We didn't all know each other yet we accepted an invitation from our friend Julie and set out for a drive through Idaho to a beautiful cabin for a weekend getway. It was exactly what my soul needed. It was perfect timing!

We all have busy lives, families, and commitments but it's important to make room for friendships.

A retreat with new friends and hours of girl talk, good music, great food, spirits and laughter.

Boy did we laugh!

♥, Sylvia

I knew we would be busy. I knew we would be challenged.

We opened our business on Monday.  It hasn't even been a full week. Just to get to that point was amazing, frustrating and extremely rewarding. I've been going from my full-time day job to diving right into our business in the evenings. I've never had dark circles under my eyes before so thank goodness for makeup!

Last night we watched a bit of TV and I asked the hubster if he could remember the last time we did that. We couldn't remember. I almost felt guilty sitting there, doing nothing. I realize we can't go 100 miles an hour every day.  It's not humanly possible.

But I love how life captures our spirit and gives us what we need at the perfect time.

I took this photo one evening when we were preparing for the opening day. We walked out of the facility and were greeted with this spectacular view. I don't know why but I fought off tears. I'm not sure if they were a result from the exhaustion or the reminder that I need to look up.

Thank you. Thank you for the reminder.

♥, Sylvia

I'm taking the evening off from working on our business and reserving some "me" time. Trust me, it's not all glamorous. It involves doing my nails and immersing myself in a book. I haven't had time to dust, much less sit down and read.  

The "me" time for me right now is just being able to reflect in what we have accomplished. 

We're definitely paying the price for a reward in years to come. All of our future clients are extremely receptive and excited about our business.  That in itself has been so rewarding! The hubster and I have worked our butts off but we are also incredibly blessed to have so many supportive people around us. 

Now more than ever, I have to remind myself to breathe, slow down and do a little something special for myself. That "something special" doesn't have to be anything materialistic but it does need to be something that reminds me of being grateful. 

♥,Sylvia

Oh how I loved looking through photographs of this past year. But today we say good riddance! Buh-bye! Tomorow is a fresh new year. May your days bring oodles and oodles of blessings. An over abudance of everything you dream of. May hope guide you and grace lead you to all the richness in your heart.

"Favorite people, favorite places, 

favorite memories of the past. 

These are the joys of a lifetime,

these are the things that last."

Herny Van Dyke

Wishing you love and wishes for a fabulous 2012!

♥, Sylvia

I don't write about my work life very much but I have to tell you about this. 

Yesterday started like any other ordinary day. I rushed to work and engulfed myself in scheduling meetings, making phone calls and training my new assistant. Dove right in to the piles of paperwork. Forgetting all about Christmas.

I'm a grown up, Santa doesn't exist anymore. 

Then a wonderful thing happened.

One of our little patients walked in and read me a letter he had just received from Santa. Yes, a response to a letter he had sent to Santa the previous day. In a high pitch squeal he mentioned the letter was sent all the way from the North Pole. He couldn't believe it!

He was trying to catch his breath, hands shaking as he held the letter. He read it slowly, carefully as to not miss a single word. He said he wouldn't be able to sleep and showed me how he was going to tip-toe out of his room on Christmas morning. 

His energy and the light in his eyes was so beautiful! It gave me goosebumps. I wanted to cry.

You see, I work with an amazing group of nurses, doctors, therapists, support team and volunteers. I work in administration and don't have direct contact with patients but ocassionaly I get to experience these snippets of awesomeness. 

He will wake up Christmas morning, walk out of his hospital room and have beautiful presents from Santa... and a group of very special elves. 

♥, Sylvia

(I was careful not to include any names or details in order to not disclose any patient health information.)

I'll be honest, I've been fighting the bah humbug bug for a couple of days. I've never had it before but it's trying to sting me this year. What a nasty little bug!

Thank goodness I put up the Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving if not I think this bug would have definitely taken over this holiday season. I haven't even felt like shopping. Yes, shocking!

I'm determined to swat the bug and squash it dead! I know it's not a long term disease; it's just temporary. So, I will make myself a cup of hot cocoa, play some Christmas music and sit by our beautiful Christmas tree. I will enjoy the twinkle of the lights, reflect on the season and take a deep breath. It will be the perfect remedy for the grinch-like thoughts to dissapear.

