….These are a few of my favorite things!

When Donovan gives me a hug out of the blue, or says “I love you, Mom.”

How adorable Timothy is post-bath, pre-clothes.

When my husband sleeps next to me; he travels a lot, but when he’s home, he’s a major snuggle-bug.

Breakfast! Anywhere (Panera, Roses, Seize the Bagel, Original Pancake House, Natalie’s house J)

Mile 3 of my runs- endorphins high, pushing through the first “wall,” feeling strong.

Crisp Fall mornings- colorful leaves, mist, fog etc…

Homemade food (bread, pies, soups, casseroles etc- the stuff my mom makes)

My loving family, the extended Bruce and Wilcox clans.

My job- it gives me the outlet to be bossy, the flexibility to take care of my family, and the financial benefit to be a blessing to my family.

Parties, gatherings, guests in my home. I do love to entertain…

Clean sheets on my bed, clean floors in my house, clean countertops in my kitchen/bathrooms.

My friends. I have never had tons, but the ones I do have are high-quality. They are loyal, wise, loving, and inspirational.

Starbucks- lattes with whipped cream, mochas (minus one pump of chocolate, nonfat), and my newest favorite (somehow they didn’t catch on w/me until last week) pumpkin spice lattes, tall, nonfat.

Christmas- the huge trees Jay picks out, how giddy my husband and Donovan (and soon Timothy) get, homemade Christmas cookies etc.

Nordstrom (I feel guilty for admitting it, but I cannot lie, so it has to be one here…)

Lastly, my husband Jay. He is irresistibly cute, he has the kindest heart, and is the first man I have known to treat me as well as my dad treats me, my mom, and my sisters.

New

Donovan started 1^st grade today at Kings Way Christian School. New clothes, new shoes, new backpack, new school supplies, new Bible, new snacks, new teacher, new friends… New soccer team practice tonight also. Donovan is almost the new age of 7. All of these new things bring many possibilities, as I told him this morning on our way to the school. Every new thing we have not done is an opportunity for growth in our lives; I have been reading and hearing of the frustrations of friends recently, and I always wonder why even though they do not like the state of their lives (at least some part of it), they are very resistant to trying anything new…. Which brings me to one of my favorite sayings: the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different result. I don’t know who said that, but I believe it with all of my heart, and it has guided my decisions and served me well.

New is refreshing, new is full of possibilities and potential. People spend so much of their lives paralyzed by fear of the unknown (and out of their control), not realizing that something new could be the best thing that ever happened. I love new. New jeans, new running routes, new races, new places I have never been, new food I have not tried, new books I have not read, new people that I get to meet, new opportunities- the list goes on forever. If I was afraid of the “new” I would never be the person I am today, a happy, confident, successful, and loved woman.

There are several things I feel are most important to impart to my children, and among the top 5 is to not be afraid of something new, to look forward to something new- I lead by example here. My children are required to be active, to try new sports- I lead by example in this arena also. My children are required to try something else if the situation they are in is not working for them- I lead by example.

What new things will you try today?