Namaste

Everyone needs something that relaxes them, that helps make the tension and weight of the day lesson. 

My wonderful cousin Michelle asked me to try yoga with her a few months ago, and I immediately fell in love with it.  It forces you to focus on slowing down, breathing, stretching out all the tightness that wears on you. 

In short - by the end of class, you are dripping with sweat, all your muscles are warm and stretched and you feel amazing. 

(I am still on my high from this morning's class... ohmmmmmmmmmmmm)

Big Plans

The kids and I made summer scrapbooks.  Super easy ones, just composition books covered in brown paper that we decorated.  They are all ready to record memories and pictures of whatever adventures we go on over the course of the summer.

The first entries were put in after school ~pictures of the first time the pool and the slip and slide were in use in the backyard, and our first summer picnic in the back yard.  (both last night!)

Tonight we added the next page, which, for me, was the inspiration behind our summer journals.   Our family made a big list of all the ice cream stands we could find nearby.  The big plan for the summer is that we are going to go to every one of them, and take pictures of the kids at each one. 

So, in case you would like to know... stop number one in our goofy ice cream adventure of summer 2012 was Whippy Dip for black raspberry ice cream.

Yu-ummy!

Smile!

Even Better

Nathan and his cousin, Norah, played on the same soccer team last summer and they both really loved it.  My sister-in-law mentioned that my brother had volunteered to help coach this summer.  I decided I would coach with him and this evening I told Nathan the plan.

His response absolutely made my night.

Nathan - "You are coaching? Uncle Eric is, too?"
Me - "Yep. You and Norah will be on the same team again, also."

Nathan - Big smile. Fist pump. "YES!  This is gonna be even better than last summer!!!" 

I love that kid!

Strong and Healthy

I help "coach" Evelyn's swim team.

(Those of you you who know me well are laughing at the ridiculousness of that sentence right now, and I don't blame you!)

Anyway...

As I was reading through the heat sheets at one of the last meets of the year, I read a name that literally stopped me in my tracks. I flashed back in my mind to a very sick 2 year old little boy.  The younger brother of one of my preschool students.  He had leukemia.  The last I knew he was doing well, but it had been years since I last saw him or his parents.

And there was his name.  While he swam for another school, I was openly cheering for him, and had tears in my eyes.  This sick little boy had grown into a strong young man, and a really great athlete.

There really are no words for the joy I felt seeing him swim, strong and healthy.  Absolutely amazing.

More Than a Gift Card

I have a couple friends who do the coolest thing. 

They both keep a few gift cards on hand, to give to someone when they see a need.

Fast food restaurant cards to those who are obviously hungry, short on cash.  You and I have all seen them with signs asking for help.  Most people look away, or do not know how to respond.  They are ready to reach out.

Coffee cards to someone downtown when the weather is blustery and they see someone who is cold.

To me, these are so much more than a cup of coffee or a meal.  They are telling total strangers that they matter.  That someone cares. That they are seen.

They are also showing the depth of their hearts and their love for people.  I admire them both for taking action to brighten lives.

Happiness is...

...finding the PERFECT gift and the giddy feeling you get when you picture the person you are giving it to opening it.

I so love that feeling!