Here's to Happiness

Showing posts with label Here's to Happiness. Show all posts

Seven Things That Made Me Happy This Weekend

12.08.2014

^^This picture makes me happy! So what if my tree is a little big and over the top? It's my dream come true tree. I'm determined to soak in this truly special time with two innocent (and excited!) little boys under our roof this season. They make it so easy to feel that special Christmas spirit. ^^

In the spirit of counting my blessings and accentuating the positive this season, seven things that made me happy this weekend were:

1. The way Levi gallops sideways across the house. He says he's skateboarding.

2. Taking advantage of this unseasonably warm weather to play at the park on Friday afternoon with both my little boys! Is it December or is it April? I'm loving this sunshine.

3. I may be a little late getting on the chore train, but I'm learning that if my boys aren't doing something constructive, they're probably being destructive. I think it's partly the age and partly the change to colder weather. On Saturday afternoon, Jed and Levi helped me rake up the yard. (Bron fit in a bike ride! Yes, it was that nice.) The yard certainly doesn't look amazing, but it's sure better than when we started. Plus, Jed feels a sense of pride and accomplishment and I absolutely love that! Here's to instilling a little work ethic into my sons.

4. Going out to dinner with all three of my handsome boys on Saturday evening. We hit up the Mongolian Grill--a little restaurant where we filled our bowls with all the vegetables, meat, and noodles we could muster, added some sauce, and watched a couple of men cook it up right in front of our eyes. Jed and Levi thought it was pretty neat. But the ice cream afterwards was even neater.

5. The excitement in Jed's voice as he proudly declared, "I did it, Mom! I did it, Dad!" Jed can pronounce the 's' sound but has a hard time using the sound within a word when he speaks. We were practicing words like Santa, Steam, and Smoke on our drive home from town... and he did it! Both Bron and I are so happy for him. I didn't realize until that moment that Jed is acutely aware that he cannot say those kinds of things with ease. We try not to make a big deal of it, but I think the help from the speech therapist in preschool is making him think about it. I'm so proud of our big little guy.

6. Sharing a delicious roast, vegetables, and chocolate fudge on Sunday evening with friends.

7. There's nothing quite like hearing a four year old exclaim, "That was awesome!" It was so cute. Jed was referring to the brightly lit festive neighborhood we visited out in Filer Saturday evening.

Cheers to the best season of the year!

and just for fun...

^^what my tree looks like on a 2.5 second exposure while I do a little dance. Ha!^^

5.10.2013

Just a few things not to be forgotten that put a smile on face this week...

:: Poser Jed. I took a picture of Bron in front of this same wall for his biography snippet at work. So of course Jed needed his picture done too! Jed's biography would be awfully short, but his picture is absolutely priceless. Based on his looks, I'd call him any day to be my dairy nutritionist.

:: Summer Arrived! The week swooped in with sunny days and temperatures soaring into the mid-70's. Bliss! We've spent every spare moment outside.

:: Lunch at the park two days in a row. These carefree days with my two little boys bring me so much happiness. Perhaps it's because I know they won't last forever. So while I push them on the swings and clamor down the tube slides, I cherish every laugh and every smile. Life in those moments is about as close to perfect as they will ever get.

:: At the park Jed promptly pulled his pants down and began watering the nearest tree. "I pee! I pee!" Jed exclaimed. "You peed? Good job!" I cheered. Suddenly I heard a man behind me chuckling. Slightly embarrassed, I turned and shrugged. "Sorry! Potty training." But I could tell from the man's reaction that I really had nothing to be embarrassed about: When you're a three year old boy, the whole world is your urinal. Awesome.

:: A long family walk one evening.

:: Newborn photos for my friend Amy's brand new baby boy. Congratulations!

:: Cheesecake. Mmmmm. Enough said.

:: This little guy "helping" me with the laundry. (He looks like he's playing a trick on me, doesn't he?) Levi is into everything these days and it is so dang cute watching him explore.

:: Snagging the best deal ever on an article of clothing, then going back to buy another as a surprise for my sister! Love shopping like that.

:: First evening at the pool for the summer. Our boys are part fish. Levi is fearless! He wore a smile all night. And Jed went down the slide over and over all by himself! I'm such a proud mama.

:: I was talking on the phone while buckling the boys into their car seats one afternoon. As I went to start the car I looked down and noticed my soda was gone. I turned around to see Jed guzzling away. He had swiped it while I was distracted. "Ahh! Give that back, " I laughed. "It has caffeine!" Jed knowingly giggled. Little stink.

