Los Porchs

Just rollin' right along with my littlest homie; had our first visit with my ob/gyn yesterday and everything looks unremarkably wonderfully "fine." Heart rate was at 160 bpm and this nugget currently the size of a cherry looked very gummy bearish to me. Also, did you know that ultrasound envy is a thing? It's not? Well, it should be - I have a mama at work who is 11 weeks and had ultrasounds done at her provider (different network) and they are amazing - 3D and breathtaking. Meanwhile, my kiddo legit looks like a lumpy ghost, but it's fine. Haha, I just never thought to be jealous of someone else's ultrasound. Anywho, off to another day in paradise at work now that I dropped off my biggest little homie. Just enough time to come home, get dressed, try to eat something, grab coffee for work and head out! My next class starts on Monday and I'm ready for it. Shoot. I never told you about that, did I? I started coursework through UW-Platteville for my Progr...

Even when things are shitty as hell, it's really important for me to pause and reflect and to truly give thanks for the good things in our life.  It's not always easy and sometimes it's as simple as giving thanks for the cup of coffee at the end of the work day.  Every year, I attempt to give thanks on a daily basis on the blog (see last year's here and this year's here ). Found this on Etsy and am brainstorming a cute way to use it :) You can find it here . I hope that you too will feel inspired to reflect and give thanks for the good things in your life. Peace!

Our mothers! Porch and I are blessed to have three fabulous women we call "Mom." I love that about our family.  I had a funny exchange with a parent last night at pick up as she said, "Happy Mothers-- wait, you're not a mom. Never mind... Happy Not Being a Mom Day," before exiting stage right. I just kind of stood there for a minute processing what she had said and then laughed. Happy 8+ hours of sleep to ME! I have 23 (plus one on the way, whenever Baby J arrives to his family... Maybe this weekend!) kiddos that I get to spend my days with and 22 amazing families that I get to impact every single day! I may not get to take one home with me (legally) but those children are very much "mine." I have a downright amazing husband who cracks me up with such gems as "If a train leaves Milwaukee at 10:00 and is travelling at 80mph and a second train leaves Chicago at 7:00 at 45mph, how many hours are in the new season of Arrested Development?...

There's something about cold, crisp winter air that reminds us we're alive. And sadly, some of us need that reminder. I'm happy to receive it. It's easy to get wrapped up in daily routines & take little things for granted. Today, in our sweet city of Chicago, the temperature is a fabulous 27° & the air hits you with a force you can't ignore. As my lungs fill with cold air, I'm simply thankful to be alive. To have family & friends whom I love dearly & my basic needs met. I'm thankful to feel this air & the magic it brings. As we head into the new year, I thank you all for your presence in my life (be it as a blessing or a lesson) & wish you awareness, peace, and love in 2013. Enjoy growing old, it's a privilege denied to many. Cherish each moment. And go play outside. It's good for your soul. Xoxo Mrs. Porch

Day 6 It goes without saying that we are thankful for our right to vote.  To have a voice in important decisions that will shape our lives as well as the lives of future Mini Porches is something that we don't take lightly.  Further, if you didn't vote -- I will be the first to tell you to shut the hell up with your complaints about the results.