Must come to an end. Excerpt from Instagram:

It’s been hard for me to capture what this season meant to me….but it means a whole lot more than our place in league, districts or state. It’s the family we created, the trust these players and families gifted to me along the journey, the packed gyms and a supportive community, an amazing coaching staff to help guide this crazy crew, and above all an entire 3 months filled with joy, laughter and LOVE. #unicornszn #forever #ferndalevolleyball #coachlife #ONE #clockingout

I’ve seen (and commented on) multiple posts of parents of teenagers reaching out for support and community. And while I totally FEEL that all over the place and hope to make a splash in this arena through my future job at FSD, it just doesn’t seem to be an available option right now.

But until then….this podcast is seriously a MUST LISTEN!!!! Every episode is real, insightful and you walk away with real tactics or mindsets shifts you can use right away with your teens. The show is based on a real life moms relationship with her sons (who committed suicide three years ago) therapist. Her fire was lit to help save other teens from that outcome and talks each week with an amazing counselor (y’all know I’m hard on counselors typically) on how to connect with your tween/teen in the most vulnerable years of their life.

Check out the podcast now!!!! (Also perfect to listen en route to your family vacay WITH your spouse while the kiddos have their headphones on)

Hint: the “DM episodes” are quick snippets of them answering listeners’ questions and you can listen to them in any order.

The real episodes might be better in order as the beginning episodes really build on each other.

Or as we have been referring to it….happy Cruise-mas. ???

And a funny picture I couldn’t NOT share. And on a serious note….I am so incredibly grateful for all of your love and support to our little team and our journey throughout this year. I read every single comment and love the engagement I’ve been able to cultivate through this blog. More shenanigans to come in 2018!

Some of my plane to-do list includes:

– read lots of personal development books (can’t get enough)

– feel bad about NOT reading because….naps

– keep the kiddos anxiety at bay by providing them a free ticket for unlimited screen time (and hella peace oil)

– brainstorm blog topics that contain better content than what my current mental health is concocting:

1. Hey look (again)….my cat is cute. And also….the Christmas videos of kids crying when unwrapping their new puppy? Tears. Every time. I’m officially a pet person.

2. Work is hard. Hot tub is easy. Rinse. Repeat.

3. ….on why I click every Facebook quiz I see and then never post the results because I’m so embarrassed that I waste time on that.

4. Why do cats like Christmas trees so much? (I have no idea but I would like to research this topic – my current theory is my cat really wants to escape outside but we wont let him so the tree experience is similar to what we feel when we think about laying on a sunny beach somewhere)

5. ….on my brothers’ girlfriends and my hypothesis on the link between how cool they are and their hair color (don’t worry I won’t actually blog about this BJ and Jakeepoo but they are cool….and brunette….just sayin)

And obviously I’m completely kidding about having a to-do list for the start of what will be the most relaxing, amazing holiday vacation of all time……or not.

We’ve been anxiously waiting for our Christmas cruise to be here and now it is!!! The big kids have been counting down to relaxation and family time….the little Wonders are unfortunately counting down towards the doom and gloom of our plane crashing and there not being enough life boats on the cruise ship (noted: dont let your anxiety-ridden son research titanic the same year you’re taking him on a cruise). ?

We’re ready to tackle their anxiety with the best strategy I know – real life experiences that will reassure them that it will all be okay and that we will help them through it. That traveling outside of what we “know” is something to look forward to – not be scared of. And that creating family memories sometimes means we have to leave the house (or the country!).

Please pray for our littles and their anxiety – although I tease about it, I know their fear is strong and it is real. And we will struggle getting them through it and then we will. We will enjoy each other and the trip and use it as a “success story” for our next trip.

So some of you may remember that the last time my hubby went on his annual mission trip to Haiti my sweet, innocent child did this. Enter anxiety and fear and a whole lot of grace and patience and here we are with my husband leaving again this Spring. But this time we are super excited for WonderGIRL to go with!!!!

Although I am worried for her anxiety levels in traveling to such a faraway and unknown place, I know that the lessons she will learn about servanthood, poverty throughout the world, and the Haitians undeniable gratitude for their humble lives will blow her away. She is about to be such a joyful and energetic addition to the team as they care for them medically – she gets to entertain the littles and hand out comfort and kindness. I can’t wait to hear and see the children flocking around her and to see the mutual blessings they will be in each others life paths.

If you would like to help support WonderGIRL, please know that prayers and encouragement is the heavy load of what we need for her. She also has a fundraising link if you’d like to support her financially. Every time we get to tell her there’s a new donation, the WG signature squeal-and-clap is in full effect so thank you to those of you who have already donated.

Hopefully Scott will get lots of pictures and video for me to share about her trip!

PS we like totally love Snapchat filters.

So apparently the only words I can muster/type have to do with this story and now movie and I’m okay with that for now….

….because the movie exceeded all of my expectations. Truly, I can’t wait to show every kiddo and maybe even every parent this movie to increase some empathy and compassion in this world that is severely lacking both.

If (when) you take your kiddos to see this movie, here are a few questions that may spark some conversation that may just surprise you.

1. Which character did you feel like was most like you? (Auggie – the target, Jack Will – bystander/friend that gives in to peer pressure, Via – sister jealous of sib with special needs, Julian – bully who has entitled and helicopter parents)

Important follow up: Why? (This is where the magic happens…..allow for silence…..and more silence……)

2. Which character showed the most bravery?

3. Is there someone like Auggie at your school right now? What can you do tomorrow to show them that they belong and are not alone?

4. Can you share a time that you were like Julian towards others? How do you think that affected the other person? Now that you know how it affected Auggie would you think differently before repeating that behavior?

Here is another blog post with suggested questions.

If for nothing else, this movie highlights both the struggles and joys of parenting a child that is outside of typical. Bring some tissues and ugly cry in front of your kids – it’s good for the soul and for them to see that all the emotions are meant to be felt and processed, not hidden.