I know. I have totally neglected this blog as I went off and made my own happiness. I apologize. I'll try to be better.
Today was a really crappy day from the beginning. From BEFORE the beginning. Up with Little Man for hours during the night and then both of us waking up with a cold. No fun to start out what you know will be a very long day with a sick, grouchy boy, especially when you too are sick and grouchy.
Well, after a tough morning, I was about to quit. Did not want to do this mother thing for the rest of the day. I tried to take a nap when the Squirt did but just couldn't. I'm not good at falling asleep when I am unhappy. So an hour later we were both up again and I put on my brave face and we left for a walk.
And my wonderful neighbors walked out just as I did with their adorable little girl just months older than Nathan. We were soon joined by another apartment friend and her 2 cute girls and we wandered the complex for an hour in the gorgeous weather. Just when we were going to turn in, our other good friend dropped by with her 2 little boys and we played outside for another hour.
It seriously saved us. We went from crazy grumpy to energetic and smiling.
I love to smile.
And friends make smiling all that much easier.
Thanks friends.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Making memories
One of my happiest things to do is look through old photos and reminisce about the happy times I have had. The trick is, you can't be SAD because those times are over, just happy because you HAD those times and be grateful for them. I have been blessed with LOTS of happy memories. Each year gets better and better, but each year has been AWESOME.
This weekend, we worked hard to make some new memories for Nathan. One of those things that we have started doing is biking together as a family. Over the last couple of months, we have purchased 2 bikes and an infant seat. We all load up and take off! This weekend we went to a beautiful park just ten minutes from our home. There are miles and miles of bike trails. There also is an amazing playground. Memories GALORE!
Go make some awesome memories. And smile about them : )
This weekend, we worked hard to make some new memories for Nathan. One of those things that we have started doing is biking together as a family. Over the last couple of months, we have purchased 2 bikes and an infant seat. We all load up and take off! This weekend we went to a beautiful park just ten minutes from our home. There are miles and miles of bike trails. There also is an amazing playground. Memories GALORE!
Go make some awesome memories. And smile about them : )
Monday, October 8, 2012
Toxic
"Resentment is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die." -- Carrie Fisher
On Saturday, my church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, had their semi-annual General Conference, where we get to hear from all of our prophets, apostles, and other leaders of the Church. It was MARVELOUS!!! There were 5 two-hours sessions over Saturday and Sunday. At the first session on Saturday morning, our prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, stood up to make some announcements. One of those things announced was that the age for missionaries going out would be lowered to 18 for males and 19 for females (previously it was 19 for males, 21 for females). Everyone was so shocked, including myself! I mean, it makes a lot of sense, and I think those boys and girls that are spiritually mature to go out early will be a tremendous help to the mission work.
Well, when the change was announced, I cried. Not because I was excited, but because I was jealous! One of the rules in the Church states that the daughters of Mission Presidents can leave on their missions when they are 19, instead of 21. For YEARS during high school and early college, I prayed that my parents would be called as mission presidents so I could leave on my mission early. No luck. And then, when my application was complete and I was almost 21 years old, I was prompted by the Holy Ghost not to go, but to marry Dave instead. So I did! No mission.
So, when President Monson made 19 the new line for sister missionaries I was green with envy. "Not fair!" I thought. "I prayed for this for years and it came too late! Do these young ladies now how LUCKY they are?" Yep, horribly selfish thing to think (I am a very selfish person. I try not to be, but sometimes that weakness shows a little stronger than I'd want it to...). And then, THEN, I remembered that if I had left on my mission at 19 years of age, I never would have moved to that one apartment building for my sophmore year with all my freshman year roommates. Therefore, I never would have met the funny, handsome, and frankly awesome red-hed guy that had just moved in too. And I wouldn't have married him.
Or had this adorable carrot-top dirt eater.
The Lord was answering my prayers all along, just He knew that the RIGHT answer for ME was to say NO. And I am so grateful. My life is beautiful.
On Saturday, my church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, had their semi-annual General Conference, where we get to hear from all of our prophets, apostles, and other leaders of the Church. It was MARVELOUS!!! There were 5 two-hours sessions over Saturday and Sunday. At the first session on Saturday morning, our prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, stood up to make some announcements. One of those things announced was that the age for missionaries going out would be lowered to 18 for males and 19 for females (previously it was 19 for males, 21 for females). Everyone was so shocked, including myself! I mean, it makes a lot of sense, and I think those boys and girls that are spiritually mature to go out early will be a tremendous help to the mission work.
Well, when the change was announced, I cried. Not because I was excited, but because I was jealous! One of the rules in the Church states that the daughters of Mission Presidents can leave on their missions when they are 19, instead of 21. For YEARS during high school and early college, I prayed that my parents would be called as mission presidents so I could leave on my mission early. No luck. And then, when my application was complete and I was almost 21 years old, I was prompted by the Holy Ghost not to go, but to marry Dave instead. So I did! No mission.
So, when President Monson made 19 the new line for sister missionaries I was green with envy. "Not fair!" I thought. "I prayed for this for years and it came too late! Do these young ladies now how LUCKY they are?" Yep, horribly selfish thing to think (I am a very selfish person. I try not to be, but sometimes that weakness shows a little stronger than I'd want it to...). And then, THEN, I remembered that if I had left on my mission at 19 years of age, I never would have moved to that one apartment building for my sophmore year with all my freshman year roommates. Therefore, I never would have met the funny, handsome, and frankly awesome red-hed guy that had just moved in too. And I wouldn't have married him.
Or had this adorable carrot-top dirt eater.
The Lord was answering my prayers all along, just He knew that the RIGHT answer for ME was to say NO. And I am so grateful. My life is beautiful.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Here's a Splash of Sunshine!
I don't remember too many things clearly about my years in primary and secondray schools growing up. I remember teachers, friends, some big assignments, but not too much about the day to day stuff. Most of the stuff I DO remember all happened in science class (makes sense if you know me. I am a HUGE science lover.) like learning about the eye, or all the bones in the body, how an airplane flies, and what happens to your hand when it gets bitten by a Brown Recluse spider (yuck).
One of my strongest memories from school, though, was a day where we had a substitute. She put on a video about the Amazing Human Body. In that show, it was teaching us about the ear and showed us a clip of a young woman getting a cochlear implant and hearing for the first time. They played a little segment of Mozart. The woman was SO happy. She was crying. It was the most amazing thing I had ever seen. What an awesome thing to be able to bring such joy to a person. I realized just how BLESSED I was to have my hearing.
