August 31, 2010 – Music to my ears

I took my little boy to a music class today.

He giggled and sang and danced and played for 45 minutes.

We giggled and sang and danced and played together… just the two of us for 45 minutes.

He is timid… and came out of his shell to shake his musical eggs on my lap.   He is a quiet learner… and moved his lips along with the new songs until he was confident he knew the words.   He is curious… and carefully picked out each special instrument he chose to play.  His smile lit up my heart and the whole room.  He is a wonderful gift.

These were the best 45 minutes of my day and I’m so grateful for each of those moments.

~K

August 30, 2010 – Great Days

My little girl is in her first few days of school.

It’s been kind of a rough transition for the poor thing.

Today she came home with huge smiles, beaming with pride in her ‘new job’, quick to share her work was completed and full of excitement in relaying her day.  Searching her backpack later, I found a quickly jotted down note…. clearly done in a rush, when there were probably 20 kids needing something, the end of the day madness and chaos that only a primary teacher can understand, but also one that held such importance.   “She had a great day!” it said in quick handwriting.

Thank you, to this wonderful person, for fostering my child’s development and for carefully encouraging her with love.  Thank you for taking those few seconds in the middle of your chaos to quickly let me know she did ‘great’ today.   Thank you for helping her to have this great day.

For you, and for all the others like you, I am grateful.

~K

August 29, 2010 – Nature

Today we took the kids on a hike.  We ended up on a longer hike than we anticipated for sure, but it was wonderful.

It was the four of us… in the woods… alone…. with trees, bridges,  birds,  butterflies, mushrooms, stumps, creeks, leaves…..nature.

We had so much fun.  We ran, we walked, we hopped fallen trees.  We read maps, we hunted mushrooms, we followed butterflies, we created bouquets with leaves, we sang songs, we played pretend.

It was the best idea we’d had in a long time.  It was one hour, just us, no phones, no tv’s, no one else anywhere to be found.

Having an amazing time making wonderful, perfect memories.
~K

August 27, 2010 – Late Night Gratitude

Tonight it’s late and I’m ready for bed.  I almost waited until the morning to post… and then realized all of my thoughts at this late hour were exactly my post for today.

…………………………………………..
I just checked on my kids, sleeping soundly, cuddled up with their special loveys and as I am about to turn in myself, I am filled with  anticipation and excitement.  It’s the weekend and I am so relaxed and filled with happiness thinking of being in my home with my family.  Doing nothing outrageous.  Maybe reading some books over coffee and juice in the morning.  Playing in the yard in the afternoon.  Cleaning up the house, putting everything in it’s place and lighting beautiful smelling candles.  Working on numbers with my girl and playing with trucks with my boy.  Grilling with my husband in the evening. 

Loving.  Enjoying.  Being.

Just being, but no place to be.   No appointments to attend.  No one or no thing to answer to. 

Two full days.  Just us.   Being us.  So comfortable with each other.  I’m grateful in advance and already filled with joy thinking about it. 

~K

August 26, 2010 – Gifts and Choices

“You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them.”

~Desmond Tutu

What wonderful gifts I’ve been given.  Precious, unique, interesting, kind, curious, loving people.

~K

August 25, 2010 – Almost… a smile

I was talking with a friend of mine.   He commented about my last post… and he giggled with me at the ‘almost’ theme.

A giggle, a half smile, something to think about.   He needed a this.  He’s been walking a long, hard road lately.  And as ironic as it was, I was glad that maybe,… just perhaps,… my ‘almost’ post may have done just that…. almost given him a reason to smile.

With love, buddy.  For you today I am grateful.  Keep almost smiling and one day it will be back.

~K

August 24, 2010 – Almost…

Almost has potential, an element of hope and is a light you can see in the future.

…. almost.

We are … almost… done with our home renovation.

I am … almost…  back into my bedroom after 2 months.

My little boy is …. almost… ready to be potty trained.

It is …. almost…. football season.

We have …. almost…. finalized a Disney vacation.

My daughter is …. almost…. settled into school.

My dad is…. almost…. healed.

I am working out …. almost… every day.

