What makes up the good life? 

I think that answer is different for each person… but what I’ve come to learn about myself over the years is that the good life is this:

The moments spent with friends while our kids jump on the trampoline in the backyard. Or splash each other with water, and someone accidentally gets someone else in the eye… always. There’s usually a bit of crying involved. Then they resume playing like all is right with the world…Because kids and water guns. 

The moments when I’m connecting with Jacob, and he rewards me with a sly smile— my handsome little man. 

The moments when I’m rubbing Alyssa’s head at night while she spills the tea 🍵 because middle school is always an adventure or we discuss or laugh over something silly from one of her books. 

The moments when Hailey creates riddles or we play detective to uncover another clue. 

Or the moments when Phirun shares such a ridiculous joke that makes me snort/laugh/cry or a combination of all three or when he holds me through the hard and good seasons. 

That’s the good stuff. 

And then there are these moments. 

The quieter soul filling moments after a full day of playing with friends over food and wine. 

What I’ve learned about myself— and I’m not sure why it’s taken me such a long time… is that this extrovert needs a lot of quiet time to restore. 

To pray. 

Meditate. 

Read. 

Write. 

And I’m savoring all of it. 

This for me, is the good life. ❤️ 

What I’ve found to be true in my own life, is that the good stuff in life is the relationships you’ve cultivated along the way. 

Sometimes, I feel like the world can be so noisy and loud… and I’m distracted. 

Too distracted sometimes from the things and people who I say is most important to me. 

So, I’m practicing presence. 

Not because it’s easy. 

Or because I think it’s noble… or self-sacrificial. 

Or the “right” thing to do. 

But because I need it.

I need presence. 

To be present.

And there are seasons that beacons me to lighten my social media footprint so I can leave more prints on the lives of the children God has entrusted into my care.

I don’t always get it right. 

And most of the time I don’t. 

Work comes easily and naturally for me— I can find it anywhere…. At home. 

On vacation. 

Even well past dinner time. 

Grit has always come naturally for me for the first half of my life. 

And this second half?

I’m learning to practice sabbath. 

And rest. 

And embracing grace. 

Because these days, I sure could use more of it. 

Beautiful, warm, beaconing for me to come home…grace. 

I hope you have a wonderful summer with your babies— both big and small. 

I hope your summer is full of laughter, sand between your toes, clinking wine glasses and gathering your loved ones around the table or by the fire pit.

And I hope that you take time to savor, and practice presence… and being present over perfect. 

Here’s an unofficial invitation to leaving a lighter social media footprint 👣 to make room for more messy and beautiful summer memories. 🏖