:: Conquering five miles whilst pushing a double stroller. I'm a rockstar!

:: Letting Jed explore an historical outpost on the old Oregon Trail. His excitement for the crumbling log cabins and underground cellars reminded me of the times in my childhood when I visited historical World War II forts. Getting a peek into history felt like an exciting honor. It was fun to relive those feelings through Jed and teach him all about what he was seeing for the first time.

:: Reading a book while getting your bum wiped. Can life possibly get any better?! Nope. It cannot. I love this squishy baby of mine!

Have a wonderful Mother's Day weekend!!!

3.07.2013

EVEN THOUGH...

:: Bron is gone to a conference and left me to be a single mom all week

:: My phone died because I left the charger in the bag Bron took to Reno

:: The boys have nasty coughs, stuffy noses, and fevers

:: We are out of tissues and up to our eyeballs in snot

:: I'm sleep deprived because my babies need me in the middle of the night
:: I accidentally left the oven on with the door ajar and made the fire alarms sound (see above statement)

:: I didn't shower today, didn't wear makeup, and threw my hair up into a bun

I AM GENUINELY HAPPY
Not dance and sing from the rooftops happy, but content happy

(Tell me, when did I become okay with these kind of things? It's crazy!)

HAPPINESS IS...

:: Making silly faces and taking pictures

:: Reading stories, fun finger-plays, and playing on the floor

:: Steamy midnight showers holding my baby close--skin to skin--in hopes of clearing his little nose

:: Going for a walk and feeling the sun on my face

:: Pancakes for dinner with real maple syrup

:: Smiles and hugs

I would do anything for these boys of mine--all three of them. I love them to my very core.

As long as there's some sunshine and my boys, it's a good day.
Get better soooon, Jed and Levi!
(And pray your mama doesn't get whatever it is that's keeping us all up at night.)

10.12.2012

Things that put a smile on my face this week:

Watching Levi sleep peacefully in my arms. I never want to put him down!

Beautiful warm and sunny Autumn days

Playing at the park with my boys

Admiring Levi's new roly poly thighs and little feet in the tub. I could eat those tiny toes. They're so cute!
Watching Jed carefully fold his arms, bow his head, and close his eyes for prayer

Apples + Caramel

Turning around to see Jed dragging a cat UPSIDE-DOWN into the house. He took it straight to his room. I couldn't quit laughing! (Because... we don't own a cat.)

Squinty smiles and happy coos from Levi

Seeing the reactions on Jed's face as we read stories together

SLEEP!!! (Levi isn't consistent yet, but he can sleep all. night. long.)

Organizing and de-cluttering the laundry room. It is CLEAN! And it feels so good.

Running for miles! I go with two kids in a stroller at 10am four days a week. Anyone want to join me?

Watching Levi's reaction to his mobile. He could watch his bugs all day. I just wish I could insert his sound effects.

Other Happiness posts found HERE

5.21.2012

What put a smile on my face this past week:

Jed copying his dad.

Bron likes to relax with his hands behind his head. Jed does too.

:: An evening with my friend, Kristen, and her baby girl. We chatted and ate and planned to do some really cool projects together. Fun!

:: Dancing to the radio with Jed. Jed smiled and laughed and put his head on my shoulder. Precious moments.

:: How Jed sounds like he was born in London. "'Elloo," he says over and over.

:: Jed's run. Now that he's out of a cast, Jed's leg is healing up well. Jed runs everywhere! And he runs with a little hop in his step. Love it.

:: Hot meat from the grill and summer salads. I love summer food.

:: Sunshine and warm weather.

:: Me: "Jed, what does Mom say?"

Jed: "'Elloo!"

:: Meeting friends (old and new) around a fire ring at the park and roasting giant marshmallows and starbursts.

:: How all the kids in the neighborhood ride around on bikes and golf carts. Sweet.

:: Playing with Jed at the park. He's fearless on the giant slides, but gets nervous when I push him too high on the swing. That's when he sat in my lap and we happily swung together.

:: Bron bought me a brand new pan that doesn't stick and sits flat on my stove top. Hallelujah!

:: Finally put up the window treatments in Jed's room. They look great!

:: The look on Jed's face as I handed him an ice cream cone.

:: A much needed late night conversation with my hubby.

:: Friends who came over and made us a delicious authentic Italian meal followed by a rousing game of Settlers.

:: Me: "Jed, do you want to be potty trained?"
Jed: "Oooo! Oooo!" (train sound)
Oh, the simple mind! Haha I don't think we'll be attempting potty training any time soon.

Drinking out of the hose. Notice how Jed is drenching himself at the same time!

