The Squishable Baby

The Squishable Baby

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Happiness is___________(Week 6

I have so much to be happy about this week!  My heart is absolutely overfilled with joy.

Happiness is...

Going to the gym and becoming physically and mentally stronger.  This is my physical Trainer.  This was after a kickboxing workout on no sleep.  Grayson had a meltdown in the end, so we had to stop the workout 15 minutes early.  Look at him, he's fine once I held him . The Little Booger.  He's a slimy one, he is.

Being present and able to laugh and love.

After several weeks of living on almost no sleep, waking up and seeing this - the light peeking through the curtain.  I thought I was in a dream.

Knowing that - no matter what - someone always has your back.

Priceless.

Comment and tell us what makes you happy.  What is happiness for you?  Visit Crazy Adventures in Parenting and leave a link at the bottom to a blog post, Instagram photo, Twitter or Facebook Update.  Make sure to follow along using #happinessis on Twitter and Instagram.  Don't forget to visit often, click on a couple and like, retweet and share the love and happiness with others.


L

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Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Blog Shout-Out Week of February 11th

Time to head over to Pinterest to see what awesome things I have pinned this week!

Articles

1.  Mom Guilt is EXCELLENT!  It was posted on MommyJenna's blog and written by Marie Pugh
2.  Article Love in Green Child Magazine on keeping time outs positive.
3.  I love positive thoughts.  One thing I have learned being a SAHM, is that I must say daily positive affirmations - which is why I love These Positive Thoughts which were posted on Taking Skinny for Granted

Blogs

1.  The Kid Lit Blog Hop, I am still thinking about.  Awesome!  Connect with some awesome authors and some rockin' literature!  Check out the website, visit the blogs and connect! 

Love it!

2.  Not exactly last week, but I thought this is an interesting must read.  Don't do it.  Don't Text and Drive - period.  I would think it would be a no-brainer, but apparently not.

Recipes
Personally, I'm getting sick and tired of the Valentines day posts.  I mean, come on now.  It's been dragged through the dirt and pounded into the ground (not to sound like a Grinch).  I know, I'm super cranky.  Probably has something to do with being up for the day at 1 AM.

Anyway, out of all the recipes that I pinned, saw and oogled over - there was one that was the "stand out" recipe.  And it's so uber cute!

1.  The Allergy Friendly Heart Shaped Donuts posted on Chockababy's blog!  I'm thinking if you don't need allergy friendly, you can make them using any delicious donut recipe you can dream up or find. 

Yummmmmmm, dooooooooonutttttts!

<Drool>

Since I am so cranky and am tired of the Valentines Day hoopla - tell me - what is your most favorite Valentines day recipe or craft (as I can't stand to even look at one more Valentines Day project)?  Perhaps we can build a list and I can torture others with it next year!

L
 
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Monday, February 11, 2013

Girly Boy

This outfit is girly much

So, weigh in.  Am I an evil wicked battleaxe who is going to put my son into therapy when he is 20 - and  as a result, he will develop a deep seated hatred for me?  Or, am I a desperate busy Mom who has better things to do than laundry?

Please tell me because I really really want to know.

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Sunday, February 10, 2013

The Breastfeeding Jouney Continues - Even After 6 Months

I'm sitting here with my hot chocolate thinking about the up and down journey Grayson and I have been on.  It has definitely been a wild ride.

I am also looking at my very dirty, run down, 8.5 year old Medela Pump In Style with detest - and after you read this post, you will know why.

It all started after the birth.  I was in the shower, and the midwife came in and said "Grayson has a tongue tie, and you should get it cut as soon as possible".  I just looked at her.  The next two days were very painful with the tongue tie latch.  The pediatrician suggested I wait a while.  I was like - ummmm, that's not happening.

So, two days after his birth (it was a Tuesday), we went to the ENT.  Three days later, he stopped latching.  I remember it clearly, it was a Friday.  That weekend was - interesting to say the least.  I would spend hours (literally) trying to get him latched.  Once we got it, he would latch.  Then he would go to sleep - and it was almost like he forgot.  So, after he woke up, it was another few hours trying to get him latched again.

