Something Good

Powerful love lost is deserving of tears

I think sometimes you just need to cry.  Grieving the loss of someone you once loved is necessary to overcome the sadness and start looking forward.  I have heard from so many people that it is time to "Get Over It".  However, I don't think you can put a time limit on how or when love fades away.  Maybe it never does completely.  

In everything that has happened I have realized one thing.  If you find that it seems harder for you to move on than it is for others; you must not take that as a sign of weakness; you must realize that it is harder for you because your love was stronger than what most people ever allow themselves to feel.  If it was easy to let go, you never loved in the first place.  

Moral of the Story: Go ahead and cry and be happy you experienced a type of love that most people are too afraid to feel.  Letting go isn't forgetting someone else, its remembering what you loved most about yourself.   

Good Intentions equals Good Choices

Yesterday I made steps toward one of the most difficult, hurtful, scary and most painful situations I am sure I will ever endure.  My head and heart are going crazy today.

Moral of the Story:  No matter how bad someone has hurt you, if you focus on following your intuition, listen to your heart and continue to strive to be a good person, then you can know that your intentions are good, and the choices you are making will be for the good.  Bad choices only come from bad intentions.

Forgiveness, Recovery, Beautiful

A beautiful way of describing one of the most difficult actions a person can do.

Moral of the Story: Forgiving someone that hurt you is difficult, but beautiful.  It means that the love that you had in your heart wasn't forever crushed, but set aside to recover. I'm not completely there yet, but closer.

Moving On

Moving on advice

It is absolutely vital for you to move forward with life and love. 

Being willing to trust again is key. 

Take things one step at a time. 

Don't try to make sense out of nonsense of the past.

Rationalizing behavior or sympathizing is pointless.

Time heals nothing. It is what you do with the time that matters. 

Remember that it is better to be healthy alone than sick with someone else.

Moral of the Story: You will come to realize that  the one thing that you thought made you happy really wasn't what was making you happy at all.  That's when you are able to shed a few small tears and then just let go.

Passing the Tests in the Middle

The words that grabbed my attention in this quote was Resolute Courage.  I have had to dig deep a whole bunch of times throughout the past year and a half.  I am lucky, my courage grew the minute my son was born.  I knew that in order to protect him from the negative things of this world I needed to get stronger and have a lot more courage.

Moral of the Story: Nothing Worth Having comes easy.  Acheiving something really great will include patience, sacrifice, pain and sadness - The best things in life will be the hardest to get and the hardest to keep.  You will always encounter people who are searching for happiness in the "now" - do not let them deter you.  Remember;  The only way to get from the Pit to the Palace is to pass the tests in between.  Keep going, Keep pressing forward - The best is yet to come.

Compliments go farther than Critisism

Wow, I have had such a complimentary day today.  A few days ago my first "Golf Column" went out in a few magazines and so many people have come up to me and  said "Thank you"  I played great!
All that is nice to hear, but today I received one of the nicest compliments I have ever received.




One of the Country Club Members said:

"Thank you for being who you are"

That got me thinking, how many people in my life do I Thank for being who they are.  The first person that pops into my mind is my little ones Swim Instructor- Sarah Dodge - We are so lucky to have found her and now to be good friends with her.  I have a list of people from family to friends that I am thankful they are the people that they are.





Moral of the Story: Remember to Thank the kind and beautiful people in your life for being in your life.
So many things, so many people end up being taken for granted, Don't be someone who just simply lets really good people slip through your fingers.

Passionately devote your life to your life

This quote was obviously written for someone starting a business, however I think it can be also read as someone who is starting a "new" life.  For my little guy and me our life is one big new adventure and there has been so many occasions that I have had  to make some very tough choices.

I have decided that my instincts are 99.9% right.  Actually, I can remember my instincts telling me of what was going to happen long before our "new adventure" began.  Honestly, I knew it was coming.....  I just didn't want to believe it.  Sometimes you can have so much love for someone your instincts will be screaming at you and you still just never hear it and never see it coming.  Thats ok, If you were able to love the wrong person that much, just imagine how much you will love the right person.   

