"You see the hidden beauty"

Someone told me this recently "You see the hidden beauty."

I guess not everything HAS to be exactly what everyone else thinks it should be. 

I love taking walks and seeing different spider web patterns between tree branches. I enjoy the evening time....when the sun is setting, the birds are chirping, and sometimes the crickets start playing their songs. 

I never really thought about it like that. But give me a camera and it gives me the chance to show you how I see life. 

Yesterday, my sister and I took the kids to the park by the lake. My plan was to let the kids swing and then we'd go for a walk (they would ride their bikes) on the trail around the lake area. Well, that happened and more. The kids wanted to check out the bank. Then they started picking up driftwood and making a dam. Sooner than later, they were stepping feet first into the lake...with shoes ON! I know, I should have stopped it right then and there. But the kids were happy. They were so content using their imaginations. One was intent on making a dam while another was looking for worms and yet another was building a "bridge" to walk out into the lake. Crazy how children's minds work. They all see things from their own unique point of view.

The next thing that happened on this incredibly warm January day, the shoes came off...as well as socks. The sand was warm. The children then started burying their feet in the sand. 

Memories were definitely made yesterday. I'm glad I let them just be kids. Given my van is covered in sand, but for now, I will see it as a reminder of the memories, the good times, and their creative imaginations.

Find something today and really SEE IT! See the good!

-enJoy

Literally, seconds of sanity

Oh sweet child of mine!

Yes, the one sweet sweet child that's currently eating (yes, EATING) the color pencils. It seems as if we have 1 minute of sweetness and then 4 minutes of "REALLLY?!?!"
It wasn't even 10 minutes ago that I heard a weird noise. I call out "What are you doing??" She responds with "brushing my teeth, Momma." Then I heard the toilet seat hit the back of the tank and a toothbrush plunged into the water. Fabulous!

I've started (just this week) to walking in the morning. I've found that if we take a walk...at least 10-15 minutes, it burns off enough of Little Chickie's energy so she will nap at an appropriate time. (meaning not while I'm cooking dinner or 1 hour before bedtime) I have ample benefits from our morning walks...extra energy, exercise, and a napping child. It's a win win win ;)

Today's walk wasn't as long as what we've been doing. Probably because Little Chickie was tired and wanted Mommy to carry her. Carrying a child while walking briskly burns more calories, right?! 

And for your enJoyment, here's a recent snapshot of the kiddos. To get the big kids to cooperate, I promised they could play the Wii if they'd sit for a picture together. See my results! Fabulous

--enJoy

...doeth good like a medicine

Today was a dreaded Monday.

My sweet children took FOREVER to get out of their beds this morning...but we still weren't late for school.

Then, I get back home after dropping off the big kids at school only to realize that the load of laundry in the washer was the same one I put in on Saturday evening (I'm so forgetful lately). It's time to start this day over.

I got some breakfast, finished my coffee and then restarted the laundry. Leia's running crazy through the house screeching for a "treat"...but won't surrender to going peepee on the potty to get said "treat".  Oh, the whining!!! 

Next, I put on my sneakers and do the same for Leia. We are going for a walk. Maybe some fresh air will help...and It did!  

Then the mail arrived...why must the mail carrier continue to give me bills. They know I don't appreciate them ;)  But they still arrive. As my husband reminded me today...worrying won't pay them, it will be all right. I keep reminding myself that. It's nothing to constantly be worrying about...anyway, I'd rather have laugh lines than worry lines. 

And all of that to say this....

"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones."

~Proverbs 17:22

This verse is one that Dad would have us say at almost every family devotions. Those verses we repeated each evening have stuck with me. I find they pop up at exactly the right time. Pretty incredible how my parents instilled these truths in ours lives at a young age.

A merry heart...laughter.  I've heard it's the best medicine :D

--enJoy