I have a lot to write about but tonight I’m too tired.
Today’s happiness moment was walking down the lane with Jenna and seeing pussywillows. It, along with the fact that the cows have been moved in to calf, and that the swans are on the slough, means that spring is coming to the ranch. I’m happy I get to share this with her. I brought a pussywillow plant into Dad today so he could enjoy some of the spring reminders as well
There have been some big changes and big events going on in our lives lately. Last week dad went into the hospital with pneumonia (or something like that). After a few very worrisome days, the kids and I had people in to pack our house. In the blink of an eye we were gone from Virginia and back in Calgary, with the pets and our stuff to follow us shortly.
We are now back home. HOME. Surrounded by family and love. The outpouring of love from the family has been amazing. I even had a cousin set up an entire house for me! The kids and I are living in the house my great grandfather built. Which is just across the yard from my parents’ house (which my grandfather built). I can look out our window and see the beloved barn.
Even though it all happened so quickly that half the time the kids and I don’t know which end is up – it’s good to be home
With all the stress of the last little while, I’m extra thankful that I’ve been making a point to find a moment of happiness every day. It’s so much better to be spending my day seeking out that happy feeling than it is to stress and worry about things that are beyond my control.
Today I’m extra lucky because I have two moments.
Because we have moved so much I’ve had to be more of a helicopter parent. Not having other people to rely on, I’ve had to keep a close eye on the kids all the time. They couldn’t go anywhere without me knowing because it was not safe.
Today I was getting ready to leave and couldn’t find Jenna. After searching all over the house I went outside to see her across the way jumping on her cousin’s trampoline. She actually had asked me, I’d just forgotten. But I was so happy that she is in such a familiar environment that she can wander around outside and play. This is the childhood I’ve always dreamed of for her. A happy moment.
I had a wonderful visit with dad this afternoon. When I got up to leave he stood up and gave me a huge bear hug. Which felt so good for Many reasons, one being that he was feeling well enough to squeeze my breath out. A truely wonderful and happy moment.
It was a happy day. I go to bed with a warm heart
The happiness moment today was spending the afternoon and evening with my dad. We looked at a photo album from a couple of years ago and relived fun memories. We chatted about anything and everything. We sat and looked out the window. We read. We napped.
This man has taught me how to live by my own value system. How to love unconditionally. How to laugh at funny moments. How to jump and take action when needed. How to be dependable and trustworthy. He’s pretty awesome, my dad.
I’m sitting in bed in the house my great grandfather built. My body is now physically where my heart always lives.
My happiness moment for today was coming home to so many people whom we love and who love us so much. Without love there is no point to life – and there is an outpouring of it here.
There is nothing like family. They love you warts and all and they show you how to be a better person. Unconditional love is such a deep and profound thing. It stretches miles, it stretches generations, it has an amazing power.
In the last couple of days I have found myself in the position where I needed help. Lots of help. With big changing stuff. Fortunately I didn’t even have time to stress about how the help would come or how everything would fall into place.
In the last couple of days I have found myself in the position where I needed help. Lots of help. With big changing stuff. Fortunately I didn’t even have time to stress about how the help would come or how everything would fall into place.
I have an awesome family who provides the strongest of support systems, but they were 2,000 miles away and I was in need of some hands on assistance.
And the most amazing thing happened. I had a complete stranger enter onto my life and just take over the details of most of the things I needed sorted out. She brought other people who facilitated what needed to be done. And it just all worked out
When I realized that I needed more help, my dear friend arrived at my door – without me asking – and just took the reins.
If ever I ever had any doubt that God always provides when you ask I have had proof in the last two days. This feeling of deep gratitude to these people who stepped in when they were so needed is my moment of happiness for the day.
I decided to learn to make almond milk. It’s super easy and super yummy
Soak almonds in water overnight.
Peel them
Put in blender with 4 cups of water
Strain with cheesecloth
Keep in glass jar with lid in the fridge
But first heat up a cup (And one to share) and add a bit of maple syrup. Drink right before bed.
