Congratulations on 3 years!!! And yes I am grinning from ear to ear because you all look FAN-tas-TIC!!! Next trip to C.O. I am coming with! I'll come back later to post HLA but wanted to give you a quick shout out!

I just typed an entire post and then lost it. Ugh! That, coupled with my father's failing health, will be my lows for the month.

My high is definitely commemorating another year of this community I love so much. Thank you for visiting each day and, in turn, providing me a reason to return each day.

My aha. I learned some fun trivia type things this month (what is a flash mob, etc....), but my biggest "aha" this year came a few days ago when I was flipping through the pages of last year's House of Shine journal. I made a list of things I wanted to accomplish last year and, actually, I ticked off far more of them than I realized.

How about the rest of you?

Highs: I have a new bed, Andrea coming over to give me decorating advice, My photo shoot with Carrie Smith Photography, going to Sunshine Glaze to paint those plates- fun night, spending time with my boys, spending a day with Misty & Claudia, bbq lunch with Margaret and Greg, cleaning out the old.

Lows: Health insurance price increases, freaky cold weather- i hate it, not getting some mail out to family that is WAY overdue, sneezing my head off last Sunday

Ahas: I'm lazy when it's cold. Completely lazy. And, my Year of Love is not just a search for a partner, it's also a learning process. Learning about the our bodies and the chemical, physical reactions we experience along with learning new ways to manage these feelings and bring more peace into my life.

What I love about this monthly ritual is that when I look back in my calendar for the previous months HLA's- it brings to mind those events and reassures me that my life is indeed a good one. If I need to refocus, I can. I think the act of recognizing these moments helps keep me appreciative.

You ladies look wonderful, it's always a pleasant surprise to hear and see you 'live'. At first I thought of the Stepford Wives... yet in a good way!

Highs: Love my year of 'Back to BASICS".... balance, acceptance, simplify, indefinite, cre8te, sh!ne... now that I have come to accept 'things' in life, it helps me see it better, and makes many every day events, better 'highs". Talking to my parents on a weekly basis. Bubba accepting his acceptance to U of I, Sissy ... happy to have found indoor track to be fun. My new mission statement with FuN MaiL, Brighten Someone's Day with a Cre8tive Greeting!!

Lows: not a specific event, but a cummulation of different things brought me down to a very sad low, and it gave me a good cry, and I liked being a 'sissy' and felt it really cleaned out the cobwebs and the clutter and stuff 'stuck' in my brain.


Aha: It's just my nature....a program and book by Carol Tuttle... similar to the strength finders, what color is your parachute... all that 'self help' crap... learning to embrace my true self... not that I'm doing a make over... but remembering who I am and taking care of numero uno, again. Plus, we have been cooking in the kitchen together... all of us... on the weekends mostly... but we have been outdoing ourselves with a bit of gourmet quisine... finding new recipes.

I like Cheryl's answer. Doing the High-Low-aha... helps me to reflect on the past month of achievemnts, dissapointments and great memories. Not that I struggle to write it, but it is a challenge to get my mind thinking, appreciating and understanding my life's journey. And I get to know y'all a little bit better. :0)

It's been a good month.

Highs: the Disney Dream Christening Cruise a once in a lifetime experience, taking the boys to Disney for the first time, laughing when they faces light up everytime they see a Disney commercial. Growing my blog and writing more, getting back to the gym and helping the boy's classes.

Low: always being tired and losing my patience with little boy behavior, having to learn breast stroke so that I can help Matthew in swim practice never really having enough down time.

Aha. Even though your kids don't seem to be having a good time you are making memories as a family. A little rain at epcot won't matter. Out on a poncho grab a beer and splash a puddle. In the end you will look back and laugh.
Oh and. I look crappy on tv. Got the GMA video and I feel like such a dork!!!!

Claudia. Your monthly recap is a great way to see that life is overall more positive while there may be lows often these blips bring a better understanding of what we want need or appreciate in our lives. In the end, we can better acheive through our reflections.

Ok that was too deep. It's Friday. Time to break out some wine. Happy weekend presidents weekend everyone

High: Definitely spending time with my family at a conference in Florida. It was the first semi-vacation (although I was at a conference) that we have ever had as a family. (Last time Bal or I took a "vacation" was our honeymoon which consisted of a 4 day road trip and cooler stocked with food.) Also seeing Charlotte sit up and how it has quickly changed the relationship the girls have into an even sweeter one as they begin to interact more each day.

Low: Sick girls. First Charlotte had RSV and Lily had ear infections then Charlotte had the flu and ear infections then Lily had the flu.

Aha: It doesn't matter what you are doing but spending time as a family without distractions is so important and nice. Even with travel delays, lost baggage etc...it was amazing to spend that time as a family together.

Wow, Heather. Charlotte looks like Lily in that picture!

The night is still young. Keep 'em coming... Robin, Biran, Karlie, Misty, and anyone else generous enough to share!

HIGH: Sophie! Learning new things through her homework! ACK! :) The daily routine, breaking the daily routine with snow days, seeing the world through Sophie's eyes where questions abound, spending time and having loads of fun with my family, being here and waking up each day!(*ref below LOW), training walks and meeting new people with my ONE each day! It's working! Fund Raising event for 30WALK.
LOW: Having to reschedule my 'official' 5 year cancer free mark because of weather! :) hubby's work/stress, not seeing my sister as much as I'd like.
AHA: I truly enjoy watching the light change as the season's change and how the sun plays against the window panes reflecting more than just what's there, but what's inside.

High- Having friends from grad school come to town for a weekend; great new opportunities at work; attending a conference for work and creating new ideas; spending quality time with my friends; a new relationships in my life.

Low- Personal health concerns; bills, bills, and more bills.

Aha- A life lived in fear is not really a life well-lived.

Haha... I don't think I'll be getting in one of those dresses anytime soon!!!

HIGH - Super Bowl Sunday with my family and baby niece!

LOW - The weather has really gotten to me this year. It's drained all motivation from me.

AHA - I love the challenge of working with college students and seeing them develop their own AHA moments.

My comments regarding the HLA ritual...

I really respect this monthly ritual, because it forces me to think back and celebrate my triumphs and struggles of the past month. I've started using this ritual with my students. At each staff meeting, I ask them to share their highs, lows, and ahas.