one more time and the signs

 Sometimes life just gets a little hard. I'm fine, but I'm worried about a lot of people that are very close to me right now so I've been praying really, really hard because that's literally all I can do. I can't do anything to change what's going on or make things better so I pray and really hard. Like at night, in the morning, and driving to work. Every once in a while, I'll add "Mom sure wish you were here" because that was her thing. She could make every thing better and when I needed help or just a little bit of encouragement-she was there. I know she physically can't be here, but on the days I utter those words the pennies start appearing in the most unlikely places. You know finding a penny means someone in heaven is thinking of you. Then, I'll see cardinals every where. There will be a whole flock of robin birds outside my window but a cardinal (a sign your angel is near) will come right up where I can't miss him. It will keep happening over and over until I smile. Maybe I'm going crazy, but I've got the pennies in my pocket and I've started taking pictures of the cardinals. My ascent to the nuthouse will be well documented. 

Oh Baby Girl

 

Happy Birthday to my baby girl! Lauren, I don't care if you're 80, you'll always be my baby. 

I hope you know how incredible you are. The work that you do. I could barely take care of three kids much less strangers. 

The discipline you  have. I can't work out after sitting 8 hours at a desk, and here you are crushing some badass workouts. 

The love you give.

Your smile.

I hope you laugh a lot today. I hope you take time out of your schedule to celebrate you. 

No matter what

 

I don't need a reminder as to what I accomplished this weekend. There's a constant reminder on my arm.

I got "No matter what" . Beth got "No matter where" and Lauren got "No matter when". The tats are done in my handwriting and they look good even if I do say so myself. 

But this evening was so much more than an outing to get a tattoo. 

It was a time to unwind a little. A time to laugh. A time to bond. A time to talk and remind each other of how much we love each other. And always will... No matter what. No matter where. No matter when.

Month of ME

 Mel designated March as the Month of Mel because her birthday is in March. While that sounds cool, Month of me sounds pretty cool in my book too. When I first thought of it, it sounded kinda self-absorbed. maybe a little over the top. But you know what? Life is short. Make the most of it and take time out to celebrate you. 

And to prove my point, one of my coworkers died last night. Someone much younger than me. Someone in much better physical shape. Someone with a really good future and four loving kids. 

Life isn't fair. Each day is a gift. Every day.

So today, I stopped and bought my favorite cup of coffee and a couple of lottery tickets. My tickets weren't winners, but I still winning at life.