I am having one of those "back" days where actually getting stuff done like laundry, dishes, vacuuming and sensory activities for the kids are tasks that I can't even think about, let alone do...
So, I have been laying here on the couch with an ice pack watching for the kids' buses to come home while I answer emails, send emails and drum up wonderful ideas and documents for the Fragile X Association so that I don't feel completely useless today.
Aside from being a wife and mother there are 6 things I LOVE to do.
1) Photography
2) Write
3) Graphic Design
4) Sing/Perform/Public Speaking
5) Create things, like jewelery or artwork
6) make photo DVD's for family or friends
So today with the options I have, I have decided to write. Maybe that will make me feel useful and may make me laugh as I write!
I have had a few things on my mind today funny and serious and you may get them all... we'll see.
I was looking at a blog of another family and observing the pictures of their children. It got me thinking about the way a lot of us parents dress our children in this day an age, or even how we dress in this day and age. There's so much vintage, so much color, so many throw-backs to the good old days. I wonder if it is humanity's way of trying to take ourselves back to times when things were simpler, families were closer, and life was slower.
I've noticed trends of home schooling, do-it-yourself projects, refurbishing old furniture to look like older furniture, and making things out of stuff like toilet paper rolls.
I am amazed at what women and mothers are doing now days and all the time they devote to making things better or making things from other things so that they don't have to buy new things or add more garbage to the world.
But, I have to say that there is this part of me that also rolls my eyes at this...
Not because they disgust me or even bother me...
I think I roll my eyes because I am jealous. I would love to be able to make shelves to put in my daughters room that I made out of recycled 5-gallon icecream buckets neatly arranged and modge-podged by the latest scrapbook paper from the Hobby Lobby. I think that toilet paper roll coin purses wrapped neatly in vintage skirt cloth from my grandmother's closet would be so sentimental and shabby-chic. I would love to fill my house with decorations that are made from decorative rubber matts sprayed with spray paint and sanded to look like antiqued iron, or old wooden shingles that have been refurbished into block letters hand carved with my old kitchen knife that I have refurbished by added a handle made out of the copper tubing from re-plumbing my pipes with the flexi-pipe. (Oh for Pete's sake it is amazing what people do!)
I would also love to have my daughter, who demands to have SHORT hair, wear sweet chic dresses made of white linen, with sweater tights and a blue ribbon tied neatly around the waist and riding boots to add to the "American Doll" look. Oh, and that she would wear a matching ribbon tied around her head like a sweet little headband topped off with a flower. And I would love to have my youngest daughters hair curled and styled by using cloth rags over night to make the perfect ringlets to match her cute little faux fur vest and matching faux fur-topped boots with ruffled skirt.
And then I want to go take these cute little children and take their photos while they pose willingly and happily so that I can hang massive canvases all over my house in neatly arranged patterns that I have pinned on Pinterest.
And then I want to have the amazing house that looks like it was set up for a magazine shoot and my kitchen has shelves and cupboards that look like they just came out of the Home Magazine.
OK, OK, so maybe I am a little jealous. I think these things are cool... funny, in a way, but cool.
But, I have to face my reality.
That stuff I listed above is just not Our Life.
At all.
I am lucky that I remember to change the toilet paper roll to the new roll, let alone put it somewhere to be saved and then re-purposed. Besides, in my house, I don't even know if the toilet paper roll would be sanitary.
If I made cubby shelves out of 5 gallon ice cream buckets and modge podged them with beautiful paper they would just become the canvas for Sister's latest artwork. And dresses are only a 3 hour requirement for Sundays and will not be worn at ANY other time or the world may fall apart before her very eyes. And if she ever wore things that were frilly and girly no one would recognize her outside of her Angry Birds T-shirt and jeans comfort zone. Having Baby let me curl her hair would take and act of God. Seriously.
