Bed Time Reading Books Undestructable

                                                              

Bendon Publishing Sesame Beginnings Board Books

I love reading time.  We do it every night before bed. 
We have our little ritual that seems to work great.  Bath Time, Bottle Time, Reading Time, Bed Time.  

These books are the best!.  They are thick cardboard with the best coloring and animation.  My little guy loves the "At the Zoo" Book, he kisses the elephant on the first page every time we read it!  The Bubbles Book he laughs and laughs along with me, The eyes nose fingers and tose in another fun book~!  it is about clapping your hands and making a sound, which he loves to do.  
The best part about these books is that you can get them at Dollar General for .99 cents.  
My little guys nick name is Mr. Destructo and he has yet been able to destruct these books.  

Highly recommended for bed time reading time!!!!

Louder Girl, Louder!

 This post is for me and for a friend of mine, we are both sometimes intimidated into keeping our mouths shut.  Dont get me wrong,  I am a big fan of "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all"  In some situations.  However, if someone is trying to bully you or intimidate you, well then, now is time to stand up for yourself, stand up for your family and speak your mind.

I often catch my voice shaking with my particular situation, and thats ok.  I'd rather be the person with the voice that shakes, standing up for what I truly believe in, than be the person who makes another person's voice shake.  

  So if you are in this situation, speak your mind.  Clear, concise and without being cruel.

The cold hard facts are usually the best medicine for any bully.

Bring on the Problems, Bring on my Strength

Have you ever wondered why when life seems really tough, it seems to get tougher and tougher?  I am now a firm believer that a tough situation is followed by tougher situations for one reason and one reason only, to help me get out.  Bad decisions, like the ones I have made in the past, will not be easy to "get out of".  But I am on my way.  With every problem that has arises, I have found solutions, with every negative thought that sneaks into my brain I over power it with 10 positive thoughts.  

Problems are not problems at all, Problems are "the way out"

Overcoming those problems give you the strength you will need 

so when you are finally OUT, you will make sure you never get in, again!

Bring on the Problems!  Bring on the Strength!

Realize the Moment then Change the Moment!

Moments of fear and sadness crept up on me last week,  It was a difficult weekend, but I made it through just fine.

So, what is the Silver Lining to a crappy, feeling a little weak weekend?
The fact that I knew it, the fact that I recognized it, THE FACT THAT I CHANGED IT!

It is such a fabulous feeling to know that I am the only person who controls my feelings, my thoughts and my actions.

So on friday I was feeling weak....Let me share what I did to change this:
Friday Night: 10 Mile Run, I am NOT Weak, proven
Friday Night: Contacted Friends.  Made a play date for my guy and I with his brother and his mom
Friday Night: Made a play date for me with Friends on Thursday when my guy visits his Dad
Friday Night: Made a play date for me and my little guy on Saturday with another Friend and her girls
Saturday Morning: Gave two golf lessons and then played golf at Black Diamond Ranch, it is beautiful there!
Saturday Afternoon: Went to the dollar store and filled my cart with Arts and Crafts for my little guys playroom.  I love dollar stores!
Saturday Night: Picked up my guy and went to Dunkin Donuts for Ice Cream!
Sunday Morning: Went to a beautiful session of Church with My Guy where we sang our heart out and listened to a great Sermon.

The point is not what I actually did, but what I focused on...... I filled my life with what is really important to me;
FRIENDS; really good people.  I love being around really good people.
RUNNING; I love Running, I love how strong I feel when I finish a good hard run
GOLF: I love to teach and play golf,
CHURCH: I really love listening to Pastor Ray and his sermons, (he is the closest thing I have here in Florida to my younger brothers, Hank Smith, motivational speakings in Utah).  Church reminds me that there is good in this world and we can be a part of that good.
MY GUY: I love making fun things with my little guy, I love going out to dinner or desert with my guy,  I just love my guy and I am always happiest when I am doing anything for or with him!

I spoke to a close friend over the weekend who is like a father figure to me, he gave me some much needed inspiration.  He reminded me to press on and that everything was going to turn out OK in the end.  He reminded me that what I want most for Cooper and I is not that far away and he was 100% sure that soon we would be where we want to be.

So, I went back to my "Inspiration to Desperation" Quotes on file and found the one on this post.

This is what I take out of it the most.  

Hard times are going to sneak back in, accept it, that just shows that your human!  What you do once your realize those feelings are trying to work your way back into your mind is what matters now.

HOLD THE GROUND.  

Do not let fear, doubt or troubling times change your mind

Stay Strong and Press On  

The PRESENT is just the pathway to achieving your dreams for the FUTURE.  

Just something that happened in my life

Tonight is especially difficult for me, I am not sure why, other than my little guy is at his fathers home.  You would think I would be getting better at being alone.  I guess I am, I'm not sitting in the corner sobbing, so that is progression.  I've cleaned the house, done some laundry, made a Bills to pay poster for my fridge with colorful magnets to remind me what I haven't paid yet :)!  But man, am I sad.  I miss my little guy so much, I miss his older brother that was once a big part of my life.  I miss my family that I once had here in Florida and I really miss my family that I do have in Utah. 