*****

As great as this past week was, it was also a looong week. You know that old adage, "You can either have nice things or children, not both?" Well, apparently it applies to dogs as well.

Tyke is technically still a puppy. He likes to chew and dig and make messes. Sometimes I want to throttle that dog! He dug up all of my tulip bulbs, ate all of my roses, destroyed my drip system, and chewed through the wires that run our sprinkler system. Needless to say, the dog has been banned from my courtyard. Luckily, no permanent damage has been done and Bron is a stud for fixing what can be fixed.

Also, the terrible-two's have hit us with hurricane force. Jed has suddenly decided that whining is his primary form of communication. He also chooses to ignore us when we tell him, "No" or "Stop." His disobedience has caused him lots of time with his nose on the wall or time-outs in his room. These new behaviors make parenting lots of work! (I know our own parents are snickering right now.) This summer's goals? Working on COMMUNICATION and LISTENING. It's going to take lots of time and consistency and most of all, patience. A part of me thinks that no matter how much effort I put into helping and training my child, these behaviors are just something that he'll grow out of. Am I right? I don't know, but I have to do something to maintain my sanity! Maybe the dog will outgrow his chewing habits too?

It's a good thing that Jed is still so innocent and cute. I'll love him till the world ends. As for the dog? Well, he's procured his station here because he is uncommonly good with Jed. He takes anything that little boy can dish out. They're buddies. And... I guess I kind of like the dog too.

Running with trucks!

11.12.2011

What made me happy this week:

Peaking in on Jed to see him lounging like a teenager against some pillows while watching an episode of Baby Einstein. Then I laid down beside him; we looked at each other and laughed. It was like we were sharing funny secrets or something.

My mom and brothers came out to help me unpack! The boys entertained Jed and my mom organized my closets. Then we went to town and ate dinner at Five Guys. Thank you! It turned a bad morning into a good day.

Chasing Jed across the house and listening to him giggle. I love watching his little toddler legs do their funny run.

Bron fixed my washing machine! What a handyman. It now spins as smooth as silk.

Finding dollar bills in my new washing machine. I got paid!

The way the sun warms up my living room in the afternoons.

Stumbling upon the cutest and trendiest fabric shop right here in little Kimberly. (Can you say money pit?)

Finally opening a jar of maple cream from New York. It tastes delicious!

Bron sanded the kitchen cabinet down an eighth of an inch to make my fridge fit. So nice!

Holding Jed and reading stories for an hour.

Baking chocolate chip cookies. A house isn't a home until one has baked in it. And it's no wonder Jed enjoys helping me bake; he ate gobs of cookie dough!

Cuddling with Bron on our new couch. We love talking late at night.

Laughing so hard we cried at the dinner table. Jed is such a ham! Words cannot express how much I love that boy!

Moving into our new home and looking forward to spending our first Christmas here.

Bron dusted off his chef skills this weekend. He is the most practical person I know, but when it comes to food, it doesn't matter the price. Bron recreated a sandwich he ate on his trip to New Orleans. It's called a Muffaletta. The spread is made from all kinds of pickled things, like green olives and capers. I'll admit, I was skeptical, but it tasted awesome!

What made you happy this week?

10.10.2011

Can you believe this is Jed just last fall?
This picture makes me happy!

What made me happy this weekend:

Cuddling with Jed as he guzzled his sippy of milk first thing in the morning.
Going out to dinner with my boys.
Seeing the look on Jed's face as he watched a man twist a balloon into a little red dog. So cool.
Relief Society Super Saturday. I made this amazing frame with an amazing picture of the Twin Falls Temple to go in it. I also made a super cute "Trick-or-Treat" craft that I am so proud of.
Apples + Caramel + Friends = A Good Evening
Reading stories to Jed and smelling that baby shampoo leftover in his hair.
Baking pumpkin muffins on Sunday morning.
A Sunday afternoon nap.
Bron fixing the flat tires to my two favorite toys: the jogging stroller and my bike.
Dressing up in my fancy black and performing with the local symphony. We played a piano concerto with this seriously remarkable pianist.

Bonus:

Staying up and talking with my hubby.

This is not an original idea, a happy list. I stole the idea from a friend who first saw it HERE, and I'm sure this girl was inspired by something else herself. Anyhow, I think it's great and want to incorporate some happy lists into this blog in my own way. Here's to finding happiness in the little things!

Nelson Notes

SLIDER

Seven Things That Made Me Happy This Weekend

12.08.2014

Happy Moments This Week

5.10.2013

We Be Happy Sickies

3.07.2013