Delight in the Little Things

- - - | written by Jason on 1/2/2013 | - - -

Messages in a Bottle: Make Your Own Memory Jar

At the end of every year, Kim and I sit down and review the year that was. We talk about what went well, what didn't go well, and reminisce about the adventures we had and the things we accomplished. The hardest part is remembering it all! We review our calendar and archived to-do lists, and even though I'm amazed at how much you can accomplish in a year, I always feel like we're missing stuff. Which is what makes this idea pure genius. Find a neat jar and put it in your kitchen with a pen and a stack of tiny paper nearby. Throughout the year, write down any cool adventures, funny …

- - - | written by Jason on 8/17/2012 | - - -

Las Vegas: A Reflection of the Adultitis Within Us

Las Vegas is stunning in its grandiosity, clever in its marketing, and is awash in über talented people and beautiful design. Las Vegas is also a loud, bold, and damning example of how far we’ve come from the childlike hallmark of delighting in the little things. …

- - - | written by Jason on 6/25/2012 | - - -

The Danger of Modern Productivity

I have a confession to make. I’m often more eager to head downstairs to work than I am to come back upstairs and rejoin the family. I think it's because when I’m spending time with my kids, I don’t feel as productive as I do as when I’m working. I still choose family over work more often than not, but sometimes I look at the money and accomplishments my peers are collecting, and I wonder if I’m making the best use of my time, especially when we’re just sitting around doing “nothing.” I used to feel pretty guilty about feeling this way, until a book called How Will You Measure Your Life? …

- - - | written by Jason on 6/4/2012 | - - -

How to Make Your Summer Memorable

What's a foolproof way to make your summer memorable? Get a face tattoo. Kidding. When we get to the end of our lives, the things that seem to matter most are the scenes. The adventures we shared with our partners in crime. The inside jokes and games we played and memories we made with the people we love. …

- - - | written by Kim on 6/2/2012 | - - -

Living Your Last Day Over and Over

Sitting on the edge of Madison's big lake with my husband and two kiddos. Heavenly breeze. Eating ice cream and giggling like school girls. Savoring the magnificent display of colors reflecting everywhere. Sounds of joy surrounding. Happy kids. Happy parents. The enchantment of magic hour all around us. It dawned on me...if I were given 24 hours to live, THIS is how I would like to spend my time. But this isn't my last 24 hours. It's nice to live your last day again...and again...and again. What would your favorite last day be? …

- - - | written by Jason on 4/19/2012 | - - -

The Perfect To-Do List

Too often, we judge the value or success of our day by the number of things we were able to cross off our to-do list. That's sad, because life is more than crossing things off lists. But I suppose that's a short-sighted view. After all, it doesn't take into account what's actually ON said list. This is the sort of list I can get behind. I think we could all benefit from scheduling in a lot more singing and a bit more dizzy. Source: stryker.tumblr.com …

- - - | written by Kim on 3/30/2012 | - - -

What “First” Can You Have Today?

I finally got Lucy to let me paint her toenails. (She was convinced for the longest time that it was going to hurt.) It definitely goes down in the books as one of my favorite "firsts." Picture the two of us on her bedroom floor with red toes, waiting for them to dry, chatting it up like school girls -- a mother's dream! Of course she thinks it makes her look more like a princess. Maybe that's secretly why I like to have mine painted, too. Parenting is chock full of "firsts." The cool thing is that you don't have to be a parent to have a "first" with someone you care about. What …

- - - | written by Kim on 1/18/2012 | - - -

Savor Your Life’s Fleeting Moments

I LOVE Ben's cheeks! Seriously, I just can't get enough. I munch on them, pretending to eat them (which always gets a smile from Lucy). I rub my own cheeks on his. I walk across the room JUST to kiss them. Every time I absorb their cuteness my heart overflows with love. It's the best feeling in the world. They are just there for the taking and I can't help myself, doggonit. His chubby little cheeks, his adorable smell, his little gurgling noises -- I am savoring them all. This time is fleeting. He's already changing so much. Rather than dread the loss of these amazing stages, I …

- - - | written by Jason on 11/30/2011 | - - -

Doing Nothing

January 19, 2009: We've gotten lots and lots of parenting advice over the past year. The majority of it has been unsolicited, but for the most part, it has been very well intentioned. …

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