Kairos

I love when I learn something new at a time when I need the lesson.  It seems to be a sign from the universe.  I recently learned a new word.  Kairos.  

Kairos - an ancient Greek word meaning the right or opportune moment (the supreme moment). A moment of indeterminate time in which something special happens.

I read that and was like.........Wow!  Beautiful!

I discovered this word because someone over at KairosLife.com  emailed me for a little help promoting their new site.  Their home page got me right away.  It is gorgeous and evokes emotion.   Below is a message from them.

"KairosLife.com is a place for families to save digital memories and heirlooms for kids and loved ones. Then digitally deliver those keepsakes to them at a predetermined date in the future, kind of like a digital time capsule or gift. 

Our founder recently lost a close friend who passed suddenly without warning and was again reminded of how quickly life can be taken away, at any age.

He woke up one night with the idea of this site.  He is a father of three and was thinking about the memories we want to keep forever - and how could they be stored, kept for the future, and delivered at just the right moment to have the greatest impact.

How does it work?

1. Upload photos, videos or letters from your PC or mobile device to a “KairosMoment” which is the album or capsule that will be delivered to your loved one on a future date.
2. Tag your loved ones to that KairosMoment and set a reveal date when it will be delivered.
3. As the reveal date approaches, if desired, other family members and friends can share their thoughts on that KairosMoment to add to the memories for that loved one.
4. Then on the reveal date, the loved one will get an email notifying them of a KairosMoment that has been unlocked.

We are still polishing up the site and are giving complimentary memberships to people who can help us. Just visit www.KairosLife.com and enter your email address."

 

Check out the sight and sign up if you wish.  I am sure you have special memories that would make a special time capsule and gift for a loved one.

 

Love, Peace, and Sandy Feet,

Mama Nic

First Steps!

This one is getting around.  She can crawl across the room in the blink of an eye.  She goes from the crawl to the crab-walk, to the zombie-walk (crab-walk with one leg while dragging the other), then the one step and plop down, and most recently 9 steps across the room!  It won't be long before my baby is walking circles around her big brother and sister.

I love when I stumble upon cool products,  and I really really love when I find out that the manufacturer is a stand up company as well.

A fine gentleman from Yochi Yochi sent me a pair of shoes for Chica to try out and for me to review.  The opinions expressed here are my own and I was not paid or made to say anything in particular. (which is a good thing because Mama Nic doesn't roll like that!)

So, in having said that, I would love to introduce you to Yochi Yochi Footwear!  There are 4 styles of shoes to chose from, (all adorable) and they are all more than just cute, they are functional.

I picked out Princess Sakura shoes and they arrived propmpty, packed in a cute little drawstring bag.



 

 
 

Chica may not be totally committed to walking everywhere, but soon she will be and she will be walking and squeaking all over!  When your child takes a step the shoe squeaks  This squeak besides making her giggle,  is a way for me to know where she is.  How cool is that?  Also, Yochi Yochi says that doctors have suggested that when the kiddos "can audibly recognize their footsteps, the sounds can reinforce the natural rhythm of walking and actually help train them to walk". 

From my inspection this product seems to be high quality.  They are made of nylon and look really comfy for her little tootsies.  The strap is extra wide and Velcros across.  This is genius because the shoes can open up wide to get them easily on and off, which is a huge plus for me.  Now, if only diapers were so easy to get on this squirmy kid we would be all set!  The soles are rubber and adorned with a sweet panda face and of course as I mentioned already,  they sqeak.

Chica likes to stand holding on to my bed and "hop" (go up and down from tipple-toe to heel) and make them squeak.

Yochi Yochi also claims to practice environmentally friendly practices.  Examples of how they do this can be found on their site.  They use water based dyes, energy efficient equiptment, and store rain water for daily factory use.  Now,  that makes me happy to hear.

I am sure you will see her tootsies clad in Princess Sakura Shoes in many pictures throughout the summer and fall.

Here are some fun things you can do while wearing Yochi Yochi Shoes.

Downward Dog pose.

Admire pretty shoes.

Play with feet.

Take a rest.

Totally chill.

Hula hoop!

Stare at shoes.

Enjoy Sister time.

Stare at pretty shoes.

Take a business call.

