Happiness!

Inspiration, for me, comes from so many things... music, t.v., eavesdropping on strangers conversations (just kidding - o.k., maybe not), etc. So, in mentioning how I was motivated for this post, I'll admit that I'm embarrassed and I'll have to justify it to make myself feel better. My inspiration...the Oprah Winfrey Show. Let me clarify, Michael J. Fox on the Oprah Winfrey Show. (I lost lots of respect for Ms. Winfrey after the election, but that's a whole other post.) My justification is to let everyone know that I do not sit and watch t.v. all day. Proof-

Today's schedule

5:15 a.m. - wake up and exercise for 1 hour and 15 minutes
7:00 a.m. - take Sam to bus stop
7:40 a.m. - Lily Clare awakens and wants to cuddle (warm fuzzies)
8:00 a.m. - Lily Clare requests pancakes for breakfast (how can you say no!?!?)
misc. dressing of Lily, dressing of me and start load of laundry
9:30 a.m. - gymnastics class
10:45 a.m. - misc errands
12:00 p.m. - lunch, swap loads of laundry
1:00 p.m. - hang three shelves in play room, pack away some unused decorating accessories, hang surf board decal in kids playroom
2:30 p.m. - pick up Sam from bus stop
3:00 p.m. - help Sam with homework
3:30 p.m. - finish decorating the playroom
4:30 p.m. - sit down and turn the channel off cartoons and onto adult t.v.

So here I am. Normally, I would be working on dinner, but we're grilling tonight and that takes a lot of prep work off of me. So on to "happiness"!

First, Michael J. Fox discussed his struggles having Parkinsons disease, then he turned his story to what gets him through the day. He said it's a choice whether to focus on his disease and all of the issues that go along with it or if he wants to focus on the good things that are in his life. He said a quote that I loved: "My happiness grows in direct proportion to my acceptance, and in inverse proportion to my expectations. Acceptance is the key to everything."

I believe everyone can use this quote in their lives. Because truthfully, if you can accept where you are and who you are, then you have time to focus on the happiness and blessings in your life. If you are not happy, then you are too distracted to see "the good".

I think I do a pretty good job of accepting where we are and who we are, but still, I am going to hold this quote close to my heart and strive to always remember to accept what is given to me. Then I'll focus on all of the blessings that surround me! And believe me...I have a ton!







Happy~
Laurie

Only her hairdresser knows for sure...

O.K., I'll let out a little secret...are you ready?!?!? My sister-in-law and I color our hair. ~~Loud gasp of surprise from my reading audience~~ Yep, we didn't get these luscious locks from Mother Nature, we have to spend hard earned cash for our tresses to shimmer!

O.K., so that wasn't such a shocker, but something that will surprise you (and maybe make you a little envious) is that we are lucky enough to have a wonderful hairstylist/friend who came to my house to have a Girl's Hair Night! Our sweet Amanda has returned from a 6 month mission trip to Australia, Thailand and Cambodia. Incredible, to say the least! But, she's not back in her salon yet, so she offered to come "work her magic" at my house!



What a fun, fun evening! And even better, at the end of the night, our hair never looked better!

Thanks Amanda and welcome home!


**As all tribeswomen do, we allowed Lily Clare to witness the ritual. We all know that inner-beauty is most important, but the outer-beauty needs a little help along the way!

Can't help but look in the mirror~
Laurie

An invitation to Spring

Dear Spring,

Welcome, please do come in! We have been awaiting your arrival for what seems like an eternity. We've been seeking the faint signs of green and listening for the sweet sounds of your presence. And to our grandest delight, you are here!

The early morning chirpings of our feathered friends are a delightful sound to be awakened to and the small peeks of flower buds keep our eyes searching for more signs of your homecoming.

Gone are the foggy breaths that hang in the air when we walk to the mailbox. And no longer will we have the need to wrap our bodies in layers of sweaters and coats. Our floral dresses and white sandals are standing at attention just waiting to be worn! And soon, our tanned arms and painted toe nails will be adorned with their beauty.

And if Winter tries to sneak in a last bit of cold, please be strong and stand your ground. We are all here to support you. We know that we will be walking with you towards the balmy days and cicada nights of Summer; but for now we will relish in your fresh smells, your bright colors and your happy sounds that surround us.

Salutations ~
Laurie


Signs of Spring's appearance in our yard:

Yo, Yo, Yo!

Those rappers ain't got nothin' on Lily Clare!

Sporting her "grill"!

Bling~
Laurie

Sugar and spice and ...

a little temperamental! (Did you see the trend in these postings?!?!?) Last week brought the end to Lily Clare's "Princess Ballet" class. She really liked this class; not only did she get to learn the basics of ballet, but the girls had several trunks of "princess" clothes to be able to dress-up with!



Usually the parents have to stand outside and stare in through a very small 2' x 3' window, (seriously, it's kinda like visiting a prison and staring at the inmates through the very small security window), but for the final day, we got to go into the room and see all of the girls dance. John and I went together and were so excited to watch Lily perform.


So, they started in a group doing some plie's and swaying side to side, then they took turns skipping in a circle. Let me say that watching Lily skip has made me smile every week! She takes after her dad in the coordination area. (Shout out to John...love ya honey!) So, she skipped and sat back down.


Next, they were to all get up and do a group dance...uh-huh...this is where it all went awry. She stayed seated on the floor and wouldn't budge. Seriously!
So, as we gritted our teeth, we watched all of the other girls do the dance and end the class. Am I a bad mom that this bothered me sooooo much?!?!? She just got up and came over smiling. Arrgghhh. Well, that night she woke up with a 103 degree fever, so I'm blaming her shyness on that.

No matter what, she is the cutest princess I know! And, she's all mine! (Well, I guess I have to share her with her daddy!)

If she's a princess, am I a queen?~
Laurie