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Signs of hope

Have you ever met a new friend and you didn’t feel that instant connection in the very first moment? Like it wasn’t all unicorns and rainbows and magical BFFs at first?  But once you took the time to really see her for who she is, you can’t get enough?

That’s my friend Stephanie Hanrahan.  

I met her at the end of one particularly fun HeartStories Girls Night Out.  I remember it like it was yesterday.  She stayed afterward, waited to introduce herself and say “hello” to me.  She was so kind and genuine.  She mentioned how much she appreciated what we were doing and I thanked her.  We spoke for all of about 3 minutes and then parted ways.

I had no idea that we would later become friends. 

I was tired and in search of a bed.  (I dont think I would have known Reese Witherspoon if she was standing there that night.)  …

by Crystal Gornto Girl's Night Out Inspiration Inspirational Women Love In Action Love in Friendship Loving Others Loving Yourself The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat
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A Heart like a Wildflower

This is my beautiful friend Molly Stephenson.  She left town temporarily, to go work with some couple in Waco. (Chip & Jo?) Why would she do a thing like that? Leave us to go work on the team at Magnolia?  Who knows!?

All I know is that she’s back, and I’m thrilled!

She returned to the Dallas area to be near family.  And when she moved back, she decided she was only going to say “yes” to the things that bring her joy.  This means that learning to say “no”, has consistently freed her up to say “yes” to the other things that are life-giving to her soul.  Things like finding a job where she could combine her design skillset with hand-lettering, doing graphic design for a small paper goods company.  Things like saying yes to us!  (We get the joy of experiencing one of Molly’s Modern Calligraphy workshops during our Simmer …

by Crystal Gornto Girl's Night Out Inspirational Leaders Inspirational Women Love In Action Loving Yourself Priorities The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat
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Let the rest simmer

This brisk autumn air in Texas is bringing me all the feels for my very favorite time of year.  It reminds me of this moment in Central Park last fall when my sisters and I were celebrating my mom’s 70th birthday in NYC.  Nearly the same moment we stepped into the park my eyes locked in on to this golden beauty and my heart lept.  (and a ridiculous photoshoot ensued)  I can’t fully explain the love I have for this season.

Fall is everything to me. 

The changing colors of the trees.  Warm sweaters, fluffy blankets, crackling fires, and steaming mugs of anything warming my cold fingers all make my heart feel comfortable and calm.  The top is off the jeep for the foreseeable future.  There’s a Simmered Cider candle poured in a copper mug sitting on my kitchen countertop.  In this very moment, I can feel a long, slow exhale …

by Crystal Gornto Girl's Night Out Inspiration Loving Others Loving Yourself Priorities The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat
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Surprising freedom

As usual, we did a few fireworks of our own last night.  Also as usual, there were a few surprises and it got a little out of hand at times.  If you’ve hung around me much, you’ve probably picked up on the fact that I’m a rule-breaker.  I don’t like limits (or burn bans, apparently).  I love being free.  I have secret dreams to have a flower and a peace sign painted on the while cover of the jeep that says, “Not all who wander are lost.”

No really, I do. 

There’s so much inside of me that screams for freedom.  I want no rules.  I want to be free to wander and explore and just “be me”.  Rules, processes, planning, especially meetings to make rules, processes or plan- they all really cramp my style and give me the heebie jeebies.  I simply must have the freedom to wander.

At the very same time, …

by Crystal Gornto Girl's Night Out Inspirational Words Loving Others Loving Yourself Priorities Roadblocks in Life The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat
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When saying “no” isn’t fun

I’m supposed to be going on a field trip with one of my babies today.  It’s going to be a fun one too, they’re going to the butterfly gardens!  But I just can’t.  Thank goodness I’m not an “official chaperone” because then, I wouldn’t have a choice.  I was just planning to tag along.  Because of course, the chaperone sign-up went out on the day of the last HeartStories GNO, which means it got buried in my inbox so I didn’t see it until it was much too late to sign up.  But that’s a whole other story.  Today let’s just talk about the fact that momming is hard.  (Yes, “momming” is a word now.)  

Momming (momm-ing) v.: 1. Tapping into the reserves of strength you never knew you had. 2. Juggling all the things.

I spent the last three days with a house full of handy-people, and all of their mess, working to …

by Crystal Gornto Girl's Night Out Loving Others Loving Yourself Motherhood Priorities Roadblocks in Life The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat
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Skating on thin ice

Consistent temperatures well below freezing have brought all sorts of adventures for the boys already this winter, even without precipitation.  We’ve stopped the car on side roads to break giant ice-cycles off of dripping fire hydrants.  We’ve learned that no matter the temperature, Oaks still prefers no shoes or coat.  He’s also the only one who’s stayed well.  Go figure.  I’ve learned that when it rarely ever freezes for this many days in a row, one must clearly articulate that there is to be NO STEPPING OUT ONTO THE LAKE.

Not even a little toe!

This year the lake froze over for the first time since the boys have been big enough to be out exploring alone.  So naturally, the first day they noticed it, they wanted to run down to “check it out” with their friends.  I obviously should have known better.  I said, “Okay.  But no one goes near it.  Do …

by Crystal Gornto Love In Action Roadblocks in Life The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat
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