Lately life’s been stressful. It hasn’t exactly been, as they say, a bowl of cherries. One thing I am blessed to have, however, is optimism. I have always been the type of person who sees life’s events in the best possible light. Today I don’t even need that much optimism, though. I have plenty of things to make me smile.
Reason #1: I finished 5 straight days of Adventure Boot Camp for Women!
I’m pretty sure that I haven’t completed five intense workouts in a row since my college athletics days. I’m extremely sore, but in the best possible way. I feel strong. I’m invigorated and ready to complete the remaining two weeks.
Reason #2: The sun is shining today.
Even though I thought the weather forecast was calling for snow, it was bright and sunny today.
It was a little chilly, but not too cold to enjoy some fresh air.
Reason #3: Meghan seems to be feeling better.
I think the extra vitamin C must be working, because Meghan’s cold is getting better instead of worse. In addition to the Vitamin C Fruit Smoothie, I offered her some broccoli bites and broiled grapefruit yesterday. She didn’t like the grapefruit at all, but I tried. 🙂
She’s been happy and energetic today, despite her runny nose and cough.
Reason #4: My husband is amazing.
Not only is he a great husband who is my best friend and biggest supporter, he is an awesome dad.
I couldn’t ask for a better partner to spend my life with.
Reason #5: I have a full stash of (healthy!) Double Chocolate Coconut Cookies heading into the weekend.
I would love to be able to share this recipe with you, but you’ll have to wait. Trust me, it is worth the wait, as these cookies are the kind you’d write home about.
Question:
What are you smiling about today?
Such cute pictures! And those cookies look delish.
Maryea, your arms are so toned!! I gotta start working on mine again. Meghan is such a beautiful little girl, and I am SO looking forward to that cookie recipe! Hmm, well to start I guess I am thankful to be alive, healthy, and disease-free. Besides that, I am thankful to be in a place where I am still growing into myself, and the possibilities for where I go in life are still somewhat a mystery. That may sound weird, but I am neither a mom nor a wife right now (and while yes, one day I want both those things, I know now is not the time). So knowing that I am the only person I need to please right now in life, brings me confidence that I can explore everything that God presents me with…I think I went too deep for the prompt, but oh well, you asked! 🙂
Thank you for your response-I loved it! I remember when I was younger feeling like you do now. It’s an exciting place to be. And thank you for the compliment on my arms. I’d been feeling so out of shape lately, so it’s nice to hear that. 🙂
I loved reading this, it brought tears (happy) to my eyes! I am smiling because I got to run outside this morning, I get to spend the day with my children and my husband and I are going on a date tonight!
Great pictures and I’m glad you can see the sunshine even through the stress. Way to go Happyhealtymama! …….Also, you should post that recipe for those cookies ASAP! It will be all I’ll think about all day and I’ve got too much cleaning to do to be thinking about those cookies. 🙂
Look for the recipe next week. 🙂
These pictures are all adorable. AND, you are rockin this boot camp! So impressive
I’m smiling because it’s the weekend and also I’m getting a much needed haircut later this afternoon.
Did Meghan get her book, by the way? I forgot what I sent – Five Wishing Stars?
Yes, she got it and loves it! It was very exciting for her to get a surprise in the mail–thank you! 🙂
Holy biceps, batman!
I’m smiling because I met a couple of like-minded mamas today and enjoyed some great conversation. And, my little guy and I took a 10 minute nap together on the couch and pretty much nothing is better than snuggling with a sleeping child. 🙂
Way to go Maryea!!! Five days in a row is awesome! And, look at those muscles — keep up the good work!
I started working out again too and have been sticking to a “clean” diet now for about a month. I feel awesome. And, I log everything into myfitnesspal.com. Love that site.
By the way, your daughter is simply adorable. 🙂 Love the pictures.
After I April Fooled my husband this morning, I kept smiling about how much I love him.
Loving your arms!! 🙂
I need your arms…. they are FABULOUS!!!!!!!
This post made me smile! What beautiful pictures you captured. And those guns are scary!! 🙂
I’m smiling because I get to celebrate Nat’s birthday with friends, family and a BUNCH of little people this weekend!
Love the pictures of your little girl laying in the grass! So cute! I can’t wait till the grass here is green and not brown, lol. Oh, and nice pipes! 😀
I’m smiling because I got a workout and a shower in and the kitchen cleaned this morning without any trouble! And I’m smiling because my little girl is finally going to sleep on her own as of last night. So far I’ve been nursing her to sleep because it was quick and easy and it never bothered me at all, but last night I saw an opportunity and took it and she’s doing awesome. I’m so excited 😀
Aw, your little girl is a super star! 🙂 That’s a big step!
Those cookies look good!
I am smiling today, because it is not snowing 🙂 — thank goodness — and my family is healthy!
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
A healthy family is a huge blessing! 🙂
Your little girl is adorable. Great job on the workouts, and glad she is feeling better!
I am smiling because my housing is set for next yr!
That’s exciting! I wish I could say the same. (Hence the stress in my life!)
Awwww, these are such great pictures! You have lots of reasons to smile for sure. I’m smiling because my husband is coming home tonight after being out of town and it’s personal pizza party night at our house. Every Friday, we roll out dough and set out toppings and everyone makes their favorite pizzas. It’s such a hit and the boys were singing on the way to school this morning about it being personal pizza party night. Then, we watch a movie and it’s good times. Seriously, though, I can relate about life being stressful lately. It’s been a bit stressful here, too. We moved away from our families last August and I’m really struggling with lonliness and it’s my mom’s birthday tomorrow and of course, I’d like to celebrate with her and can’t. But, like you, I have lots of reasons to smile and for that I’m thankful.
I totally understand how hard it is to be away from family. I lived in Arizona for 7 years before moving back to the Midwest and it was really tough, even though the weather out there really agreed with me. 🙂 Yay to having your husband home! I hope you have a wonderful evening together!
Awww, those are all great reasons to smile! I’m not smiling so much today; I have a bit of a chest cold, but I’ll be smiling when it subsides. 🙂