a sunny day + a little girl

= pure childhood bliss

If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. ~Nadine Stair

my new mantra

Difficult times have helped me to understand better than before, how infinitely rich and beautiful life is in every way, and that so many things that one goes worrying about are of no importance whatsoever.
- Isak Dinesen

so.many.things.that.one.goes.worrying.about.are.of.no.importance.whatsoever.

no.importance.whatsoever.

whatsoever.

The worrying and fretting is wasted energy and not the way I am going to choose to spend my energy anymore. I'm going to remember that there is a greater plan for me, one that I'm not yet aware of, but one that I trust will be just right for me and my family. I'm going to embrace the richness of life, the beauty in all that surrounds me, and the positive joy of my world.

I'm going to think of this sweet peaceful face, thank the Lord that I'm blessed with him in my life, and embrace living in the moment, with no worries, just as this 3 year old does.

be still my heart

Expect to have hope rekindled.
Expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways.
The dry seasons in life do not last.
The spring rains will come again.
- Sarah Ban Breathnach

Ski Season 2012: The Highlights

I think mother nature is playing a very early and drawn out April fools joke on us. She started last September when she gave us a hurricane in the northeast and then dumped 15" of snow on us in October. There were virtually no major snow storms this past winter and temps were incredibly mild. Now she is blessing (?) us with 80 degree temperatures in March! I should be packing up my car for another ski weekend in Vermont, but instead I am sitting outside in the sunshine in summer attire while working on my photos from our earlier ski trips this year. Looking through the images, I am reminded at how much my family and I love our trips to Vermont and how awesome my kids really are.

The snow season wasn't the best - it started late and has now sadly ended early - but it still was a lot of fun and full of wonderful memories. Little A thoroughly enjoyed his snow camps and getting up on skis. Miss M conquered her fear of the black diamond trails and sailed down 3 different ones, each time giggling the whole way and proclaiming "I LOVE BUMPS!!!". J learned to snowboard and even started to try out some tricks and N continued to have fun and perfect his parallel turns. I nixed the tree skiing much to his (and Miss M's) chagrin as I am so not a fan of that, but they learned to deal with it (sort of). :) They all are really improving, love our trips up north, and continue to enjoy our family ski adventures. All-in-all, the 2012 ski season was full of highlights, and here's to hoping that there are many, many more in the 2012-2013 season!

Spring Flower Therapy

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. (Thank You)
- Marcel Proust

Everyone else can suck it.

Ok, so that isn't quite in the spirit of the zenful quote of Proust, but some days it is just they way it feels. And this attitude is fitting when faced with some of the rather nasty attitudes that seem to emerge from people these days. I don't tolerate bitchiness well and recently I've been face to face with more of these snarky attitudes than I care to encounter. Instead of dwelling on it and letting it get the best of me, I am going to make it a point to redirect and focus on the blessings and wonderful people who bring kindness and acceptance into the world.

A little visualization on some lovely blooming spring flowers {given to me by my hubby, who regularly brings me flowers - see...blessings! grateful!} certainly helps with the redirecting goal.

Although, so does saying "suck it". :)