Welcome, spring!

Moving through this year, I am making a more conscious effort to connect with earth and nature on a daily basis. Even a short walk around the yard or to the mailbox on a cold day has given me enough time to breathe deeply and notice the world around me. This is a grounding practice. It gets me out of my head for a bit and back in tune with something larger than myself. It replenishes my patience and my sense of gratitude. And, as I notice little changes on the landscape each day, I am coming to know this place that I now call home.


So, perhaps this transition from winter to spring has been my favorite so far. I love all the signs of life emerging from beneath winter’s snowy cloak. Everything is so very ripe with possibility at this time of year!

For that reason, it’s a great time to check in with ourselves about the direction we’re headed for the year ahead. The holiday rush and new year’s frenzy is well behind us, and a quiet time to reflect on our wishes and desires for the year now presents itself.


· How are you doing?





· Does family life feel vibrant and fun?





· Were you able to enjoy moments of relaxation and self-care during the quiet of winter, or are you left longing for more?





· Is there a creative project or other adventure you’d like to pursue this season (either solo or as a family)?





· What will you need to make sure it happens?

On this first day of spring, we express gratitude for the many blessings in our lives, while acknowledging what is needed to bring more balance into our days. What seeds can we plant today to replenish pure happiness, health and well-being?




Today, I wish all of these things for you.




xo, Allison

Sacrifice

sac·ri·fice  - From Latin sacrificium, "sacrificial," from sacer, "holy, sacred."

In her amazing book Daring Greatly, Brené Brown mentions a sermon in which her pastor talked about these roots of the word sacrifice, reflecting on the meaning "to make holy or sacred."  Dr. Brown writes that this understanding of sacrifice forever changed her view of parenthood.

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For Christians, today is the first day of Lent.  I don't have a very strong tie to religion, but I have been thinking about these concepts of sacrifice and family.  There is no question to me that my family is sacred.  My children's existence an expression of love.  And yet, so much distracts me from that sacredness on a daily basis.  Wanting more, needing things to change, never feeling completely satisfied.  As Brené Brown details, our entire culture operates this way and I am swept up to varying degrees.

What would it mean to cleanse ourselves of the things that distract us from what is sacred, to make space for more of what is?   

What would it look and feel like to stop wanting more, needing things to change and never feeling completely satisfied?  It begins with recognizing our thoughts and the critical way we look at ourselves, our families, and the choices we make.  And then, it requires a shift in thinking.  We must choose to believe that we do not need more, and that we are already enough. 

During this Lenten season, I want to make space for more love and compassion.  My observation will not be focused on the repentance of sins, but on bringing awareness to what is sacred in my home and all around me.  I will recognize the thoughts that distract me from my own strengths and the sacredness of my family.  I want to cleanse myself of self-criticism, and the defensiveness (or anger) that masks it.  I want to cleanse myself of doubt about my abilities, and choose to believe that I am already enough. 

For 40 days, I will choose love.  I will choose to love myself when I feel like my children are ignoring me (because it doesn't mean I'm invisible), I will choose to love myself when my husband is questioning me about something (because it doesn't mean he doubts my abilities), I will choose love when I feel inadequate (because it doesn't mean that I am). 

Will you choose to bring more love and compassion into your life, too? 

There is still time to register for Seven Days of Love a full week of writing prompts and fun, easy activities to invite more love into your days.  We will shine a gentle light on the places where love gets stuck, and clear space for love to flow freely again.  We begin tomorrow morning!

Parenting Simply::Love Lessons

I'm very happy to return to Kidoinfo!  Anisa Raoof has created an amazing guide to connect Rhode Island families around the things they care about- family fun, creativity, education and simple pleasures. I'm honored to contribute with the "Parenting Simply" series.

I’ve been noticing how children make holidays come to life. They love to prepare for something special, to create a celebration. When it comes to holidays, my children do bring out the best in me. I enjoy reaching back into my memory for stories and traditions to share, and designing the rituals that will become our own family’s traditions.

Valentine’s Day has never been a big deal to me. Maybe a little cynical, I’m sure I’ve rolled my eyes about this greeting card holiday. But now I’m actually having fun talking to my daughters about love—their love for each other and for their family and friends. We’re busy making pictures and valentines that express the way we feel about the special people in our lives. Perhaps this holiday can serve as a reminder that we do need to express ourselves and share what’s in our hearts more often...read more.

A Day of Thanks



Freedom from Want by Norman Rockwell

I was driving to New York this past weekend to celebrate my grandmother's 84th birthday.  As I relaxed into the driver's seat, and settled into the luxury of the solo trip, I turned on the radio and found "Talking Turkey" an interview with New York Times Food Editor, Sam Sifton. 

There's a lot of talk on the airwaves about Thanksgiving these days- how to prepare the turkey, etiquette for handling family dramas, and (ugh) which stores are opening on Thursday night.

I found this conversation between two men who clearly love Thanksgiving to be a welcome breath of fresh air.   If you have some time (or if you need some last minute food advice) I hope you'll give it a listen.

But if you can't get to it, allow me to share a few of my favorite points:

• In 1863, Abraham Lincoln declared a National Day of Thanks in the middle of the Civil War.  Think for a moment about the significance of that!  Despite all of the differences dividing the nation, the President believed that all Americans could still reserve one day to give thanks for "the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies."
• Sam Sifton also talked about how unusual it is for most people to prepare a meal for ten or more people.  Often, Thanksgiving is the only time that it is done.  He talked about how intimidating that can be, but encouraged listeners to focus on simple things, done well.  A traditional roasted turkey.  Perfectly mashed potatoes.  Just the wholesome, real food of the season.
• Then, the program explored the tradition of saying grace before the meal.  I love how Sam Sifton described this.  Regardless of your religion, or who you want to thank, he said that every host should look around the table, into the eyes of the guests, and express gratitude.  Gratitude to those gathered there, gratitude to the farmers who made the meal possible or gratitude to God for the gifts of health and hope and love....whatever feels right, just take a minute to say it on this day.

