Flexibility: Unpopular but Good

Yesterday we confirmed that little Naya is breech. She's been this way for quite some time and despite our hopes that she would wiggle into the head-down position, it doesn't seem very likely. So the verdict is that I will have to have a procedure to turn her and to induce my labor in just two weeks. And I know many of you think I'm crazy for this, but I'll have to get an epidural, and I was hoping to have her natural.

So there you have it. My birth plan and my vision for Naya's birth have pretty much disappeared! So what's the lesson I'm learning from all of this? Flexibility.

This isn't how I pictured things going, but in the end, the most important thing is that I have a healthy baby. That is much more important than my birth plan and my huge fear of needles (yikes!). And it's a little dose of something called life. Things seldom go exactly as we plan, and it's easy to get frustrated by that reality instead of remembering what is most important. This is a difficult concept for planners like me!

Flexibility is a good thing. It keeps us sane. It keeps us focused on what is most important. And it embraces change....

Nicole

Monday Morning Mantra - 7/27

Good morning guys!

This weekend the family and I visited the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of African American History in Baltimore, which I highly recommend if you're in town. We learned about the role that Maryland citizens played in the Civil Rights Movement, the history of the city, and more. As I walked through the exhibits, I was reminded of how important it is that we stand up -- and speak up -- for what's right. Our country would be a lot different if it hadn't been for the courage of so many...

"He who does not have the courage to speak up for his rights cannot earn the respect of others."

~ Rene G. Torres

This week, remember to speak up and fight for what you believe in.

Love,

Nicole

A Picture Says a Thousand Words...

Hi all,

I thought I'd share this awesome photo with you this Friday afternoon to remind you to dream big and remember that anything is possible. It's a promotional picture for Disney's movie "Up."

Have an awesome weekend!

Nicole

Monday Morning Mantra - 7/20

Morning everyone!

I took my first dip of the summer yesterday (sad but true), and it was great. I hope all of you are sneaking a little time at the pool. You deserve it!

I searched for a Mantra this week that celebrates swimming, and I found one that does that and more:

"Be a fish swimming against the current, and be a tree swaying against the breeze." -- Anonymous

This week, don't be afraid to swim against the current (i.e. don't be afraid to be DIFFERENT!).
If you'd like to receive our Mantras via your email every Monday, please click here.

Have an awesome week!

Nicole

Hot Foods for Hot Dates!

Hey guys,

As you know, we've postponed GS Radio shows until September, but I still wanted to share some hot date tips with you (July's theme was supposed to be "Hot! Hot! Hot!").

I stumbled across this article which highlights great date foods. My favorites: fondue, sushi, and strawberries...

Check out the article: http://food.yahoo.com/blog/foxyfestivities/23053/best-foods-to-heat-up-date-night/

I'm getting hungry! :)

Nicole

Monday Morning Mantra - 7/13

Good morning guys!

Happy Monday to you. In the past two weeks, we have been reminded of how precious life is with the passing of celebrities and well-loved public figures. It seems like every time I turn on the news, someone else is gone. But last week I also celebrated life with the birth of my nephew, Phoenix, and a good friend's baby, Melanie. Holding these little babies in my arms was an awesome feeling and one that encourages me to live each day to the fullest.

This week's Mantra is all about that:

"Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending." ~ Maria Robinson

This week, don't live in the past. You can start making changes today.

Have an awesome week! To receive our Mantras via email each Monday, please click here.

Nicole

Monday Morning Mantra - 7/06

Hello all,

Remember how I told you that doing the right thing will pay off in the long-run? Well, this was put to the test this for me this weekend in a major way. Even though we're tempted to go tit-for-tat with someone, we have to be stronger than that. It feels horrible in the moment, but know that later on, we'll see the benefits.

This week's Mantra reminds us of the importance of doing the right thing:

"The reputation of a thousand years may be determined by the conduct of one hour."
~Japanese Proverb

This week, try to rise above the actions of others and operate with integrity.

If you want to receive our Mantras in your inbox each Monday, please click here.

Have an amazing week!

Nicole