But there are some things about today's styles I can definitely embrace (an you'll notice this is something that takes no effort on my part). I am so grateful that colored jeans are in for boys. You don't know how long Brother has wanted to have green pants. Well, now he has them and is happy as can be.
I love all the color in the world right now.
I wish movies would take note of color and not make so many dark movies. Can't Hollywood see we have seen enough dark and are ready for color. I love watching old musicals, not only for the reason I LOVE the music
but because the colors are so vibrant. Ever seen "Seven Brides for Seven
Brothers"?
That movie is full of color! And Pinterest does not lie, if you look there you will see all the color and vibrance that we all long for!
OK, OK, so Hollywood is not to blame and Pinterest is not always right, but Social Media certainly is the wave of the future.
When I first heard of Pinterest I was thinking, "Why in the world would I want to 'pin' stuff to look at and hope I achieve." So I pin things hoping that someday I will actually accomplish or do some of these fantastic ideas that so many people have been smart enough to come up with. It can be overwhelming to see how creative and busy mom's are while I just pin what they have done so that people think I am as cool as that and will actually do all those things I pinned.
Raise of hands here, how many of you have pins that just collect dust on your Pinterest Board only because you love the idea of the idea and hope someone will want to repin your repin of some one else's repin? Be honest... you know you do it.
So in this world of over-achieving-upcycling-vintaged-shabby-chic people I can sit back and make fun of some of them because it is kind of funny when you think about re-purposed flyswatters and cottage cheese containers. I can also sit back and wish that even with all the craziness of it, I had reason or means to do it because it really does all look quite picture perfect.
I just have to remind myself that we are also in a day and age of technology and Photoshop does wonders to anyone's reality.
(smirk)
Our Life
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
The changes I'm seeing...
are, in one word, miraculous!
Baby has been talking, and singing, and, tonight, she prayed!
Yep! Prayed!
OK... so when I say "pray" I mean it in the way that we know she means it...
here let me 'splain:
I had just come home from buying Brother his week supply of apples (which may only last 3 days) to my family gathered in our front room. Marc was on one side getting his Family Home Evening Lesson together and there were our 3 sweeties on the other side:
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All three kids snuggled up under Sister's bed cover ready to learn from their dad.
We sang our opening songs, "Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam" and "Popcorn Popping." That, I thought, was going to be the highlighted "UP" of my day, listening to my girls singing so happily while Brother sang behind his iPod so we wouldn't know he was joining in.
But, then it came time for the opening prayer.
Now this part I think we owe to the good Primary Teachers Baby has, because as soon as we said it was time for prayer Baby popped up out of her spot in the middle of the tripod and came waddling over to snuggle next to me with her arms folded looking at me for support in saying her prayer.
...
That, I have to say, was one of the sweetest moments of my time in motherhood. She has been taught and been watching other children praying with the help of their teachers and she new that when it was time to say prayer that's what you did.
I proceeded to cuddle up to her and loudly whisper a few words at a time for her to say out loud. She was grinning from ear to ear looking around at her siblings and dad while quietly squeaking out what were supposed to be words but were mere mumblings in high-pitched tones. (I wonder if one of the girls in her class has a very sweet and soft spoken voice because it seemed she was imitating someone.) After "amen" Marc and I looked at each other with the biggest, heartwarming smiles. We were so touched by her ambition to say the prayer.
After our lesson, which was this:
We sang another song to close and then asked for any volunteers for closing prayer. We ALWAYS ask this question at each Family Home Evening and every dinner time, rarely Sister will volunteer, never Brother and we don't even expect it from Baby. But, just like opening prayer, Baby popped up from her place under the blanket and routinely came to cuddle by me and Marc to whisper-squeak the closing prayer.
I just couldn't go to bed tonight without documenting this moment in time.
I am so touched by the spirit our Baby brought into our home tonight that I would have to say "UP" may not even describe how I feel.
"BETTER" might be pretty close.
Oh, and P.S. if you ever want to know how wonderful your husband is, watch him lead a Family Home Evening. It's pretty sexy watching your sweet hubby teach your children about the gospel...