It is crazy to me how things happen, I found myself wondering today "why?".  Now I make myself stop asking why and instead ask myself "What are you going to do about it?".  I have started School again.  I am 42 years old and going back to school...there is something very scary but very empowering about that.  I have found other options for our life that I didn't even consider before.

I am putting plans into motion, Plans B,C and D if Plan A doesn't work out.  Am I happy that my original plan for life didn't work out.  No, not really.  Am I happy that I am out of a unfaithful relationship.  Absolutely.  I know that I didn't deserve that and my little guy doesn't deserve to live in a home filled with lies, but it still is very sad.  I hope one day soon it will stop being so sad and just be what happened in my life.  I know it will turn into that someday, but when will that day come, I wish I knew.

Light Brings Light, Hope Brings Hope

I really like this!  It is similar to the "Take a Smile" I posted earlier and I have made one for my fridge, I used yellow post it notes and I grab one of the fridge and put it on my car dashboard every morning then return it to the fridge at the end of the day.

In a way, I am my own Cheerleader and that is OK!  I am a great Mom, I am a great friend and as long as I keep surrounding myself with great wonderful people I will only become greater!  :)))

I am a walking pep talk!

Let the Giggling Side of us Shine

Today my post is on Giggling and Playing and letting the smiles shine.  I had such a fun night last night with my little guy because I made it my sole mission to make him giggle.  By the end of the evening I am sure both of our mouths hurt from laughing and giggling so much.  Play time is definitely the best time in our house, and what is amazing is the learning that he does when we are playing.  I watched him copy my actions as we were playing hide and seek.  I watched him start to search for me behind the chairs and couches.  We built this huge tower with blocks and then swiped it down and he laughed and laughed everytime.  Whenever you are down, giggling is the best medicine!  Yes my house is cluttered with toys, shoes and pretty much anything my little guy likes to carry around the house, and that is OK!  I will clean it tomorrow.  But today I will let my little light shine! Let is shine, Let it Shine, Let it Shine!  (You know your secretly singing)

Positive Thoughts from a beautiful person

I have been sharing emails with my cousin, (who I is more like a Sister to me).  She has put a few thoughts down into words that have really helped me the past couple of days, so I thought I would share.  The first one is:

It looks like God is parting the Red Sea for you, I am excited to see what else he has in store!  That quote reminded me that even though we are going through some trials we are also SO Blessed and it really is like the glass 1/2 empty or 1/2 Full saying.  It all depends on how you look at your life.




The other thing she said to me is "When you are on the right path, even your bad choices turn out to be good for you".

She is a very smart woman.  Love her for that!

Decisions, Bad or Good must be made

I chose this quote because of the last half about "coalitions".  I am reconnecting with old friends and finding new friends.

I don't think of my life as "winning or losing" as much as I believe it to be "enduring and enjoying" the adventure with my little guy.  However I am realizing that without a coalition (friends) the adventure would be much more lonely and difficult.

It is very important to start building your coalition.  Make good solid friendships and reconnect with the ones that you let go for whatever reason.  I have made some really really really REALLY bad decisions in the past.    I vow to my son that I will never make another decision as blindly as I did one year ago today.

OUCH!

I do however remind myself that I made that decision out of love and faith in another person and that person failed us.  I did not fail us.  Having 100% faith in another person isn't a bad thing, just make sure that person is worthy of it.  Make better decisions by listening to those out of your situation.  Tell them the facts and then sit back and listen.  Listening is the key!  If I would have listened better I think I would have made better decisions.  But the past is the past.  I am learning from it and moving forward a little more brave and smarter than I was yesterday.  

I will untie my arm from the post, and catch the next train, 

but always keep the post in the back of my mind

to make sure I never make the same mistakes again!

This rings true today

Today, I was reminded I was human.  Out of nowhere sitting in traffic , tears filled my eyes and I missed my past.  Just when you think you are Super Woman your inner feelings come out and remind you, you are human and you did love with all you had so it makes sense that you will hurt, deeply.  Only those who really never loved, really never hurt.  But on the bright side the tears faded fast and I worked my way back to happier thoughts much much quicker than just 6 short months ago.  So there is progression !  

Play in the Bright Grassy Green Grass

This weekend me and my guy are lucky enough to have traveled to South Florida to see some very uplifting friends.  No drama, just the facts.  They don't live for it, they don't search for it and they certainly don't create it.  (Unfortunately, most people usually have one person in their lives that does exactly that).  The problem with having people in your life that create drama, they usually do it at someone's expense.  They put people down, they make fun of someone different to make themselves feel better.  And the thing to remember, the more time you spend with someone like this, the more you become like them.  So if you want to be a great person, a loving person, a happy person, then it is simple. Surround yourself with great, loving, happy people.

One of my friends that I have reconnected with sent me this quote.  I love it, it sounds just like me.  Today my guy and I are going to go play in bright green grassy grass, play at the beach and do the things that bring out our magic self and we are going to do it with some really great people.  I am starting to see the things in my life change, true friends are coming out of the woodwork.  I am searching for and reconnecting with good, real people. 