It was a lovely reminder of what is truly important in our lives right now.  I am so very excited to share the day with my family, to express my devotion through lovingly prepared foods and before the day is done, to tell them all how grateful I am to have their companionship on my journey through this life.

Wishing you and your family the simplest of pleasures this Thanksgiving!

xo

Allison

Parenting Simply: Love & Gratitude

In the busy-ness of life, we often move, move, move forward without noticing the time or the space or the feelings that we’re moving through.  But what happens when we stand still?  When we relax for a moment, and breathe, and notice what is happening around us while we stand still?  Everything changes. 

Read more over at Kidoinfo today!

DEC 20: What are you grateful for?

For the first time, my family has been marking the days of Advent with a calendar of little activities. We’ve been making gifts and baking cookies and drinking cocoa. But today- by far- turned out to be my most favorite day of Advent.

Today, my little note in the calendar asked, “What are you grateful for?”

I sat down at the breakfast table with a four year old and a two year old and a sheet of paper (not quite sure what they would say!) 

Here's what they came up with:

I am humbled.  And full of love.

And on that note, I’ll be unplugging for the next week. I don’t want to miss a minute of the love and magic in the air!

So, I send warm wishes for a happy holiday- from my family to yours.

*** AND DON'T FORGET ***

Simplicity Parenting starts January 4th at Bellani Maternity!

There are still spots available.

Join with a friend before Christmas and save $50!

The Gift of Simplicity

I am deeply honored to share my words in the new Winter Edition of the Rhythm of the Home online magazine!  If you have never visited this beautiful, inspirational corner of the web, I invite you to brew a cup of tea and settle in for awhile.  So much awaits you there!

And, A Simple Holiday is just 3 days away!  I will be at Bellani Maternity to share ideas for staying connected to our values and making more time for magical moments this holiday season.  If you're local, I'd love to see you!

Thanks-Giving

I am officially in the holiday spirit! A little early, I confess, but I just can’t help it. There are too many wonderful things happening lately, and I am in the mood to celebrate, and to say THANK YOU to some amazing women with whom I am blessed to be working…

I’m thrilled to announce that I will be offering Simplicity Parenting Workshops at Bellani Maternity this winter! Thank you, Kelly LaChance Guertin, for welcoming me and helping me connect with local moms (and dads) who want to slow down and make more time for the simple joys of childhood.

** And if you’re local, be sure to check out Bellani Maternity’s huge "Friday Before Black Friday" Sale today! Doors open at 9:30.**

I also want to say thank you to Anisa Raoof for making a little space for me over at Kidoinfo.com. I’m excited to add my voice to the wonderful conversations about family that are happening there.

Thank you to my dear friend-and coach- Hannah Marcotti for inspiring me and supporting me in so many life adventures. It has been a pleasure collaborating on Simple Mama and I can’t wait to see what the future holds!

** If you have not yet had the pleasure of knowing Hannah, I invite you to let some joy into your life! The Holiday Joy Up begins November 26 and it is going to be MAGICAL!**

And I want to say thanks to you for joining me here on this little blog, reading my words and sending your love. I am so very grateful to have you here with me for the journey.  xo

Simple Celebrations

Today was Emma’s first day of nursery school. And while the mere thought of “school” sends me into a rather crazy, anxiety-driven tailspin (public-private- playtime-class size- homework- homeschool- waldorf??) I took a deep breath and reminded myself that for today, it is only Nursery School. And for our family, nursery school is about having fun.



Emma and the fish symbol that helped her find her coat hook and cubby this morning.

So... fun was had! There was freshly-made play dough, a sand table, a doll house, puppets and a train track to explore. There were new songs to sing. There were new children to meet. It was all very sweet.

And then, because I didn’t want this milestone to pass quietly, I thought a little fanfare was in order. Starting nursery school calls for a party! So, inspired by this amazing woman, we had our very own “Start of School Feast,” complete with a handmade crown, favorite foods and a few simple gifts. Emma was thrilled. And I think she really got it….I think she felt in some deep place that she is loved, she is special to us, and we are here by her side. Her bravery and her joyfulness and her sense of adventure did not go unnoticed today.  Yes, there was reason to celebrate!

Days come and days go, and sometimes it’s hard enough to get from breakfast to bathtime. But every once in a while, it can be easy enough to just throw a party in the middle of all that. Nothing fancy.  Just enough to say, “I love you.”

Birthday Girl

On Saturday my little Sophia will turn two.  It hardly seems possible, yet when I look at her I see a baby no more.  A child is emerging- full of curiosity, determination, humor and tenderness, and lately we’ve been enjoying just the right amount of spunk and sass mixed in! 

As we’ve traveled twice around the sun together, I have eased deeper into motherhood, and my confidence has grown tremendously. Cheered on by Sophia’s abundant smiles and overall gentleness, I find myself often thinking “I must be doing something right!”

And surely I have been doing something right, to have drawn so many blessings into my life.

So, I will start her birthday with a gratitude—

I am grateful for my family,

and the knowledge that each new day brings more time to love and be loved.

I am grateful for those who have come before me, as I travel along this meandering path.

I thank you for choosing me for this journey.

And then we will celebrate sweet Sophia’s first two years, and welcome the little girl she is yet to become!