Staying Connected

So last week my telephonic personal renewal group and I discussed the topic of changing relationships and staying connected, a chapter in The Mother’s Guide to Self Renewal by Renee Trudeau. We talked a lot about how relationships change after having kids (both good and bad) and how hard it can be at times to give our relationship the care and attention it truly needs, especially when our kids are young.

We reminisced on what are relationships were like before kids came into the mix and then shared ideas and tips of things we do (or want/need to do) to stay connected with those we love. Some ideas were weekly check in’s where you both take 20 minutes to share what you’ve got going on the next week and where you may need a little extra support; more sweet and loving embraces, just as you would and or do for your kids when they come home or leave each day. Or another big one was time alone w/out the kids....true time w/out any interrruptions. Some struggled with finding sitters so a few ideas we came up with were having more lunch dates when the kids are at school or day care or even having an “at home” date night after the kids go to bed.

I know it sounds simple and nothing you haven’t heard of before but as we shared in the group, it’s the simple efforts that make such a difference. Sometimes just watching how we speak to one another or being less critical & more appreciative goes a long way. And sometimes it takes having to schedule reminders or actual dates on our calendars to help remember. I know, it sounds so “business like” putting it on your calendar but sometimes it’s what it takes to ensure we make the time.

What about you? Does your relationship need a tune up or some extra love and attention these days? Join me and my group members on setting a weekly goal to connect or re-connect with the ones we love the most! Keep is simple and doable but don’t let it slide, you and your loved ones (even your kids) will be glad you did.

And if you want to learn more about my telephonic personal renewal groups or topics we cover, you can find more information by clicking on my website, The Mom Exchange.

Cheers to love & connection! Angela

Sweet Campbell

So today my sweet little girl celebrates her first birthday and I’m having mixed emotions. On one hand I’m excited for her, excited to see her showing her independence with walking, talking, eating big kid food, giving cuddles constantly and playing the “where’s Campbell"game……she’s absolutely blossoming in so many ways and fills my heart with so much love I can’t stand it. And then on the other hand, I look at her and think WOW, where did that year go?

It seems like yesterday that I was in that hospital room looking at her and thinking OMG she’s so tiny, so innocent and sweet. It was such a surreal experience and I honestly don’t think it hit me until she was about a month old that I really had a daughter. It’s still weird to say those words as my first inclination is to type little girl but she’s my daughter. She’s beautiful, she's smart, she’s funny, she’s tough, she’s sweet and I can't forget a definite ham. She cackles, she laughs, she smiles, she loves giving big open mouth kisses and showing affection with everyone she meets.

And while I love seeing all of this, it's still hard to think what if this is my last, she's my baby. It's definitely easy to start heading down that road but today I choose not to go there as today I want to honor, celebrate and love this little angel for all that she is right now in this moment and cherish the memories we’ve had from this past year! She's added so much to our family and truly is a blessing to all of us!

We love you Baby Campbell and wish you a very Happy First Birthday~ Love, Mom

Love the one your with….YOU!

It’s February so yes LOVE is in the air!! And for my family, we also celebrate my birthday, my nephews birthday and now my sweet little girl’s birthday in February so it’s a busy month to say the least. And while it’s fun to get caught up in all the excitement and hype this time of year I realize that it’s also very easy to forget about US (the ones who show unconditional love day in and day out) with all of the kids parties, v-day cards and candy fun.

And for some reason since thinking about this, I’ve had that song stuck in my head “Love the one your with…...you gotta love the one your with” – you know the song by Crosby Stills and Nash. And while I know it’s talking about your significant other, it has me asking myself, what about ME, what about YOU and all the other moms who give so much to their children day in and day out that they forget about themselves? Is this you? Do you do anything special just for you this time of year or even better on a regular basis? What if you did? Would you feel better, feel more excited and loving towards yourself and others?

Whether you do this already or don’t, I challenge you to sit down and figure out one special thing you are going to do this month JUST FOR YOU! Do you want a dinner out with friends, a massage, a walk in the park, a home cooked meal or just an evening home alone when you don’t have to deal with kids night time routine so you can read a good book or catch up on your tv shows – a mini escape? What do you most want this month to show YOURSELF the love too?

Schedule it, take it and make sure you get it!! There’s only one YOU so LOVE THE ONE YOUR WITH!

Love,
Angela

p.s. the cool picture is from drangonartz.net

Accountability Partners

When Jason and I woke up this morning, the temperatures were in the teens, the snow was coming down fast and furiously and it was not the kind of Sunday that makes you want to put on your running shoes and head out for a run. It was more of a stay in your pj’s and enjoy the warmth of a fire kind of day! And while I spent the second half of my day doing just that with the kids, being accountable to one another is definitely the reason he went outside to run and I braved the roads and went to the gym.

