Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Happy

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." - Anais Nin

Claire has this quote on her header page.  I love it.  It's why I started reading her blog. 

Do you know Claire?  She's friends with KS.  And, Summer.  They're good peeps.  They're all about living life fully and without hesitation.  They inspire me.  Our stories are not entirely similar.  At least not on paper.  But, I'd like to think we have the same wanderlust for life.

Travel.

Adventure.

Risk.

All in the pursuit of the "perfect" life, which is actually not very perfect at all.  Example:  I'm sitting here right now with Batman to my right, on my desk, emitting odors that will soon land him in the garage.  Lainey has wrapped a blanket around my shoulders, is standing on the chair behind me, "fixing" my hair and applying Cherry chap stick all over my face.  Jack is on the floor working on a train puzzle, driving me nuts with his questions regarding hopper cars and steam engines.

I have 6 loads of laundry waiting to be folded in my room. A house to clean.  Kids to dress.  Makeup to apply.  Snails to get rid of.  (I can see 3 from my front window currently.)

But, I'm doing it.  We are doing it.  This whole raising 3 kids, suburban life......full of challenges equal to our joys.

And, I'm happy.  It's not a glamorous life, but it's a full one.  It hasn't always been pretty and it hasn't always been up to par with other people's expectations.  But, it's been on our terms and I couldn't be happier with our choices. 

Why all the reflection this morning?  11 Year Anniversary coming up.  Perhaps a celebration this weekend since Pa is in town. 

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have weeds to pull and dishes to wash.  And, a very stinky cat to toss outside!

10 comments:

donatelli98 said...

Nice way to sum up life - you inspire me even if you think I am insane!! I look forward to your posts everyday because it helps me put life into perspective and see what matters most!! Thanks friend!!

jennykate77 said...

That's sounds like a great description of happiness to me!

Congrats on the 11 years!

Summer Athena said...

having a full life is better than a glamorous one, hon!

Hattie said...

Very well put!!! Loving this post!!! We're so blessed to have these crazy lives we live!!!

Kelly Beatty said...

I love your life and this post. Thanks for sharing. Miss you.

Allison Soladay said...

Love this post. Similar stuff here. The years it takes to finally get the life you want are completely worth it because it makes you appreciate more. Congrats on finding your perfect life and 11 years.

Nate, Abbey, Noah, Blaire and Tatum said...

I agree!

Kristen said...

This is why I adore you. And wanderlust indeed-

Live life imperfectly and delight in it with all of your heart. A quote from one of my favorite artists. And it just makes me smile.

Batman's stinky ass can come to Wisconsin if need be. He and Stinky Madddux can emit odors together.

The Lenzers said...

your reflections on life are nice! I must have an attitude or some major built up resentment somewhere because by the 4th time the kid pulled my hair while "fixing" it, I would have screamed. I should drink more@

Kim said...

I love it, you totally made me smile with the whole chapstick on the face and Lainey combing your hair. How can that not make you happy!