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💤💤💤💤 nap time 💤💤💤

In my Ayurvedic course we had a discussion about kids with ADD and how sometimes being chronically sleep deprived presents the same symptoms   

We discussed how kids will sometimes use electronics to stmulate their brains to stay awake when they naturally would want to fall asleep. I agreed with this theory but kind of out it out of my mind   

This morning I woke up at 5   I got up , had breakfast and some tea, and sat in my chair reading for a while. I soon discovered that I was exhausted and that no one wanted or need anything from me in that particular moment. I headed back up to bed for the most delicious nap. 

Usually in Ayurveda they say not to nap during the day, but there are certain circumstances where it is recommended and right now I fit quite a few of them. There has been so much going on that I’m physically and mentally exhausted. 

So I slept. And it was awesome. And when I woke again two hours later (giggle) I felt ready to take on the world. 

I realized when I woke up that had we had a tv here I probably would have plunked in front of it and not napped when I obviously really needed to. I can see how it adds to sleep deprivation. 

It was the beginning of the happiness moment of my day. It actually set me up for my happiness moment which happened tonight while walking with the kids and the dogs 

      

It also kind of happened earlier today at Target with Jacob. Man, he’s a funny kid  

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Icicle

I have to admit, when I woke up this morning and looked out and saw there was still snow on the ground I rolled over and moaned “nooooo, it’s Apirl 7. Snow? Still?” I am a summer person.

But Jenna, Jenna came running to me later in the morning when we were getting ready to go over to my parents’ place and said “mommy, you need to come out back so I can show you the icicles.”

She was so excited, I grumbled my way around the back of the house, and sure enough, there on the roof of the mud room were a row of wonderful icicles hanging.

She grabbed one and ran off with it.

She sucked on that icicle the whole time I showered and got ready, kept it in the car with her the entire way into town and finally announced at the door of her grandma’s house that she was done with it and threw it on the lawn (it was a much, much smaller version by that time).

Her finding joy in the weather, appreciating the sun and the icicles and the beautiful morning was my moment of happiness today.

Except that before all of that,

This

Happened:

I had been sitting having my morning cup of tea watching the Golden Girls when I was joined by Jacob shortly followed by Jenna. They sat and giggled and watched the episode with me and when it was over I went to turn of my iPad and move on with the morning. Both of them informed me that they weren’t done watching and wanted to see the next episode. Fun family bonding time – also a heart warming happiness moment.

We needed them because there were some unpleasant moments today too. I am so grateful that I have the intention to focus on and find a happiness moment in every day.

I am completely humbled by the grace and bravery of my dad. I learn so much about how to be a quietly strong person from him.

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And the card attached would say, thank you for being a friend 

A rather poor picture of a very delicious strawberry cheesecake made by my aunt  

When I was a teenager one of my favourite downtime activities was sitting with my sister and watching an episode of The Golden Girls. I loved sharing a half hour with Rose, Blanche, Sophia and Dorothy.

Last Christmas I bought season one on iTunes and watched it on our trip from Roanoke to Calgary. When we found ourselves moving back to Calgary a couple of weeks ago I downloaded the second season. Living in a house with no television, no wifi, and none of our books; these girls have entertained me during my quiet times.

What I have found interesting is that I still love them just as much 25 years later.  I’m discovering that a lot of the jokes went over my head as a teen. But considering that I’m now in my 40s (gasp) and still younger than those girls I’m impressed with the age range they appeal to. I don’t ever remember thinking it was an old people’s show as a teen and I don’t feel that way now.

Today after lunch I sat down with a small piece of the cheesecake my aunt made for Easter supper last night and turned my iPad onto The Golden Girls. It wasn’t long before 10 year old Jenna grabbed a piece of cake and sat down beside me and started watching along.

Sitting watching The Golden Girls and eating cheesecake with my daughter. My happiness moment for today.

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Easter Sunday

This was our Easter morning view. A little snowy but beautiful all the same. To me Easter is a Vancouver Island thing with flowers and the ocean and walking logs by the beach on the way into Sidney for lunch. 

But Easter here is pretty amazing too.   

  

 We saw this on the way home from church. Pretty majestic.  

Happiness moment of the day was a family meal at my cousin’s place   I so love those times. Lots of love and laughter. I was extra heart warmed that part of the blessing included gratitude that we have come home. 

What a blessed Easter   

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A generational cake

When I was a kid grandma used to make what us cousins called Grandma’s special cake. To us it was a recipe unique to grandma and we always looked forward to the times when she would make it. Always for brandings, usually for community events, sometimes just for us to enjoy.

You can imagine my horror when I moved to Québec and there was a bakery there that sold Grandma’s special cake. The horror grew when my cousin’s husband was delighted because it was his aunt’s special cake.

Yesterday my cousin texted me to remind me that she’d made a dessert for my parents and I’d forgotten to pick it up at school. She finished with I have three words for you

Grandmas

Special

Cake

Well. I didn’t have to be reminded again.

