Gratitude

"You've got to get up in the morning with a smile on your face, and show the world all the love in your heart."~ Carole King

I know that the past several posts have been quotes but when I read this one it just stayed with me. I some how signed up to receive a "great quote to start your day on a positive note" each morning by email and this one arrived a few days ago. Beside the fact that I have a CD of Carol Kings that takes me back to the music that I grew up listening to, so receiving a quote from one of her songs was an added bonus.
It seems that sometimes life gets so busy that the kind acts done out of love for those close to us often get pushed to the side. We get caught up in our own problems and situations that the love in our hearts isn't alway shown. This is how I have been feeling a little lately. My heart is overwhelmed with greatfulness for all of you and for all your support, love, concern, care and kindness. I am so incredibly blessed to be surrounded by such beautiful people. I recognize that during times of difficulty I tend to close up and shut people out. Right or wrong, I guess it's just my way of handling things. Tonight I am comforted by all of you and feel compelled to share the gratitude and love in my heart.

Cleansing the "Colored Lens"

"Ordinary people and ordinary events have surprisingly little effect on our happiness and peace until we add our highly personal interpretation to what just happened. Once we do this, we become victims of our own perceptions and believe that what we ourselves are doing to the world, the world is doing to us."

It seems that this last bout of sickness has really pushed me to think about steps toward change. Change that brings about a healthier life style and a healthier Cory. I have been reading "The Little Book of Letting Go" as most of you know this is an area that I really struggle with.
How is it that our minds get stuffed with so many thoughts, so many voices from the past, so many regrets, fears, memories that we create roadblocks to happiness without even realizing it?
"Once we think a thought that thought becomes the lens through which we see the world. Of all the things out there, this thought determines what we select and what we overlook."
Today I take steps toward identifying those negative thoughts that color my lens and I take steps toward learning to "free" my mind.

One Day At A Time

Finish every day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be cumbered with your old nonsense. This day is all that is good and fair. It is too dear, with its hopes and invitations, to waste a moment on the yesterdays.--R. W. Emerson

My Little Stud Muffin

Nonnie was babysitting the little guy while I was working at the shop. I ordered these little green pants for him at market over six months ago. Anyway they finally came in. I couldn't resist trying them on him! He looked soooo cute I really couldn't stop looking at him and smiling. Just thought I would share. :)

A Spontanious Night with the Ladies

Me, Elizabeth,Amanda,Misty

Okay so I have to start by saying this never happens!!!! None of these girls are drinkers, in fact I don't believe that I have ever even seen Amanda drink. It just so happens that she visited The Keg (a delicious restaurant in chandler) a few days ago and came across the "martini." Sound familiar Jamie????? It seems a little odd that of all the drinks that taste good to those of you that don't like the taste of liquor, it is a martini!!! Anyway Amanda lit a fire under the girls and decided we needed to get out, away from the hubby's, children, and every other responsibility we had that night. It was time to let loose. We ended up going to TGIF. I really don't think I have laughed that hard in a quite some time!

Thanks ladies it was much needed!!!!

Happy 11 months my little busy bee!

Today my little boy turns 11 months old. I think to myself, "where in the world did the time go?" It seems like just a few months ago I was lying on the couch with him asleep on my belly. If only he fell asleep that quickly and easily these days...

He is such a busy boy. Wanting to explore everything his world has to offer him. I can't really blame him for being curious, it just makes his momma work all that harder :)

Brodes continues to LOVE music. He will hear a tune and it'll send him into a little jivin bug. His hip action would have put Elvis out of business.:)

He loves to take in his environment. Looking around, testing things out, joining in with the others. He is also becoming such an independent little guy. He used to cling to me when he would find himself in a new environment or around new people. Now, we can go somewhere and he is perfectly content on his own. We met Auntie Jess, Asher, Journey, Allison, Noah and Hayden at the mall this morning to play in the kids area. This was Brody's first visit to the little playground so I was interested to see how he would do. Immediately he was on the go without even looking back to see where momma was. It was fun to watch him and I can say that it actually makes me relax a little bit knowing that he isn't going to freak out if I am not around. Of course there will be those times but I am beginning to realize that with his independence comes more independence for me.... Yay!!!

Another "first"... he has officially learned to drink through a straw. Yesterday I let him have some of Matt's strawberry shake, thinking he wasn't going to be able to get any through the straw anyway. Well, he proved me wrong!

He is walking all over the place, rarely ever crawling now. His new favorite word is "hot." When he is in his highchair and we put his food on his tray he will say "hot". He'll walk up to Daddy or Mommy's cup of coffee and say "hot." Most often "hot" is used when we get into the car. Poor little guy that carseat really does get hot!

I think his favorite things are balls and anything that makes noise or plays music. He loves his little bug house that Nonnie gave him but is most interested in the bugs when Asher is playing with them.:) (of course)

He loves water and is absolutely thrilled to be outside. He now wakes up and reaches for any door that will take him outside. He'll cry when mommy says, "it's too hot baby." Perhaps this is why the car rides are getting much easier. When I ask him if he wants to go bye bye he starts waving his arm and heads for the door. He is truly delighted to get out of the house these days. I guess this means more growth for me as I am such a hermit! :)

Oh the ways motherhood challenges us!

Daddy Son Outing

While I was sick, Matt decided he would take little Brodes on an outing to give me some healing time. Where did he take him you ask???? Brass Pro Shop of course :) Matt couldn't resist this new hunting beanie he found on sale for $3.99! (by the looks of it I really can't imagine why it would be on sale...)

Anyway, Brodes got to be the one to break it in before the big hunting trip this October. If you ask me, it just made me start thinking about Halloween.

What in the world is brody going to be this year??????

whoever said "dog" was man's best friend?