 So todays post is all about how important it is to surround yourself with people who inspire you,  people who make you smile and who make you feel good about yourself, but most importantly, people who make complete strangers smile, people who make complete strangers feel good about themselves.  Then become like them!

Go Ahead, Take One!

I know I have already posted for the day, but I saw this and just loved it!  I felt like reaching into my Computer and taking a smile.  I am going to do this at home for myself so when I need a smile, I can grab one!  So go ahead....Reach out and take a Smile!

Overcome the Sadness and Dance

This morning I woke up sad because my guy goes to his Daddy's house for the evening and that always makes me sad.  So I have started a few little rituals to help me get through the day.   

Here is my list so far:

1. Make sure me and my guy get our Kitchen Dancin in before I take him to Daycare.  If you have read the post below you will know that the song "Further On" by Radio Bronze Return is our favorite song and it always puts us into smiles and laughs as we dance.

2.  Get down on my hands and knees and play crawling hide and seek with my little guy.  It's amazing how much fun you can have when you actually allow yourself to be silly and play

3. Rock the House: Whenever I wake up sad I automatically turn to my Itunes Inspiration Station Play List, I created.  Phillip Phillip has great songs, Radio Bronze Return, Disney Songs.  Make yourself a Inspiration Station Playlist.  I HIGHLY recommend it!  Music always brings me out of a funk.

4. Blog about something happy.  I use to search for quotes about how I was feeling.  I have completely changed that, now I search and blog about quotes about HOW I WANT TO FEEL.   Just by doing that I have changed my entire outlook on the day.  Change your focus to happy, strong, independent, focusing on how extra great your futures are going to be!

If you have a "overcome the sadness" ritual, please share!!!!  

A Fortitude of Strength

The Woman in the center of this picture is my hero.  She was the strongest woman alive and I draw on her strength everyday.  She is my grandmother, she raised 6 children on her own in the 1940's through the 1970's.   She was born in 1905 and lived for 89 years.  She has many many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren  (to date there are over 110 of us)  and over 30 of us lived with her at one point in time...myself included.  

I saw a quote online that said:  "Rejection is simply God's way of saying...Wrong Direction".  But when I read that quote, I heard my grandma saying sadly but honestly; "You were going in the wrong Direction, My Dear".  I realized I  had chosen the wrong path but I am on the right one now and if I can possess even 1/4th the strength that she had, then everything would turn out perfect.

This quote reminds me that even though I may feel alone, I am never alone.  There are many people watching out for me and my little guy.  I have experienced what some would call "coincidental" help.  I like to call them "Tender Mercies" most likely orchestrated by my grandma, Jesse Bell Tye Smith. 

Who is your Super Hero?

100 %

We all have rough days.  I thought I was going to have one tonight.  I closed the last chapter in my past tonight by finally removing all my belongings from the home I once lived in.  I thought I was going to be sad, uncomfortable, disheartened....turned out I was happy, proud of my strength and grateful for those helping me.  I honestly believe I owe much of my strength to one great woman who lives a few hours north of me.  She has given me the best gift anyone could ever offer.  She has given me forgiveness and friendship when she could have rightfully ignored me and walked away.   

 

I have started to make major changes in the way I act,

the way I speak and  the way I think and guess what happened...... 

The roughest of rough days turned out really quite easy.

 

I realized tonight that we are on the right path. Reminded myself to stay the course, remain patient.

and remember, It will all make sense soon 

 

SINGLE is the NEW HEALTHY

I think this is great.  Lately I have been getting a lot of pressure from friends for me to "get out there" and meet people, meet the next "one".  I actually have my next "one" he is two feet tall and the cutest boy on the planet!

Someone actually told me my life was boring. Seriously? Boring?  I have a 10 month old, my life is anything but boring!  We crawl chasing each other, build towers with blocks just to tear them down, watch Disney Junior, have slumber parties, go swimming, have major splash bath time, have accidental, "well ok" On Purpose Food Fights.  We love it when it rains cause we can go outside and splash in puddles!  My life, boring....No way!!!

So no, I would not rather spend time out with a  bunch of non silly adults, spending money they don't have, dressing up to impress people that they really don't care about .  The good memories that I do have from my past are of movie slumber party nights, not anything else.

I have come to the conclusion, it is not only OK to be alone, right now it is HEALTHY  for me to be alone.  I am finally getting back to my happy silly self.  I changed so much  trying to fit in with a crowd that I didn't belong with in the first place.  Happy to be silly, Happy to be me. Happy to be Single.

Never one

Today, something reminded me of how my dad never missed one golf tournament, never missed one recital, never missed one play that I was in.  Always right there cheering me on, front and center!  I can't wait to never miss one game , never miss one performance or never miss one anything that my little guy chooses to do.  Come rain or shine, I will be there!

This quote says it all....and then some

The best Investment

I love this quote. 

 It is so true.  

There is no better investment than investing time with my son. 

As I get stronger

Today, I can honestly say I felt great about "me".  The blow to my self esteem from being lied too and cheated on ihas started to diminish.  I have taken steps that have helped me, like me again.  And I I have made a really good friend in the process!  Today, I actually felt self confidence again.  It's been a long time since I felt that way and It's only up from here!