Happiness is ______ {2014-W12} #happinessis

Last week I over shared and this week I am going to under share.  Its been another tough week here with me feeling horrible the past few days and the Anthony so busy with soccer.  The weather isn't helping but I love it.  Sleep is always better when its raining.

Happiness is watching the boys play their little hearts out.  Lots of passing and communication.  And another win for the Dragons!  YAY!

Happiness is a smile heading to game two of the weekend.  I was worried he was going to be wore out but he was pumped!  Anthony played his best game yet and was came inches from his first goal! Maybe next game he will finally get one.  Either way he has come so far in the game and I love it!

Happiness is making it easy on myself and not fighting all the tortillas in this weeks menu.  The get what they wanted and everyone is happy.  Anthony reminded me to write the menu on the board so he can decide which days he is going to help.  Love this kid!

That's it.  I hardly took any photos this week and our lives are pretty much filled with soccer and cooking. What a life eh?  We have decided to hold off on fostering because we knew we would be so busy over the next month.  Here's to more happiness next week. 

Don't forget to stop by Crazy Adventures in Parenting and see what happiness everyone else is sharing.  She is finding happiness and also asking for prayers for a friend whose husband and three children went missing after the mudslide in Washington.  I had no idea that had even happened but they are in my prayers! 

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Menu Monday: March 24th

Monday:  One of the best things about being a Kwaj Kid was the annual Bigej trips.  Almost the whole school would pile on to a barge and we would make the long trip a few islands down.  We would buy new batteries for out raidos and pack out coolers to the brim.  Just the trip alone was so much fun but once we got there, we would explore the jungle or lay out.  Or we would just float for hours in the clear blue water. Every year, Dad would pack us up the same things.  Spam Musubi and a huge sub sandwich.  He would special over loaves of bread that were twice as long as regular french bread.  He would layer on the ham and turkey and salami and veggies.  Don't forget the cheese!  And we would share with anyone who wanted some.  Somedays when I am missing the ocean and my dad I will make these and then remember all the fun we had!  Its a great way to start of the week because its so insanely easy.

Tuesday:  

Chicken Roll ups.  Another Dad recipe.  He taught me how to make this one year when he went on TTY.  I made them twice that week and they are always one of my go to dinners.  Just cut up some chicken, season with cumin, adobo and paprika.  Shake some oil on top then stir and marinate.  Cook the chicken and then add sliced bell peppers.  Then throw it in a tortilla with some cheese and roll it up.  Sometimes I will make a few and then bake them to warm them all up at one time.  Another super easy dinner.  Cheap too!

Wednesday:  

Tacos.  Everyone suggested dinners with tortillas and I just did't have the energy to argue with them, so here we go.  More tortillas. Alex said that's ok because hes a Messican.

Thursday:  

Steak night.  Last week at soccer practice, we could smell someone cooking up some steaks and have been craving them ever since!  And so we splurged a little and got us all some nice looking steaks.  I also got some shrimp to make a shrimp salad to go with it.  So excited!

Friday:  

Fish and Chips.  Next week I will be a little more creative with our Friday dinners but this week Im taking the easy way. 

Saturday:  

Chicken enchiladas.  With rice and beans of course.  Then I am officially done with tortillas for a while.  I hope.  I guess we will see what we come up with for next weeks menu.

Sunday:

I am hoping that there will be a variety of leftovers for dinner.  That way the fridge gets all cleaned out and I can fill it up again when I go grocery shopping!  Oh the joy!

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Happiness is ______ {2014-W11} #happinessis

OK I missed last week, so I'm doubling up the happiness this week.  Sorry.  Not Sorry :)  Life has been a roller coaster lately so it feels good to focus on the happy stuff.  Be sure to stop by Crazy Adventures in Parenting and see what happiness others are sharing this week!  

Happiness is catching him rocking out to the beat of his own drum. 

Happiness is nap time in a box.  In your underwear.  With monster feet on.  Yall don't do this too?

Happiness is a super serious game of go fish.  

Happiness is some QT time my little sister before she moved.  

