Florida

In 2015, I joined the Junior League of Duluth. One of the amazing benefits the organization offers is the opportunity for training, including its Organizational Development Institute (ODI). In January, I was asked if I wanted to attend an upcoming ODI and I said wholeheartedly -- yes!

And, there were perks. Such as a frozen beverage outdoors shortly after landing! In February, this is miraculous for a Minnesotan.

We spent most of the three days inside with Junior League women from around the world, but I did get one afternoon by the pool!

I traveled with Trish. My favorite experience together was the dinner we had at the Boat Club at Disney Springs. Amazing pasta dish!

The first full day of ODI, we took part in an optional poverty simulation. This was the second simulation I've participated in, and I've found them both earth-shattering in their revelations about poverty.

For this simulation, we had timed rounds, each representing a week. Our families had to decide how to tackle work, transportation, school, groceries, health care -- all the necessities. Tables around the room represented employers, social services, banks, even pawn shops. (Did you realize how hard it is to do banking when they close at 5:00 and the bus gets you there at 5:10? Now I know why so many people are forced to lose large amounts of money at 'alternative' bankers).

I was part of the "Chen" family.

Our family faced challenges with transportation, and with schools asking for money for supplies and field trips -- which led to our "kids" being kept behind from field trips and getting in trouble. Our family home faced a robbery, which set back our ability to pay bills and eventually led to foreclosure.

Although a simulation, I felt my anxiety zooming as I tried to get everything accomplished and take care of my kids. After a few hours, it was easy to understand, at least a bit, some of the challenges one can face when you don't have transportation, have difficulty finding a job, and don't have financial resources to cover emergencies.

So thankful for these experiences as I continue to understand my place and my work in the world.

The remainder of the ODI, we were mainly in groups within our "track" -- mine was Community, and I liked this picture as it showed the Junior Leagues from around the country who, like JLD, are focusing on food insecurity:

One evening we went back to Disney Springs with a JL'er from Roanoke. I took pictures of things such as large Lego sea monsters and erupting volcanoes, mainly to text home and show the kids.

One highlight to me was the Baileys hot chocolate from the Ganachery. I 💜 good chocolate!

I booked my flight with 24 hours open after the conference ended -- just for ME! I rented a car.

And drove to the ocean. Approaching the water felt so freeing!

I went straight to Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

Oh. My. Goodness. My first manatees EVER!

These amazingly cool lumps under the water were so mesmerizing.

I was just so darn happy to have the afternoon to be with wildlife. And sunshine.

Surprise -- a dolphin even leaped into the air traveling through the canal!

The visitor center pointed me down a one-lane gravel road to look for birds. Water on both sides for miles and miles.

I turned a corner and gasped. So many egrets!

An osprey, eating a fish:

Gator!

Also cool: I could see Kennedy Space Center the whole time. Some day I will get there!

Roseate spoonbills. A first.

I was giddy.

My jotted list for the day included several life birds (L):

• Northern Shoveler
• Red-Billed Grebe
• Double-Crested Cormorant
• Anhinga (L)
• Great Blue Heron
• Great Egret (may be a L)
• Snowy Egret (may be a L)
• Tricolored Heron (L)
• White Ibis (L)
• Glossy Ibis (L)
• Roseate Spoonbill (L)
• Brown Pelican (L)
• Black Vulture (L)
• Turkey Vulture
• Osprey
• Common Gallinule (L)
• American Coot
• Ring-Billed Gull
• Green Heron
• And a sandpiper species I couldn't identify from far away.

I already can't wait to return. 

I finished my birding and drove to Cocoa Beach. I checked into an Airbnb and then headed to a local restaurant to enjoy some delicious sangria:

A cool vibe:

And coconut shrimp:

I slept soundly and woke up with my early alarm. The goal: sunset over the Atlantic. I walked from the Airbnb to the local beach access:

I had great company with this mama and her babies.

There were clouds, but they made the sunrise so dramatic.

There was a man o'war on the beach.

These lines in the sand trail from the shells on the beach, left when the water recedes. The kids had only asked for me to bring home seashells. I was happy to oblige.

Actually, I was just happy in general.

Sometimes we all need that reminder of the beauty of life.

Here's a time lapse I recorded of the sunrise:

Feeling life was good, I headed to a cafe in town for a latte and granola. Mmmmm. A comment on my facebook post of the morning informed me that a Duluth friend of mine was actually in Cocoa Beach TOO!

I mean, what are the chances?!? Knute was staying with his mom and stepdad. I had to stop and say hi before I headed to the airport.

An all-around fantastic trip with lots of memories for me!

a day in the life

I love it when the kids are so proud, or so happy, that they ask to have their pictures taken ... such as this particular morning that provided a snap shot into our daily lives.

Alex, when he dons something he thinks Mom will like, will sneak into my room in the morning smiley and expectantly, waiting for me to gush: "ohhh aren't you handsome!?!" This sweater vest is one of those items. It originally came with a button-down checked shirt, but this particularly day, he wore it over his t-shirt and with running pants!  I just adore the whole outfit and this special boy.

The same morning, Victoria was giving the puppies lots of loves and attention, and told me she wanted a picture taken of her and the puppies "with their plaid bandanas."

(the dogs look like they are trying to get away, but I think they were actually hoping that dad, who was making lunches, would drop food!)

I wish I could bottle up these moments of daily life <3 .="" p="">

giggles

So often, this is the silliness that ensues at our house. I love their giggles and laughter! Such a gift in my life.

Looking Back on a Year of Mason

Over a year ago, this was Mason ... adorable, newly walking, full of smiles with a hint of mischief.

His love of green blocks truly was astounding!

Family and friends gathered to celebrate his first birthday. 

My kids brought clothes to change into that would match the jungle theme. Of course.

Could this theme get any cuter??

We've been so fortunate to live close enough for occasional play dates, so as last spring went on, there was plenty of play time outdoors, especially at local playgrounds.

  

Whenever the three cousins are together, it's instant play time! Here's a video clip of the kids running around the living room:

At Christmas time, we found a pair of plaid PJs for Mason that matched his cousins'. We needed to buy them. Obviously.

This past winter, Adam and Megan went on vacation, and entrusted Mason with us for a few nights!

Big cousins can teach important things. Like how to go down the steps. Victoria and Alex dutifully crawled down backwards to show Mason how to do it, LOL.

This happened that same weekend, and Victoria asked me to take a picture of her snuggling with Piper (and Alex's stuffed dog which conveniently became Piper's pillow).

We read books at bedtime in Auntie Jenn's bed. Except the night he refused to go up in my bed, instead pointing to his pack and play saying, "go night-night. go night-night." Sure enough -- the kid was that tired from playing that he crawled in and went right to sleep.

There was endless playing with cars and Duplos (Mason calls them "way-gos.")

And trains.

I had to drop Victoria off at the furniture store to sell Girl Scout cookies with her troop. The boys took advantage of available couches ... with Mason copying Alex, who was pretending to sleep.

We all went out for a quick lunch. Yay McDonald's Playland.

Victoria REALLY wanted Mason to go sledding with us. We tried a small hill in our backyard and ... let's just say he wasn't a fan. One time was enough!

So happy we kept the booster seat for mealtimes.

And that Victoria is such a good reader now.

A final cute story that happened at our house ... Mason was playing in the kitchen and saw this magnet on the fridge:

He proudly announced, "Dat my daddy's car! My daddy's car!"

His dad is a cop for Cloquet instead of Duluth ... but still, I was impressed that among all the magnets on our fridge, this is the one he noticed. 

Mason is a pretty amazing kid who we love like crazy!