Roots and Branches

30 Days of Happiness: Just the beginning

Have 30 days really already passed?  Where did this month go?  I think I've been too busy focusing on the enjoyment of life.  (grin)

I've come to realize over the last few years, that life really is what you put into it.  If you let life drag you around and you allow your emotions to flow without regard for personal choice, it isn't going to be a whole lot of fun, happiness, or enjoyment.  The key to happiness (per plenty of chats with older folks, books, and logic), is just releasing the iron grip of control on life, kicking back (attitude-wise), focusing on as much beauty around you as you can, loving fiercely the things around you that matter (such as yours or others' children), and choosing to enjoy life, even when it feels hard.  Doesn't mean that you'll always feel perky, or optimistic, or insanely blissful.  But when you are enjoying life, it makes those hard days somehow not so hard. 

I think the biggest realization from focusing on happiness, is noticing, aknowledging and being thankful for the beautiful community of people surrounding you - lifting you up, reminding you of the beauty in your life when you need it, and giving you the opportunity of a loving friendship and exchange.  So thank you everyone!

Now, for a couple photos.  As I said, we went up the mountain to take some shots of a beautiful, sweet little girl.  I am very pleased to say, I like what I came home with!  The lighting up there was gorgeous.

Then, at 2 in the morning, I was called for the birth.  It was a very fast, beautiful birth.  I'm somewhat happy with the photos I got.  I just love capturing these fleeting moments for others. 

So, tomorrow the blog will be back to "normal," but hopefully with new insight.  Happy Tuesday, everyone!

30 Days of Happiness: I miss this...

My babies are all grown up and officially big kids.  They still snuggle with me a bit, but gone are the days of slings, nursing, and sweet-smelling baby snuggles. 

The other day I gave a single mama-friend a break and took her child and tiny baby off her hands for an hour or so.  Of course, being the sentimental mama that I am, I brought along my long-retired sling "just in case."  Of course the sweet babe needed to be held and promptly fell asleep.

Gave me a bad case of the baby hungries.  I tried to inhale him as long as I had him.  I don't think that baby smell is something you can ever forget.

Her daughter and my son were so, so sweet together playing.  Children are fascinating to watch play when you sit back and take a moment to watch with an empty mind.  The gorgeousness of childhood...

Sorry I disappeared for a couple days, again.  My Adobe Lightroom trial ran out and I was feeling extremely frustrated (so in love with that program).  BUT!  Yesterday I found it on ebay for an awesome deal, so I am up, running, and inspired again.

Right now, I'm on call for another birth and this evening I'm heading up to Yankee Meadows (fall foliage!) for a 2 year little girl photo shoot.  I'm very, very excited.

Thanks for all the comments on my first Waldorf doll!  I'm excited to get it finished, dressed, named and gendered!  Then I'll have to get going on another one so both kids are happily snuggling a new friend.

Happy Weekend, everyone!

30 Days of Happiness: things I Love

I was pondering the things that are making me happy this morning, and I came up with a little list:

::  This cardigan/vest that I've finally started, after a trip to a yarn store in Salt Lake City, and a lucky perfect yarn find.  I fell in love with the one a lovely Danish crafter made, and after numerous exclaims of obsession, she was very kind to translate her pattern into English, and send me yarn samples.  I am so very excited to work on this project!  And just in time, it's getting chilly! 

::  The yarn I locked eyes on, while at said yarn store (the yummy Black Sheep Wool Co. in downtown SLC).  Delicious sock yarn, to be exact.  No, I didn't need it.  But who can pass up an opportunity to make beautiful socks?  Especially in this colorway!

:: Remembering the fun of early morning hot air balloon watching with friends.  Skyfest occurs every year, and it is so much fun.  Watching the balloons be blown up real close, the chilly crisp early morning, a thermos of hot coffee, friends, the awe in children's faces, the excitement felt by everyone.  Definitely a morning to always be remembered.

::  Musing over the tea party-for-two created by these littles a week or so ago.  The photos make me smile real big.  They can be so, so cute together.

::  This girl on a pony, and how I would give her the world (pony included), if I could. 

::  And this boy swimming at our local hot springs.  He is just such a cool kid, I can't begin to describe.

:: These songs, which I can't get enough of (and I've been playing over and over for the last 4 days,  tee-hee) - the whole CD is very good.

::  And the fact that I got to wear my Soulemama hat this morning, because it's finally Autumn - and CHILLY!!

Happy Autumn, everyone!!

Anyone else pondering happy thoughts today?

30 Day of Happiness: A Getaway

This weekend my sweetie and I went to Salt Lake City.  It was so amazingly wonderful.  I didn't get any photos (I think I was feeling burnt out) of the daytime, but oh boy was it really fun!  We drove up early Saturday morning and attended an African Dance class.  Tyler joined the guys in drumming for the class, and I sat on the sidelines watching.  It was the most energized, happy, community-oriented, addicting feeling class I've ever experienced.  Now, if I had been brave enough to join in, I can only imagine how that would have felt!  We're planning on heading up there once a month.  Maybe one of these times I'll actually bust through that shell and join in the fun!

