30 days of Happiness-- The End

Well, I started this 30 days of happiness journey 30 days ago, and I have to admit that, (If I could give myself a scholastic grade here for a moment), it would be a C+. I did the assignment, but didn't follow the directions completely. Not that I couldn't find 30 days of happiness in my life, I just couldn't find the will to blog like I used to, for 30 days straight, nor could I find any reason to be happy on one particular day. Ahhhhhhhh. Oh well.

It's been almost a year since I started my blog and I've really quite enjoyed it. It has definitely been a big adventure for me in so many ways, and it came into being at a time that I needed an extra creative outlet. It has been a lot of fun.

I've learned more about how the world wide web works, for example. I've also learned about the world of blogging and bloggers, and blogs galore! I've learned that there are some really neat blogs out there to read and learn from, but I don't have the time in my life to read them all. I like to read my friends blogs the most. :) I've learned that there are people who read my blog who I don't even know, and people who read my blog that are my neighbors. I've learned that my most devoted blog readers will always be my parents. Awwwwwwww....so sweet. I've mostly really enjoyed the feedback I've received from my writing. Writing has always been something I've really enjoyed doing, and I have loved the outlet that blogging has provided for me, in that way.

I've also learned that there is a season for everything in my life, and it's a good to learn when something needs to come to a close, or slow down considerably. More and more I find myself being pulled in so many other directions, and feel less and less of a need or want to write on my blog. (Quite literally, Odin is pulling me into the living room to help him put all the caps back on the markers as I write.)
So, perhaps I will just post every once in a awhile. Okay? Okay!!

(a happy picture of yours truly)

So, back to happiness. This year is my 30th year, and it has been great. If I live to be 90 years old, I have already lived 1/3 of my life. Isn't that a good reason to find true happiness and stick to it? I feel like the past several months I have been sorting out the nitty gritty of it all: what I truly need, to be, and to stay, happy for the next 6o years. I'm sure this list will add-to, as my journey continues, but this is what I have figured out for the first 30 years, and will continue to believe and do for the next 60:

*God is my foundation for everything good in life. My relationship with him is an absolute priority. I need to trust Him, love Him, and talk with Him every day.
*I need my Husband to live with, to laugh with, to cry with, to discover life with.
* I need to raise my children and give my all to them; with love and tenderness.
*I have to be outside every day, to feel the sunshine, breathe fresh air, and enjoy nature.
*Friends bring such joy to my life. I want to spend time with those who care about me most.
*Keep good relations with my family, and let them know I care.
*Be conscience of neighbors and associates around me who need my help. "Charity never faileth."
*Only read and study what is pertinent to my life. The world of knowledge is overwhelming, and gets in the way of necessity and truth.
* Don't develop a cyber life. I am most happy when I stay off the Net and stick to simple things like reading a good book, playing with my kids, and cooking a good meal. (Although fascinating, fun, and informative, If my time starts to get too sucked into cyberspace, I start to feel depressed.)
*Physical exercise is my happiness fuel. I don't ever want to under-play my need for exercise. It's an absolute daily priority for me.
*The word of God is as necessary as water for me. If I don't read my scriptures, I feel an unquenchable thirst inside my soul. The word of God has the power to nourish me daily.
*Teach my kids what is most valuable to me through example.
*Be consistent in everything I do.

May you all have a very happy day!
(a photo of some Jacksons. Check out Micah's bad-ass motorbike in the background)

30 days of Happiness-- Mothering Magazine

Today I snuggled in with a cup of Orange Spice tea, a fleece throw, and my favorite magazine...Mothering. I was able to read my whole September/October issue from cover to cover. yea! In my opinion, this is the last parenting magazine you will ever need.

This magazine speaks to me like nothing else. It is about real people, real Mothers, real babies and children, doing what feels most natural and instinctual.

Most parenting magazines are filled with ads and marketing campaigns, trying to persuade the reader to buy things they don't need. I've flipped through "Parenting" magazine several times in a doctors office, and I was appalled by how much marketing and advertising persuades the content of the articles. After reading these articles and glancing at ads, I am left with an uneasy, anxious feeling--overwhelmed by the enormous load I carry as mother, who can't keep up with all the latest parenting trends and products.

Mothering Magazine isn't about buying more stuff, it's about being Mothers, and doing what feels right. Peruse the pages, and you will find a feeling of happiness and simplicity; a feeling that will empower you to love and nurture your children, like no one else in the world is watching.

