Spring days are here again

Things are starting to turn green again, y'all!!

We even hiked in tank tops and shorts last Saturday, and felt pretty sweaty after 5 miles.

 The breeze on top of the dam felt wonderful, and we took our snack/water break up there,

while watching boats go by, and rappellers descend.

 THIS is why I stay in Arkansas.

I dislike the cold, wet lingering winters (I know, you Northerners, I am a wimp!!)

but I looooove the forests and hills, boulders and bluffs, rivers and caves. I love the abundant sunshine and gorgeous views. The Ozarks are truly one of the most beautiful places in the world, especially when everything turns bright and blooming. {sigh} Can't wait.

 Two of my four kids looking. ha. It's hard to get the whole crew still and facing the same direction!

Oh, spring, hurry along!! I had to wear gloves on my bike ride again today, and I'd much rather don the tank top and shorts again instead!!

The gathering of a group

One of my dearest besties lives about an hour away, so we don't get to hang out as often as I'd like. Recently, we went to see October and her kids, for her birthday.

Yes, her name is October

and nooooo, she was not born in October.

Her kiddos are the short ones in black shirts, and mine are the tall and colorful children. ;)

By golly, you can tell which of my children is ALWAYS photo-ready, huh?

Not a bit shy, that one.

 These are our trying-to-get-the-herd-together photos that my very

NON-photographer husband decided to snap.

I'm thankful. Really.

I love that little Miss Liana put my Oldest in her place.

They're like sisters, those two. Good for both of them.

Someone--*ahem*-- always has to be the center of attention!

We're proof that opposites attract.

My darling non-make-up, casual attire, public school teacher friend with

me, a colorful eclectic paint-my-make-up-on-for-fun kinda homeschooler.

We fill in the gaps for each other!

We've been through shed-building, bike-fixing, baby-having, you-name-it together.

Love this girl like a sister!

Happiness Baseline?

I was recently reading a couple of books that both mentioned baseline levels of happiness. Basically, that we’ll inevitably adapt and return to our genetically determined baseline level of happiness, regardless of our experiences.

First, what are your thoughts on this?

Are some people "destined" to be happier than others?

Can people become happier?

And, if so, are they doomed to return to their baseline, which may be below an "average happiness level"?

Things to think about.

Me? I think it's more about personality and choices.

Yes, certain personalities tend to be more meloncholy,

but that doesn't necessarily mean they are less happy.

For one thing, they may rate happiness differently.

I do believe, for sure, that people can become happier.

Or change their baseline, for that matter.

I believe that many people have slight fluctuations...

And some personalities, like mine, tend to do spikies.

(Yep, that's a psychological term, I'm sure.)

My "normal" happy level is pretty high, I think.

The world is great, the sun is shining, the birds are singing, what's not to love?

But when I do feel sad, it's like a sudden downward spike...nothing gradual about it.

Thankfully, I usually spike back up again just as quickly.

Awesome graphics, right? Thanks.

I don't believe I'm genetically predisposed to be above-average on the happiness scale.

As far as I'm concerned, it's habit.

Do you make a habit of appreciating each new day?

Does each sunrise still mean something?

Do you stop to smell the flowers?

Do you notice the little miracles all around you?

Are people predisposed to happiness?

Or do some people LEARN to continually appreciate goodness?

I believe it's habit.

And a reminder, now and again, doesn't hurt. :)

Today choose to smile.

Look around you and notice your blessings.

Let your thankfulness pour off of you, and affect others.

Oh My WORD.

For awhile now, I’ve been aching to visit my now-real-life sweet friend Suzanne, over at The Joyful Chaos. And, even though she’s, like, a week from her due date, she offered her home for a Little Rock mini vacation.

Love this lady. Love this family.

I told her over and over, “You make me feel normal.”
Your kids eat food that they’ve dropped on the floor? Mine, too.
Your van has extra pairs of shoes, clothes, empty cups, and spare change, all jumbled together?
Yep, mine too.

The Parker crew let us load up with them in their 12-seat “church van” and took us on the North Little Rock/Little Rock tour, complete with trolley ride, picnic, rock climbing, bridge-walkin', farmer marketing.

Back at their home, games and crazy running. They taught my kids how to play 21 boogie clean-up (is that right?) and we taught them how to play My Father Owns a Grocery Store (they'd never heard of the car game!! Really?? Thought everyone played this!)
The guys laughed their silly laughs playing their silly phone apps, watching football, telling jokes. Meanwhile, Suzanne and I talked kids and homeschooling, birth stories and ambitions.

I love her heart. I love watching her interact with her children.

(Would you believe, I forgot my camera!!!-- so Suzanne was kind enough to take plenty of pics for me, and gave me unlimited access to her camera. I took some with my phone, too, but it was still PAINFUL to have left my electronic child behind!!)

“Oh my word!” (as they say,) it was a blessed and memorable weekend! I’m hoping and praying for more upcoming trips! Love you, girl!

Mud Buddies

I'm so blessed to have sisters who live nearby, and have kids around the same ages as my kids. We get together all.the.time, and the cousins have built-in best friends with them.

On Friday, we took the bunch to Jump Zone, the Splash Park, Compton Gardens. A day or so before that, we took them all to a park for a picnic and what ended up being a play-in-the-rain adventure, and then mud fight.

These are the things memories are made of-- mud balls, bare feet, rainy adventures, and splashing delights.

In case you didn't know... I am, most certianly, an Instagrammer ;)

Think Happy Thoughts

Happiness is a conscious choice, not an automatic response. ~ Mildred Barthel
The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance; the wise grows it under his feet. ~James Openheim

Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. ~ Abraham Lincoln

Daily Exceptional Images

Don't forget to look around.

Every day is a new blessing

filled with exceptional opportunities,

tiny wonders,

everyday miracles to be thankful for.

5 Things I'm Thankful For Today

1. My new amazing Electra Townie. A pink bicycle with double wicker baskets.

{Be still my heart}

2. Doing school and artwork outside in the sunshine.

Above, my Littlest's math work, out on the driveway.

Below, his science work.

He's guessing which objects will sink and which will float,

and then testing his theories.

3. Spring!!

Blooming peonies, dewdrops on leaves, and all the beauty that goes along with it!

4. The sign my husband bought at Hobby Lobby. I wasn't laughing at the time, but it sure helped deter some solicitors today. Bahaaa.

(excuse the pic. Wrong settings, still funny, just go with it.)

and 5. Eating fresh greens straight from the garden.

Chard- yum!

I joined a group on facebook called the Gratitude Journal. Every evening the members write five things that they are grateful for that day. It's been a wonderful exercise for me, a constant reminder of the many blessings in my life.
Today my Middlest Boy asked if I was rich (my younger two still don't have a great concept of money yet) and I explained that, while I don't have a lot of money, I am certainly rich!

What are you grateful for on this fine day?