July 31, 2010 – An Oversight

I must be honest.  I was angry.  To say that I was doubtful  would be a gentle underestimate…

………………………………………

‘How could you?’ repeatedly went through my mind.

‘Why?’ I whispered fearfully into my thoughts.

‘Where were you?’ I asked with simmering fury.

…………………………………………

You, of all people, are supposed to be watching now.  I thought I knew this to be true.   I believed this with all of my heart.  Well, then, where were you?

And of all people… or angels… or forces… how did you not protect him?  I thought you were watching.  I had faith in this.

………………………………………….

Despite all of my questioning, wrangling in my mind, no answer came.  I searched.  Not in vague symbols or random hints.  I wanted an answer.  Some kind of  explanation for your oversight. 

…………………………….

And you let me wait.   And then I realized. 

 

There are so many ways this could have gone so horribly wrong. 

Inches from permanence. 

Centimeters from fatal.  

And now I absolutely know…

 

You were most definitely here.   You certainly had your eye on things.  You were watching  all along.

………………………………………….

 

And so, for today, - thank you.   The oversight was indeed mine.  

~K

July 30, 2010 – Simply

My Dad.

Today, right now,  more than ever, I am grateful for him.

~K

July 29, 2010 - Women

 

Strong Women:    May we know them,

May we be them,   May we Raise them.

Thoughts, hopes and wishes for today.

~K

July 28, 2010 – Chugging Along

Today, driving through town, through a fairly typical route, we crossed over railroad tracks.  These are the same railroad tracks we pass many times a week as we go about our day to day errands and tasks.

Today, though, was different.  From the backseat, my two year old yells, “TRAIN TRACKS!” with excitement.

The second it registered, I knew it was my moment of the day.
For you see, up until this moment, it’s never been called a “TRAIN” track.  It’s been a ‘choo choo crack’.

I heard this word, and to many, it may seem silly, or ordinary, but to me, it was crystal clear, perfection… an affirmation of what I do, of what we do, of how he is developing and learning… simple, single syllable, beauty.

I am so grateful for having these moments, for noticing these moments, for my children and for their wonderful daily development.

And so, for today… it’s “TRAIN”.  Just that simple.  Overnight, no longer a ‘choo choo’.  In his own time, in his own words, as he grows.

I’m so glad and so immensely grateful to be chugging along on this ride.

~K

July 26, 2010 – The Mustn’ts

 

Listen to the MUSTN'TS, child
Listen to the DON'TS
Listen to the SHOULDN'TS
The IMPOSSIBLES, the WON'TS
Listen to the NEVER HAVES
Then listen close to me -
Anything can happen, child
ANYTHING can be.

~ Shel Silverstein

 

I introduced my children to the wonderful words of Shel Silverstein today.  I hope they grow, incorporating into their lives this positivity, this belief in themselves, this creativity, this strong will, this wonder.   Good words for today.

~K

July 25, 2010 – Goodness

People who know you, help you, laugh with you, who are effortless to be around.   Happiness.  Family.  Love.

Surrounded by friends and family.  What could be better?  Grateful for happy days.  Smiles and fun.  Without worries and filled with good times.  I’ll gladly take it.

~K

July 24, 2010 – Family

A house full of family.  Overflowing.  Busting at the seams.  Squeezing to find space.  Always making space.

Sharing.  Laughing.  Smiling.  Helping.  Hugging.

Wonderful.  Chaotic.   Full of love.  A safe haven.  Comforting.

Funny how busy and bundled can be so fantastic.

~K

July 23, 2010 – When life hands you dirt…

Ever heard that saying, ‘when life hands you lemons, make lemonade?"   I couldn’t help but to think of that and smile rather than focus on the negative in this situation.

In the middle of our home renovation, a previously undiscovered old septic tank revealed itself… in the form of a gigantic hole in what was once my beautifully manicured, lush grass.

