Tag Archives: kids

happiness

Think Gingerbread Houses

The kids and I took a much needed mental health day in the mountains – it’s a place that grounds us all and life has been so emotional lately we really needed a mountain hug.

My lesson from A Course In Miracles today was to look for happiness wherever I went. Today was the perfect day for that lesson as we seemed focused on finding the light.

We wandered around Banff for a while this afternoon and finally sat down for my first ever Beavertail. I’m not sure I need a second one, but at least now I can say I’ve had one. As we were waiting the kids started each playing solitaire on their phones. The boy allowed me to watch him and for a few seconds I did just that – watch. It wasn’t long though before I was giving suggestions, then pointing, then telling him where to line up his cards.

The girl looked over at me, wiggled her eyebrows, and said think Gingerbread Houses, Mom. Oh. Crap. See, when we do gingerbread houses I have to buy an extra one for myself because I have this tendency to totally interfere with their creations. I can’t help it. I don’t even make good gingerbread houses (think drunk toddler art), but I just can’t stop myself.

So I pulled out my own phone and started my own game of Solitaire. I guess it’s all in the name – a game for one person.

We went to a Wrinkle In Time tonight. I loved the book and it was fun to experience the movie. As with all of these types of movies the kids had to process their feelings of their missing father on the ride home – but they seem to be making peace with that in their own ways finally. The movie actually was a good reminder of how important it is to focus on the light instead of the darkness.

There is a lot of light out there, we need to let ours shine too.

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happiness

Talk about it

The girl and I had an explosive moment this afternoon after school. I had decided to venture into her bedroom earlier to grab some laundry. Well that was a scarring experience to say the least.

How we handled it was interesting – I was upset but trying not to freak out too much and so was she (both for different reasons). But we quickly moved to a place where we both expressed how we felt about the disaster that was her room. And she came home and spent the evening cleaning it – no complaints. It was incredibly mature of her and I was so proud. I’ve got some awesome kids.

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Warm Plates

The kids and I spent some time today sitting in the kitchen, Grandma’s kitchen, and visiting while I folded laundry. I talked about how the room used to be set up when I was a kid and we would come over for a visit. I love that my childhood memories and their childhood memories, and the childhood memories of my uncle and aunt are all held in that room.

I loved it when we would have supper at my grandparents’ house – always roast beef, mashed potatoes, and whatever vegetable. Then something yummy for dessert – homemade canned cherries, or pie, or ice cream – always so good.

But the best part of the suppers was always that when we sat down Grandma would open the oven and set out warm plates for each of us.

It took me years to fully understand why it was the warm plates that I loved so much. I mean, sure they keep your food the right temperature, but more importantly it was one extra act of love.

It takes a great deal of thought and love to cook a whole meal for a family, so to take the extra step and put plates in the oven for us so we could have a little extra bit of comfort? That was an extra dose of love put right into our meal.

The outside world can be hard, home should always be your soft place to land. That is what that kitchen holds for me. I am very grateful for that.

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It’s what makes me happy

Today was one of those days that was just so good. We need more days that bring peace to our hearts and smiles to our faces.

We spent the day in Olds at 4H multi-judging – it’s something so far out of my comfort zone and experience – yet the more my kids get involved in 4H the more I love it. I’m so happy they get to have these experiences, and we have such an awesome club. The adults get along, the kids get along, and the fact that most of us are related is a huge bonus. One thing about coming from such a large family is we have lots of extended cousins that we don’t know very well and things like this allows us to deepen those relationships. I love it.

The girl had softball evaluations after that – and softball is what makes her heart sing. I loved watching her hit the ball and run bases and do the other exercises they laid out for the kids. When she got in the car after she said it’s what makes me the happiest of all – playing ball – and we all need that thing that makes our spirit feel free.

We finished the day with a family birthday party at the Hall. I love the family, the community and our Hall and I love that we get to be part of people coming together to share and celebrate.

There are always ups and downs and bumps in the road- but when the sunshines in my heart on days like this it outshines any darkness that may be lurking. Life is good.

AND it was a year ago today I met my heart horse – I love him to the depths of my soul.

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Chin Chopper

One of my favourite games that Dad used to play with us was the Chin Chopper Game. No idea where it came from – I assume maybe it was one he learned as a child – I should have asked him. But it was guaranteed to give my sister and I (and whatever cousins were around) many many giggles. Then we we went on to have kids of our own Grandpa did Chin Chopper with them. Dad really loved his family and playing with us kids (or our kids) was something he did really well.

I was sorting out some photos on my computer today and came across a couple of old Chin Chopper videos from 2013 – two years before he died. Sometimes I feel our technology gets in the way of our relationships, but sometimes it gives us gem memories like these ones.

I miss both Mom and Dad so much – but we have so many good memories, and most importantly the memory of being loved unconditionally. That is a real gift. It is true happiness.

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In the quiet of the snow

Today was a weird day energetically for me. I don’t know if it was emotions or the massive snow dump we got or what – but it was just kind of a weird day. The good thing is it set me up perfectly to do some energy work and clear out some emotional junk that has been circling my heart. I feel sometimes like there has been so much happen in the last few years I haven’t had a chance to really absorb it all, forget figure out how I’m feeling.

Fortunately my coaching course is perfect for this, and I’m finding as I’m going through it that I’m changing old behaviours I’ve had my whole life. It’s like creating a new slate to write the rest of my life on. That’s pretty exciting.

It was a good day to look outside at the pretty snow (not be in it) and create.

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A regular day

Today was a regular day. Coming from years of living in chaos and stress, I appreciate regular days more than you could imagine. I was productive and got a lot of work done, the boy made the soccer team and was busy at practice, and the girl has made a new best friend. All very regular things, very small things, but also very authentic and genuine. And happiness is found in the little moments.

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Snow bowl

We decided it was spring like enough outside this afternoon so the girls grabbed their bikes and I grabbed my dog and we went out for a walk.

I love our evening walks, I love listening to the cousins giggle, I love seeing the dog happy, and I love the peace of the country and the mountains. It balances my soul and that brings me to happiness.

The girls found a great little snow bowl drift and stopped for a little rest along the way. They have so much fun together

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Deepening relationships

The boy competed again today with his speech for 4H and although he didn’t move on, I was so amazed and impressed with how well he did. I know that I look at my kids with mom goggles, but damn- he’s a good public speaker. And he just lets it flow – there are no notes he reads off of. So proud.

One of the great things about the kids being in 4H and me being on the Hall Board is it gets us knowing people in our community again – long time neighbors and extended family.

We were at a family party tonight and I was thinking how instead of just chatting now, we have deepened so many of our relationships and we are becoming closer to our people.

It’s important. My relationships and my people are the most important thing in my life – and I’m so glad we have this tribe here.

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Happy girls

Being a teenage girl isn’t for the faint of heart. I think my grade 7-9 years were the most difficult of all my school years. It seems girls at that age when they turn on each other use emotional warfare that can be scarring for life.

But it is also a time when some of your best friends can be found. My girl is still seeking her tribe and adding to it as she can.

She had a friend over today who I think could be a member of her girl tribe. Those friendships are important. My girlfriends (including my sister and cousins) have carried me through all the ups and downs in my life.

It brought my heart great joy to listen to those girls giggle and share secrets. It’s happiness.

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