Tiny Ripples

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"You look nice honey."

That was all that was said, but it had a profound effect on my attitude.
That simple little compliment from Hubsy made me feel so good...
made my outlook for the day a little brighter...
made me want to make someone else feel good too.

That's what compliments are.
Little ripples of love that spread out exponentially.
So often we take for granted how incredibly impactful our words can be.
Even the seemingly small ones.

I urge you to take a moment to compliment someone today.
Whether it be your spouse, your child, a co-worker, or a stranger.  Give them a heartfelt compliment and rest assured knowing that you have made the world a better place.  Truly you have.
In that small act of love, an entire movement of change can take place.
You will positively impact another's life, their mindset, and their actions.
It will only grow and multiply....and YES real change can happen in that way, with seemingly humble beginnings.

Remind you of anyone?
Jesus was born humbly in a stable but He spread love in every way, in every situation, and He has changed not only the world but all existence, for all time. 
Pretty darn awesome.

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Random bits and pieces

Things have been pretty crazy and hectic around my house lately.  Well, actually for about the past 2 months.  Things with my husband's job have been all over the place.  He's been working lots of extra hours and I never seem to know when he's going to be home.  Of course I see him everyday but our time together just doesn't FEEL like we've seen each other.  Been there?  I think we need a date night soon.  

Regardless of the stressful days that we have where we seem to hit the floor running and never stop til we drop in bed at night, I have been able to pause and appreciate a few things.  

Silly things? 

Simple things?  

Why yes, but I appreciate them none-the-less.

1.  A walk in the woods.  

There's a healing quiet in the woods that stills my racing brain and settles my soul.  You're surrounded by greenery and the sun peeking in through the branches dappling the floor below with glorious light. It's a great rejuvination...this walking amongst the wild.

2.  The tamed beast

Horses are like another kind of heaven.  Just ask any of the "horse people".  They are a happy serene people content to bask in the aura of these beasts.  Above is Jessie, my sister's horse.  He is big and beautiful and loved dearly by my niece.  We had the pleasure of visiting a horse show this past weekend at a local park.  Just being around the horses was so relaxing.  

They even had these "mini" horses (not ponies) there.  They were so cute and basically looked like large dogs.  It was really neat to watch them.   I wish we could have stayed much longer but it was nap time for the boys and the heat was getting to them.

3. Baby feet

I have a love for baby feet.  So fresh and new and well...fat :)  

I'm noticing my 2yr old's are thinning out and becoming less fat so I thought I'd better capture them quick before these sweet pudgy baby feet are gone for good.

4.  Angels wings

I went for a walk the other day during my break at work and the sky was just amazing.  I wish I could have gotten a better picture.  The entire sky was filled with clouds like this.  

They looked just like angel's wings everywhere.

5.  Freedom

Believe it or not I have had the same pair of running shoes for about 4 years now.  They are in horrible shape and needless to say the padding is less than supportive these days.  I am SO excited to have a new pair.  I don't usually go for something girly like this pair with all that hot pink and flower print on the inside but hey, they were on clearance and that was the only way I was getting a new pair.  But now I can run more often and hopefully with less pain in my knees and ankles!

Happy Tuesday!  I hope you find some small thing that makes you smile today!

Favorite Things Friday

A few things I'm loving these days....

1. My Bodycology fragrance mist in Coconut Lime.  My husband says I smell like a Pina Colada.  I can think of worse things...I bought this on a clearance shelf at Wal-Mart ~ love it!  Light and fresh!

2.  My new Target Mossimo sandals.  I wear them constantly now.  They seem to go with everything and are so comfy!

3. This Feta and Poppyseed Salad....perfect for spring.  Mixed greens, feta cheese, sunflower seeds, raisins, and poppyseed dressing.  Can you say delicious!?!

4.  This song by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals.  I love the raw sound of her voice.

5.  Handpicked flowers from my boys.  Buttercups and columbine...they bring such cheer to the house and a bright smile to my face.

6.  These pretty little lace mirrors from  Sunny Inspirations on Etsy.
I may be getting quite a few of these to have on hand for gifts.  Love them!  So dainty and perfect for your purse.

7.  This T-Shirt from Neena Creates on Etsy.
I love the romance of all her items...check out her shop!

What are you loving?

Finding Joy

In our house...

Not surprisingly, I have been inspired by Rachael's blog "finding joy".  She wrote this lovely post and I instantly wanted to do the same.  Listing things out is a great way to find the joy in your everyday life and I think it is fun for readers to get a peek inside....so here's mine....