I heard today that my good friend from high school's daughter is finally going to get a cochlear implant. She is 2 years old and adorably mischievous. I am SO excited for them. It is my happy thought.
There are tons of videos nowadays floating around on youtube about cochlear implants. Every single one makes me cry. Here are some of my favorites though. I couldn't choose just one. See if they don't make you smile and be a little more grateful for the gift God gave you; sound, and the ability to hear it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDD7Ohs5tAk (little baby)
Oh my goodness. SO SWEET! I cried all over again. The BEST.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Break in the Clouds
On Saturday it rained all day. As you know, those of you who have been following my posts over the last month, I LOVE the rain, to go play in it and watch it wash all the filth away. We spent the morning outside again, splashing in puddles.
Once Nathan had enough of the rain, my husband told me to go for a run. He knows how I REALLY want to get back in shape, it's just tough with a little kid who is so active. Dave essentially shoved me out the door, saying he had it under control. Bless him.
It was a marvelous run. It was so much easier to run for a long period of time because the misty rain kept me cool. I just ran till my legs started to give me the heads up that the next day they'd be sore. It felt awesome!
We will be moving who knows where when The Hubs graduates next spring. We've been looking at the Pacific NW and I've worried that maybe it would be TOO wet there for me. Saturday's run was a conformation to me that I'd be happy there.
ESPECIALLY if I got to buy some freakin' sweet galoshes : )
Once Nathan had enough of the rain, my husband told me to go for a run. He knows how I REALLY want to get back in shape, it's just tough with a little kid who is so active. Dave essentially shoved me out the door, saying he had it under control. Bless him.
It was a marvelous run. It was so much easier to run for a long period of time because the misty rain kept me cool. I just ran till my legs started to give me the heads up that the next day they'd be sore. It felt awesome!
We will be moving who knows where when The Hubs graduates next spring. We've been looking at the Pacific NW and I've worried that maybe it would be TOO wet there for me. Saturday's run was a conformation to me that I'd be happy there.
ESPECIALLY if I got to buy some freakin' sweet galoshes : )
The Tacky Galoshes Girl : ) a.k.a. my friend Melissa Condie. I WANT THESE! : )
And don't get me started on all the adorable choices for little boys!
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Oops!
Part of being happy, I think, is learning to laugh at yourself. Luckily, there are AMPLE reasons for me to laugh at my self, so I'll be getting lots of practice and hopefully be extremely happy!
Here is an example:
A few months ago I decided to try to be thrifty and purchase a large box of baby boy clothes off craigslist. To pick up the box, I had to drive to a shady area of Arlington. I met with the lady, a friendly African American, took a quick peek inside the box to make sure it really was full of clothes, and high tailed it out of there. When I got home and unpacked it, I discovered a lot of really awesome clothes in really good condition, but frankly, they were all outfits that would look adorable on a little black boy, but extremely out of place on my white as milk, curly red-headed boy! You know, things like FUBU and Rocawear. All really good looking clothes, but all my black friends and neighbors would just shake their heads and laugh at me and my wannabe gansta son : )
Well, I kept some of the clothes anyways. They were just too nice. I always laugh when I put Nathan in them ; ) One of them in the pile was a high quality onesie with the letters RUN DMC on it. Since we live here in Dallas, I figured it was some logo for Dallas Marathon Company or something. That was, until my walking buddy saw it one morning and started laughing, amazed that Nathan would be sporting a onesie about a legendary and groundbreaking hip hop group from the 80's. I had NO idea. Wanna hear one of their songs?
Yep, that's who Nathan has been promoting on his belly for a couple months. My son, the rapper. Now all his jabber makes a little more sense.
Isn't life awesome?
Here is an example:
A few months ago I decided to try to be thrifty and purchase a large box of baby boy clothes off craigslist. To pick up the box, I had to drive to a shady area of Arlington. I met with the lady, a friendly African American, took a quick peek inside the box to make sure it really was full of clothes, and high tailed it out of there. When I got home and unpacked it, I discovered a lot of really awesome clothes in really good condition, but frankly, they were all outfits that would look adorable on a little black boy, but extremely out of place on my white as milk, curly red-headed boy! You know, things like FUBU and Rocawear. All really good looking clothes, but all my black friends and neighbors would just shake their heads and laugh at me and my wannabe gansta son : )
Well, I kept some of the clothes anyways. They were just too nice. I always laugh when I put Nathan in them ; ) One of them in the pile was a high quality onesie with the letters RUN DMC on it. Since we live here in Dallas, I figured it was some logo for Dallas Marathon Company or something. That was, until my walking buddy saw it one morning and started laughing, amazed that Nathan would be sporting a onesie about a legendary and groundbreaking hip hop group from the 80's. I had NO idea. Wanna hear one of their songs?
Yep, that's who Nathan has been promoting on his belly for a couple months. My son, the rapper. Now all his jabber makes a little more sense.
Isn't life awesome?
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Friends, Nothings Better Than Friends
I know my posts on here have been kinda spotty the last week or so. That is because we went on our first family vacation! We hit up Washington D.C. and had a marvelous time. I'll mention some of my happiness experiences with that later.
Now that Dave is finally DONE with studying and other such time-eaters with medical school, we will finally have some leisure time! Dave has no idea what that is any more : ) "You mean, when I get home from the hospital every day I can just sit and watch Star Wars?!" Pretty exciting, huh?
Well, with this free time, he'll have to find a new hobby or rediscover and old one to fill up his free hours in the evening. One of his favorite things to do is hang out with friends. He gets pumped up the more he is with other people. He sucks up all the energy in the group and goes wild! I'm not that way, I prefer more intimate parties of a few, where we can talk and create relationships. Dave loves big parties, I love small ones.
We've decided to compromise and start hanging out with people again after being off the planet for a couple years. I've already had a couple girl dates with some close friends of mine and we've tried to invite people to do stuff with us and respond positively to their invitations as well. In the last few weeks, we had my son's birthday party (originally planned to be just us, changed to force us to be social), went to an awesome tailgate/football game party hosted by people much cooler than us (it started at 9, WAY after Nathan's bedtime, but we got to get to know lots of people that we've been wanting to know but haven't had time too), checked out an awesome group game night, and had all the neighbors over for a barbeque. Pretty good, huh? I've also had a handful of girl dates :)
It is so nice to spend time with old friends and make some new ones. It is too easy to get caught up in your own life and start to think that this life of yours is what matters. Once you start being with other people, you remember that it's not all about you, that they have a life too, and you can help them celebrate their joys and relieve some of their sadness. You add variety to your conversation and swap ideas and interests. It is great. I've been blessed with so many really awesome friends while being here in Texas.