Man, was I crazed.  He was frustrated.  We tried all different ways, contortions, everything possible in different locations, in and out of the bed.  I was also pumping so that I could feed him a few ounces through a syringe so he wouldn't starve during the time I was trying to get him to latch.

It was a learning process for both of us.

So, on Monday, he was latching regularly!  YAY!  I have done it...or have I?

I was all ready for a positive breast feeding relationship.  Then, he stopped transferring milk.

So here began the intimate relationship with my very used and old Medela Pump And Style...


Man, I hate that thing.

The lactation consultant cut a whole in a bra so that I could pump hands free.  During that month, I was either feeding or pumping.  It was - exhausting to stay the least.  Granted, the hands free was a blessing - I felt like a cow, and didn't do much else.  I was up in the middle of the night pumping.

Not fun.  Not fun at all.

After that it was fine.  It was very up and down with him in terms of breastfeeding.  Sometimes he would feed very well, other times he wouldn't.  If he was sick, it would go down, but then bounce back.

Fast forward to 6 months.  We go for his 6 month checkup and his weight is down.  Granted, he had the flu, and grew 2 teeth during the previous month.  I can't imagine why he would have lost weight.  He looks healthy, he was breastfeeding well.  he was getting good poops and pees.  I feed on demand - why?  why? why?

So, I'm thinking that his body needs real food now.  So, 2 days ago we started with sweet potatoes that I steamed and smashed for him.  Of course he won't eat them.  I just need a break.  I bought this ridiculously expensive can of formula (I don't know how or why people would spend so much money) - so I could just give him one bottle a day so I wouldn't have to pump. Please...please not again.

He of course won't drink the formula and I am not spending tons of money going through different types trying to find something he likes.  It's crazy how much that stuff costs.  It really is a crime.  People need to feed their babies.  Sheesh!

So now, I have come back full circle.  I am looking at my Medela Pump In Style again.


Thinking why...why...why must I endure this again?  I am so so tired.  This totally and utterly soaks.  I breastfed the others 2-3 years with no problems.  What's the deal?

Does anyone - anyone out there have any suggestions?  Encouragement?  Something?  Anything?  I really don't see as I have a choice.

GAH.


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Saturday, February 9, 2013

It's Time to Act - A Revolution for THE FAMILY!

I have never been the excitable type.  I have never been a loud mouth, a busy body or anything else along those lines.  I have also never been a strong advocate for anything.  I guess that's because I have never felt passionate enough about anything to advocate for it.  I sort of thought, well people will do what they want to do, and that's fine.

With that said, the state of the family in America - is - well...

The state of the family in America is horrible - and nobody seems to even care.  DOES ANYBODY CARE (saying this very loud as if nobody is listening)?

It seems like we all exist in this vacuum and we just go on - and accept the mess.  The more mess that happens, the more we accept it.

Duh...

The family is the center to everything.  If your family is not working, nothing works.  Can you concentrate at work when you've just had a fight with your spouse?  What about your kids?  Probably not.  What if your kids and their parents are at odds constantly? Do you think they will grow up empowered and "loving thy father and thy mother"?

Hhmmm?

Our strength or lack thereof comes from the very foundation which makes us happiest or most miserable - our families.  If we increased the cohesiveness of our families, the bonds would be so strong, the negative influences (from the outside) have a more difficult time penetrating the strong force field of love.


See those negative influences bouncing off?

Boing...Boing...Boing...Bouncing off into the abyss.  In my mind - this is the ideal and certainly what I want.

What do you think will happen if part of the family unit breaks away - or no longer works?

Now there are holes.  What do you think will happen to those negative influences now?

This is what this blog is about.  This is what I care about.  This is what I think about.

I am not an expert by any means, but am an expert in my own life.  So, I plan to discuss these things through discussion of my own life experiences, thoughts, actions, beliefs, and ideas.  I love to bounce things back and forth, so hopefully others would also like to contribute their life experiences, thoughts, actions, believes and ideas as well.

I am hoping that this will be a positive place with positive vibes - where people will come to be empowered!

I certainly will be.

I'm ready to sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.  Are you?

L

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Friday, February 8, 2013

My Night in Pictures - Up All Night With Baby

It's 4:33 AM and I have been up since Gray woke up at midnight - full of energy - for the 4th night in a row.

