Love, Joy and a Giveaway

The last few days have broken me open.  

I've tried not to read the updates online or watch the news.  I've deliberately tried to avoid reading the stories of the CT victims.  But I can't escape the reminders of what happened.  Every time I look into my children's eyes, especially my own sweet first grade little boy.  The past couple days at the car loop dropping off my children, picking them up. The holiday parties in their classrooms this week. All reminders of the families and their tremendous loss.

But my soul hasn't just broken open to fear, sadness and vulnerability.  It's also been broken open to more compassion, deeper appreciation and true joy.

I wear these awesome bracelets as my new manifesto. I do believe.  I do have hope. (Check out how you can win this arm candy of hope at the bottom of this post.)

My love is stronger, my empathy is bigger, my eyes are clearer.

I posted this video last week, but now, like most everything, it seems sweeter and even more joyful.


Let me get really real here too.  Yes, I've hugged my children more often and held those hugs for what felt like an eternity to them I'm sure.  But I've also gotten frustrated and sent them to their rooms for bad attitudes, taken Wii privileges away and had to apologize for snapping at them at breakfast this morning.  

It's real life, but my god, I even appreciate all of that more.

In honor of joy and love and hope and gratitude, I'm giving away a gift card to one of the most joyful, amazing stores/web sites I know--catching fireflies.

We are lucky enough to live in Metro Detroit (honestly not a sentence I've said that much in the last few years) and within walking distance to one of the catching fireflies stores.  Lucy and I love to go, simply walking inside the store makes us happy.

Here's my Lulu picking out gifts for her teachers.

The store is full of color and art and happiness.  It's the perfect place to find hostess gifts, funny magnets and creative gifts for all ages.

catching fireflies is sponsoring this giveaway with a $34 gift card. The winner will also win a HOPE bracelet along with other a few other colorful bracelets that are made from recycled plastic, and are awesome (see picture above).  The bracelets were bought at the catching fireflies down the street from me.

All you have to do is leave a comment here about what brings you joy or what is filling you with love right now.  The winner will be chosen by a random drawing (using Random.com) and will be announced on Monday.