? How old am I? How on earth did my face gain that double chin?

All good questions.

But then I looked a little closer. I looked deeper into my eyes and I recognized that inner spark, the part of me that isn't attached to this body and I felt like I could breathe a sigh of relief. I felt myself relax and my whole being felt like it settled in to a sense of peace and contentment.

I'm a mystery to myself. Some days I'm content exactly where I am, others I'm wishing for more. There are times when I'm smiling ear to ear, acting goofy, and laughing with the greatest of ease and then there are times when I'm crabby, stand offish and just want to be left alone. Some days I look in the mirror and hate what is being reflected back to me and others I'm pleasantly surprised at the person looking back.

But when I am able to strip all of that away and go deep...really deep, I find myself to be vast and expansive, connected to everything, pulsing with love and light and from this place, none of the other stuff matters.

Now, don't get me wrong, I don't live my life from this place of everlasting joy and love...I wish that I did or that I could, but I have not figured out how to do that just yet. BUT...I am able to vacation there from time to time. It's a miraculous journey and the few moments I have the pleasure of spending there is enough to bring everything into perspective and to make everything feel alright.

It's enough to release my self judgement, to be gentle with myself and to not take life so seriously. It's enough fill up my well, to smile just a bit easier and love just a bit deeper. And it's enough to realize that no matter what I look like on the outside, I'm still the same person on the inside.

Time to Recharge

Sometimes life gets busy and we lose track of our lives. We rush from one activity to the next, we plan dinner, do laundry, clean the house and before we know it a month has gone by and we can't remember what we did.

That has been my life from time to time and as I've mentioned before, baseball season is a particularly busy season and I've been in deep!

This last weekend my family traveled to Indianapolis for a baseball tournament. I stayed home to care for our elderly dog. I had four days home alone...

I didn't know what to do with myself. I cleaned the house, I wrote, I cleaned out my inbox and then I rented movies and just relaxed on the couch. I watched a lot of movies!

And you know what, I was rejuvenated. Sometimes it doesn't take much to recharge the batteries.

What do you do to help you recharge?

5 Fun Activities To Enjoy Mother Nature

What is it about nature that lightens the mood and lifts the soul?

It is the connection to the Divine.

It is the miracle of life that surrounds you.

It is the full on sensory feast for your heart.

There is life all around you, life where you cannot see it. There is a part of you that can sense it and without you even knowing it you are able to connect to that life force and charge your battery.

Plug into nature and unplug from technology, stress, “shoulds” and “have to’s”. Spending time in nature is like a reboot for your soul.

Here are 5 fun activities you can try that will get you out and enjoying Mother Nature.

 

1. Go on a nature scavenger hunt. Get small. Look around for little bits you can collect and bring back to a sacred place in your home. Small pebbles that can be displayed together in a dish, sticks can be taken home and painted or used in your garden, and dried pods, seeds, or leaves can be collected and displayed. Swap out your mini collection each time you venture out into the wilderness.

2. Go on a photo safari. Take your camera or your cell phone out and see your surroundings with different eyes. Try to capture the mystery and beauty through the lens of your camera. Look for interesting angles, different shapes, or new worlds you may have missed if you walked through without your camera.

3. Explore during different parts of the day. You may live in an area that doesn’t’ have a wealth of natural areas to visit and going to the same place all the time may begin to feel monotonous but taking your excursions at different times of the day will create a different experience. Try dawn, early morning, midday, dusk and evening for unique experiences.

4. Take a sensory vacation. Sit in silence for as little as a minute or as long as an hour and allow your senses to be filled. Start with what you can see. Look at colors, textures, and pattern. Move onto what you can hear, what you can smell, what you can feel, and what you can sense? Soak it all in and take a moment to write down your feelings and experiences as inspiration at a later date if you wish.

5. Play! Remember when you were a kid and being outside was enough? You could create whole worlds and experiences for yourself. Go out into nature thinking like a child and see if it changes the experience for you. Run, jump, climb, wade in the water, stack rocks, play catch with another person. Be young and carefree and see how that changes the experience for you.

No matter how you interact with nature this summer, just go out and do it. Fill yourself up with the goodness and the magic of Earth’s energy and see what a difference it makes for you.


xo
Michelle

Awareness Builds Consciousness

By: Jill Marie

During the month of July, we see some serious integration is being done. We are being shown it’s time to live from our heart and Soul, and to be aware of cycles and patterns in our lives. Knowing those cycles and patterns is a key to greater awareness, and awareness builds consciousness.


