Permission to Laugh

LAUGH - to show or feel amusement or good humor. Express joy. exult a sense of well being.

In life's daily atrocities we may forget to laugh. We were designed to "enjoy life." So why do so many of us miss the boat? The opportunities present themselves daily.

Give yourself permission to Enjoy the life God gave you. Though we must take care of our responsibilities,we must also give ourselves a break. Dont let life get too serious that you dont take the time to feed your soul with life and laughter. let go. Break loose of the dull routine. Life's problems seems so much more bearable after a good laugh.... So Laugh Often.

The most wasted of days is that in which we have not laughed. - Nicholas Chamfort

Each Moment

When we are present in each moment, the past gently rolls up behind us and the future slowly unravels before us. - Rev. Richard Lay

Being Yourself

I may not be the most beautiful, the thinnest, the most talented person in the world. But I am happy being me.

Stop letting the world dictate who you are. Be yourself. The world needs you and all your uniqueness.

Spread love

So today We decided to spread love. Our Spread love party" began with food and friends and a great game of white elephant gift exchange.(who says its a christmas only game?) Then we all headed out around town. I downloaded the most awesome encouraging words from the bravegirlsclub.com site. Attached them to treat bags full of goodies,lollipops and construction paper hearts ( about 100 hearts!,25 lollipops, 40 candy bars,and 20 goodie bags and along with a cupcake and a smile.) We stopped at local washateria"s( oh.. gave out quarters too), gas stations, grocery stores, fast food restraunt's, Tatoo parlors( best response here!) video stores... and a taco truck. People were surprised and happy. Nico,(he's 5) our prize participant, melted many hearts among the recipiants. It was a great night. One guy at tattoo parlor said wow, why are you all doing this? Nico said "

To Spread love". He said "cool".

Mission accomplished. Love was spread.

Happy valentines day to All

Calling All Dreamers

On another blog I saw a post that moved me, last year.

She got idea from this blog( bravegirlsclub.com It is awe-inspiring.

This art is from her blog) My friends and I are planning on doing a "spread love project"( I named it) that came from an idea that this blog sparked in me. I will post it next week to let you know how it went.

Calling all dreamers out there.

Create a plan and make it happen!

In the Midst of Adversity

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass .... It is about learning to dance in the rain.

I used to wait all the time to get to a better place in my life when I was going through a hard time. But through the years I have learned that life is too short to wait. Waiting is such a waste of precious time. learn to LIVE right in the midst of adversity. Smile and press on! Life only gets better :)

Chasing dreams

Dont ask Yorself what the world needs: ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who come alive. - Harold whiteman

So go ahead. Give yourself permission to chase those dreams!

More than meets the eye

Looking through a lense of our upbringing, values and our experiences we make quick judgment's on people. We assume things based on their looks, actions and thoughts. Just because they look, act and think different does not make them insignificant. People "Are who they are," based on where they came from and the experiences they have come through. Next time you encounter a person whom you think you know what they are all about, start a conversation. Be kind and open hearted. They may really be in need of a kind word "OR" You may be surprised at what they might have to offer YOU from their experiences. We all have something to offer this world to make it a little brighter.Lets learn from each other. Open the eyes of your heart and hang the judgements up! There is so much more to life then what meets the eye.

HAPPY TRAILS :)

Celebrate :)

A book I bought last year reminded me to find ways to celebrate life. Even on ordinary dayz we can find reasons to celebrate. The author talked about having birthday candles on hand ready to pull out on any given day. What a great idea. Pull out those candles and light them up. Life is too precious to wait for an occasion. Life itself is reason enough to celebrate. Today is the last day of the first month of the year 2o12! Celebrate the joys of everyday living.

There are exactly as many special occasions in life as we choose to celebrate. - Robert Brault

An Inspired Life

The year of 2012 is my year of inspiration. I choose to live an inspired life. To chase my dreams and love with abandonment. I will sing in the shower and dance in the rain. I will rekindle my sense of wonder and find beauty in every day. I will stop to smell the flowers and listen with my heart. I will find time for my freinds and family and remember what really matters. I wont sweat the small stuff and focus on my blessings. I will aspire to do great things, dream big dreams and believe it can be done. I will take more chances, conquer fears and have the courage to embrace the unknown. Fill my heart with peace, love and joy. Have faith that can move a mountain and find joy in the journey, what ever lies ahead. To live with passion, be in awe of beauty and be thrilled just to be alive. this is the year of

AN INSPIRED LIFE.

When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to alive- to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love. - Marcus Aurelius

Though it may seem I have lost the passion for blogging, I have not. There is more than meets the eye. I stopped posting so often when I got this new ANDROID phone. and though they are supposed to be the best things out there, I find them to be less then desirable a and a huge disapointment for my needs. I only use my phone for calling, texting, checking emails and capturing great pictures for my BLOG. So after 2 months of pure frustration thinking it was limited technology skills I find out YAHOO and android are not friendly with each other. So not only can I not receive my emails on my phone. but worst of all I can not send my pictures I take on my phone and send it to my computer! I wrote yahoo several times with NO RESPONSE. Have been up to the sprint store several times asking how I can resolve this issue. No help. I have tried use my cord to transfer pictures and MAC has issues downloading the application on my android. Ive spent hours trying to solve this issue, Ive just about given up. Please help or chime in if you know how I can resolve these issues. I am at my wits end.