The last part of this quote is what really grabbed me.  Don't let others diverge you from your core goal.  Moral of the Story: When you are going through troubles you will receive a multitude of advice that will stretch from one side to the other, key issues will be completely and totally different depending on the person you are speaking to.  Listen to advice, consider all the sources from whom you are getting advice and then make the determination if it something you should listen to and most importantly, that advice should fit with your instincts.

Someday, One Day - Everything will work out

Living your life while awaiting a big or small change is difficult, however I have been trying to make the best of it.  I saw this quote and realized that I really didn't need to have all the answers right now.  If I trust in God that he will put me and my little guy where we are supposed to be when we are suppose to be there then I can stop worrying so much about it and enjoy life alot more.  I always remind myself to "Never Miss a Moment" but sometimes my head is just churning with doubts and worries about the future.

Moral of the Story: What is meant to be, will be.  God has a way of taking all the bad things that happen to good people and then helping everything work out the way it is suppose to work out.  There is a scripture in the bible that I love and repeat constantly.  It is: Trust God with all your heart, mind and strength and do not rely on your own understanding".  When I follow that I know everything will be ok.

Dr. Suess makes me smile

I learned there are troubles of more than one kind. 

Some come from ahead, others come from behind. 

But I’ve bought a big bat. I’m all ready, you see. 

Now my troubles are going to have trouble with me. 

– Dr. Seuss

Press On Press Forward through the Pain

If this isn't' as simple as it comes.  Why is life so painful sometimes?  Because the purpose is so much greater than you could ever imagine.  Moral of the Story: Painful experiences only let you know your on the right path.

Nothing really great will come easy, if it is special, if it is wonderful, if it is Right........ you should always expect opposition.

What if the greatness of something is measured by the pain you endured to acheive it?

Magic and Miracles

What a great quote for today.  What started out to be a very sad day was turned around quickly when I read this quote.

Moral of the Story: It is possible to keep your heart guarded and keep your eyes open at the same time. You must keep your eyes open, Don't miss your miracle!

Intentional Happiness equals unintentional smiles

Yesterday I allowed myself to say all the good things I was thinking. It was a great day just because I allowed myself to be me......My Happy, Bright Self!

Moral of the Story, Be intentionally happy.  Smile at those who probably won't smile back, give compliments to people even though you know they probably won't be received.

Intentional Happiness just might end up in you unintentionally brightening your day and others as well.

 

Good Books

Listening to a motivational talk this morning on the way to work I was reminded that everyone in the world, including myself is trying to make themselves more knowledgeable about things in the world.  Which isn't a bad thing.  I am currently in school trying to make myself smarter and obtain a degree so I can better care for me and my son.

However, I do not think I ever really knew how to love.  I guess I believed it was just something you suddenly felt for someone.  Like I had no control over who I loved.  I believe I needed my little boy in my life to really show me what real love is.  Unconditional love.  It doesn't matter what you look like, what annoying habits you might have or even how much of yourself you are willing to give to someone else.  True Love, unconditional love will give you Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness and Goodness no matter what.

Moral of the Story: Practice loving people on purpose. Being kind doesn't mean being weak, it means you know what the true meaning of unconditional love is.  It actually means your smart.

Promise to keep your Promise

The word Promise has never had such little meaning to me as it does right now in my life.  I heard that word "promise" so often in my past and I believed it completely.  Only to find out that the one doing the promising didn't "promise to promise".  It had gotten so bad that when I heard the word "promise" I would laugh and whisper under my breath, "no such thing". 

However, recently I realized that even though others could promise something and then so easily break that promise.  That didn't need to affect me and my life with my son in a negative way.  

Infact, the way I see it, I should be trying harder to make sure I  keep my promises to myself and to others.

I should promise to myself and to my son, to keep my promises. 

So I do:

I promise to keep my promise.

Moral of the Story: 

Promise yourself to keep your Promises to yourself 

Trust your instincts

This has been one of the most entertaining quotes I have applied to my life in a very long time.  Due to my past circumstances I have found it extremely difficult to trust anyone regarding anything anymore.  I find myself waiting for the ball to drop with almost everyone in my life.  When I read this quote I really started paying attention to the way people looked at me for the first five seconds, whether I have known the person for years or just met them.  It really is amazing how much someone gives away in those first precious moments.