Stuff is coming up to be looked at and dealt with and for many of us that isn't going to look very pretty or feel that good, but that is exactly what we will benefit from. Just being with what is coming up, not trying to “fix” it or even help it pass through our energy bodies is key(this was hard for me to hear…after all that is one of the main gifts that I have to share with others!). Really feel it, look at how these patterns affect us how we experience and show up in our lives.


Most of these patterns just don’t serve us anymore. There is no benefit from shutting down our hearts and going into fear from our old wounds. Having this knowledge of the cycles and patterns in your life will help you navigate your inner and out landscape better and better.

If you follow Mercury Retrograde this would be one to really take the time and see what the messages coming forward for you are. This MR is in the astrological sign of Cancer and while Astrology as a whole isn't my area of expertise I do know that this one is super important to gain more insight on. If you aren't familiar with Mercury Retrogrades I recommend Robert Ohotto's work or Stephanie Azaria though I'm sure there are many other wonderful ones out there.


If you tend to be a perfectionist or really don’t tolerate emotional messiness…this can potentially be a difficult month for you. Your job is to just pay attention to what is showing up for you…I can’t stress that enough.


If you don’t already keep a journal this would be a good time. In fact go back to what was showing up for you around June 9th or 10th because that is when the set up phase for this particular Mercury Retrograde began. The official MR began on June 26th and ends July 20th.


It reaches a peak on July 9th so see what is revealed to you there also, as that will give even more insight on what patterns you have going on in your life.


If you have feelings of incompleteness, lack, disappointment, feelings of undeserving, or if you deny yourself, satisfaction or pleasure, be aware of that and how that looks in your life. What deeper message is there here for you? Be sure not to side-step any of what shows up. It is time to stop diverting attention away from what needs to be seen. Stop blaming everybody else and own your stuff and allow others tio be in their stuff.


It’s time to wake up even more even if it feels crappy at first. Now is not the time to go back to sleep. For extra support during this month I recommend the My Heart Is Open Mandala. It will help you stay present while going through this time and help keep you present...even if hiding sounds like a good idea!


I'll see you on the other side... Good Luck :)


With Heart,

Jill Marie

These are some Intense times aren't they?

By Jill Marie

Warning...if you are in a super good place right now you may want to skip this post.  This is about going deep and asking some serious questions.  If you are going through an intense time and feeling like you are clearing out some sludge then read on.

What do you think of when you think of Abundance?  It's an interesting word and the truth around it is you are abundant in whatever your dominate thoughts are, which then create what your dominant vibration is,..you can be very abundant in debt and other forms of lack and limitation.  If you feel nobody respects you or that you aren't good enough, then you can bet that you will have a great abundance of people or a particular person or situation that shows up and "proves" that to you.

Thoughts can be clear and illuminating to serve you in resolving and overcoming any problems or obstacles that your mind creates, or they can be clouded and self-defeating, even destructive at times.  The tricky part is...not all thoughts are conscious and sometimes what is deep within the subconscious is what is running the show.  

So what can we do about that?  You don't know what you don't know...or do you?  What's showing up in your life?  That is a pretty good indicator.  Paying attention to how you are feeling during the day is a key to what lies beneath the surface of your conscious mind. 

 There is a lot of subconscious fears and beliefs that are coming to the surface to be observed and released.  When these old ideas and energies are released it opens up the way for new perceptions, and a new way of looking at things comes into focus.  A spectrum of possibilities that are unlimited in their range are now available.

For so many of us we are now feeling defeated...we have done SO much inner and outer work how could there possibly be any more left to do?  The answer for you may very well be ~ at this point there is really nothing left to do but surrender.  Yet that is not a bad thing...it is actually liberating and allows for the potential of starting new and healing at a deep cellular level.

You are being called at this time to reflect on your emotional ups and downs.  There are cycles and patterns throughout all of life.  Observe without judgement and surrender to the truth that this is part of what you came here to experience.  There is nothing wrong with you, you aren't being punished, but you do need to deeply understand that there are Laws of the Universe and there is no getting around them, at least not at the level most of us are operating at.  You can't want one thing yet offer a vibration that just does not match it.  

You want freedom of time and money, good relationships, awesome health and to be aligned with your purpose doing what you love and serving others in that process.  That is what you are being called to be, do and have...yet that isn't your experience or if it is then it's usually only for brief period of time.