Woot.
Now that Dave is finally DONE with studying and other such time-eaters with medical school, we will finally have some leisure time! Dave has no idea what that is any more : ) "You mean, when I get home from the hospital every day I can just sit and watch Star Wars?!" Pretty exciting, huh?
Well, with this free time, he'll have to find a new hobby or rediscover and old one to fill up his free hours in the evening. One of his favorite things to do is hang out with friends. He gets pumped up the more he is with other people. He sucks up all the energy in the group and goes wild! I'm not that way, I prefer more intimate parties of a few, where we can talk and create relationships. Dave loves big parties, I love small ones.
We've decided to compromise and start hanging out with people again after being off the planet for a couple years. I've already had a couple girl dates with some close friends of mine and we've tried to invite people to do stuff with us and respond positively to their invitations as well. In the last few weeks, we had my son's birthday party (originally planned to be just us, changed to force us to be social), went to an awesome tailgate/football game party hosted by people much cooler than us (it started at 9, WAY after Nathan's bedtime, but we got to get to know lots of people that we've been wanting to know but haven't had time too), checked out an awesome group game night, and had all the neighbors over for a barbeque. Pretty good, huh? I've also had a handful of girl dates :)
It is so nice to spend time with old friends and make some new ones. It is too easy to get caught up in your own life and start to think that this life of yours is what matters. Once you start being with other people, you remember that it's not all about you, that they have a life too, and you can help them celebrate their joys and relieve some of their sadness. You add variety to your conversation and swap ideas and interests. It is great. I've been blessed with so many really awesome friends while being here in Texas.
Woot.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Show a little love
It feels good to help people. To make your own life a little bit crazier so that someone else's can be a little less so.
What if everyone decided to spend less time on facebook and instead hopped over to visit someone in need? What if instead of watching football all weekend we gave some awesome service? THAT would be a happy world.
It's can be hard to find time to serve, but I know that God wants us to care for His children. How do you possibly help out everyone that could use it while still taking care of your own responsibilities and home/work/school/church? If we are sincere, and go to the Lord in prayer, and ask Him to help you organize your day in a way that will allow you to help out more, He'll give you the assistance you need. You'll find that you have time enough for everything when you put Him, and His children, first.
It feels good.
Life is happy.
What if everyone decided to spend less time on facebook and instead hopped over to visit someone in need? What if instead of watching football all weekend we gave some awesome service? THAT would be a happy world.
It's can be hard to find time to serve, but I know that God wants us to care for His children. How do you possibly help out everyone that could use it while still taking care of your own responsibilities and home/work/school/church? If we are sincere, and go to the Lord in prayer, and ask Him to help you organize your day in a way that will allow you to help out more, He'll give you the assistance you need. You'll find that you have time enough for everything when you put Him, and His children, first.
It feels good.
Life is happy.
Friday, September 14, 2012
Autumn Breeze
Dare I declare it Fall? This morning is just too perfect. Crisp, cool air. Foggy sky. Mist on my face. If I pronounce autumn finally here will it run away from me?
In case it does decide to retreat and return later, I will spend as much as today outside as I can! So excited for colorful leaves, jackets and scarves, and piling up our bed with down comforters and quilts : )
In case it does decide to retreat and return later, I will spend as much as today outside as I can! So excited for colorful leaves, jackets and scarves, and piling up our bed with down comforters and quilts : )
Thursday, September 6, 2012
A Taste: An Addition
So, due to requests for the baked brie recipe, here it is:
Ingredients:
1 wheel of brie (I think mine was 14 oz. or something...)
1 roll of phyllo dough (2 come in each package so more for later! Or make some baklava like I was supposed too)
1 cup craisins
1/2 cup brown sugar
Cooking Spray
Cut brie into little cubes. You will be putting all this into mini muffin tins eventually so many sure your cubes make sense proportionally. No need to be precise or careful. The cheese will melt. And all that white outer cover will melt too, so don't worry about it.
Open your phyllo dough roll. There will be millions of rectangle sheets all stacked on top of one another. I cut the rectangle in half hot dog style and in thirds hamburger style, making 6 even sections. Carefully unpeel 2 thin squares of phyllo and place them into a GREASED mini muffin tray. You may have to kind of sinch everything together to look fancy-like.
The rest is easy. Fill with brie, top with some craisins and a sprinkle of brown sugar. Bake in the middle of the oven at 375 degrees for about 5 minutes. Watch closely to make sure the delicate phyllo doesn't get burned. Transfer to a pretty platter and enjoy! Taste best when warm. That is when the brie is most flavorful.
Not the best of instructions, I know. But it is easy! Go make some tasty goodness!
Ingredients:
1 wheel of brie (I think mine was 14 oz. or something...)
1 roll of phyllo dough (2 come in each package so more for later! Or make some baklava like I was supposed too)
1 cup craisins
1/2 cup brown sugar
Cooking Spray
Cut brie into little cubes. You will be putting all this into mini muffin tins eventually so many sure your cubes make sense proportionally. No need to be precise or careful. The cheese will melt. And all that white outer cover will melt too, so don't worry about it.
Open your phyllo dough roll. There will be millions of rectangle sheets all stacked on top of one another. I cut the rectangle in half hot dog style and in thirds hamburger style, making 6 even sections. Carefully unpeel 2 thin squares of phyllo and place them into a GREASED mini muffin tray. You may have to kind of sinch everything together to look fancy-like.
The rest is easy. Fill with brie, top with some craisins and a sprinkle of brown sugar. Bake in the middle of the oven at 375 degrees for about 5 minutes. Watch closely to make sure the delicate phyllo doesn't get burned. Transfer to a pretty platter and enjoy! Taste best when warm. That is when the brie is most flavorful.
Not the best of instructions, I know. But it is easy! Go make some tasty goodness!
Nose Stuck in a Book
I love books. I would read some amazing novel every day if I could, but there are too many things to do, too many projects calling my name, too many chores screaming to be completed. I remember fondly the Christmas breaks of my youth, being able to just lie around eating fudge and reading a good book.