Moral of the Story: If you are like me, hesitant to trust anyone.  Start all your conversations by following this simple rule.  You will be amazed with what you see when you really start looking.  If anything else, it will provide you with some entertainment where awkwardness would be instead.

Decisions, Emotions and living in the now

I have been in the middle of this decision making process it seems like forever now.  Infact, the other day I was wishing an Angel would put up a sign that says "Wrong Way" Do Not Enter" on the path I am not supposed to take.  Unfortunately it doesn't work that way.  One thing I do know is that if I make the decisions for the right reasons, I am making the right decision.  So many people make decisions only thinking about the "Now".  Moral of the Story: Picture your life 10 years down the road and make your decisions based on that. Then sit and think about it.  If you have peace, you have your decision.

Move forward slowly, listen intently and make decisions decisively

This is the beginning of the 4th Watch in our adventure.  I am reminding myself constantly of two things.
1. Listen compassionately and intently
2. Never make a decision based on fear.

If I move slowly, compassionately listen to what is being said I will be able to determine the difference between truth and deception.  In order to make the right decisions I need to be able to think clearly.  Moving in haste, making decisions quickly without thinking them through and determining the sincerity of another persons words will only lead to disappointment.

Moral of the Story: Move as slow as you need to, but keep moving forward.

A post for my Sister In Law

We send love your way and are praying for you and your family.

Moral of the Story: Never get to wrapped up in your own tribulations, someone else may need your love, prayers and support more than you need your own.

We love you and miss you!

Silver Lined Beautiful

I have been noticing everyday that things are becoming more and more beautiful to me, because I am becoming more and more at peace with my life.  I have this still calm feeling, which is strange to me since I am just entering the 4th watch of our adventure.  However, I do know that something wonderful will come out of all of this.  Sometimes I allow my mind to wander and imagine this "something wonderful" that brings such a smile to my face and other days I don't allow it - and remind myself  "no expectations".  Lets just see what God has in store for us.  Whatever it is, I know it will be beautiful because it involves me and my guy.

Moral of the story: Look for the beauty, fun, excitement in everything!  Even doing laundry at my house is fun because I have a little one who likes to unfold everything I fold....it's like a game of who can get to the drawer first!  Find the Silver Lining....it is always there!

After awhile

A perfect place to be

No matter the outcome,
I know it will be what is meant to be.
That is a great place to be.

Day by Day Driving Force

One Great Horoscope:

Drive, drive, drive, that's what's going for you.
You certainly aren't a quitter that's for sure,
so don't give up, battle on and you will succeed.
This is a time of movement and change.
Expect a journey,  it will soon be yours.

Moral of the Story: Fight your battles daily, not weekly, not monthly, not yearly and certainly not "foreverly".  Make your decisions based on what you know and believe right now.  You never know what changes might occur just around the corner.  Besides all that, battles fought daily only help to create "a positive can do attitude" that will turn into your normal attitude whether you are fighting a battle or not!

Believe in yourself

People are always underestimating themselves, including me.  I get myself all worked up sometimes doubting my abilities and then I remind myself to look at what I have accomplished, look at where I am at today because of my yesterdays.

Moral of the story: Each day is an opportunity  to become happier, stronger, smarter, braver, and kinder. Take advantage of it!

Placing it behind you

Softly close the door, do not look back.  

Gratefully and Humbly Thank God that you are out.

Hope = Faith = Charity = More Hope

Not knowing what the future holds is a scary thing.  There is one combatant.  HOPE.  Hope is one of the most precious emotions a person can experience, it can bring your spirits up and keep you smiling and laughing even when the tears momentarily come flowing down.  Hope is the fighting pathway through the darkest struggles.  Hope will bring you the Faith to believe that in the end, everything will be perfect.  Hope and Faith enables your heart to fill with Charity.  The more Charity you feel in your heart....the more Hope you feel in your soul.   

Moral to this story:  

Hope = Faith = Charity = more Hope.

Don't be afraid to Hope.  

    

Good Intentions, Positive Actions, Smiles and a Good Life

This quote is to remind myself to always do things with only the best intentions and if I don't have good intentions, don't do it.  This is very evident in my life today.  I am noticing a certain kindness  "all of the sudden", trying to be too nice, so it would seem. It is actually humorous to watch someone be kind to one person, in one situation and then completely unkind, even cruel to another person in the exact same situation.



