Here’s the incredibly thoughtful present my lovely husband got me for mother’s day. (He got me some fun scrapbooking stuff too!)

This is an exact replica of my climbing shoes that I wear each time we go climbing. And now I have a little keychain where I can carry them around with me.

How sweet is that?

Today was a tough day at work as expected, so I took a lot of downtime and went climbing with my husband. When I was up on the wall I forgot all about work. And everything else.

And now I sit here and write up my week in the life noted and feel okay. So we will call this a win.

Yes to stepping away when needed. Yes to being present and doing things that help you be present.

#yearofyes #karenikayearofyes

For mother’s day, big boy wrote me this wonderful, touching and thoughtful letter.

And the best part? The code he wrote to compile the letter is shaped like a heart.

I know today can be a tough day for many people for a wide range of reasons. I also know it can come with a lot of expectations.

Years and years ago I used to get all excited about New Year’s Eve plans and my expectations would be set so high that we would end up having a spectacular fight every time.

After several years of repeating this, one year I got really sick and we ended up in bed playing video games all night. It was the best new year’s eve and it taught me a great lesson around having no expectations and just being grateful to be here now.

So that’s how I feel today. I am grateful for my sons who are kind and thoughtful and give hugs freely. I am grateful for my husband who is generous and loving and also had a deeply thoughtful gift, too.

I am grateful for my nephews who are one of a kind just like my sister who is the best mom. For my friends who sent me kind, loving notes today to celebrate.

And I am so grateful for my amazing mom who made all this magical family possible. Who still teaches me new things daily, who loves me unconditionally and who brightens all my days.

I am using this as an opportunity to take a moment to be grateful because I know that all of this is rare and not guaranteed. I don’t want to take any of it for granted for a moment.

Yes to taking a moment today for deep gratitude.

#yearofyes #karenikayearofyes

Today was a good day. It started with a relaxing way to wake up, some snuggles with little boy, a lot of exercise and a lot of reading.

Then I did some meal prep, some more exercise, painting and journaling.

And now I am sitting outside again as the day gets darker and feeling that dull soreness from all the exercise joint with the serenity of a quiet evening.

There is a lot going on so these quieter days are exactly what my soul is seeking at the moment and I am trying to pay attention as much as possible.

Yes to the quiet. Yes to filling my cup.

#yearofyes #karenikayearofyes