The Third Day of Christmas

On the Third Day of Christmas,

My true friends gave to me,

These 3 things,

2 Fun Trips,

and

An Attitude of Gratitude.

I have to admit that I have not done my homework like I usually do for the 12 Days Tradition.  Most years by the first day I kinda have an idea of what I'm going to write about each day.  When I first started this, I would have a detailed outline in a notebook and sometimes tweak (not twerk) as I went along.  I've done a little less prep each year, but almost always have some notes.

This year I've got nothing.
Zip
Zero
Nada

Each day I wake up and wait for the something to inspire me to write about.  Not exactly what I'm used to, but I have to admit I'm paying attention to things around me a little more.  So when I sat down with Blaker at breakfast and let him put ESPN on, I wasn't exactly looking for the inspiration there.

However, this is the commercial I saw, and I almost missed it.  Almost let it play out without me even looking up from my phone, but I heard '3 things,' and my ears perked up.

It was almost as if God said, pay attention... this is for you.  Of course I started to google Jimmy V and the speech, and yes, I was inspired.

So today, for the Third Day of Christmas, I give you Jimmy V's three things we all should do every day...

1. Laugh
2. Think - spend some time in thought
3. Have your emotions be moved to tears.

If you do those three things every day, that's a full day... that's a good day.

You can also watch his full speech here.  It truly is an inspiration... 

Happy Sunday!

6-Word Wednesday

I woke up today, and literally wanted to stay in bed all day.  After doing yoga yesterday going to a movie last night, I am the dreadful combination of sore and tired.  And no, I don't feel sore and tired... I literally am the walking definition of Sore and Tired.

Living on the corner of Sore and Tired, if you will.

So I needed a pick me up, because staying in bed all day really isn't an option.  I have found youtube to be the best way to find something to either inspire me or at least make me laugh.  Today, I went with the laughs.

I really started to think about laughter because it has been a significant part of my life for as long as I can remember.

My mom had that laugh.  The Garmyn laugh people called it.
I was the little girl with the big laugh.
The most miserable moments of my life has been lightened by laughter.
I married a man who could (and still does) make me laugh.
Laughter connects us, frees us from trouble (even if for a moment), and can mend a broken heart.

In short (6 words, in fact):

Life's short.  Laugh with your friends.

And by friends, I mean Friends.  Enjoy this clip I found.  I know it's a little long, so shut the office door, turn the volume up, and laugh.

You deserve it today.

Friday

I don't have a book to read this week.

Okay, that's not entirely true.  I have LOTS of books to read, but can't sit still long enough to read a page from any of them, so I'm officially taking a week retreat from picking a book.  Last week's pick was another fast read from Emily Giffin, Love the One You're With.  I must say she has mastered the art of cheating so well, I squirm through most of her books waiting for someone to find out.  Good, but in a bad way... if you know what I mean.

I knew I couldn't go another day without writing to you.  I knew this in the way you know you have to go to church after missing a couple Sundays.  Part guilt.  Part obligation.  And part knowing I'll feel way better getting this out there.

I don't have much to say other than the first week of Evan's high school has come to an end, happily uneventful.   The stress it has caused not only me, but many other mothers is amazing to me.  As teenagers, they have changed so drastically, and I can honestly say I want my little boy back.  But the corner has been turned (them running around it, us following), and there really is no going back.  As someone told me recently, "They'll leave you for about 8 years... then come back."  I remember looking at her to see if she was joking.  She wasn't.

There's not much we can do but stick together.  Given the circumstances, our friends might be the only ones who really get what we're going through.  The husbands don't miss the baby days.  They don't miss scraped knees and kissing boo-boos.  They don't miss Dora, Little Bear, and Kipper.  And they certainly don't miss sleepless nights.

I'd give anything for a sleepless night just because they were hungry at 2 am.  Now, I'm still up at that time wondering if he's okay.  If he's doing all the terrible things we see on TV about teens these days.

If he still needs us at all.

So, I decided we needed a giggle.

The week is over, and the sun is shining.

No earthquakes or hurricanes will hit us anytime soon.

We have all that we really need, God has made sure of that.

We still have the choice to be thankful instead of fearful.

I can write and hopefully that is something that will make you giggle, or at least smile and nod.  Raising teens can be daunting and feel a little like we're on our own.  I don't want it to be that way... we have to lean on each other and get through it together.

So, text, comment, and answer the phone when it rings.  There is love on the other end who just might need you too.


Have a fabulous weekend!!