Tuesday, October 06, 2009

Things That Make Me Smile


Smiling is cathartic. It makes the world look better when we find things that tickle our senses. I have been on the prowl for such things this week and have been blessed.

I love autumn - the colors, the sound of geese overhead, the crisp morning air, and the smell of the evening. I love driving around town, taking note of the colors. Unfortunately, we had a couple of really windy days, so many of the trees are looking rather sparse already. But I love this drive down 37th Street on the way to my house.




I love the sound of the twins babbling and giggling when they are supposed to be taking a nap. They have such a great time together, and eventually they settle down for a nice sleep. I chuckled when I spotted one of them chillin' out with her bottle (which they still love a couple of times a day - I know, I know).




I love the option of sleeping a bit later on Friday mornings, when DC doesn't go to work and I don't have the littles here. We don't seem to take advantage of it often - the body clock is set quite early after all these years. But it's nice to know the option is there. It makes me happy to not have to rush every single morning.

It is so much fun to watch the development of the girls - all 4 of them. I know I meticulously journaled all of these steps with my own kids, but it is great to enjoy it again.

It is a joy to watch Care Bear's enthusiasm for life. She has been wearing glasses since she was the age the littles are now, and one eye is badly crossed. But she seems to have figured out a way to straighten it out when she wants to. She asked me to take a picture of her doing this so she could see what she looks like, since she can't see herself without her specs.




And this just melted my heart - she and Grandpa were sitting on the couch reaching Genesis - she got through Chapter 5. She does Bible quizzing on Wednesday nights and this year they're studying Joshua, Judges, and Ruth. The other night she and I were working on it together - she read an entire chapter of Joshua out loud to me, doing a pretty good job even reading those Jebusite, Hittite, Amorite words.




Nothing brightens a week like a surprise lunch with friends you haven't seen in a long time. I have to thank Facebook for getting us back together. They used to live here, but now spend a lot of their time back in Indiana caring for her mom. They spend the rest of the year in Denver. We had a great time catching up. Here they are with my mom and dad - their favorite pastor and wife ever. (In case you wonder, my friends are in the middle!)




I can remember my kids asking me why we celebrated birthdays of grandparents since they were so old. I told them that we celebrate because we still can! It was fun celebrating last night with DC's mom - she's now 91. She got a Snuggli and had to try it out right away. Her sister comes out from Minnesota every year for the birthday.






Another thing that gives me pleasure is having a good book waiting for me when I have a few minutes. I take every opportunity to get in a few pages - including while I am on the elliptical machine, the treadmill, and the recumbent bike at the gym. I finished the new one by Faye Kellerman, am now reading one by Lynn Austin, and I have a pile of 4 that I bought at Women of Faith, written by the speakers.

I'm really smiling tonight because I have two exciting week-ends coming up - my 40th college reunion the first week-end in November and a visit with Kev (and hopefully some blog friends) in Maine the next week-end. Woo-Hoo!

New subject - an update on the patio project. The final thing for this fall took place this past week. I wish I had been out there with my camera, but I didn't know it was even happening. DC roped a friend in on the process - our friend has the equipment we needed to haul in 3 very large moss rocks through the gates. That would have made some great pictures, but here is the end result. It'll be fun to see what the master landscaper does in the spring.





See what you can find to make you smile!


12 comments:

Linda said...

Your post made me smile Dawn. So many precious things and people to smile about.
I am convinced that a smile can be a ministry. It is amazing the response you get if you just smile at the people you come in contact with during the course of a day.
The girls are just precious.

Susan said...

Lots to smile about for sure and you always have such a positive attitude on life that shines through your posts.
Susan

Carole Burant said...

It's no wonder you're smiling, you are indeed blessed with lots of things to smile about:-) I love driving around at this time of year as well, the colours are just so gorgeous. Now if the sun can come out one of these days I'll be even happier! lol

Care Bear looks adorable with or without glasses:-) I was 2 years old when my right eye started to cross and 8 years old when I had it operated on to straighten it. I then had to wear glasses for 2 years but by the time I was 10 I no longer needed them. My mom was crosseyed for over 20 years before she finally had the surgery and my youngest brother also had to have the surgery...my Shawn has been wearing glasses since he was 2 years old but he never needed the surgery since his eye straightened out with the use of the glasses, so, as you can see, it's very much heriditary in my family.