Infact, as I was writing this post, I received my daily horoscope via email.  I don't put much faith in "Googles Daily Horoscope"...but this was to relevant to leave out:

Someone, most likely male, isn't quite what they seem. Trickery and deception cleverly disguised as charm and friendliness.

Ha ha ha, Moral to the Story: Fear may bring out the worst or the best in you.   Make sure that your actions and words are what you would do or say in any situation not what you would do or say due to your current circumstance.

A person's true character always shines through.  Always try to remain  true to your character and true to your hopes and true to your dreams acting upon the best of intentions, you will remain true to yourself.

Peace trumps Panic all day long

I love this quote, this reminds me in every situation the better way to be is calm.

Moral to the story: You think better when your breathing, you don't breath well when your panicked.

Tough Year = Tougher Me

I am me, and I became the "real" me after one of the toughest years in history!  Each and every experience not only makes your stronger, it makes you smarter, it makes you more grateful for the good people in your life, it makes you extremely grateful for the blessing that you have.  

I am so happy and so ready for this next chapter in our life.  One year ago today I knew a big change was coming and I knew it was going to be tough.  Today I stand here knowing I was brave enough to make that change and strong enough to endure that change and wise enough to know I had to accept the change.  

I am strong and I am a force.

Moral of the Story: Be grateful for everything, 

even the people that hurt you

 because in the end, 

those hurtful people, 

helped you become fabulous! 

  

Follow the path that feels right

I have been second guessing myself lately, mainly because I was losing patience with our judicial system, not because of anything I have done.  I was told today by a very very very great source: "Stand Up!  Be Strong!".  So I will, I am and I will continue.  The energy returned to me today along with the excitement of the future.  Moral of the Story: Things are always difficult in "the middle" patience may waiver, thoughts become discouraging.  But when the end of something and the beginning of another starts to glimmer in the sunlight your energy and imagination will return.  Keep the faith.  Stand up and be strong!

Always Learn

Have you ever asked yourself the question, "Why am I acting like this, I thought I was done with this?"  I find myself in that situation sometimes.  Words, smells, just everyday life stirs up thoughts, thoughts stir up memories, and memories stir up emotions. It all seems to go in a continuous, almost viscous, circle.  

Then I came across this quote and had a Ah Ha moment.  Moral of the Story: People come in and out of your life to teach you something.  Whether it's a good or bad lesson, try to learn from it, you need to learn from it.  Sometimes you will be surprised what you learn when you dig deep, really deep and open your heart to all the possibilities.  Although it may be difficult and even down right painful,  It will only help you in the future.  Always keep in mind: 

If it comes easy, it won't last.  

If it is meant to last, it wont come easy. 

Priorities in check

It is so wonderful, realizing just how much my priorities have changed.  Even down to my own Birthday!  Today I was talking to a friend, making plans for her and her boy to drive down to visit me and my little guy next week when I realized, hey...That's my Birthday!  I had completely forgot! So many things that were so important to me in the past just arent' that important anymore!  So later on today I received an email from my Dad asking what I want for my birthday, I instinctively asked for a present for my little guy.  My dad wrote back...It's your Birthday.  I said Yes and I want to give my little guy a present, that would make me the happiest! 

 I am really quite lucky that all my focus, all my heart and soul, everything I have, I get to give all that to him.  

Moral of the Story: If you are unhappy, check your priorities. The greatest and most precious things in life......are not things.

I get to just be me

Last night, my little guy and I played the Drums sitting on the kitchen floor, surrounded by pots and pans, tuperware bowls, salad bowls and wooden spoons!  We played drums for over an hour, until we both couldn't handle the drumming anymore!  Then we moved on to a game of ROAR (I chase him around the house, crawling and roaring at him as he runs away screaming, giggling and laughing until I catch him and tickle him...then after bath time, which is always fun, we finally moved on to an evening of drawing, coloring and then reading a book about bubbles over and over again.  My circumstances now allow me to be silly, I get to be a silly, loving, playful Mommy.  He doesn't care if my hair is perfect or my pajama's are cute.  He loves me for me and boy do I love him for that.  I love how I just get to be me.  Moral of the Story, make sure your life allows you to be silly and not care who is watching or you are missing out on a ton!