It's time to ask yourself some deeper questions:  

Who am I really? 

How am I being moody and emotionally unsettled?

What has me feeling out of balance?

What triggers my huge swings of emotion?

What keeps me distracted from achieving higher joy and higher states of consciousness?

Why do I show only one face to the world and hide the other?

 How can I expect to be my Authentic Self yet still wear so many masks?  

What am I concealing?

You are worthy by Divine Design and you are being called to confidently allow the blossoming of your Authentic Self,  so know that whatever you are going through is clearing the way for the higher vibrational Light that you are, to anchor into your physical body and onto this Earth.  

We are all deeply supported on this journey and I have been guided to create a Mandala Crystal Grid to energetically support all of us who are going through this clearing process.  It won't do the work for you, but it will help support you along the way.

My Heart Is Open Mandala Crystal Support Grid with Chrysocolla, Clear Quartz and Rose Quartz

With Heart,

Jill Marie

How Being Scared Can Change Your Life

When Jill asked me to color in some mandalas for her practice, I had no idea that it was going to be the beginning of a life changing adventure for me.

She gave me a stack of black and white copies of mandalas and I set to work using my water colors and colored pencils to create a variety of different mandalas for her. We met at our usual hangout...Panera Bread and I gave her back the finished mandalas.

I was so happy she loved them but little did I know that her wheels were spinning. Not long after that meeting she asked me if I would be willing to create custom mandalas that we could sell.

I wasn't really sure if I could do it. I had been doodling mandalas for ages but this was different...it was legit and they would have to be good. I was so nervous about it. i had butterflies in my stomach for days but I decided to give it a try and see what happened.

This is the first mandala I created. I had no idea what I was going to do but the image of a butterfly and a flower popped into my head so clearly and I knew that was what I had to do.

I tried a new technique I had never tried before. I had been walking through the art store and so strongly drawn to the masking fluid that I felt I just HAD to buy it even though i had no idea why. Later when I began creating, I knew exactly why I needed that masking fluid. It was all coming together so perfectly.

When I finished the mandala, I stepped back to take a look at it and I started to weep. It wasn't because of the way it looked or because it was a masterpiece; it was because something deep inside me KNEW that this was RIGHT...this was exactly what I was supposed to be doing!

I started experimenting and playing with techniques and materials and before I knew it I had created my own style and my own techniques that were unique to me and to the people I was creating the mandalas for.

It was all very exciting and divinely guided and yet without that first step that was steeped in fear, I would have never been able to take the leap and uncover what it was that truly made my heart sing.

What is your scary step that you've been afraid to take?

Can you imagine how your life can unfold when you take that leap?

What can you do today to begin making your dreams come true?

Do it today!

Decoding Life

By Jill Marie

I see life as a fun adventure most of the time, and  I feel a strong desire to have a deeper understanding of what is going on in my life.  Sometimes I just trust that all is unfolding as it is supposed to,  and I will know the meaning, or not,  at the right time, but mostly I am compelled to know and understand what is going on in my experience, like it is game.

One of the things I wanted to be when I was younger was a Detective and now I can see that I carry that Archetypal energy in my field.  I also carry the energy of the Heroine/Hero,  the Artist,  and the Healer to name a few.  You can begin to see how and why I interpret life through symbols and feel a strong affinity to decoding life.

Here are some definitions from  Sacred Contracts:  The Journey  by Caroline Myss and Peter Occhiogrosso:

Detective ~ Combines great powers of observation with highly evolved intuition.

Heroine ~ Confronts increasingly difficult obstacles to awaken an inner spiritual power and achieve a heroic vision that ultimately serves the tribe.

Artist ~ Expressing a dimension of life that is just beyond the five senses.  Inspires others to see life symbolically.

Healer ~  Passion to serve others by repairing body, mind and spirit.  Inherent strength and ability to assist people in transforming their pain into a healing process, and to channel the energy needed to generate physical and emotional changes.

Life is meant to be lived.  It is meant for joy and experience and love and adventure...and so much more.  Life is speaking to us through symbols and messages that are all around us and when we pay attention we begin seeing life through new eyes as if it is being decoded.

Can we just tap into the field of Infinite Wisdom and understand without having to decode it?

Absolutely!  But while you are in the process of that direct connection...it can be fun to put on your decoder ring and see what is revealed to you.


What symbols do you see all around you and what do they mean for you?

