The Happiness Project :: Week 21

My mom and I took a daytrip into Atlanta

to go thrifting at the fancy surrounding suburbs.

We hopped into Estate Sales in mansions 

and had so much fun hunting for bargians.

It's just so much fun to

sort through boxes of old stuff.

It was a whirlwind trip.

We visited 4 Goodwill stores,

3 Estate Sales

and one antique shop.

It was an epic shopping trip.

 We found so many great treasures.

I just couldn't pass up this beautiful burled wood armoir.

I fell in love with it and refused to move

away from it until a "sold" sticker

was slapped on it,

letting all other shoppers know 

that it was mine all mine.

I found these adorable dishes

and bought them for a song.

 They look like they were made just for me.

We came home after our long day of shopping 

to a very messy home after Roger watched the boys all day.

I just strapped on my new thrifted kitten heels

and cleaned up the house in style.

It was such a fun day!

  

<div style="text-align: center;"> <br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><a href="http://leighvslaundry.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDlTpcH4NLUtEmwNL0NN5VLXVeyjV46LKaE_IoC7X_RD8bZ-n_b5j289xzqMLNM1le6o35B_0XOuvMBXJem-9PEiJp-mFplO6No54TEbwKtFqQGo2AXj55bde2DYHTASGWyexlFZehWn_/s1600/happiness2.jpg" /></a></div> <br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br /> <br>

Want to join me in my quest
to scout out happiness for a whole year?
Simply post a photo of something that
makes you wildly happy and tell us all about it.
Then, steal my button and include it in your post.
Don't forget to link up to Mr. Linky.

My little fishy!

Koen just completed swimming lessons.

Our little guy is a natural

and has taken to the water like a little fish.

He knows no fear and swims like a champ.

I just love checking off childhood milestones.

I started swimming when my mom

took me to a Baby and Me swim class before I could even walk.

I'm so thrilled that my little guy

has a love for the water like I do.

Go Koen, go!

My nerves are shot. I need a vacation. What day is it? Who am I?

Lately I've felt uninspired. 

I have moments where I wonder

why anyone would care to pop over here

and read about my silly little life.

The truth is that being a full time mom

is an intense gig because I get very little time for me.

It's hard to be inspired 

when almost every moment of my day

is filled up by fulfilling my children's needs.

 I'm fetching them snacks, 

breaking up fights,

cleaning up messes,

teaching them life lessons,

enforcing rules,

playing games,

kissing boo boos.

The list could go on and on.

I'm not complaining,

I love this gig

and wouldn't give up this time

for the world.

I realized the other day

that I haven't been doing the things I love

because I'm so busy.

I haven't read a book for fun in forever.

I was reading a book

then I lost it and searched everywhere

for weeks and weeks.

So I gave up reading

because who has extra time

to search for lost books?

Not me.

I haven't taken photographs

of pretty things because

I'm just too tired to stop

and celebrate the pretty things in the world.

I see a beautiful flower and

I mumble "That's purty" in my mind

and then I just keep on walking.

That just not like me

to pass up stopping to say

hello to a flower.

My novel fell on the backburner.

I tried to write but would get interrupted 

by these little people all the time.

So I quit writing.

 I went limp.

My soul went hollow.

Until I found that lost book the other day

It was sitting on the shelf the whole time,

right next to me.

Imagine that.

 So, I picked it up and started reading...

 then I remembered that 

I have to make time to do the things

that make me happy. 

Like blogging about my silly little life,
exercising, meditating,
taking a moment to put on lipstick
before I leave the house,
brunching with a good friend,
or simply taking a shower more than once a week.

I have to do these things to stay sane.

Lord knows that I have more

than enough crazy in my life right now.

  {images found here}

Throwback Thursday :: The Tale of Three Neigh Neighs

Originally posted 10/26/11

Let me introduce you to Neigh Neigh.
Now, I know that this is actually a zebra
but round these parts it's known as a horse.

This nasty toy has been in our
family for four generations
as it was passed down from older cousins
to younger brothers.



It had been ignored for quite some time now
and just taking up space so,
while my mom watched Koen,
I donated Neigh Neigh
(and several other ignored toys)
to the Salvation Army.

I felt very good about myself.

Until Koen woke up from his nap screaming
for Neigh Neigh.
It was terrible...
I felt awful.
It was like the Tell-Tale heart.

