Today is a day for slowing down. And cranberry sauce, loud Italians, flowing drinks, reminiscing, stuffing, turkey, children screaming in laughter, and new memories to be made. A day for fat pants, napping and traveling. 

Today is a day to be thankful.

Today I am thankful God finds me worthy enough to consider bestowing blessings upon me. I’m thankful to be a mother. I’m thankful that I am Dan’s wife. I’m grateful to belong to a great family. My sister is my best friend, and my brother and I, we love eachother so much it sometimes gets complicated, but that’s ok because we always find a way to make things right. Special shoutout to my brothers new wife: I love you. You’re gentle and wonderful and funny and you’ve made him so happy. Your beautiful spirit comes out everytime you speak. I’m happy you’re a Costanza, Whitney ❤️  I’m thankful that my parents met up almost 40 years ago and never looked back. The beautiful life they have built, and the legacy that they are still building, that I’m a part of, makes me proud. To witness a rare love, one where two parents stay together is truly inspiring and I’m thankful for their story. It’s taught me how to be a daughter, a sister, a wife and a mother. 

I’m thankful for my in laws. The loudest and biggest group of people I get to have so close to me is truly a gift I never thought about receiving. Hanging out with them is like being in a small gang, not to mention the number of cousins Mav has to love and laugh with and spend days like today running the floors of his aunt’s house we will gather at later. That makes me so happy and makes me miss my cousin so much. I’m thankful Mav has this great sense of family. It makes traditions so much more special. 

Im thankful for my forever friends. And new friends who I know will be around for the run of it all. To my friends who moved away, I wish I could hug you every day. You’re still such a special part of my life and I’m happy to have you. My friends near to me, thank you for being kind, generous, and loving me and my family. Friends like you are an extension of my blood, and for that I am forever happy. 

I’m thankful for my husband. He is strong and sweet, steady and loving. (That’s why he’s allowed out to hunt on this morning while Mav and I stay back and eat cookies for breakfast and watch the thanksgiving day parade.) He deserves my love. I’m thankful for our marriage and the commitment we made to make this relationship thrive.

I want my heart to always beat to the sound of lollipops and sunshine. I want to be a thankful person all the time. I want everyone to know that if you’re reading this, you’ve touched me. And I hope I’ve touched you back. The wonderful thing about this great big world is the good people in it. They are far and few, and it takes some time to find the ones you’ll call your family, your friends. I’m thankful to do what I do in this life. I’m thankful for all that I have.

From my family, to yours – happy, happy thanksgiving. Be the one to hug a little longer when you leave your loved ones today. And remember to light a candle for the ones who are visiting the table today from up above. Love and warm light to you all ✨

Thanksgiving is a lifestyle, not just a day 🤗

“If I could tell the world just one thing it would be that we’re all okay. And not to worry ’cause worry is wasteful and useless in times like these.”

Ever have one of those days? Where you wake up feeling heavy? Your heart is full of sadness? You feel lonely and alone and almost scared? Like you don’t belong anywhere, and try you may, but the feeling encapsulates you and you’re stuck?

What about when one of those days turns into a few days and that few days turns into a week?

You could be arguing with your husband, or it could be the number you read on the scale. You could be disagreeing with your sister, or your mother may have said something that hit a little too close to your heart. Your boss could have made you feel replaceable or your dog walks out of the room every time you call her? 

How do you end these feelings? When you feel like you don’t belong anywhere, and everything is working against you, and you find yourself saying out loud “why me?”

Why not you? You feel that pull at your heart strings? You hear the noises in your head? The shake in your voice? That’s a shift. This is a lesson. Something is changing inside and it’s ok 🙂 it will all be okay. 

When life is standing in front of you, staring you down and you can’t seem to evade her, that is when you dig your heels in and stand right there and surrender to this lesson. What can you change? What is changing you? What can you absolutely not change? Seriously. Ask yourself these questions. Also, a favorite of mine: will this matter in 5 weeks? 

