The Things We Do For Love

Did you watch the Royal Wedding yesterday? I did. I didn't mean to, but I did. I came in at the tail end just as they were leaving Westminster Abbey and heading off to Buckingham Palace.

I got caught up in the energy of the crowd, the history of the whole thing, and learning about Kate's humble beginnings. I love that her parents went from airline employees to self made millionaires, by starting their own party supply business. Their good fortune made it possible for them to send their kids to the finest schools. I can't imagine they thought in their wildest dreams, that that would lead to their daughter becoming the future Queen of England.

I kept thinking to myself, as I watched the newly married couple ride happily through streets packed with bajillions of people, "Wow, she must really love him." I mean, he has no choice...he was born into the Royal Family, but if you weren't, why would you want to be a bug under that big of a microscope? Why would you change your name to Catherine, if you had always been called Kate? Why would you agree to go out on a balcony and wave to people in cherry pickers, when all you want to do is sit down and take your fancy shoes off?

Ah, the things we do for love...

The other night, I had an appointment with Macy, my manicurist. When I arrived, she said, "Pick ten colors." After my nails had been painted every shade of wonderful, I got my hair and makeup done as well. How silly of me not to realize it was a full service salon!  :)  As an added bonus, Griffin came around to each of us and put a paper towel on our heads...

As I sat there, with my colorful nails, my fancy ponytail hairdo, and my paper towel hat; my cheeks and forehead painted with lip gloss...I wondered if there wasn't anything I wouldn't do for my kids.

I'm not setting my thoughts so lofty as to think that one of my girls could someday be Queen of England...but I hope that, one day, I can make enough of myself to provide a decent life for my kids.  I think Kate Middleton and her parents just reinforced for me that in life, and in love anything is possible.

...and, speaking of love...I came home yesterday to find a package waiting for me at my door. After reading the post I wrote on Earth Day, my amazing friend, Michelle, ordered me the super cool, reusable grocery bags I mentioned. I'm a lucky girl. I love the bags, and I love her too!

Quiet Time

I'm not very good at being quiet. Have I told you this before? I feel like I have.

Peace, quiet, stillness, rest...these words are not part of my everyday, but I wish they were. I want them to be. Part of it has to do with what is currently on my plate, but part of it is just my nature.

I am usually like a busy bee; buzzing around here all day long. When I do sit down, I am most likely thinking about what it is I should be doing. There is always something to do, isn't there?

Most of the time I am motivated by guilt, because there is never quite enough of me to go around. I see the parts of my world that need fixing or need attention, and it overwhelms me, so I usually start with what is right in front of me...but I never get to the things looming on the outside. Which is why "sitting" = "guilt" (and "frustration", too).

I know that the right answer isn't to fix what's in front of me first. I know that the answer is to fix what's inside of me first. I know this because the Eagles told me so (these Eagles, not these Eagles). I need to learn to be still. I've been listening to this song a lot recently; hoping to absorb it.

Here are the lyrics...

"Learn To Be Still"

It's just another day in paradise, As you stumble to your bed. You'd give anything to silence, Those voices ringing in your head. You thought you could find happiness, Just over that green hill. You thought you would be satisfied, But you never will...Learn to be still. We are like sheep without a shepherd. We don't know how to be alone. So we wander 'round this desert, And wind up following the wrong gods home. But the flock cries out for another, And they keep answering that bell. And one more starry-eyed messiah, Meets a violent farewell...Learn to be still. Learn to be still. Now the flowers in your garden, They don't smell so sweet. Maybe you've forgotten, The heaven lying at your feet. There are so many contradictions, In all these messages we send (We keep asking)- How do I get out of here? Where do I fit in? Though the world is torn and shaken, Even if your heart is breakin', It's waiting for you to awaken, And someday you will...Learn to be still...Learn to be still. You just keep on runnin'... Keep on runnin'.

Everyday, I am looking for answers...specifically to the questions, "How do I get out of here? and where do I fit in?"...

I know the wisdom of being silent. I know that the answers lie within me...they're lying right at my feet. I just need to be quiet enough so that I can hear them. It doesn't seem like it should be that hard, but it is.

