Happy Thanksgiving

In Gratitude with Action

It's been such a lovely winter break from school, dance, TaeKwonDo, basketball, CCD, scouts ~sigh~ and the list goes on. We have had a blast with our Christmas gifts; especially the ping-pong table and my new bike. Now we can all go on family bike rides and that's what we've been doing, the weather has been so mild. I feel extremely blessed to have the opportunity to enjoy life with my family.

Off I go

It's great to have a bike again. I once owned a fancy mountain bike. I rode all over town on that bicycle. When Pete and I got engaged we even took our bikes camping. The picture below was taken on that trip.

On my old bike after Pete and I were engaged

Notice how I wear a helmet now that I'm a mom?

Eventually children came along as did tough times. It seems like we were stuck in a rut of bad luck for several years with sickness, surgeries, car wrecks and financial woes. So when Pete got an offer to trade a bike for a car, well... you guessed it; there went my bike. I didn't have time to ride it; remember three children in four years? Anyway, there was no money to buy another car after Pete's third accident. The son of a friend had lost his car privileges after getting into too much trouble, but his parents wanted him to have a bike to get around on; hence, the switch. The kind act of that friend made the world of difference in our lives and for that I'm grateful.

  2012~ Motto:ACTION, Word:GRATITUDE

For the new year, I plan on being more active. My word for the year (remember last year it was perseverance?) is gratitude. I will be grateful in times of rejections and illness because there is always something to be thankful for. I'm starting with you; I'm so grateful for those of you out there who read my blogs. May 2012 bless you with peace and abundance.

Happy Thanksgiving

God’s love
Radiates when
Attitudes of gratitude
Take over all thoughts
Instantly replacing
Tense nonsense;
Underlying worries
Disappear and
Eternal peace reigns

@laurie kolp

Read more poems on gratitude at Imaginary Garden with Real Toads' A Word with Laurie

Gratitude A-Z

A- Apples, although Pete would disagree. You'll have to ask him why.
B- Boys. My boys are the best.
C- CARDINALS, of course. And caramel, coffee, chocolate...
D- Dogs. My dogs, Jake and Snowy, or as I sometimes call them Joey and Snake.
E- Exercise, even though I don't do it much. I've already exercised for a lifetime.
F- Family and friends. They're the same.
G- Girls, giggly girls... especially my wonderful daughter.
H- Husband. How did I get such a good one?
I- Inspiration. What inspires you?
J- Justin Bieber (just joking)
K- Kids; they see everything with unbiased innocence, and live in the moment.
L- LOVE always. Love is GOD.
M- Music, music, more music.
N- Nephews and nieces. You know who you are.
O- Oak trees, cloud dreams, summer days and moonbeams.
P- Poetry, of course.
Q- Quip; Keep It Simple, Stupid
R- Relaxation on a sandy beach.
S- Sunshine; it makes me smile.
T- Treading water.
U- Utopia. I wish!
V- Vegetables, but not Brussels Sprouts!
W- Windows and wishes
X- Xmas, although I prefer Christmas.
Y- Yellow; I love the color, plus I couldn't come up with anything else.
Z- Zoos, especially zebras. Black on white or white on black? Who cares? Remember love!

The Belly Dancer

Kalama dances with fear,
every swift move of the hip
a slap on sweaty cheeks.
Bystanders gather ‘round
the flaming torch, hypnotic
eyes and mouths are 'O's.
Wafting smoke lifts all
doubt lulls anxious hearts
who believe in The Power
with gifts of gratitude.

@laurie kolp

G is for Gratitude

As I have stated before, I try to have an attitude of gratitude.  But sometimes my busy life begins to cloud my thinking and I find myself fretting over things I can't even control.  The "what ifs"  move into my head and push back any gratitude I have.  The gratitude is still there, but gets forgotten.  I waste time and energy worrying about senseless things, but when I let go of these burdens and focus on what I am grateful for, I am at peace.

Today has been as busy as the weekend was, and I am tired.  Katie had her dance recital Saturday night after a lot of practice Friday and Saturday.  I found myself in a tizzy when I had very little time to get Katie's lunch.  Our downtown has undergone a lot of changes and I accidentally ended up rushing down a one-way street...going the wrong way, of course (no cars were out, so no need to worry, right- NOT).  Then I shuffled around and ran into a main street that is being completely dug up and is temporarily closed.  I went through the barricade and dirt anyway (the "food place" was on the other side).  By the time I had myself all worked up, I made it back to the theatre in the nick of time to eat lunch with Katie before she had to line up for her dances.  I was not thinking gratitude at this point, I was worrying and rushing.  The "what ifs" were swimming in my head, and it was all for nothing.  I made it back.  Katie ate.  The show went on.  What a waste of energy.  Maybe that is why I am so tired.