When I first started seeing spirals I didn't give it much thought, but shortly after I started noticing them I began to "wake up".  After a few months I finally got it:  Spirals symbolize the spiritual journey.  It is also considered to represent the evolutionary process of learning and growing.  You can find spirals throughout history in almost all cultures, from ancient primitive rock carvings on all continents to today's corporate logos.  They show up in Celtic art, native American petroglyphs, Nazca earthworks, Arabic architecture, Japanese rock gardens, Hindu spiritual texts, Australian aboriginal paintings and African art.  It remains a non-sectarian as no religious or political group has claimed exclusive rights to the spiral.

The next symbol that was showing up everywhere was the Fleur de Lis which is an archetype of what some call the God-flame.  It is a symbol our Souls know intimately.

Some believe that there are signs and symbols scattered about the Earth plan to help us wake up.  Often times they come up in popular decorative themes when the masses are ready to remember who they truly are.  Reminders to our Souls, reassurances to some extent, that no matter how asleep we are that there would always be symbols that provide us with clues to our True Nature and help us wake up from the dream.

To me this symbol now represents an anchoring of our Higher Self into the psychical world, as our True Nature blossoms into greater expression.

It is no mistake that I am now blessed to work with an Intuitive Artist who creates beautiful custom Mandalas, that carry energetic Soul Codes that are ready to be activated and amplified in one's energy field.

I LOVE my life ;)  Living on Purpose is a beautiful thing!

Are you ready to activate your Soul Codes?  Visit our Custom Mandala Page

or

Check out the Prints of specific Mandalas here.

Remember to pay attention to what is showing up for you in your life...and if so inclined see what meaning it has for you.

How Spending Less Time With My Kids Released My Purpose

By: Michelle

I grew up in an entrepreneurial family. My parents owned restaurants and they worked very hard. When they weren't working, they were often talking about working. I found it dreadfully boring.

I was an only child and because my parents' were known to work morning to night, seven days a week, I spent a lot of time with my aunt, various babysitters or alone. As a child I felt like the restaurants were more important than I was. My child brain couldn't understand the concept of paying bills, having a mortgage and making a living. None of that mattered to me, I just wanted to feel like I mattered.

Fast forward to my adult life. As you know, I have 5 children and have been a stay home mom for almost 21 years. That's not to say I didn't go to school, take classes and start some fun businesses, but my number one focus has always been on my children. There is a big part of me who didn't want my children to feel like anything was more important than they are.

I have orchestrated my life to revolve around my kids' hectic schedules. I attend sporting events every night of the week and every weekend (our record is 17 games in one weekend). I shuffle this one to that practice and that one to this practice. I never miss a game when there is no other conflict. This is my life.

Over the last month, Jill and I have been called to take Inner Alignment Mandalas to the next level. We know that together we have a unique offering that has the potential to help a lot of people. We were so excited to begin offering our Inner Alignment Mastery program that combines intuitive coaching and energy healing.

We signed up our first 5 clients and booked their sessions. It seemed so perfect because with all of the timezones involved and the amount of people we had to coordinate, it all fell magically into place. We were feeling so blessed.

Then I noticed my negative beliefs started rearing up and trying to wreak havoc on our plans. My 21 year old son came back from the Air Force for the first time and I found myself having to be on coaching calls. Calls that looked like they were scheduled at times that would work suddenly were scheduled at the same time as my children's baseball games. I started freaking out! I was thinking of giving up the whole thing to focus all of my attention on my family because I couldn't imagine how I could make it all work.

I knew that it was this belief that I carried with me from childhood. I knew that somewhere deep inside I believed that if I worked and made money, I would be a bad mom. My children would feel they weren't as important as money and I would be failing them. On the conscious level I knew it was ridiculous but subconsciously it was there.

I cleared blocks, meditated, went into the Akashic Records, and did a lot of deep breathing to allow myself to honor my commitments to these 6 wonderful women (Jill is the 6th). I spoke to my children and explained what was going on and how I was going to have to miss some of their games and that their dad wouldn't be able to be there either. I will sum up their response by sharing what my 10 year old said. "It's fine Mom. I don't care. As long as someone takes me there and brings me home, I'm fine."

So I did it. I got on those calls and connected with these women and we did the MOST AMAZING work. They made huge shifts and changes and were ecstatic with what Jill and I were offering them. When I hung up with those calls I felt energized, electric and alive. I knew I was living my purpose.