My grass is …. almost … grown back in.

I am …. almost… finished with the book I’m reading.

It is…. almost… the weekend again, more time with my family.

 

All of these almosts… full of hope, potential and light.

 

Thinking of them all today, excited about the almosts, but also keeping fully aware and grateful for all the everyday ‘absolutes’ that must never be taken for granted.

~K

August 23, 2010 – Painting Rainbows

I spent the morning with my little boy.

We did a little of this….

and then some of this….

And then we finished by painting a rainbow… by request.  “We need clouds, mommy!” he said after we started.

Of course we do, my sweet boy.  How I love spending time with you and watching you learn.  The most wonderful part of my day.

~K

August 22, 2010 – Kindness

“Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.”   - Mother Teresa

Even if we only all put this into practice for one day, what a difference we would see, feel, imagine, -  be.

~K

August 21, 2010 - Noise

My kids are playing outside in the hose together.

My kids are arguing over a sticker machine.

My kids are talking about Dora and Diego.

My kids are crying over the sticker machine.

My kids are laughing over my husband and my silly faces.

 

I am grateful for them.  For all their noise.  For their arguments, giggles, irritations.

For the normalcy of our lives.   I am so grateful for all of the noise today.

~K

August 20, 2010 - Angels

Today I am grateful for Sam Bish, a brave boy whom I’ve never met.  I am grateful for his family and grateful that I was made aware of this strong, beautiful boy.

Sam earned his angel wings tonight after a courageous battle with cancer.  Sam was nine years old.

I am grateful for Sam and for his family and for the strength that they modeled.   I am grateful for my babies, healthy and peacefully asleep in their beds.

May we all always be aware and appreciative. 

We are so fortunate. 

May Sam’s family feel peace and comfort and may our days continue to remind us of how blessed we are.  And may we continue to focus our thoughts, prayers and positivity upon this beautiful family and learn from them and their example.

My thoughts for today.
~K

August 19, 2010 – Toothless Wonder

Of all the things to be grateful for, today I am for this smile… missing two of the teeth it had in it this morning.

The magic of the tooth fairy, the smiles, the energy, the laughter in the home,waking up at the crack of dawn with squeals of  anticipation, anxiousness and excitement…. life moving forward as it should.

~K

August 18, 2010 – Life

So grateful today for my life.

My life which consists of a fabulous spouse, a wonderful family and friends and most importantly, beautifully healthy babies.

My heart today goes out to families who are struggling with sick children, who are losing those they love, especially when we are referring to little ones.

My problems today consisted of finding a time to shower between work and two little ones running around, renovation headaches that will end in a beautiful new addition to my home and running home late from a Farmer’s Market, running out of time to make dinner.

These are such simple, silly, insignificant worries and I am so beyond grateful that these are all that occupy my thoughts.

Today I am grateful for health and love and family.

~K

August 17, 2010 - Froggies

This little frog.

Provided an afternoon of giggles.

Hopping.

Swimming.

Arm crawling.

Plant hiding.

Pet Sharing.

Fun.

This little frog.

One of my best memories of the last day of summer break.

Thank you little frog, for sharing yourself with us.

~K

August 16, 2010- Hmmm.

Do your best to do your best.  Every day.  -K

As silly as it sounds, … hmmm… I think there may be something to it.

~K

August 15, 2010 – The last days of Summer

…. are here.

I’m sad that a schedule is going to be back in place.  I’m upset that my kids won’t be lingering around in pjs through the morning, just because.  I get weepy thinking there will be no more sharing picnic lunches and pool dates, that our afternoons spent reading books and playing outside with popsicles are over, at least for some time… and knowing that when that time returns, it will return differently.

But more than that, I am grateful for these moments we’ve shared, for a summer that was always fun and loving, for memories we’ve made and for new chapters and growth to come.

~K

August 14, 2010 – Don’t be afraid to look!

I saw someone post this on facebook the other day and loved the perspective.

“One way to find beauty is to look for it.”

Interesting and applicable also with positivity, love, goodness….

Don’t be afraid to look.

