My Happy Heart

There is a place right next door to Griffin's school, where the sun casts weird triangular-shaped shadows through the trees in the morning. I am always cursing myself for not bringing my camera with me, because I literally notice it everyday.

Well, today is Thursday, and I always get a little bit excited on Thursdays, because it's the last day of my week in photographs, and whatever it is that I take a picture of, will fill the final slot in my somewhat-of-a-collage for the week.

So, I grabbed my camera on the way out the door today, finally, and I'm so glad that I did! I love it, but I think the shadows are almost secondary to the rest of the photo.

This 365 Project, although you're probably tired of me talking about it, has my heart skipping some days, and it's been a long time since I felt truly happy, and skippy in my heart, so I'm grateful. (warning - this is where I shamelessly (or shamefully) plug the rest of my progress, and ask you to go check out here.)

I think I might be liking this photography thing.

Another thing that's making my heart skip today, is Griffin's speech is really, really improving, and he is so much more engaged.

This morning he came in the girl's room with me, when I went to wake them up. I said, "Say good morning, sisters!" And he said, "No, sleep," pointed to the light, and said, "Sisters, night." We all laughed, well, because he was trying to be funny, which makes it feel like he's starting to join us. This is very hard to explain, but you really notice it when it's not there. So, verbally communicating is good, but actually engaging is fantastic!

What has your heart skipping today?

Quote of the day - A joyful heart is the inevitable result of a heart burning with love. - Mother Teresa

Goals

I saw this sign the other day, when Griffin and I went to the park. As soon as I noticed it, I said, "Hey! There it is right there on the sign, in a nutshell...my number one business goal and my number one personal goal." Perfect, somebody already wrote them down for me. That was easy. :)

Quote of the day - Only as high as I reach can I grow, only as far as I seek can I go, only as deep as I look can I see, only as much as I dream can I be. - Karen Ravn

Virtual Coffee

I'm so glad you came for coffee today. I've been thinking about you.

I hope you don't mind if I grab your hand, and drag you out to sit on the back porch with me. The changing leaves are at their peak right now, and the sun is shining. It's been absolutely beautiful here in Ohio the past few days, and I want to soak up as much sitting-outside-time as I can before winter comes.

You can sit in my rocking chair, and I'll cover your legs with one of my grandma's handmade quilts (where did they find time to do things like that back then?) in case you get chilly, and you can have whatever you want to drink that's warm and toasty; pumpkin spice latte, regular old coffee, or mocha like me. This is virtual after all, and I want you to feel cozy.

Did you have a nice weekend? I hope so. Mine was great. On Saturday, my neighbor took his two girls, and my two girls to a pumpkin patch, so Griffin and I got to go bum around the park together. I was a little camera-happy, but it was too gorgeous of a day not to be.

On Sunday, there was a lot of leaf piling, and leaf throwing, along with a lot of screaming, and laughing. I was forced to learn some new hand-clapping games, and I shared some of the ones that I could remember. Do you remember doing those? If you were really here, I'd show you one. We would probably spill our coffee from laughing so hard at ourselves trying to do this, but how fun would that be?

I wanted to make caramel apples this weekend, but it didn't happen. I bought eight Granny Smith apples, and two bags of caramel at the grocery store the other day...we have one apple left...no caramel...and no caramel apples. Oh well, I'm starting to think it's never going to happen, 'cause we had the exact same problem when I attempted this last year. I'll go get the apple, we can share it, and then I won't have to be reminded. :)

Oh, I almost forgot...I'm an aunt again! My brother and sister-in-law had a baby girl last week. My mom and I drove out to see them yesterday (they live in beautiful Amish country), and I have to tell you...I don't remember my babies being that small! But they were, smaller actually. She is adorable, of course, and my brother is a complete mother hen. The minute I walked in the door, he told me that I had to wash my hands. Haha! Why are we all so crazy with our first born?

I'm rambling...

Sometimes it nice to just sit, and make small talk about nothing in particular...to just be...light, and easy...to sit with a good friend under a handmade quilt, on a cool fall day, sipping some warm coffee...just talking, and listening to the birds.

Doesn't that sound great? We should really do this more often. :)

Thanks for coming. It was nice having you here today. Head on over to Amy's place, and see what some others are up too. I'm going!

Quote of the day - Let your life lightly dance on the edges of Time like dew on the tip of a leaf. - Rabindranath Tagore

At the Park - Just Me and My Boy

Quote of the day - You never know when you're making a memory. - Rickie Lee Jones

11 Things

My oldest girl turned eleven on Tuesday. I hate to sound cliche, but time really does fly. I remember, when she was four, her and I were standing in the kitchen...it was one of those moments when you look at your child, and your heart swells. You notice how wonderful and completely adorable they are, and you just want to gobble them up...I said to her in desperation, "Honey, please promise me that you'll stay this way forever," and my girl, who is big hearted, and reasonable, gave me a hug and said, "Aw Mom...but I just want to be five." Where did the time go? Slow down please.

Before another seven years goes whizzing by, and she just wants to be eighteen (and what kid doesn't) here are eleven things I want my girl to know...

1. Believe in yourself. You are a beautiful and wonderful person.
2. Don’t pay any attention to people who say mean things or try to put you down. Usually, it means they don’t feel very good about themselves on the inside. Give them your sympathy, but don’t give their words a second thought.
3. You can always talk to me about anything. I will always be here for you.
4. If you don’t want to talk me, talk to God. It helps, and he really is a better listener.
5. No one ever does anything perfectly the first time. It takes practice, practice. If you want it, don’t give up.
6. Dream big, and keep dreaming.
7. Never listen to your heart or your head. Listen to the pit of your stomach…it’s always right.
8. There are good days and bad days. If you’re having a bad day, it means a good one is right around the corner. If our days were always good, life would be really, really boring.
9. Everybody makes mistakes, but remember to learn something from them.
10. Be good to the people who are good to you, and forget about the rest.
11. And, never forget that I love you…forever for always and no matter what.

Happy Birthday, Baby! Love, Mom

Quote of the day - Coconuts are magical. (I asked Madison what she wanted her quote to be, and that's what she said...don't ask me...she's eleven.)