Nothing to do, we broke up the concrete and filled in the hole with dirt.   I’ll have to wait to seed or sod the space… until the renovation is finished or until the fall when the best time to grow grass may be.

And so, now my front yard consists of a filled in dirt hole.   The kids and I went out to play in the yard as we do on many hot summer days.  Instead of being able to run and play in the grass… we had mud.  Lots of mud.

And that’s when that whole, ‘lemon to lemonade’ quote came to mind.  And so, when life hands you dirt, …. throw some water on it and play in the mud! 

 

 

Good Times.

~K

July 22, 2010 – Birthday Wishes

Happy Birthday sweet girl.  Six years ago you made me a mommy.  I am so grateful for this honor. 

~K

July 21, 2010 – Pretty Baby Toes

When your day includes this…

 

How can you not smile?

~K

July 20, 2010 – When the world began to change…

Six years ago today, I was due to have my first baby.   Though it took her a few more days to arrive, today marks the day when my world began to change.

The memories of those days still make me smile.  My world was about to change.  I’m so glad it did.

~K

July 19, 2010 – Perfectly Plumbing

Today I’m grateful that my biggest problem is an irritating plumber.   Really.  That’s a fantastic ‘big problem’ to have.

~K

July 18, 2010 – Blueberries

Perfect Day with Perfect People.

~K

July 17, 2010 – Fly High, Follow your Dreams and Chase Rainbows!

Carefree.  Kind.  Fun.  Smart.
 
Oh, how I love the way you love life.  Watching you, always finding and enjoying the best out of whatever you’re given.  Your joy, your smile, your wild ways (that by the way age me on a regular basis) always serve as a reminder to of what a completely cool person you are. 

My wish for you is that you retain this zest for life and kindness towards others.  Your enthusiasm is contagious and you are fun to be around.  Anyone who cannot accept this isn’t worth being with you, my little sweetheart.  Go forward with this energy and this confidence… follow your heart and keep that crazy smile.   You make me so proud.  So fly high, follow your dreams and chase the rainbows, my dear.  You, my girl, are amazing.
~K

July 16, 2010 – Happy Birthdays

Mothers.  Daughters.  Grandmothers.  Birthdays.  Time spent.  Laughs.  Love.   Bubbles.  Trucks.  Talks.  Legos.  Hugs.  Life.

Especially grateful for this today.  Happy Birthday, Mom. 

We love you and love spending time with you.

~K

July 15, 2010 – Safe travels

Sometimes when things are all going right, it’s easy to forget how quickly things could change.

Today , I’m grateful for safe travels… for my husband’s safe arrival home to and from a business trip, for my parent’s safe trip back to their home, my aunt’s safe arrival here and for all the others who made it where they needed to be without any troubles… simple things we take for granted until they were gone.

Safe travels… often overlooked, always appreciated.

~K

July 14, 2010 – Random

Floors

Beams

Dirt

Chain Saws

……………………………………….

In the midst of a home renovation, these are the things I’m finding myself grateful for today.  Silly, perhaps… who’d have thought I could have gotten so excited about a steel beam?  This gives new thought to a roof over your head and your feet on the ground.

I’m grateful for it all… coming together, moving forward, and getting done.   These men, working so hard on my home, using their talents and having such pride in their work.

I’m thankful of it all and taking notice of  it today.

~K

July 13, 2010 – Patience

Today I am so glad that through all of the madness going on around me, the kids and I had a wonderful day.  No tempers, no screaming, no whiny, no wanting to pull my hair out  … overall, just good times.   I wrote, they laughed, we played bingo, I shopped, they ran along, they colored, we read books… all. day. long.

As we got home tonight after running some errands, my daughter happily told me that our day was quite the adventure… full of rain, sunshine, (we got caught in a big storm), ups, downs, and all around fun!

I’ll take it. 

~K

July 12, 2010 – Fancy Feet

Today I am so appreciative of these beautiful little fancy feet.

My hope is that little heart of mine who wears them always remembers to be strong, to be kind and always knows how super cool and special she is.

