Friday, November 18, 2011

We got SNOW!


We were trying to get a flying snowball, but it was hard.
Then finally we got it and it looks like a ball of snow sitting on the railing. It's the clump to the right of the little light pole next to his head. It's actually flying through the air. Sounds like we will have plenty of opportunities to get the perfect shot this winter.
This one is for all the yogis out there.
Today I got frustrated (But Courtney! Yogis don't get frustrated!) when I noticed a big dark mark on the wall. I noticed it because it's eye level. My eye. So as I was having a little verbal rant to my honey about WHO made the mark on the wall and HOW did it get there, and WHY what it so high up, when I realized... it was me. I put it there. OOPS! You know how after you have been doing yoga for so long, you just have those times where you want to do a stretch or pose on or against something to get a little deeper into the stretch, or pose? Well that was me yesterday... between these two walls... in dancer... with my SHOES on. Shame on me! However I did have to laugh at the fact that I wouldn't have guessed that it was my foot that made the mark had I not done the deed. It was a good stretch, but next time... NO SHOES!


Tuesday, November 8, 2011

PlayTime!


If there was anything you did as a kid that you would love to do right now...
DO IT!!!

(Just don't hurt yourself. TeeHee!)

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

The Will to have "Will"

I always love the little messages I get, and this one I particularly liked because it's an "invite".
"WHY THANK YOU! I THINK I WILL!"

For some years now there has been a tender recognition of our ability to survive this amazing human experience, and today after working with an incredible survivor, I am all the more AMAZED. One of the fulfilling aspects of my career is that people are comfortable to open up about their challenges, hurts, sorrows and beliefs that others struggle with or choose to not understand. The incredible suffering that a child experiences and somehow has the tenacity to endure is mind blowing to me. I'm sure the stories in this world go so far beyond my comprehension and I truly believe that I could not endure what many have. For those survivors, I wish I could wrap a blanket of warm love around them and give them a sweet kiss of compassion to possibly, even slightly, plant or nurture a seed of self worth.

I am in wonderment that my life has brought me to this place of offering tools to the worn, heart-broken, shattered and sometimes even buried souls. At times it's as though we are moving the dirt, and brushing them off. Some just need a little sprinkle of truth to create a sparkle. Others it can be hard work, chipping away until finally they see some light. The thoughts and ideas start coming in and the molding begins. They start to reshape their lives and over a period of time, I watch a transformation. It is truly a pure joy!

Keep taking steps. Seasons come and seasons go, and the deeper we reflect on our current moment, the better of an outcome we have for that season. Every season provides opportunity for growth and change. Some choose to stay and hang on to the pain and don't recognize the end of one and beginning of another... so it continues to be an endless season, and we all know that extra long winters are no fun. Plant, actively nurture, and grow. Your personal harvest will be full of beauty and wisdom beyond your expectation... I promise!

With Love,

Courtney

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Mid summer

Spent two weekends in a row at Dad's. That's unheard of, but I'm so glad it worked out.
The pics from the first weekend are in someone else's camera so I don't have those yet. We had all 6 of us sisters together for a bit so that was fun. The second weekend I brought the kids and we played and enjoyed all the family that was there... great aunts and uncle, a few cousins and several siblings.

Bradey jumping onto the "Relaxation Station".
Whitney, Lana Mom, Baby Edie, Dad and Mom

Me and my babes swimming back at home.

Can't go to the beach and not dig in the sand.

He loves to swim in the deep with me. Giggles the whole time.

There's no place like home.
Date night out. Grandma brings dinner and a movie for the kids and we go play.
(The sun has a pretty smile in this pic.)
(Not the best backdrop, but I insisted.)

It feels like the summer weather just got here and we are already getting school supplies and clothes. I hope everyone has a good end to summer!

Love, Courtney


P.S. My heart goes out to the families of those who died in the war this past week. May you find an extraordinary healing and peace to put your hearts back together again. There is greater love being sent to you from around the world than you have any idea.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

4th of July weekend


The most interesting game of "Clue" you will ever play. Five year olds play by their rules.
Stealing a kiss... sometimes that's the only way I can get one.
Man and his best friend.
We played hard and celebrated mom's birthday.
Then the 4th of July celebration started with water slides with the Allen family.
I love how big sis watches out for the boys. Once Bear started down that slide there was no breaks for the rest of the day. I'd say he climbed those steps a hundred times. (Exaggerated, but that's what it felt like.)
Following this guy everywhere was a job. He was so tuckered that he fell asleep as we left the parking lot. Too much fun!
Hiking was next. The main hike was too long and steep for Luke so him and I stayed on the main paths. Wish I had pics of the view from the top. Next time.


Celebrated Sis's b-day. It was a perfect day.


Saturday, May 14, 2011

This and that


Pinewood Derby.
Bear's car is the red one. It came in about 7th place and got the award for... "The Best Spoiler". His very own design.
Cousin niece. She is beautiful. I'm so proud of her momma.
Baby shower decorations. (Frank's sister adopted a beautiful boy.) I loved these. Frank's mom painted them.
A gift for Frank's sister was some of our home made invitations placed in this frame.
Here's the man of the hour. Simon.
And this is just some weird kids having a party. Strange.


Friday, April 8, 2011

It's you and me kiddo

My quiet blog has turned all but silent due to the stress, that won't allow me to quiet myself enough to write for a moment.

Wrestling practices are over and my little bear boy received his first trophy ever. The excitement of having something to show for all his hard work, made all those grueling practices well worth it for him.

My teenager got "Student of the Month" and is planning her next four years of high school and already thinking on to college. I'm not sure her dad and I will ever get used to her being "grown up".

Preparing the littlest of the gang for kindergarten, once would have been a joy, but watching them grow so fast it has become a bit of a bitter/sweet experience. I want to hold them all close, especially as I watch the world change at what feels like hyper-speed.