I hope you're not fighting the bah humbug bug and that you're feeling merry and bright. 

♥, Sylvia

Welcome to From the Heart!  

I wish I could serve you a cup of coffee or a glass of wine while we visit so you could tell me about yourself, but for now...

I'll start with a glimpse about me ~

I can't imagine... not having love and laughter in my life.

If I had a magic wand... I would erase pain from people's hearts.

I work... at a children's orthopaedic hospital.

I laugh the hardest...when my husband says something funny "without trying to be funny."

I need... photography in my life; I own a Nikon D5100.

I live... in the northwest and love it but will always be a Texan at heart.

I save..all of my Oprah magazines; they're just too good to throw away. 

I believe... we all need to step out of our comfort zone to grow.

I find my center... by going on a nature walk.

I love... seeing the newness of each season.

I know... family is my most precious gift.

I collect... quotations.

I have learned... to be grateful.

I could read... Simple Abudance for the rest of my life and always learn something new.

I feel... so blessed!

Other happy making goodness ~

Spending long summer days on our patio. Hanging out in my pajama pants on lazy Sundays. Making cards. Lit candles and soft music playing. Spur of the moment adventures. Long road trips. Visiting family throughout the country. Roasting marshmallows around a campfire.  Thrifting. Open windows in the spring. Listening to rain. Painful gasping-for-air laughter. Stargazing. Hiking and cycling trails. Skyping with family. Daydreaming.  Jewelry and sparkly girly goodies. Lip gloss. Reading a book too good to put down. Blogging. Making new friends both in the flesh and in the virtual world. 

I'd love to hear from you ~

Leave a comment, say hello, add a link to your blog or send an email to sylviahallmail@gmail.com.  You can also find me on Facebook and Pinterest.

Now it's your turn, how about a glimpse about you? :)

♥, Sylvia

Wearing a one of a kind piece of jewelry feels incredible!

Lettie from For Giving Works Artisan Jewelry had a giveaway recently and I was the fortunate recipient of this gorgeous piece. Holding it in my hands and placing it on my neck felt amazing.

Lettie's jewelry is of the finest quality.  She selects every bead, knots every knot, and creates every strand with love.   

Her pieces are more than a piece of jewelry; they're treasures. It is evident they touch us in a very special way.

Each piece tells a story.

They carry a deep message.

They're symbols.

They have a special meaning.

They remind us of our journey.

They speak deeply to our hearts.  

The darling bird on my necklace reminds me to be free. To follow my dream and soar.

Lettie, thank you so much for my new beautiful treasure. I LOVE it!

You can find Lettie's beautiful jewelry here Facebook - Blog - Etsy 

♥, Sylvia

How sweet it is!

My sister Alma (Bibi) and her husband Matt will be new parents.

A beautiful new journey draws near.

A bouncing baby girl will arrive within several weeks.

I know they can't wait to lay eyes on their baby, to embrace her and fall in love with her at first sight.

They'll be lots of pink, ruffles, pretty shoes and sweet kisses in the Gary household. 

I was happy to photograph them during this blessed time in their lives.

I love you both very much!  Too maush!

♥, Sylvia

"Family faces are magic mirros. 

Looking at people who belong to us,

we see the past,

present and future."

Gail Lumet Buckley

The hubster and I made ourselves dizzy while dancing with our nieces during a recent visit to Texas.  I forgot how much fun that was! Round and round we went.

My niece Erika doesn't walk, she skips. She loves to dance. She's spontaneous. Her enthusiasm is like a breath of fresh air. Her light shines! At 2 1/2 years old she already knows how to work an iPad. She loves to take photographs. Her vocabulary is beyond her years. She's so darn clever!

Her big sister Alex has a very different personality. She's calm, a bit reserved, thoughtful, always helpful, has a beautiful spirit and a heart of gold. She's the best big sister.

I can't help but think of their future. The dreams they'll pursue, challenges they'll face, the path they'll walk to find inner happiness, the steps they'll take to create their ideal life, the women they'll become.

Looking at these photos bring me back to the present when the only thing they want to do right now is live for today... and play and dance and make their aunt and uncle as dizzy as possible.  So we can all giggle and laugh and do it all over again.

Piglet was so right when he said "sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart." 

I just remembered this other post I wrote about (to) them... straight from my heart.

♥ , Sylvia