Flashback Friday

They're getting SO, SO big.  My {not so} little man is literally counting the months and days until he is double digits.  He is so excited.  I am not.

On a fall weekend four years ago he got a small case of the chicken pox after receiving the vaccine.  We spent a whole weekend "in" and built a fort in the family room.  Back then I think I may have taken that moment for granted.  Looking back now I am so glad I let him drag EVERYTHING into that 4x4 space made of blankets, let her cruise around in just panties and church shoes (??) and flew them through the air when they asked.  I'm honestly not sure if we've ever done it again.

Every Friday is a precious gift. I hope you enjoy yours.

Ten Things ~ September

It's time, it's time . . .  Ten Things to Smile About.  Crazy how Emmy is right on time every month and reminds me that yet another 1/12 of the year is long gone.  If anything is true month after month it is that I always have something to smile about and always owe Emmy for reminding me to remember all of those sweet reasons.

http://www.emmymom2.com/

Finally getting the necklace I designed using my Grandmother's diamond cocktail ring. I LOVE it, LOVE it, LOVE it and it's even more special because it's a family piece.

The patience and care we received from the weekend veterinarian and his staff when our sweet Kramer decided it was time for him to go.

Taking a later flight because she REALLY wanted her hair curled for picture day

E being such a patient and focused coach for our son and his teammates

An impromptu day at Disneyland when school was cancelled for a power outage

Flashback Friday

It's been a long, long time since I have done a Flashback Friday but it is my kiddos favorite.  I am blogging just for them today.  They got up at 5:30 AM to tell their Daddy goodbye on his way to the airport and are just the neatest people around.  I am lucky, lucky, lucky.

Flashback Friday from September 2006 for my favorite students. I'm looking forward to our weekend together.

My sweet little old soul, aka The Athlete, was calculating today what year he would become a Grandpa. He decided on 2062.

It was a funny conversation to have with a 9 year old and I couldn't stop thinking about it. I went back to him and asked him why he was thinking about that.

"Because Mom. A Grandpa is like the best person ever to a little kid. I want to be that special to someone."

Oh my love. You already are.



You are my beloved son in who I am well pleased ~ Mark 1:11


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IF YOUR FRIENDS AREN'T FRIENDS, MAKE NEW FRIENDS

The topic of toxic friendships has come up in my conversations at many different levels lately.  I've struggled in the past with friendships that I feel like aren't providing any value to my life and I worry sometimes that my loyalty overshadows relationships that have become lifeless. 

At a gorgeous sunset dinner to celebrate a friend's birthday last night the topic came up again about the amount of work that goes into a friendship and when it's time to cut your losses.

And of course there's the ever prevalant struggle of building professional success without allowing it to overshadow the significance of my personal life and the gift of family.

How poignant that today I would receive a note from a very esteemed colleague that touches on the very same thing.  I am inserting the text exactly as I received it so I won't take any credit (or not) for the writing.  The grammar and formatting are much less important to me than the message itself.

"If the people close to you are dragging you down, then it may be time to make some changes."

Speaker Joe Larson remarked, "My friends didn't believe that I could become a successful speaker. So I did something about it. I went out and found me some new friends!"

When you really think about it, the things that matter most in life are the relationships we develop.

REMEMBER:

You may build a beautiful home, but eventually it will crumble.


You may develop a fine career, but one day it will be over.


You may save a great sum of money, but you can't take it with you.


You may be in superb health today, but in time it will decline.


You may take pride in your accomplishments, but someone will surpass you.

Discouraged? Don't be, for the one thing that really matters, lasts  forever - your friendships.

Life is too long to spend it with people who pull you in the wrong direction. And it's too short not to invest in others. Your relationships will define you. And they will influence your talent - one way or the other. Choose wisely.

"IF THE PEOPLE CLOSE TO YOU AREN'T ADDING VALUE TO YOUR LIFE, CONSIDER MAKING SOME NEW FRIENDS." - John Maxwell