Currently | November

I'm currently...

missing my niece, Zoey.

packing for a spontaneous trip to Southern California.

reading this blog post and this blog post, both filled with tips for taking a toddler to Disneyland.  

boxing up all of my used rubber stamps to send off to my cousin.  (Thanks, Chris!)

eating yummy fresh pineapple.

listening to this podcast with Ali Edwards.

sporting my first ever pair of Converse shoes. (They're rad.) 

enjoying a massage.

piecing together a fall/winter capsule wardrobe. 

finishing up Music Together classes with Noah and Zoey. 

looking forward to doing it all again come January.

laughing out loud at this video. (If you have young kids, I think you'll chuckle too.)

scrapping my Week in the Life book using Simple Stories supplies. (I just discovered their products at Michael's and I'm in l-o-v-e!) 

doing more cleaning than I've done in awhile.

enjoying lunch and a pedicure with two of my favorite Mountain Moms. 

checking off my holiday shopping list. 

feeling grateful for time with Noah.

typing up three things each morning (that have happened within the last 24 hours) for which I am grateful. (And it's so cool to read back through my list from the last week and relive all the good things that have happened.)

renting this lens for our trip. (I'm ridiculously excited to shoot with it!)

loving these free printable thank you cards.  

What's happening with you currently?

A Lovely Gift for Mother's Day

Last Mother's Day, my two sisters and I collaborated on this gift for our mom.

It's a glass jar filled with 101 slips of colored paper.

Each slip of paper contains a reason why we love our mom. (There's a different color for each sister: Red for me, green for Nichole and turquoise for Katie.)  

Here's a look at what I wrote on eight of the 34 strips.

Mom, I love you...

• Because you taught me the value of thank you notes.

• Because you made me beef broth in the elephant cup when I was sick.

•  Because you took us on airplane flights--many times flying all by yourself with two or three kids.

• Because you assembled lots of photo albums with pictures of us as kids.

• Because you embrace new technologies.  New iPhone? Bring it on. A new computer? Yes, please. A Kindle reader? Definitely.

• Because you love to read, and you passed that love onto me. I enjoy words + stories today, in large part because of you.  

• Because you reminded me to move my elbows off the dining room table.

• Because you exposed me to lots of different types of music and artists: James Taylor. Earth, Wind & Fire. Dan Fogelberg. Willie Nelson. The Beatles. I remember listening to some vinyl records from your collection, lots of cassette tapes, and of course, CDs as I got older. 

The Process | First, I brainstormed as many reasons as I could, trying to be as specific as possible. I typed up the reasons in a Word document, and then went back a few days later, and chose my favorite 34 and neatly wrote them on red paper. After cutting the paper into strips, I folded them in half and placed them in the jar, which I bought at Beverly's with a 40% off coupon.  Score!

My sisters sent me their strips as well, and into the jar they went. I added some ribbon and a handcrafted tag, and it was ready for mom.    

Inspiration | I found this idea on--where else?--Pinterest.  Here's the original link, which contains a few other Mother's Day gift ideas.

While this gift is intended for kids to make for their moms, I'd argue that it's an awesome idea for adult kids, too.  Because I think moms of any age--whether they are in their 30s, 60s or 80s--would love to receive a Mother's Day present like this.

I know our mom did!

Your turn: What handmade items have you created to honor your mom on Mother's Day?

How to Travel More in 2014

Is more travel on your bucket list for 2014?

Yes!

Then, let's talk about how to travel for less, saving money on flights and accommodations.

Because you see, I love to travel, but I hate to pay full-price for airfare or hotel stays.

One way I rarely pay full-price for airfare is by banking and redeeming airline miles.

With our Citibank Platinum Select/AAdvantage World Mastercards, my husband and I have been earning miles for almost eight years. In that time, we've taken at least seven (maybe eight) free flights. Most recently, we flew to Dallas and back, and on the way home, we used miles to sit in business class.  Pretty sweet!

So, how do we earn miles? 

• By using our credit card to pay all of our bills (except our mortgage payments) and to buy everything from groceries to gas to diapers.  Basically, we use the two credit cards (Brian has one and I have one) as debit cards and then pay them off each month.

• By flying on American Airlines or a oneworld airline. 

• By eating out at restaurants that participate in the AAdvantage Dining program. You can earn up to 5 miles for every dollar spent at participating restaurants in your area as well as across the country.    

Note: I just signed up for the AAdvantage Dining program after reading about it in this blog post by Chris Guillebeau.  United and Delta have their own programs; click the links in this post to find out more.  

By the way, have you heard of Chris Guillebeau? He's a writer/blogger/speaker out of Portland, Oregon who travels extensively. In fact, he's been to every country in the world.  Pretty impressive, huh? I've read his blog posts for a few years now, and definitely gleaned several tips on how to travel for less.

Having said that, I don't agree with all of Chris's advice and methods when it comes to travel "hacking." However, the information he's shared about his favorite credit cards has been helpful.

If you're considering applying for a credit card that earns miles or points, but you're not sure which one to go with, read this post.

One of Chris's favorite cards is the Chase Sapphire Preferred, which has a 40,000 point mega-bonus!  In the future, when Brian, Noah and I are traveling more, I'd love to take advantage of this card--especially given its big point bonus and flexible transfer policy. (I really like the idea of having the flexibility to use points for a flight--on a number of different carriers--or for a hotel stay.)

As for travel for us in 2014, I think we'll be sticking close to home--for the most part.  Flying with a nearly 2-year-old in November was challenging, and until Noah is a little older and can sit still for longer periods of time, we're going to stick to car trips.

But thanks to our credit cards, even though we're not currently flying, we're continuing to earn miles. 

And one day, we'll get back out there, traveling the world. I want to show Noah some of the beautiful places we've visited, both here in the United States and abroad.  And take him to places we've never been before. I want him to experience a number of different cultures--in both first world and third world countries--observing how the people there live, learning their customs, trying their food, listening to their music, and learning a bit of their language. 

For now, these are just dreams. My dreams.  But I've always believed that dreams are important and valuable--and for me personally, absolutely necessary.

I think Anatole France was spot-on when he wrote: "To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but believe."

What are your travel dreams?

Flying with a Toddler

Today, Brian, Noah and I are flying to Texas for my sister's wedding.  WOOT, WOOT!

The last time we flew with Noah, he was just 12 months old.  Now, nine months later, he's walking and running and touching everything--which is totally developmentally appropriate, but could prove to be a challenge in an airplane.

For the past few weeks, in preparation for this trip, I've been giving some thought to traveling with a toddler.  In addition, I scoured the internet and asked a few friends for travel advice.

Here are some tips I gleaned from my research: 

• Find three seats together.  For our flight today, we've reserved an aisle seat and a window seat, and we're crossing our fingers that no one sits in the middle seat. 

• Bring a car seat to the gate.  Although technically Noah is a lap child, we're hoping to bring his car seat on the flight with us.  That way, we can strap him into it--just as if we were going on a car ride.      

• Request cans of soda instead of cups.  On previous flights, we've found it difficult to juggle cups of soda and ice, and keep it from spilling on Noah, us or the seats. Requesting cans of soda or buying bottled water in the airport before the flight works better for us.   

• Buy a new book for the plane.  I purchased this book for Noah.   

• Bring balloons.  Blow up a balloon at the gate and play with it as you wait for your flight.  Then, throw it away when you board the plane or pass it on to another family with little ones.

• Pack a doodler or Etch-a-Sketch.  We're planning to bring this one along. 

• Carry stickers and paper.  Noah loves to put stickers on paper at home; I pull off a sticker, hand it to him, and he sticks it to the paper. 

• Bring a small pack of crayons and a coloring book.   

• Buy steamed milk at the airport.  Then, transfer the milk to a bottle or cup and give it your child on the plane.  (Thanks to my sister-in-law, Lori, for this great tip!) 

• Carry a roll of painter's tape or a pad of post-it notes.  Make a game of it as you decorate the tray table, the seat, your toddler's clothing--even his nose, ears, and chin. 

• Pack a variety of snacks.  Especially ones that take a long time to eat such as raisins or nuts. 

• Pull out your iPhone or iPad.  In general, I'm not a fan of screen time for Noah, but when we're flying, I'm perfectly fine with him watching videos (he loves viewing movies of himself), reading digital books, or playing games.  That being said, we're going to start with the more traditional entertainment methods first (see above), and make the iPhone or iPad our back-up plan.

• Fly at nap time.  We're flying out in the afternoon, so it's quite possible that Noah will sleep for part of the flight.  More finger crossing happening!

Fellow family fliers: What would you add to the list?

Traveling with a Baby

Back in April, my husband and I flew with our then 3-month-old son from California to Virginia to celebrate my grandfather's life.

As many of you know, my husband and I have traveled extensively--mainly to international destinations--over the past eight years. 

In other words, we're not travel rookies.

But I had a feeling that jet setting with a 3-month-old baby would be, well, different.  Perhaps, more challenging.   

So, in the weeks leading up to our trip, I sought out advice from friends and family and the internet about how best to travel with a baby.

Here's what I found worked best for us during our 6-day trip:

Packing
In the packing department, I used an app called List Master to create a packing list for Noah and a packing list for me.  (Brian was on his own!)

Here's a sample of Noah's packing list.

And my packing list.

To cut down on the number of bags we carried with us, I packed all of my clothing and Noah's clothing in ONE suitcase.

On past trips, one of the things I've disliked about living out of a suitcase is that sometimes I can't find things when I need them.  I knew searching for a pair of Noah's socks or shoes amidst all of my stuff was going to cause me to lose my mind.  So, I did what any Type-A person would do: I packed each of Noah's outfits in a ziplock gallon-sized bag and labeled each with the appropriate day.

For example, in the bag above, I placed Noah's outfit for the funeral on Tuesday: a button down shirt, vest, corduroy pants, socks and shoes.

I also decided to leave my purse at home and just carry a wristlet in the diaper bag.

The wristlet held my driver's license, plane ticket, iPhone, credit card, medical insurance card, Carmex, ear plugs, and some Ibuprofen.  I loved having everything in one place, especially when we passed through the security checkpoints.

A few more notes on packing:
-Take more than you'll need (particularly burp cloths and bibs), unless you'll have access to a washer and dryer. 
-Don't pack a ton of diapers.  Just buy them when you arrive at your destination.  Same with formula.   

At the airport
-Leave yourself plenty of time to check your bags in, pass through security, and find your gate.
-Buy plenty of water in the airport. (This only applies to formula-fed babies.)
-Board early, if possible.
-Keep your stroller and car seat with you until you board.  If there isn't room on the plane for the car seat, you can check it (along with the stroller) at the plane door.

If you have questions about going through security checkpoints with your child, check out the TSA website.  I had to laugh when I read this on their website: Passengers cannot leave babies in an infant carrier and attempt to put it through the X-ray machine. Babies should be carried through a walk through metal detector by a parent or guardian.

Really?  You know someone must have actually tried this...

On the airplane
-When you are taking off or landing, be prepared!  Have a bottle or pacifier at the ready.  BUT if your baby is asleep, let him or her sleep. 
-If there is an open seat next to you, put down the diaper pad and change your baby there instead of using the cramped lavatory.

-If your child is flying for the first time, kindly ask a flight attendant for a flight logbook and wings.  American Airlines was happy to oblige. 

Traveling with a baby certainly requires more planning, more organization, and more patience.  But it is definitely doable!  In fact, Brian, Noah and I are considering taking to the skies later on this year.

Have you traveled with a baby recently?  If so, what worked for you?

J

The Joys of Travel

{Cruising near the Rhine River in Bacharach, Germany, 2009}

Today is my fifth AAdvantage Anniversary.

I can't believe I've been earning airline miles for half a decade.

And while I appreciate American Airlines taking the time to thank me for flying with them (they sent me an e-mail), honestly, it is I who should be thanking them.

Case in point: In five years, I've earned five free airline tickets. :-)

I've had the chance to fly to places I never thought I would visit.

Places like Germany, Italy, France, Switzerland, England, Costa Rica, Belize and Mexico.

I've done things I never dreamed I'd have the chance to do.

Like swimming with sting rays in Belize,

cruising to the top of Europe known as Jungfrau (in Switzerland),

zip lining in Mexico,

hiking all over Machu Picchu,

seeing a manatee up close off the coast of Belize,

gazing at Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa,

biking in the hills of Florence,

experiencing a Sound of Music tour in Salzburg (and a fun luge ride),

surveying Michaelangelo's David,

feasting on cuy and alpaca in Peru,

staring at the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel,

staying overnight with a local family on Amantani, an island in Lake Titicaca,

walking through the rainforest--flashlight in hand--on a night hike,

experiencing a 5.5 magnitude earthquake in an adobe house in Peru,

attending Mass in St. Peter's Square,

walking the grounds of Dachau, a former concentration camp in Germany,

visiting the Colosseum in Rome,

and watching an opera standing (not sitting) in Vienna's famous Opera House.

