Day 150 - Day What?!?!

OK- I'm back... My little project faltered... I won't say I failed. I didn't... I was successfully finding joy in all sorts of little wonderful things in life. So much so, that I was forgetting to write about them. I would find myself 2 weeks 'overdue' and spend an hour reminiscing about the good parts of each day. This did NOT bring me joy. It was nice to recap and remember, but it felt more like a chore. It added to my stress rather than highlighting my joy. Flash forward 6 months or so (maybe 9? - 12?)... it's summer and life is hectic. There's been a lot of change in the past few months and one hurt husband. This has made me feeling pretty yucky. It has opened up a wide abyss of the-woe-is-me variety in which I feel completely overwhelmed and unhappy. In my nature, when I feel this way, I start picking apart my life in attempts to 'fix' my problem. Something is broken. I can fix it. This leads to overanalyzing, being hypercritical, and feeling sure that everything is pretty bad. But it's not. Everything's actually pretty amazing right now. I just need to get my head in the game. I need to refocus on all the good things and quit wallowing in the not-so-good. Suddenly I remembered a time when I did this before and it helped immensely. It was right here. A place that VERY FEW people even know about, but it just feels good to put it out there in the world. It feels good to remember to focus on what is right in life. So my joy today is Hope. I am excited to refocus on the good and hope that it reminds me to remember all the great things in life. Hope that the new focus helps me be a nicer wife and a more patient mommy. Hope that I will quit wallowing. The hope and potential of being able to be happy just as things are, brings me great joy.

Day 149 - Hugs

When I got home yesterday, after being gone for 4 days, Paul was excited to see me, but couldn't stop playing to run to the door and meet me. Olivia didn't even look up, when she finally did she told me she needed a snack. Will was excited to see me, but mostly mad that I'd been gone. They warmed up as the night went on, but today when I got home tonight, I got running hugs and smiling faces!! This is a great feeling to come home to.

Day 148 - Metro Girl

Today I took a plane from Sacramento, a train into Seattle, a ferry to Bainbridge, a bus to Indianola, and walked down the hill to my home. The feeling of independence this gave me is so liberating!

Day 147 - Sam's Hofbrau

We went to dinner tonight at my Dad and Uncle Ken's old hang out. Meat. Lots and lots of meat. In the end my tummy didn't feel too happy, but my heart felt happy hearing Ken and Mark remember the good old days.

Day 146 - Weddings

Ani and Adam got married today. This wedding (the reception really) was so fun dancing and singing and talking to relatives we don't see often enough.

Day 145 - Freedom

I brought my suitcase to work for my big solo adventure to Sacramento. Really it was my hiking backpack stuffed full of high heals and dresses. After work I booked it over to the Bremerton ferry and enjoyed the beginning of my weekend of freedom. Very little responsibility, lots of free time. So exciting.

Day 144 - Nat's Birthday

I brought my friend a birthday coffee and pumpkin bread. She was so excited I might just do it again just for fun!!

Day 143 - Notice

The guys at my work even noticed this new hair!! How fun to hear nice things all day!!

Day 142 - My New Hairdo

I got my hair cut and colored tonight. My plan was to return from highlights to my natural light brown. Well, she went all dark brown accidentally. And I LOVE it!!! Happy little accident.

Day 141 - Health

Grandma came to visit and accidentally brought the stomach flu with her. Then Matt started feeling sick. Right now I am very happy that I only have a minor tummy ache and I'm not joining them in sickness so I can take care of the rest of the family!

Day 140 - Open House

It's so fun exploring open houses and pondering the future.

Day 139 - Cancelled Plans

We planned to do some afternoon costco shopping with some dinner too. Well, we weren't feeling it so we stayed home and had dinner and watched a movie. What a better way to enjoy our family.

Day 138 - Daddy Day Care

Lara's in Hawaii, so Matt was on duty today. He did great! A warm up for a few weeks from now when he'll be on his own all weekend!

Day 137 - Teamwork

Lara's leaving for Hawaii tonight, so Matt was getting the low-down on all the Friday midday activities from her. I sat back and laughed as Matt asked questions about when preschool is, what snacks to bring, and what to pack in the diaper bag.