Happiness is a new toy in their room at Grandmas house.  Spoiled boys!

Happiness is riding a dolphin.  Even if its on the new Carousel at the zoo.  

Happiness is finding this. Why is it happy?  Because I would gladly push myself into exhaustion for the fun and memories we had this week.  Also the whole hands and feet in warm water with a cold towel on your neck thing really did work!  

Happiness is the smell of spring and buzzing bees that leave me alone :)

Happiness is getting back to my natural hair color. Feel so much better now!

Happiness is silly boys at the park.

Happiness is taking the dogs out for a waddle walk.  I got Poncho to run with me and turns out he is a great running partner, but only off leash.  Man can he run! Chico sat out of the running part.

Happiness is nap time.  Next month we are registering for Kindergarten and soon someone else will get to see how peaceful he sleeps.  And watch him laugh himself awake.

Here is to another week full of happiness.  Wishing you all nothing but love.

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Bittersweet Birthdays

I woke up this morning with an incredibly heavy heart.  Today is Dads birthday.  And I want nothing more than to call him up and hear him laugh when I remind him how many times we celebrated his 50th birthday. A total of three years in a row until we finally got it right!  He went along with it.  Every year.

After breakfast there was a soft knock on the door.  I opened it to an older couple and immediately saw he was holding a bible.  He asked if he could speak to me about something and I knew what was coming.  I know many people don't answer or send them away, but I had to hear what he had to say. Today of all days.  He asked me " When you pray who do you talk to?"  To which I replied "My Father." He said most people reach out to Jesus Christ and I said "Oh I was talking about my dad!"  For a second I thought he was going to laugh at me.  And when he went on that he meant who in heaven I talk, with tears welling up in my eyes I said My Father.  Especially today.  The tears didn't stop.  He read to me and I stood, head down, tears hitting the floor.  He said he wanted to come back and I didn't have the words to say no.  It has been a rough morning.

One thing he said stuck with me though.  He is not gone.  He is just having a rest until you meet again. And you will.  Crazy because last night I shared this song on Facebook.

Its been real hard with out him here.  But I know he had been though so much and I know he was tired. I would give anything to have him back healthy but I find peace in knowing he is no longer in pain.  Even to this day before I make big decisions, I listen for his advice and wonder what he would say.  I hope that when he looks down on me that he is proud of me.  

Happy 50th (+15) Birthday Dad!  I miss you every day.  The boys miss you.  We talk about you often. Always loving.  Always loved.

Today will not be lost to sadness because it is also my Nephews Birthday!  I love you bunches Brady. There is always a positive!

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Happiness is ______ {2014-W9} #happinessis

This week was full of happiness.  A lot of it plays off my happiness from the week before.  I love finding things that make us happy.  That will make us happier in the rest of our lives and not just that moment. Like the decision to foster and now volunteer.  It is something that will stick with the boys for the rest of their lives. 

Happiness is a good heart.  Last week he got an award for being caring.  It is true.  This kid, has a heart of gold.  He is caring to the core.  At 8 years old things matter to him.  Happiness is a boy who finally got his volunteer shirt and gets to walk dog and love on them at the adoption events.  

Happiness is handing over the leash and saying goodbye to another foster dog.  It was hard.  But his new family loves him to pieces.  And I am so happy for him.  

Happiness is a beautiful sunrise.  It always makes for a better day.

Happiness is peace and quiet.  

Happiness is a good book and a pup to keep you company.

Happiness is a finished project. 

Happiness is brotherly love.  I love love love how when ever these two take pictures the little one always hangs on to his big brother.  

Happiness is Dinosaurs and a picture with Dad.

Happiness is a little boy saying "I knew dragons were real"  I tried to explain what it really was, but he was convinced it was a dragon head.  I love his imagination.

Happiness is duck faces.  OK not really but this guy sure made us laugh.  And happiness is watching your 5 year old crack himself up because this was the funniest thing he has ever seen!  

What has made you happy this week?  Stop by Crazy Adventures in Parenting and see what is making others happy this week!  Share your happiness with the world :)

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