While we were busy, Pete and the boys were off having fun at a work-related crawfish boil...

For Today...

The other night I was saying my nightly prayers when I asked God to tell Mary I missed her. The next morning after my run, I walked into the house and from my back window I could see three beautiful cardinals right in front of me. Then I heard a beep from my phone indicating I had a text message. I checked my message, and can you believe it was from Jeni, Mary's sister and my good friend! She just wanted to check on me and see how I was doing because we hadn't spoken in awhile. I think God was telling me Mary is okay.

Our time here on earth is so short. I want to enjoy each day like it's the last, love my family with all my heart and try to do the right thing always. I recently lost another friend who was only 52 years old (the older I get, the younger that seems). Her death came very unexpected, too. She had battled lupus, MS and another fatal disease for years and now she is free of pain and misery.

Today I am going to have an attitude of gratitude. Here are some of the things I am thankful for:
1. MY GOD who loves me unconditionally and will NEVER let me down
2. My loving, wonderful and supportive husband, Mr. K
3. Three healthy, happy and fantastically unique children God has given us
4. Family and friends who care and love me when I don't love myself
5. Health and happiness
6. Freedom from bondage
7. The opportunity to pursue my life-long dream of writing
8. YOU- my readers.

Have a great, blessed day and remember- GOD loves you!

My life has been a tapestry of rich and royal hue, an everlasting vision of the ever-changing view. ~Carole King

Nothing is Impossible

I am so grateful to be alive today. I am also sad. The reason I am sad is because someone I knew died unexpectedly Saturday night. Apparently she started getting sick Thursday, throwing up nonstop. Her husband, who had suffered a stroke several years back, and whom she so fondly took care of during that difficult recovery period, brought her to a small hospital close to the ranch they had retired to. Her blood pressure kept on crashing, so they life flighted her to the hospital here in town. She died the next day.
Another story that saddens me involves an outgoing, popular senior girl who was killed in a car accident the same day. She attended my former high school and went to our church. Her life was taken way too soon. I was watching the 10:00 news last night and they showed a memorial service that was at my former Catholic high school. The bishop was there and he said, "We never know when God is going to call us home. The question is not how long we have here on earth, but what we do with our time here."
So, even though I am saddened by these two deaths, I am also empowered to make each day wonderful, as if it was my last. With God as my guide, nothing is impossible.

An Attitude of Gratitude

One joy scatters a hundred griefs. ~ Chinese Proverb

I am so grateful today! I have discovered that an attitude of gratitude makes life much easier to deal with. Here are some of the things I am thankful for:

1. My family- Three healthy, smart, talented children who are not one bit spoiled; my wonderful, loving, supportive husband who loves me unconditionally.
2. Two sweet, adorable dogs Snowie and Jake.
3. Parents and a sister who live so close and are always supportive and helpful.
4. Wonderful friends who love me even when I don't love myself- who are supportive, caring and understanding. I am so grateful to know they will ALWAYS be here for me~ thanks, my friends!
5. My modest house- it may not be a mansion, or worth a lot, but it's home and I love it. My children were born into this house and they love it, too. There have been many memories made here.
6. Writing, writing, writing (and my writing peers).
AND LAST, BUT NOT LEAST- GOD. Through Him anything is possible!

What are you grateful for today? Please share!

On A Happy Note...

Today Pete and I, along with the kids, attended our godson's baptism. We are so honored to be baby Jack's godparents. The baptism was beautiful and Pete and I were so happy to be standing with our friends. It doesn't seem like that long ago when we were having our children baptized. I always had great anticipation for the big day because I would worry about the baby crying, nap schedules being interrupted and things like that, but this time I got to sit back and relax. I was able to help the mother with her child, and that was so nice. The whole baptism seemed longer today, but Pete said it was always that long- I was just too wrapped up in "mommyhood" to notice. Everything about the ceremony touched me. Can you believe our kids sat behind us nicely in a pew, watching their parents become godparents? They were so good. I am truly grateful for this day.