~K

August 13, 2010 –Celebrations

Today we celebrated the impending start of school with my daughter and her friends.   Dinner and ice cream, best dresses and budding friendships. 

The girls giggle together, dance, hold hands and whisper.  They wrap each other in hugs, nearly knocking each other over with their enthusiasm.

Their eyes have a fresh sparkle, filled with excitement and nervousness of this new chapter in their lives.  I watch and smile, glad they have each other and also proud that they both have a respect and appreciation for this friendship.

………………………………………..

It’s wonderful to be on the sidelines of such innocence and genuine goodness.   I am grateful for my spot here.

~K

August 12, 2010 – Wake up and Live!

Life is one big road with lots of signs,
So when you riding through the
ruts, don't you complicate
your mind:
Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy!
Don't bury your thoughts; put your
vision to reality.     - Bob Marley

 

“Wake up and live”, the lyrics continue.  “Wake up and live, now!”

 

A good reminder for each day-  stay positive, wake up and live!

~K

August 11, 2010 – Colorful fun

The kids and I painted.  We had such fun.  I cherish these moments, our special times, our colorful fun.

~K

August 10, 2010 – Scarlet Begonias

“Once in a while you get shown the light… in the strangest of places if you’ll look at it right.”

- Robert Hunter

Keep your eyes open.  Pay attention.  Look for positivity. Grasp it.  Hold on tight.  This quote is actually lyrics taken from one of my favorite songs.  I love it and thought it was worth sharing here.

~K

August 9, 2010 – Quiet Mornings

So grateful today for a quiet morning… the kids played together nicely, in their pjs, without a tv on.   The dog curled up near them and slept, listening to them giggle and talk and I sat nearby in front of my computer with a hot cup of coffee and plenty of time to catch up on my writing.

Wonderful.

~K

August 8, 2010 – The Power of a New Day

Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it.
-- Groucho Marx

~K

August 7, 2010 – Food for Thought

To the world you may be one person, but to one person, you may be the world. – Anonymous

Think about it for today.  Live accordingly.

~K

August 6, 2010 – Little Moments

Uncle Wiggly.  Loose teeth.  The Hungry Caterpillar.  Giggles.  Dancing.  Rock collecting.  Truck spotting.  Baby pool splashing.  Flower delivering.  School preparing.  Blocks counting.  Song singing.  Elmo pajamas.  Princess costumes.  Kitchen sets.  Train tables. Crayons and stickers.  Everywhere.

Little moments I will never be able to get back, yet here for today.

All of these little moments… going faster than I’d like.  Holding and cherishing them all and treasuring each precious one.

~K

August 5, 2010 – Good Advice to Remember

So many times in day to day encounters, I find myself thinking how people would benefit from constantly reminding themselves of this...

“Never look down on anybody unless you’re helping him up.”      -Rev. Jesse Jackson

~K

August 4, 2010 – Being Grateful

 

"If you haven't got all the things you want, be grateful for the things you don't have that you don't want." – Anonymous

 

So grateful that I don’t have many things I wouldn’t want.

~K

August 3, 2010 – She said it…

Driving through town today, I had a million things on my mind.  I was trying to remember to slow down, mentally and literally.  I had put my cell phone away, knowing it wasn’t helpful or safe to be on it while I was in the car.  My mind was going in a million different directions, focusing and worrying on a thousand different things.

Out from the backseat of the car came my daughter’s little voice.

“Don’t you just love it when the sun shines so brightly down on everything?   You know, if you look up at the trees  it almost looks like they’re spinning.”

Instantly, I was brought back to the inside of my car.  The babies in the back.   What was most important at this particular moment.  And the sun shining brightly.

Thank you, my sweet girl.  Thank you for helping me to take notice today.

~K

August 2, 2010 – Travels

After a long and heart wrenching weekend I am grateful today for a day of safe travels, an uneventful day and an evening being home safely with babies tucked snugly into their beds.

~K

August 1, 2010 – Blades of Grass

The beginning of a lifetime of bonding and friendship.

Captured for a quick moment on a warm summer’s day between bare feet and blades of grass.

~K