Attitude: Laughter: Power:

EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE HAS A SILVER LINING

YOU HAVE POWER

YOUR ATTITUDE IS UP TO YOU

All three quotes come from Joyce Meyers

Joyce Meyers is one of the Most inspiring people I have ever listened to.  She has a way of saying things that just stick with you.

Moral of the Story: Search for things that pick your spirits up and keep you there!  I listen to Joyce Meyers almost every morning from my little boys daycare to work.

If you need some inspiration, some laughter, someone to pick you up then I suggest listening to one of her video's or CD's.

The Middle is always the Toughest Part

I had a long conversation with a friend the other night about what has happened to me and my son over the past year.  Everything we have endured and where we are now.  I received this letter by email from him.  What a wonderful inspiring letter.  

If you need some inspiration, replace your name with mine and read it as it is your own. 

Thank you J! 

Chantel,
This is not a time for regret but a time for courage and rejoicing in what you have achieved and what you are yet to achieve.  Now that you have accepted that some things must come to an end, now you can open your heart and mind...just a little more cautiously this time. Always remember that for each ending there is always a new beginning of something better.  When a door closes another one with so much more to offer will open.  The very best things in life really do come to those who wait. Rushing into anything only guarantees disappointment.  There are always silver linings to every story. Because of this emotional change your family of two has endured together, you are closer because of it.  The bond is undeniable. Keep your head UP and your Courage STRONG. Love and protect your son with all your might.  Teach him love,compassion and truth.  You are his rock that he will lean on, the one that he will learn the most from.  Focus on being the person he would be proud of and everything will work out perfectly in the end.

Love

J

25 Rules....Love this!

25 Rules for Mothers of Sons

4JAN

This is definitely worth of Fridge Posting!

25 Rules for Mothers of Sons

1. Teach him the words for how he feels.
Your son will scream out of frustration and hide out of embarrassment.  He’ll cry from fear and bite out of excitement.  Let his body move by the emotion, but also explain to him what the emotion is and the appropriate response to that emotion for future reference.  Point out other people who are feeling the same thing and compare how they are showing that emotion.  Talk him through your emotions so that someday when he is grown, he will know the difference between angry and embarrassed; between disappointment and grief.

2. Be a cheerleader for his life.
There is no doubt that you are the loudest person in the stands at his t-ball games.  There is no doubt that he will tell you to “stop, mom” when you sing along to his garage band’s lyrics.  There is no doubt that he will get red-faced when you show his prom date his pictures from boy scouts.  There is no doubt that he is not telling his prom date about your blog where you’ve been bragging about his life from his first time on the potty to the citizenship award he won in ninth grade.  He will tell you to stop.  He will say he’s embarrassed.  But he will know that there is at least one person that is always rooting for him.

3. Teach him how to do laundry.
..And load the dishwasher, and iron a shirt.  He may not always choose to do it.  He may not ever have to do it.  But someday his wife will thank you.

4. Read to him and read with him.
Emilie Buchwald said, “Children become readers on the laps of their parents.”  Offer your son the opportunity to learn new things, believe in pretend places, and imagine bigger possibilities through books.  Let him see you reading…reading the paper, reading novels, reading magazine articles.  Help him understand that writing words down is a way to be present forever.  Writers are the transcribers of history and memories.  They keep a record of how we lived at that time; what we thought was interesting; how we spoke to each other; what was important.  And Readers help preserve and pass along those memories.

5. Encourage him to dance.
Dance, rhythm, and music are cultural universals.  No matter where you go, no matter who you meet – they have some form of the three.  It doesn’t have to be good.  Just encourage your son that when he feels it, it’s perfectly fine to go ahead and bust a move.

6. Make sure he has examples of good men who are powerful because of their brains, their determination, and their integrity.
The examples of men with big muscles and a uniform like Batman will surround your son from birth.  But make sure he also knows about men who kick a$s because of their brains (Albert Einstein), and their pen Mark Twain, and their words (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.), and their determination (Team Hoyt), and their ideas (The Wright Brothers), and their integrity, and fearlessness (Neil Armstrong), and their ability to keep their mouths closed when everyone else is screaming (Jackie Robinson).

