Should be a book for adults, not just children...

I read The Giving Tree to G again tonight. Now, I've read this book no less than a hundred times but tonight I was really moved by the story. Perhaps it was because G was really understanding the concepts tonight.

I love the morals of this story:
1)You achieve happiness by doing things for others, by being selfless
2) Things don't make you happy, no matter how many of them you acquire
3) Happiness is simpler to maintain than we believe.

So many people now a days are on this quest, it seems, for the mythical grail of happiness. And they use the supposed lack of happiness as an excuse to unleash all kinds of damage in their lives and the lives of their loved ones.

Even noticed though, that happy people tend to be happy regardless of their circumstances? Now, I certainly don't mean that people are all butterflies and puppy dogs when they have cancer or their lose their jobs. Obviously, even the happiest people experience moments of sadness. But they are just that.....moments. Whereas unhappy people seem to be unhappy no matter what happens to them. I believe, as apparently Shel Silverstein did, that we can only be happy when the focus is off of ourselves. If I am spending all of my time thinking of myself and how the goings on of life affect me then I am quite simply a selfish, self serving person and those kinds of people can never be happy.

If you aren't happy with your life or yourself, stop thinking of yourself and your desires. Start letting someone pick your apples, or use your branches to build something for themselves. Or perhaps, just be the stoop that someone can sit on, to rest and be thankful.

First picks of the patch.

Here are some pics of our first few pumpkins. It makes me so excited. I even put out all of our fall decorations today. I'm so ready. Also, snuck in a few pics of G.

Taking a brief rest.

Queen of all she surveys.

What a beauty.

Prepping for a toe touch.

Checking out the goods.

"Here are our pumpkins"

Sunday Blessings:

We went to the Rainforest Cafe today in celebration of my nephews 10th birthday. Time sure flies. Great day, great family, great fun. Thank you Lord.

Sunday Blessings:

• Friends, old and new.
• The opportunity to serve at church.
• A fun day/event with my daughter and mom.
• A fabulous evening with my hubby.
• Still enjoying my husband after 13+ years.
• Having family to rely on.
• A beautiful day today.
• My health.

Freeze Frame Friday

Have fun with this one.....I know I did.

Here we go Gianna, here we go!

Future cheerleader on my hands? Wrists need attention, but otherwise, not bad.

Fall is on the way.....

Each year Joel has planted pumpkin plants in our yard. It started out with one or two and has gotten progressively more elaborate each year. This year we have them in the backyard, on the bank and in the front yard. The plants are really pretty and it is fun to watch the marked growth of the pumpkins on a daily basis. Can't wait to pick them, decorate and have homemade pumpkin pie.

Sunday Blessings:

This week more than in a while I am grateful for my family. A few years ago we were able to purchase the house that we currently live in, which, for those of you who don't know, is right next door to my mom's house. At the time it seemed convenient because we were next to family but we were most excited because of the great view and more space. But as time progressed, Gianna came, and grandma needed more and more help, it became obvious that this was a God thing. It was so easy for us to get into this house when we did and it is such a perfect set up right now, there is no other explanation. We are supposed to be here. I love the blessing of having our family so close. Yes, it's a little 'Everybody Loves Raymond' at times, when the crazy neighbors make their way over with their big dog during a party. But that just adds to the awesomeness as far as I am concerned. On a daily basis Gianna get to see her grandmother, grandfather and great-grandmother. On a daily basis I get to take care of my grandmother. On a daily basis we can go swimming with the dogs. On a daily basis we can borrow eggs or have dinner with each other. On a daily basis I am grateful to God for providing this amazing opportunity. Thank you.

Can I marry that truck?

Ever notice how many pick up trucks there are on the road? I notice all too well lately.

As with most of the things that I do in life, I approach parenting with a very honest, sarcastic tone. This tone naturally gets passed on to my daughter. And being the typical three year old sponge that she is, she picks up and repeats much of what she hears. One of the many gems that I have imparted on my daughter is that she should never marry a man who drives a big, lifted truck because if she does she will be 'very disappointed'. She will tell you this. If you ask her what will happen if she marries a boy with a lifted truck she'll say " I will be VERY disappointed". It's quite hilarious. Until we are driving down the road and every truck she sees she asks, Mommy, may I marry that truck? May I marry that truck?

There are sure a lot of trucks out there. But, G can spot a lifted one at three inches.

In a category all my own.

I took Gianna to the park today. This is a typical event in the lives of most mothers. I however am anything but a typical mother. I tend to approach most things in my life the way a man would. I find women, in general, quite annoying. I find most things that they do annoying. And watching the moms as the park is no different; quite annoying. I've come to the conclusion from my countless hours of observation at the parks that most moms fall into one of two categories:

Mom Type 1 goes to the park so that she can do whatever she wants to do without her children interrupting her. The beckoning slide becomes the cost free babysitter de jour. She talks on her phone/texts/chats with her other mom buddies while her kids run amok. The children of these moms tend to be the kids who push down other kids, or cut in line on the way up the ladder. Here's a thought.....put down the Starbucks and pay attention to your children!

Mom Type 2 is quite the opposite. This mom is so far up her kids rear ends that I'm not sure they could even sit to make it down the slide. 'Don't go UP the slide, Johnny', 'Sally, you can't make it across that bridge. Get down right now'.....some of the many encouraging words spouted by the hovering mom who is determined to undermine her child's exploratory nature. Seriously people, many of the things that we learn we learn from our failures. So your kid can't make it down that fireman's pole? Let them figure it out for himself. Or even better, get off your fat butt and go over to HELP them do it!!!

I know that I have many flaws as a mother and I'm sure that they'll be pointed out with joy by many in the course of my life. But, like all good parents I am doing what I believe is the best for my child and her life. I'm sure Mom Type 1 and 2 feel the same way. I just don't want to have to be around them at the park.......

Sunday Blessings:

• Our new flagpole and flag that is flying proudly in our backyard.
• Finally getting caught up on all the laundry.
• The help that Nick gives me around the house.
• Joel's sense of humor and our making each other laugh all the time.
• Getting to see Kristoffer this week.
• The way my family appreciates my cooking.
• Having a day to myself this week.
• How our family supports each other in countless ways.
• Gianna's smile and the inspiration it provides.

A day of freedom

Today my family is heading up the mountain to dog sit. I will have the whole day and night to myself. I'm packing as much in as possible....lunch with a friend, antiques shops, Trader Joe's, movies, dinner with another friend, reading in my quiet house. I can't wait.