Tag Archives: happiness

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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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Girl jumping. Dad hugging. 

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   

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Daddy and me time

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. 

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Heart and soul…

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. 

 

  

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The kindness of strangers (and a friend)

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. 

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Almond milk

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. 

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Lunch date 

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 



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Signs of spring 



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. 

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