Mother is Always Right...in My Dreams.

I WISH.

I had two conversations with Lucy LuLu in the past two days.

"Oh, MOM! It's California! I LOOVVEE California".....as we were driving to a friends house.

"It's not California Lucy, it's Portland."

About 10 minutes later..."Mom, YOU are wrong. It's California. 

I just know it."

Admitting defeat and wanting to avoid an argument.....

"OK Lucy. If you say so."

"Thanks Mom. I knew I was right."

This morning.....

After Lucy smacked her arm on my desk.....

"OW."

"Did you hit your funny bone Lucy?"

A look of heartbreaking sadness mixed with dismay.....

"MOM! It's not funny!! And it makes me sad you said that!!"

"Lucy, sometimes we call that our funny bone."

Said loudly, with even greater dismay - and with big tears.....

"IT'S NOTTT FUNNY!!!"

You win Lucy LuLu.

Mommy isn't always right.

Be Happy...and Grateful.

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There is a lady in the small charming town I live in, who has recently taught me a great lesson.

I see her walking around town all the time.

But, it isn't that she's just walking, it's that she can hardly walk. I'm not sure what the story is with her, but she walks with an extreme limp. I have watched on many occasions as she has struggled to move a body that is twisted and bent. Literally every step seems to take all the energy and strength she has. 

I have stopped and given her rides before, to which she has expressed immense gratitude.

During these rides, we have had some nice conversations. Nothing serious or deep, but I have enjoyed getting to know little things about her. She seems rough and worn by life's challenges, but has always been so grateful for the help when given.

The other day, I stopped again to offer a ride.

And on that day, this sweet lady taught me something great.

After I offered to take her where she needed to go, she looked at me with a smile and said, 

"Thank you! But, it's so beautiful out today, so I'm ok walking."

I was shocked.

Here was someone who struggled so much with just the simple act of walking, and yet, on that beautiful day, she was completely content to deal with the challenges of the life that was hers.

We smiled and parted ways.

As I drove away, I found myself counting the blessings that are mine.

I have a wonderful life.

It is a happy life.

And on that day, I was reminded of that.

As I watched her walk away, I didn't see a smile on her face. I saw a face that showed every ounce of effort it took to move her twisted body down the road. But, I knew that at that moment, she was managing to be happy with the life that was hers. She had passed up an opportunity to make her challenges easier, and seemed content to deal with them. 

What a great lesson.

I love those moments that teach us and help us to be grateful for what we have. 

Is my life perfect? No.

But, I know the world is full of people who have managed to be happy with far less than what I have.

I have been humbled and have been reminded to be grateful for all that is mine.

Keep Laughing

A little while ago I had a dear friend give me a gift.

I have thought a lot about this gift since receiving it.

She knows me well, and I think she knew that I would use it.

But, I also believe that she knew the quote on the front would be something that I would find great meaning in.

And she was right. 

There are so many reasons that I love this. 

But, mainly because it was a reminder that even when life gets challenging, we need to laugh.

Laughter works magic in my crazy little world. 

And there really are moments in each day that can make us laugh.

The choice is ours.

I never want to be so serious about life that I forget to laugh.

And I don't ever want to let the struggles, pressures and day to day responsibilities get so overwhelming where I don't laugh.

Thank you, my dear friend.....for reminding me to keep laughing.

Thank you for reminding me to keep finding joyful moments.

Thank you for my gift.

I'm laughing.

I really am. 

My Happy Family

Recently, I had the blessing of spending time with my family. 

I have always loved my family, but it wasn't until I moved far away from my family that I realized how much.

Being in a family of grown siblings is a funny thing.

I grew up in a home with nine siblings and loved the life I shared with them.

But, when everyone grows up and moves on with life, I've realized that it takes a lot of work to stay close.

We are spread around the country, but in our own ways, we made decisions early on to remain close.

And I'm so very grateful for that.

We've all grown up, we all have been shaped by different experiences in our lives and yet we all still share a common thread.

WE ARE A FAMILY.