As I reminisced about our international trips over the past five years and compiled this list of memorable travel experiences, I was reminded of a journal entry I wrote in September 2007, while on an airplane en route to Peru.

Here's what I jotted down:

I love traveling.

It's such an escape from the everyday rigors of life...school, traffic, endless errands, worries.

It's a time to dream; to ponder the possibilities of life.

When I'm traveling, the impossibilities suddenly seem possible. I'm a glass half-full person, instead of glass half-empty person.

I'm alive.

I'm light.

I'm happy.

I'm reminded how large the world is, how many people inhabit it. People of different races, cultures, upbringings, religions, mind frames.

I'm reminded how little I actually know about the world.

And how much more I can look forward to learning about it.

I'm grateful for all that I have.

I'm invigorated.

I'm eager to become a better person when I travel: To learn another language, to make a difference in someone's life, to have mindful purpose.
___________________________________________

While I had hoped to visit Europe again this summer, we simply don't have enough miles to do so during the upcoming peak travel season. (Yes, I know that's a bit *ironic* given the way in which this blog post started, but gone are the days when I worked on a year-round teaching schedule and we could travel in May and September.)

So instead, we've planned a road trip here in the U.S.A. I'm excited to see parts of Tennessee and North Carolina for the first time and visit family in Virginia.

And of course, along the way, check off a couple of items on my Life List.

J

Notre Dame Football Game

In celebration of Brian's 32nd birthday, we recently journeyed to Notre Dame to see the Fighting Irish take on the Utah Utes. But before I delve into the game itself, I want to mention a few of the football-related activities we experienced leading up to Saturday's game.


On Thursday evening, just after arriving on the Notre Dame campus for the first time, we attended the Brian Kelly Radio Show, taped in the Legends restaurant, which is located on campus in the stadium parking lot. (Brian Kelly, seated on the right, is in his first year--and hopefully not his last year--as head coach of the Notre Dame football team.)


On Friday, Brian and I walked down through the Notre Dame tunnel, the same tunnel that the players use during home games. You can't walk out onto the field (well, I guess you could, but you would be escorted out by police), but you can take pictures of the stadium.




On Saturday, prior to the game, we visited the impressive practice fields...


...and strolled through several parking lots where Irish (and Utah) fans were holding tailgate parties.


But we didn't fly 2,000 miles to see the Brian Kelly show (which "my Brian" regularly listens to on his iPhone), walk down the tunnel, take in the practice fields or check out the pre-game parties.


We flew 2,000 miles to see the Notre Dame football team play some ball. And they did just that! Although the Fighting Irish weren't favored to win, they beat the Utes, 28-3.


Experiencing a Notre Dame football game was so much fun, and I'm not even a football fan.

My favorite memories from the game include:

- Seeing Brian's face light up with excitement when the Irish scored

- The students donning "The Shirt," creating a sea of green in the student section

- Wearing lots of layers (For me: a long sleeve shirt, short-sleeve shirt, windbreaker, and sweatshirt)

- Donning ponchos when it started raining

- Drinking two mugs of hot chocolate (which kept me nice and warm)

- With each kick off, raising the index finger on our right hands to the sky and shouting, "G-o-o-o-o Irish!"

-The seniors engaging in a massive marshmallow fight at the end of the second quarter (Food and drink are not allowed in the stadium, so the seniors have to smuggle the bags of marshmallows in by duct taping the bags to their legs and arms and concealing them under their jackets and baggy pants.)

- Cheering on ND, chanting "We...are...N...D!"

- Laughing at the push ups in the student section after each touchdown

- High-fiving the ND fans around us each time the Fighting Irish scored

- Clapping along as the band played the fight song

- Listening to Brian talk football with nearby ND fans

- Watching the gleeful students storm the field after the game

And even though the football game was the highlight of our trip, we had many other enjoyable experiences while in Indiana and Illinois.

In the next week, I'll share pictures and thoughts from our campus tour, an ND basketball game, and our Segway tour of Chicago.

J