Yawn.

So, instead of complaining about it, I decided to document it so I can always remember "the awesome times".

Yawn.

This is after feeding him, when he wanted to play - and I was half sleep - reading blogs.



Little guy wanted to play so I put him in the pack and play!  He didn't stay too long.  He ate his toys for a while, then tried to catch the stripes on the mat.  Then he started the eh..eh...eh type of cry.  He wanted mama to pick him up so he could mess around while I was blogging.


 which was totally annoying.

Then I gave up trying to read blogs and comment, and we took some middle of the night pictures.

Hahahaha! 

Needed to get a change in scenery.  By this time it was


So we went into the playroom and turned on the TV.

Oh, Suits was on.
 

but Gray wasn't that interested.  he laid there a while and then started bouncing around - kind of like - I'm tired but I don't want to go to sleep.

So, then I decided I was going to take out my big guns.

Ahhhhhhhh,  a milk coma.

Since I was up, might as well make a pair of

Very cute Merino Wool pants!

So now, here it is 4:46 AM - and not sure how I am going to get through the day.

So tell me, where you as active last night as we (Grayson and I) were?  Tell me because I really want to know.

L







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Thursday, February 7, 2013

Making Dating a Family Event

Oh yeah!

I have been thinking about dating a lot lately.  I know, I know - my kids are only 6 months, 4 years and 8 years old. 

I firmly believe that now is the time to set the foundation.  When my son starts talking about having a girlfriend and going on a date, I say things like...

1.  You better leave those girls alone. 
2.  Thinking about girls is the wrong thing to do right now. 
3.  Your first priority is school. Do your best in school, go out on a mission if you want, go to college and get a great education.  Girls can and should wait.
4.  You will have a free ride so long as you stay in school.  You won't have to work and you will always have dinner on the table.
5.  Don't focus on liking one person in particular.  Have lots of friends.
6. The time will come soon enough.  Now, concentrate on playing soccer.

He's 8 so this stuff works now.  But, there will come a time when it doesn't work.

So, here is my thinking on this matter.

They can start dating at 16 or maybe 17 - not any sooner.  And, when he goes out on a date, this is how it will work...

Do you recognize this scene?  It's from the Godfather (c.1972) where Michael Corleone goes out on a date with Apellonia Vitelli.  You see that woman in the front?  The one with the black scarf?

That's me.

Yep - Ava, Grayson, Dad and I will be following right behind him - every step of the way.  You think I'm lying?  The things going on these days....I kid you not.

Now, I have had some good ideas in the past - but this one takes the cake!

Oh yeah!  One step ahead at all times.

So tell me my friends, do you think it's a  good idea to make date night a family night?  What are you planning to do/what do you do/what have you done to ensure the safety of your kids when they start dating?  Please do take the time to comment - because I really really want to know. 

L
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Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Happiness is (Week 5)

I have been so tired - blogging, Reading blogs and commenting, homeschooling, trying to play with the kids, trying to get time in for sewing, breastfeeding, making doctors appointments and homeschool coop meetings, make it to the gym to work out...and on and on and on.  I just haven't been getting any sleep.  I would so love to sit back and reflect upon what makes me happy without being interrupted or being guilt tripped into playing Super Mario Brothers Wii.

I regret that we have a Wii and I regret we have a TV.  It's become yet another daily obligation and drain on my time.  What I thought would be good - something they could do together, has blown up in my face.

Why does that happen so much?

Despite my sour mood, I find this the most opportune time to ponder on what makes me happy.  After all, it's our mood that dictates our happiness and success in life.

I choose happiness.  So here are the things that fill my life with Joy!

Having a hot chocolate and muffin at Starbucks - sans kids!  YAY!


Dyeing fabric in the middle of the night.  Literally in the middle of the night.

My four year old taking Suzuki Violin lessons.  I love to teach her and watch her blossom.  She is such a little lady!  This picture was taken on recital day.

Seeing the beginning of a wonderful and successful photography career.  This is my 4 year old snapping pictures one day while we were playing on the bed!


Playing the Wii with my kids.  Like the swimsuit in the February?  She loves wearing swim suits.  That's just how she is.

It's funny how life works.  It's the things that drain my time and seem the most annoying that are the things that make me the most happy.

