Tag Archives: love

happiness

Puzzle Peace

I had a gentle reminder tonight that I need to be paying better attention to the answers that I’m getting to my prayers. Last year as Dad was dying  I finally understood that prayers were answered in a good way but not always in the way I wanted them to be. This seems to be a lesson I will need to learn a few times before it sticks.  

I have prayed over and over for peace in certain areas of my life. There has been powerful movement and change towards that peace, but there are still a few ties lingering that hold me back from fully letting go. I was talking with him tonight about peace and what I want and what I need to let go of to have that happen (I love that we have these kinds of conversations. I have wanted someone to talk like this with my whole life). 

As I was driving home I went over our conversation in my mind and felt a wave of peace come to me as part of my healing puzzle fell into place. I had been looking for a certain way to measure my strength, healing, and growth. I had a specific objective I wanted in order to gauge my success. I realized that in fact God has already shown me exactly what my strength is, He’s helped me heal, and I know just how much I’ve grown. So the fact that my measurable objective wasn’t there does not take away from the fact that what I was looking for has been with me all along. 

I think one of my favourite things about conversations with him is that he can look at all of my feelings and then put them into thoughts. It amazes me how he can open his mouth and say to me the words I have been unable to find that describe exactly how I’m feeling. 

Standard
happiness

The lawn and the couch 

A double happiness moment on a day that seems to have spilled into the next one. 

Jacob and I attacked the yard a bit this afternoon. It was so dry nothing was growing and then suddenly it rained and everything went out of control. I am making headway on the weeds and our beautiful yard is looking loved again. I have so much gratitude for this old house that has provided so much security and comfort for us it’s nice to love it back where we can. 

I spent the evening at his house watching reruns of Friends and talking and laughing. I am so thankful he walked into my life. 

Standard
happiness

Wedding at the ranch 

This year has been one of new beginnings and embracing adventure. 
We spent the day at a family wedding. I love reasons for the clan to get together, but it’s especially lovely to have such a joyous occasion to share the day with. 
It was a beautiful wedding outside at their ranch. We visited with family, snuck to the creek for a bit, and enjoyed watching the happy couple. 
I love love and it makes me so happy to see a couple starting off a life together. A great happiness moment.

Standard
happiness

Canada Day 2016

I love celebrating  Canada’s birthday and this is the third one in a row we have been home for. That also made it the third year in a row we went to the Canada Day parade in Canmore, which means it is officially a tradition now. 

The highway was insane, but totally worth it once we got there. My sister kindly saved us seats and we had the best spot we’ve thus far – although  it did make us prime targets for the water guns being sprayed on the route  (fortunately it was super hot and they were most welcome). 

How very Canadian 


After the parade we went to the creek and relaxed and enjoyed some family time. This is without a doubt my favorite thing to do. It nourishes my soul to be at that spot. It was the perfect way to finish celebrating the birthday of the country I love so much. 

A day filled with happiness moments. We are blessed. 

Standard
happiness

The good kind of scared 

I took Jenna and her friend to Spruce Meadows today. It was a perfect day to go – before the big tournament starts so it still had the feel of a horse show instead of being a big spectator event. Those are fun too, but today I just needed a good fix of horses and their riders. 

I love watching the amatures, the only thing better is watching the kids on their ponies. It’s a totally different sport than what goes on in the International Ring. The girls really got into it too. They figured out how many faults you got for what and paid attention to how the horses were getting around the course. It was really cool to listen to them be so excited about something that has brought me so much joy. 

I realized while watching the jumpers that I miss the good kind of scared. Where something gives me butterflies, but I’m excited, and that little thrill of fear is a good thing. I spent so many years where the only kind of scared I felt was a really bad kind that I forgot there’s another kind. The one you feel when you put your trust in another living creature and take a huge leap of faith. I know the only reason I ever managed to get around a course was because of the trust based relationship I had with my horses. My human relationships now are much like that as well. I’m only walking this path with people I trust and love. 

A beautiful happiness moment at one of my favourite places on Earth followed by a family supper at his house. It was good. 

Standard
happiness

After the storm 

I drove through an intense rain/hail storm this afternoon on my way into Cochrane. For a while I couldn’t even see the wipers on the other side of the windshield. Fortunately I got to my destination safely (albeit a little late) and picked up some girls eager to start their summer vacation. 

Jenna is having an end of the year sleepover with 3 of her girlfriends. I am so happy for her that she has finally reached that point in being settled here that she has begun the  formation of her own tribe. 

On the way home we drove through the hay valley and pulled over to see how much damage there was from the hail. It was like driving in the winter there was so much ice on the ground. 

The girls got out of the car and had an impromptu hail fight on the side of the road. Watching them enjoy themselves in a moment of spontaneous joy was my happiness moment for the day. 

Standard
happiness

Mama Mia 

I watched Mama Mia this morning. There’s nothing like people singing abba like fools to put a smile on my face. 

The whole day was a nice, quiet, family kind of day. A lot of nothing which in reality is really something. It’s all those little moments of quiet and regular life that are what it’s all about. We are all tired and really needed some time to just recharge a little bit 

We had supper at his place tonight. As we left Jacob said I like him, don’t screw this up mom. I won’t like the next one as much. Watching new relationships form and bonds be made was my happiness moment. 

Also the sunset on the way home. I love Alberta. 

 

Standard
happiness

The start of party season

This is my favourite time of the year. The weather is (supposed to be) nice and it’s the start of party season. It seems like from now until near the end of July we go non stop. Between weddings, family parties, and the stampede we will be busy for a while. 

Tonight was the annual Canada Day, 4th of July party. I love this family event. Even though it rained we played all the games, listened to the music, and visited with friends and family. An evening of happiness. 

This guy was in the bathroom at the lodge. 

Standard
happiness

Walk your talk 

On the way through town tonight the kids and I saw a bumper sticker that said the best sermons are lived not preached. 

Those words really hit home today as most of it was spent thinking about integrity and living my faith by my actions not my words. I dispise when people preach at me how I should live,  but their own actions say something completely different. I spent a lot of years living with the ache in my gut and in my heart that comes from that kind of imbalance. I’m certainly not there yet, but I strive to have my actions and my beliefs be one and the same. Fortunately I am now surrounding myself with people who help guide me to this instead of tear me apart from it. 

My happiness moment was a peaceful evening at a dear friend’s home with my monsters. There’s a lot of joy found in a comfortable moment. 

As a bonus we had a beautiful sunset to watch on the way home. In case I haven’t mentioned it – I love where I live. 

Standard