Life Begins At The End Of Your Comfort Zone

If you would have told me when I was younger that I would have the courage to do the things I am doing today I would have completely laughed in disagreement.  I was not a very athletic girl growing up.  As a matter of fact I was pretty uncoordinated, struggled through gym class, and was not a dancer (as much as I wanted to be), a runner, or did anything out of my comfort zone.  I was happy just being the spectator.  Then, at 18 years old,  I met my husband...an athlete, an "I can do better",  competitive kind of soul.  It took him many years to slowly get me to agree to get out of my zone.  I started to run after I had kids, I never biked until a few years ago, and hiking... Who knew that would become my favorite pastime.

Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone also comes with overcoming fears from accidents, pushing through high heart rates without stopping , and knowing you can do things beyond your limits.  This coming from me really is surprising even to myself.  I have suffered from a concussion that took me 3 months to feel even remotely "normal", a wrist injury, and just pure stress of being scared while trying new things.  My balance is ridiculously off which does not make for fun hiking on rocks or biking on rocky, narrow, single track trails...but I do it...why you might ask?  Because my husband makes me.  He enjoys all of these things and I started doing it for him. ( Now I do it for US) Every time I injured myself, he rushed me to the hospital, and always ended the day with "next time".  I got to the point where I never doubted there would be a next time.  My family laughs at me, worries about me, and we always come back with some story!  

Not Pretty...Or something I ever thought I would share..
But I recovered and got back on my bike

In these days of quarantine, now is the time to get out and conquer some fears.  No better time than now when there are not a lot of other things to do.  Don't find yourself sitting inside thinking about what you could be doing, think about what there is to do that takes you out of your comfort zone.  It doesn't have to be a physical challenge either.  Just try something new. 

 Push yourself to try.do.conquer.

The feeling of reaching a goal is exhilarating

The feeling of reaching a goal is addicting

The feeling of reaching a goal makes you want to revisit and push the goal out further

Not to quote NIKE...but I will...

Just 

Do 

It

P.S.  Next week we are going skiing in Colorado!  I haven't skied in 30 years!  Guess who's idea this was!  Hopefully we wont end the day with "Next Time!" 

 Stay Tuned

Born with a bow on her head and a heart of gold~The Best Surprise Of Our Lives

        

   
December 1989- “we’re having a baby”

I always refer to my first born as “the best surprise of our lives”. Because of this beautiful surprise, we  happily got married a year earlier than planned, and started our crazy life. Because plans are meant to be changed...

We were young, completely clueless, and in this together for the rest of our lives.  The one and only day it ever scared me was after our first Lamaze class.  We got in the car, I was very quiet and Eric asked what I was thinking about.  I answered him with “Holy shit...eventually shes' going to have to come out of me!”  I was not the type looking forward to childbirth at 23 years old.  Marriage, parenthood, family...I was so ready for all of that, but childbirth...

Fast forward 2 months~August 10th 1990

We walked into the hospital at 9am and 10 1/2 hours later came Danielle Hailey Bresnahan, she was a peanut from day one and 30 years later still a peanut .  The tiniest little perfect body with the attitude of wildfire.  The spunk of Grandma Sandi, daddies eyes and my hair.  

The 3 of us hung out in Milwaukee for 3 short months, loaded all of our belongings into 1/2 a semi truck, packed up the car and to Mississippi we moved.  Dani and I flew through pilot training together as Eric studied, learned to fly, and helped me start raising our family.

  

This was just the beginning of Dani’s travels.  We moved when she was 3 months, 18 months, 4 years old, 10 years old and one more time when she was 11 years old.  Every time we moved she was a rockstar. She was strong and so confident.  She amazed me every first day at a new school.  She was fearless.

Fast forward again~30 years

This best surprise of our lives , which Jake and Sadie refer to as “my favorite”  has lived up to every childhood dream she had, except being an astronaut.

  She met the love of her life in college, Graduated, packed up a month after getting married, moved half way across the world to Bahrain to teach for a year, traveled to places I’ve only dreamed of, moved home, bought their first house, started earning her masters degree while pregnant and teaching, finished her degree with a newborn, started a photography business, made a job change, added another beautiful baby to their family, always made time and continues to make time to make sure everyone else is happy and taken care of...family, friends and co-workers.

