Every couple years my Birthday falls on Mother’s Day! Talk about an incredible gift – I got to celebrate my birth on the day we all celebrate the women who gave us life. I was so thrilled when my mother told me she and Dad would be coming out here for the long weekend, I totally over-planned and obsessed over their visit! 
It was such a great trip – we tried new vineyards and regions that we typically don’t venture & shared some of our favorite spots too. It was nice to spend time, just the four of us, and be in such a beautiful region! I can’t even believe the weather stayed as nice as it did and everything turned out perfectly.
Now, as if I were some sort of jet setter, I’m heading to Alaska! This means I have traveled to Tahoe, Sonoma, Napa, Palm Springs, Nashville, New York, Philadelphia, Seattle, Victoria, Juneau, Skagway, & Ketchikan all before the 6 month mark. I am so lucky to have a partner who likes to travel & explore as much as I do! 
In other news, I am going to start announcing my departure from the city to the students at the studio & my clients this week. I feel foolish leaving a place I am finally establishing a following, but it’s for the best. We’re embarking on a brand new chapter & it’s going to be amazing!!
’til next time, keep smiling! 🙂
Phil gets on a plane tomorrow to travel for business so I’m single in the city for a little while. I hate it when he leaves but it will give me some time to prepare for our special guests, my mom & dad! My parents let me know about a month ago they planned to come out here so mom and I could celebrate Mother’s Day/My Birthday together. Every so many years my birthday falls on Mothers Day. Selfishly, I wished I would be a mother this year myself but it is all in God’s time, not mine, and I am grateful to be celebrating the best mom this coming Sunday! We’ll be celebrating in style with a three day, two night stay in Sonoma. I have scheduled the works: private tastings & pairings, to massages & tasty dinners, we’ll have a wonderful weekend getaway!
Apparently our dreamy wine country weekend wasn’t enough of a vacation because Phil and I head to Alaska a few days after my parents leave! If you follow my blog (God bless you) you know I went to Alaska in 2014 with my family but Phil wasn’t able to make the trip. It was so incredible I promised Phil we would visit Alaska together & the time has come. We’ll be spending about 10 days hiking, kayaking, horse back riding, and taking full advantage of everything Alaska has to offer. 
The whole month of May, moving forward, is vacation and loving life; which means June is going to be a slap in the face in terms of moving, haha, but we’ll worry about that later!
I am quite skilled at forgetting to practice what I preach & it was time for me to take a deep dive into the root of the problem. I realized certain shifts had to be made, and while change may scare the shit out of me, it is inevitable. As my father always says, “The only constant is change.” If we want to keep succeeding and taking steps towards future goals, things have to change. So what did I change? I adjusted my studio offerings to give myself self care time in the mornings. I’ve started doing more meditation and activities I like, rather than exercise to look a certain way. I also stopped lying to myself. I didn’t want to admit it but I was living for others – trying to be perfect for everyone instead of just being happy with myself. I know that I need to be my most authentic self, & I can’t please everyone. I can only take responsibility for my own happiness & hope it rubs off on those around me. 
Oh, also Phil and I are moving to Walnut Creek. Yep, in a few short months we will be moving over the bridge & establishing a new routine in the East Bay. For the record, we are NOT moving because we are pregnant, haha (my family ALREADY asked), but we do think this is better for our family. The thought of leaving the city is bittersweet but I’m sure they’ll be more to come on that later.
Livingleen 