practice

Nothing gets in the way of family

I remember this day. Maybe not quite like it was yesterday, but I remember it. I remember the cabin we stayed in on that trip, it belonged to a friend of a friend, who graciously offered it to our family for a road trip to Colorado in the summer. I remember sitting inside, at the log table eating, what felt like millions of grapes, until my stomach felt like it might explode.

Aren’t we a motley looking crew of sisters?

With an 11 year span from oldest to youngest, we were in completely different life phases in this photo. (But at least our fashion game was on point!) Back then, I was a self-focused 12-year-old. One look at this picture now, as an adult, I have so much understanding and empathy for what each of those girls must have been going through. It brings back so many memories. It reminds me …

You might have noticed, I’ve been looking at a few old photos lately. It’s because I’ve been in dreaded contact with Apple Support, trying to figure out why my phone and computer are acting wonky and completely cramping my style. It turns out that I’m a hoarder. I have over 40,000 photos on my phone and 150GB of mail on my little laptop. (Those devices are working hard to stay alive at all.) So I’m sure with a few more fun calls, we will get that handled.

In the meantime, you’re the beneficiary of my little stroll down memory lane.

This one was in 2014. We’d pulled up to Noah’s favorite sushi place to grab some dinner, only to remember it didn’t open until 5. As we were waiting in the parking lot, we decided to get out and say hello to the longhorns, that just so happened to be grazing in …

by Crystal Gornto Girl's Night Out Inspirational Words Love In Action Priorities The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat

(image: Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune)

We’re not a big TV watching family at all, but during the Olympic games we look like a family of couch potatoes. We’re glued to the TV for the one hour before bedtime, and every extra minute the boys can manipulate after that. The hard work, dedication, and beautiful competition displayed by the Olympic athletes from around the world is such an incredible inspiration. The boys just think it’s a fun family tradition.

But I know it’s teaching them such valuable lessons.

The courage of these athletes astounds me. Their innovative routines, speed, tricks, jumps, spins, and insane risks make them vulnerable to experience such huge failure with the eyes of the watching world fixed on them. Listening to their stories of lifetimes of injuries, rehab and endless training all to get to this moment is awe-inspiring, in and of itself. Then add to that, the intense …

by Crystal Gornto Girl's Night Out Inspiration Inspirational Women Love In Action Loving Others Roadblocks in Life The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat

If you’ve seen me in person over the last four weeks, you’ve undoubtedly heard me use the term juggling. The boys have been out of school for four weeks and four days (not that I’m counting).

I love those boys with my whole heart, couldn’t possibly love them any more.

AND

Oh. my. goodness.

Why are they suddenly waking at 6:00 AM instead of 7:00 AM?

The sun staying up until after 9:00 PM isn’t helping either. They want to talk. They want to play.

They won’t stop fighting.

I really think someone traded them for Thing 1 and Thing 2 on the last day of school as some sort of cruel joke. My house totally looks like that, and there’s no big red box, no magic vacuum.

How in the world am I supposed to get anything (and I mean ANYTHING) done?

There is a constant conflict in my heart about when to walk away from my desk, …

by Crystal Gornto Love In Action Priorities 2 comments chat

Nothing gets in the way of family

Pay attention to the quiet signals

Courage & connection, the only way we’re going to make it

The Juggler