Go buy a magazine. Go for a walk. Donate old clothes to an unassuming drop off box. Go to church and light a candle. Have a full blown conversation with someone in heaven. Write a letter to yourself. 

This week has been a tough one, transitioning back to life from vacation. ‘What a problem’ you may say. Everyone has a hard time coming back to the real world after a nice relaxing time away. And I know, I sound so annoying! But with a jet lagged toddler and the umpteenth showing of our home, a jam packed work schedule and the impending holidays, the sadness in the world, and the fear inside me that this world is in fact a very scary place to raise a child in, I broke down today.  I miss my husband, who works sun up to sun down. I’m afraid I’m not always an amazing mom. I often feel taken advantage of because of my kindness. I haven’t cooked since Monday. I only dusted and did 5 loads of laundry because I want my house to sell. So, my heart hurts and I needed a little pick me up. Instead of posting “need good vibes today” and fish for my Facebook friends to leave me love on a cryptic status, I decided to write myself a letter.

Dear Brianna,

You are a warrior. You are capable. Your radiance from the inside shines out through your eyes, and through your heart. You are worthy, exceptional, and really really funny. You’re a great mother. Your body fits in clothes that hang in your closet so stop obsessing over your weight. You try really hard with lots of different people; don’t try so hard! Be yourself. You have some really precious relationships with some very special people, hold onto that. Your values are solid. Youre a good daughter. You’re doing the best you can do. Stop being so hard on yourself. You are kind not weak. You do need to toughen up a bit. You also need to realize it’s not always about you, in both positive and negative spectrums. You go to target too much, but it’s ok, it’s one of your happy places. Your husband loves you. You are talented, and love where you are in your career. Your son adores you. Your family thinks you’re wonderful. You are enough. You are a great sister. It’s ok to have a glass of wine, in fact, you deserve one. And don’t feel bad about crying in front of people, you’re human. Feel all the feels. Pain equals growth. And growth equals pain. So arguing with the ones you love, and searching your soul, and crying is all a part of the path. As long as you can pick yourself up when you get down, and maybe even laugh at yourself, you’re doing better than good. You’re smart, and you take a mean selfie. So get over yourself. Love you.

<3, breeze.

You guys. I can’t take all the love. First, I just spent a week in Doral, Florida and it was gorgeous; The weather. But Dan, Mav and I stayed with my parents and sister and the love you feel, and the fun you have when you’re in a little villa living with your parents and *favorite* roomate again (Al-pie) it’s just, ugh, so full of magic. And nostalgia. Like melted butter on your toast, like, actual food for your soul. Maverick had the time of his life, enjoying vanilla (wafers in the villa) milkshakes with cherries on top, casting his first fishing pole with his daddy, auntie and pop-pops by his side. He loved the sandbox, the lawn games and the giant connect 4 game by the pool. And the balls. And the pool floats. And Neil, who didn’t love Neil? Vacation through my child’s eyes is a constant adventure.

   

    
   

   

  

  

  

  

  

 

And HI. OMG. Did I tell you I got to see my BEST FRIEND???! Kellie, my long lost blonde sister came with her hus to hang out with us for the day. There is nothing like spending time with a best friend. Where you can pick up where you left off. You can tell any secret you’ve been holding onto because you know she’s the best at keeping them. Kellie, I don’t say it enough but you are so special to me. And I love you more than anything. And I would kill to constantly live a car ride away from you. 

   
  

Friday night was spent at fogo de chao, a Brazilian steakhouse where little toddler of mine kept up with his pop-pops at the table in the amount of food he consumed. It was a true experience, complete with their signature Brazilian beverage – The Caipirinha! Omg. So good. And so strong. My brother and his wife are such a beautiful couple, and so, to ensure their beauty sleep we ended early so they could relax before the big day!  
   
