09 November 2012

the front row (life lessons from pinterest)

there was an image on pinterest that screamed, "psst hey! look at me!" it showcased a roller coaster and the difference in the facial expressions between the people inhabiting the front row and those in the third row. front row peeps were filled with glee, their smiles brimming with zest for life. their mouths so excited, you could practically hear their squeals of delight bouncing from the photo. third row? straight faces, silent expressions, no grand gesture of fun. stuck on survival mode.

i want to live every day of my life on the front row.






on tuesday i woke up with a grand appreciation for the blessing of greeting another day. there is something so monumental about another day that is not lost on me. there was a play date at the aquarium and a pint sized redhead with an intense interest in sharks. there was also sharp pain in my left knee. chest pains from my gallstones. crazy nausea i should be better equipped to handle by now. a thyroid headache. (i need to have my TSH levels checked.) swollen and aching lymph nodes from EBVand possibly CMV as well. i came so close to calling it a home day. i hurt, literally everywhere. the more i thought about it, the more overwhelmed i felt trying to navigate my way through this silly stuff happening at once. but truly? it isn't that much. i'll deal.

you've got to get up every morning
with a smile on your face
and show the world
all the love in your heart
{carole king; beautiful}


every day is halloween when you are sookie ;)


i put my big girl panties (and my combat boots and some armor for good measure) on. we made shadow puppets in the driveway and my heart leapt as sookie's eyes were transformed with whimsy. we saw a unicorn fish swim with the likes of a sea turtle. (YES. a.unicorn.fish!) we ooooed over disturbingly brightly colored poisonous frogs. sookie remarked it was a "bee frog" because it was yellow and black. sookie touched a shark (and a stingray!) and told me they both "felt like frawberries." everything lately feels and smells like frawberries. (strawberries) we had a leaf party in poppa and glamma's backyard.





wednesday was new friends and swings and a stunning fall morning at the park. lunch with daddy. costco wandering adventures where we didn't buy anything, but i shared the huge, important life lesson that if you are a good girl, sometimes they give you little tastes of free food. (she was all over this!) we ventured for lunch at one of our favorite places. later in the evening we painted a jungle scene, colors everywhere, adam durtiz singing, our noses smashed into each other and oh, it was a moment. one of those isthisreallymylifei'msostinkinhappyrightnow kind of moments in which you want to freeze it and put into a sparkly jar. ;)

the days when it is harder and feels downright impossible to push through your obstacles, those days are when everything tastes sweeter. every little gift, every little laugh, every little victory.

15 comments:

  1. I can completely feel you but admire you for getting up and getting out. I know it's so much easier to say than do but make sure you are getting your rest.

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  2. Happy SITS Saturday to YOU!!!!! Your post is lovely...and makes me take note to even appreciate MORE in life everyday. Thank you.
    Laurie @ Pride in Photos

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  3. It is so difficult on those days when we feel like we just don't have it in us but the funny thing is that when we do push through, something wonderful happens that we wouldn't want to miss. Hope you're feeling better.

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  4. Hello! Just found your blog through the thankful hop! I had not heard of cystinosis before. I am happy to hear that you are having a joyful life in spite of your condition, and that you are spreading awareness through your blog. God bless & hope you feel better!

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  5. Your pictures are adorable. I'm glad you were able to make memories with your daughter. Best wishes for better days ahead.

    Happy Sharefest. I hope this is a minimal-pain weekend.

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  6. What a beautiful blog you have! I am coming from the Uncommon Designs Blog Hop...so nice to meet you. Your daughter is adorable.

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  7. Looks like you've been really busy. I love looking at pictures. I am following you from Rome. I hope you will follow me back. Your daughter is so cute!

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  8. Found your blog on the Nov Blog Hop! These pictures are amazing. What kind of camera do you have? Love the description of your day. Sounds like you got a real chance to live and enjoy the moment. It's so hard for most of us to do so every day!

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  9. I agree, I want to be in the front row too! Following you back :)

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  10. Thanks for visiting my site--you have a cute blog! Following back via GFC! Thanks for sharing!

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  11. I love this line: "i want to live every day of my life on the front row." This was a beautiful post. Thank you for sharing it with the Bigger Picture Blogs community!

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  12. These photos are beyond adorable!! Love the photo of her little car :) I just discovered your blog through the hop - I'm following on GFC now and look forward to reading more!

    Lauren @ www.stylelixir.com

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  13. So beautiful! Happy Day to you Happy Girl.

    Aloha Sweet Friend,

    I'm stopping by from Casey's little linky list to personally invite you to join me for An Aloha Affair.

    It's a sweet gathering of creative souls and a sharing of all the wonderful work we do. I'd love it if you'd join us, you know if you're wanting to take a little shopping break with sweet friends.

    xo,
    Nicole
    localsugarhawaii.com

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