Oh, maybe this one was a personal call.  She is very social, ya know?

Sneak into Mama's nightstand.

Hmmmm.  What can I get out of here?

Oh yeah!  They run from sized 4 to 10.  Check them out and see if your kids like the squeaking  sound too. http://yochishoes.com/

Well, I have to run.....

Chica's squeaking is getter a little to far away.....again!

Love, Peace, and Sandy Feet,
Mama Nic

A Learning Moment also know as "PLOT TWIST!"

It's 4:24 a.m and I am not asleep.  My mind swirls with thoughts too distracting for me to ignore and do want I really should be doing at this hour....sleep.  We have just about 17 hours left until the date of our closing on our investment property and things are just not feeling right. 

You know those red flags, those whispers that something just isn't right, those moments that your antennae stand up on end and make you think "danger!"........well, hubby and I have had to many to ignore in the home buying process,  and I am a strong believer in NEVER ignoring your gut instincts. 

So, we walk.

This wasn't a case of cold feet.  It wasn't because we were second guessing our plan.  There were just too many signs for us to go through with this and feel good about it.  .

Without going into too much detail, I will just say that in this process there has to be trust, good communication, good vibes, and respect.  When any one of those pieces start to crumble, what starts as a little problem soon turns to an avalanche.

This decision was not easy.  I am disappointed.  But I feel it was the right thing to do for us.  It was a huge learning moment for us.  I learned about the house buying process when you live in one state and the house is in the other,  I made great contacts with home inspectors, insurance agents, property managers.  I learned about the laws for situations like this.  I learned to really trust our hunches and stand firm behind our beliefs.

 This house just wasn't in the stars for us.  Even astrology wasn't on our side for this one. Thanks to my pal for filling me in on Mercury Retrograde!

As a Mama of three I have learned to ALWAYS trust your gut when it comes to your babies.  I am learning to apply that lesson to life in general and I think that this time, as hard as it was,  we really stuck to our guns.  Trust your gut!

Love, Peace, and Sandy Feet,
Mama Nic

A Body of Water Does a Body and Mind Good!

I heart water.  It could be a lake, pond, river, pool, ocean.....I just love it.  There is something mystical about and the energy that surrounds it.   I truly believe there is good vibrations coming from water,  at least for me personally and the energy is positive.  It is also healing, contagious, wondrous,soothing and beautiful.

The proof is there in the water, around the water and in my heart.    It is there in the way it makes me feel.  Maybe that is why I like islands so much.  I don't feel trapped on them, I feel alive.  The energy bouncing off the water that is vital and energizing.   And plus, I think I am part mermaid.....and have had mermaid babies and a boy with fins instead of feet.

Take a look at the water I have visited just this year.  Soak it in.  Each memory.  Precious.  Magical. 

Poolside with Chica.

Lake today!

More lake today.

Punta Gorda, FL at Harbor Heights Park.

Deep Creek, Punta Gorda, FL.

Ponce De Len Park.  Punta Gorda, FL.

Port Charlotte Harbor. 

Ponce De Leon Park.

Sunset view of the harobr in Punta Gorda, FL.

 More of Ponce De Leon Park.

Venice Beach.  Venice, FL.

Venice.  View from rooftop at Sharky's on the Pier.

Laishley Park, Punta Gorda, FL.

Anna Maria Island, FL

And back to the lake......today.

Park around the corner from our house.

Wow, I am thankful for the things I have done this year!!!

There is NOTHING like the pull of the ocean.  It pulls me in and keeps me coming back.  Soon............to stay!!!

Today I wanted to be near water.  I picked up my Gram who is still up visited us from Florida, collected the kids, and hit the lake.  What a gorgeous day.

See proof below.

My little watermelon.

Standing up!

The "big" kids!  They just happen to be part mermaid and fish.

That smile is sunshine itself!

Great Gram and her granddaughter.

He is up!  (and then back down.)  Wow that kid can swim underwater like it is his job!  So proud of him.

The fish Bubba was trying all day to catch, barehanded.  No success but trying was the fun part.

Love these two souls.

Water.  Reason #368 that I am moving to become a member of a harbor-side community,  in the Sunshine State!

Love, Peace, and Sandy Feet,
Mama Nic