7. Make sure he has examples of women who are beautiful because of their brains, their determination, and their integrity.
The examples of traditionally beautiful women (like Daphna Blake) will surround your son from birth.  But make sure he knows about women who are beautiful from the inside out because of their brains (Madame Maria Curie), and their pen (Harper Lee), and their words (Eleanor Roosevelt), and their determination (Anne Sullivan), and their ideas (Oprah Winfrey), and their integrity (Miep Gies), and fearlessness (Ameila Earhart), and their ability to open their mouths and take a stand when everyone else is silent (Aung San Suu Kyi).

8. Be an example of a beautiful woman with brains, determination, and integrity.
You already are all of those things.  If you ever fear that you are somehow incapable of doing anything - remember this:  If you have done any of the following:  a) grew life b) impossibly and inconceivably got it out of your body c) taken care of a newborn d) made a pain go away with a kiss e) taught someone to read f) taught a toddler to eat with a utensil g) cleaned up diarrhea without gagging h) loved a child enough to be willing to give your life for them (regardless if they are your own) or i) found a way to be strong when that child is suffering...you are a superhero.  do not doubt yourself for one second.  Seriously.

9. Teach him to have manners.
Because its nice.  and it will make the world a little better of a place.

10. Give him something to believe in.
Because someday he will be afraid, or nervous, or heartbroken, or lost, or just need you, and you won’t be able to be there.  Give him something to turn to when it feels like he is alone, so that he knows that he will never be alone; never, never, never.

11. Teach him that there are times when you need to be gentle.
Like with babies, and flowers, and animals, and other people’s feelings.

12. Let him ruin his clothes.
Resolve to be cool about dirty and ruined clothes.  You’ll be fighting a losing battle if you get upset every time he ruins another piece of clothing. Don’t waste your energy being angry about something inevitable.  Boys tend to learn by destroying, jumping, spilling, falling, and making impossible messes.  Dirty, ruined clothes are just par for the course.

13. Learn how to throw a football.
Or how to use a hockey stick, or read music, or draw panda bears (or in my case alpacas), or the names of different train engines, or learn to speak Elvish, or recognize the difference between Gryffindor and Slytherin, or the lyrics to his favorite song.  Be in his life, not as an observer but as an active participant.

14. Go outside with him.
Turn off the television, unplug the video games, put your cellphone on the charger, even put your camera away.  Just go outside and follow him around.  Watch his face, explore his world, and let him ask questions.  It’s like magic.

15. Let him lose.
Losing sucks.  Everybody isn’t always a winner.  Even if you want to say, “You’re a winner because you tried,” don’t.  He doesn’t feel like a winner, he feels sad and crappy and disappointed.  And that’s a good thing, because sometimes life also sucks, no matter how hard (as moms) we try to make it not suck for our kids.  This practice will do him good later when he loses again (and again, and again, and again, and again…..)  Instead make sure he understands that – sometimes you win – sometimes you lose.  But that doesn’t mean you ever give up.

16. Give him opportunities to help others.
There is a big difference in giving someone the opportunity to help and forcing someone to help.  Giving the opportunity lights a flame in the heart and once the help is done the flame shines brighter and asks for more opportunities.  Be an example of helping others in your own actions and the way your family helps each other and helps others together. 

17. Remind him that practice makes perfect.
This doesn’t just apply to performance-based activities (like sports and music) but also applies to everything in life.  You become a better writer by writing.  You become a better listener by listening.  You become better speaker by speaking.  Show your son this when he is just young enough to understand (that means from birth, folks – they are making sense of the world as soon as they arrive), practice trick-or-treating at your own front door before the real thing.  Practice how you will walk through airport security before a trip.  Practice how you order your own food from the fast food cashier.  Practice, practice, practice.

18. Answer him when he asks, “Why?”
Answer him, or search for the answer together.  Show him the places to look for the answers (like his dad, or grandparents, or his aunts/uncles, or his books, or valid internet searches).  Pose the question to him so he can begin thinking about answers himself.  Someday, when he needs to ask questions he’s too embarrassed to ask you – he’ll know where to go to find the right answers.