How wonderful to have met up with old friends again...Facebook certainly has brought a lot of people together again:-)

Your mom looks so good for her age, she's just beautiful! I'm so glad she had such a lovely birthday and that Snuggli does look comfy:-) I'm always so hot, though, I'd probably sweat up a storm in one! lol

You certainly do have a couple of weekends to look forward to! We will expect reports on both!!! hehe xoxo

Robin said...

You DO have lots of things to smile about. We all do when we stop and think about it.
Your area looks just beautiful in the fall - lots of color. We have snow in our mountains now - it seems early but it is pretty to look at every morning as I drive to work. It is pretty as long as it stays UP there!

Hootin Anni said...

YOU dear Dawn, make me smile!!

This post is beautiful. So heartfelt. I love the photo of Care Bear and Granddaddy reading together. That's so sweet.

Oh and my mentioned geese...I'm sure it's Canadian Geese....I so remember them all...all year long! They WERE fun to watch and hear.

The rock along the patio, well they LOOK HEAVY!!! I hope nothing got out of joint trying to lift those and place them down. Phew....that looks like a four letter word to me...W O R K

Again, this post was fabulous.

Hope your weekend treats you well.
Rockies won..and what a nerve wracking game that was yesterday. Now on to Colorado and Coors Field. I heard that there is gonna be freezing temps at the opening pitch. Too bad they're not playing the Marlins or some such team that isn't used to the cold, that'd be a great advantage. LOL [I'm evil]

grammy said...

Love the kid pics. and yes we do have a lot in common. Your Mom has the same snugglie I got for my BD last year. (o: I always have to hide mine so the cat won't sleep on it and then get cat hair all over it. I forget what grade the oldest Grand is. She is reading very well. You do have some fun weekends coming up. (o:

Jess said...

Of course youc an use that idea....you should have know you didn't have to ask...lol

I wish so bad that I could see your updates with following....but I'm going to do better! LOL

Love, Jess

PS The twin looks so cute in that outfit....I think Emmy had that outfit too! Imagine that! LOL

Amy said...

What a bunch of fun things to smile about!

For the first time in years, we're living someplace with trees that will change colors. They're still stubbornly green at this point but I'm looking forward to the leaves changing colors. I'm not sure that I'm looking forward to raking said leaves though....

3 of my boys had a lazy eye. They had to undergo surgery on them but between the surgery and aggressive treatment, they're doing great!

Happy Holidays!

Mary said...

Enjoyed your post, Dawn. We have so much to be thankful for...the seasons, Grands and wonderful friends.

No, you didn't miss my birthday. It is on Canadian Thanksgiving this year, which is Monday. Thank you so much for the birthday greetings. Hope you enjoy your weekend.

Blessings,
Mary

Midlife Mom said...

Yippee! You are coming to Maine! We'll have to get things figured out when the time gets closer.

I agree with Linda, I believe a smile can be such a ministy. How many times do we see someone looking sad, maybe in the grocery store or post office and you smile at them and they light right up. I always try to smile at the elderly as so many times they are so overlooked.

I have so many things that make me smile too, I think I may just have to do a post on it too! Thanks for the idea!!

Let me know when you get your dates set up for Maine. :o)

Sharon Lynne said...

How nice to have parents in your life. They are so precious and look like they are doing great. I still have my mom and dad, too.

Care Bear is something else. She did a good job straightening her eye out. She looks wonderful. But I bet she looks very nice with her glasses on too. Is she still keeping her blog?

Your post did make me smile inside.
It seems like we hear bad news every day...but if we look for it there is just as much good news...if not more!

Judith said...

Dawn, I tried finding your e-mail, but couldn't, so am using this way to keep in touch.

I so appreciate the love and care I see, for all the generations of your family. The children are just adorable. It is great seeing them grow,

Recently you commented that you and I should meet. The visit with Andrea was wonderful. So let's you and I find a way to do that, too. I'm feeling pretty knee-deep right now, getting my house ready to sell, but some day, maybe we can take time to get together.