Tell us what makes you happy.  What is happiness for you?  Visit Crazy Adventures in Parenting and leave a link at the bottom to a blog post, Instagram photo, Twitter or Facebook Update.  Make sure to follow along using #happiness on Twitter and Instagram.  Don't forget to visit often, click on a couple and like, retweet and share the love and happiness with others.

L
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Tuesday, February 5, 2013

The Still Small Voice

Have you ever listened to your inner voice, and, as a result taken a leap of faith?  Maybe you delved into something so outside of your comfort zone that nobody really understood.  Maybe it was something you have been thinking about for some time.

I do that a lot.  Maybe it's because I have no inhibitions. Or maybe because I have great faith?  Or maybe because I am crazy?  Who knows.

But I want to explore this deeper.

What is faith?

I have this bookmark on my refrigerator that one of the kids made in their primary class about a year ago.  It says...


For those of you who can't see it (because my camera is an absolute disaster and epic failure), it says..

              Faith is things that are hoped for and not seen

That could mean many different things to many different people.

I have taken many leaps of faith.  

1.  I took a leap of faith to leave a PhD program, defend my masters and start a wedding business.  Mind you, my degree is in Molecular and Cellular Biology.
2. I took a leap of faith when I joined weight watchers
3.  I took a leap of faith when I converted to the LDS church
4.  I took a leap of faith when I started sewing - learning via You Tube (if you can believe that).
5.  I took a leap of faith when I started this blog - after almost a year of promptings.  
6.  I took a leap of faith when I started the site design for The Squishable Baby.
7.  I took a leap of faith when I started working out seriously.
8.  I took a leap of faith when I chose to believe that my Mother's death was not in vain.
9.  This blog post itself is a leap of faith.  When I got up this morning, I had no idea what I was going to write about.  This post came about from a prompting I got off Twitter (of all places).

All these things have one thing in common.  I listened to the still small voice - the one that lives inside me.  It fills my heart with such unbelievable glory - it's beyond words.  

You have to be ever so quiet (in heart and mind) to hear it.

What comes out of taking "the huge plunge" into the unknown abyss?  There are lots of glorious things, none of them necessarily having to do with money.  Sometimes you are to gain an experience that will help you with your progression in this life.  Sometimes you are to meet someone - and that connection will make the world (for you and/or others) a better place.  Sometimes, it's so you can help someone else.  Sometimes, it's so you yourself can be helped.  Sometimes it's for an experience that must be had, and sometimes it's not to be understood in this life. 

And sometimes, it's because you are going to gain financially.

And sometimes, it's because it increases your own faith.

So, tell me dear friends, when have you listened to the still small voice - and exercised your own faith?  What did that look like, and what was the outcome?  Please tell me, because I really really want to know.
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Monday, February 4, 2013

Awesome Blog Shoutout! Week of February 4th


 You know, there are some AWESOME blogs on the web!  I totally love reading them - even the recipe ones.  They so inspire me to be a better mother and blogger.  I just love them.

Here are a few posts that I really really loved last week!

Recipes
1.  I made the Shrimp Chowder from Jess Is More.  It's a crockpot recipe.  Yum, Yum, YUM...even my husband loved it, and that's saying A LOT.  Actually, I deviated from the recipe and allowed it to cook on low overnight.  Oh My Gosh, the flavors were AMAZING, and it was nice and hot and spicy.






It really was delicious, and it didn't take forever to cook - which is a plus for me.

Best of all, the kids can help with this.  I cut up all the stuff, but they can put it in the crockpot.  No heat, so SCORE!

2.  Chockababy had some awesome Vegan chocolate cupcakes going on in her part of the blogosphere!  I loved these because my boy is allergic to cows milk, and eggs - so another SCORE!

3.  For Valentines Day, Family Food Finds had some heart cake pops that were really super cute!

Crafts
I haven't been at this too long, but I am sure craft posts are very popular around Valentines day.  Let me tell you that these shoutout days are the only time you will see awesome crafts on this blog, cause I am...ummm....the anti-crafty.

1.  First, let's head over to There's Magic Out There for the very COOL Potato printed valentines day cards.  So clever!  Best of all, the kids can help - and the materials - you already have in your home.  You really don't have to go out and spend a bunch of money on stuff.  LOVE THAT!

