Happiness Is…

Give yourself up to this moment. Dare to see it. Now look down at your feet; slip out of those invisible tethers. Then ask: Where would you take yourself right this moment if you walked toward your most heartfelt dream? What would your life look like? What would your body look and feel like? What level of energy would you have? What might be your favorite activity? What would your daily life include? Imagine happiness — the sweet glow of inner contentment, the way it tastes and smells and feels. ~Chris Downie

Happiness danced in my thoughts today. My oldest step-daughter married her sweetheart yesterday in a somewhat secret ceremony, I believe just a few of his family attended. They posted the video on Facebook to share the exciting news.

I sent her a text today to ask her if I could put it on my wall that “my daughter married her sweetheart. I specifically asked about dropping the step that has stared me in the face since I became part of the family nine years ago. I hate that word. When she said I could. I cannot express the joy that brings to my heart.

Though she is an adult and has a “step” of her own now, part of her is still that young girl I met when I married her Dad. I fell in love with her and her sister. I made it clear my intentions were to never ever take the place of their mom who is still living, but that does not diminish the depth of the love that I feel for them. Through the years I developed a mother’s love for them. I ached when they hurt. I worried when they were sick. Frustrated when I saw them making choices that I knew would lead them into pain. I felt hurt when they were away and we did not get to spend the time we could with them. Distance and circumstances sometimes coming between our developing relationships. Each time though, my mother heart, would ache to know how my daughters were and we would find our way back to each other.

So having my daughter allow me to call her what my heart has called her all along is happiness to me. Knowing that she has found the man who will walk the road beside her being her constant and her strength makes this mom very happy.

Family means the world to me. I do not know where I would be without my family. I am so very grateful for the gift that my daughter gave me today to let me call her mine, and yesterday for increasing our family by two.

Sleep, Sleep…Finally A Blink!

I am so excited. I closed my eyes for a few hours this afternoon and my body thanked me. Had my alarm not sounded, I would be there still. Sometimes it takes the small things to give us joy, small victories.

Now round two, heading out to see my husband’s pal. Hear endless stories about how they blew things up as a kids. (Man, am I glad they live 4000 miles apart.) I have seen the videos on how his pal lives. He still lives and enjoys life like he is a kid. I did mention he and he wife quit their jobs to take a touring extended vacation right? Geez.. Freebird…

Find the Good Friday: Become As A Little Child

This article was found in the Huffington Post.

The Utah Food Bank received the most memorable donation in their history… but it’s not what you think. It wasn’t a lot of money, but it was from someone very special, making the donation incredibly touching.

Three little kids, Aidan, Sofia and Zach, decided to give their hard-earned money to people in need. They sent in a check for $36.50 to the food bank along with a touching note. This is what it said:

“Dear Utah food bank,

I wanted to contribute the money I made from my lemonade stand to help feed the hungry.”

The Utah Food Bank was so impressed with the children’s genorosity, they posted the letter and story on Facebook, where it received lots of shares and like.

Yesterday I received and email from Happify.com that stated, “In a study by scientists at the University of British Columbia, participants were given envelopes of either $5 or $20, and instructed to spend the money on themselves or on someone else. The result? Participants who blew the bills on others were happier than those who’d spent the cash treating themselves—regardless of the amount.”

It warmed my heart that sweet Aidan, Sofia, and Zach served those in need. It touches me beyond words they worked for the money and then selflessly and charitably gave it away. I love that the letter is written by Aidan, what joy they must feel. That will be a feeling that stays with them and encourage them to continue to selflessly serve for the rest of their lives.

What tender examples they are!

Drops of Awesome: The Blog

Drops of Awesome

I really believe in this and want to spread the word. I hope it is contagious.

So often we are defined by the negative events that happen to us or negativity around us that we forget our awesomeness. I originally wanted to have just a page on this blog dedicated, but as I have thought about it, to me it is too important and too exciting to be hidden under a page menu. It needed its own blog.

Please share your awesomeness with the world. Lets see the ripple effect in our own lives and in the lives of others. Drops can be funny moments, moments you served, large or small successes in your days. Visit and visit often. If you have more than one awesome thing to share a day, wonderful! I know we would all love to hear!

The way the page is set up, at midnight EST every day a new date and inspirational quote post magically appears. Our drops for that day will be made as comments.

UPDATE: Drops of Awesome

There is some confusion about the page. It is not a new blog, yet, just a page at the top of this blog, and put your drops in as a comment. We have a few drops in there right now. I love it. Warms my heart! Kudos! Kudos!

YOU ARE AWESOME!!!