Lucky Me.

June 18, 2009 By 5 Comments

I have had a few surprises lately.  Finding out our family picture was being used in a grocery store ad in Prague was definitely a surprise.

I found it interesting, as I’ve explained in other posts because of the ‘small-world-what-are-the-chances’ aspect and because I think there are A LOT of people who didn’t know this could happen, or that it does happen.

I was certainly surprised by the International interest - which I suspect is likely attributed to the reasons I mentioned above, but it also seemed to appeal from a ‘bizarre’ angle.

Also a shock to me – the colorful nature of some of the comments and emails - no – I didn’t make this up (really – you think I managed to snow more than 300 publications?  and I managed to get the grocery store to play along?  seriously?) no – the photographer didn’t sell the image (there are 2 Gina Kelly photographers – the one I know and love doesn’t sell stock photos), yes – I did post it online, yes – I may have posted too large of a resolution, Yes – Gina had given me permission to post, no –  I am not planning to sue, no – I don’t think it is ‘right’ to use pictures without authorization from the people in the picture AND the photographer (even if they are displayed online), yes – I am comfortable sharing stories about my family online – even after this has occurred, no  -I don’t think I’m a bad mom for doing so.

But the secret surprises were all of a beautiful nature – I found myself surrounded and yes, even protected, by a very passionate group of strangers, online and offline moms, bloggers and social media experts. You reached out to give me a virutal hug or pat on the shoulder.  I have been touched by the kindness in so many comments – and wish it was possible for me to respond to each and every one. 

From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

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But, among the biggest surprises – the blessing of a last minute trip to New York City.  We were on The Early Show on CBS on Friday morning. (which just so happened to be on the USS Intrepid and included a live performance by Lionel Richie) We did a few additional interviews, including chatting with Michele Norris on NPR, but the rest of the time was ours.

 

cimg8075It was amazing, spectacular, uninterrupted family time. We were tourists, a Mommy, Daddy and two, sweet, small people experiencing the joy and chaos of the Big Apple. We danced and played our way through FAO Schwartz, walked through Central Park, visited with friends, ate at my brother’s restaurant (he hadn’t seen the kids in two years!), went to Times Square and the ESPN Zone and even managed the kid’s first subway ride.

I have to admit, it is so easy to get caught up in life – so much so that you don’t often unplug and take long stretches of time to spend only with the people you love most.

As crazy as this past week has been – I have continued to smile through the process and wake up every day a little more grateful that the small people love me and so does that guy I married. 

Lucky me.

Filed Under: Am I lucky or what? Tagged With: , , , , ,

Focusing on Gratitude

March 12, 2009 By 2 Comments

Because I am not yet ready to share how it felt to see my itty-bitty sweet girl lying in a great big hospital bed – not knowing if she was going to be ok, (it feels like someone is sitting on my chest and threatening to take my breath away when I think about it) I figured, I would instead focus on the thinks that make me happy and grateful.

Health, Springtime (I know it is coming!), the first sign of tulips, a big glass of ice water, my daughter singing, the smell of cinnamon, baking, getting out of cooking dinner 5 nights in a row (a small miracle), photographs, palm trees, silence, flip flops, figuring out that 80% of my kid’s summer clothes from last year STILL FIT (yet another small miracle), witnessing a friend in love, writing a wedding toast, the colors pink and green, sunsets, 75 degree weather, post it notes, Twitter, catching up on email (this is a pipe dream), American Idol, pure – clean singing voices, my cell phone ring (it makes me dance on my way to answer), a plan free weekend, date night with my husband, organizing, my son saying, “I missed you while I was sleeping, Mommy.”, good doctors, supportive friends, the color of my office (slate blue), the sound of the ocean (and the sight and smell), looking forward to vacation,Disney World, my kids giggling, chocolate and peanut butter, a good glass of wine, Pilates, and these two things: Delaney writing ‘Mom’ all by herself and Coop in a tux!

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 Tell me – what is making you happy right now?

Filed Under: A little bit of Everyday, Gratitude Tagged With: , ,

Random Act of Kindness

January 27, 2009 By 6 Comments

I try to do something nice for someone every day. (Except for my kids – to them I am just naturally mean…not really, but after today’s snow day, they may think so.)

And, honestly, Moms…we are easy targets for extra kindness, because we could always use a little extra help, right?  How many times do we instantly fall in love with the middle-aged man who holds the door for us while we struggle with a stroller….and what about that teenager who noticed we dropped the kiddos very favorite blanket (without which we might have actually died come bedtime).

Mom It Forward is fantastic…they are dedicated to strengthening moms, families and communities…and much of it starts with a little random act of kindness.

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I am entering a little contest they are having and we have to share our recent RAK.  Mine was yesterday.  I finally did something I have always wanted to do.  I paid for the groceries of the person behind me in the checkout line.  She was this sweet, older lady.  She was struggling to even get her items out of the cart.  I helped her put them on the counter.  She only had 5 small items – just basics and it broke my heart because I knew she was rationing.