The eyes of my heart

A recent sermon reminded me to keep focused. That when I thirst for something greater, I know deep in my soul, it is God. The signs are there. Frustration, unfullfillment, no real direction, discontentment.

No person or circumstance will quench my thirst for something greater, than God. I need not look to any one person or try to obtain any circumstance to give me peace and direction. I know what I need.

Open the eyes of my heart, Lord . . .

Waiting

My husband has learned the meaning of waitng like a rock star. He used to fuss and stress but has seemed to master the art and Bella seems to find this time with him priceless.

We must all learn to master the art of waiting, because its part of life. God know's what is best for us and when. So sit back, kick off your shoes and enjoy the life and time you have right in front of you.

Wait Upon The Lord ,,,

Welcome Rain

Rain rain rain...Welcome Rain!

We have not had any rain here in soooo long. So when it started to rain yesterday it was like the earth welcomed it with open arms. Made me want to do a little song and dance.

Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain.- Author unknown

Birthday Bliss

As I was talking with a co worker today, it dawned on me it was Bella

-Boo's birthday. So I texted my husband with the new's and responded, " Lets have a party." After worked I stopped the Dollar-tree picked up this marvelous birthday hat, some party favors and a squeeky toy ( she can never have enough of those). We fed her, gave her a new toy, blew our party favors and loved on her. And naturally a photo shoot followed.

It may seem silly to some. Bella is our family. So we celebrate her.

Find things to celebrate daily. Life is too short to not throw a party.

Things to Remember in an Ordinary Day

Remember that time is of the essence. You dont get to call a "do-over" for a wasted day. You just lose it.

Choose to find your "pink flamingo" in the midst of your day. They are there, look around.

Be the salt of the earth. Spread love wherever you go. A little goes a long way :)

Look for all the things you love about your loved one ( not all the things that drive you crazy)

Dreams

Life is short, God's way of encouraging a bit of focus. - Robert Brault

So what is the purpose of living if you don't have dreams? So what is the purpose of dreaming if you don't act on making them come true? Life is way too short to not actively live everyday. Choose today to be in pursuit of your dreams. Even if life doesn't turn out as you planned, there is a better version to be acquired with hope and action. Keep dreaming;)

Every man dies, Not every man really lives. - Braveheart

Seven years

Celebrating 7 yrs of Marriage! Yaa! Where did the time go? Through the yrs we have blended two different individuals into one shared life. We have woven together a lifestyle that is uniquely ours. Though we are two very different people we have learned to Love, respect and comprise. We cherish the sweet moments and grow together in the challenging times. We try to keep things simple and live a life of Purpose. Each new chapter gives us another opportunity to grow as individuals and become the people we were meant to be. My husband has grown leaps and bound's into a great man of integrity, honor and strength. I am proud to be married to him and excited to see what is in store for our future. We are thankful to for all our blessings and pray for God's guidance as we begin a new year in our marriage.

Happy Anniversary to us :)

Rabbit in the field

Rabbit in the field is sweet little antique/thrift shop I came across yesterday. It was delightful. Full of rabbits and feminine things that would fit into the shabby chic home. It is caddy corner to the original Blanco Cafe on Blanco. So next time you are in the area drop in and take a peek.

Run like a girl

I read this book a couple years ago sipping an iced green tea in the middle of the day at the Barnes and Noble. Loved it. The title enticed me in. It will inspire you to remember about the girl you once were and encourages you to move forward where ever you might be in life. The author truely understands women and how to motivate us to move forward using quotes and tugging on our heart strings.

The intro reads:

In your memory there is a snapshot of a girl on an unstoppable mission to invent,create,take risks and have fun!...

Run like a girl is a celebration of the power and beauty of the girl who still exists in you....

You will be reminded of your own resilience and courage to transition, reinvent and stay true to God's calling.

Fearless

When you are young you live with this sense of fearlessness in your soul. You want to conquer the world, make your print on it and make a difference. So at what age do we tell ourselves that we cant? when do we get so caught up in the routine that we stop living, dreaming? I can say for myself somewhere along the way I lost my way. Fear crept in. That is why I love this particular piece of art. It reminds me to live fearlessly. And as long as I have breathe in my body I will continue to not only dream but to act, plan and believe.

So come one, come All. Lets march onward, put on your armor ... and live with abandonment!

You Are More

I love the song "You are more" by Tenth Avenue North. So many people beat themselves up over past mistakes. Though we are held responsible for or choices, they do not define us. You are MORE. Just to paraphrase my favorite lines:

You are more than the choices you've made

You are more than the sum of your past mistakes.

You are more than the problems you create.

You've been remade.

Stop living in the shadows. Embrace who God created you to be and move into the light.

Baby Steps

Dream big. Make plans. Take steps.

