What Are YOUR Accedssories?

I had someone ask me a question about Life Accessories. HUH?? I had no idea what she was talking about until she explained that Life Accessories are those little things in our every day lives that bring us joy. They don't have to be the huge gesture or item, just the simplest of things. I started to think about it, and I realize that there are so many ways and reasons to find joy EVERYDAY.

My mother is probably the happiest most joyful person that I know. She finds happiness every where she goes. In fact, her favorite mantra is, "Let's all get back to happy!" I love that and it's a saying that I want to start adopting more in my own life. I thought about it, and you know, I laugh more when I am with my mother than any other time and I wondered to myself why that was. Now I know the answer, because joy follows her everywhere she goes, and better yet - it's contagious!

If I really appreciated all the little accessories that I have in my life, my heart would be full of gratitude and joy! Think about it, it's difficult for a heart that is full of gratitude for even the smallest things to be unhappy. A grateful heart just has no room for that emotion because it's too full of love.

All of this brings me back to my life's accessories. Here are some of them:
My lilac and lemon Yankee candle - the smell of it brings me so much joy and reminds me that soon, my own Lilacs will be blooming!

Silence - I love the quiet. I love to be alone with my own thoughts, to do as I please - to simply enjoy life.

Good music - as I have been told on many occasions, I have extremely eclectic tastes. Still, a song or CD can alter my mood and uplift me faster than just about anything besides my children.

My pictures - looking at the memories that my family has built over the past 9 years makes me happy and makes me long for the memories that I know the future will bring.

A hot bubble bath - remember the advertisement "Calgon, take me away!" They were really on to something! A hot soak truly can transport you to a better place.

My garden - helping God bring beauty into this world is right up there with giving birth. It's the same concept but this time, my children are flowers.

Vanilla and jasmine scented shampoo- now that my hair is longer, I love being able to smell it. The scent wafts over me at unexpected times and makes me happy!

These are just a few of the little things that I experience every day that make me happy. What are YOUR life accessories?

I'm Bushed!!!

I was so incredibly tired last night that I fell asleep without sleep aides for the first time in over two weeks . It felt good to have a natural, deep sleep. I even had a dream, not that I can remember anything specific about it, only that I dreamed.

Last night was the kids Christmas party for the boat. I have to say that considering we threw it together in two weeks time, I think it was a resounding success! We had cookies to decorate, ornaments to paint, cards to make, a christmas list for santa, gifts to make for daddy, and of course, a visit from the big man himself - complete with books for all! It was great! My daughters had a wonderful time and the look on my Emily's face when Santa called her to receive her book was just priceless!!

Kaylee, my oldest, actually took Santa a handful of cookies as he was leaving - "for the road"! She cracks me up! I was up to my eyeballs in fabric paint for most of the night. We did reindeers on t-shirts for Daddy by using foot and handprints. They really came out cute! My daughters did a pillowcase as I'm sure my hubby wouldn't be wearing his reindeer on the boat, but probably will use the pillow case.

I also got some great candid shots of all the children just having a good time. To see their faces light up with joy during such a hard time for them means so much! My daughters take it really hard when their daddy is gone. They know that life goes on and that he will come home, but like me, they miss him something fierce! I was actually so busy painting last night, that for a while, I forgot my own cares and worries. For all the grumbling and everything I did about putting the party together on such short notice, I'm really glad that I was invovled.