What's so funny!?

I'm not a very private person. Take a look at a few of my previous posts and you'll find that to be an understatement. The last few months have been rather intense in all areas of life, especially emotionally. This has caused me to DREAD writing, which in itself is rather terrifying because I LOVE it. WHO AM I!?! I am a mess. That's what I am. A beautiful, fearfully and wonderfully made mess. I find peace in knowing that this is just another part of my journey - another story to tell later. In the meantime, I have started taking notes on things that bring me much laughter and joy. I thought I'd take the time to share what I highly recommend for getting past the emotional bumps in life.

Take a road trip with coworkers. Most of us have taken road trip with family and many of us have with close friends, but a road trip with coworkers is rather rare. If you're fortunate enough (as I am) to work with amazing people, this can be the highlight of your week for sure! Talk about random things, laugh about having children, not having children, being married, not even dating, spouses' hobbies, your hobbies, life, death, good drivers, horrible drivers, anything and everything you can come up - EXCEPT work. I recently had the opportunity to do this very thing, and I haven't laughed that hard in so long. I think you'll find a renewed appreciation for the people that God has placed around you, and, well, hopefully you'll laugh until your stomach hurts!

Play bunco with your girlfriends (or guyfriends, I'm not picky). I think it's the fast pace that does it, because it can't possibly be the fact that you spend two hours rolling the same 3 dice. But, whatever it is, it's good. Preferably with good finger foods - because food makes my the world go 'round.

Watch AFV! Okay - we have all seen it, but when you REALLY need your spirits lifted, find an episode and laugh. Laugh at the stupid things, the insane things, the oh my goodness I can't watch this things. . . make yourself laugh at the ones that aren't funny. That show is just too much!

If AFV doesn't work for you, look up auto-correct fails. Disclaimer: so many of the "top ##" posts have nothing but nasty stuff. Those aren't funny. But some of them are, and some of them will bring you to tears. My hubby and I sat one afternoon looking through them - both with tears - we laughed so hard.

Finally, videotape (is it still called that? There's no tape; it's a phone!) in slow motion. Hubby's slow motion videos always star our dog, Daisy. My favorites are the ones where she's trying to catch food in the air. My sister-in-law recently posted one of our adorable 2-year-old nephew running. This is good stuff, people. Good stuff!

I hope you take a moment this week (what's left of it) to laugh - on purpose. Find something that makes you laugh and DRINK IT UP! Laughter is, after all, so very good for the soul.

Love you all! XOXO

Snot, sniffles and sneezes, oh my!!

Last week, I told you about my love of Spring and why it's come to mean so much to me. Today, I may be taking back all that I said. Not really - I REALLY do love spring, but the snot, sniffles and sneezes are a bit intense.
I interrupt my usual ooey-gooey grateful post to bring you this (non-solicited, unpaid - no one pays me for my opinion - I give it freely - and often - you're welcome) endorsement for the one, the only. . . Puffs plus lotion.

If I have to blow my nose with another fast-food napkin from my glove box or unrated TP from the office. . .

So today, I am grateful for Puffs plus lotion and, never forgotten, NeilMed sinus rinses!

I think we should find something we're grateful for everyday - even if they do seem ridiculous! What are you grateful for today? Comment below or join me in linking up with ember grey!

Spring has Sprung

I know, guys. . . I'm rather late with this realization. However, it's been on my heart (more so than ever) lately. I love witnessing the earth come alive to worship the Creator. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Fall, but I must also admit that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Spring as well.

Last weekend, we had the privilege of remembering a great man and spreading his ashes in one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. We went so deep in the Ozark mountains, on a peak that (I'm certain) is as close to heaven as one could get without actually going there. We drove for hours. At one point, I realized that we'd only passed one other vehicle, and as soon as I had reception (it had been over 4 hours since I had service), I texted my girlfriends to let them know that if I disappeared, I could be found in the same place they filmed Deliverance. But, seriously, it was stunning - and what a privilege it was to be a part of such a beautiful remembrance of Matt's grandpa.

Up there, so - very - close - to - heaven, there was a patch of daffodils tucked off on their own - as if perfectly preserved for such an occasion.

I wish I could've gotten closer, but it was rather hairy up there!

It was upon seeing it that I was overwhelmed by how the seasons that God created for nature so carefully mimic the seasons of our lives.
There are times when life fells so heavy, so saturated with ick. If only we could take a shower to remove this ick the way that we do a hot-humid summer day.
There are times when we feel stone cold, unable to function, deadened by the circumstances we are surrounded by. If only curling up next to a heater would relieve these feelings.
There are times when life feels like it's falling apart around us. We feel like we're starving for the radiance of sunshine. If only taking in the beauty of fall foliage could put our life back together!
Then, there are moments where we are given a fresh start - a chance to try again - to be more vibrant, to grow taller - more beautiful than ever. That's our Spring!

The reality is that, just like nature, we'll experience every season - repeatedly - in our lifetime. John 16:33 guarantees this. But honestly - doesn't this make our Spring that much sweeter? Isn't it more vibrant when you know what darkness looks like? I'm not saying we should jump up and down and be absolutely thrilled when life just plain sucks, but I am suggesting that these hard times - the tough seasons - bring so much more radiance and beauty to our Spring season.

My prayer is that regardless of what season you are in, you can find peace in knowing that its just a season.

Bricks and Peanut Butter

Recently, I've had quite a few enlightening moments. Because I care, I share.

Enlightenment moment #1

Life is too short to not do things that make you happy. True - we shouldn't be selfish and self-fulfilling. . . . but there's nothing wrong with correcting this:

The lack of ANYTHING in front of our home is enough to make a girl cry. But - my sweet hubby and my little man loaded up 840 lbs of retaining wall blocks Sunday night, and together, we hope to correct this!!! I hope to have an after photo for you soon. Fingers crossed that we finish it in the next year - preferably a month!!!

Enlightenment moment #2

If anything ever happened to peanut butter, I'd probably lose my will to live. Maybe not, but I do feel that I would need some serious help. The struggle is real, folks. 

That's about all of the enlightenment I have to share this week, but I can tell you that I'm SO very grateful for peanut butter, bricks, my hubby, my little man (and baby girl) and SUNSHINE!!!

What do you find yourself most grateful for this week? Share below or join me in linking up with ember grey