 She knows what’s important in life...Family.Friends.Traditions.Love

Dani, your passion for life is something that everyone should take a lesson from.  

I know that right now my kids are reading this thinking, yep, Dani’s the favorite, but they know better. 

(And on their 30th birthdays I will go on and on about their successes). 

But for today, I celebrate Our first born, Our Best Surprise Ever ❤️

Happy 30th Birthday Dani~I Love You 

                 

Disclaimer~I have never NOT written a blog about my other favorite kids

Why Fit In When You Were Born To Stand Out~ Sadie 2015

If You Want To Change The World...Start Off By Making Your Bed~Jake 

10,000 feet...A little closer to heaven

Over the past few days I have been at 10,000 feet twice. Once by climbing and once by flying. It was crazy to me that at 10,000 feet on an airplane you need to have oxygen if the plane depressurizes, but when Eric and I were climbing that was the last thing that crossed my mind. (until of course Eric pointed it out to me...”this is when the oxygen is a must."

Yes, the breathing was a little harder but the peacefulness was undeniable. As I am writing this, I am currently at 30,000 feet looking out my airplane window. The view is one that I love. The peaks and valleys, the white clouds and blue sky, the green land, and the curves at the rivers. It is all connected in a sort of unrealistic way. To think of all the things that are going on 30,000 feet below me makes me wonder if those that have passed away before us are watching in somewhat the same way. And if they are, is it a helpless feeling?

 I am not sure that I’ve ever admitted this to anyone, but in my heart and in my soul, every time I fly I feel a little closer to my mom, and to heaven in general. I have this hopeful feeling that those I am thinking about are feeling a little ounce of love, and I wonder... maybe they’re just a little more in reach. Not once have I ever flown without looking out the window and feeling closer to her, and others that have passed before me.  When my mom died, I had been flying from Charleston to Milwaukee every week for the last eight weeks of her life. Every time I flew I would stare out the window and ask God for it all to go away and let her be all right. Then after she was gone and I flew, I started talking to her.  (Don’t worry, not out loud!) I know this all sounds a little nuts, but then again that’s just me. A little crazy a little over emotional. But who’s to say this isn’t a thing? I am up here right now coming home a day earlier than planned to to go to my neighbors funeral. May Her Memory Be A blessing  

I can’t say that I’m not looking out thinking about her today. A beautiful soul gone too early. It doesn’t matter that I only had known her from a far, she is the one I’m thinking about today. And my mom, because that’s a given. ❤

There are times that I am flying in tears just start rolling. Once about a year ago, the flight attendant caught this and came back to me with a Kleenex. I felt a little funny about that, but it didn’t matter that she didn’t know why I was crying, she just knew I was. Thankfully she didn’t ask if I was OK, or what was wrong. Because if she did, what would I say?  “I am just talking to my mom out there in the clouds, and I miss her."...I can’t say that anyone will get this feeling that I’m talking about, but I must say, it is a feeling of closeness that I never thought could be a thing.  It is a feeling so strong in my heart that I feel it in my stomach when I get up in the air. You can take all of this with a grain of salt, you can take it as a hopeful part of my soul, you can take it anyway you want. All I know is that 10,000 feet is a little closer to heaven.

May Her Memory Be Blessing ♥♥ In Jewish tradition, each time you think of someone who has passed on or say their name, they are blessed and so are you. The memory you have of them turns into a blessing for you and for their soul

 

~Kali and Kevin~ 

5 years ago this August, I wrote a blog about our 16 year old next door neighbor, Kevin, who passed away in a car accident (May His Memory Be A Blessing).  Tragedy has struck our little neighborhood again this past week.  Our neighborhood has not turned over a lot in the past years since all of our kids were growing up. Many of the same families have watched each others kids from preschool to graduating high school. Many of these kids were a tight knit group and have now endured the loss of 2 friends in 5 years.

The Reinhardt family has endured a devastation that has affected so many.  This family of 6, Ray, Heather, Jake, Jack, Josh, and Kali has changed forever.

Last Saturday night their daughter and sister Kali (24) was out with friends and collapsed.  She was taken to Northwestern hospital in Chicago. She was treated for a headache and an ankle sprain.  During the night Kali stopped breathing and was intibated.  It was determined that she had an unknown condition that didn't allow her brain to swell properly when it needed to.  There was no way of knowing this...