2.  These are really super cute from Diary of a Working Mom.  Love that blog!  If anybody knows where you get the heart punches, please comment and let me know.

3.  Uber creativity from Family Focus Blog.  Awesome inexpensive but cute Valentines Day craft ideas!

The kids and I are going to have a blast making some of this for Daddy!

Blog Posts
 1.  This one I love...love...love from Green Child Magazine.  If we just touched, held, carried our children (in a sling) more, I think this world would be a better place.  LOVE IT!

2.  This post from The Parent Place made me exhale.  It's impossible to know how difficult it is to be a Mom - unless you are one.

My challenge for you this week is to take the time to visit these posts and these blogs.  Trust me, you will enjoy it - so it won't be work.

L
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Sunday, February 3, 2013

Virtual Super Bowl Party Shopping!

I am envious of everybody's awesome Super Bowl recipe suggestions.  They look so delicious and some of them are super healthy.  Since I never watch the Super Bowl, and don't plan on starting to watch this year- I thought I would share a very special recipe as if I were going to cook.  This will be classic - trust me.  This is such a great recipe.  What's so great about it is it minimizes cooking  time and maximizes family time (which is what we are all about in these parts).

So, first, I am going on a virtual shopping trip to obtain all of my ingredients, and then I will give very detailed cooking directions.

The wonderful thing about virtual shopping is I don't have to go out in the cold.

Score!

Okay, ready to go?

So, first I get into my van which right now is covered in snow (reference the cold remark above)


and I will drive to the...

I have a few choices here, but this one is the closest one with the best produce.  I will get my...



and start shopping.

First, I must buy the....
 Since we will be having a few people over, I will get a few bags of these.

Then I will buy...

for the dipping sauce!

Whew, that was hard.

Now, to the chip aisle!

Next,  I will buy....

and

for dip.

And then buy...

for the kids to snack on.

WOW, this is a lot of work.

Whew!

To the drink aisle we go.

Since I want to set a good example, and show the kids that we can watch the Super Bowl and have a lot of fun with friends and not drink...


I am going to bypass the alcohol and go directly to the...





Oh yeah!  I just love sprite.

And since I don't want the kids jumping off the walls, I'm going to opt for this more kid friendly but good...




So now, we got all of our ingredients.  So, we will go to the....


Really?  Ugh, I shouldn't have waited till the last minute.

When I finally get through that awful line, I will get back into my...

which apparently still has snow on it - and drive home.







When I get home (this is very very important so listen carefully), I will turn on the...


to 350 degrees so that it can heat up.

When the oven reaches temperature, I will put my...



on a...

and bake them for 20 minutes.  Remember, they are already done, so you don't want to overcook them.  They get hard.

While my wings are in the oven, I am going to make...

the old fashioned way.

After that is done, I am going to get a variety of...

to put all my ingredients into.  I then put them in various places.

After 20 minutes, I take the...

out of the...

and put them on a plate.

As a finishing touch, I wash off all the cans of...

so nobody gets infantigo.

So, there you have it!  My superb Super Bowl day recipe.

Now, that's cookin' Lisa Nelson style!

If you make it, please comment and let me know how much you liked it!

L







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Saturday, February 2, 2013

Aspirations You Can Live By!


Happy Groundhog Day! 

He's very cute, isn't he?  So squishy!  Thanks to the random website All Things D for the cute little picture.

Ummmm, I missed it.  Did he see his shadow?

I went to a chiropractor 2 or 3 times a week for about 6 months, just to improve my overall health.  I loved that place!  It was an expensive undertaking - but worth it.  They were always 100% positive.  They had aspirations written on the ceiling (so you could read them when you got an adjustment).  It was great!  I always left very positive in my thoughts and actions.

I think your attitude has such a huge impact on your overall well being.  If you are positive, the world looks a whole lot brighter.

I wanted to share some brightness every week.  These are aspirations that have influenced my life in positive ways - even when things look bleak and dark.

This is one of my personal ones - one that I live by...

                                      The only way to change hearts and minds is through love and kindness.

I would love to hear some of yours.  Please comment and tell me some of the aspirations that you live by.

