I Can Do Hard Things

Posted on June 1, 2016 by Coco

As my children transition into adulthood, I’ve been thinking a lot about the difference between empowering them and enabling them. I’ve found that one of the hardest aspects of parenting adult children is standing back while they struggle instead of stepping in to help them. I know I feel good when I figure out a complicated issue at work or push through a hard workout, because I am reminded that I can do hard things. I need to let my children experience their own hard times so they can feel that same joy.

I can do hard things
As I think about my kids while I write this, I realize that they probably already know that they can do hard things. When they don’t tell me the details of their plans and make decisions on their own, that is their way of telling me, “Don’t worry, Mom. I’ve got this.” I am the one who is struggling with trusting that they will end up on their feet, even if they take a few tumbles before nailing their landings. Continue reading →

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Observing Memorial Day

Posted on May 29, 2016 by Coco

Memorial Day is one of those holidays that have come to have a dual meaning. The purpose of the holiday is to remember those who died in service to our country, but it also signifies the “unofficial start of summer”. When my kids were little, I definitely looked forward to the opening celebrations at our neighborhood pool, but I also appreciated the special prayers we said in church for fallen soldiers and their families.

 

Memorial Day Honor Our Heroes

Running around the National Mall this weekend, we saw a number of tributes set up for Memorial Day. This one was sponsored by Honor Our Heroes, which is an organization that helps veterans returning to civilian life. They had planted 10,000 U.S. flags representing U.S. soldiers lost to wars, many of which had personalized cards like the ones you can see here. Continue reading →

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May Runfessions — Running Less And Eating More?

Posted on May 26, 2016 by Coco

It’s the last Friday of May, which means it’s time to come clean with some runfessions. Since June 1st isn’t until Wednesday, you’ll have to come back next weekend for our Ultimate Coffee Date Link Up–please mark your calendar and join us! 

Runfessions

Since I’ve got five things to runfess, I’m also linking up with Courtney, Cynthia and Mar for the Friday Five Link Up. Check out both of these great link ups for motivation, support, and camaraderie.

Continue reading →

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Celebrating Transitions

Posted on May 22, 2016 by Coco

This week we celebrated a big transition in our family as our son graduated from college. Of course we are proud that he graduated with a B.S. in math and physics, and that he was inducted into the mathematics honor society, but we also are proud of the person that he has become.

Celebrating Matt Graduation

He made some really good friends over these past four years, and I know that in order to make good friends he had to be a good friend. His eagerness to introduce me to his “tribe” and spend time together was the icing on the cake of a joyful graduation weekend. Continue reading →

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Five Reasons I Love Running In Central Park

Posted on May 20, 2016 by Coco

This year I’ve had an unusual number of business trips to New York City. I used to run along the East River, but have gotten spooked over some crime reports that made it into my Facebook feed. Instead, I’ve been running in Central Park.

I heart NYC
For today’s Friday Five link up with Courtney at Eat Pray Run DC, Mar at Mar on the Run and Cynthia at You Signed Up for What?! I’m sharing five reasons I love running in Central Park. Continue reading →

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