Jason is my accountability partner and since we set our running goal at the first of the year we’ve been charting when and who runs on each day of the week and it’s definitely working. Seeing it on paper is helping and knowing that he knows if I’m on track or not is my motivation if I haven’t put in my time. And while we haven’t run together one time since we set the goal, we have both been able to run 3x a week and both had a successful 4 mile run today. :) We are definitely keeping each other motivated and moving forward.

What about you, do you have someone who keeps you on track with your goals? Have you set your goals? Don’t worry, it’s not too late! When I work with my clients, I become their accountability partner. I help them to not only define their goals but more importantly stay on track and achieve their goals. We celebrate successes and work through barriers to ensure they keep moving forward. So if you don’t have an accountability partner today, I encourage you to ask a friend, a spouse, a coach or mentor to help keep you on track.

Accountability whether it be to someone or something is definitely a key to success! Let me know how I can support you in 2011! Angela

Simple Beginnings in 2011

Happy New Year!! It’s hard to believe it's already 2011 and time for new beginnings and possibilities. If you are like me, you love the new year, the excitement with getting to set new goals and intentions and dream about at all that is possible. I love it, I really do but if I’m honest with myself, I know I’m great at “thinking” about all the things I want to do but sometimes struggle or at least have in the past with finishing or remembering my goals mid-way through the year.

The good news is that over the past few years, I’ve been challenged by my coach & mentor to write down what I want to accomplish in the upcoming year. And yes, while I usually hem and haw to get it done, when I finally do it, I love it! Writing it down gives me accountability and reminds me going forward of where I'm headed.

Now I’m not saying it has to be complex or a big detailed plan as I think we fail a lot to times when we try and make it too complex & too difficult but what I am suggesting is that you write it down. Keep it as simple as possible and start with just writing down 2-3 goals you want to make happen in 2011. Write it on a post it note (how simple is that) to really keep it short and sweet or if you feel compelled, write out a more detailed plan but the most important thing you can do is WRITE IT DOWN!!! Writing it down helps take it from thinking about it towards action & completion. And hopefully by writing it down you will also post it where you can see it.

Here's to keeping it simple but making it REAL!! What needs to be written on your post it note this year? What are your 2-3 goals you know you want to accomplish?

Let me know how I can support you in 2011 and make it a year to remember!

Cheers, Angela

The Simpler the Better

Simple....I'm thankful this year for things being simpler and less stressed. Our Thanksgiving Holiday was simple, wonderful and very much enjoyable. We spent our time in Topeka, Kansas (about 5 hours from St. Louis) with my in-laws and really didn't do a lot but in a GOOD way. We had leisurely mornings of breakfast and coffee, took mid-morning runs, had lots of great meals and plenty of down time of playing with the kids, building Lego's and watching football. We didn't rush off to shop, try to squeeze in too much, just kept it simple, stayed close to home (their home) and enjoyed each other's company.

And now as we've returned home and started bringing out our own Christmas decorations and started planning for the month of December, I've found myself trying to keep that same attitude of simpler is better. I'm not overwhelming myself with trying to get too much done all at once and trusting it will get done in good time. I'm taking my decorating, shopping and list planning in stages and trying to enjoy it more than just tasking through to get it done. I've got Christmas music playing, savoring the moments with Cole and Campbell and trying to remember the good things this time of year brings! So how about you, what can be simpler and better in your life this holiday season? Want to join me in "the simpler the better" way of being for a change!

Best wishes,
Angela

Stop Thinking & Start Doing

I’m a thinker, always have been and probably always will be to some extent but one thing I’ve learned is that no matter how much I think or get stuck in my head, until I actually do something about it, it doesn’t change.

The Big Fish Nation recent blog post on “Do you think too much” (http://www.lorinbellerblake.com/2010/11/02/do-you-think-too-much/) was a good reminder for me especially since lately I’ve been that person who felt like she was spinning her wheels and getting nowhere.

I’ve had lots of ideas and things I’ve wanted to do or get done but it just wasn’t happening and I was getting frustrated. In Lorin's post she says “The most frustrated people I know are not in action. When we get stuck, we often try to think our way into action, but that just gets us even more stuck. The only way out is to try something different: we can’t expect to get different results by just doing the same thing over and over.”

It’s so true and sometimes it’s just a baby step that I need to get jump started towards creating what I want most. With only 6 weeks left before the end of the year, I’m going to focus on getting out of my head and start taking more actions that align with my values, my goals and my dreams!

What about you, are you ready to get out of your head and step into action? Join me and the other amazing and inspiring women commenting on Lorin’s blog post about Big Fish Principle #7 “Choose your attitude and your actions and boldly act!”

"COLE IN ACTION"