Just sayin' ...
Baby has been talking, and singing, and, tonight, she prayed!
Yep! Prayed!
OK... so when I say "pray" I mean it in the way that we know she means it...
here let me 'splain:
I had just come home from buying Brother his week supply of apples (which may only last 3 days) to my family gathered in our front room. Marc was on one side getting his Family Home Evening Lesson together and there were our 3 sweeties on the other side:
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All three kids snuggled up under Sister's bed cover ready to learn from their dad.
We sang our opening songs, "Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam" and "Popcorn Popping." That, I thought, was going to be the highlighted "UP" of my day, listening to my girls singing so happily while Brother sang behind his iPod so we wouldn't know he was joining in.
But, then it came time for the opening prayer.
Now this part I think we owe to the good Primary Teachers Baby has, because as soon as we said it was time for prayer Baby popped up out of her spot in the middle of the tripod and came waddling over to snuggle next to me with her arms folded looking at me for support in saying her prayer.
...
That, I have to say, was one of the sweetest moments of my time in motherhood. She has been taught and been watching other children praying with the help of their teachers and she new that when it was time to say prayer that's what you did.
I proceeded to cuddle up to her and loudly whisper a few words at a time for her to say out loud. She was grinning from ear to ear looking around at her siblings and dad while quietly squeaking out what were supposed to be words but were mere mumblings in high-pitched tones. (I wonder if one of the girls in her class has a very sweet and soft spoken voice because it seemed she was imitating someone.) After "amen" Marc and I looked at each other with the biggest, heartwarming smiles. We were so touched by her ambition to say the prayer.
After our lesson, which was this:
We sang another song to close and then asked for any volunteers for closing prayer. We ALWAYS ask this question at each Family Home Evening and every dinner time, rarely Sister will volunteer, never Brother and we don't even expect it from Baby. But, just like opening prayer, Baby popped up from her place under the blanket and routinely came to cuddle by me and Marc to whisper-squeak the closing prayer.
I just couldn't go to bed tonight without documenting this moment in time.
I am so touched by the spirit our Baby brought into our home tonight that I would have to say "UP" may not even describe how I feel.
"BETTER" might be pretty close.
Oh, and P.S. if you ever want to know how wonderful your husband is, watch him lead a Family Home Evening. It's pretty sexy watching your sweet hubby teach your children about the gospel...
Just sayin' ...
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Alec Baldwin and Molly Ringwald
Marc does. He is a dead ringer for a younger Alec Baldwin. You know Alec when he was cute back in the "Hunt for Red October" and not so much the heavier, older Alec. Although if you ever watch any Alec Baldwin show it is a bit like watching Marc on the screen. Kinda freaky, really.
When I was younger I used to get told all the time that I looked like Molly Ringwald. Remember her? Sixteen Candles, red head, total 80's icon... ya, her.
Anyway, I laugh because my kids all have look-alikes...
eachother...
Seriously, I am going to have to label all of Sister's and Baby's pictures they look so much alike. Lucky for Brother he is the only boy so it's pretty easy to tell his photos from the girls. I bring this up because I was just looking at a picture thinking it was Baby and realized it is actually Sister at Baby's age. Here. Look.
Amazing how much they look alike!
Well, my brother, Daniel might be having a similar experience this summer because he and his wife, Tynelle, just found out they are having twins! Surprise!
At least my twins came 4 years apart so I didn't have to paint toe nails to tell them apart...
Congrats Daniel and Tynelle!!!
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
R2D2 fun
I finally caught it on video!
The complete and utter joy Baby gets from the name, R2D2!
This is at my mom's house and Baby actually kept having fun while I was filming... that lets you know just how much fun she was having because, usually, she stops to make me put away the camera.
I just had to show you the sense of humor Baby has and how hard she laughs just from hearing a word. I also love hearing her little stutter when she tries to say "R2D2."
