Sunday, September 23, 2012

Inspiration: September, Soccer, and Such


I can describe the last few weeks to you in two words: work and soccer.

Lots of it.

Work and Writing…

I walked into a familiar building on a Tuesday, with plans of how my new job would be. (Insert laughter here at the word “plans.”) In no time, my job went from parttime writer to fulltime editor with little time to blink. Though I’m on a big learning curve right now, I am excited about this new position. I love it already.

During that time, I was already in the process of taking on another new role as the managing editor of A Beautiful Mess. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this website and the woman behind the messageKristin Ritzau. I’m honored and excited to help facilitate this safe space for honesty and inspiration. Here’s a little bit about what I hope to share with the community over at A Beautiful Mess.

Time Travel…

On Labor Day, we took the girls to Rockledge Ranch, one of my favorite places in Colorado Springs. As a child, my mom recognized my love for Anne of Green Gables so she signed us up to volunteer at this historical site. I spent seven summers dressing up like a pioneer and leading tours. I enjoyed every minute of it.

Jeff and the girls had never been to this site in the time we lived here prior, so we took an afternoon to explore the buildings. I do love the cabin (think Little House on the Prairie), but love The Orchard House even more. I’ve kind of been obsessed with breakfast rooms for decades because of this house.




Soccer…

In between all of this, Jeff has been coaching a varsity soccer team with a friend, and I’ve been running our little ones to practice and games of their own. I’m so proud of Kyla. She’s really beginning to own her abilities as a team player and is learning to be tough. At an early practice, I heard her coach say, “Kyla, way to be aggressive out there. You were tough today.” My mommy heart melted.

Kyla gettin' to the ball!

Kae is playing soccer as well. In her own ways, she’s learning to be brave. Yesterday, she fell down in the second play of the game. She hit her head, scraped her elbow, and skinned both knees. She also got distracted by the bugs. But she got back in the game. She does her best to run hard. She also doesn’t like it when the kids take the ball after she’s managed to get it somewhere. During a practice, a kid came and got the ball away from her. She stomped up the field yelling, “Hey! I had that ball!” She’s got spunk. I like it.

Kae doing twirls during warm-ups

Domestics….

We still aren’t back in our home as we are waiting for our renters’ lease to end. (One week!) I’m thinking about how to decorate our old home in a new way. Let’s be honest. I’m going to have my mommy do it. In five minutes, she can do what takes me 10 hours. I’ll provide some pretty pictures for her to get inspiration though. (Maybe my mom can even figure out a way to make me a breakfast room?)

Reading…

I’m reading Brene Brown’s newest book titled Daring Greatly:How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead. I’m about a third of the way through it. Most of what I’ve read is a recap of thoughts she offers in her videos, blog, and other books. However, I’m very much looking forward to the chapter about vulnerability in the work place and also the section about parenting.

This last month, I finished Tribes by Seth Godin. A good read! I also read Dreaming of More for The Next Generation: Lifetime Faith Ignited by Family Ministry by Michelle Anthony. Highly recommended for church leaders.

It’s Fall…

I love the changing leaves, the pumpkin spice lattes, and the occasional rainy days. Taking what I can get of this season. It probably won’t be as much as other years due to our long transition back into our home. I’m not even sure we’ll make it to a pumpkin patch this year. I’m okay with that fact.

I read in the current issue of Real Simple that stress levels for women have increased 18% in the last 26 years. Perhaps it’s because I keep seeing things like “Fall Bucket Lists” online. Whatever it is, it concerns me. I hope you’re able to find your favorite thing to do this fall and not worry about the rest. Enjoy that moment and everything it offers.

“Live each season as it passes, breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each.” -Henry David Thoreau