"You can hear the footsteps of God when silence reigns in the mind."- Sri Sathya Sai Baba

I found this quote today, and I was thinking when I read it, with a name like Sri Sathya Sai Baba...it has to be good, so I Googled him. He died on Easter and was buried yesterday. I don't really know who he was, or what he believed in, but I wanted to pay him homage because his words touched my life today.

So...quiet time...I need to work on that...

Easter Memories

I asked Macy last night, as we sat on the couch together after a long day of fun and family, if she had had a nice Easter.

She said, "Yes."

"What was your favorite part?" I asked.

"Finding my stuff."

Not the eggs themselves, or the baskets, or the gifts. The fun was in the finding.

Just another example of...it's the journey not the destination.

When my girls were younger, I used to love to dress them in cute little dresses and cute little hats at Easter time...(sigh)...but those days are long gone. Macy still might go for it, but Madison, not-so-much. I'm sure it's a tween thing.

(Memories, like the corners of my mind...)

I'm noticing more changes this year too. When it was time to color the eggs, the girls did it all. They covered the table, put the tablets, vinegar, and water into the cups, etc...They did it ALL by themselves. It felt kind of bitter-sweet to watch them not need me...er...until it was time to clean up.  :)

(...misty water-colored memories...)

Griffin is wearing Madison's hat in these photos. He's claimed it as his own and he wears it all the time. Just for today, let's pretend like it's his Easter bonnet, okay?  Thanks.

Holidays are huge sign posts on this wonderful journey through life, and my favorite part is "finding my  stuff" too...finding joy in the past, and finding peace and gratitude in today.

So, just so I don't forget, these are the things I want to remember this Easter...

-seeing my girls (8 & 11) still too excited to sleep in anticipation of the Easter bunny (I know this won't last much longer)

-blueberry pancakes

-the squirt gun fight

-my boy in his "bonnet"

-and, as always, spending time with family...

How about you?  Did you have a nice Easter?  Did you make any special memories?

Earth Day

"Humankind has not woven the web of life.  We are but one thread within it.  Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.  All things are bound together.  All things connect. "- Chief Seattle

I don't advocate this topic nearly as much as I'd like to, but I can do my part in tiny ways...like by sharing these really cool reusable grocery bags by Envirosax...

I don't have a set yet myself, but this is definitely going on my wish list. I have reusable grocery bags, but I'm always forgetting to take them to the store with me (along with the coupons, doh!). This has five bags in one handy little pouch that you can just throw into your purse. Love it!

Every little thing matters.

Happy Earth Day, Y'all!

What Doing?

I love when Griffin asks me, "What doing, Mama?" There was a time, just a little over a year ago, when I would look at him and say, "When are you going to talk to me, bud?"

There was a time when I couldn't wait for him to put two words together...now he does. Now he says a lot, and he is so much more engaging.  The other day he asked me for a poptart, but he didn't stop there.  He went on to tell me a story, "Once upon a time poptart...one day poptart...I love poptart."

He's my boy.

So, what am I doing? Well, for starters I am loving this song right now...

And, I'm going to make time to read this here book, even if it kills me. I know, I know, it's old news. You know you're behind the times when your reading a book that they've already made into a movie. Have you read it (or seen the movie)? I've heard conflicting reviews, but I'm going to give it a try. I have lots of other books waiting for my attention, but this one seemed like it might be sort of light, and kind of an escape. Perfect.

I'm trying to take it easy and be kinder to the parts of myself that aren't feeling so strong right now. That's one of the things that I learned in Soul Restoration. We all have a weak side and a strong side, and we need both sides to make us whole. I wasn't too keen on embracing my weak self at first. I think my initial reaction was...hell no!  I've spent too much time and effort stuffing that baby...but, it makes sense.  We should nurture ourselves like we nurture our children.

I noticed today on facebook that Melody Ross, one of the creators of Brave Girls Club, was featured on this site.  Melody and seven other inspiring entrepreneurs where asked the question, "What is one of the major internal blocks that you face (or used to face) as you launch new projects, and how did/do you overcome it?"

Another one of the lessons in Soul Restoration is, "She Did it Anyway". Which means pushing past all of your real or perceived obstacles and just living the life you want to live anyway. It means making all of your big dreams come true.

Are you committed to making your dreams come true? If your obstacles are big or many, how do you work around them so that you don't stay stuck?