The advertisements you find in Mothering are for products designed to bring you closer to your children, and facilitate a healthy lifestyle in your family. To name a few, there are ads for baby slings and carriers, co-sleepers, natural toys, birthing classes, breastfeeding products like Lansinoh, nursing-friendly clothes, and Milk Diapers, natural Menstruation supplies, vitamins, healthy and organic foods, music for children, cloth diapers, herbal remedies, alternative schooling options, and more.
I enjoy looking at the ads, without the pressure of feeling like I need them to be a better mother, or to make happier kids. (however, a Gypsy Mama wrap is on my dream list)

The articles written are amazing, and usually exactly what I need to hear.
I've found strength and solace through reading about families just like me, all over the world, who want to live a natural, simple lifestyle with their children.
You'll find uplifting and inspiring articles on gentle discipline, attachment parenting, co-sleeping, babywearing, truthful vaccination info, crafts and fun things to do, nature walks and exploration, gentle birth choices, breastfeeding research and experiences, whole foods recipes, organic eating, homeschooling, public schooling, fun family activities, working Mothers, stay-at-home Mothers, working Fathers, and stay-at-home Fathers, good and informative book reviews, inexpensive ways to vacation, to eat, to dress, to shop, and to live, to be more environmentally conscious....to feel good about ourselves as Mothers and Parents, to help our children love and preserve our Earth...and on and on..... Real life.

This magazine makes me happy because in a sense, it is about......me. When I am having a hard parenting day it reminds me that I am real. When I am having a great parenting day, I can rejoice with millions of others. When I need a boost or need a like-minded friend, I can pick up a Mothering, and there it is.

The people at Mothering Magazine inspire you to be yourself and listen closely to the true, deep instincts of your heart. That's something we need more of in this world.

30 days of Happiness-- It's Winter!

Totally fine, now. Feeling the Winter spirit! It really helped yesterday to just get out there and embrace the snow; wipe it off my car windows, drive around in it, pull my kids in the sled, throw a few snowballs.
Later in the day we threw a Halloween party for our church girls, and that really made my day. We made Monster cards, did balloon races, listened to spooky music, and ate Hot chocolate and donuts! Mmmmmm Winter, and laughing, silly, happy friends!

Things that made me laugh this week:
*My older brother Joe and his girlfriend and kids live in Tahiti. She is from a small island called Faaite. We were laughing because this island is so small, that when you google search Faaite, his and his girlfriend's pictures pop up. Ha ha! Go see if you can find Joe.



*"When life gives you dilemmas, make dilemonade." (A quote from a facebook friend.)

*Odin not only runs away and screams when I want to change his diaper, he now yells, "Help me! Help me! Help me!", in a loud, shrieking voice.
It always sounds great to whoever is passing by.

*Micah is busily working at his school work, and taking his Praxis in two weeks! The tunnel is getting lighter!

*My aerobics classes are going awesome! Zadok has been content to let me exercise while he plays with his friends. I've really noticed a difference in my mood during the week, just knowing that I get to have that time to myself, and then feeling more motivated to give my all, to my kids, the rest of the time.

*Doing things for other people always makes me happier. Note-to-self: when I am feeling down, sew a mei-Tai and give it away....or something. It really works!

*It's Halloween in 2 days!

30 days of Happiness-- Snippets

Last year I emailed a dear friend of mine that I have been buds with since I was 16, and vented all these hard things I was going through at the time. Her instant response was, "This is awesome Sally! I was starting to think your life was one, big, Utopia and mine was just constant chaos!" She thanked me for being real and honest about the things that were troubling me. It made me realize that it is important to be honest and open about the hard things in life. We all go through them, and every day is not a happy utopia.

Here's a few snippets of finding happiness in chaos, from my week:

*It was total chaos in the grocery store today with my kids. Kids were whining, crying, clinging, screaming, and I really lost all patience. However, there is always this 30 seconds of happiness after loading groceries in the car, and buckling car seats, where I get to walk the cart back to the store all by myself. I breathe in, breathe out, smile, and feel the sun on my face. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh. I really enjoy that 30 seconds.

*A good friend of mine dropped a book off at my house while I was gone today, that she thought I would love. When I got home, I got to sit in the car and read it while the boys slept in their carseats. For 45 minutes I laughed, I cried, and I thanked God that she was inspired to bring this book over. It was exactly what I needed today.

*I started going to an aerobics class with some other Moms in my community who want to work out, but don't want to leave their kids. We meet in a church gym, let the kids run around, blast the music, and get a kick-butt workout. My first day was on Tuesday. I got 15 minutes in when my little 3 year old appendage started to attach to me. I was frustrated and angry at first, then reminded myself that I have a very tender-hearted boy who loves me. It may take us a few weeks of sitting on the floor watching, to get him used to this new environment, and sharing Mom, but that's just the way it is.