    
    
   

So then, Saturday was the wedding. It was truly beautiful. Quaint, quiet, serious, and full of love and tradition. The church was a true south beach gem. The priest yelled at me I think, 3 different times, #typical. And I read this arrangement of sacred and holy words: 

 

Isn’t there something so moving about wedding traditions? How ancient the words are? Yet how relevant they are to every day relationships? Makes me fill up with tears just thinking about my own. But to watch your big brother recite them to a gorgeous soul is something unexplainable. 

The church:  

  #churchthings

  Shhh  

  The look.

  The bride.

 My cute parents 😍

   
 
The wedding:

    
    
  Ladykiller.  

So it was a blast. And this is how I know: because my feet hurt, I was hungover on the plane, and Mav was super cranky last night since he stayed up past his bedtime every night for the last 4 nights! The music was my favorite, the fountainbleau was super dope, and the two people in love were honestly g l o w i n g 🙂 wishing you both lots of love, health, happiness, success, and babies to the newlyweds! I love you guys.

Quick plane ride home and then it was off to see my sister-in-law Laura! Baby Jonathan arrived last night and we got to meet him! Maverick was in awe of this little baby and has been practicing his name all morning 😍. “Jon-thin” congrats to Laura and Justin and the newest boy cousin in the clan!!!! 

This was truly one of the most fantastic weeks I’ve had in a long time. I feel refreshed, and ready for the impending holiday season. My energy is up. Which is great because it’s time to decide if an actual bomb went off in my house, or if we just got robbed, unsure, but it looks like both may have happened. And somebody is extremely happy to be back😆🙃🤗

 #illbecleaningtilchristmas #byeblog 

The road to happiness is paved with hard work. And a positive attitude. Tears, both happy and sad. Pains of growing and the stagnant waters of loss. And it helps if you have a hot and wonderful husband, a supportive and honest family, a great and rewarding career, a few good and loyal friends, and a pair of rosy colored glasses that sometimes you just have to put on. Throw in a more than adorable toddler with a sassy attitude and an incredible sense of humor for good measure, and you’ve got yourself one successful life. At least, according to me…

  
But what about when one of those things isn’t going the right way? What if you’re husband is dancing all over the last little nerve you have, while you’re PMS-ing?  What about when your family doesn’t like a decision you made? or are making? And all your best friends live in other states so you can’t escape to the local coffee shop for a vent sesh? And everyone you call can’t talk right now? What if you had two cancellations at work when you were relying on that money? What if your toddler breaks a beaded necklace all over tha hardwoods, and paints the couch with his Halloween candy minutes before you must leave for the third showing of your God-forsaken-not-selling house this Sunday?

Cue pink sunglasses. Honestly, if you don’t have one item in your closet, jewelry box or vanity to instantly turn your mood around, go buy some – today. Seriously, it’s Sunday. Go to charming Charlie’s or Targ and just buy something FUN! (Ok so this is my medicine, it may not be yours but the substance in my point is there!)

Let’s all promise eachother something. 

Let’s remember that if someone is hurting, we are all hurting. The biggest problem we. all. have. today, is that we forget that w e  b e l o n g  t o  e a c h o t h e r. 

If one person fails at parenting, we all do. If one person posts an pin-worthy dinner, celebrate that bitch! (Meggie fresh I’m talkin to you 🤗) We all argue with our family members, we all have that one asshole, or two, in our lives that we can’t ever escape. Whoever that may be, seriously, say a prayer for that terrible attitude and move the fuck on. Seriously! Just ignore it, and pray for them, because there is nothing. You can do. That’s their story, and you’re trying to figure out your own. Right? Right. So, If you don’t have one of these aforementioned a-holes in your life, chances are YOU are it 😂 sorry, but you have to skip the trip to Target, and just go to church today, like twice. 

