Inspirational Thornton Wilder Quote

Life is Good: and inspiring

I am a keeper of things. I guess that's a nice way of saying pack rat or hoarder? Gasp! 

Truly, I am a sentimental sap.

I've started trying to separate feelings from "things" in the last few years and am proud to say that I now take photos of the lesser special of the specialist things (i.e. every scribble my children ever scribbles) and then throw them in the (she whispers) trash. 

But, this, I hung on to and kept it in a drawer as a reminder. 

On its own, it is a great reminder to be grateful and aware. Good inspiration, indeed.

And then there is the back side. 

Precious words from a sweet friend. I love the quote on the front, but when I turned it over, I felt a warm hug from a friend all the way in South Minneapolis (or quite possibly at their cabin up North this weekend!). 

We all need to feel loved and special once in a while, right? Don't we all need to hear that we're liked, loved, beloved, cherished, treasured? Okay, that's probably just me! I have ALWAYS needed to know how people feel about me. ALWAYS! Ever since I can remember. On a daily basis! And I've aways needed to tell people how I feel about them. But, oh gosh, that is another post! ha!

This little note was more than a hug from a friend. It was a reminder to spread that love. So I will text a few wonderful people I know, I will attempt to call a few wonderful people this week, and I will put writing one hand-written note to one person on my (infinite) to-do list. I challenge you to do the same. There's so much hurt in the world right now. But peace begins with you and me. It sounds sappy, but it's true. So let's show each other some love and let it grow out from us in waves. 

And, for you, my dear Michelle, it's no cliche. I cherish your friendship, too. (See you Monday!) 

And if you're reading this, I cherish you, too. I love getting your emails and comments to let me know that you like a quote I found or laughed at my blathering. And that somebody besides my mom reads this blog once in a while. Ha! (BTW, Mom, I cherish & treasure you more than those words can ever express.)

"We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures." (Thornton Wilder) And I treasure you. I do. YOU are a treasure. 

The Last Day of 2nd Grade

Life is Good: and speeding along

If you want to get a bit teary, walk your Big Kid to his last day of 2nd grade and then, when you get home, sort through the pile of junk that he pulled out of his backpack right before you walked out the door this morning. You will find a file of letters that his teacher had each student write to each other over the past year. You will get confirmation that your child is a great friend, good at sports, is helpful and funny, and has a great "laff" among other lovely things. You will feel happy that your child is liked by his classmates, you will giggle at some of the darling comments ("I don't have a pet. It's torchur."), and you will breathe a sigh of relief that moving your child to a new school in a new area of the city worked out really well. And he's really okay. It's really okay. It all worked out. Really. Then, you will say lots of praises to God, a prayer of gratitude, and your eyes will get a bit wet. 

And then, your four-year old Little Kid will walk into the room wearing a platinum blonde (lady's) wig that you wore for Halloween one year before kids (now a dress up bin castoff) and declare that he is a "hairy dog" and you will laugh all the way from your belly while you say another prayer of thanks.

These kids keep growing, life keeps speeding by. Luckily, we have these incredible moments of letter writing and costume wearing and well, there's more, but the Littlest One just pulled out every sock, shoe, and blanket he owns out of the drawers so...gotta run! 18-month olds don't have time for sentimentality! Life is zooming...enjoy!

Games for Toddlers

Life is Good: our one-year old is occupied (for the moment)

Holy moly! I forgot how busy a one-year-old can be!
By 8 o'clock this morning, our littlest had read every book, hugged every stuffed animal, built every block we have. He had zoomed and vroomed and crashed every car, boat, and bus.
He had pulled out every single plastic cup we own.
He had climbed the couch no less than one hundred seventeen times.
He had colored with crayons, decorated paper (and himself) with markers, and had two breakfasts and a snack.
He was making our demanding, I mean, "spirited" four-year old look like the definition of patience. And speaking of patience, mine was dissipating.
As I was putting every piece of Tupperware known to man back in a drawer, I remembered a little gem that I had made for the Big Kid and then, the Little Kid when they were about one.

I grabbed the affectionately aforementioned (wink) Tupperware and cut a hole in the lid. The Little Kid was making a puppet and I found some pom poms in one of the craft containers.

