Happy Now

Always Happy?

Is it normal to always be happy? Normal to always try to find the silver lining, the bright spot, joy, in the most mundane tasks?

If not; why be normal!

Joy comes from within, happiness radiates outward and it is contagious.

Find your joy, let it shine, spread the love.

My Hero, My Dad

This has been a year of stress and turmoil for our family. We are looking to a healthy year in 2012, no pain, no surgeries, no sorrow.

We've experienced the passing of an incredible man, and loving, fun uncle to my son; my  father-in-law suffering a heart attack and subsequent five artery by pass and just this week, my Dad underwent a surgery on his spinal column in his neck to repair a severely decompressed disc that has lead to numbness and pain in his arm.

I stood in Pre-Op with my family, my Dad on gurney waiting to go in to surgery. I could barely keep my emotions under control. I couldn't figure out why I was so upset; I knew the surgery would be fine, I knew my Dad was going to be so much better after he got out; I knew God was watching over him, the surgeon, the hospital, my family and would keep us all safe. I knew all this, but for a lack of better terms,  I was freaking out on the inside!

As we prayed, my voice cracked and tears started flowing. I didn't want my Dad to see or hear my distress, especially since I knew all was well. Why was I so upset?

Later in the day it came to me.

My Dad, my Hero; he has ALWAYS been there for me. I can't think of one moment in my life that I wouldn't be able to call on him. Not that I always did, but the comfort of knowing that I could, was and is a comfort that I rest upon.

He doesn't offer opinions unless I ask and sometimes not even then. He listens, he adamantly listens; when I'm crazy with emotions and words, he listens. He doesn't sigh or roll his eyes or interject, he opens his mind and his wisdom to me; allowing me to take what I want and leave what I don't.

He takes his job as Dad very seriously, he always has. I believe it's a job he loves more than any other job he's had; he doesn't get to retire from it; I don't think he'd want to; he's just so good at it. He's my Dad and I'll never have another one; I don't need another one, mine is perfect.

So as I stood at his bed side waiting for him to be wheeled away, it was the first time he was vulnerable to me. The first time, I was supposed to be the stronger one, the one to smile and hold his hand and tell him "everything is going to be fine". To not offer advice or deliver opinions, but to be strong for him.

I'm not sure I did a good job. God have me the ability to make people laugh, so I played to that grace. I'm not good at silence, it's deafening to me, although I'm sure a little silence for him would have been welcome.

My Dad is doing wonderfully, just as I knew he would be; he's already started doing his normal routine and is probably going to "over-do" it, that's his nature; that's who he is and I wouldn't change him for anything in the world. 

If you still have the honor of having your Dad around, I encourage you to call him; I'm sure he'd love to hear from you. For those that have lost their Dad, my deepest sorrow for you and your loss.

I have so many incredible memories with my Dad, I hope you do as well. Remember those moments and smile a little bigger today.

Writers Block

Yep, there it is. Looking at me with its blank stare. Daring me to write something profound, witty, cliche, historical (you know I'd never do that), exciting. The trouble is, its winning today.

I had something queued up in my brain this afternoon. I was washing my hands, leaving the bathroom and BAM, it just came to me, like a flash of lighting. It was insightful, useful and a bit of silliness in there too, for Halloween's sake.

I left the bathroom, got distracted with dirty dishes, laundry and a meatloaf; and now it's gone. The dishes are in the dishwasher, the rugs are clean and in the dryer, the meatloaf is waiting on me, but the thought is gone.

Oh well, maybe tonight as I drop off to sleep with the help of a Melatonin and Valerian Root, it will come to me. Of course, I'll forget it again in the morning, but be assured, you would have loved it!
 

Why Am I Always in Such a Hurry?

