Welcome Back. There's Lots to See Here.

I was afraid of this. Starting a blog and not keeping up with it. My few followers may have been anxiously awaiting my next post and three months later, well, you have it. You'll notice I even have a new look for my blog and a few tunes to allow your own mind to get a glimpse of mine. No longer am I bound by "instructor" obligations to keep up my posts, but rather by my own desire to not lose myself while raising my beautiful (and active!) 2 year old.

Kendall, Nov. 210 | Photo courtesy: Kerry Everett

Being that I only have less than 6 months to say that, I'm not sure whether to feel a sense of happiness (that we all survived the 2's) or a sense of anxiety (what is to come in the 3's). For those who know me well, you can rest assure that I've already got the 3rd birthday party planned. We skipped past the 2 year birthday party (we did celebrate with family, just not a big party) and are ready to "tackle" the 3rd. 

So here's what I have learned over the past 3 months:

1. I got through my first semester ever of teaching University 101 and was even nominated for outstanding teaching award. I learned a lot about myself and even more about first year college students. A lot more than I learned my first semester at UNC! Lesson here: Grade with my eyes and not my heart. I put a lot of faith in one of my students and was horribly let down.
2. Though I began playing the piano again for a special friend's wedding in October, I haven't picked it back up since. Lesson here: Maybe playing piano actually helps spark some extra creativity and life pondering moments. 
3. Potty-training works when your child is ready. We've conquered both numbers at home and away and even during trips! Lesson here: Let the little one let you know when she's ready. We're hoping that is the case for the nighttime training.
4. Even though you don't spend money on diapers anymore, it definitely doesn't affect your bank account. There's always something coming next. Lesson here: Save the diaper money for extra toddler sheets.
5. We've all started eating healthier and I'm even more committed in getting back in shape. I've started a program that holds me accountable for inches, pounds, percentages and meters. Lesson here: I can't focus on my have nots. Rather, I will focus on the lifestyle that I can have.

So there you have it. A few things that have happened and a few more to keep my small followers with their own heart-2-hearts.

Before I finish this post, here's something that brightens my day. There are people in this world that continue to find ways to bring hope and compassion to those around us ... A colleauge who meets someone on the streets and offers to help them and gives them their last $20 ... Another mom who invites another mom to a Sunday School class in hopes they will find meaning ... A daughter who will call you princess no matter what you look like or the day you've had. 

These small actions lead to big things my friends. Placing hope in our hearts everyday.