During my week away there were lots of new experiences to be grateful for and I'm lucky to have had the time, support, and drive to be present and enjoy everything that came my way!

November 15

Today I'm grateful for learning new things and people that have expertise beyond my own. I spent the day in an email marketing session where I came away with so many ideas about how to be a better email and digital marketer. A lot has changed since I went through digital marketing as a graduate student and it was definitely time to update my knowledge. 

November 16

Being in a new place can be really scary, but I find something exciting about venturing out on my own in a new place. It can be exhilarating! Rather than eat hotel food all day I walked alone to a local breakfast place and enjoyed a unique breakfast that I can only classify as “very Portland” and healthy too! It was great to be at a local eatery enjoying something new. So today I give thanks for new experiences.

November 17

Sometimes I try to do it all... let me start over... I ALWAYS try to do it all. Be it all. Have it all. "Do All the Things" is one of my many mantras. The thing I have to be most grateful for today is my husband, who is always there, even when I try to pretend like I can do everything on my own. 

He has been my calm this week, taken on the childcare in the evening with grace, and didn’t make me feel the least bit guilty about being away.  

November 18

Since Jerry joined me in Portland last night I have to give a huge thanks and gratitude to my in-laws. My mother in-law with the help of my father in-law and brother in-law have taken on the monstrous task of caring for the kids for the weekend. I am so grateful to have them to help out. It is such a big ask and I can't say enough how grateful I am that they were willing to do it. 

November 19

Nature. It's not often that we soak in the nature around us. I'm especially grateful that we rented a car for the day to get out of the city of Portland and into the mountains. The views were breathtaking, the leaves were changing, and the air was crisp. I tried to make sure that I remained present and in the moment and took a few deep breaths to soak in the beauty and wonder of the magnificent views. 

November 20

Sleep. I slept 12 hours last night. I couldn't tell you the last time I did that. Although we are traveling back home today and it will be a long journey home I feel more rested than ever before. I'm sure the late night flying will quickly undo how well-rested I feel now, but for now it's an incredible feeling. 

November 21

Relaxation. Although I've spent some of the day working and catching up on emails and answering client phone calls. I was able to fit in some time for me. I always put off time for myself for relaxation in the form of pampering. Today, I took advantage though and got a massage and man did it make a difference in my life. It's one of those things that I don't think I have time for because I have so many other things on my to-do list, but then once I bite the bullet and get one it's always worth it. *Note to self: Don't wait until you're completely run down to decide to take care of yourself. Here's to being grateful for some rest and relaxation!