Before the dance class, we checked out the Downtown SLC farmer's market.  I was suddenly transported to heaven.  Seriously, one whole block of booths full of fresh veggies and fruits, handcrafted items, exotic food booths (Sudanese anyone?), treats, and autumn gorgeousness.  I wish I could just live in the middle of it permanently.

That evening, we camped next to Utah Lake.  It was stormy, lightening on all sides, and just so fabulous and beautiful.  We woke up to a rainstorm (my most favorite kind of camping), and after it stopped, hundreds of birds came out to play.  Then a fun ride home, and we were reunited with our sweet little people.  It was just the kind of trip that I needed.

 

30 Days of Happiness: Being Mom

I've been giving "Mom" a lot of thought lately.  I'm one of those "young mamas."  You know, the ones that all the older, intellectual, "do it smart" mothers think are ridiculous.  Okay, not all of them (I have some very cool older-than-me friends who treat me quite nicely).  But, well, you get lots of looks.  I tend to look younger than I actually am, so I get even more.

I had my daughter when I was just barely 19.  Looking back, it seems like a crazy thing to do, now realizing how young I actually was.  But it felt like the right choice, and I was very happy with it.  At times, as I get older and I find more opportunities that I could have participated in childless, I feel twinges of wishing I had postponed motherhood until later.  But honestly, when all is said and done, motherhood has been the best choice of my life.  No, it's not an easy choice.  There are brief moments where I wonder what I was thinking - I mean really.  Me? a mom?  But what they have given me is so great and such an amazing gift, that I wouldn't change it for the whole world. 

There are moments where I just hold my babies, knowing that there is not a thing in the world more important than our relationship.  Knowing that I am the most important person in the world to them, and they to me.  I made a solemn promise to myself that I would try to be the best mother I could possibly be, and even go beyond my best.  A challenge, yes, but really I feel like it is my duty and passion to give them the most loving childhood one could possibly have.  I fail miserably all too often.  But I have learned to release guilt, accept that I am a mere mortal, and trust that my desire to be better is great, and my love is even greater.  As the father from The Daily Groove (my daily salvation) says:  It really is okay. 

Though I fight against being seen as "only" a mother (a person's a person, no matter how much of their life is devoted to a small child), really, motherhood is my greatest life's work.  My kiddos keep me centered, focused on what really matters, and truly, in love with life. 

So, cheers to being a momma, no matter where you're coming from, where you're going, or how you're getting there.  Really, being a mother rocks!

  

30 Days of Happiness: Love

::  Left for us by papa this morning, to find when we woke up.

::  What she made for him before school, for him to find when he comes home.

reappearing

I disappeared again.  Apologies, folks.  Long weekend + rough week = no blogging.  But I'm back!

Just sharing some shots from our happy weekend.  It was so. much. fun.  I wish we could do it again every weekend.

*  Swimming, then divine cupcakes from 25 Main.  If you're local and you haven't been to this hip cafe, go!  Seriously.  You're missing out.

* Driving around the area to local towns to hunt for treasures (thrifty post to come!).

*  African drumming facilitated by the Papa.  The first time this girl has really participated, and boy, did she get into it!  It made me so happy to watch her. 

*  Oh, and did I mention this all happened up on an amazing piece of property on Cedar Mountain?  Yeah, it was pretty much bliss.

*  This puppy stole my heart.  Wishing I still had one of my own waiting for me at home... 

30 Days of Happiness: Good Morning!!

A little snuggle, after dropping of The Girl at school, and before papa goes to work, is always a must.

*  MUAH!  Love this little boy and his silly 4 year old self.

* Gave him the remote to get him in front of the camera.  Oh dear, what am I in for?  *smirk*.  He was so cute clicking away.

*  That look!  And that hair!  Yep, he melts my heart.  And has me wrapped around his little finger.  (another smirk).  Have a lovely morning (or evening, wherever you may be) everyone!

30 days of happiness: around the house

I've been enjoying my new, clean, organized home so much I thought I'd take some pictures.  I've made amends with housekeeping and we're getting along nicely again...

*  Waiting...  for me to have the itch to make something.

*  The very sweet Waldorf dolls were made by the talented Little Seedlings and the beautiful bunnies were made by my lovely Dutch friend Meike.  I love all of these so, so much.

* This little guy was given to me by a man at an arts and crafts fair.  I had found something that he had dropped, which was of great importance to him.  He spent the next few hours whittling this for me as a thank you gift.  It was my first direct contact with a crafter of all things beautiful, loved and handmade and something presented with so much love and appreciation.  It really touched me and this sweet little deer will always be special to me.  It was a nod toward a passion I would soon after find, for all things handmade with care for materials, thought, and love put into them.

* teacups and sunshine make me smile.  really big.

30 days of happiness and work-in-progress Wednesday

Yesterday, I spent the entire day cleaning and organizing the entire house.  It feels so good in here.  I've commited myself to start new habits that will help keep it that way (putting things back where they belong, washing dishes right after a meal is over, etc.).

I picked the first radish from my porch garden finally, yesterday.  I also started on a free-hand scarf.  I'm using a lovely merino/soysilk blend that is sooo soft.  It's divine.

Today was a very quiet, calm day - a walk, coloring together, reading, naps, and delish food.  It was a very happy day.