Well, on Tuesday a package arrived in the mail from my dear Mumsie. My mother is awesome in every way but ONE of those ways is gift giving. She is SO thoughtful. This package was full of presents for my little guys upcoming 1st birthday (I can't BELIEVE it is already here...) but she squeezed in a couple little gifts for me, one of them being the new Shannon Hale book, Princess Academy: Palace of Stone. I didn't even know she had made a sequel. She writes these darling little teen fantasy novels about princesses and love. They are so cute and I love them. So happy.
I decided to throw my obligations out the window and just read. And read. And read. When Nathan took his naps, I read. Once Nathan was asleep and my husband was studying, I read. After our nightly scripture study together and our bedtime routines, I read. And then in the morning before Nathan woke up, I finished it. It was fun little story and I had a blast.
It is rare that I just let everything go like that and really allow myself to devour a book, but there is something magical about letting a book absorb you. I love to breathe in the words, drink in the story.
Wish I could do that every day, but this will just have to quench my hunger for now. Thanks mom!
P.s. She had it signed by the author too. Sweet little inscription inside the front cover:
For Laura, AKA Sunshine-
May you find the balance of light in your life.
-Shannon Hale
Appropriate, no?
Well, on Tuesday a package arrived in the mail from my dear Mumsie. My mother is awesome in every way but ONE of those ways is gift giving. She is SO thoughtful. This package was full of presents for my little guys upcoming 1st birthday (I can't BELIEVE it is already here...) but she squeezed in a couple little gifts for me, one of them being the new Shannon Hale book, Princess Academy: Palace of Stone. I didn't even know she had made a sequel. She writes these darling little teen fantasy novels about princesses and love. They are so cute and I love them. So happy.
I decided to throw my obligations out the window and just read. And read. And read. When Nathan took his naps, I read. Once Nathan was asleep and my husband was studying, I read. After our nightly scripture study together and our bedtime routines, I read. And then in the morning before Nathan woke up, I finished it. It was fun little story and I had a blast.
It is rare that I just let everything go like that and really allow myself to devour a book, but there is something magical about letting a book absorb you. I love to breathe in the words, drink in the story.
Wish I could do that every day, but this will just have to quench my hunger for now. Thanks mom!
P.s. She had it signed by the author too. Sweet little inscription inside the front cover:
For Laura, AKA Sunshine-
May you find the balance of light in your life.
-Shannon Hale
Appropriate, no?
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Imprints
One of the happiest parts of the day is when I get out of my shower, look at my foggy mirror, and see the adorable hand print of my baby on it's surface. You can't see it unless the steam has clouded up the mirror. It is precious and beautiful. Every time I clean the mirror, I inevitably have to go grab Nathan and have him leave his trademark all over it again. I just miss it too much!
Sometimes we see the most beautiful things in life when life gets a little hazy, when things aren't quite as clear and defined as we would like. It is the trial that helps us to see the blessing. This little boy is the light of my life. Some day, and nights for that matter, are tough and exhausting, but I wouldn't trade it for the WHOLE WORLD.
He has permanently put his fingerprints on my heart, and I LOVE IT.
He has permanently put his fingerprints on my heart, and I LOVE IT.
Saturday, September 1, 2012
A taste.
"The pleasure of the table belongs to all ages, to all conditions, to all countries, and to all aeras; it mingles with all other pleasures, and remains at last to console us for their departure." - Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin
What about a bite-sized individual baked brie?
I already had some phyllo dough in the fridge so...
Tada!
Baked brie bites!
Brie, craisins, and brown sugar all wrapped up in a tasty pastry.
Yummy looking, huh?
Even better in person, believe me!
So simple to make yet so intricate when it comes to taste. Reminds me of Remy from Ratatouille. Isn't it amazing all the happiness that come from FLAVOR?!? Monsieur Brillat-Savarin was a wonderful gastronome and believed that "the discovery of a new dish does more for human happiness than the discovery of a new star."
Here's to you, Jean!
Thursday, August 30, 2012
People Amaze Me
Aren't people just wonderful?!?
I remember talking to one of my roommates in college about how everyone is amazing. Everyone has a life story to share. Everyone is different and unique and intriguing.
I love meeting new people, seeing what flavor of person they are. When I go to sports games, I miss out on a lot of the game because I am too busy people-watching! It is just too much fun watching the old black guys and his mannerisms as HE watches the game, seeing the mother and father of four trying to corral their kids while passing out hot dogs and soda pop, figuring out the dating dynamics of the adolescents in front of me. Pretty fun!
Recently a gal moved into the ward that is super into digital scrapbooking. She is a fun, vibrant character that is always up to something, and that something is usually EXTREMELY creative.
Well, I decided to enlist her help on an activity that I was in charge of for the youth at my church last night. I put her creative skills to work to design a bookmark to pass out. She. was. AWESOME!
It was such a pleasure to watch her work. It was more fun than the bookmark itself! She was just so into it, moving this, changing that, switching it around, erasing and starting over. It looked really good within five minutes. An hour later it was awesome. I was so impressed by her talents and I had a blast watching her and getting to understand her better. That is my favorite.
Wouldn't the world be so much better if we all just went around thinking about how awesome everyone else was? What would happen if instead of being jealous or prideful we were just able to look at a person and appreciate who they were.
Try it out today. Stop criticizing. It doesn't ever make you feel better anyways. Instead, look for the AWESOME in everyone else. You'll find it.
God made us, which makes us awesome.
Monday, August 27, 2012
More thoughts on Work
My son is persistent. When he discovers he isn't good at something, he practices and practices until he has mastered it. Some examples:
-When he was learning to cruise, it bothered him that when he dropped at toy and bent to pick it up, he fell down. So he help onto the couch and practiced dropping and picking up his toy until he was a pro.
-He saw me put the pointy end of the nasal aspirator into a screwdriver hole in a peek-a-boo toy of his (Don't ask why I did this. I have no idea.). He thought it was pretty nifty though and practiced, practiced, practiced until he could consistently get the point in the hole.
-He has a favorite push toy. He wanted to go outside with it but there is a tiny bump where the door seals off that kept messing him up as he attempted to push it out. So he practiced over and over for at least 15 minutes to become an expert.
Now, he isn't persistent ALWAYS. Sometimes he just gives up and starts screaming, but on the whole he does a pretty great job. Think about all the many things a little child has to learn every day. It is complete overload! And yet they work, work, work on it and master it in the end.