This little 5-second DIY project kept our little dude busy for half an hour.

Half. An. Hour.
Bliss!

Happy Friday!

Words to Grow On

Life is Good: the world is waiting for you & you are ready!

I adored my maternal grandfather. He was too many things to write about right now. He gave me lots of precious gifts---words of wisdom, mostly, and a great example of a spirit-led life. He had a lot of favorites---including licorice (ick!), 60 Minutes, and Fords. He also had a favorite cousin named Atha. He loved her so much that he named one of his daughters after her! And lucky for me, his favorite cousin, Atha, had a son who then had a daughter (have I lost you yet?) who happened to become one of my favorite cousins. And her name is Jen.

Jen has two sons. Two smart, handsome, talented, well-rounded (insert tons more compliments here) sons. And I often text Jen with some sort of "boy, I am going to have lots of questions for you about raising sons when my little dudes get to be...(this age) or (doing this), etc." And she always self-depricatingly makes it sound like her sons grew up only by the Grace of God. I know that faith played a key role, but I also know that she and her husband have been intentional in every way possible as they parented these boys. 

Today, Jen and her family celebrate a momentous milestone. Her eldest son walked out the door for his very last day of high school. He will graduate soon and move on to college. And the big wide world awaits. And again, I wonder how she's managing this extremely emotional time. And I say that I will certainly need her suggestions and guidance when I get to this time in my life!

Jen was kind enough to send a letter to me that she wrote to her son. And generously agreed to let me post it in hopes that the words that have come straight from her heart will touch another mama's heart. I don't think these are words that speak only to moms of graduating seniors, though, but to all of us who, from time to time, have to widen our grasp of our children in little and big ways. Though these thoughts are for her son as he says goodbye to high school, I think they are words--sweet, precious words-- for all of us to grow on...

To my Precious Son as you prepare to depart on your own life's journey-
 
There are so many different emotions swirling in my mind and my heart, I often just feel overwhelmed. But I 

hope you feel calm, focused, excited and confident.  You've done the work.  You are ready.  
 
Right now, there are still many decisions to make.  And they seem so big.  Which is the right school for you? 

Where will you fit, excel, grow, and be happy?  But here's the thing:  Any of the places on that list we've 
poured over can be the right place. And it will be, once you choose it. 
 
You'll fit by trying new things and learning to fully appreciate differences. You'll excel wherever you go and 

whatever you do because those are the choices you make.  You've practiced them over and over.  You are 

disciplined, and you see the big picture.  You have lived through disappointments- without becoming bitter or 

discouraged, but instead allowing them to drive you. Your perseverance will take you through setbacks to 
successes.  I know it.

 
You will grow by taking the leaps of faith that feel uncomfortable.  Over the years, I've seen you be more 
and more willing to do that.  I've watched in awe as you've become welcoming of necessary discomforts. 

And you've done it all with such a calm confidence.  
 
You'll make mistakes, too.  That's part of the process.  There will be sadness, or a broken heart, or dashed hopes.
And you will turn them into lessons and get back up and move on.  Your help and support will be just a text or 

call away- as much or as little help as you need. Right here. And when I can't physically be there or 
its a thing I can't really fix, our God who is greater than it all will be all around you, working all things for good.
 
And you"ll be happy. 

I know you will because I've prayed it over you a million times. And I know you will because you already 

understand that happiness, too, is a choice.  
 
We will be here, marveling at you as we always have, and missing you so very much, too.  We will make our own 
choice to be happy, even as we feel the loss of the way things were.  There will be tears- you know me. 

But never due to doubt or regret or fear.  It's just hard to let you go because I know how special you are 
and I know how far and how high you will fly.  And I want you to! 

 I love you more than I ever imagined loving, I'm so proud of the amazing young man you are, and I will be 

right here- missing you, cheering you, praying for you, believing in you.
 
So, go, baby. Make your choice, you can't go wrong.  Your wings are ready!  
 
Mom

Eggless Egg-free Chocolate Chip Zucchini Cake and/or Bread

Life is Good: I'm baking again!

Need a sure-thing to take to a friend with a new baby, a family that is grieving, to share over coffee & a chat? 