Last night my mom and I split the cake. They kept some and we took some. Today at lunch Jenna and I dove into it. As I was eating I thought about the generations who have enjoyed this cake. We were sitting in the house my great grandparents built eating it, my parents were in the house my grandparents built and my mom grew up in eating it. 5 generations of family sharing love from that cake and the memories attached to it. Because not only is it yum yummy, but every bite has a fun childhood memory attached to it.

As I was getting ready to put it away I saw another cousin walking down from the barn after a ride. I went out and shared the last piece of our cake with her. The delight on her face was totally worth it. Cake love. Family cake. My happiness moment for the day.

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The new kids….. Again

today was the kids’ first day at their new school. After a lifetime of coming back to Calgary to visit, today they started their new lives of actually living in Calgary. Which meant once again being the new kid. 

I don’t know who was more nervous – them or me. I had a really good feeling in my gut about this school. I was just hoping my gut was going to be right. 

We got up early and were sitting at the table having breakfast when suddenly Jacob started yelling the mountains are purple!!!!! So we rushed outside to look. We ended up staying out and taking the first day of school pictures 

This is from our yard. 

  

Here are the kids in front of the barn my grandpa built

  

It certainly was a glorious morning. 

 

After much anxiety I left the kids in very capable hands at the school. How lovely it was to be greeted by one of my sister’s oldest friends and then my cousin. New kids but not strangers. 

I picked them up after school and both of them were smiling an excitedly telling me how wonderful their day was. They both made friends   They both had fun. Jacob was ecstatic because they dissected a cow eyeball. He said that’s the best first day ever!!! Seeing the joy in their souls was my happiness moment for the da

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Home (the movie) 

  

This morning the kids and I went to a special showing of the movie Home. It was a fundraiser for their new school. How blessed are we that we are already being invited to school functions before they have even started at the school. Of course it helps that my cousin heads up these things and she made sure we not only had tickets but sat with her. 

For he first time in our many moves over the last 10 years we are the new people who already have people. No more walking alone. No more walking blindly info unknown situations. Now when we walk we have a tribe with us. 

Home. The movie. Home. Our life. We are home. We are blessed. This is my happiness moment for the day. 

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A day with my boy

Completely unplanned today I  had a day with my boy. My baby who is only 3 months away from being 14 and driving, my baby who wears size 10.5 shoes. How did he grow up so quickly?

Our fun day started with me teaching him to play chopsticks and a few other silly songs on the piano 

 

He loved it and we laughed and giggled for at least an hour making silly music. Then we had to go to town to get tires put on the car I’m driving. While we waited we walked over to Tim Hortons, because we are back in Canada now and that’s what you do. We took a selfie because Jacob and me selfies are what we do    

   

We went to visit dad and then did some errands at the mall. He held my hand at the mall   And when he did it he said “yes mom, I’m holding your hand. Can you please not make a big deal about it and just enjoy it?”  So I did. 

We giggled and laughed and really enjoyed being with each other. This is my happiness moment  for the day. I am so grateful for the relationships I have. 

Another one of my doors opened and my dear husband is dealing not only with shipping my dog and cat here, but also with the last of the moving details. Which I’ve done too many times before so I know they’re not only a hassle but also kind of emotional. I’m grateful for that. Xoxo

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Finding the path of least resistance on a challenging road 

My intention this year is to follow the path of least resistance.  Which is a much easier thing to do when I’m flowing happily down a path of my choosing. Sometimes I find ( after the fact) that I’ve veered off my easy flowing path onto a more challenging road. This last little while seems kind of like that. I had a plan. Seriously…. It didn’t look like where I am now. 

I’ve had many conversations with God the past couple of weeks informing Him of my feelings about this path I’m on. About how perhaps He didn’t notice that I’d spent a great deal of time planning and meditating and preparing to walk down this new, easier path of least resistance. Then He threw a bunch of crap at me that wasn’t part of the deal. 

But here’s what I’ve noticed. More than at any other point in my life, every time I’ve needed something a door has opened and I’ve received a helping hand. It happened with packing up the house, again with this lovely lady we met on the plane, we had an entire house set up by my cousin when we got here, a wonderful school accepted the kids when we were out of district and didn’t have any paperwork organized, it goes on and on. Actually tonight I met a lady in the elevator at the hospital who was pulling a roller bag. I commented what a great idea it was and she said she would go out and buy one for me to have. What an offer of kindness. 

So often I feel like I’m invisible in life, but this past bit has made me realize I’m so not. 

Tonight my dad was talking about how he feels like he’s discovered a prayer bank in be clouds and he’s been drawing strength from this unlimited source of love. I feel the same way   Ask, then turn your intention towards giving and receiving love and that’s what you get. Even when it seems like a wrong turn on the path. I guess that’s how I’m following this new path with the least resistance I can muster. Because somewhere there is a plan. There has to be because I’m so clearly being guided and held by love. 

 

My happiness moment today came when I looked out the window at this view while making lunch. Jenna was out playing in the barn that my grandpa built. That I spent hours and hours playing in myself when I was her age. Where I used to bring Pirate in and talk to him for hours while I groomed him. It brought me such joy to see her experience that same peace and happiness   

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Pussywillows. 

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 

  

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