* My husband bought a motorcycle. It doesn't make me happy, but it makes him happy. To be honest, I am scared out of my mind that he is going to crash, and die, and leave us here all alone. But I love him, and trust him, and I am glad he is riding again. I imagine his longing to ride is comparable to my longing to surf. I hope he has many, many happy rides on his new bike!

*Yesterday the house was so stinkin messy, and I was in such a grouchy mood. So what did we do? We turned on Abba Gold and danced, danced,and danced! I was able to tidy up while doing the running man. The boys would stop mid-rumba to eat Cracker Jacks. And we all lived happily ever after.
Hope you can find happiness amongst the normal chaos of your day!

30 days of Happiness - Zion

We spent the day at Zion's National Park yesterday, probably for the tenth time since Summer began. It's become a place of refuge and excitement for our family. It seems once we step into the boundaries of the park, we are standing on holy ground, far away from anything distracting and worldly. It's as if we're in our own, magical world.

We spend our days at Zions exploring the river for frogs, climbing the rocks and trees, looking out for wild animal tracks, catching the shuttle from stop to stop, hiking on the trails, and staring endlessly up at the beautiful, majestic mountains.
--And it's only an hour's drive away from our house.

I feel that Zions has become our park. I feel a certain stewardship over her, always ensuring that we follow the rules of conservation and protection.



We've created a sort of tradition as we've been frequenting the park more and more.... First, we park our car at the Visitor's center, then we catch the shuttle (the kid's most favorite experience of all) to the Lodge, next we hike down the path by the Virgin River, then meander down 1/4 mile to the river's edge to stop. There we've found a world of our own to sit and watch deer, wild turkeys, and hoards of frogs, uninterrupted in their natural environment.

Wait, did I say uninterrupted? I guess that is, except when Zadok picks one up and says, "Look, it's Super Fatty Frog!!!"

And our last and latest treasure is the Sol Foods Cafe, right outside the entrance to the park. At the end of a long, adventuresome day at the park, we can sit outside on picnic tables, looking up at our mountains, while eating a whole foods/ vegetarian buffet. So delicious!



Zion's National Park makes me happy.

30 days of Happiness - Pumpkin

Tis the season for my favorite flavor--Pumpkin! I look forward to this every year, and for those that know me closely, I can get quite fanatical about it all. Pumpkin ice-cream. pumpkin fudge, pumpkin pie, pumpkin smoothies, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin cakes, pumpkin bread, pumpkin WHATEVER--I will eat it with a huge smile on my face. My dear husband will bring me home a pumpkin shake every once in a while, as the most romantic gesture ever!
Definitely one of the reasons I've come to love the season of Autumn-for the wonderful flavor of that giant, orange squash. (fused with spices and sugar, of course)

Tonight we watched a funny movie and ate Pumpkin ice-cream. And I can honestly say-- It really made me happy. :)


My friend Emily loves pumpkin, too. In fact, I think she is collecting recipes on her blog.

30 days of Happiness - neighbors

It was a beautiful, sunny day today! As my Mom and I were out walking, we stopped by a neighbors house to say hello. They were out in front of their house doing yard work.
I've seen them around town, and seen them in the halls at church, but had never had the chance to really get to know them. After 5 minutes of chatting, we fell in love.

The most down-to-Earth, fun-loving, free- spirited, and genuine couple, they turned out to be! We ended up yakking for quite awhile, until Odin got restless in the stroller. As we walked away, the man stopped and said, "You know, we never have an overage of friends, so please stop by and say hi anytime."

What a wonderful thing to say! It was the kind of thing that makes you feel good all day, and makes you want to spread the friendship around. I feel the exact same way. There is never an overage of friends in my life. I feel that everyone I meet is supposed to be part of my life, in a special and purposeful way.
Meeting these neighbors was a nice reminder to be more genuine, welcoming, and open with everyone I meet.

On another happy note, my Odin's hair is getting fluffier, foofier, and wilder by the day. I absolutely love it! And I recently realized I had the same exact hair as a toddler. It made me laugh! It's fun to see genetic traits passed on. (that's me on the far right, with my silly older brother and sister)

30 days of Happiness - the daily life

I was inspired to spend the next 30 days posting about the things that bring me happiness and joy in life. Having had a particularly hard day today, it's always nice to refocus and clarify my reasons for being. I hope the next 30 days bring some surprises. I hope the next 30 days I can see what brings me happiness in the here and now, with each day focusing on the present.

My wonderful friend Kat shared this quote the other day and I loved it:

"If you seek some special life outside of daily activities, that is like brushing aside waves to look for water." -- Wu-Chun 1249

May the next 30 days be all about happiness in daily activities.