I'm teaching more classes and taking continuing ed classes which makes more of a strain on the day to day life. What an oxymoron. Stressed out Yoga Instructor. Frank keeps saying, "Put the heels of your feet in the small of your back... and breathe." A joke we have occasionally repeated since the start of my yoga schooling. I went to a chiropractor today who is going to work with me to de-stress and customize my diet. It was obvious that stress is the major factor to a few health issues I've had over the past 8 years. I'm hoping that over the next 60 days, I will be able to turn around my physical and emotional state. Should be good and I'm excited about it. As for the moment, I'm going to go squeeze my kiddos and enjoy a beautiful evening.

Have a fantastic weekend!


Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Breath and Space

When I asked my five year old what he wanted for breakfast this morning, he responded confidently, "Cuddle time". So that's what I fed him... lots and lots of cuddles.

In yesterdays class we talked about the concept of, birth in connection to yoga. It was a cool thought that I came across in my studies and wanted to explore it a bit. The first two things every human being experiences at birth is breath and space which are the two things we work with in the practice of yoga asanas (poses). As I moved my body through my breath, I was surprised that my mind didn't stay on our experience in those first moments of life. Instead it brought me to the "here and now", and followed my movement and breath giving me a deeper awareness of the beauty of breath, space, and my ability and freedom, to move through that space. (I hope that makes sense.) When we are weighed down emotionally or physically, our breath and movement in space suffer. We feel no freedom, meaning, or joy, in the true beauty of breathing or moving our limbs freely through space. It's equal to the beauty of a beating heart and should be felt deeply and soulfully. I invite you to take some time to just think about it... and see where it takes you.

Courtney

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

MomBomb

MomBomb: Noun; The substantial mass of persuasiveness descended on a teenager when a loving mother is exploding with passion about a subject she is, well... passionate about.

Passionate: Noun; ardor, enthusiasm, eagerness, zeal, zealousness, vigor, FIRE, FIERINESS, energy, fervency, animation, SPIRIT, SPIRITEDNESS

I dropped the MomBomb on a teenage client today after her mother asked me to speak with her teen about the subject of underage drinking. This is a teenager that I have been mentoring for the past three years so it was a proper request. It seemed to work and besides all the facts, statistics and stories of experience, the best part was opening up that line of communication. That line where on her end, she will speak into it any time she has the desire to drink or spend time with other underage drinkers, and on my end, I will listen, understand and lovingly ask the questions she needs to consider. I will make sure she knows she can... "Come hang with me." Every teenager is worthy of a MomBomb starting and ending with, "I'm teaching you this because... I love you."

Lights out.


Thursday, January 13, 2011

God is good

Brrrrrr! It's a cold gray day and the kids have been given the day off because last night's rain on top of the icy roads, has left the roads slicker then a skating rink. We are locked in for the day and thankfully daddy has stocked us up on movies and snacks to last for the next few days. I'm in the middle of a couple good books and I'm still trying to finish some handmade craft gifts that I started before christmas. Looks like I have plenty to do along with what feels like 50 other things I have started to do or want to do.

This past week has been a trying yet beautiful reconnection with God for me. I have always loved my relationship with my maker and although the past few years have been bleak I have hung on by a thread and nurtured this relationship as much as I emotionally can. The feeling or sense that I can weep, laugh, worry, sing, fear or boldly say my feelings in prayer to this one special relationship... and listen to... and receive response from, gives me exactly what I need to feel strength, love, peace, security and even just that needed boost to pop me over the top of an obstacle. I am reliving the importance of prayer (the discussion, laying it all out on the table) and meditation (the listening... quiet and soulful at the feet of the one who knows all). I am practicing the yoga asanas as what they are meant for, a physical release in order to open the mind and spirit, before prayer and meditation. I have also found that the food taken in highly effects the productivity of prayer and meditation and once again I am bewildered at how our body, mind and spirit were so intricately put together, as though three pieces of cloth sewn together, creating a direct effect on two pieces, as one piece is moved at any given moment. The challenges of building and maintaining a healthy mind, body and spirit takes daily work and focus, which in these busy days, can be almost more than one person can handle. This is exactly the reason I turn to my maker, setting down all the issues, all the aspects of life I desire to build as an overwhelming wave is swept over me and the image comes to mind, of an ant helplessly staring up a mountain that needs to be moved. I am ignorant, helpless and weak. One day at a time... one moment at a time, knowing that the hand I hold, is aware of every day and every moment before and after this one. The words spoken to me are as a stitch securing my mind, body and spirit as one piece... one complete unit, with a purpose. I am thankful, grateful and humbled at the fact that, although hard, I was given my life bootcamp in a religious cult to teach me how to reach out for that spiritual connection to seek (on bad days), to praise (on good days) and to be thankful for all days, good or bad, for I am here. I have life. I have breath. And I have love.

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Miracle

"MIRACLE"

Many roads I've travelled

And faces I've seen

Each tells a story

Of what might have been

A missed golden moment

But life still remains

A search for the innocence

Somehow we lost on the way

And we all need a miracle, that I truly believe

Yes we all need a miracle, and I believe my miracle is you

Now the silence that follows

The last curtain call

I don't know anyone

Who has come through it all

You gave me direction

A part in your cast

No longer make believe

Now that I know it will last

We all need a miracle, that I truly believe

We all need a miracle, and I believe my miracle is you

~Rick Astley~

Friday, January 7, 2011

Firework

I'm not a fan of K.P., but I like the words to this song and found out today that one of my faves did a beautiful version of it. Yay for me! "Like a lightning bolt, your heart will glow, and when it's time you know. You just gotta ignite the light, and let it shine."Have a wonderful weekend!!!