On Being Nice

Last week in our community's newspaper a local journalist wrote an article titled, "To Those Who Make Things Work". He began the article this way, "This is a tribute to Mercedians who make things work and happen. Who go above and beyond their duties to take that extra step to lighten our load a little, each in her or his own special way." He then went on to share some personal experiences and individually thank by name, people who have helped him.

No one in our family read the article, so we were surprised when someone called to tell us the Matt was included in the list of helpful people. It read, "Two dentists, Thomas LeQuia and Matthew Rowan, an endodontist. When my left jaw swelled up like a squirrel's last month, Tom diagnosed the problem and sent me to Matt, who fixed it. I'd rather be on a night infantry patrol in northwest Baghdad, than sit in a dentist's office. But both men exerted such a calming chair-side manner that I was able to get through the ordeal."

It's always nice to receive a compliment, but it's even nicer to just be nice. Matt is always very careful and patient with those who are nervous in his office. It's not always easy to be nice, in fact, it can be exhausting and many nights Matt comes home completly worn out by people who have the jitters. So I think it's nice that someone thanked him for being nice.

My Own Happiness Project

Let’s hear it for Book Clubs! I love that several of my sisters are members of a book club. I love hearing about the books that they are reading. And kudos to my own book club because I’m finally reading a book that I blogged about last fall and was going to read but never did. It’s not that I was lazy or never got around to it, I have legitimate reasons – really.

The book is The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin and I heard about it on NPR last fall and totally fell for it. It’s in my nature to be drawn to a word like “project” and of course I want happiness. It’s not like I’m sad or depressed or unhappy but hey if someone has found a way to be MORE happy, I’m in.

After hearing about it on the radio I went to the author’s blog to check it out and changed my mind about reading it. First reason, it turns out that her book was compared to the book The Year of Living Biblically, and I hated that book. I won’t go into the reasons why here but anything that is compared to that book loses credibility in my mind. Second reason, her Happiness Toolbox included such resources as making resolutions, personal commandments, lists, secrets of adulthood and a one-sentence journal. Oh boy, that sounded like a lot more work that what I wanted to do just to be happy. Third reason, her method of approaching happiness is so systematic – she researched all kinds of sources, and came up with 12 monthly themes of ideas she felt would bring her happiness. Then she chose a subset of goals to go with each theme and then she designed check-off charts of detailed to-do’s that would help her accomplish her goals. Why did all of this bother me? I felt like I was reading my own mind. I am totally a goal making/checklisting/gold star kind of a person. But it’s actually something I’ve been trying to change about myself. Honestly checklists can get tedious, I know, I have one in front of me almost all the time. I decided some time ago that I wanted happiness that is inside of me whether anything gets checked off my list or not.

So, I didn’t buy her book until now, but I do think about happiness for myself and others. I think happiness is a choice and I know there is a plan of happiness that when followed will bring us the truest happiness of all. That plan comes from God and any plan designed by us mere mortals will always fall short of bringing the surest happiness.

So after browsing her blog, I decided I didn’t need her method to bring me happiness. Instead, I started jotting down on my blog things that make me happy. This list is simple but true. I could write something every day but it’s fun to just add something now and again.

Thanks to book club, I’m reading her book now and I’m enjoying it and yes learning or thinking about a number things…..I’ll keep you posted.

Here is my short list of things that make me happy. This list is subject to be added to.
Exercise
Contentment
My husbands attention
Friends
Learning and growth
Being outside
Feeling like I make a difference in someone else’s life
Being a mother
Taking care of myself

Some Days

Some days aren't so fun. So when you're the losing pitcher and you come off the mound in tears, it's a good thing that your big brother is waiting for you at the dugout, because he knows exactly how you feel.

Tommy's Turn

My favorite thing about Thomas is that he prays daily, without fail, to HAVE FUN. I honestly don't know anyone who is happier, more easy going or who has more FUN than Thomas. I also love watching him play ball. Tonight he had 6 strike outs (at his level he's only allowed to pitch 2 innings, so a good night for Thomas Bahamas).

All this and sunshine too

I'm in the Oakland airport waiting for my flight to arrive so I can join Ben and Karin in Utah and be a part of their wedding photos. I'm just watching, I won't literally be in the photos. I'm so excited to see them and so excited that Karin will be coming home with me. I know she'll miss Ben tremendously, so perhaps it's a little selfish of me to want this special time with her. I can't believe how blessed I am sometimes. I have 6 weeks of JOY, laughter, and fun to look forward to.

As I was sitting here, Tom called to tell me he'd won his heat of the 400. He was so excited it made me laugh out loud and shout woohoo! Who cares! Honestly the days aren't long enough to enjoy all my blessings. Not that he won- just that he is so excited.

I absolutely love being a wife and mother! No other husband on earth would let me leave him while he provides for the family, watches two more days of trackmeet, three baseball games, and fixes dinner for Prom. How lucky am I? Thanks Matt.

Ivenever blogged on my phone, hope this works.

Life Goes On

I can't believe it's already been a month since Karin called us with news of her engagement. I didn't want to write anything before she did so I waited, but then all of a sudden a month has gone by and I still haven't written about it. So, YES we are excited for her. We love her fiance Ben, and know that she has chosen well. I am having fun putting wedding plans together and will just love the memories of this time. She may be coming home for a few weeks before the wedding and I will love having her here to help me and visit with me. She is a wonderful and fun daughter. Just check out her blog to see for yourself.

In the meantime, life goes on. I haven't blogged much because I've been spending a lot of time with diamonds and we're not talking gems. Here are a few of the things our family did in March and the first of April.

Matt & Emily finishing up the winter carrots.

I love the next series of pictures that Matt took. A baseball pitch is as beautiful as an ballerina's arabesque to me.







Thomas passed off 8 lollipop math quizes this month and won some writing awards too.

I love that as soon as Scott finishes his baseball game, he hustles over to watch Doug. These pictures make me tear up. Scott is a wonderful big brother and Doug's biggest fan.



There is nothing like an Easter Egg Hunt...


or a trip to the beach. Throw in a few baseball games and we're set.
















Last night Doug performed with other young musicians at the Gallo Center for the Arts. He played a McDowell piano solo. This is his teacher Dr. Stephen Thomas.