Kalis mom, Heather, immediately started writing a Caring Bridge...https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kalireinhardt

The strength of this woman, this mom, is unlike any mom I have ever known.  I always knew her to be very strong . (I have known Heather for years because our older sons are friends and our youngest, Sadie and Josh are best friends...) Her fight proves not only her strength but her love for her family. She has more eloquence in her writing on the Caring Bridge than most would in this situation.  She posted pictures of Kalis hands being held by her brothers, boyfriend, godparents, and she and her husband Ray.  She opened herself up and let everyone who was following Kalis "journey" feel every emotion.  I had only met Kali a handful of times, but every time a new journal was written my stomach ached...I read...I cried...  Any mom would find tears falling, any mom who has kids young or old will feel the pain in her words.  But every word is written with so much love.  Kali was a very lucky girl to have the support, love and prayers from so many.  She touched so many lives in her short 24 years, from high school, college and living in Chicago. She now will touch lives in a way that she never imagined that she would.  She has donated her organs through The Gift Of Hope to families that were so patiently waiting.  Like I said, I had only had the privilege of meeting her a few times, but I can say with confidence that heaven has gained an angel.  She will be watching over her mom and dad, Jake, Jack, Josh, Mitch, all of her friends and family.  The world lost a beautiful girl, but heaven gained a beautiful soul.

Please send this family prayers and strength during this unfathomable time.
May Her Memory Be A Blessing ❤

This Too Shall Pass...maybe not today...maybe not tomorrow...but it will pass. and we will all have found a stronger part of ourselves that we never knew existed

"Hi, How are you?"

"JUST LIVING THE DREAM!"

When else in your life can you:

Talk to your brothers, sisters, parent's, kids and friends every.single.day

Stay in your pj's (or workout clothes) all day

Drink coffee until its time to open the wine

Not really spend money (except on coffee and wine)

have time to exercise every day

run

walk 

run

get caught up on absolutely everything 

walk your dog until he/she can't take another step

EAT.EAT.EAT

                            zoom.zoom.zoom.

It's all good. It's all fun right?

NO...It Is

 (as Ruth from Ozark and Carole Baskin from Tiger King would put it)

                          BATSHIT CRAZY!

This is where I'm at:

I can walk in circles around the small park by my house but I can't take a 5 mile long hike in Red Rock Canyon

I can go to Target or Costco or Home Depot, wait in line to get in but I can't go to a small business who can also monitor the number of people who go inside

I can see kids playing on a play structure at one park and have the play structure at the next park roped off

I can go to a state park to go on a hike (except for the one that I came to on the left) but once I hit the national park 5 miles in... I get a stop sign

Our development builder, who also controls our HOA, can still show new homes to clients by driving them through our complex on a golf cart, but the residents can't sit at the firepit, the pool or BBQ area where there is  more room to sit 6 ft apart then on a golf cart.

I could keep going, but whats the point...

I have spent this time listening to my husband  (who by the way is still out flying, with closed restaurants at airports and hotels, no coffee, empty flights and empty airports. Airplanes are flying the Drs., nurses, and supplies to where they need to be, so I am proud that he is still out there) but back to my original thought...I have spent this time listening to him pick everything about this apart.  He talks about the percentages, the numbers (because he is most definitely a numbers guy), the curve and especially the market.  Everything about this does not add up. From which states are mandating what laws, to the actual number of cases vs deaths adding up to the projections.  He makes me see this and understand this every day, and trust me when I say, he is one of the smartest people I know.

Here's is what would make our country survive: (sanely)

Lets protect the all 80+ years olds, the older adults with underlying health issues, the younger adults going through chemo, or with diabetes, autoimmune diseases, heart issues.  Lets make sure that these individuals are staying safe, away from the ones who can really keep the country open, economically as well as socially.  Our kids can be in school, and on play grounds, and at camps, and in sports, as long as like I said, the individuals who are at higher risk are staying safe...

If nothing else, this is what I have gotten out of the last 6 weeks...

Life goes on...Sad things and happy things...

Women are having babies, people are passing away, kids are graduating and people are getting sick. (with diagnosis's other than Covid-19)
We still have birthdays, anniversaries, celebrations and accomplishments

Below you will find the different things (good and sad) that I personally have seen and done, And I am just one person.  Think about the entire country...the entire world...