In our house...

: :  we have pajama days (like once a week pretty much).  No shower, no day clothes.  Just Pj's.  We do brush our teeth at least!

: :  we plan out our menu and post it on the fridge.  I've recently found out a lot of people are doing this too.  My husband and I have been doing it since we moved in together.  I can't imagine life without it.  It makes thing so much easier when coming home from a long day of work when you don't have to think about what to make for dinner!

: :  we love music.  Some of our family favorites are...

Jason Aldean (anything)

Jamey Johnson (In color)

Taylor Swift (Mean)

Travis Triit (It's a great day to be alive)

Zac Brown Band (anything)

Luke Bryan (Rain is a good thing)

Matt Maher (Hold us together)

Bob Marley (Three little birds)

Barenaked Ladies (Life in a nutshell)

Black Eyed Peas (I gotta feeling)

Counting Crows (Einstein on the beach)

: :  we say "I love you" umpteen times a day.

: :  we love jeep wranglers.  Have 3 of them.  Well, 1 real and 2 power wheels jeeps but they all get driven....a lot.  Long rides with the top down are THE BEST!

Our Jeep - affectionately named "Black Jack"

: :  we love outdoor activities, especially kayaking and camping.

Our kayaks hanging in our garage

: :  we'd rather play than clean and it shows.  Stuff strewn about everywhere.  A clean house only lasts about 4 hours or less, but that's ok.

My youngest playing with pill bugs in the back yard

: :  we live with a sweet poochie.  She is the most gentle and well behaved dog we know.  Perhaps it's from putting up with all the torture from my boys?  She is an angel for this alone.

Our sweet Sienna

: :  we do everything together. Well, as much as we can, which seems to be much more than most people.  Alone time is rare but I actually think this is a good thing.  We just like being together.


: :  we argue (just keeping it real) but we are quick to forgive


: :  we have spontaneous dance parties.  The goofier the dance the better.  Both my boys are AWESOME break-dancers.  Well, they think they're break-dancing but either way it is hilarious and adorable.

: :  we got love, trust, and giggles

: : we have faith....in God and in each other

What goes on in your house?

Sense and Sentiment

Over the past week I've been really noticing things that are speaking to my senses.  Must be spring.  No matter the reason why, I am unspeakably grateful to have these wonderful gifts of sight, sound, touch, taste and smell to enjoy. 
Some of the things I've been enjoying....

* The sight of the sunrise on my way to work and the flowers we recently planted for our deck.

* The sweet dimple on my son's chin.

* The scent of fresh cut grass in the air....man does the first whiff of that put you in a good mood.
Spring is here!  

* The smell of maple syrup kisses from my boys.
The scent of my husband on his clothes (I still steal them on occasion).

* The taste of delicious Easter food.

We had omlettes, fruit, and croissants for Easter breakfast at my Moms.  My sister provided the fruit with Goat Cheese and honey spread.  It was delicious!  We had yummy Easter Ham dinner at my sister-in-laws.  I love ham, too bad we don't make it very often :(  And nobody makes homemade Easter chocolates like my mother-in-law!
Wait, I was supposed to be avoiding sugar right?
Well it WAS Easter!

* Listening to my boys try to sing the words to "Hold us together" from Matt Maher.  It's so beautiful to hear their little voices singing about the strength of love...moves me to tears.   

* Since it has finally been warm enough, I have enjoyed sitting out on my deck and hearing my lovely wind chime that my hubby and sons got for me.  It is sooo soothing.

 

* I've been trying to memorize the softness of my 2 year old's skin.  The smooth roundness of his cheeks will be gone all too soon.  Oh how I wish they could just stay this little.

What are some of your favorite sensory inspired moments?

I'm linking up with Rachel at Finding Joy today, 
please take a moment to visit her blog. You'll be glad you did!

Shame on Me

I have been self indulgent of late with a mopey attitude.
YES I have stress and YES I'm overwhelmed but so is everyone.  And when I take a minute to focus on people and events outside of myself, I see that I have have it pretty damn good.

Some bloggy inspirations have hit me today.
Both Rachel from Finding Joy and Carissa of Lowercase Letters have posted
about looking on the bright side and essentially counting your blessings.  And when you really look and put things in perspective, the Lord has rained them down on me in abundance.
Shame on me for forgetting that.

So I decided to review this past week and link up with Rachel and Carrissa for favorite things Friday.  Here are some of the joys I have experienced this past week.