~K

July 11, 2010 – Health

So grateful today for health.

It’s been a long year.  And it’s been a long week.

If I’ve learned nothing else, it’s at the end of the day if you have your health, if your family is healthy… then nothing else matters at all.

I have that today.  I am absolutely beyond grateful.  The rest is nothing more than dust that needs to settle. Literally in some forms.  And I will be perfectly okay with that.

~K

July 10, 2010 – Natural Beauty

Isn’t that great???  Growing in the mountains… full of color… loving the sun.  Simply beautiful.

~K

July 9, 2010 – Family

Family.  Recognizing it’s importance.  Enjoying time.  Appreciating moments. 

Support.  Laughs.  Time.  Patience.  Playing.  Talking.  Calm. Games.  Help.  Smiles.  Children.  Parents.  Grandparents.

A wonderful day that although has had many bumps, contained much more to be very grateful for.

~K

July 8, 2010 - Beauty

~K

July 7, 2010 – Patience

Today I am most grateful for more patience than I had yesterday.  For focusing on the positive instead of the negative.  For finding sunshine and happiness, peace and laughter with my kids today.

For living a life where I am going to sleep each night and being okay with how I’m living my life, raising my children, loving my family, treating my friends, understanding the world, sharing my happiness and learning from my mistakes.

That’s it.  Each day is a new start.  Some days are easier and better than others, but the effort and the sincerity of the effort is half the battle.

~K

July 6, 2010 – Nice.

Not a bad thought for today… not bad at all.  Thank you, Mr. Emerson, for these words.

~K

July 6, 2010 – One more….

One more thought to consider from my sweet and smart little read…

“That is the hardest thing of all. It is much harder to judge yourself than to judge others. If you succeed in judging yourself, it's because you're truly a wise man. “

Antoine de Saint-Exupery, The Little Prince

~K

July 5, 2010 – The Little Prince Again

More amazing words to hear from this amazing little story.

“What saves a man is to take a step.  Then another step.  It is always the same step, but you have to take it.”

Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Keep on stepping.

~K

July 4, 2010 – Independence Day

Thoughts from others for today.  In the meantime, enjoy today.  Enjoy it’s meaning.  Enjoy your surroundings and your freedom and the security often overlooked but so appreciated in both.

……………………………………………..

This, then, is the state of the union:  free and restless, growing and full of hope.  So it was in the beginning.  So it shall always be, while God is willing, and we are strong enough to keep the faith.  ~Lyndon B. Johnson

………………………………………………..

You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness.  You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism.  ~Erma Bombeck

……………………………………………….

Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves.  ~Abraham Lincoln

………………………………………….

And I'm proud to be an American,
where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
~Lee Greenwood

……………………………………………

Different perspectives.  Different thoughts.  All worth reading today.

~K

July 3, 2010 – The Little Prince

I am reading, for the first time ever, the story of The Little Prince and so, allow me to share some of the wisdom of this wonderful little story for now and for the next few days to come.

“A goal without a plan is just a wish.”

Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Nice point.   So many more to come.  Enjoy.

~K

July 2, 2010 – Know what you’re missing

We walked outside last night to get in the car.  It was dusk.

I was sweating, in a hurry, putting the kids in carseats.  I went to the mailbox first, and as I’m checking the mail, I see my five year old twirling in the yard.  “I LOVE that sound!” she exclaimed.

I heard nothing.  Again, she said it.  I looked at her and looked around.  Made a point of listening and then it hit me… of course.

The evening summer sound of cicadas in the air.  An everyday sound.  So commonplace that I no longer even recognize it.

To her it is a beautiful sound, indicative of family time and summer nights, perhaps.

My lesson for the day… know what you’re missing.  How did I miss this?  How did I get so caught up in the rush, rush, busy, busy… to not hear the beautiful summer evening? I know it will not happen again.  At the end of the day, my lesson was learned.

~K