And when my children came home from their games we talked and they told me all about it. How they hit, what crazy play happened and the funny things that went on on the bench and I knew I was living my purpose.

It brings me to tears now as I'm writing this.

I learned a lot of the last month. I've grown and I've overcome a huge block that was holding me back. I pushed through what was probably the most uncomfortable thing I've come up against and it turned out wonderfully...magically even.

I know my story is unlike your story and some of you may relate to it on some level while others may not, but the reality is we all have our own stories that hold us back in one way or another. I shared this very personal piece of my life with you to help you see where you may be playing small because of some belief you had that is no longer serving you.

I want to invite you to spend a little time thinking about your story and what one negative belief you have that is keeping you stuck in some way. How is it affecting you? What would your life be like if you could let it go? Can you imagine how even though it might seem scary, that when you finally, once and for all let it go, you will be connected to your purpose? What is one thing you can do today to begin to let go of that negative belief and release that block?

Awareness + Simple Tools = Balanced Living

By Jill Marie

We've talked before about some of the amazing "Tools" that are available to help us process life events and it's so important that I want to talk about it a bit more.  When we allow the energy of life to pass through our body systems, we are able to process it and move forward in our lives without getting knocked out of balance, or if we do lose our balance we can quickly regain it without too much disruption.

Of course there are varying degrees to life events with some of them feeling much more devastating than others, but even that is an individual experience.  There are some people that can experience some really big stuff in their life and they move through the natural process of the experience and keep moving forward in their lives.  Then there are others that even something simple seems to throw them over the edge and they never seem to recover from it.

Why is that?

There isn't one simple answer really,  but in a sense there is...

The people that can process life's events easily have released the energy blocks in their energy system and have an open heart (or they came into this life with a really clear system to begin with.)  It is their nature to be open and experience life as it is, without much judgement and drama.

And then there is the rest of us ~  and this is the category I'm in.  When I look at my Archetypes, Life Path Number, Energy Profile and the other energy patterns I came into this life with, I get a better understanding of how and why I do things the way I do.  I came here to release a lot of old ideas and energy patterns and it is has been a big part of my journey.  Life IS meant to be joyful and as soon as I step into that with an open clear energy system the greater I am able to have that experience.

With this awareness I can combine the knowledge I have gained with the tools I have learned over the years, and I can move through life much easier and in balance, or quickly regain my balance when I'm knocked off center.  If I don't take the time to clear, balance, integrate and expand my energy field then life keeps going on in a much less enjoyable way until I take some kind of action to get re-balanced.

How about you?

Do you  take the time to clear your energy field when you feel out of balance? Or do you stay stuck for far longer than you need to?

What are some of the things that yo have found helpful?

If you are diligent you can do this yourself, especially with tools like Meditation, EFT,  and Radical Forgiveness.  Or you can seek outside assistance, when needed, through intuitive energy work, doctors, therapists, chiropractors, hypnotists, coaches and mentors.

For those that need more help...It is part of my purpose to help you clear, balance, integrate, and expand your energy field, reconnect with your True Nature, and align with a life you love living.  Over the past month it has been mine and Michelle's great joy to work with several amazing women in our Inner Alignment Mastery Coaching/Healing program to do just that, and we look forward to sharing more about that with you in the coming weeks!

Here's to Joy Filled Balanced Living :)

My Simple Gratitude

by: Michelle

I am such a big proponent of gratitude. Tapping into the positive energy of gratitude has changed my life. Beginning a gratitude practice is one of the first things I encourage the clients I work with to incorporate into their lives. Today I want to share a little piece of what I am grateful for these days.

I am grateful for the beautiful and fragrant lilacs that are blooming in my front yard.

I am grateful the grass is sooo long because my son isn't here to cut it. He is down in Texas playing in the College World Series. Go Chiefs!

I am grateful for my Mother's Day flowers.

I am grateful for the ants that are helping my peonies open.

I am grateful my kids can play in the street.

I am grateful to have been a part of Aidan's 5th grade party.

I am grateful to see Aidan's baseball team win the championship at his weekend tournament. Can you say undefeated?!

I am grateful that my Little Liam is so loving.

I am grateful my good old dogs are still here with us.

I am grateful for Twitter where I snagged this picture of my son in Texas.

I am grateful Devin is studying hard for his finals.

I am grateful my son Dallas is coming home from the Air Force for the first time in 1 1/2 years.

What are you grateful for today?