Day 136 - A Winter Walk

It wasn't raining today. It was cold, but not raining. So we bundled up and headed out for a walk around the neighborhood. I really miss being outside in the winter. The kids resisted at first, but in the end they enjoyed it too!

Day 135 - The Good and the Bad

Today was a day I wanted to forget/end/skip... I was in a bad mood at work, in a bad working environment, with bad stuff happening all over my day. I kept trying to lift my spirits with 30 minutes of forced smiling, an intense lunch workout... These things worked for a while, but the bad day just seemed to creep back in each time. But when I got home that night, my kids were perfect. They were fun and funny and sweet and didn't fight and hardly cried and went to bed after a wonderful storytime. The 4 hours I spent with them completely reset the tone for my day.

Day 134 - Adventures

I had planned to take Lara, Desiree, and the kids on an adventure to the mountains. Unfortunately, Hurricane Ridge is closed on Monday mornings... Which we found out at 8:30 on Monday morning. :( We needed a quick back-up plan. We headed out the door on our way to explore Whidbey Island! We checked out the island and made it all the way to Deception Pass. After a short hike down to the beach and a quick lunch, we ended our visit with a stop to Diane and Ken's house. It was a spontaneous and long day that was so fun!

Day 133 - Birthdays

Desiree treated us to dinner at Red Robin for her birthday!! The kids and I decided to make some yummy cupcakes for everyone to enjoy. I love how much my kids love a birthday party. Any way we celebrate it makes them SO happy!! And that makes me SO happy. :)

Day 132 - New Homes

We went to visit Brock, Natalie, and Lauren at their new house today. It was so fun to see the new spaces and new potential and just play with our friends! They have a great place and I'm really happy for them!!!

Day 131 - Yoga WITH MUSIC!!

Tonight I went to Happy Hour yoga (thanks Matt!). You never know what to expect. For example, tonights yoga instructor is part of a band. The kind of band you'd here in India or at some yoga retreat. Chanting, drums, funny stringed instruments. It was such a cool and energetic way to experience yoga!!

Day 130 - Workout Buddies

I've been working hard and eating well for 6 months. Slowly but surely I'm finding myself becoming myself again, my pre-baby self. I feel stronger and healthier than I've felt in years! I'm really loving my progress and people are starting to notice, which makes me feel great. Sometimes I struggle with motivation. When people start to notice I get addicted to the instant gratification of my hard work. Well today I got some new motivation. Two co-workers worked out with me at lunch. We all worked hard and got it done. At the end they both told me how hard it was and what a great workout it was!! Working out with friends and getting a whole new kind of gratification was a great motivator! Just what I needed.

Day 129 - Puzzles and Legos

After dinner, Matt and Paul headed to the legos to build the fire truck. Olivia and I spent our time building a princess puzzle and reading stories. It was a wonderful, quiet, and warm evening scene.

Day 128 - Snacks

Paul got to bring Preschool snack today and he was so excited. It's fun to see him so happy to share with his friends.

Day 127 - Olivia

Our baby girl is really growing up. Now when I look at her I don't see a baby... I see a beautiful, cute, funny, thoughtful, smart little girl who amazes me!!

Day 126 - Naps

I didn't feel great today. In fact, towards the end of lunch I couldn't handle it anymore and I drug myself towards the couch and crashed for 2 hours. I woke up feeling refreshed and much better!! Sometimes a little R&R is necessary.

Day 125 - Monster Trucks and Pedicures

Today Matt took Paul to see the Monster Trucks!! They both had a blast and both came home exhausted. Meanwhile, the girls, Lara, Desiree, Olivia, and I (and Will by default) headed out for pedicures and lunch. Such a fun day!

Day 124 - Friday

I know this happens a lot, but today my joy is Friday. That's all.

Day 123 - Company

Lara's sister is here visiting from Germany on her way to Australia. She's so sweet and it's really nice to have her around.

Day 122 - New Job

My work year started again with a big joy! I found out today that I got my new job!!! New opportunities are always exciting!!!

Day 121 - NEW

The new year is here and so is the great weather!! It's cold, but Paul and I couldn't help but take advantage of a break in the rain and get some fresh air!! To the dock!!! This is a favorite trip of mine and a great chance to get outside and enjoy our spectacular local views!