Category: Randomness

Here’s the March MOPS calendar with ideas for the month!

I’ve been struggling to find the right balance in my life. I am a pleaser. I do things that I think others need/want/expect me to do over things that make me happy. I found this image and have it on my phone as a reminder to myself:

It has been quite useful. I was stressed last week and upset over a multitude of different things. None of the things bothering me were a big deal in and of themselves, but put together, I exploded. I apologize if I was rude/mean/short/distant/grumpy/etc. to you last week. And thankfully, for now, my grumpy mood has passed.

But my passing grumpy mood may mean that you won’t be seeing as much of me for a while. I am taking some time to go to the gym, spend more time at home, cross things off my to-do list and do the things that make me happy (see: Do What Matters, Forget The Rest). I need to reboot myself and my attitude.

And thank you to those who listened to my whining last week and I am thankful for you listening ears, kind words and hugs.

Happy Monday!

I’m finally posting this a couple weeks late, but maybe you can find some fun, new ideas this month!

A recent post from the MOPS website included the image below.

It is a calendar for January 2014 giving you something to do each day. I may not do all of them, but I loved the ideas. There are some great ideas on here and I love having a place to look for ideas if I am struggling to think of something to do.

Hopefully there’s at least one thing on here that you may find appealing!

In the past I have made resolutions. But they aren’t always attainable things or they are something you do then don’t really continue. A few friends have talked about having a word for the year. I love this idea. I have seen it done very well here.

So let’s see…what will I do/be in 2014?

1. Do :: I want to do more this year. I want to keep my house cleaner, do more with my kids, read more, be less lazy, check more things off my lists, spend time with family and friends, and just do more. Chuck says “you can rest when you’re dead.” So I need to do all the things I can while I can do them!

2. Happy :: I want to be happy. Some days I find myself in a rut. Some days I get frustrated with my kids. Some days I just want to go back to bed and start the day over with a better attitude. So I am going to wake up each day happy, smiling, with a good attitude and ready to take on the day. I won’t stress about the small things and I vow to laugh more…at myself and at all the funny, silly things that happen each day.

3. Thanks :: I have so much to be thankful for. I have an amazing husband, a wonderful family, great friends (some of whom I met toward the end of last year), two happy and healthy kids…but even with all those great things, I need to remember to thank THEM more often. At the end of 2013, I started sending little messages to some people telling them “thank you” or just telling them I appreciated who they are or what they did. I truly believe this goes such a long way. So I will do better to tell and show those around me that I am thankful for them and how important they are to me.

There you have it. My goals for the year. Do. Happy. Thanks. I love these words and I know that it will help me be who I want to be and make 2014 a year to be proud of.

2013 has come to an end. This has been a wonderful year. I have been so blessed and I hope you and your family have been, too.

Here’s a short video clip of some pictures from this year that I put together with some Instagram pictures. 

I can’t wait to see what wonderful things come in 2014. I wish you all the best in the new year!

Hello 2014!

Here is our Holiday card for 2013. I sent out a bunch of them this year, but I am sure I forgot to send it to someone. So don’t think it was intentional, I just have a terrible memory and can’t remember everyone! Have a wonderful holiday season with your loved ones this year! I am definitely feeling very blessed this year!

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you. I hope you are having a wonderful day eating lots of food and spending time with your families. I saw this recently and thought it was a nice thing to post today.

First, I am human. 99.9% of the time I love being home with my kids. But there are times when I just want to put on some music, tune them out and/or just hide under a blanket. There are times when I lose my temper, or yell, or get frustrated or just need to take a deep breath and remember how lucky I am to have these two beautiful little girls to call me mom. So for those days when you just don’t think you can stand one more second, this is for you.

My laptop has been at the “shop” waiting for a new battery. This laptop has a program on it I like to blog with. Therefore, that has been my excuse for not blogging since Dannie’s 11 month birthday. And since she turns 1 in a week, my poor blog has been sitting here unloved for weeks. 🙁

I have a bunch of things I keep meaning to write about. I started a new job about 6 weeks ago and I have been working during naptime. Which used to be my blogging time. So I am hoping to get back into the swing of things. Mostly because I really need to document some of the events and things that have happened since I suck at baby books. This may be the only way my kids know what they did when they grow up. And I have a crappy memory, so I better blog about them before I forget what happened!!!

Today is also my Annibirthary. I have had a busy week celebrating and there is still more fun to come! I have felt very loved!

So all that to say, hang in there. I haven’t forgotten about you!

I came across this recently and I was thankful to have the reminder about keeping happy. I thought I would share.

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22 Things Happy People Do Differently

There are two types of people in the world: those who choose to be happy, and those who choose to be unhappy. Contrary to popular belief, happiness doesn’t come from fame, fortune, other people, or material possessions. Rather, it comes from within. The richest person in the world could be miserable while a homeless person could be right outside, smiling and content with their life. Happy people are happy because they make themselves happy. They maintain a positive outlook on life and remain at peace with themselves.

The question is: how do they do that?

