What Brightens Your Day?

 What brightens your day? With all of this gloomy weather lately (I know, I know, I should not complain about 37 degrees) it has made me reflect and seek a little sunshine in my everyday.

Here are a few things that bring happiness in my everyday:

1. FLOWERS
If you ever need a pick me up, I guarantee flowers can bring a smile to your day. I love putting together a bouquet to enjoy for the week and even putting together a bouquet to brighten someone else's day. Need a little inspiration for your bouquet making (or giving)? Head over to BloomNation. BloomNation partners with local florists to provide an easy and reliable way to give (or get) the perfect arrangement (no matter what your style might be). No brainer.

2. EAVESDROPPING
The other night I overheard Patrick talking to a friend. You could tell they had not talked in a while and it was a back and forth of catching up (not that I was trying to eavesdrop, but my husband does have a boisterous voice:). I took away something from his conversation that just brightens my day no matter how gloomy it might be. He said, "I know I am in a good place and everything is going well because I am so excited to get home to Mandy and the boys each night". Sure he tells me and the boys how much he loves us daily, but hearing him express it to someone else...it just brightened my day (and continues to so every time I think about it).

3. COMMUNITY
It breaks my heart (daily) to think about John Michael Night and his family. John Michael is a senior at Trinity and suffered a brain stem stroke leaving him with locked in syndrome. More about his story can be found here. As a parent you just can't imagine what this family is going through. So why in the world would this make my list for brightening up my day? Community. I have never seen anything like the love and hope and prayers that have come from our Trinity community in support of John Michael. From fundraisers to purple ribbons (stroke awareness) it brightens my day to be a part of a community that comes together for this young man and his family.

See Ya Later 2015

Hollywood?  Nahhh just the last night of Billy Bingo at the Cloister

We got to take in a lot of time with this little cutie (the baby not the dude)

F is for Francie

She tried so hard to learn about the Star Wars hype

Then she turned ONE!

William took his first selfie

Mimi set up the cutest party with a "make your own stuffed animal" station for the kiddos

Duncan could not keep his hands off his girl...she was a little over it

Silly D

Happy Birthday to you sweet girl

Wip working hard on his t-shirt for his stuffed dolphin 

You had to make a wish before you put the star in your animal...he was wishing hard

Wip made "Pink Girl" for Francie

This picture needs no words

Clobber time

Hey Girl Hey

The Francie's

I think she was seriously over him...

Happy Birthday Baby Francie!

Climbin' Trees

Playing B-I-N-G-O with Granddaddy

D (kinda) got it

Worn out from bingo

Ready for Camp Cloister!

Duncan getting frustrated at tennis

William had about 5 brain freezes

Got to celebrate the end of 2015 with these lovely ladies

and these handsome dudes

The Gang!

Favorite pic of the night

I love this girl

The real deal

Heeeeeey - o

Ready, set, go

See ya later 2015!!!

Kindness Always Wins

Taking a little break after a strong game of tag

I know I need to catch up with a holiday and new year post, but Wip brought home something in his backpack the other day that I think trumps and I need to get it out there.

I have this little boy who is encouraging and sweet and loving and most important...kind.

I was going through Wip's backpack and discovered a note. It is not unusual to get a note home, typically from one of his teachers. This note was from the Head of School. The big dog. I read the note. Then I read it again. Then I just smiled (even though she spelled his last name wrong).

When I asked Wip what he did to have Ms. Moon write this kind of note he simply said "I was at recess and there was a little boy on the playground who did not have anyone to play with, so I played with him".

So much about this made my heart happy. Wip was so nonchalant when I was jumping up and down about the note. He was basically like "it was no big deal". He is right, it should not be a big deal to be kind. But in this crazy and sometimes cruel world, it was nice to be reminded that kindness does win.

That night he begged me to make an art video. He is so into his art lately. He wanted to show people how to make a bat. I am sure you will not have time for the full 8 minutes, but skim to the end and catch what he says about doing art. I love him so much.