We have happy hours with our kids, and their cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents

and I light the shabbat candles with Lucy on FaceTime, 

and I read bedtime stories, 

and when they are bored we just talk...

I attended a funeral that I would have flown to Chicago for.  Never in my life did I think I would attend a funeral via zoom.  My brother in laws mom passed away.  Someone who deserved so much more for a life celebration...but that time will come, and we will all hug and cry and laugh...and remember

I also virtually attended  the United States Air Force Academy graduation this morning.  My best friends daughter graduated.  Her parents, brother, loved ones, everyone that planned to go to Colorado next month, watched via live streaming.  Talk about spending 4 of the hardest years of your life and not even getting to hug your family or even the cadet sitting next to you...  Just throw up your caps and well, just celebrate socially distanced...  Still though, a pretty amazing accomplishment celebrated the best way possible

My brother in law is battling cancer, he and my sister are navigating this pretty much on their own.  They received this news day 1 of the quarantine being issued. They cannot rely on family or friends to be there for comfort or support.  Although many friends and family are supporting them from afar through caring bridge, meal trains, etc...it is just not the same.  Again, I (and many others) would be there (physically) in a heartbeat to help.  Dr.s appointments have been held via FaceTime to not only my niece, nephew, Dave's brother and myself...but even my sister.  She has to be in the car when he goes to his appointments.

Once again...extremely difficult times in someones life during these unprecedented times is heartbreaking.

Granddaughters (my niece) and great grandchildren driving an hour to bring a birthday cake to their Papa (my dad) and not being able to come in the door

Pre-School teachers driving 170 miles in 6 hours see every one of their students.

online college classes....  Sadi is in Vegas with us until tomorrow.  She will finish her freshman year up in Plymouth.

AND ME... literally losing my mind...to just keep smiling
(I will admit FB, Instgram & Pinterest help with the laughter!)

one more thought I'd like to share...I am extremely proud of how our kids are handling this.  Just as I am sure you all feel the same about your own.  My kids are each in completely different stages of life, and this is a stage that they will never forget...

Raising babies while working from home

Working full time/finishing and graduating from college,,,all from home

Finishing up freshman year of college after just getting settled

They are each doing an amazing job adapting and I am so thankful for that.

Stay Happy, Stay healthy, Stay Safe

❤❤

Brynn

please know that I understand everyone will always have their own opinions...this is just mine 

Let Them Be Little...Be Their Own Personal Superhero... Don't let them see your frustrations...Take a step back and know they are counting on your strength...

We go from this...



To this...

To This

Without even thinking about it 

Let Them Be Little...Be Their Own Personal Superhero...
Don't let them see your frustrations...Take a step back and know they are counting on your strength...

My shoes for the past 4 years have been filled with mom as well as “Nana.”  Nana Love gets deeper every day and I am finding out that this is not that different from mama love.  

Watching our kids birthdays come and go faster every year, is something that I did not count on.  You buy amazing beautiful newborn clothes, strollers and cribs. Of which quickly transform into sporting goods, bikes (then cars), and big kid beds.  You don't even see it coming and then just like that you are celebrating graduations, weddings, and grandchildren.  Every year that my kids grew up another year I would secretly shed a tear.  I would happily decorate the breakfast table and let them know how special it was that they were another year older...then I would secretly shed a tear.  They so quickly were not waking up at the crack of dawn to snuggle and sing to Sharon, Lois and Bram  (The Elephant Show) or Raffi.

I am now finding myself feeling that same emotion as I talk to Lucy.  She and I can have the best conversations, and then I look at my google hub and an old picture will pop up.  I watch Ellie walk and laugh and again I think, how is this happening all over?  I know without a doubt they will grow up just as fast.

For Eric and I raising our kids together was the most gratifying thing that we ever could have imagined.  But now as we witness from afar, the successes that they are achieving, the satisfaction and pride as their mom and dad is almost overwhelming.  They are raising kids, graduating from college, starting college, figuring out just what and where it is they want to be.

I can only reiterate so much to slow down.  No matter where you are in life, slow down and enjoy the commotion, the exhaustion, the laughs, the love, the family...It will all be worth catching your breath for.


And always be their own personal superheros