Gratitude 2010!

A couple of years ago I started participating in something that has become a tradition for me. For the five Wednesdays ( I realize today is Thursday, but WTF no one is perfect) leading up to Thanksgiving I post five things for which I am grateful. This is something I love to do, it would be awesome if you joined me. If you don't feel like posting your own list, please enjoy mine. I realize this is something I look forward to every year and it has definitely had an effect on how I think throughout the year. So look forward to a gratitude post from me every Wednesday until Thanksgiving! Send me a link toy your blog, I would love to share in your gratitude as well. This week I am grateful for:

1. The beautiful autumn weather in Georgia
2. I get to share my life with two awesome women, Wendy and Shelby
3. I am able to own a business whose sole purpose is to help families heal
4. A life spent being aware of ways I can grow and change
5. To be surrounded by so many great teachers!

I look forward to reading your posts!

A Fine Spring Day Indeed!

What a wonderful day for the Stonebraker family today! Wendy, Shelby, and I began the day by attending Farm Days at Rucker Horse and Pet. It was a great event and we all had fun with the different varieties of chickens, goats, donkeys, and even some snakes. We shop at Rucker fairly often, they're good people and very helpful.

From there,we headed to Lowes. It's time to add to our

raised bed gardens. We have found a ton of joy in these projects at home. It's something we all participate in together and we get to see some cool results. Once we finish these beds we'll have a total of seven. I can't wait until our summer crops start producing!

Days like today reinforce my gratitude. It was beautiful outside, I got to spend some fun time with my family, and we are creating something together. Not all days are like this but they give me a frame of reference for what my attitude needs to be. I love my family and my life. It is my responsibility to them, and to me, to remember to live in the moment and enjoy what I get to do as much as I can.

Merry Christmas to You!!!

Merry Christmas to all of you! There is so much to be grateful for this year, so I will share what stands out to me and what's on my mind today.

First of all my thoughts and prayers go out to my mother and sister. My mom is very sick right now and in the hospital. The doctors are trying to figure out what is wrong, so in the interim she is being treated as appropriately as possible. She has had a rough December, she broke her ankle a few weeks ago before this latest illness. My sister is doing the best she can right now to support my mother and is doing a great job.

On a happier note, close friends of ours had a daughter last week. It was wonderful to see a new life come into the world, especially this time of year. Mackenzie Rose Meyer was born on December 17th and mother, father, and baby are all very well.

Christmas Eve is a special day for my family. We have been able to create new traditions which we all love. No one feels an unnecessary sense of duty or obligation, we enjoy this day together. I love the movies we watch, the chili, and the gifts but we could do anything and I would enjoy it as much.

I hope you are spending today with the people you love most. If you are unable to for any reason, make it a point to share today with them in some way; a thought, a prayer, or a phone call. Have a holiday filled with love and peace and have fun!

So Far, So Good

I must say, this holiday season has been a blast. Thanksgiving was fun, the tree is up and decorated, and we now await our annual Christmas Party and the arrival of jolly old St.Nick.

I actually decorated the house the weekend after Halloween, I couldn't wait. This certainly has helped me stay more relaxed. Some may not appreciate my lighting skills, but my family loves it and that's what matters to me. Our tree is beautiful and the process of decorating it was spread out over a few days. Again, an anxiety reliever.

I have been committed to making the holidays of 2009 an enjoyable time. I love my family and I love this time of year. The last thing I want to be is a stressed out controlling bastard who sabotages Christmas for everyone. Up to now, mission accomplished. Sharing this motivates me to continue this process. Thanks for reading!

41?

Today is my 41st birthday. Someone asked me earlier today if I "felt" 41. Interesting question. I realize the implied question was "Do you feel old?" I remember asking people the same question when I was younger. My, how things have changed!

As I enter my middle-age years, I realize I have no clue what aging is supposed to "feel" like. Sure, there are physical differences, unfamiliar life challenges, and the growing cognizance of mortality. C'est la vie.

I actually LOVE my 40's so far. I have discovered much about myself in the past couple of years. The cumulative life experience combined with my unwillingness to grow up has made life extremely fun. My wife, daughter, and I have found so much recent adventure. My life is filled with wonderful relationships and fresh perspectives. I am actually looking forward to what's around the corner more now than at any other time in my life.

For those younger, there is much to look forward to. To those who are older, thank you for blazing an amazing trail. For everyone, as we continue to venture along the path of this glorious life, let's continue to guide, teach, and share through all of our experiences!

First Day of an Awesome Week

My family and me are in Orlando for our annual Disneyworld trip. We look forward to it every year. This is the stuff I love writing about and sharing with people. I enjoy my life so much and love talking about it.

This year we are staying at the Pop Century resort.

It's fun because it is huge and always packed with families. No matter what time of day, there is always a din of laughter, running around, and playing. The buzz is constant.

We spent our first day at Discovery Cove. Even though it isn't "Disney", it is spectacular! Discovery Cove has a snorkeling pool, a pool in which you can hang out with rays, and its pinnacle attraction: the dolphin swim. It's the second time we've done it, but it was just as fun as ever.

The day ended with going to the show, La Nouba. Any Cirque du Soleil show is amazing, and this one did not disappoint. The physical skills these performers display are sensational. It was a great show. If you ever have the chance to see La Nouba, I would definitely recommend it.

This is definitely one of my favorite times of year. Coming to Disney in the fall is a great way to celebrate the year and lead into the holiday season. We love it.

P.S. Here is a link to my Flickr page if you want to see more photos!