How often do some of us encounter something difficult and give up right away? I've had my share. This past weekend my abs and shoulders were hurting SO BAD from my attempts to get in shape for the Army Physical Fitness Test. On Saturday, I couldn't even do ONE sit-up! SO frustrating. I thought, I will never be able to do it. I gave my body a rest on Sunday and decide to give it a go again today. I was able to bust out 15! I still have to add 35 more onto that number, but I'll make it.
Another wonderful adage by President Monson:
Amen.
Work, Work, Work
Sometimes I try really hard to put off the stuff that I know needs to be done. You know the stuff, those things that aren't VITAL, like shopping or showering or changing the baby's diaper, but are important all the same, like scrubbing the toilet or planning out food storage plans. I abhor that kind of stuff. It hangs over my head like a menacing black cloud, destroying my happiness. I try to forget about it, but it is always there, just bugging me. I feel more awful the longer I wait to do it because I KNOW that I am procrastinating, and procrastinating NEVER makes ANYONE feel good. Once I finally do whatever I have been trying NOT to do, I instantly feel better. Always.
So, I've been trying to work on those things that I hate to work on. Like organizing Nathan's closet or remounting those hanging baskets that I just haven't put back up since the move. Now, I get to look for pretty flowers to put in my baskets and I don't have to worry about swimming pool floaties and winter jackets and old burp cloths falling on me every time I need to refill Nathan's diaper basket.
Not a very exciting "Happy" thing, but it makes me feel good knowing that I am facing all those monsters on my To-Do list. Yeah, it would be more fun to sit around sipping pina coladas while I watch So You Think You Can Dance, but I always feel awful afterwards when I do that, and no more wasting a perfectly good day feeling awful!
Our prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, has said a hundred bajillion things about attitude and optimism. He is an excellent resource for pick-me-up speeches. In a wonderful sermon he gave back in 1977 (I know, it was a LONG time ago, but it is an AWESOME talk), called Faces and Attitudes, he talked about having an attitude of work. Included in his remarks was the adage "Work will win when wishy washy wishing won't". He also stated that "You do not find the happy life, you make it!"
Let's get work making for ourselves a happy life!
So, I've been trying to work on those things that I hate to work on. Like organizing Nathan's closet or remounting those hanging baskets that I just haven't put back up since the move. Now, I get to look for pretty flowers to put in my baskets and I don't have to worry about swimming pool floaties and winter jackets and old burp cloths falling on me every time I need to refill Nathan's diaper basket.
Not a very exciting "Happy" thing, but it makes me feel good knowing that I am facing all those monsters on my To-Do list. Yeah, it would be more fun to sit around sipping pina coladas while I watch So You Think You Can Dance, but I always feel awful afterwards when I do that, and no more wasting a perfectly good day feeling awful!
Our prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, has said a hundred bajillion things about attitude and optimism. He is an excellent resource for pick-me-up speeches. In a wonderful sermon he gave back in 1977 (I know, it was a LONG time ago, but it is an AWESOME talk), called Faces and Attitudes, he talked about having an attitude of work. Included in his remarks was the adage "Work will win when wishy washy wishing won't". He also stated that "You do not find the happy life, you make it!"
Let's get work making for ourselves a happy life!
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Huffing and Puffing
So, my husband got an email yesterday calling for volunteers for a research project studying the effects of altitude. Each volunteer must be able to pass the Army Physical Fitness Test here in Dallas (basically no altitude). Then, those volunteers get flown up to Colorado for the weekend where they perform the APFT again. Pretty basic, right?
Dave and I thought it would be fun to have a little weekend getaway so we applied for it. I looked up the standards for the APFT. Not too bad. I've been watching my dad train for these for my whole life so I know the drill. For a woman my age to BARELY pass, she would have to do 45 sit-ups, 17 push-ups, and run 2 miles in around 19:30. Easy peasy, right?
SO WRONG.
Dave had me practice last night just to get a baseline of where I was at. I can do crunches all day long but sit-ups are HARD! I was lucky to get in 20 measly ones. And then push-ups. This is too embarrassing...
Three.
Yep. Pretty awful. I mean, at least they were good push-ups. I know a good push-up when I see one. But only 3?!? It makes me cringe. How is that possible when I've been carrying around my chunk of a baby for almost a year? He is weighs as much as 3 bags of Kroger potatoes! Oh, well.
So, I have about 6 weeks to get awesomely in shape. I can do the run no problem. Running is my thing, but I am going to have to actually TRAIN for the rest. How ridiculous. This morning when I tried again I got 7 push-ups. That is an improvement already.
BUT being in shape makes me happy. Can you imagine how proud of myself I would be if I passed that test? That is something to smile over for sure. So here I go. I'll report back to you every now and then on Operation Superwoman.
Oh, thought I'd brag about my daddy for a bit while I am here. To get a perfect score on the APFT, a male would have to do 75 push-ups, 80 sit-ups, and run his 2 mile in 13:00 minutes. My dad always gets a perfect score. In fact, he blasts out 100 push-ups and 120 sit-ups during the 2 minute window. Wow. He's a stud huh? And he has only been beat at the run by one man. That was an 18 y/o black guy when my dad was approaching 50. And he even passed his test when he had broken his arm 6 weeks earlier. Yep, pretty awesome : )
Dave and I thought it would be fun to have a little weekend getaway so we applied for it. I looked up the standards for the APFT. Not too bad. I've been watching my dad train for these for my whole life so I know the drill. For a woman my age to BARELY pass, she would have to do 45 sit-ups, 17 push-ups, and run 2 miles in around 19:30. Easy peasy, right?
SO WRONG.
Dave had me practice last night just to get a baseline of where I was at. I can do crunches all day long but sit-ups are HARD! I was lucky to get in 20 measly ones. And then push-ups. This is too embarrassing...
Three.
Yep. Pretty awful. I mean, at least they were good push-ups. I know a good push-up when I see one. But only 3?!? It makes me cringe. How is that possible when I've been carrying around my chunk of a baby for almost a year? He is weighs as much as 3 bags of Kroger potatoes! Oh, well.
So, I have about 6 weeks to get awesomely in shape. I can do the run no problem. Running is my thing, but I am going to have to actually TRAIN for the rest. How ridiculous. This morning when I tried again I got 7 push-ups. That is an improvement already.