You also get to hear her say her famous line, "You're funny."
Enjoy!
(And for those of you who keep asking what my "UP" was each day, this was definitely an "UP")
The complete and utter joy Baby gets from the name, R2D2!
This is at my mom's house and Baby actually kept having fun while I was filming... that lets you know just how much fun she was having because, usually, she stops to make me put away the camera.
I just had to show you the sense of humor Baby has and how hard she laughs just from hearing a word. I also love hearing her little stutter when she tries to say "R2D2."
You also get to hear her say her famous line, "You're funny."
Enjoy!
(And for those of you who keep asking what my "UP" was each day, this was definitely an "UP")
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Living in the Past
Ya, some of you who know Marc now and not a few years ago may not realize what a cowboy he is (or man who enjoys riding horses and driving cattle as Marc may make me clarify). We still have 3 saddles with all the horse tack just hanging around until we get invited to ride someone else's horses.
In fact, Brother an Marc used to go horse riding quite a bit. Brother loves and misses his horses. These pictures are from 2010:
So, as you may have guessed, I have been reminiscing through my old blog posts and photos and some brought me to tears, some made me laugh and some made me think "Why in the world did I write about that?"
But this one is one I just had to share again because it reminded me of my cowboys and what it was like when we had horses. Made me miss the horses and made me miss J.R. a bit, who in this post is referred to as "12" (because of his age at the time). And it was just J.R.'s 17 birthday so I thought this was appropriate to post.
So, here is an old post way back from October 1, 2008:
In fact, Brother an Marc used to go horse riding quite a bit. Brother loves and misses his horses. These pictures are from 2010:
So, as you may have guessed, I have been reminiscing through my old blog posts and photos and some brought me to tears, some made me laugh and some made me think "Why in the world did I write about that?"
But this one is one I just had to share again because it reminded me of my cowboys and what it was like when we had horses. Made me miss the horses and made me miss J.R. a bit, who in this post is referred to as "12" (because of his age at the time). And it was just J.R.'s 17 birthday so I thought this was appropriate to post.
So, here is an old post way back from October 1, 2008:
Cattle Drive, Bull Story and a Horse Ride
OK, this should be one of the funner posts that I have put up lately so read on.
First I will start with the story that everyone around here has been talking about... it's on the video:
And here are some of the awesomely beautiful pics Marc got:
Blue lookin' good, getting ready to go.
Some of the cows they brought in.
Marc was enjoying the scenery.
Andy was lookin' good out on that horse cutting (separating) the cows, he has been painted by Jim Norton many times.
It was a beautiful starry night. They had hamburgers and dutch oven cookin' after the first drive that night out in the open. They really had a great time around the campfire, listening to the crackle of it, and the cows nearby.
The next morning, 12 got up to help cook breakfast for himself and Marc. Isn't he a cute cook?
12 rides like a real cowboy!
Beautiful desert ride.
Cows in a line being driven.
Blue had gotten a sore leg from the day before from running after the bulls. It was decided that 12 would stay back at camp while Marc went out for one of the last drives of the cattle. Marc took some video from the horse view of part of the cattle drive.
The following Monday Marc went on a lone horse ride--here are some pics. Lucky cowboy!
The fall colors are here. Luminous and vibrant.
First I will start with the story that everyone around here has been talking about... it's on the video:
And here are some of the awesomely beautiful pics Marc got:
Blue lookin' good, getting ready to go.
Some of the cows they brought in.
Marc was enjoying the scenery.
Andy was lookin' good out on that horse cutting (separating) the cows, he has been painted by Jim Norton many times.
It was a beautiful starry night. They had hamburgers and dutch oven cookin' after the first drive that night out in the open. They really had a great time around the campfire, listening to the crackle of it, and the cows nearby.
The next morning, 12 got up to help cook breakfast for himself and Marc. Isn't he a cute cook?
12 rides like a real cowboy!
Beautiful desert ride.
Cows in a line being driven.Blue had gotten a sore leg from the day before from running after the bulls. It was decided that 12 would stay back at camp while Marc went out for one of the last drives of the cattle. Marc took some video from the horse view of part of the cattle drive.
The following Monday Marc went on a lone horse ride--here are some pics. Lucky cowboy!
The fall colors are here. Luminous and vibrant.Saturday, January 26, 2013
7 Days to Up - Day 7
OK, so it's the last day!
The last day of making it known to all the world (my small, tiny world of readers) how it is going as I try to look for the "UP" in every day.
I wish I could have some big finale ending here, but it's not...
Really, it is only the start of a continual journey to being better, being stronger and being happier.
I wish I could say that it only takes 7 days to pull oneself out of depression.
The blues, probably, but not depression.
So, I have to look at this week as the beginning of my uphill journey.
Notice, I don't call it a battle, because I don't want to be fighting for happiness every day.
I want to journey.
To me a journey is taking in the scenery along the way and letting it become part of you, taking small jaunts off the beaten path to discover something wonderful hidden in the valleys, stopping for a while just to soak in the sunshine, rain, wind or smells that surround you and greeting and meeting passersby who can become a big part of your life, or just a happy memory.
That's what I want, an uphill journey to happiness, because that is how I'm going to keep it with me is by searching it out and treasuring every tiny spark of happiness that I find along the way.
If I call it an uphill battle then I have all my armor and walls up so that I can keep from being hurt, seen, or touched.
Journey.
Yep, I like that word.
So, my "UP" for today is that I am finally able to accept that depression is real but, I refuse to let it take control of me for so long that I forget how to take the journey of happiness.
My other "UP" was that there was, again, extra spots at Friday's Kids for respite and Marc and I got to go out again!
And a song I splurged on today on iTunes (a whole $1.28) that I am sure you have heard, I kept on repeat because I love the meaning of it. I usually don't like Jason Mraz, but this is my song and my inspiration today...
And one of my new favorite pins...
Enjoy your UPs and know that I will be continuing to find mine every day.
The last day of making it known to all the world (my small, tiny world of readers) how it is going as I try to look for the "UP" in every day.
I wish I could have some big finale ending here, but it's not...
Really, it is only the start of a continual journey to being better, being stronger and being happier.
I wish I could say that it only takes 7 days to pull oneself out of depression.
The blues, probably, but not depression.
So, I have to look at this week as the beginning of my uphill journey.
Notice, I don't call it a battle, because I don't want to be fighting for happiness every day.
I want to journey.
To me a journey is taking in the scenery along the way and letting it become part of you, taking small jaunts off the beaten path to discover something wonderful hidden in the valleys, stopping for a while just to soak in the sunshine, rain, wind or smells that surround you and greeting and meeting passersby who can become a big part of your life, or just a happy memory.
That's what I want, an uphill journey to happiness, because that is how I'm going to keep it with me is by searching it out and treasuring every tiny spark of happiness that I find along the way.
If I call it an uphill battle then I have all my armor and walls up so that I can keep from being hurt, seen, or touched.
Journey.
Yep, I like that word.
So, my "UP" for today is that I am finally able to accept that depression is real but, I refuse to let it take control of me for so long that I forget how to take the journey of happiness.
My other "UP" was that there was, again, extra spots at Friday's Kids for respite and Marc and I got to go out again!
And a song I splurged on today on iTunes (a whole $1.28) that I am sure you have heard, I kept on repeat because I love the meaning of it. I usually don't like Jason Mraz, but this is my song and my inspiration today...
And one of my new favorite pins...
Enjoy your UPs and know that I will be continuing to find mine every day.
Friday, January 25, 2013
7 Days to Up - Day 6
At 1:30 in morning when your 3-year-old wakes up you just hope that after a sippy cup of milk she goes back to sleep for the rest of the night.
At 3:30 in the morning when you 7-year-old wakes up you just hope that after you comfort her fears of monsters in the dark that she will go back to sleep for the rest of the night.