1. Music and it's never ending power to move me

Some of my favorite tunes this week

Adele - Rolling in the Deep

Boyce Avenue - Teenage Dream (NOT Katy Perry's version)

Brian Kissinger - Entire "Can't Get Away" album but particularly "Today"  You may be able to find him on YouTube but he used to be the music ministry leader at the school where my husband teaches.

Francesca Battistelli - The Stuff

2.  My oldest son

Loves me all the way to Pluto and back.
That boy's a lover and I will NEVER tire of hearing him tell me he loves me.

3.  My youngest son

Is starting to be more affectionate.  I admit I have compared him to his older brother...sssh...I know your not supposed to do that...and he is not nearly into cuddling and such as his brother was/is.  But this week he has started to give me kisses without solicitation and he has even been asking me to lay with him for a bit at bed time.  God love him.  It has warmed this mama's heart immensely.

4. Sunshine

I need the sun practically as much as I need air.
Blessedly woke up to a clear and bright morning today which helped to center me and lift me up.
Thank you Lord for creating such glorious light!

5. My Ceiling Fan

It is finally warm enough to have my ceiling fan on low at night.  I love to have the cool air swirling around me and be cozy warm under the cover, not to mention the "white noise"....love it.

6.  Growing things

My Weeping Cherry Tree has exploded with blossoms.  My hyacinths are blooming (my oldest picked me one to keep inside and enjoy the aroma).  The grass, it even needed cut today!

7.  Reaching Out
I was asked for my email address from a bloggy friend this week.
Made me feel really good that she reached out to me!  Thanks Cory!

So if you're feeling down, re-examine your past week and find all the beautiful moments that have been given to you and link up with Rachel.

Starting off Monday right

So this weekend was one of those rare weekends that actually felt like I had a weekend!  Gotta love them when they come along, just the right mix of getting errands and such done but still having time for fun.  And all the snow melted too which definitely lifted my mood!

Being Monday and back to work can make you a little grumpy though.  Here are some of the ways I try to beat the Monday workday grumps.  I'm lucky enough to work for a relaxed company that allows me to enjoy all these little things that can get the day started right.

Me actually happy on a Monday morning!

1.  Light a candle.  Nothing helps create a feeling of serenity like a candle.  The best brand I have found is "Our Own Candle Co.".  These babies are amazing.  They burn for 100 hours and their yummy scents will permeate your entire house...or office building in my case :)  And the 16oz mason jar is only $7.00 - totally worth it!

2.  Turn on my digital picture frame.  My husband presented me with this gift two Christmases ago and I think it is the best present I've ever received.   
It's like watching a version of "This is your life" everyday.
Although it only has the last 10 years of my life since buying a digital camera ;)  But it's a great way to stay focused on what is important in life as you watch pics of your wedding, babies, vacations, and family flicker across the screen.  All those good times serve as a reminder of why you work so hard in the first place.

3.  Listen to a little Pandora acoustic soul on my iphone....or any music that lifts you up.  I think music is the single most powerful mood elevator ever.  Anytime your feeling down you can turn on some music that speaks to your soul or even just something with a great beat to serve as a little pick-me-up.

4.  Lastly, get a cup of coffee.  They say those that start the day with a warm beverage tend to be happier people.  Something about the warmth...well I know this is probably true for me.  I'm not a strong coffee drinker, I tend to like a light roast or flavored varieties.  Lately I've been drinking French Vanilla coffee with French Vanilla creamer, yum!   
Overkill?  Not for me, it's like dessert in the morning!
I also like Chai Tea Lattes.  I like a variety but some people are fiercly committed to a certain brand or brew.

What's your beverage of choice?

One of my favorite radios stations K-Love does a great thing on Mondays.  Its called Make a Difference Monday.  They make suggestions of small things (or big things) that you can do to make a difference in someone's life and people can call in with something they are doing or something someone did for them.  It's just a great way to start off the week and try to remind us all to help each other out now and again.  So many radio stations make fun of each other, callers, celebrities, etc.  I find K-Love's approach quite refreshing, can you imagine what the world may be like if people concentrated on building each other up instead of tearing each other down?  I want to live in that world.  I too get caught up in judging people sometimes but this reminder always helps.

K-Love is also helping to raise funds for Friday's earthquake/tsunami victims in Japan.  If you'd like to give, click here.

I'm linking up with Carrisa at lower case letters today!  Please check out her blog!
And Happy Monday!

Lower Case Letters