Thursday thankfulness: my babes' mouths!

Two wonderful quotes from my children this week.

"OMG mum!! I love those purple pants. Can I have them when you grow out of them?" (Molly, age seven and three quarters.)

and

"Phoebe could you please go and put your jarmies on now." (Me)

"Ok sure" (Phoebe)

Phoebe comes back a few minutes later, plonks down beside me on the couch still in her day wear.

"I'll do it in a minute mum. I just want to watch the news" (Phoebe)

Muh?

Jaz xx

Happiness, optimism and the Dalai Lama

If you follow me on Facebook you'll know I'm feeling great this week. 

Happy.

So I thought long and hard about it last night.

Why do some find being happy so hard?

It's a simple value/emotion isn't it??

I have always thought the surrendering to life and just being simply happy about each day was the secret. Maybe it is.

I now believe it is like most other things in life. It takes some work.

A good marriege: hard work.

A flourishing garden: hard work.

A good friendship: hard work.

A fit healthy body: hard work.

'Hard' has the connotations as being negative. I don't mean it that way. I am an optimist.

To me, hard work reaps huge rewards.

How do you stay happy? Maybe you're not happy? How do any of us achieve happiness? Well I'm not a philosopher or theorist. But I employ several things aiming for happiness.

Diet

Sleep

Work/hobbies/interests

People

Supplements/Medication

Confronting fear

Forgiving

Surrendering to life: be thankful that you are here!

Taking a risk/ Courage

I LOVE this quote from the Dalai Lama:

It is very important to generate a good attitude, a good heart, as much as possible. From this, happiness in both the short term and the long term for both yourself and others will come.

Dalai Lama Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/d/dalai_lama.html#hOXSsdRXtEgiKqbr.99 

Tell me, what have I missed??

Why do some people always enter a room with a scowl and when I talk about having a good day they appear to snigger? Am I just a little sensitive about this.

When I say "Yes I am good and I'm having a good day" I'm choosing to focus on the good stuff.

Not the other.

Oh..............yes

There's plenty of the other.

A lot of scary, sad stuff.

You know there is.

Maybe your fears and doubts ruin your day?!

Try not to let them.

Be Brave

love

Jaz xx

Thankful Thursday for our littlest member!

Oh little Phoebe, we are so very thankful for you. You are the baby of our clan and we all adore you!

All our children were planned, except for you.

What a wonderful surprise you were.

What a fabulous person you are becoming.

Today is all about you and the four years you have spent with us. Today is your fourth birthday.

You are the most adventurous and courageous of all our children, with a kind heart to match. Your pregnancy was smooth but also plagued with worry. Scans had placed doubt and fear in our minds about your well-being. Twelve days overdue and two attempts to induce, you finally arrived with a squawk and delighted tears of relief from us. You were perfect. Healthy, beautiful and more perfect than we were brave enough to imagine.

You contribute to our family in so many ways already and we've only known you for four years. What a treat it will be to spend a lifetime getting to know you better.

We have been preparing for this day for a wee while.

Molly personalised a t-shirt for you.

Helped you get ready for bed.

Helped you get to sleep the night before when you were a bit excited. "Only one more sleep to go!"

While you were at preschool Caitlin turned the kitchen and dining room into

a secret surprise for you.

You went to see Grandy, who has been unwell lately. We're all very thankful that he is well enough to be at home and could smile with you today!

Caitlin helped Mum decorate your cake.

You had a special place to sit at preschool today.

You have found a special place in your teacher's heart too I'm sure.

Happy Fourth Birthday Phoebe

From  all of us xxx