BUT being in shape makes me happy. Can you imagine how proud of myself I would be if I passed that test? That is something to smile over for sure. So here I go. I'll report back to you every now and then on Operation Superwoman.
Oh, thought I'd brag about my daddy for a bit while I am here. To get a perfect score on the APFT, a male would have to do 75 push-ups, 80 sit-ups, and run his 2 mile in 13:00 minutes. My dad always gets a perfect score. In fact, he blasts out 100 push-ups and 120 sit-ups during the 2 minute window. Wow. He's a stud huh? And he has only been beat at the run by one man. That was an 18 y/o black guy when my dad was approaching 50. And he even passed his test when he had broken his arm 6 weeks earlier. Yep, pretty awesome : )
This is the only pic I have of my dad on the computer from his army days. He was about 40 in this pic and still whipping up on all the young ins ; )
Monday, August 20, 2012
Seeing the Flowers in Life
"There are always flowers for those who want to see them.” -
Henri Matisse
In six grade, my amazing teacher, Mrs. Vindivich, has us all describe our "happy place" for a writing assignment. My happy place has always been my grandmother's backyard. What a glorious place that was. It is here that I tasted my first cherry, picked my first sugar peas, made my first snapdragon "laugh". I marveled at the colors of her gorgeous rose garden, the nectar within the columbine, the intrigue of the bleeding heart. It was a miniature Eden and I LOVED it.
My grandmother is gone now and her garden is fast disappearing too. The fruit trees have had no one to pay them attention for a couple years and the rose bushes are being uprooted and transplanted to her children's homes. I am grateful that she shared something with me that was more long-lasting than her flowers though. She shared with me her love of a garden and that I can keep with me forever!
My garden right now is pretty sad. My apartment porch has 3 little planter boxes that now hold mostly shriveled plants. My poor garden didn't survive the its week long drought very well while I was in Utah last month. What is left has been growing up nice and tall, so tall that the poor little plants can't hold themselves up. Today I decided to attack the mess and whip it back in shape. I figured half the plants are already dead so what is there to lose with experimenting, right?
I trimmed away all the dry, dead parts and lobbed off the tall portions of the living. I've never learned much about gardening, just admired pretty gardens for the most part, but I have read the scriptures enough to learn that plants benefit from pruning. They've got to get stronger, fuller, and more beautiful if I whack them all off right? I think...
I'll try it out. I hung my herbs up to try and put my flowers in a pretty vase. It felt good and hopefully something fabulous will come of all my whacking. We'll see. I took some pictures so I can compare it someday if it actually works.
Now for a favorite little story about how the Lord prunes us. Hope you take the time to read it, or reread it!
http://www.lds.org/new-era/1973/01/the-currant-bush
I am so grateful so the times in my life when the Lord has whacked me down and pruned me so that I could get stronger. I know that through our trials we come out a hundred times better if only we rely on our Savior!
In six grade, my amazing teacher, Mrs. Vindivich, has us all describe our "happy place" for a writing assignment. My happy place has always been my grandmother's backyard. What a glorious place that was. It is here that I tasted my first cherry, picked my first sugar peas, made my first snapdragon "laugh". I marveled at the colors of her gorgeous rose garden, the nectar within the columbine, the intrigue of the bleeding heart. It was a miniature Eden and I LOVED it.
My grandmother is gone now and her garden is fast disappearing too. The fruit trees have had no one to pay them attention for a couple years and the rose bushes are being uprooted and transplanted to her children's homes. I am grateful that she shared something with me that was more long-lasting than her flowers though. She shared with me her love of a garden and that I can keep with me forever!
My garden right now is pretty sad. My apartment porch has 3 little planter boxes that now hold mostly shriveled plants. My poor garden didn't survive the its week long drought very well while I was in Utah last month. What is left has been growing up nice and tall, so tall that the poor little plants can't hold themselves up. Today I decided to attack the mess and whip it back in shape. I figured half the plants are already dead so what is there to lose with experimenting, right?
I trimmed away all the dry, dead parts and lobbed off the tall portions of the living. I've never learned much about gardening, just admired pretty gardens for the most part, but I have read the scriptures enough to learn that plants benefit from pruning. They've got to get stronger, fuller, and more beautiful if I whack them all off right? I think...
I'll try it out. I hung my herbs up to try and put my flowers in a pretty vase. It felt good and hopefully something fabulous will come of all my whacking. We'll see. I took some pictures so I can compare it someday if it actually works.
Now for a favorite little story about how the Lord prunes us. Hope you take the time to read it, or reread it!
http://www.lds.org/new-era/1973/01/the-currant-bush
I am so grateful so the times in my life when the Lord has whacked me down and pruned me so that I could get stronger. I know that through our trials we come out a hundred times better if only we rely on our Savior!
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Raindrops cont.
Since my draft of my post from yesterday about the rain, I realized that perhaps not everyone shares my views about how wonderful the rain is. I thought I'd address a happy thought to all of you that might be sick and tired of the gray, wet, gloom that can come with rainy days. Perhaps you are yearning for sunshine. Maybe your rainy days aren't physical, but mental, an emotional rainy day. Those are tough days and my heart goes out to you.
Recently, I good friend of mine spoke to me about a time when her entire life seemed dark and overcast. The weather appeared to mirror her mood, as if trying to keep her down. As she walked outside one day, just as she was feeling so low, there was a break in the clouds, providing her a glimpse of the beautiful sunny sky beyond. That one glimpse helped her to tear down those dark walls around her mind, to blow away the storm inside that so pestered her.
Don't forget that above the storming cloud cover that seems so thick and menacing there is a glorious sky waiting to show forth its beauty. The gales and grayness won't last forever. There is an incomprehensible beauty just out of reach. Be patient, it will return.
I have a favorite sermon by an apostle in my church, Joseph B. Wirthlin, on this subject that I have read and reread many many times when I myself have felt a depressing rain cloud over my head. Inevitably, the hope that this talk reminds me of is what helps me overcome. Here it is:
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2006/10/sunday-will-come?lang=eng
Prayers and love your way!
Recently, I good friend of mine spoke to me about a time when her entire life seemed dark and overcast. The weather appeared to mirror her mood, as if trying to keep her down. As she walked outside one day, just as she was feeling so low, there was a break in the clouds, providing her a glimpse of the beautiful sunny sky beyond. That one glimpse helped her to tear down those dark walls around her mind, to blow away the storm inside that so pestered her.
Don't forget that above the storming cloud cover that seems so thick and menacing there is a glorious sky waiting to show forth its beauty. The gales and grayness won't last forever. There is an incomprehensible beauty just out of reach. Be patient, it will return.
I have a favorite sermon by an apostle in my church, Joseph B. Wirthlin, on this subject that I have read and reread many many times when I myself have felt a depressing rain cloud over my head. Inevitably, the hope that this talk reminds me of is what helps me overcome. Here it is:
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2006/10/sunday-will-come?lang=eng
Prayers and love your way!
Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head
From Washington my family moved to El Paso, TX. There we had rain about 9 DAYS out of the year! These days all seemed to clump into August, during a period of time that El Pasoans nicknamed "Monsoon Season". During these few weeks, we would be hit by freak storms, full of lightning, thunder, wind, and BUCKETS of rain. I loved them. They were marvelous to behold. Once it rained huge fat drops on us for around 36 hours staight! The gulleys behind our houses were full to the brim with water. Homes were washed away. My sister and I, afraid for the safety of our home as the water level in our backyard rose slowly to meet our door, ran outside with buckets and jugs and coolers, scooping up water and dumping it into the pool, until that too was full, and then we dumped it over the back fence.
Did you know that you can smell rain? Because it was so rare in El Paso, I noticed that before a storm hit there was always a distinctive smell in the air that I had not noticed in Tacoma, I guess because I was inundated with it up there. I recognized that familiar smell in the air this afternoon while eating a hamburger by the pool and ran home to get ready. When it started pouring, I dragged my small son, Nathan, outside with me. My husband joined us soon after. Nathan was not nearly as excited about running around in the blinding torrents as I was. He much preferred to play with the broom from the safety of the porch and watch it all while staying dry. Oh well, he will learn.
The rain is such a renewing, life-giving force. It washes the old, dirty residue away and gives the world a free slate. It provides the earth with strength and growth. We, as humans, need the rain to live. What a marvelous gift it is from God. He "sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust" (Matt. 5:45). I am so grateful that He sends rain to me despite my imperfections.
Go play in the rain. And smile.
Me during one of our awesome El Paso rain storms in high school. I've always loved playing in the rain...
My boys in the storm yesterday.
Friday, August 17, 2012
A Smile on Every Page
I have always LOVED off-the-wall calendars.
You know the ones. Each day there is a new exciting thing to unveil. I have had tons of them; cartoons, definitions, word puzzles, paintings. My dad always had a Far Side calendar on his desk and he would bring me any especially funny comics and we would chuckle over them together. I could always rely on finding a Mary Engelbreit calendar from my mother in my Christmas stocking every year growing up. I saved pages upon pages of these cute pictures and quotes to paste into my scrapbooks or turn into little cards for my friends. Once I received a Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul calendar for my birthday and LOVED all the inspirational stories. I even had a Worst-Case Scenario one at some point. It taught me how to escape from a car dangling over the edge of a cliff, how to fend off an alligator, how to survive a fire at the top of a skyscraper, and how to pull a 180 turn in a car (I admit that I DID try that one out. Bad idea. I was not meant for stunt driving). I marveled over my optical illusion calendar. How do people come up with those things? The lady that looks a hundred years old when you look at her one way and like a young beautiful girls the other, the lumpy old man made entirely of vegetables, the checkerboards that have all the imaginary dots in them. It is crazy! Anyways, I saved all of my favorite days from all of my favorite calendars and still have them at the bottom of my drawer, carted through 7 years of post-high school moves. There is a happy nostalgia from flipping through them. They always make me smile.
You know the ones. Each day there is a new exciting thing to unveil. I have had tons of them; cartoons, definitions, word puzzles, paintings. My dad always had a Far Side calendar on his desk and he would bring me any especially funny comics and we would chuckle over them together. I could always rely on finding a Mary Engelbreit calendar from my mother in my Christmas stocking every year growing up. I saved pages upon pages of these cute pictures and quotes to paste into my scrapbooks or turn into little cards for my friends. Once I received a Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul calendar for my birthday and LOVED all the inspirational stories. I even had a Worst-Case Scenario one at some point. It taught me how to escape from a car dangling over the edge of a cliff, how to fend off an alligator, how to survive a fire at the top of a skyscraper, and how to pull a 180 turn in a car (I admit that I DID try that one out. Bad idea. I was not meant for stunt driving). I marveled over my optical illusion calendar. How do people come up with those things? The lady that looks a hundred years old when you look at her one way and like a young beautiful girls the other, the lumpy old man made entirely of vegetables, the checkerboards that have all the imaginary dots in them. It is crazy! Anyways, I saved all of my favorite days from all of my favorite calendars and still have them at the bottom of my drawer, carted through 7 years of post-high school moves. There is a happy nostalgia from flipping through them. They always make me smile.
So for fun, I flipped through all of my old clippings and sorted them out. One of my favorites of all time is a picture done my Mary Engelbreit. Looking out of a windowsill are two young girls, a blonde and a brunette. On the ledge are beautiful flower boxes. Butterflies flutter all around. Oranges are hanging on the branches in the tree above. The blondie is looking grouchy and bored. The brunette has the most adorable contented smile on her face as she embraces the gorgeous flowers all around her. How often are we caught up in something that ticked us off and therefore we fail to notice all the beauty around us? Included with the picture is a marvelous quote by Abraham Lincoln:
"Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be."
One of my seventh grade teachers had a marvelous off the wall calendar she left on her desk. It was based on the book 14,000 Things to Be Happy About by Barbara Ann Kipfer. Every day I would walk into class and read the happy thing for the day, be it marshmallows in your hot cocoa to rain drops on your face. I discovered Barbara's website today. It is a wonderful little daily calendar online with tons of things to be happy about, both from the book and things that people have submitted. There are over 142,000 things on the list so far. If you are having a hard time thinking of something to be happy about, this is a great place to get one, or a hundred thousand, reasons! Check it out!
Let's decide to be happy TODAY! Ready, set, go!!!
"Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be."
One of my seventh grade teachers had a marvelous off the wall calendar she left on her desk. It was based on the book 14,000 Things to Be Happy About by Barbara Ann Kipfer. Every day I would walk into class and read the happy thing for the day, be it marshmallows in your hot cocoa to rain drops on your face. I discovered Barbara's website today. It is a wonderful little daily calendar online with tons of things to be happy about, both from the book and things that people have submitted. There are over 142,000 things on the list so far. If you are having a hard time thinking of something to be happy about, this is a great place to get one, or a hundred thousand, reasons! Check it out!