The second time I did this I only mixes them with 2 cups water because it was a hot mess with all 4 then I added the other 2 cups after. I also strained with a small holed strainer. Much less messy than the cheese cloth
The happiness moment for the day is sitting down with my almond milk before bed.
Happiness is being invited to Jenna’s lunch at school and seeing her giggle and have fun with her group of girls. I love how happy she is.
Sometimes I struggle with re,embering ti live in the present moment. Sometimes it seems like the present moment isn’t all that fun. But really, some joy can be found in every moment. I’m working in training my brain to live like the dog and cat. Happily focused on where they are right now. And if their food dish is full
This is my happiness moment for the day. Crocuses always remind me of springtime at the ranch. Which means family, calves, green coming back, long days, that gopher and crocus in the snow picture at my parents’ place, and the beginning of summer fun. It also reminds me of the flower book my dad put together with stories of all the wild flowers we grew up picking or looking at.
Today on my walk I saw actual leaves starting to pop on trees. I saw these crocuses growing in the garden of a friend of mine.
Spring. New beginnings. New life. New hope. Seasons change and we have to embrace the new and find love in happiness in every single minute. It’s the only way.
I’ve been scattered again today. I realized this because of my tea cups. It started when I made a cup of tea this morning and then dumped it and put it in the dishwasher (wahhhhh). I’ve found at least 3 half finished cups around the house from the day which means I’ve put them down and then completely forgotten them.
Thank goodness I didn’t have to do anything important today.
One of my favourite mantras I got from the side of my lululemon bag years ago DO ONE THING A DAY THAT SCARES YOU. I came across it when I was in the midst of my anxiety time and I held onto it. Sometimes the only thing I could do that day that scared me was get out of bed.
Doing things that scare you don’t have to be big things. Fears are relative to the person. Things that scare me may not scare you.
But sometimes life is just scary and that’s part of living life.
Because bad things can be scary – the boogeyman, finances, security. But good things can be scary – love is probably the scariest thing you can do. But imagine life without it.
Love fearlessly. It’s the only way.
My happiness moment was tonight at Jenna’s school. They had a civil war performance and it was so fun to get to see her up there.
My Canadian ignorance showed through. I thought Goober Peas was a kids song Burl Ives sang (I grew up listening to mom’s album. Also thought big rock candy mountain was a kids song. And yellow submarine for that matter). It was fun to watch her so fearless up on stage
I woke up feeling pretty out of sorts today. Stressed and anxious about things I can’t do anything about. Some of them really big deals some of them not, but either way not things I can change. And stressing and being anxious is not helpful in any circumstance.
So, I sat and meditated and then walked the dog. When I came home I was looking around the house feeling so overwhelmed. Somehow over the weekend we’d turned it into a disaster area, which for sure would mean that someone would want to come look at the place.
But then my cleaning fairy showed up. Today was the day my cleaning lady comes. I’ve hired her to come every two weeks and the difference in my life has been amazing. The amount of stress it has taken away is huge. Having that extra helping hand helps put balance back in my life. It helps with the overwhelmed feeling. It helps let those anxiety feelings go away.
It does not change those things that stress me out but it sure sets me up to deal with them better.
I’ve decided that any little thing that can be done to help make those things that stress me out go away is an absolute must in life. How much more enjoyable life is when I am able to let go of things that are overwhelming or create unnecessary stress. How much better it is to have helping hands come in and support, and how much better it is to be able to be a helping hand back to someone who needs it.
Because when you need help and there’s a community of loving hands there to help you it makes things so much better.
My happiness moment today was the feeling I had when my housecleaner left the house and it felt so good and clean and relaxing. But it spreads out into larger areas of my life. I’m so thankful for those people who are able to step in and give support and love and guidance when it’s needed, and I’m thankful I have people whom I love and can give support and love back to.
Then, as a reminder that He is in fact part of that community that gives love and support, God made the most amazing sunset tonight. The picture does not do it justice – Jacob and I had to pull off the road to take the picture. It was setting over the mountains and Jacob said it looked like a dancing dragon.
