Finding the Silver Lining
Being on bedrest while pregnant with Norah pretty much ran right into being locked down because of the pandemic. After Norah had her first round of shots, we were itching for a getaway. Tyler and I love the mountains, and I find them to be incredibly grounding. So we decided to explore the desert as a family for a much-needed change of scenery!
We headed to Palm Springs one weekend with another family we have been podding with (they’re in our bubble). It was so nice to get the kids in the pool and embrace the heat. We made family meals, hiked, and enjoyed delicious ice cream from Kreem Coffee.
We went on a magical hike as a family and came across a beautiful waterfall. I can't tell you how empowered we felt finally getting back out there knowing we can still enjoy one of our favorite pass times as a family of 4. Mom and dad even got to enjoy not one but two adult dates! I honestly think I had forgotten what it's like to sit and enjoy a meal without having to feed someone else or eat as fast as I can to do whatever is next on the to-do list. I slowed down and savored every bit of food and each sip of wine. We had the most incredible service and food. Thank you to Workshop Kitchen + Bar!
A few weeks later we took another trip to Joshua Tree with the kid's Avo and Nana. Let me tell you, there is nothing like a desert sunset and sunrise! We ate under a beautiful tree every night, swung on the porch swings, and dipped in the hot tub. We stayed at the most adorable Airbnb called the Harriet House. Staying somewhere that is so perfectly decorated always helps me to feel relaxed in a new place. Watching Liam run through the desert in nothing but a diaper and t-shirt was magic. There's something about watching a little boy feel so free. Not worrying about cars or being socially distanced, it was all so simple, but had such a significant impact.
Lately, I've been looking for silver linings. The pandemic and election have left me feeling, well, blah, and overall exhausted, so I decided I was going to start flipping the narrative in my head. I am focusing on all the good things that have come out of this transitional time. Because blogging has taken up my regular journaling routine, I've added the simple practice of one sentence gratitude journaling to amplify the silver linings and drown out the chaos and anxiety.
Here are some of the silver-linings I've taken out of these trips:
Sunrises and sunsets are breathtaking and centering.
My family loves to be outside and enjoy nature.
We are getting to explore places close by that, hopefully, we will often visit.
My husband and I still got it ;)
Ice cream can solve most things.
The mountains ground me.
My family is my fuel.
We can do more with less, when we try.