Plan a trip to Disney this year.


6



Grandpa was a Marine, though you’d never know it. Slight in build and oh-so gentle natured. But underneath he had a good bit of grit. He never complained. He once told me “You can stand any amount of pain for a little while.” (Basically saying suck it up and hang in there until help arrives.) I’ve never forgotten it.


18



Songs hit so much different (better) when you read the lyrics while listening. Headphones help heighten the experience too.


12, 14, 19, 21



Learning to keep your composure and maintain a respectful tone when you’re frustrated/angry/afraid/upset, etc. is a skill. PRACTICE it.


4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21



Highly encourage typing/ keyboarding class.


14



If you don’t know where to begin, picture where you want it to end, and work it backwards.


15, 21



Great article on making math fun: https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/how-to-get-reluctant-children-to-embrace-math/2014/03/04/4be99e46-959d-11e3-8461-8a24c7bf0653_story.html


6



Don’t confuse a broken dream for a broken future. Or a broken heart for a broken life.


13, 15, 17, 19, 21



Book recommendation: “Star Fish” by Lisa Fipps.


11



Have family game nights this winter.


9



Let's find little ways to practice self-control and build that muscle.


11



1

Don't say anything out loud that you wouldn't want repeated or overheard. Don't email / text, etc. anything that you wouldn't want forwarded.


11-15



Book “Rainbow Relatives” is a great resource to be able to kindly, accurately and sensitively answer their questions about LGBTQ families.


6



If you’re going to be wrong about someone, let it be because you believed the best of them. (Give people the benefit of the doubt.) put it this way— I’d rather be wrong about my husband being a moral person who would never cheat, then come to find out he had done, than I would like to be wrong about him being a horrible person only to find out later he was faithful all along.


20, 21



Visit Aunt Janet in Morehead City for Seafood Festival in October


2-99



It’s okay to not understand things. Just be sure the only place your ignorance leads you is to education.


15, 19



Tragedy may occur in your life, but it does not need to define your life. YOU get to do that...through the choices you make. _______I know you’ll make good ones. xo


19



Healing happens when you give up the hope that the past could have been any different. xoxo


20



You don’t have to lower your standards, just lower your walls.


12, 15, 21



Sometimes hookups don’t go well. The vibe is off for whatever reason. Stop. It’s okay to say “actually, let’s just call it a night.” Trust your gut. Be kind but never apologize for saying no-thanks.


15, 20



make your own latch board / "busy board" for plenty of hours of learning and entertainment. Find lots of great ideas on Pinterest.


1-2



Read Admiral William McRaven’s autobiography Sea Stories.


17



Put your purse, (wallet,bag, phone, or shoe) in the backseat with the baby. Unattended babies die every day and it’s my worst nightmare.


Infant-3, 21



Netflix “Who Was?” A biography show for kids.


6-8



Being numb is not the same thing as being happy.


15-18



Read Prefontaine.


13



Look into language school. Now is a good time to start learning Chinese, Spanish or Arabic.


5-8



“But what is grief if not love preserving?” - Unknown


18



“Dress braver than you feel. Act braver than you feel.” - Ray


17



Go as a family to local high school musical productions.


7-18