It’s not fair to resent someone for being exactly who they are.


17, 21



Approach difficult conversations looking to learn something, not to prove something.


16, 21



Biographies: Be inspired.


12



Dress to people will listen to you, not look at you. (This is especially true at school and work.)


15, 18, 21



1

Start a vegetable garden.


7



Keep a pair of nail clippers in the car - much better lighting outside. Clipping tiny fingernails is terrifying!


Infant-1



1

Model good nutrition and fitness routine.


4



Plan trip to Outside Lands music festival at Golden Gate Park


17



First date going extremely well? Thinking u might score? Slow down. A woman always wants to feel like she’s worth waiting for.


20



Best take on parenting: “My kid is never gonna not feel safe with me.”


1, 5, 10, 15



When you’re struggling with something, you don’t know how you feel or why something is happening... Give it to the Lord. Entrust him with it. He will mold it and soften it so you’re able to process it.


19



The more you move, the happier you are.


10, 11, 13, 15, 18, 21



“Take the risks. Make the big moves, even if they’re small moves. Forge ahead with your lives in any and every direction that moves you. I’m asking you to be fearless.” - Rebecca Pearson (character from NBC tv drama ‘This Is Us’)


21



Begin again. Whether by choice or necessity, sometimes there’s no other option.


15, 21



Make a Shutterfly book for each year and give it to them on their birthday.


5-18



Puberty is like putting a 12 year old in the pilot seat of a fighter jet. A total sh*t show at first, then better but still erratic and dramatic until they really get a feel for the speed and the pressure, the gauges, etc. They’ll learn when to question or to trust their instincts. Tell him that he’ll fly this jet for the rest of his life and it will always be dangerous because it’s an effing jet, but he will learn how to fly it expertly. He’ll do good, have fun, accomplish missions and refuel.


12



Three things you cannot change: The past, the truth, someone else.


18



When you bring home a new baby, make sure your older kid(s) hear you talking to it the way you talk to them: “I’m sorry Baby I can’t hold you right now, I’m going to play with Sibling.” It makes it a lot easier to tell Siblings that you can’t give them attention right now because Baby needs you. Less resentment, etc.


2, 3, 4, 5



When you’re in a disagreement with someone or feel you’ve been wronged, it’s helpful to remember who the other person is. Are they someone of integrity? (If they’re your friend I bet they are.) Remember then, that even though they may have done something to hurt you, they were likely believed their actions were doing (or at least trying to do) the right thing. People sometimes get it wrong. Or they don’t have all the facts. Or their mind is just somewhere else. The pain you may feel from a perceived slight is probably not intentional, but even if it is, try to forgive and let it go. We’re all just doing the best we can.


16, 21



Plan a trip to New York City to see Hamilton.


15



May you make yourself proud every day. That’s my wish for you. (I will always be proud of you.) xoxo


9, 14, 21



Throw some love at a problem.


12, 15, 21



“You will encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated.” -Maya Angelou


17



Be mindful of privilege. Discuss the concept, point it out where you see it.


11-18



Teach how to carve a turkey.


15



I like to say a Hail Mary just to join the chorus, to add my voice to the millions who are praying in that moment. The world has plenty of people thinking or doing horrible things, we need to add to the good, add to the beauty as much as possible at every turn. Saying a quick prayer is sometimes all I can muster.


9-19



Jazz in the Garden free outdoor concerts at National Gallery of Art. Fridays during summer months.


7



If you don’t know where to begin, picture where you want it to end, and work it backwards.


15, 21



People will speak or act in all kinds of unpleasant ways. Stay calm and kind.


14-21



Purpose is more important than happiness. Having a purpose (or looking for it) will save you. (And sometimes finding a *new* purpose is what you need.)


16, 21