This recipe does not dissappoint. I got it from my friend, Merie, and adjusted it to make it eggless for our family's needs. You can make it as a cake or a bread, chocolate chips or chocolate chocolate chips, all with the same results...YUM!

Eggless Chocolate Chip Zucchini Cake

Ingredients:

2 C flour

2 C sugar

3/4 C cocoa powder

2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon

mixture of 3/4 applesauce and 1/2 T baking powder (mixed together in a separate bowl until foamy)

3/4 C canola

3/4 C buttermilk (I have often used milk and it has turned out well)

3 C grated zucchini

3/4 C chocolate chips or chunks (My friend Merie used a 1/2 bag rather than measure them)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Grease and flour two loaf pans.

3. Mix applesauce and baking soda together in a small bowl and set aside.

4. Mix flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon together in a large bowl.

5. Add applesauce mixture plus oil and buttermilk into large bowl of dry ingredients and mix well.

6. Mix in zucchini and then chocolate chips.

7. Pour into pans (half of batter in each) and bake. In my oven, this recipe is done after about 45 minutes. However, all ovens are different, so I suggest that you start checking the middle of the loaf with a toothpick or cake tester after 38-40 minutes.

Notes:

I typically leave the cocoa powder out of the recipe when I make this bread for my kids since they are allergic to nuts. Most cocoa powders are processed in facilities where nuts are present. If I add cocoa, I have to grind Enjoy Life chocolate chunks into a powder. Sometimes I feel like going through the extra step and sometimes...I'm lazy! The absence of cocoa powder doesn't affect how delicious it is. However, the addition of cocoa powder kind of "takes the flavor over the edge", if you will, and makes the bread much, much more rich. Try it both ways and see what you think!

The original recipe calls for 1 tsp of cinnamon, but it makes for a very obvious cinnamon taste and I prefer it more subtle, especially when leaving out the cocoa powder.

This recipe was originally a cake made with eggs that my friend, Merie, who happens to be a marvelous and adventurous cook, posted on Facebook a few years ago. (Thank you, Merie!) I adapted it to be eggless and the result was more of a bread than a cake, so I bake it in loaf pans, but if you want to try it in a cake pan, go for it! I made it as a cake for our Little Kid's birthday cake a couple of years ago and everyone loved it.

Here is the Chocolate Chunk Zucchini bread version (I used Enjoy Life chocolate chunks.)

Marriage Weather Report: Mostly Sunny

Life is Good: fifteen years later

It's been a rainy, dreary, grey day in Minnesota today.
But fifteen years ago, on a little island off the coast of Georgia, the sky was bright with sunshine as well as excitement and hope.

Many people talk about having a "fairy tale wedding" with an eye roll, but ours was pretty close to that (thanks, mom and dad!). Several of our closest friends and family flew to Florida and drove to Georgia (thank you!) for a long weekend of community and sharing, laughter and dancing, good food and...a wedding.

The "fairy tale" included riding on a real ferry called the Cumberland Princess and after saying our vows, all 45 of us walking down a cobblestone street to the waves, cheers, applause, and yes, honks of passersby. It was a sunshine-filled day where (almost) everything went right.

In fifteen years, there have been many, many sunshine-filled days where (almost) everything went right. And there have been some rainy, dreary, grey days as well. I'd like to say that Grant and I have figured it all out and have nothing but sunshine year-round. I'd like to say that this opposite personalities, extrovert & introvert, yin and yang thing we have going on is always perfectly balanced. But it's not. It can come in handy, it has been helpful, and for sure, it has definitely been a blessing more times than I can count. But also, it can be a stumbling block and even a giant pain in the...neck. ; )

What I can say for certain is that, through mostly sunshine and a bit of rain, we have made it through with our feet firmly planted on the same path using our faith and shared values as our compass. For fifteen years. FIFTEEN years. And counting.

And lucky for us (and by the Grace of God), we have three giant rays of sunshine that help keep us focused on the path, help us see past the storms, make the sunshine-filled days all the more laughter-infused and delightful, and the grey days not so dark.

So here's to being on the path together no matter what the weather. Here's to many more sunshine-filled days than not. Here's to weathering life's storms side by side. Here's to fifteen years times fifteen years times fifteen years and more.

(Heart cookie image found at http://finehdwallpaperrr.com)