Well Hello Again

 

 

(order on Etsy here )

This little quote came to mind when I thought this was a fine time to pick back up with my blog! I have missed it! Blogging has been such a fun hobby for so many reasons.  First, I love the opportunity to write--to try and  record my thoughts and life.   Next I LOVE to  connect with others.  I seriously enjoy the comments, emails, and getting to "meet" other women that I never would have been able to with out blogging.  In fact, I got the sweetest email just yesterday from someone all the way across the country who has read this little blog for years!  It made my day and inspired me to get back to it!  Last, this is my place to focus on the good and happy things in life.  I will be the first to admit that life is hard--  it is not all sunshine and roses but one of my favorite quotes is:

 

“Both abundance and lack [of abundance] exist simultaneously in our lives, as parallel realities. It is always our conscious choice which secret garden we will tend … when we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that’s present—love, health, family, friends, work, the joys of nature, and personal pursuits that bring us [happiness]—the wasteland of illusion falls away and we experience heaven on earth.”   

^{(Comes from this awesome talk here )}

So I will start back with some of the little happy moments that I have tucked away in my heart recently.

 

Last week was our Fall break and we took off for just a couple of days to one of our favorite spots here in the South...Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. 

After 6 hours in the car the boys wasted no time hitting the waves!

They dove in with such pure joyful reckless abandon--I loved it!

 

 

 

Although I miss my boy so much, I LOVE that he is so happy serving in his first area...way out in the boonies, in a tiny little town in Alabama.  He is spending his days serving others in anyway he can, sharing with them the love of God, testifying of Jesus Christ and teaching those who want to listen.

Just look at that genuine smile on a recent baptism day:

 

 

Last for now...I will never forget the first few days of Fall Break when I decided to plant 250 bulbs.  Yes, I am not kidding-- I got a little carried away one evening shopping online!

 

I  was really questioning my judgement ordering all those tulips when it came time to plant them. It was so hot and humid! I was exhausted after the first 50--but luckily my cute boys came to the rescue.  All of them were out digging and helping me get it done.  I just hope my yard doesn't look ridiculous come Spring.  HAha!

 

 

Well it is good to be back!  I am already thinking about a 'Friday Favorites' tomorrow--just for fun!

Oh and I need to start posting my weekly menu again.  That was so helpful for ME!

I go in spurts with menu planning--but life is so much better when I do them:)

xoxoxo

Thank You Notes

 

  I love to share great little quotes with my boys and one of my favorites from James E Faust is:

"A grateful heart is a beginning for greatness. It is an expression of humility. It is a foundation for the development of such virtues as prayer, faith courage, contentment, happiness, love, and well-being." 

 I want my boys to have all the blessing of a grateful heart and so I am doing my best to instill in them the habit of being thankful.  Not only an attitude of thankfulness but putting the sentiments into action with pen and paper.  We have talked about how much we LOVE to get a little note in the mail, to hold something in your hands and knowing the time and effort it took is endearing and makes you feel loved.   It is thoughtful and kind and who doesn't want those attributes for their children?

 

 

So my boys know that in our family thank you notes are a must, no if and or buts.  I remind them often and make sure it happens! 

I do try to make it fun though.  After Christmas we had a little thank you note writing "party".  I had a few different thank you notes to choose from (some that were not "too girly").  And I rounded up some little treats, just to sweeten the deal--yum!

I am trying to do these little "parties" every couple of weeks.  There are always people to thank.   Just like most things, I know I have to be consistent or it won't stick!  

What do you do to get your children to write thank you notes?  I would love to hear your ideas! 

 

xoxoxo

Melanie

 

Words to Live By

Believe this...

This is the latest words on our inspiration board sitting on the kitchen counter.

 I hope this thought sinks in and takes root with each of my boys.

Have a wonderful weekend friends!

PS If you live the Chattanooga area, tomorrow is customer appreciation day at Bruesters Ice Cream.  Wear your PJs and get a free waffle cone.  My current favorite...Pralines and Cream--oh lala!

Inspiration Board

I use this little board in our kitchen to write inspiring words.  I asked my oldest son for an idea of what I should write this week and he gave me this little phrase.

I like it!  I am going to have to ask him more often:)  

Bring on the Sunshine

It is going to be a Sunny 80 degrees here in Tennessee!

My boys were thrilled to pull their shorts out of storage a few weeks sooner than usual!

Even the tulips are making an early debut this Spring.

Speaking of sunshine, I spotted this adorable print on Pintrest and I couldn't agree more with the sentiment.  

