Laughing from within

Ever since our little family grew from two to three, I have learned some of the greatest lessons.

1. Messes are just that, a small reminder of a growing boy exploring the world around him. In the not too distant future, I will miss the spilled milk and tossed Legos. He will only be little once, so I leave the messes.

2. Disney channel beats the news any day of the week. We all seem happier when we watch things with happy endings.

3. You are never too old to make a mud pie.

4. Dinner is a time to share a meal, dangle noodles in front of the dog, and tell funny stories. Dishes can wait, nobody but Mom will notice them anyways.

5. An afternoon at the park will make any day special. Don't over complicate life by planning out the day. Just live in the moment and let life happen.

6. Hold hands, share kisses, sit down to cuddle. Those moments are precious and nothing will ever be more important than taking time to love those around you.

7. Lastly, laugh often. Don't take life so seriously. Laugh from deep within your belly til your cheeks hurt and your eyes are watering. Not only will your mood and outlook improve, but no day should go without happiness and joy. Each day we have together is a gift, one that is not to be squandered or taken for granted.

So there you have it. Once again, I've found life's greatest lessons wrapped up in those mud-pie handprints.

Here's to laughter and love....

The 1 am Post

Yes, it's true.

Here I am at 1 am, waiting for the laundry to dry, so I can move another load to the wash before bed.

There have been many a times I hoped to write here, but I have an editing project on top of my everyday editing job, and time is s sparse 'round these parts.

We are in full planting mode here, with asparagus, peppers, berries, cherries, onions, lettuce, spinach, chard, garlic, herbs, and soon corn, more onions, carrots, and beets. We try to grow everything we eat, and this year we are hoping for the biggest harvest yet.

My hubby and I have both started heavy workout routines, specifically the Spartacus workout. We both want to optimize our health and we know that a high intensity workout paired with cardio is imperative. Today at the market, a woman stopped and asked if we were 'juicers' since our buggy was full of produce. We just smiled and said no, we just enjoy fruits and veggies. She then proceeded to say that surely AJ didn't eat like us. We kindly answered yes he does as she scoffed and walked away.

We had to chuckle.....we are now known as the produce family in town.

With planting season here, we have been spending ample time in the sun and my oh my, does the fresh air and sunshine feel good! I do believe everyone is a wee bit happier with a hefty dose of Vitamin D.

AJ is such a little man these days. He runs everywhere, and climbs on everything. Very seldom is he still, so the other night when he fell asleep in my arms, I didn't move!

That laundry is just about done.....

Good night all.

The Not-So Famous

I try to write all of my posts with intention, a practice of writing words of prose while knowing what will follow the preceding words. I have been mulling this post for quite some time, but alas, the days grow shorter, my to-do list gets longer, and I scramble to keep up.

AJ wanted to snuggle tonight, and even though I had plenty to do, I sat with my little one, and remembered the feeling of the rise and fall of his chest, the heavy weight of this growing boy. In the stillness, I remained until he grew restless and wanted to stretch out in bed. But for that hour, I fought back the tears, knowing that life doesn't get any better than times like these.

My heart fills to the brim, until at its peak, the love and adoration for my given life, encompasses all of me, and I can't help but sing songs of praises.

Whenever I get a chance, I sit and read a few blogs. (Albeit not as often as I want to, the job of editing has taken precedence over my time and now there is a consulting editing job to be done in tandem with the first one!). Some of those blogs have a few hundred followers, some have thousands. These women have the equivalent of my town's population following their blogs, awaiting that insight into their daily lives. They draw inspiration for the evening's dinner from their recipes. They look at their sponsors for the perfect pintuck striped shirt for their child's school photos. They heed the authors advice to take pictures in a certain light.

These women talk about how they are planning to write a book. They talk about how a publishing house has chosen to pick up their works and soon the pages will be displayed on bookshelves nationwide.

These women were the ones I was beginning to envy.

And envy is not a good color.

I wanted to be "famous" for lack of a better word, like these women. I wanted to hit the post button and wake up the next morning to see that 30 comments were awaiting my eyes, thirty different people who just had to leave a note about what I wrote.

I wanted to be that blogger with the book deal. What I thought I wanted was to feel important, as though by others acknowledging my presence and my words, I would somehow validate my value as an individual, both personally and professionally.

And then God pulled me back to reality. He placed me among my people.

My husband and my son.

They don't care for fame or fortune, they just ask that I make fresh biscuits every few days. That their favorite t-shirts make it in the days wash. That I skip the chores or bypass the errands for a few more minutes of playing soccer in the front yard. That I hold on a little longer when he goes to hug me.

These are my people. They don't care that I am anyone other than who I am.

With all of that I am so grateful for those who do stop by and read here. Writing is always on my heart, but between work and being a mom and a wife, the days seem to slip away from me.

But that doesn't deter me from finding the time to strike the keys or scribble a quick note.....

Easter Recap

Our Easter was quiet and simple, just the three of us.

We dyed eggs with blackberries....

We visited our neighbors and had an egg hunt....

We enjoyed tasty food and ate til our bellies couldn't possibly take another bite.

All day, there was the faint whisper of gratitude, a thankfulness for family and the memories we create. Words fail me when thinking of Christ and His resurrection. All I can say is, I thank God for His Son and for the wonder that is my family.

Those two, one man and one boy, have my heart forever. That is something I don't take for granted.