Join Me Won't You?.......

"There is nothing in a caterpillar that tells you it's going to be a butterfly"    Margaret Fuller~

Wow! this quote literally made me shout out "YES" when I read it. No one was home so I didn't have to explain myself, but if I did this is what I would have said........ This quote captures how I feel about the bountiful possibilities in Life. It is the mystery/beauty of Life my dear sons! We don't know ahead of time all that we are capable of. There is no need to become complacent with the way things are. There is more to explore! There are changes you can make! This premise intrigues me!!!  Frequently in the morning when I silently whisper affirmations for the day ahead I include..... "the possibilities are endless...I will make them mine"! 


Part of it (for me) is believing! Knowing the day can go in many different directions, while keeping my heart and mind open to recognize the directions that truly have the potential to be so much more than average.  I know it's all how you look at it (because the nay~sayers do remind me) but unlimited possibilities is how I choose to look at it. It works for me and sure is so much more pleasant being around others who choose to look at it that way too.


My goal is to live years of positive possibilities turned reality, for myself and the lives I touch, knowing that soon we will surround ourselves in a beautiful world of Butterflies doing for others!

Smiling On The Inside........

Cleaning, organizing, tossing and simplifying have been on my "to do" list for a bit now. And pretty much the key word in THAT sentence is "bit"....meaning, I've only been doing it a little "bit" at a time!

Hey it's about the end result, not how I got there....Right?? Well, my recent cleaning venture took me to this playful magazine cover from years gone by. Back in 1999 I received this "limited edition", one of a kind, cover of Parenting magazine. Personalized by my very own creative in house publisher! (Got to love Photoshop) You can imagine my surprise and delight when I saw my two boys (then 2 & 6) smiling  back at me.

The really fun part is experiencing the same joyful reaction this morning as I looked at the cover again. As much as I love the current "phase we're in", pangs from days gone by gently touched my heart.

I have a wooden bench, the seat lifts up & I store all my Mom memories. Drawing, scribbles, notes, pictures, and I'm sure even a few pressed "dandelions of love". All heartwarming memories of moments that have brought me to this very day. Nothing being tossed from there, that's for sure!

It's becoming clearer to me why cleaning, organizing, tossing and simplifying only happens a little "bit " at a time..... Obviously, I get caught up in the good stuff. You can't rush memories or happy tears......they deserve their own due time....and who am I to mess with a good thing?!

Not A Moment Too Soon................

" Give thanks for the unknown blessings already on their way"  
~ Native American Prayer


 This quote was in my email inbox (just in the nick of time). You know when you need that little reminder to "hang in there" things will look/feel better soon? Well, that's where I was the past couple of days. Not one thing in particular, well ok ....some were "in particular" and some not so much. For me it was just your basic, "what the heck is going on? what were YOU thinking? and boy the glass is really half empty today" !


Here's what I did......I validated those feelings!! Wallowed in them for a bit and then was ready to "snap out of it", put on my "big girl panties" and get back in the game.


The thing is this, I know I missed appreciating a whole lot of blessings during that time, but thankfully as the quote reminded me this morning....."there are more already on their way"..........Give thanks....indeed I did!

And Now We're Four..................

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15 years ago, at 11:17pm, I gave birth to an amazing 8lb 14oz, beautiful baby boy. The truly beautiful part is that when I held him that first moment, looked in his eyes and whispered promises from the depths of my soul, I honestly had no idea how truly amazing the next 15 years would be.

Tribute here to my second born, and his many amazing qualities that still make me smile and remind me how glad I am we are a family of four!

Your creative ~ artsy energy and all that you accomplish with it is just outstanding

The way you listen to a song and ask if I "hear" all the instrument distinctions...once you explain it to me, I CAN hear it the way it was "meant to be heard"

Your easy going personality, along with kindness and willingness towards others.. ESPECIALLY your older brother

Your adventurous side that wants to "do it all"

Your determination when you REALLY want to accomplish something...usually when trying to convince me of something

Your humor and one liners that have been known to "lighten the mood" many times over the years

Your patience with me when you have to repeat "how to" instructions..again and again

The fact that we spent your birthday day together today and when we got home you thanked me for a fun day....not sure many 15 year old sons would feel that way, but it sure did warm my heart

And I must include that you are courteous...which when you were little, you would say it is because your middle name is Curtis 

I am so proud to be your Mom and thank God each and everyday for all the amazing pieces you bring to our family!

Happy Birthday B.......I love you !

Easter Thoughts/Memories.......

Easter 1968...Me and my big sista'

Wondering if it was my year to wear pink or yellow

Tiny foil wrapped chocolate eggs

Trying to balance my hat by making no sudden moves

Should I take off the white gloves to eat the chocolate

Wondering what my sister had in her pocketbook

 Mom polishing our shoes with Vaseline for an extra shine

Leotards feeling just that bit too short

Sweet Bread with drizzled frosting and colorful sprinkles

Wonderful Memories......

While finally tackling a closet that had been calling my name for quite some time to clean, which had clearly been landing on deaf ears....I found something that tossed me back in time. Back to a time when I was a new Mom. A harried "am I doing everything right" kind of Mom (gee so glad that that has eased....yeah right)


Take the journey with me won't you....about 17 years. My son was 11 months old. He and I were out on errands when I heard the DJ on the radio broadcasting from a local craft store, that they had a table set up for children to come in and make Father's Day t-shirts.


Sounded like fun to me. It was going to be "First Father's Day" in our house and what better for an artsy Dad, than to receive a t-shirt decorated by his first born.


Well, looking at the supplies available on the craft table, I realized there wasn't really anything that an 11 month old could actually "do".  So we scooted down the "stamping" aisle and I searched for a fun color ink pad. Teal blue would do. It was the early 90's, a very "in" color.


Back at the table I stretched out his pudgy little hands, inked them up and facilitated teal hand prints on a white t shirt....clearly one of a kind.


I began getting a little anxious when the project started turning messier than I anticipated and my restless "artist" had really had enough. I did have a little rush that this was still a very sweet gift (even if not quite all five fingers were represented).


With wet wipes, a wet inked t-shirt, and a hungry, wet child I dashed out of the store. I was feeling confident in my choice to take on such a project, until I looked in the rear view mirror and saw my dear child with his hands in his mouth and teal blue covering that precious grin. 


Now, I know I made sure it was non toxic ink, but it still felt poisonous to this new Mom. I tried to calm and reassure myself that it was all fine.


With confidence back in check, all was good... until I turned on the radio and the DJs were saying "did you see that Mom using ink on her kids hands to decorate the t-shirt...don't know how safe THAT was"! 


I love that finding that teal ink pad almost 20 years later, brought it all rushing back. Serving as a reminder that Life is a journey and mine has been truly Blessed!


As a brief side note.....After finding the ink pad I wrapped it in a plastic bag and tucked it back in the closet. So when I clean it out again, in another 20 years, I can have the same wonderful memory all over again!