Source: becauseitsawesome.blogspot.com via Melanie on Pinterest

  We all know people like that. They seem to brighten things up wherever they go with a smile and optimistic attitude. I sometimes remind my boys (and often myself) "Happiness is a choice--Choose it!" I believe that 'bringing your own sunshine' is a very valuable skill and life gives us all lots of opportunities for practice:) 

PS

  Congrats to the Cougars for their big win  last night against all odds--Recording the biggest comeback in tournament history, BYU beat Iona 78-72 after giving up 55 first-half points to the nation’s highest-scoring team!! It was too late for us to watch it on a school night but there was some serious cheering at breakfast this morning!!  Wooo hoooo!!!!   

Words to Live By

Spring has sprung on my front door!   Supplies from Micheals:)

Source: kellymccaleb.typepad.com via Melanie on Pinterest

I believe this with all my heart!  Being an ordinary girl myself--this gives me great hope:)

  I hope you have a wonderful week!

Happy Thoughts on a Thursday

Source: twigandthistle.com via Melanie on Pinterest

Aren't daisies such a happy flower?  And they remind me of my Mother--a happy thought for sure:)

Source: michelleums.tumblr.com via Melanie on Pinterest

Source: bippityboppityboo.tumblr.com via Melanie on Pinterest

Source: lh3.ggpht.com via Melanie on Pinterest

Source: simplypix.tumblr.com via Melanie on Pinterest

Source: weheartit.com via Melanie on Pinterest

Source: bippityboppityboo.tumblr.com via Melanie on Pinterest

Hope your day is a happy one!

More on finding lasting happiness here.

Words to live by...

Are you finding your summer to be as busy and crazy as mine?

It has been hard for me to get eveything done that my heart desires:)

I am trying to work on prioritizing better...with these wise words running in through my mind...

Source: michelleums.tumblr.com via Melanie on Pinterest

And this quote is my saving grace:) Makes me feel better about my not-as-clean-as-I-would-like house at times!  A clean home is very important to me, but not at the expense of happiness, you know?  This is hard to remember sometimes with 5 messy little boys running around my home!   

Source: catchingfireflies.com via Melanie on Pinterest

So, how is your summer going?  How do you get anything done with everyone home?

words to live by...

(credit)

words to live by...

A secret to HAPPINESS in life is enjoying the little things,

don't you think?

The little things I am loving right now:

*the first breath of fall...bringing cooler breezes, and leaves that are just starting to change color
*listening to my 'big' boys happily talking football--they love this time of year!
*a freezer full of homemade muffins, cookies, pizza dough and honey whole wheat bread for my family
*watching Bridger master a two wheeler and proudly ride through out the day
*my red painted toe nails
*spicy fresh salsa and tortilla chips
*the supply of ribbon on my sun room shelf
*serving up green smoothies every morning to my boys
*two little boys that follow me around like puppies
*clean and sparkley bathrooms
*a daily gorgeous pink sunrise to behold on my way home from dropping the boys at school
*finding funny little notes from Coleman that he has taped here and there
*freshly organized drawer
*this lovely article that reminds me what true beauty is
*Clean and fresh bed linens with Bath and Body Works lavendar & chamomile 'sleep' spray -- to gently scent my families' sheets
*the soft snores of my sweet husband next to me...
(I think I will join him in...)
*our cozy bed

....night night.... so thankful that tomorrow is FRIDAY!!

Have a Super life if you want

Lately I have been thinking a lot about what I think about. I know that sounds weird.
I was listening to a talk entitled 'Finding Joy in the Journey' on my Ipod and this part has stuck in my head for days:

“Both abundance and lack [of abundance] exist simultaneously in our lives, as parallel realities. It is always our conscious choice which secret garden we will tend … when we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that’s present—love, health, family, friends, work, the joys of nature, and personal pursuits that bring us [happiness]—the wasteland of illusion falls away and we experience heaven on earth.”

I am really trying to guard my thoughts lately--to not allow negativity to creep in and instead focus more on gratitude. I have come to the conclusion that what I think about is powerful. What I allow myself to dwell on and my perceptions really do determine my happiness and success in life.
And so I must tend to the "garden of abundance" more diligently!

Words to Live By

I just ordered this print for the sun room (my office) in soothing seafoam greeen. I LOVE it. Being the mother of 5 boys, I think it is fitting and a good reminder for me and my rowdy little crew!

In fact the day I recieved it in the mail, I was carefully taking it out of the packaging tube when my littlest man ran over and grabbed it. I think he thought the tube was some sort of sword and he was just getting in on the action! Before I knew it the print was scrunched under this giggling chubby toddler.

My initial reaction was some serious ANGER as I stomped over to retrieve it. Luckily before I got too mad I remembered the message on my new print, and it made me laugh right out loud.

How hilarious that I needed to put this slogan to use within minutes of it's arrival in my home! Now it hangs framed in a prominent spot wrinkles and all and some days it has become a little mantra in my head ...Keep Calm and Carry On...Keep Calm and Carry On... Ha ha!

Here is the interesting history behind this poster: