happy birthday, mom!

yesterday was my mom's 70th birthday...

my mom at easter, 1964

my sister, me, and my mom

michigan, 1968

happiest of days, mom <3

i put on a happy face this week because...

   i was able to schedule a couple of coffee dates to catch up with dear friends

   MFM delivered a beautiful baby boy...chester jack, but you can call him jack.  read all about her journey here on her wonderful blog.


   i was blessed to watch MFT's daughter, ollie, in her preschool dance class...too cute for words--she is almost 2 and full of life


   MFJ delivered a healthy baby girl...layla  


   except for sunday, the last couple of days have actually been cool...temperature wise


   MFT and her husband sold their house in aledo...now they can join the rest of us in the fort


   we were able to spend saturday afternoon with my mom and my brother celebrating their birthdays...there really isn't anything like chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream--mmmmm


by the way, the song mentioned in the title of this post--put on a happy face--is a favorite song of mine that was one of my "go-to" songs when i sang to my kids when they were younger {which despite my lack of talent, i did all the time}...


and so now, i will leave you with a song and dance number from 1963 {the year i was born} from a young 17 year old that i hope leaves you with a happy face, too...



   


   


  

i just had to share this....

i really am planning to write a new post soon, but i just could not wait to share this new way of exercising!  seriously, this looks awesome and so fun!

it's....

you can even do it with a buddy!

just think...start slow....

and work up to THIS...

visit treeyoga.org to find out more.  they list the 10 benefits of treeyoga--mentioning things like inversions and upper body work.  but take note of #8, my personal favorite... " Speaking of Joy, do you remember hanging upside down on the playground, or swinging as high as you could on the swings? Do you remember climbing Trees? Do you play?"

i say, who doesn't need to play more?  anyone with me?

movies, part 1...

lately, our city has been deluged with rain.  although i personally love rainy days...they just are no good for me.  you see...i tend to be a little bit on the procrastinatory side {trust me...it's a word, i looked it up}. like lay's potato chips & onion dip, chocolate & peanut butter, cashews & caramel, rainy days and movies, are a match made in heaven--although, books and a good storm can run a very, very close second. who wouldn't want to watch a good movie, with the rain pouring down, as if you don't have a care {or any grocery shopping to do} in the world? so all this rain has inspired me to start a list of my favorite movies {by genre, of course}.  some of these movies i have seen recently and some i probably need to revisit, but from what i remember...i was moved in some way by them.  the first category is inspirational:

october sky {1999}

based on the true story of homer hickham--

a boy from a small coal town in west virginia, who is interested in rocket science during the time of sputnik

besides the fact that one strong character is a motivating teacher {i love when teachers are the "good guys"}, did i mention that it stars a young jake gyllenhaal?

tear inducing quote: 

Homer: [to John] Dad, I may not be the best, but I come to believe that I got it in me to be somebody in this world. And it's not because I'm so different from you either, it's because I'm the same. I mean, I can be just as hard-headed, and just as tough. I only hope I can be as good a man as you. Sure, Wernher von Braun is a great scientist? but he isn't my hero.

the right stuff {1983}

tagline:  America was looking for a hero who had what it takes to become a legend. America found seven of them.

 i am always amazed at flight...i don't think i will ever understand it, but it fascinates me to no end.  anyway, this movie, based on true stories, covers breaking the sound barrier to NASA and the Apollo programs. 

favorite lines that have nothing to do with moving the plot forward but have sentimental value to me and MHD:
[repeated lines]

Chuck Yeager: Hey, Ridley, ya got any Beeman's?

Jack Ridley: Yeah, I think I got me a stick.

Chuck Yeager: Loan me some, will ya? I'll pay ya back later.

Jack Ridley: Fair enough

amazing grace {2006}

this film recounts the true story of william wilberforce, a member of parliament, and his struggle to end the slave trade.

the title of the film refers to the song penned by wilberforce's mentor, john newton, a converted slave-ship captain.  the song was given a new rendition for the movie by chris tomlin...it is awesome!

most inspiring {and true} quote:

John Newton: Although my memory's fading, I remember two things very clearly. I'm a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior.

the shawshank redemption {1994}

you may be surprised to find this movie on my list:  it is rated r for language and prison violence.  and i will admit that there are many scenes that are hard to watch.  so why include it on my list of inspirational movies?  well, i guess it has to do with one word--hope. hope in a place of evil. and the fact that i love an unpredictable movie.  so, if you decide to take this movie on--just be forewarned.  i think you will still find it inspiring.

based on a book by stephen king...narrated by morgan freeman.

i found this review/commentary from christianity today very insightful.

and lastly...a movie that has two things going for it--it's inspiring and a musical!!!
the sound of music {1965}
another movie based on a true story, although i am sure with much poetic license...

i am almost certain that everyone knows the story, the songs...and if you don't--rush out and rent the dvd...now!  bit of trivia to impress your friends the next time you watch it--the real maria von trapp is the elder of the two women in austrian peasant garb who are in the background as maria walks through a brick archway during "i have confidence".

nail-biting quote:

Captain von Trapp: [after pulling the gun from Rolfe] You'll never be one of them.

Rolfe: Lieutenant! Lieutenant, they're here! They're here, Lieutenant!

[blows whistle]

so--what are the movies that send that special chill down your spine...that might bring a joyful tear to your eye...that inspire you?

too fun

i just couldn't resist posting this video i saw at this cool blog.  these kids are priceless.  have you ever wanted something soooo bad that you weren't sure you would ever be able to wait for it?


Oh, The Temptation from Steve V on Vimeo.

what i made this weekend...

ok...this is my first attempt at making a keepsake hanger for some of my toddler friends.  

i made this one for isaac.  it is two-sided and i think it turned out pretty good for a first go-at-it.  

of course, my very-supportive-family's first words were "what do you do with it?"  so i guess maybe it is kind of a weird gift...but i just thought if you have pegs in the child's room, you could hang a favorite outfit or one that has special significance or an outfit that even just matches the hanger.  who knows?  but i am having fun making them anyway!  any thoughts, suggestions, etc? {i love feedback, by the way}...

this week i am smiling because....

my friend isaac is turning 1....

we had family night and watched a tim hawkins dvd--not only did i smile...but we all laughed so hard our sides ached!

i started reading a new book.  i am always sad when i finish a book--but then that sadness goes away once i start another one hoping i will it enjoy as much as the last one {note to self:  future blog idea--discuss my top 5 books of all time}

we hosted an awesome dinner for our city group...
i tried out 2 new cookies recipes and they both turned out great {that doesn't always happen}

orange almond shortbread (martha stewart) & chocolate mascarpone toffee bars (giada)


so...how was your week?  anything in particular that made you smile?

college update

MDE has been quite busy these days. after one and a half years of college visits...i think she has narrowed it down--to 8!!  it's funny to see what matters to her in her search...and it will be so exciting to see where God will lead her.  here is the list of schools she is applying to in no particular order {and maybe a comment or two from me}...

the university of kansas--

the tradition, the basketball, lawrence...oh, and did we mention, no essay required for application!

the university of missouri--

really not too sure about this one...her counselor recommended it.  they do have a viticulture program, if she decides to go that way...but, boy, it will be hard for her daddy to write the check!

northwestern university--

all around awesome school...the academics, the arts, proximity to chicago--and of course, mike greenberg went there

the university of san diego--

oh my!  what to say...it's in san diego, absolutely gorgeous, laid back atmosphere, fairly small enrollment, did i mention that it's in san diego?  when we first visited...i could definitely see my sweet bee walking around and feeling like she fit in...

rice university--

again, awesome school and i could really see bee bee-boppin' around this beautiful campus & embracing her true-geekness.  i just wish it wasn't in houston!

texas a & m--

you really can't beat the tradition and the spirit...plus they are in the big 12.  it's just sooooo big.  i do know in my heart that she would probably have a wonderful college experience and education if she went here...plus it's only 3 hours away.

the university of california, davis--

MHD took bee on this visit...they had a great time.  it is extremely hard for an out of state student to be accepted {only 2%}, but they have the top program in viticulture.  she did find out that you do not have to attend their undergrad program, but it is very beneficial to take part in their graduate program. she did comment that it is very far away.

the college of william & mary--

this is a school that has just recently piqued her interest...so many people said she would love it {including one of her best friends that just took a tour}.  so she is applying sight unseen, but i think we will try to get to williamsburg in november...it should be beautiful that time of year!

so there you have it.  she is working on starting some essays this weekend--though that is a long process of edits and rewrites.  and after those are done, she submits and we wait...we wait what i assume will feel like years to hear back.  but trust me...i am in no hurry to ship her off just yet...