January 11, 2012 - Grace

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"Grace is the beauty of form under the influence of freedom." 

~Friedrich Schiller

Love this.

~K

January 10, 2011 - Nana

That's it for today.

Nana.

As in, "Mama can I pweese have a nana?

As in, "I weally wuv nanas"

I know soon, he'll  realize that it's not a
nana and really, he's leaving the all
important 'ba' out of it.

But until then, my smile for today came from
nana.   It's a little thing, but one of those everyday
moments I am grateful to have and one that I want to
notice, take in and then let sit for as long as I possibly
can.

January 9, 2012 - Joy

“Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to recognize how good things really are.” ~Marianne Williamson

~K 

January 8, 2012 - Sunshine and Daydreams

Rock climbing, fairy hunting, tree hugging, boardwalk running, lizard finding fun-

Sunshine and daydreams... all day long.

~K

January 7, 2012 - Saturday morning

I sit cross legged on the floor of our main room and can't help but to notice
the dust coating everything so clearly as the sun shines through the blinds
behind me.

It's ten am Saturday morning.  The kids have just eaten breakfast, far too late.
The dog decided to poop on the floor before we woke and my daughter
has inadvertently stepped in it.   I'm using brown sugar in my coffee as a last
option for sweetener because we need to go to the grocery desperately.
The floor around me is covered in matchbox cars and fire trucks.   An unopened marker
sits on the fabric of my footstool and construction equipment flash
cards have spilled and are scattered down the stairs while he whines
noisily for someone to help him pick them up.

It's so loud.  Along with his pleas coming from the stairs,  the sounds of bad
cover music for already bad music is blaring through a wii dance video as she
stomps and sings with glee, lyrics she shouldn't know but is still reading along
to happily and far too well.

And me?   I'm still wearing my pajamas.   I smell like carpet
cleaner.  And I'm sitting on the floor, overwhelmed at the dust and the
disarray around me.

And then something inside quietly tells me to stop.  To take notice of the sounds,
the dirt, the toys, the voices.   Because this something tells me that as
disorganized as it feels right this minute, one day, long from now,
I will remember this spot on the floor and this chaotic Saturday morning
and realize it is probably one of the best moments of my life.

~K

January 6, 2012 - And then I will quietly hope they listen...

My daughter has been interested in religion these days,
wanting to learn about the differences in denominations
and what each church believes in and stands by.

She also is noticing a lot about the political nominations,
asking about the two major political parties
and wanting us to please explain each's viewpoints.

These are the more difficult moments of parenting, not covered
in the "I'm Expecting a Baby" books.   These are the things
that how you opt to handle them will help to develop the kind
of not only child, but person, they could end up becoming.

::::::::::::::::::::

I think hard after her questions and choose carefully my response to
these questions, to both her now and to one day soon, my son...

Whether it be friends you associate with, the partner you choose,
the church you attend (or don't)  or political party you support (or
don't),  always choose the one that in your heart of hearts, in those
quiet moments with just you and your internal thoughts, makes you
feel certain you're choosing what's right.


When it comes to choosing friends, or a partner, make sure you choose
to surround yourself with people who make you smile & who make you 
better.  Find people who will care for you both when you're up & when you're down.
These will be the ones who are first to your house when there's a party with
food and drink and also first to your house when there's a moving truck
and boxes to load.  They'll also be the ones you visit with until the wee hours
of the morning, laughing until your bellies hurts together and the ones who show up 
with dinner and and a hug on those moments that for whatever life's reasons, you
are unable to do for yourself.  And these people will do this before you even 
consider asking.


In day to day life, try to be kind to all people, all the time.  
Join people and places and groups that do the same.   
Don't accept anything less.


Try not to judge.   It's ugly and the bottom line is most people are doing
the best they can with what they've been given.  Don't judge, and please 
don't ever presume you are better than another person, for you've only

walked one, very lovely road, my sweet children, and unfortunately, that's

not the only road.  Please always remember and be fully aware of this.  If

you are not, then I have not done my job.

Love each other, and know that you are beyond wonderful with

so much to offer this world.

:::::::::::::::::::::

And so, sweetheart, find a church, a political party, a spouse, your

friends by these standards and not by labels of any sort.   Choose for

yourself - you will know it's right because your heart will tell you.   

I trust that you will be just fine.

Thoughts for today~

~K

January 5, 2012 - LOVE

He just turned four.

He wrote this himself.  And taped it to my washing machine.

That's it.  The most important things in life, right?    

~K