At 4:30 in the morning when your 7-year-old still has not gone back to sleep and is laughing hysterically at something she found and the iPod you are too drowsy to actually get up and do anything about it.
At 5:00 in the morning when your 7-year-old is still giggling even after 2 groggy prompts from her parents bedroom to be quiet you bring out the Melatonin and wait for it to kick in so you can get a few hours of sleep.
At 7:03 in the morning when you wake up in a rush because you slept in because of the afore mentioned incidents you try not to trip over your robe as your throwing it on, avoid running in the walls because you still are not quite awake and carefully feel for each step as you go down the stairs to your 13-year-olds room to get him quickly ready for the bus.
At 7:25 when the bus arrives for the 13-year old you open the door and signal to them that he will be coming as soon as you can shove his granola bar and meds down him on the way out.
At 7:49 when your co-leader of the Fragile X Association of Utah calls in panic because she is being interviewed on the radio and needs some direction you hope that you can give her enough insight in the few minutes you have before your 7-year-olds bus comes. (I don't think I was much help...)
At 7:53 when the other bus arrives for your 7-year-old you happily send her out the door and hope that the teacher has fun with her after a night of sporadic sleep.
At 8:00 you stand at the top of the stairs watching the bus leave wondering if you should be productive while the 3-year-old sleeps or just crawl back into bed and set your alarm for 15 minute intervals tricking your brain into only taking a cat nap when in fact you plan on setting it for 15 minutes at least 4 times.
The 15 minute cat nap times 4 won.
I'm actually kind of ashamed to say it but when the depression has a hold on you it is hard to avoid the mind numbing abyss of sleep.
Luckily, my sister Kirsten called and it gave me motivation to only set the catnap alarm twice because she was coming for a visit.
Woo hoo!
So I exercised for a whopping 20 minutes (man that's embarrassing to admit too--oh well, I excercised!)
"UP!"
When I came upstairs I heard the squeaking of Baby's rocking horse and came to greet her with a huge "Good morning!" and a massive smile like a do every morning and she gave me a huge grin right back.
We do this little routine pretty much EVERY morning, but this morning, I knew it was going to my "UP!" of the day! It's times when I am looking for every little sliver of happy that these kind of moments hit me like a wall, smack me right in nose to remind me of how wonderful my life really is. She is so happy that I am the first person she typically sees every morning and she acts as if it is the most exciting thing every time! I love it!
"UP!"
Then my sister came to visit and I was able to treat her to one of my favorite lunch salads -- spinach with raspberry vinaigrette with sliced almonds, dried cranberries, chopped apples and feta cheese... mmmm mmm! We were able to talk and vent and just talk.
"UP!"
I even got a call from my sister-in-law, Chelsea and our sister, Jessie while Kirsten was there with me and when Kirsten was leaving she reminded me that I am loved because everyone calls me for advice or to just tell me good news.
Awe! I hadn't really thought about how special is it that my siblings and siblings-in-law rely on me. I am loved and needed. Whoa!
"UP!"
Baby has also been talking a lot more. Like today Marc was teasing her and was being a monster and had some paper in his mouth that she wouldn't pick up and she grabbed it out of his mouth and said, in her way, "NO Dad. Not in your mouth!" Are you kidding me? She is all of a sudden saying full on sentences that actually mean something.
Brother was a lot like that where he wouldn't do anything for a while and then BAM! he was talking in sentences.
"UP!"
And tonight they had 3 open spots at the volunteer respite night (Friday's Kids) and we were able to go on another date! We even got to meet up with our friends for ice cream!
"UP!"
I think even all this positive thinking is giving me some relief of my back pain, so if that's was it takes to get some relief from that, I am all over this.
I got thinking too, about one of my favorite sayings:
At 3:30 in the morning when you 7-year-old wakes up you just hope that after you comfort her fears of monsters in the dark that she will go back to sleep for the rest of the night.
At 4:30 in the morning when your 7-year-old still has not gone back to sleep and is laughing hysterically at something she found and the iPod you are too drowsy to actually get up and do anything about it.
At 5:00 in the morning when your 7-year-old is still giggling even after 2 groggy prompts from her parents bedroom to be quiet you bring out the Melatonin and wait for it to kick in so you can get a few hours of sleep.
At 7:03 in the morning when you wake up in a rush because you slept in because of the afore mentioned incidents you try not to trip over your robe as your throwing it on, avoid running in the walls because you still are not quite awake and carefully feel for each step as you go down the stairs to your 13-year-olds room to get him quickly ready for the bus.
At 7:25 when the bus arrives for the 13-year old you open the door and signal to them that he will be coming as soon as you can shove his granola bar and meds down him on the way out.
At 7:49 when your co-leader of the Fragile X Association of Utah calls in panic because she is being interviewed on the radio and needs some direction you hope that you can give her enough insight in the few minutes you have before your 7-year-olds bus comes. (I don't think I was much help...)
At 7:53 when the other bus arrives for your 7-year-old you happily send her out the door and hope that the teacher has fun with her after a night of sporadic sleep.
At 8:00 you stand at the top of the stairs watching the bus leave wondering if you should be productive while the 3-year-old sleeps or just crawl back into bed and set your alarm for 15 minute intervals tricking your brain into only taking a cat nap when in fact you plan on setting it for 15 minutes at least 4 times.
The 15 minute cat nap times 4 won.
I'm actually kind of ashamed to say it but when the depression has a hold on you it is hard to avoid the mind numbing abyss of sleep.
Luckily, my sister Kirsten called and it gave me motivation to only set the catnap alarm twice because she was coming for a visit.
Woo hoo!
So I exercised for a whopping 20 minutes (man that's embarrassing to admit too--oh well, I excercised!)
"UP!"
When I came upstairs I heard the squeaking of Baby's rocking horse and came to greet her with a huge "Good morning!" and a massive smile like a do every morning and she gave me a huge grin right back.
We do this little routine pretty much EVERY morning, but this morning, I knew it was going to my "UP!" of the day! It's times when I am looking for every little sliver of happy that these kind of moments hit me like a wall, smack me right in nose to remind me of how wonderful my life really is. She is so happy that I am the first person she typically sees every morning and she acts as if it is the most exciting thing every time! I love it!
"UP!"
Then my sister came to visit and I was able to treat her to one of my favorite lunch salads -- spinach with raspberry vinaigrette with sliced almonds, dried cranberries, chopped apples and feta cheese... mmmm mmm! We were able to talk and vent and just talk.
"UP!"
I even got a call from my sister-in-law, Chelsea and our sister, Jessie while Kirsten was there with me and when Kirsten was leaving she reminded me that I am loved because everyone calls me for advice or to just tell me good news.
Awe! I hadn't really thought about how special is it that my siblings and siblings-in-law rely on me. I am loved and needed. Whoa!
"UP!"
Baby has also been talking a lot more. Like today Marc was teasing her and was being a monster and had some paper in his mouth that she wouldn't pick up and she grabbed it out of his mouth and said, in her way, "NO Dad. Not in your mouth!" Are you kidding me? She is all of a sudden saying full on sentences that actually mean something.
Brother was a lot like that where he wouldn't do anything for a while and then BAM! he was talking in sentences.
"UP!"
And tonight they had 3 open spots at the volunteer respite night (Friday's Kids) and we were able to go on another date! We even got to meet up with our friends for ice cream!
"UP!"
I think even all this positive thinking is giving me some relief of my back pain, so if that's was it takes to get some relief from that, I am all over this.
I got thinking too, about one of my favorite sayings:
Oh, there is SO much truth in that one!
(And for my way to give an "UP!" today, you can use this quote
as a free printable if you so desire. I think I'm going to hang it up in my house...)
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