It’s quite simple. Happy people have good habits that enhance their lives. They do things differently. Ask any happy person, and they will tell you that they …

1. Don’t hold grudges.

Happy people understand that it’s better to forgive and forget than to let their negative feelings crowd out their positive feelings. Holding a grudge has a lot of detrimental effects on your wellbeing, including increased depression, anxiety, and stress. Why let anyone who has wronged you have power over you? If you let go of all your grudges, you’ll gain a clear conscience and enough energy to enjoy the good things in life.

2. Treat everyone with kindness.

Did you know that it has been scientifically proven that being kind makes you happier? Every time you perform a selfless act, your brain produces serotonin, a hormone that eases tension and lifts your spirits. Not only that, but treating people with love, dignity, and respect also allows you to build stronger relationships.

3. See problems as challenges.

The word “problem” is never part of a happy person’s vocabulary. A problem is viewed as a drawback, a struggle, or an unstable situation while a challenge is viewed as something positive like an opportunity, a task, or a dare. Whenever you face an obstacle, try looking at it as a challenge.

4. Express gratitude for what they already have.

There’s a popular saying that goes something like this: “The happiest people don’t have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.” You will have a deeper sense of contentment if you count your blessings instead of yearning for what you don’t have.

5. Dream big.

People who get into the habit of dreaming big are more likely to accomplish their goals than those who don’t. If you dare to dream big, your mind will put itself in a focused and positive state.

6. Don’t sweat the small stuff.

Happy people ask themselves, “Will this problem matter a year from now?” They understand that life’s too short to get worked up over trivial situations. Letting things roll off your back will definitely put you at ease to enjoy the more important things in life.

7. Speak well of others.

Being nice feels better than being mean. As fun as gossiping is, it usually leaves you feeling guilty and resentful. Saying nice things about other people encourages you to think positive, non-judgmental thoughts.

8. Never make excuses.

Benjamin Franklin once said, “He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.” Happy people don’t make excuses or blame others for their own failures in life. Instead, they own up to their mistakes and, by doing so, they proactively try to change for the better.

9. Get absorbed into the present.

Happy people don’t dwell on the past or worry about the future. They savor the present. They let themselves get immersed in whatever they’re doing at the moment. Stop and smell the roses.

10. Wake up at the same time every morning.

Have you noticed that a lot of successful people tend to be early risers? Waking up at the same time every morning stabilizes your circadian rhythm, increases productivity, and puts you in a calm and centered state.

11. Avoid social comparison.

Everyone works at his own pace, so why compare yourself to others? If you think you’re better than someone else, you gain an unhealthy sense of superiority. If you think someone else is better than you, you end up feeling bad about yourself. You’ll be happier if you focus on your own progress and praise others on theirs.

12. Choose friends wisely.

Misery loves company. That’s why it’s important to surround yourself with optimistic people who will encourage you to achieve your goals. The more positive energy you have around you, the better you will feel about yourself.

13. Never seek approval from others.

Happy people don’t care what others think of them. They follow their own hearts without letting naysayers discourage them. They understand that it’s impossible to please everyone. Listen to what people have to say, but never seek anyone’s approval but your own.

14. Take the time to listen.

Talk less; listen more. Listening keeps your mind open to others’ wisdoms and outlooks on the world. The more intensely you listen, the quieter your mind gets, and the more content you feel.

15. Nurture social relationships.

A lonely person is a miserable person. Happy people understand how important it is to have strong, healthy relationships. Always take the time to see and talk to your family, friends, or significant other.

16. Meditate.

Meditating silences your mind and helps you find inner peace. You don’t have to be a zen master to pull it off. Happy people know how to silence their minds anywhere and anytime they need to calm their nerves.

17. Eat well.

Junk food makes you sluggish, and it’s difficult to be happy when you’re in that kind of state. Everything you eat directly affects your body’s ability to produce hormones, which will dictate your moods, energy, and mental focus. Be sure to eat foods that will keep your mind and body in good shape.

18. Exercise.

Studies have shown that exercise raises happiness levels just as much as Zoloft does. Exercising also boosts your self-esteem and gives you a higher sense of self-accomplishment.

19. Live minimally.

Happy people rarely keep clutter around the house because they know that extra belongings weigh them down and make them feel overwhelmed and stressed out. Some studies have concluded that Europeans are a lot happier than Americans are, which is interesting because they live in smaller homes, drive simpler cars, and own fewer items.

20. Tell the truth.

Lying stresses you out, corrodes your self-esteem, and makes you unlikeable. The truth will set you free. Being honest improves your mental health and builds others’ trust in you. Always be truthful, and never apologize for it.

21. Establish personal control.

Happy people have the ability to choose their own destinies. They don’t let others tell them how they should live their lives. Being in complete control of one’s own life brings positive feelings and a great sense of self-worth.

22. Accept what cannot be changed.

Once you accept the fact that life is not fair, you’ll be more at peace with yourself. Instead of obsessing over how unfair life is, just focus on what you can control and change it for the better.

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