Reflection Journal...

When I first started working as an instructional coach, there wasn't a blueprint for how to do the job.  It was fairly new in education, to work with instructional coaches, so I really didn't know what I was getting into.  My first couple of years was the definition of on-the-job training.  One of the best things I did was start a reflection journal...

It's a simple spiral notebook.  Inside I have collected articles, quotes, notes from workshops & conferences and my thinking.  It's sort of become my text book for Instructional Coaching and I read through it frequently.  I have gotten into the habit of putting new entries on the left side and writing the reasons I included on the right.  When I reread the journal, I often add thoughts and ideas that are newly relevant.  In this way I have also reflected on and learned from my coaching experiences.  One of the best things I have included are articles that I don't agree with.  It's been valuable to record my thoughts about why I don't agree with something and then read that thinking later.  My professional reflection journal has had a tremendous impact on my work as an Instructional Coach so...

... I recently decided to start a personal reflection journal.  I decided that it would work better to use a 3-ring binder, so I found one that was pretty and added a quote to the front in vinyl.

I also put labeled dividers into the notebook.  My categories are: Inspiration, Ideas, Family, Triathlon, and Journal.  I had lots of things that fit into these categories already strewn through my desk.  Now they are all in one place, and I can reflect on what's there, set new goals and continue to add things that are important.   Just like my professional journal, I am anticipating watching my thinking change and evolve over time.

I think it's so important to remember where we've come from and enjoy the journey to where we find ourselves.

Feeling Reminiscent...

I was looking through some old pictures and I stumbled upon these, from January 2006.  Sometimes I get so caught up the schedules and routines, the ups and downs of life, that I forget to remain in the moment.  Here's a moment that made me smile!

Christmas is coming...

Last night, thanks to grandparents and my husbands work schedule, I got to spend a few hours Christmas shopping.  It was a weeknight, so the stores weren't crowded and it was so much fun!  Shopping alone and relaxed, gave me time to think.  Here's some of my favorite things about the season...

• I love shopping at Christmas!  I never do any Christmas shopping before Black Friday, which is when I start with my husband.  I love being in the stores and the mall with all the decorations, and the crowds...it's so much fun!
• I love finding the perfect gift.  I have been looking for something that will keep my Gram warm...she's always cold.  Last night I found the perfect fleece, bed jacket that's soft and warm and blue.  I can't wait to give it to her! (If you're reading this and you're related to me...don't tell Gram!)
• I love holiday flavored coffee...especially when I am shopping!
• I love buying presents for my kids.  You could easily make the claim that they're spoiled...but it's the good kind of spoiled :)  They are just so stinking cute and fun, that everywhere I look I find something new I want to give them!
• I love having the best idea for my husband!  He can be kind of hard to shop for but this year I had the perfect idea.  Of course, he tried to buy one for himself and I had to hint and now he knows what it is...but I am trying to pretend that it could be something else!
• I love opening books every night with my kids!  They're excited and I am excited and it's so cozy to read in front of the Christmas tree.
• I love the way the house looks all decorated.  My husband does all the lights and outside decorations and even though it was about 10 degrees the day he did the lights, he went all out.
• I love the magic of Christmas...the sense of surprise, the ability to settle into the little girl-ness of the holiday and to relish the moments with family.

I really love Christmas!  This year I am remembering to take time to enjoy the moments rather than hurry through everything.  This year I want to settle into each moment and remember it!

What are you enjoying this season?

Life...

I've been reminded this week about some of the things that mean the most...