So, we picked Griffin up from school
and raced to the donation drop off
to see if we could get the damn toy back.
I have never driven so fast in my life
as Koen cried for his toy in the back seat.

We arrived at the donation drop off location
and I told the guy my sad story.
Luckily, the zebra was still there.

I walked back to the car
feeling like the best mama ever
until Koen started crying even harder.
"NOT THAT NEIGH NEIGH!"
he said between sobs.

That's when I remembered
that I had also donated this little guy.



I'd like to introduce you to Neigh Neigh.
He had been collecting dust as well
so I decided to pass him on
so another child could enjoy him

So, I begrudgingly shoved the Zebra back in the car
(because now Griffin was heartbroken to lose it)
and headed back to tell the volunteer
that I actually needed the stick horse.

He was very nice about it
and chuckled as he handed it to me.

I felt like the best mama ever yet again
until Koen whimpered and said
in a sad shaky voice...
"Not that Neigh Neigh."

Then I remembered this special guy.



Let me introduce you to Neigh Neigh.
A huge lovable horse,
that is a favorite of Koen's.

I would never in a million years give him away,
and he was safe at home hidden under a blanket.

So, we put the stupid stick horse back in the car
(because they both suddenly LOVED him)
and headed home to find the beloved Neigh Neigh.



Everyone was happy.

Except me, because those damn toys
are back in the house again.

The end.

The Happiness Project :: Week 20

My view at the dinner table.

Koen insisted on wearing his 

bike helmet and being shirtless while he ate.

Then he made his sandwich sing a rousing

rendition of the song You are my Sunshine.

I love eating dinner with a 4 year-old.
It makes me happy to have a home
where my kids feel comfortable being silly.

  

<div style="text-align: center;"> <br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><a href="http://leighvslaundry.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDlTpcH4NLUtEmwNL0NN5VLXVeyjV46LKaE_IoC7X_RD8bZ-n_b5j289xzqMLNM1le6o35B_0XOuvMBXJem-9PEiJp-mFplO6No54TEbwKtFqQGo2AXj55bde2DYHTASGWyexlFZehWn_/s1600/happiness2.jpg" /></a></div> <br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br /> <br>

Want to join me in my quest
to scout out happiness for a whole year?
Simply post a photo of something that
makes you wildly happy and tell us all about it.
Then, steal my button and include it in your post.
Don't forget to link up to Mr. Linky.

The Simple Things in Life

I don't have a thrilling post for you today.

As I scanned the photos that I captured this week,

this simple image caught my eye.

It may not seem all that spectacular

but to me it's a glorious moment.

I just love that Roger is

so willing to give the children

his undivided attention after a long day a work
and a long commute home.

Stepping outside to discover

the two of them playing on the porch

while a light rain fell warmed my heart.

These everyday moments 

are what I cherish the most

and want to keep record of.

Our summer has been filled
with these simple moments
and I always take in a
deep cleansing breath
and let gratitude fill me up
when I see them unfold.

Throwback Thursday :: Surrounded by Boyness

Originally posted 6/09/10

I am surrounded by boys.

Boy toys, boy clothes, boy tears that they fight so hard not to cry,
boy hugs that are so wild that I actually find myself saying the words
"Don't slobber on my head when you hug me."



There is constant motion in my home.
A swirling of energy that they can't help but feel
and give into as they roll on top of one another.
They are both but a blur as they speed across the living room.
My baby who is quickly becoming a toddler
is the instigator and Griffin is quick to respond.
You can add "referee" to my many titles around here.



They wrestle and laugh and they can't keep
themselves from diving into each other.
They growl like wild animals
who are running free in the forest.
A deep resounding "GRRRR" fills up the living room.
They jump and climb and try to fly.
They land hard
and they get right back up to do it again.



I get tackled from behind while I load the dishwasher.
My skirt gets tugged at until I am in the living room
and I am pulled to the floor.
Before I know it, I am wrestling them too.
We roll around on the floor in a heap of giggles,
I forget to be a lady as my skirt goes over my head
and the baby flops onto my chest.
Griffin tickles my belly non stop.

They both stand up and they are running again
but this time in circles.
The house is full of laughter and squeals.
I am covered in baby snot and my hair is a mess
as I catch my breath.



There are no dolls
no hair bows,
not one tutu.
No glitter
no ballet slippers,
and no pink.
Not at all what I had expected.

I live in a house full of boys
and I am learning
that this crazy world
is one that I'm lucky to live in.

What a great surprise!