Let's decide to be happy TODAY! Ready, set, go!!!
My Man
Due to the importance of the day, and because this particular happiness is on the foremost of my mind, I wanted to talk about THIS MAN.
Isn't he just a hunk? He is my best friend, my comedian, my adviser, the president of my fan club, my example in so many ways, my breath of fresh air, and my true love. Dave is an awesome dad and an amazing husband. He is all that I could have ever asked for.
I was raised believing that who and where I married would be the most important decision I ever made. August 16th, 2008 we were sealed together for all time and for all eternity in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple in American Fork, Utah. Best. Day. Ever. We have been married for a wonderful 4 years now as of today! Knowing that we will be together forever is my happiest of happy thoughts. I owe all that to my Savior, Jesus Christ. Life rocks ; )
Isn't he just a hunk? He is my best friend, my comedian, my adviser, the president of my fan club, my example in so many ways, my breath of fresh air, and my true love. Dave is an awesome dad and an amazing husband. He is all that I could have ever asked for.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Mission: Explore Happiness
Have you ever met those people who are just smiling always? I sure have. I remember how I feel around them. Because they are smiling, I want to smile too! They are refreshing and pick up everyone around them. Are those people born that way? Perhaps. It is possible that there is something innately inside of them that causes them to always be looking on the bright side, to see the world in rose-colored glasses, to see the cup as half full. BUT that doesn't mean that those of us that weren't born with a huge smile on our faces can't turn into someone like that! I am a firm believer that you are as happy as you make yourself out to be. If you want to be a happy person, you can be a happy person! It just takes practice like everything else.
I've always considered myself a happy girl, not one of those brimming over with happiness constant smile on her face and twinkle in her eye kind of girls, but a happy girl that more or less tends to see life a wonderful thing. Growing up, my family called me Sunshine. They said it was my middle name. I took that literally and would introduce myself as Laura Jean Sunshine Fisher! My gramma got a kick out of it and would have me tell all her friends my name. I've had a happy life full of wonderful memories with friends and families. My years have had very few real trials. There have been no serious health issues, no premature deaths, no huge financial burdens, no social scarring. I have been blessed with a good mind, strong body, and a desire to fill my life with wholesome things. My parents taught me righteous principles early in my life and raised me in a home devoted to learning of and serving Jesus Christ. During my youth, I found wonderful playmates everywhere I lived and formed fast friendships that taught me many of the joys of growing up. I got involved with many activities and forged a vast variety of interests.
College expanded my happiness even further as I learned the satisfaction of intellectual growth and independence. It was during these fabulous four years that I met and married my sweetheart, Dave. He was the funniest person I knew and had a smile and laugh that were contagious. Many of his strengths were my weaknesses, many of his interests things that I had never explored before, and the opposite was true for him. Together we found excitement in trading these interests and strengths to add to our reservoir of knowledge and expand our joy. When we were married, we made our family motto "Living after the manner of happiness" based on a verse of scripture from the Book of Mormon in 2 Nephi 5. In this chapter it talks about the followers of Christ and explains that their happiness came from serving the Lord, being educated in all matters, and striving to be industrious. We wanted that in our family as well and trusted as we applied all of that, our home to would be a place of happiness.
We have now been married for a wonderful 4 years! We have endured the hardest parts of medical school together and are still very much in love. We have an adorable little boy that is such a light to our life. Life is happy.
So, if I am happy, why start a blog about happiness? My life the last year has been focused on being a mother and the wife of a very busy medical student. Looking back, it was the best year of my life so far, and I've had some really amazing years! Yet I realized that a lot of what makes me Laura I have cut out of my life as I have tried to survive the storm of necessities that have hit one after another this past year. I want to reexamine what makes me happy, what makes me Laura.
So this year I will be cataloging my rediscovery of my favorite things, my exploration of joy. What better discovery is there than that? There will be no set rules to this blog. No deadlines, no boundaries. Just happiness. Enjoy!
I've always considered myself a happy girl, not one of those brimming over with happiness constant smile on her face and twinkle in her eye kind of girls, but a happy girl that more or less tends to see life a wonderful thing. Growing up, my family called me Sunshine. They said it was my middle name. I took that literally and would introduce myself as Laura Jean Sunshine Fisher! My gramma got a kick out of it and would have me tell all her friends my name. I've had a happy life full of wonderful memories with friends and families. My years have had very few real trials. There have been no serious health issues, no premature deaths, no huge financial burdens, no social scarring. I have been blessed with a good mind, strong body, and a desire to fill my life with wholesome things. My parents taught me righteous principles early in my life and raised me in a home devoted to learning of and serving Jesus Christ. During my youth, I found wonderful playmates everywhere I lived and formed fast friendships that taught me many of the joys of growing up. I got involved with many activities and forged a vast variety of interests.
College expanded my happiness even further as I learned the satisfaction of intellectual growth and independence. It was during these fabulous four years that I met and married my sweetheart, Dave. He was the funniest person I knew and had a smile and laugh that were contagious. Many of his strengths were my weaknesses, many of his interests things that I had never explored before, and the opposite was true for him. Together we found excitement in trading these interests and strengths to add to our reservoir of knowledge and expand our joy. When we were married, we made our family motto "Living after the manner of happiness" based on a verse of scripture from the Book of Mormon in 2 Nephi 5. In this chapter it talks about the followers of Christ and explains that their happiness came from serving the Lord, being educated in all matters, and striving to be industrious. We wanted that in our family as well and trusted as we applied all of that, our home to would be a place of happiness.
We have now been married for a wonderful 4 years! We have endured the hardest parts of medical school together and are still very much in love. We have an adorable little boy that is such a light to our life. Life is happy.
So, if I am happy, why start a blog about happiness? My life the last year has been focused on being a mother and the wife of a very busy medical student. Looking back, it was the best year of my life so far, and I've had some really amazing years! Yet I realized that a lot of what makes me Laura I have cut out of my life as I have tried to survive the storm of necessities that have hit one after another this past year. I want to reexamine what makes me happy, what makes me Laura.
So this year I will be cataloging my rediscovery of my favorite things, my exploration of joy. What better discovery is there than that? There will be no set rules to this blog. No deadlines, no boundaries. Just happiness. Enjoy!
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