L
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Friday, February 1, 2013

What's on the Radio in Your House?


I'm sitting here thinking about good pop music (with great beats) that is safe for kids to listen to.  Really, there must be some that's not Christian - or so boring nobody can (or wants to) dance to.  Who wants to chaperon a dance and listen to...

1.  How some guy wanted to look at a little girl's "Junk Junk"
2.  Or how she grabbed a "bottle of Jack" on the way out the door
3.  Or how a some 16 year old teen had sex and got pregnant

Come on now, really?

I'm not 100% positive about what Junk Junk is - but I think I have a good idea - and I'm not liking the message of it being looked at by some random dude, you know what I mean?  Those types of messages creep into kids heads.

But the beat is phenom and all the cool kids are listening/dancing to it!

So, I'm thinking - certainly, that good beats with positive messages (or at least ones that don't end in pregnancy, death or acquiring a STD) must exist.  The kind of music that you can go into a mall music store (do they have those anymore?), buy, put in your CD player/or upload to an ipod, and put in the car.  You know, music you can bob your head to. Oh yeah, and most importantly, the kind that you can play if you have a friend in the car.

Well, here are a few that we crank up the volume on and bob our heads to in our minivan!

Katy Perry - Firework
Colbie Caillat - Brighter than the Sun
Ester Dean - Let it Grow
REM - Shiny Happy People
Selena Gomez - Live Like There's No Tomorrow
Keke Palmer - We Are Family
Scatman John - Scatman's World

Here are just a few I pulled from my ipod.  I'm certainly not an expert in the psychological impact of pop music - but I can listen to these and not cringe.

They are Lisa Nelson approved!

Do you have any to add?  I would absolutely love to hear them!  Comment and tell me.  I will pin them, tweet them, download them and tell the world - that there is good music for cool kids (even teens)!  Music that kids really want to listen to!

Please comment and tell me cause I really really want to know!

L

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Thursday, January 31, 2013

Wool and Bamboo Squishiness

Since becoming a cloth diapering mommy - about 4 years ago - I have really come to know the many benefits of wool and bamboo.  I love them so much, I could just swaddle myself in it!

Not only is it sustainable and 100% natural - they are both antibacterial and anti fungal.  If I leave my cotton diapies in the pail too long, they will begin to mold.  Not the case with my 100% bamboo diapers.  Plus they are so easy to take care of.

Bamboo is much more absorbent than cotton, so less layers are needed to get higher absorbency.  So, that makes for what?  Trimmer diapies!  Yes, you still get a cute little fluffy butt - but not as big as a fluffy butt!

Wool, is absolutely amazing.  So easy to take care of, and with lanolin, makes any diaper bullet proof.

Cloth diapering aside, wool and bamboo make excellent choices for pants, shirts, long under ware, blankets and the like.  The high absorbency properties and breathability makes the person wearing it cool in the summer and warm and cozy in the winter.  They are durable and can stand up to the most active rough and tumble play!

It's awesome!  Really.

Check out these hand dyed pants I made from bamboo and wool! 






The Merino wool pants are on the left (natural with a special green trim).  The bamboo and wool pants are on the right (bamboo with a Merino wool upper).

These pants were made from the Apple Dumpling Gear pattern.

L
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Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Happiness is - Week 4

Happiness is....


Being able to do the things I love.

Only with thanks to my Mother, having the ability to build a business.

The Visiting Teaching Program.  Having a visit from Relief Society Sister over a cup of hot chocolate, to deliver a divine message, and to just talk about how we are doing.  We talk about the things that are wrong and right in our lives.  Knowing that (in this world) somebody genuinely cares about me and how I am doing.

 Being able to snuggle with my super squishes in bed.

Getting up  when it's dark (without an alarm) and not having to get ready and rush off to a 9-5 job.  Instead, being able to sit in a nice and quiet house - and ponder the things which make me happy.

Tell us what makes you happy.  What is happiness for you?  Visit Crazy Adventures in Parenting and leave a link at the bottom to a blog post, Instagram photo, Twitter or Facebook Update.  Make sure to follow along using #happiness on Twitter and Instagram.  Don't forget to visit often, click on a couple and like, retweet and share the love and happiness with others. 
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