And we always will be.

The more time that goes by, I feel like our family just keeps getting better.

And I love that.

I love my siblings. 

I love who they have become.

I really do love that they've chosen to marry some really awesome people.

There are no "in-laws"...they are my FAMILY.

And I'm grateful for those brave souls who made a decision to join our crazy bunch.

I also love each of my sweet nieces and nephews.

They are all growing up as well and are becoming great people. 

And so the circle keeps growing.

 

I love the saying, 

"A happy family is but an earlier heaven."

Do I believe that?

ABSOLUTELY.

I have enjoyed a small glimpse of what heaven will be.

So, thank you to my awesome family.

Life truly is richer because of you.

Cooking 101: Blaylock Style

After graduating, Israel has decided to serve a 2 year mission for our church.

And he is very excited about this.

So, as we wait for his paperwork that tells us where he's going, I thought it was time to get this darling boy ready to leave home. And since Noah is only a year behind him, I thought he should join us as well.

So, last night we began cooking lessons.

Yes.

Cooking Lessons.

BLAYLOCK STYLE

Unless you have had the rare opportunity of being in the kitchen with these two, it's hard to explain what that means.

I figured a safe first lesson was baked chicken and mashed potatoes.

Safe? Yes!

Boring? NO!

These two are so different. Noah is EXACT and PRECISE in all that he does, and Israel is just determined to be done. 

In the end, we had yummy chicken.

And the potatoes? Well...they were yummy.

Interesting.....but yummy.

Of course Noah had to put his stamp on it!

Needless to say, it was the most fun I've had in the kitchen for a long time.

As I watched these two and listened to them, I got a bit emotional.

They truly love each other. 

And they ENJOY each other.

I'm realizing that our moments with the two of them will be changing soon and it feels like a REALLY big pill to swallow. 

They are not the same without the other. 

So although these coming changes are tough,

I'm excited for what the future brings for both of them.

I sure love these boys.

I'll Catch Up One Day

I have some amazing friends.

You know the ones.....

the ones who are on top of EVERYTHING.

They are organized and somehow they manage to accomplish literally one million things in one day.

And then there's me.

I really don't think I will catch up with life.

Mainly because I don't think it's possible.

So, instead I have to just keep truckin' along.

Well, remember her?

 (Read my post on her) 

My Friend "K"

She sent me something in the mail today that put it all in perspective.

I laughed so hard.

And I've been laughing ever since.

So, here's to all those who also love the 

WOOSHING sounds

that fill their crazy lives.

Thank you "K".

You understand me so well.

We truly are kindred spirits.

Kindred spirits whose lives are full of 

WOOSHING sounds!

Oh The Places He'll Go...

This has been a big week for our family. Another milestone, another change.

Israel Blaylock graduated.

And our life has once again changed.

This is how I remember Israel from when I first met him. 

He was charming, witty and full of life.

I would sit up at night and look through his "Ripley's Believe It Or Not" books and we would laugh as we looked at all the crazy stuff in that book. 

That will always be one of my favorite memories 

of my time with him.

There are many memories with Israel that are priceless.

He has been my buddy, my friend, my quiet cheerleader and someone I have always admired.

He is good, through and through.

I have had the incredible blessing of sharing his life and watching him grow over the years. Although he has changed over the years, in many things he has never wavered.

He is a loyal friend to all.

He is compassionate and cares deeply about others.

He quietly observes the world around him, but boldly 

goes about doing good.

He doesn't need the limelight, he doesn't need attention or praise.

He just quietly goes about his business and does his very best.

Just like every parent who had a child graduate this year, 

I am excited about his future.

I am excited about his potential.

And I know he will become something great.

So, Israel, thank you.

Thank you for making the choice to love me.

Thank you for always knowing exactly when I needed your support and help, and for quietly giving it in powerful ways.

Thank you for the example you are to your siblings, and for the strength you are to your parents.

We all love you.

We are all proud of you.

And we will all be behind you, cheering you along the whole way.

I love you.