Winning The Lottery

What would you do if you won the lottery?

It's a fun question to ponder, which can help you pinpoint your goals and actually reveal what you're thankful for.

I'd always dreamed of living bicoastal, so would probably make NYC home again. But as for where we are now, I'm actually not sure I'd change it. While property of our own would be nice, sharing a living space with several other young families and having near-daily impromptu play dates and good friends next door is kind of a luxury at this stage. Plus, we love school this year.

Of course I'd take the kids to Disneyland. 😅

I'd get a laptop (because mine is dying) and cross GoPro off the wishlist for our water adventures. 🙄

Other than that, for myself, I think I'd try to start a company. 

What's fun to think about is that most, if not all, of these things are not unattainable. Maybe living bicoastal irl wouldn't make the most sense but visits there more often (or at all), a reasonable possibility.

What would you do if you won the lottery? And what do you realize you're thankful for? xo

Still Living At Home [LIFE, KIDSTYLE]

It's been a tough year-- epic morning sickness, discrimination, layoff, to name a few. That said, however, there are many things to be thankful for this year.

Among my top highlights of the year:

Without a doubt, at the very top was bringing our newest addition of the family, my second daughter, home. Healthy and happy, she integrated beautifully into our family. We all love her and she's made our home an even happier place full of even more love and laughter.

The other top highlight: a visit from Home. We haven't been back home since we left, nearly four years ago. Four years. Man, just saying that sounds like ages. And it is. So many things have happened since. Yet where we are still doesn't feel like Home either.

When our family friend (since childhood), or 'framily', dropped in for an unexpected visit, it brought back so many memories and warm feelings. It was like the first time it felt like I was at home once again. Sounds weird, I'm sure. It's hard to explain but it made my year to see our dear family friend and for her to meet baby E. Now remembering back, she came to the hospital and met Nui Nui on the day of her arrival, too.

Then, again unexpectedly, we recently received an overly generous holiday care package from her, and baby E is now rocking the onesie that was included.

'Still living at home', it says. And always in my heart they will be, I'll add :>

There's nothing like those people in your life that, no matter how long you haven't seen them and no matter how far away they live, that when you do meet up once again, it feels like just yesterday. Folks like these: priceless.

Love you and thank you, Auntie May! We heart you always! xo

Onesie: Carters

Pants: Target - Circo

Back in October, just two months ago, when baby E was not even yet one month.

What I Believe

I'm a believer that...

• You should follow your dreams and go after what you want, especially if it's out of love
• Illness is not wrongdoing, even if ignorance treats you as doing such
• Family is not limited to blood or marriage lines, and those who stick around, through it all, are that much more dear
• Your mind can be your worst enemy but also your greatest asset
• Motherhood has personally been the greatest gift. Ever.

One Of The Greatest Lessons In Recovery

I just found this pin on Pinterest and thought it was valuable enough to both repin and share it here.



This is one of the biggest lessons you'll learn in recovery (and perhaps non-recovery general life improvement). It doesn't have to be a long car ride or reading. As unique individuals, what causes that 'momemt' will be different for different people.

If you're struggling, the key is to find the things that make you lose yourself (NOT drugs!). Easier said than done, don't get me wrong. It's half the battle, maybe the (figuratively) bloodiest part. You have to work your butt off Every.Single.Day. 24/7/365. No weekends, no holidays. You have to explore. You have to want. You have to push yourself to do just get up and do it.

The cool thing about recovery (or self-improvement), though, is that, over time, the effort requirement will decrease. That is, gradually, it won't take as much effort. Eventually, it won't take any at all (or any more than average, at least). But it's a process and won't take overnight so don't expect it to. Like anything else, hard work pays off and you will reap the benefits if you work hard enough. Just don't give up. You are not alone. And you will get there. Just believe. (And work your ass off. Daily. Hourly. Minutely.)

Find the calm, the inner peace, the passion. It's in there somewhere. Keep on doing this. Eventually, that state of mind/being will become habit and you will be reborn again into a happier, more peaceful, more productive life.

Hope this helps. Hope this is not too vague. Everyone's journey will be different but the principles I think can be universal.

Share your questions, thoughts, and experiences in the Comments below. We'd love to hear them and will do our best to respond! :> xoxo