Smiling from the inside out

One of the reasons I wanted to start a blog was to focus on the "happy". Today, there wasn't anything particularly funny (I guess the balloons (15) floating up into a tree at kid's birthday party was funny"). However, I wanted to share something else that makes me smile from the inside out.

When I was attending USU 10+ years ago, a person once made the comment to me, "You look as if you have a secret."

I was so happy at this "juncture" of my life. I was having a blast with my roommates (sister and cousins), studying in a great program (communicative disorders), and loving the freedom and adventure of college/single life.

Today I read a religious talk given by a spiritual leader I respect, Richard G. Scott. He talked about faith. Here is the link to which I am referring: http://lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/the-transforming-power-of-faith-and-character?lang=eng.

The reason this talk made me smile inwardly is its focus on the concept of building character. I have often referred to embarrassing moments as "character-building experiences". But, this wasn't a talk about funny experiences that somehow make a person funnier.  Elder Scott opens his talk with this statement: ".. Faith can transform an individual's life from maudlin, common everyday activities to a symphony of joy and happiness."

Plenty of minutes and hours of life are spent doing things that are certainly not glorious or exciting or funny. But, these things that "must" be done can be done with a smile. I am certain of it.

I am going to focus my spiritual studies on another quote from his talk, if you have any thoughts on it, I'd love to hear them:  Quoting Hugh B. Brown, "...Man cannot live without faith, because in life's adventure the central problem is character-building -- which is not a product of logic, but of faith in ideals and sacrificial devotion to them".

"Mom, you wear that outfit every week"

I actually do have more than one outfit. In fact, I have categories of outfits: Mom clothes, Fun Clothes (date night, girls night), and Professional Clothes.

I was informed this morning, after turning down the almost daily question: "Mom, can I pick out your outfit today?" that the outfit I had chosen is the same one I wear every week to my daughter's social arena - 2 1/2 hours of kindergarten.

This is a small sampling of one random picking of Winter 2010

My husband and I fear the future with this girl, she is going to push every limit (yesterday in Costco she said, "Mom, that lady's shirt has a big part missing in the back" (I don't know the fashionable terms for such clothing, but the shirt was just a cotton shirt with a big diamond shaped cutout in the back). I acknowledged the shirt and the question and then asked my daughter, "Do you like that shirt?". She had a puzzled look in her face, trying to decide the correct answer. I can't remember what she said now, but maybe it was something like, "I think it shows a little skin Mom" (that is kind of how we have described modesty around here). I know she liked it. I know I am in for it with this one.

These Kids

Taken last summer at Deception Pass - makes me 'pine' for Summer

Today, my happiness comes from my kids. They made me smile repeatedly today, each in their own quirky ways. Usually, I pick them up from my oldest sons' class at church b/c my good friend teaches his class. So, all of my kids (and hers) congregate in her class and eat treats till I come and get them.

They came running into my class saying, "We had to get out of there, Luke smelled so bad (Luke is baby)." I love kids' honesty.

They played on the trampoline, all three of them, for quite some time and then we just did our normal Sunday stuff, but sometimes I just can't get enough hugs and kisses. I told them I am not ready for them to grow up.
Oldest:  love his exactness and obedience, he wants to obey exactly and wants to know how long he will be required to comply -- to send him to timeout without a time limit is like torture to him. It is very hard to get something by him, he pays such close attention to details and wants fairness for all.
Middle: my little fashionista, she is so tuned in to fashion and checks on me and my fashion sense often. Today I watched her happily skip down the sidewalk - wish I could freeze that in time. She came home and fastidiously worked on a story (front and back - just like books) about her daddy and me. I think she has the sweetest voice ever.
Babe: she is the most charming, most stubborn and loud child I have; yet today her charms were on and I couldn't stop smiling at her. When she is good, she is very good. She looked darling in her little pink dress and with a big smile on her face. The older kids had been playing copycat (terribly irritating to me) where they kept copying each other. After they stopped and we had switched gears, she shouted out to her sister, "Stop copying me" (she wasn't being copied - remember, the game had ended) to which sister replied, "I wasn't".  It strikes me as funny b/c my youngest just wants to be a part of everything and is dialed in to all things social.

"3"

3 kids
3 beds
3 nights

My "happiness" today derives from having a working washing machine as each of my children had his or her own special night to throw up, sometimes giving me the "treat" of letting me go back to sleep for 30 or 60 minutes before going with a Round 2.

This is actually from Halloween, but it all kind of molds together in memory doesn't it?

Let's see what this night brings, my kids are convinced I will be the one up in the middle of the night throwing up. I can assure you, if this is the case, the washing machine won't be needed because I CAN make it to a sink.

Signing off as,
The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly of Parenting

It's Magic!

March 11th 2011 -- my 11th anniversary! This is the "magic" anniversary (11 on 11). Doesn't this cake look divine? Believe me, it was. My friend made it -- chocolate cheesecake and it is better than anything you could purchase at the store.

We went out to dinner and passed by an hour-long foot massage place. My husband knew I would love it and led me right in. He left to relieve babysitter. My masseust (??) was Japanese and couldn't communicate with me. The foot massage turned into somewhat of a full body massage and between some of the "chopping motions" on my back, I was a little skeptical of making it out of there alive. Needless to say, my feet and heart were very happy.

It is fun to think back 11 years -- spring break at USU and then off to a carribean honeymoon. Super fun. I recently read a college kid's description of "love" and I thought, "how naive". However, I am sure I thought the same thing 11 years ago.

I'll end my post with a quote from Jane Austen on marriage that may (or may not) leave you with a smile:
        "Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance. If the dispositions of the parties are ever so well known to each other, or ever so similar beforehand, it does not advance their felicity in the least.  They always continue to grow sufficiently unlike afterwards to have their share of vexation; and it is better to know as little as possible of the defects of the person with whom you are to pass your life."

Playing School

This morning I volunteered in my kindergartener's classroom, this is notable because I am finding that teachers' schedules are so packed, they can't accommodate a lot of parent-in-the-classroom volunteer time. Sure, I could go in and make copies or color pictures, and maybe someday I will, but honestly I would rather not.

With that said, helping the little kids with their sounds and letters, in an actual classroom where they each have their own little wipe board and mini-erasers, was great fun for me. I always liked playing school as a little girl. In fact, at the end of each school year, I was so excited to go up to the school (across the street) and dig through the big dumpster to see if the teachers got rid of any fun books I could use.

The little kids are so endearing. At the end of my alotted 30 minutes, they all gave me a wave and said, "Thank you Mrs. M". Then, they all seem to shyly smile and wave for the next few minutes as they file out the door.

Now that I am a grown-up, I actually have some school-working experience, but it isn't the same as being in a large classroom like I was in today. My final parting words on this "happy" experience is to please, please read to your child. If you ever want or need a reference with great books to read to children of all ages, check out, "Read Aloud Handbook" by Jim Trelease.