In the morning I find myself rushing to get my son ready for school, make him a good hot breakfast, all while unloading the dishwasher, making coffee for my better half, espresso for me, starting a load of laundry, doling out vitamins for everyone (yes, even the dog), feeding the dog, and finally getting myself dressed and ready to face the day. I feel certain this isn't just my day, but a typical day for many of us. I'm also fairly sure, that their are alot more of you with MORE morning chores than me...I'm not complaining, just wondering why do we feel the innate need to accomplish so much everyday and as quickly as possible?

Once I return home from taking the kiddo to school, it's not like my day slows down; quite the opposite. In addition to working from home on my "real job" with an IT consulting company; I also have the housework jobs to complete and then there is the "side" companies we have online that require attention everyday.

I'm busy, you're busy, I get it, I'm glad for it; but what if in all the hustle and bustle of the day, I'm missing the important things? I think I am.

Did I notice my son's pants are getting too short, yes...but I forgot to see how he is growing into such a fine young man.

Did I see that our yard needs mowing, yes...but I forgot to look at all the beautiful flowers that God placed in my backyard without my permission (dandelions).

Did I grimace when I had to pick up all the wet clothes around the pool this morning, yes...but I forgot that we had a great time in the pool after Dad jumped in with our son, both fully clothed.

I think we all forget, or at least I do, the important things in our day, Family, God and Laughter.

I encourage us all to stop for just a bit, take a deep breathe, stop racing the clock to complete the mundane, unimportant tasks and just enjoy what we have. Enjoy your children, love your family and praise our Lord and Saviour for all he has provided for us. Maybe that will take us through the day with a happier, lighter heart...now back to work, but with a smile!

I'd love to share some photos...but I don't know how?

So recently I was told I don't blog enough.

"The only way you'll get better at writing, is to write. It's just like speaking, the only way your kids learned to speak, is by speaking. Practice Hope, practice alot!"

With that being said, I'm just not sure if you want to read my rambles everyday? I've got quite a few thoughts rattling around in my brain. It's just getting them to you that worries me. I'm usually not at my computer when the best epiphanies happen; it's why it's called life. I'm out experiencing it, that's when the magic happens.

Let's start with shorter blogs and more frequently, then maybe you'll read me more often and just MAYBE, you'll subscribe to my words of insanity (gosh that would be so cool!) To my one follower, I love you dearly! To my future followers, you'll be my next favorites.
Now, how to get photos loaded to this blog? They keep breaking (whatever that means). I'll keep at it and maybe someday soon, you'll get to see inside my world. They tend to be humorous pictures of friends, family and then there's that one really terrible photo of stranger at the store; and it wasn't even Walmart!

It's Time for a Little ME!

If you ever find yourself with not enough "me time" and too much "family chores and errands", take a few moments and get yourself back. Yes, it is extremely important and very rewarding to be a Mom, it's a job that is created especially for us.

I've yet to meet a man that can multi-task as well as a woman. We just seem to understand that life is not a "one thing at a time" scenario. We don't get to finish a job before starting another. Dinner can't wait until the laundry is clean. The kids can't wait for us to drive them to school until our hair and make up is "just perfect". No, we don't get to wait until the glue dries on one project in the garage before we start another in the backyard. Our world is a world of constant movement, duties and jobs. It's an honor I hold in high esteem, one that gives me pride to say I can do, even when I don't do it well all the time. Sometimes it's just about me!

I don't feel guilty when the laundry sits for an extra day or two; they have enough underwear for just such selfish occasions. I don't feel remorse when I steal an extra minute or two of sleep in the morning...sometimes cereal is just the right way for your kids to start the day!

So, in all the hustle and bustle of your day, stop for a few minutes (oh heck, take sixty minutes) and just enjoy being YOU. It might be an amazing cup of hot tea (Teavana is incredible, just got it for my birthday); perhaps it's a ten minute cat nap or meditation; or maybe it's sitting down at a computer and getting it all out in a blog.

Whatever your "You" time is, do it and do it often. The kids won't care, your husband probably won't even notice, but you'll know you are important, special and worth every second you give to yourself, so you can be you...which most of the time, is being a great Mom!