• I don't like saying that I am busy...somehow it sends the wrong connotation.  My life is very full and I like that word better because I have chosen the fullness...all of the things I am involved in are things that I have chosen and things that I enjoy.
• I had the best dinner with my kids last night.  It was an evening my husband was working and I needed to get home from work, pack both boys for sports practice, eat, drop the oldest at soccer and take the youngest to football.  We picked up Subway sandwiches and ate in the truck.  Ok, it's a little unconventional for a family dinner but I heard all about school & friends and we had a couple of real laughs.
• I had several good work outs this week.  I love meeting my friend Tessa at the gym because we always get a good work out, but I also get a little social mom time too!  Granted that time is at 5:30 in the morning...but it's still my time.
• I spent time reading with both of my boys this week.  Aiden's reading skills have really skyrocketed and it's fun to listen to him.  Connar is reading a book that I would personally like to read and he's at an age where he likes to talk about what he's reading.  
• Thanks to my in-laws and some tricky coordinating, I was able to go on a date with my husband this week.  Spending just a couple of hours together with good food and time to talk always grounds me and makes me feel centered.

Life is full and Life is really, really good.  When I remember to take time to enjoy the moments...all the moments...I remember to center and balance and enjoy Life.

What are you doing to enjoy life?  Have a wonderful weekend!

A Little Zen...

Life's nuts...crazy...busy...I love it but some days I run on empty. 

This afternoon, I rushed from work to get my haircut.  I had planned to pick my youngest up at his brother's soccer practice, run an errand and hurry home to make dinner.

My husband sent a text from the soccer field...Aiden wanted to stay and play. 

I  decided the errand could wait...

I had an hour to myself at home...read a magazine, listened to good music, cooked dinner with a glass of wine....  Found a little zen in the midst!

Mother’s Day…

I know Mother’s Day was a couple weeks ago, but this past weekend was when I redeemed my gift.  My husband and boys gave me a gift certificate for a local nursery and their help in the yard for a day. 

 

 

 

 

 

Kyle did the tree planting.  We have very rocky soil and he dug for days!  We bought two new trees in the hopes that one day we’ll have a bit more shade in the backyard.

Connar doesn’t really like yard work, so he tackled the backyard toy box!  He sorted, cleaned and replaced all the intact toys and threw a bunch away.  Now we have room to get a few new backyard games!  Connar did help with planting tomatoes at the end of the day (for a few minutes at least)

Aiden told me later, “I fell in love with planting today Mommy!”.  He was my right hand man while we transplanted a couple things and put in some new perennials.  He also took sole charge of a new pansy patch! 

 

 

 

 

 

New trees…new tomatoes & strawberries…new perennials and most importantly…

Happy daisies…my flowers beds have different varieties of daisies and daisy-like flowers throughout…all summer I have daisies.  I had so much fun working in our yard with my boys, it was a very happy Mother’s Day.

What new adventures have you had with your family?

A Sporty Mom...

I was never sporty growing up.  It might have been the 4th grade softball experience when I was on the E team...or the 8th grade basketball season  in which I scored 2 points {total...for the season!}.  Whatever it was, it wasn't sporty.

About three years ago, on a whim, I bought a Denise Austin workout video.  I'm already a morning person, and I discovered that a workout in the morning not only felt good but it bought patience for my kids in the afternoon.  A year...and many workout videos later...I joined my local gym.  The gym is literally 2 driving minutes from my house, and a nice walk when I have more time. The best thing about the gym, is that I have met a whole group of friends there who also love the 5:30 am time slot.  With my working-mom days and soccer-mom afternoons, 5:30 am is time that's just for me.  I get a great workout in, take a class and have some social time too!

I always do better when I have a goal, so last year I competed in my first 2 sprint triathlons!  It's kind of like 0 to sporty in 37 years :)  I am looking forward to 3 sprint triathlons this summer and an 80 mile bike ride in September.

This morning I had a great weights workout with my good friend Tessa.  We started with some abs, worked on our arms and ended with legs.  We'd done a hard workout yesterday, and didn't push it too much today.  My regular schedule is: 
Monday - Spinning (I love this class!)
Tuesday - Short Elliptical & a Weight Lifting class
Wednesday -  Weights workout with friends
Thursday - Swimming workout or Endurance swim
Friday - Run
Saturday - If I have time I like to take a weight lifting class
I also love yoga.  My regular class was canceled, but I work it in whenever I can.  Often it's in the hall while my kids are in the tub!

What's your regular workout?  Do you have any events you're looking forward to?