I Notice I Feel

I was thinking today about things that I love. Some of you may know that I love (truly love) people that smile. Now I know that could sound absolutely goofy to most of you. But have you ever stopped to notice the smiley people. They are the people that smile all of the time. Smile when they are walking, talking, singing, eating...and not just smiling with their mouths - smiling with their whole body. They are the sunshine people. Not necessarily perky, but with an obvious ease to which they move. Maybe you might even say an inner peace.

I took the kids to Baskin Robbins today. It is the old school BR in the 'hood. We prefer to go to the old one because there is an older Middle Eastern man that is always working and he has a smile in his step. He is always happy to see us and EVERYONE that walks through the door. His SMILE (gratitude, happiness, love for life) is contagious. Our kids have heard me comment about him on more than one occasion. They now say that he has 'EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE!'

I notice the smile of most everyone I come in contact with. Is it forced? Are they doing it because it is their job? There is such a glaring difference between a sincere smile and the $10.00 per hour they made me do this smile.

I think a lot about the smiles that move me. I can close my eyes and see the smile of my dH. I can hear his laugh and feel the smile. I carry the smiles of the four angels with me all day everyday. Sometimes that is all I need to get me through. I think of the smile of my brother and realize that it is the very same smile that he had when we were kids. Time has taken us apart from each other, but he is still the same on the inside with the same beautiful smile. I can see the drool covered smile of #4's BFF. It was one of the most sincere, innocent and loving smiles that has ever touched my heart. We also have many adult friends whose smiles stay with me.

I can also honestly say that there are people in my life that I love very much that I cannot remember their smile or think of the last time I saw them smile. Was I not looking? Did my childlike memories take those images away from me?

I wonder if our kids will grow up remembering that I smiled? Will they remember feeling the love in my smile and the love in my heart? Will they know that even though it looks like I am not smiling on the outside, the inside of me is bursting with love and pride and happiness?

I think they will grow up remembering that I could laugh at myself and with them. They will remember that the smiles of loved ones and strangers bring me joy on a daily basis. And that I love them.

1 Child, 2 Weeks, 2 Broken Bones

Well, it seems there is always something going on around here these days. Our dear sweet #2 had a collision on Saturday during a soccer game and came off the field complaining of a 'hurt ankle'. So you know, we did the whole "SHAKE IT OFF" thing. She went back into the game, it hurt all night Saturday night, all day Sunday, all day Monday. Monday night at soccer practice it was hurting pretty bad. Her two coaches (soccer and softball) both happened to be at the field and were hinting that I might need to go ahead and take her to the doctor. All of this time I am thinking it is just a sprained ankle. But I took her in for a visit yesterday afternoon. Well, sure enough, she has a broken calcaneal (heel). Fractured in multiple places!.

A kid heel is in two parts and does not fuse together until they are entering the teen years. The arrow on your far left is pointing to the calcaneal - although this picture shows an adult heel that is already fused together, hers is the unfused piece that is fractured. Not only is it fractured into about 5 pieces, her Achilles tendon is strained and she has internal swelling between the Achilles tendon and the tibia (I think). It was all I could do not to burst out into tears. So, needless to say, she is suppose to be on 'bed rest' for the next two weeks. She can still go to school - but no soccer, no softball, no talent show and no school track and field day. She is REALLY bummed out!

And you know her right arm is still in a split from it being fractured on the playground a few weeks ago - the result of too many cartwheels!

Oh my sweet sweet baby.

Mamma Mia

Last night I went on a 'date' with my girlfriend TVA. She had gotten tickets to Mamma Mia! and asked me a few weeks ago if I would like to join her. Jeff and I happened to be in Chicago the week that it opened there in 2001 and I was dying to know what it was all about. What a great fun show! The music was great, the story was great, and the performers were incredible! I liked it so so so much that I think I'll need to be getting a copy of the soundtrack soon. Thank you so much TVA. I needed that night out more than you could possibly know.

Does the Nose Always Know?

Well, I have so so so many things to post. But what has been on my mind this morning is about this nose. All of my friends know that I have always disliked my nose. I call it the witches nose. My friend Sara came up to me out of the blue at the Brownie meeting the other day and said "Kathy Carr - I LOVE YOUR NOSE!" I was just shocked. No one has EVER said that before.

This dislike between me and my nose has gone on for years. I've always kind of thought that I would have something done about it. Who would know and who would care? Maybe it would make me feel better.

But lately I have kind of been on the fence about this nose. I still think it looks like a witches nose. But I also think that some of my kids might have this witches nose. If I have someone make it cute and sweet, what message am I sending to my kids. I have always wanted to feel like I looked like someone (you know the whole adopted thing) and this dumb old nose is my chance. What if I have 'work' done on it and then one of the kids grows up and wonders why I didn't like the way I looked or didn't want to look like them?

I am certainly not opposed to medical alterations, but I just don't know if it is for me...yet. Maybe when I am old the girls and I will go and get matching nose jobs. Ha ha.

About the Picture

So I was thinking about this blog last night and wondering what I want it to be. Then I realized, I want it to be like the picture. It is a new tradition that comes on the Sunday of our annual camping trip. A few of us stay behind and flop around in Canyon Lake drinking too much and talking like we are long lost friends catching up for the first time in 20 years. I love my girlfriends. These three women have been my life line for such a long time. I love being able to tell these girls anything and never having to worry about being judged. Or, if I am being judged, it is put out there for us to all laugh about.

I feel very very blessed to have my women friends. Not just my three BFF's in the picture, but my three close girlfriends here at home too (KR, TC, LC).

So today I am saying thank you to the women in my life. Thank you thank you thank you. You know who you are and how much I love you.

In My Head

So so so many of our friends are blogging these days. I always feel like I want to join in but I am very concerned about what might come out of me doing this. What if I say something to offend someone? What if I give too much information? Who wants to read about what I'm doing anyhow? What if I become addicted like so many other people that we know? Hmmm....

Well, today is the day. The kids and Jeff are downstairs watching TV. I am upstairs 'working on clothes'...ha ha! The sound of my typing is being disguised by the washing machine. It's always smart to leave the laundry room door open when you want to hide your typing!!! :)

I have lots to say. Most of it is very clear to me in the middle of the night while I am laying in bed not able to sleep.

Now I've got to get up and really take care of the laundry. It is late and these kids need to get to bed. Only 25 more days of school. I cannot wait! I LOVE the summer. Plus, my HRLLB is coming home.