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When it rains . . .

This is a moment of behind-the-scenes truth being told.

We had wildly different plans for our Galentines Sip & Stroll GNO.  It wasn’t supposed to be a Sip ‘n Stroll at all.  It was supposed to be a “Galentine’s Pamper Party”.  We had all the fun plans for how it was going down.  Until, at the last minute, the week of Christmas, with a house full of guests, I found out about an unexpected change that upset the entire apple cart.  Suddenly we needed a new location to host our giant pamper party.  You know the saying.

When it rains . . . it pours.

In moments like these, I try to practice breathing deeply and remembering that every problem has a solution.  It may look very different than the solution I was expecting, but every problem has a solution . . . as long as I’m open to discovering it.  It will …

by Crystal Gornto Female Social Entrepreneurs Girl's Night Out Inspirational Women Love In Action Love in Friendship Loving Others Our Story Roadblocks in Life The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat
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Showing up matters

It’s been a rough week it’s been on so many of our hearts. I’m not even a sports fan, unless my kids are playing. Kobe Bryant wasn’t on my radar.  Though he was a legend, he wouldn’t even have ranked in 10,000 people I was thinking about going into the weekend.

But oh, what a difference a day makes.

His passing in such a tragic event, while being an engaged parent, seemed to stop the heartbeat of the world momentarily.  It felt like a sucker punch in the gut to sports fans and parents near and far.  It’s been such a heavy few days, even for me, until a random moment with Noah, we just happened to catch the quick clip of Elle Duncan, a sportscaster on ESPN (at about minute 1:20) offering a tribute to Kobe’s life.  Through tears, she shared:

“I suppose that the only small source of comfort for me …

by Crystal Gornto Community Girl's Night Out Inspirational Women Inspirational Words Love In Action Love in Friendship Loving Others Motherhood Roadblocks in Life The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat
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Who’s in your huddle?

It’s been a long time since I squealed laughing the way I did at our Football 101 Girls Night Out on Thursday night at Children’s Health Andrews Insitute.  I mean I knew we were going to have a great time, but I honestly didn’t anticipate we’d have as many volunteers to “take the field” as we did.  I assumed all the ladies would enjoy the classroom portion with wisdom from Kelly, Laura, Angela, Landry, and Tony.  But I thought they would mostly spectate while just a few of them ran plays out on the field.  Not only did a huge majority of the ladies “take the field” to actually play (yes, even some in stilettos!).

Even the ones who didn’t want to play got involved by wildly cheering the participants on.  

We divided into teams to run plays.  But we also did ball-passing relays.  We tried our hand at long passes …

by Crystal Gornto Community Inspirational Women Love In Action Love in Friendship Loving Yourself The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat
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Her love is sweet

When I was a little girl, this beautiful woman took care of me so well and so often that it’s hard to believe she even speaks to me at all.  Seriously.  She is the oldest of 4 girls in our family, which made her the built-in babysitter.  We all already know that I was more than a handful growing up, so she put in many of her hours towards sainthood in those years.

And as well as I remember it, she did it all with a knowing, loving smile, just like this one.  

Well, maybe except that one time, when Mom and Dad told her as they were leaving to make me eat my entire bowl of cantaloupe.  She did what they asked because she was always good like that, but it didn’t work out very well for either one of us.  Let’s just say I haven’t eaten a bite of cantaloupe …

by Crystal Gornto Community Girl's Night Out Inspirational Women Love in Family Love in Friendship The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat
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Wise women gathering

Yesterday, the women of our family (including Becca on Facetime!) celebrated my niece Ashlyn, the bride-to-soon-be, with a fancy, Texas bridal shower.  We gathered to share a meal, laughter, and stories with this beautiful young woman, who will be committing her life to The ONE next Friday.   As part of our time together, we went around the table, taking turns sharing our hard-won wisdom, encouragement, or advice about marriage.

It was so special to hear the unique messages each woman at the table shared. 

There were thoughts about sharing hobbies together, learning to manage finances together, carving out date nights after kids, being quick to forgive, and holding boundaries.  Even the youngest, had beautiful words to share.  It got real pretty fast and was maybe a little more “honest” than any of us expected.  While there was laughter, there were also tears, both tears of joy and of understanding as we …

by Crystal Gornto Community Girl's Night Out Inspirational Women Love in Friendship Loving Yourself Motherhood The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat
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Grown-up Sisterhood

You might have seen on social media that I got to spend a little time with these two ladies last week, over at AR Workshop Frisco.  From the moment I walked in, it was peaceful, bright, and open.  They were working their tails off with multiple projects going on and I was bringing them an entire trunk load of wood, that I scavenged for our centerpieces.  Lindsay was trying to wrap things up to get out of town on a deadline, and Leah was assembling 128 lazy susans!  Yet, they were both completely at peace.  Not even a hint of stress in the air.

That workshop really is their happy place, and now I know why.

It’s the aesthetic, of course; the crisp white tables, darling blue chandeliers, cozy chunky knit blankets, and bright colors, luring you to explore every corner.  But it’s something more.  It’s the kindness in their voices.  It’s not …

by Crystal Gornto Community Girl's Night Out Inspirational Women Love in Friendship Loving Others Loving Yourself The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat
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