Are you where you want to be? Are you who you want to become? It may take a thousand baby steps to get there, but each step is one step closer. It only takes a step to get towards where you want to be. So what are you waiting for? Put one foot in front of the other and find yourself closer to your dream.

(Arent these shoes adorable? Check out joyfolie.com )

An Ordinary Day

Yes, Id love to say that I receive flowers from my husband all the time, but then they would'nt be so special. Just an ordinary day made special with a thoughtful gesture. I never know when they are coming but when it does they always warm my heart and bring a smile to my face.

Make someone's ordinary day special with a thoughtful gesture :)

Find Joy in the journey

My goal for this blog is to uplifting and encouraging to others on their journey. Teaching us to see the beauty even in the struggles. Life is messy and complicated and tough. But there is a silver lining around those cloudy days. So much of our journey is not about the destination as much as it is about the ride. keep your eyes open and dont miss that beauty in each day along the way.

Find Joy in the journey.

Aspire to be . . .

My Bella-Boo. Look at those eyes of admiration. Do I really deserve such dedication and devotion? Not really but she thinks so. To her, I am alllll that and more. This is her waiting for me outside of my bathtub. She has become quite the little showdog. Staying perfectly still as if she knows, she is the center of my attention. She waited patiently as I grabbed my phone to snap the picture. Look at that show off. She blended in so well into my shower curtain and bath rug. I thought it was just lovely.

We should all aspire to be the people our pets think we are. Dont you think?

Summer Dayz

Yes, summer has begun and I have hit the ground running trying to lap up every hour I have. I don't want to waste one minute. I have been blessed with jobs that allow me to be off for the summer and I take every minute as it was gold delivered right to my door. I usually recharge myself and ignite my passions and creativity again. Each morning I awake with new eyes and excitement for what my day will hold. Mostly reconnecting with friends and family: lunching, going to craft events, going to movies, bookstores. But I have been pursuing my passions also: photography, decorating, shopping. dreaming, starting up projects,completing old projects, finding new ways to be inspired!

What are you doing with your Summer Dayz?!

I don't want to get to the end of my life and find that I lived just the length of it. I want to know I have lived the width of it as well. - Diane Ackerman

A Tribute to my DAD

My earliest memories of my father are when I tightly wrapped my arms around both his legs as we were ice skating because I got scared and made us both fall down. I remember walking with him to the park in the snow to go sledding,and him taking us trick or treating on a chilly evening, so cold you could see our breathe. I remember the countless trips to D.C. to to go sight seeing with a guest from out of town. He was always full of so much knowledge. I can remember him teaching us to ride our bikes in the back yard and how he built us a play house in the back yard with a loft bed and table and chairs. He also coached my soccor team and my brothers basketball team. I remember camping and waking up to his music and the smell of bacon. I recall our vacations to virginia beach and how we had to wake up when it was still dark to travel there. I remember catching fireflies in our back yard and eating hot bread and sausage at Tyson's corner mall. I remember searching for our easter eggs at the park every easter and at Christmas running downstairs to see what Santa clause brought us, checking to see if he had eaten the cookies we left for him.(yes my DAD ate them) Nothing in the world can take these precious memories from my heart. They are treasured.

So I ask. What makes a father a DAD? Money? a fine house with lots of things? No, NO. Its Love. He didn't just work and come home. Any man can father a child but only the cream of the crop can be called a Dad. My father was a Dad. He was an active participant in our lives. He gave us memories that made us who we are today. He taught us to dream and achieve our goals. He taught us to forgive others and help the needy. He taught us to admit when we were wrong and always do the right thing.He loved us, encouraged us, always told us he was proud of us. He is a man of honor, of integrity A man of prayer, A man of God. I love my father and am so Blessed to call him my "Dad."

Happy Fathers Day Pop.

Love, your daughter

LISA :)

Living In The Moment

As I sat on the beach trying to take all the beauty into my soul, this sweet bird landed. I quickly picked up my camera hoping he would stay long enough to snap his picture. To my delight he stayed for a moment. There are so many moments that pass us by as we are trying to pursue our objectives during our day. But if we keep the eyes of our heart open and look around us daily, there is so much beauty, so many lovely moments. Dont be too busy to breathe during your days. Smell those flowers, listen to the words of your kids and loved ones, cherish those precious moments.

LIVE IN THE MOMENT

Fruit Pizza

A delightful summer dessert I made yesterday. Here is the recipe:

FRUIT PIZZA

Press sugar cookie dough into a round pizza pan. Bake and cool.

Mix together softened 8 oz cream cheese, 1c sugar and a container of cool whip. chill about 15 minutes. spread over large sugar cookie. Arrange cut up strawberries, kiwi and can of mandrin oranges. Cut slices like a pizza!

Mary's photo shoot

Yes, I am pursuing a dream. Children's photography.

Mary is my first teen. We went to a thrift shop today, I had her try a ton of stuff and we came up with this! I wanted to capture her beauty along with her childlike sense of wonder for life. Mary is 16. She is full of life and laughter with a child-like spirit. She is a joy to be around :)