When she realized I had taken care of her bill she told me I didn’t have to because her son sends her gift cards to help out.  I told her to hang on to the GC until next time.

So…that’s the story.  I’m having trouble with the url for Mom It Forward, but will update asap.

Filed Under: Extraordinary, Gratitude Tagged With: , ,

A New Year Letter to Me

January 20, 2009 By 3 Comments

Dear Danielle~

 

Well, it is that time of year again.  You skated right past New Year’s without even thinking about resolutions, but you know D-Day is just around the corner.  You officially have less than 24 hours until YOU must address who you have become in the past year and who you would like to be in 2009.

 

OK..so, this is the letter I started to write myself in honor of my birthday. I have always chosen to do Resolutions on my birthday instead of on January 1.  Too much pressure….I can’t get past the ‘get in shape’ and ‘eat right’ portion of the program.  And I think birthdays are the perfect time to celebrate your own personal New Year.

 

So, I was all set to keep going with the letter: the good, the bad and the ugly of this past year and ready to set serious goals.  Then I had a little epiphany.  It came in the form of a wonderful friend (and wickedly talented photographer) named Gina.  As I was chatting with her tonight, she mentioned a sermon she heard in church over New Year’s – the gist of it: Your past is just that: past.  Forgive the wrongs of 2008, forget what didn’t go well and what you should have done.  Start today.  Look forward.  Plan for your future.  Set goals.

 

 

Do you love it?

 

So……Allow me to start over:

 

Dear Danielle,

You were a wonderful Mommy this year.  You loved, you hugged, you laughed, you played, you taught and celebrated and experienced joy. Let any Mommy-guilt go. You may not be a perfect wife, but damn you try…and Jeff does know you love him. (He even knows you are his biggest fan)

You even get props for loving your friends and family.  As for all the other stuff you may have done or not done (you know the stuff you wish you could have improved?) Fugghetaboutit.  It is now officially history. And, overall, there really isn’t anything you would have changed, now is there? 

All of the people you want in your life are here for you.

So, moving forward….here is my advice: be more proactive.  You have ideas and dreams, goals and wishes.  Pursue them.  Organize all of your thoughts, write them down, choose the path you want and get walkin’. There is absolutely nothing standing in your way, except, well, you.

Take care of yourself.  You know you want to.  Be as healthy as you can.  I know you want to FEEL and look your best, right?  BE the example for Delaney and Cooper. Get on it. (That means put the bag of chocolate covered pretzels down and step.away.slowly.now.)

Most of all continue to focus on being grateful.  There are so many wonderful people in your life.  You are blessed with a fantastic husband, healthy, sassy, crazy children, amazing friends and you have managed to rid your life of unnecessary negativity.  You do work you enjoy and have many things to look forward to.

See the positive.  Live the present.  Prepare for the future.  Enjoy the Extraordinary.  Today.

Love, Me

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Can we talk?, Gratitude, Uncategorized, What I love!! Tagged With: , , , ,

Are you an ‘X’er?

January 4, 2009 By 1 Comment

No, I haven’t lost my mind.

And, no, I haven’t forgotten how to spell.  Let me explain.

On Friday night, my husband and I had a date night.  I honestly can’t remember the last time we had the chance to just sit and talk….and LISTEN to each other.  It was perfect timing.  Just after New Year’s.  We talked about 2008 and how so many of the things that happened, both to us and to our world have shifted our  perspective.

We also talked about our hopes and plans for 2009.  It is fun to look into the eyes of someone you love and think about the future.  We talked about the kids, about trips we want to plan, about goals for work.

But one of the things that struck me most was how grateful we are for, well, just about everything.  We are most especially grateful we aren’t ‘X’ers. 

‘X’ers are the people who cross off every single day on their calendars with a big, black ‘X’ because they are just counting down days, but, not to anything specific…just until ‘things get better’. They don’t enjoy their jobs….their spouses…their lives.  So, they mark time by ‘X’ing out the days. 

No matter how frustrated I may get about life, about money, about friends or family, I don’t ever want to count time in hopes that the days will just pass.

I want to appreciate the bad with the good. So, I’m not going to ‘X’.

And, my New Year’s wish for you my bloggy friends is a year free of ‘X’ing.

Filed Under: A little bit of Everyday Tagged With: , ,

Gripe list

December 17, 2008 By Leave a Comment

OK…so, I think I complained A LOT today…

I hate the cold.  In fact, I detest the cold.  And, today was, well, FREEZING.  Anything below 20 (really, I mean 50) is absurd.

I’m bitter about the freezing rain.  And waiting in my car for the windshield to defrost.

Frustrated that I had to make a last-minute trip to the store for items for a Pre-School party (my own fault – slacker).

Crabby about my messy house.  And my fighting kids.  And my stack of papers-and-such in my office.
Irritated about my inability to add that extra hour to the day I’ve been lobbying for.  And about my lack of sleep.