19. Always carry band-aids and wipes on you.
Especially the wipes.

20. Teach him how to do things.
…Without interrupting about how to do it the ‘right way.’  If you show and teach and discover with your son while he is growing up, some day down the road (after a short period of your son believing you know nothing), he will come to the realization that you knows everything.  

21. Give him something to release his energy.
Drums, a pen, a punching bag, wide open space, water, a dog.  Give him something to go crazy with – or he will use your stuff.  and then you’ll sorry.

22. Build him forts.
Forts have the ability to make everyday normal stuff into magic.  Throw the couch cushions, a couple blankets, and some clothespins and you can transform your living room into the cave of wonders.  For the rest of his life, he’ll be grateful to know that everyday normal stuff has the potential to be magical.

23. Take him to new places.
Because it will make his brain and his heart open up wider, and the ideas and questions and memories will rush in.

24. Kiss him.
Any mother of sons will tell you that little boys are so loving and sweet.  They can be harsh and wild and destructive during most of the day.  But there are these moments when they are so kind and sensitive and tender.  So much so that it can cause you to look around at the inward, reserved grown men in your life and think, ‘what happens in between that made you lose that?’  Let’s try to stop the cycle by kissing them when they’re loving and kissing them even more when they’re wild.  Kissing them when they’re 2 months and kissing them when they’re 16 years old.  You’re the mom – you can go ahead and kiss him no matter how big he gets – and make sure he knows it.   p.s. (this one is just as important for dad’s too). 

25. Be home base.
You are home to him.  When he learns to walk, he will wobble a few feet away from you and then come back, then wobble away a little farther and then come back.  When he tries something new, he will look for your proud smile.  When he learns to read, he will repeat the same book to you twenty times in a row, because you’re the only one who will listen that many times.  When he plays his sport, he will search for your face in the stands.  When he is sick, he will call you.  When he really messes up, he will call you.  When he is grown and strong and tough and big and he feels like crying, he will come to you; because a man can cry in front of his mother without feeling self-conscious.  Even when he grows up and has a new woman in his life and gets a new home, you are still his mother; home base, the ever constant, like the sun.  Know that in your heart and everything else will fall into place.

My favorite Word and my favorite scripture

I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope

Having hope is a beautiful thing.  It brings peace to the mind and soul.

Hope keeps you smiling even when the rest of the world is telling you there is no hope.

My other favorite scripture is "God is on your side, then who can stand against you".  

There is always a Funny Side

This is for my friend who had to deal with a very difficult situation last night.  I hope I helped you find some logic and then find some humor in it.  Moral of the Story: Share your experiences, share your funny stories, share your thoughts and ideas.  Sometimes the best medicine is just two friends, laughing and laughing at how rude, cruel, dumb some people are.  Always remind your friends....Karma comes.  She may come late.....but she always comes.  he he he

Climb girl climb!

Sometimes you have to make yourself step out of your comfort zone to find out that your comfort zone has so many more levels to it!  

Moral of the Story: 

If you find your second guessing yourself.....

Just look at all the blessings you have 

because you climbed out onto the limb!  

Be Happy

You are never to old to Play!  Run around, play hide and seek, Build towers with Blocks for the sole purpose of Tearing them down.  Playing is good for the Soul!

Silliness = Happiness

Today I realized how much I wasn't hurting.  It's Valentines Day and I am spending it with the cutest boy on the planet!  My little boy.  I couldn't imagine spending it with anyone else.

One year ago today I knew my life was falling apart, today I know my life is falling together.

In one years time my son and I have become so close, closer than I ever imagined.  I feel more love for him than I ever thought possible.

But the most successful small effort I have accomplished in the past year is that I am once again Silly!

Just the other night as I was chasing my little boy around, crawling underneath tables, hiding under blankets and jumping over the couch playing a game of Hide and Seek, and suddenly I realized I didn't worry what anyone thought.  All that mattered is that we were having a great time giggling and laughing.  All those tough moments, the sad times don't even come close to all the happy, fun, silly games we have played, all the bed time books we have read, all the great moments with just me and my little guy.  He gave me my silliness back!  I forgot how much I love to be silly!

Moral of the Story: Sometimes it is more important to find your silliness, happiness just follows suit.