Why did we get so judgey? We all are, honestly I don’t know one person who isn’t. Why do we care so much what our peers, or even worse people who don’t even know us, think about us? Why do we let it eat us up inside and bring it home to our husbands and to our families or bring it out in the world, into our career? When people judge me now, I honestly feel like I want to gouge their eyeballs out, I call it mama-bear complex, or just some anger issues that I never worked out in therapy, but I do think a little “passion” can be healthy for a woman these days. But this is exactly my point, we are all human. We make mistakes! We say the wrong things at the wrong time. We have the world working against us. We put our foot in our mouths. We judge. We fight with our husbands. We raise our voice to our sweet and innocent littles sometimes. So I say this. Let’s take it back to the beginning, the fundamental building blocks of simply co-existing. 

1. Treat others as you wish to be treated.

2. If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all.

3. What is popular is not always right. What is right is not always popular.

Remember all these??? 

As for me, I’m trying constantly to continue the evolution of my soul here on planet earth. I’m trying to be positive, and feel all the feels. I’m trying to remember that feeling the pain and the sorrow is just as hard and just as important as feeling that one of a kind, cloud nine feeling. I try to put myself in another persons shoes, it’s in my brain makeup to do this. It kills me, because sometimes I just don’t understand why some people act the way they do, but it’s not for me to figure it out. It’s their journey. I’m just a cameo appearance in the lessons they’re learning here on earth. So, I just worry about me, and sometimes I worry about you, too. And for that we should all be grateful. 

Happy Sunday friends 💜

|| So this is the exact reason I started a blog. When Facebook posts become too long and too sappy and too “annoying” for other people.  Specifically ones I’m passionate about and thought Facebook was a good enough place to put my thoughts, so: now this! ||

You know what makes November so happy?? There aren’t any contingencies, no expectations. We don’t hope for snow on thanksgiving, we don’t need to buy mountains of gifts for anyone for this season. We don’t have to wear red and green sequins every Saturday to (work 💁🏽) a festive party. We just gotta show up, eat some turkey, pass on the cranberry and unzip our pants (read maternity leggings) when we’re done 😄.
Thanksgiving was never a favorite holiday of mine, until I met my husband who just so happens to love this holiday. And this season. He’s rubbed his love of the game (see what I did there) off on me. Christmas and Fourth of July are still my favorites, but thanksgiving has climbed up in the ranks. Also, as corny as it may be it has sparked a new social media frenzy that I. Just. Love. 😍

#30DaysThankful. 

Why only 30 days? Why can’t it be an entire style of living to be thankful? So I ask you to join me this November, and even if you don’t feel comfortable opening up and saying so, at least tell someone, every day, what you are thankful for in this life.

Today, on day 2, I am thankful for my son. I’m thankful for him on so many levels, in so many ways. The way he made me a mother. The ways he’s changed me. The way he gives me this playful side eye look. How he is always the best breakfast/coffee/lunch/Barnes and noble date on earth. His innocence makes my heart smile. His humor makes me belly laugh. His seriousness when he says the word “no” could stop a grown man in his tracks. His independence rivals my own. He is a true wild spirit. His soul completes mine.

  
I could go on and on about the way he smiles with his perfect miniature teeth and how that can turn anyone’s mood around. His deep little voice comforts me like a hot cup of coffee. His giggle makes me giggle. His interest and curiosity opens up my mind. The way he talks to me, and rubs my back. The way he fixes his face when he sees something he loves. The sounds he makes when dinner is being served, or lunch, or any type of food.

The way he double fists….

  
The way he sings “peek up peek up” – his version of the clean up song. The way he loves his Stella girl, and shares all the snacks with her. His love for animals. The way he shows empathy to others. The way he runs to the door on Thursday nights to see the pizza delivery guy and yells:  

 
I love the way he rarely kisses me when I ask, but will march right up to me at any given point and give me four consecutive kisses in a row and then a “nosey” 🤗 how he’s the only one who remembers that Stella needs to eat when we eat #whoopsie #babysfirstchore 🐶💜

This little boy is magic. A spectacular and beautiful little creature who exudes love and wonder. He has made me a better person. He’s made me believe in my faith. He makes me young. He has made me whole. He makes me thankful every day.