But….then I read a Caring Bridge journal entry from a friend. Her 2 year old has Leukemia.  She is cheery because her husband and little boy made it safely to the hospital for his latest chemo treatment.  She is hopeful because her son seems a little more like himself, they are no longer finding blood in his stool and the hole in his chest from his first port (which was removed after it became infected) has healed.

She is saying prayers of thanks and gratitude because her three older children (about 3, 5 and 8) asked Santa for something special when they saw him….for their little brother to feel better.

What’s Jack Nicholson’s line from A Few Good Men?? “Don’t I feel like a F*&^*$#   A**&5$#” 

I never have to look far for a little perspective.  I can Bah-Humbug about the cold and fighting kids all day long, but the truth is – I know my friend would give anything for those to be her only gripes.

So, tonight, instead of gripes, I will focus on gratitude.

Filed Under: Am I lucky or what?, Are you kidding me? Tagged With: , , , , ,

Gratitude and More

November 27, 2008 By 2 Comments

It is at this time of year…particularly today, that I am a bit overwhelmed by the blessings in my life.  I ceratinly attempt to live daily with gratitude, but I also know, I’m human, and well, I’m a mom, so, I’m clearly far from perfect.

What I know for sure is that I’m probably not as patient as I should be, I likely raise my voice a little too often, and I’m definitely guilty of saying. “I’ll be there in a minute, honey.” or “Just give me one more minute.” or “Not right now.” more than I would like.  But, I can literally feel the love I have for my family, for my children, bubble up from my toes, and not just today, on Thanksgiving. I glow with their small successes, with the learning of every new phrase, word and understanding ( a sweet prayer or a stellar pledge ..yes, I’m probably guilty of mommy-bragging.  Sorry.  Sort of.)  I treasure their enthusiasm, their love of all things and yes, their sassiness and tantrums.

I am truly conscious, every day, of the parents who do not share the small blessings that pepper my life.  Just when I am feeling overwhelemd by motherhood, or life, God has a special way of reminding me that the tiny moments I can easily take for granted, are the moments other parents dream of.  I have the luxury of tucking my children into bed every night, and daddy is there too.  I get to work from home so I can share the joy of everyday with them. Both of my children are healthy. 

I have two friends who are dealing with sick children – a two year old with leukemia and a newborn with a congenital heart defect.  It is seeing the strength and struggle in their parents that reminds me, once again, to forgo the complaining about the coughs, the viruses, the fevers.  It is all small stuff.  I should be grateful for the extra cuddling the little ones want when they aren’t feeling well. I am also grateful to see how these two families have been enveloped in love through this tough time.

I am thankful that my children know both sets of grandparents.  I am grateful that Nana and Duke and MaMa and PaPa love Delaney and Cooper truly, madly, deeply.  My little ones are spoiled with love and hugs, special treats and attention.

I am blessed with a strong, solid, loving marriage.  Don’t misunderstand….he often drives me crazy, as I’m sure I do him, but at the end of the day, I know neither of us are going anywhere.  I can watch all the chick-flicks I want, and never feel as though I’m lacking the happy ending.

He makes me laugh alot. And the times he doesn’t succeed…he gets credit for trying.  And, I know I’ve mentioned before, I love him even more for the Daddy he is every day.  Nothing comes before his love of those little monsters….and I do mean nothing.

And, wow…is he talented.  He is, by far, the hardest worker I know.  He has even worked jobs he didn’t enjoy, just to make sure his family was secure.  That is sacrifice.  And, his writing is stellar…I bet he can even make you laugh.

I can’t talk about being thankful without mentioning friendships.  I don’t know how women would survive without girlfriends…without the support, the sharing, the giggling, the understanding.  I am lucky enough to have wonderful friends…both new and old.  I wouldn’t trade them for the world.

I am thrilled that we have a home, food on the table, good schools for our kids to attend, remarkable teachers to guide them, children to play with in our neighborhood, imaginations to share and entertain.

And, just because I can’t be grateful without thinking about all of the things that make me happy – here goes: decorating for Christmas early (yes, my tree and decorations are already up), sweet tea, baking for the holidays, cinnamon bread, holiday scented candles, Black Friday sales, sunshine, email, Facebook (yes – strange, I know, but I’ve reconnected with so many old friends -so, I’m grateful!), chocolate, toy stores, Pepsi, Pilates, Oprah’s Magazine, down comforters, Victoria’s Secret sweat pants (my favorites), writing letters to Santa, wrapping presents, marching bands, college football, palm trees, soft pillows, vanilla anything, the scents of gardenias and magnolias, great photographs, UGG boots, my red cross bracelet, a good book, an amazing children’s book, ‘giving back’, belly laughs, parades, all kinds of music, IPODS, Sugarland, writing and massages.

OK….I know there is more, but that’s it for now.

I wish all of you a wonderful, peaceful Thanksgiving Holiday!

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Am I lucky or what?, Gratitude Tagged With: ,
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