I love Friday posts. I love them because I write them at the end of the day, right after I’ve raised my weekend freak flag (it’s yellow, by the way). I love them because I drink hot tea (cough, cough–beer with lime) while I write, and I play music and open the windows so that the neighbors can dance from their driveways if they feel so inclined. You know what comes wafting out of my office windows on Friday nights? Happy.
Happy: Impromptu sunset ice cream party Wednesday evening
“Do you think I’m too happy?” I recently asked Brett. Which is kind of like asking if there’re too many daisies in an open field of wildflowers or too many shades of red to choose from on a MAC lipstick stand. He just laughed and walked away. I’m taking that as a no.
Happy: She brought a xylophone on our walk today and played and sang along the way. Didn’t even get shy when we crossed paths with other walkers.
It’s not that I’m not fully aware that happiness isn’t a perpetual state of mind. If it was, we wouldn’t realize how great happy is. It’s just that “Am I too happy?” is another way of saying “I’m about to paint some more stuff yellow. You cool with that?” If he doesn’t say no, then the answer’s yes.
Happy: yellow sunburst
There is the kind of “crazy busy” that gives you just enough credibility to say “crazy busy” when someone asks you how you’re doing. And then there’s the crazy busy that really does mean seriously certifiably crazy damn busy. This week has been the latter–keeping up, catching up, promoting the book in a slew of back-to-back radio interviews, appointments, work, house, lather, rinse, repeat, goodnight. And just like mamas learn soon enough with a second child that sleepless nights are a phase, soon replaced with babies who sleep; I tend not to stress much anymore about hectic weeks.
Happy: Slipped away for breakfast with Lainey this morning–just the two of us
I’ve learned there are parts of me that love quiet and calm and relaxed and slow, and there are parts of me that love adrenaline, projects, busy and stimulated. When one part’s up to bat, the other one’s just benched for a bit, getting ready for his turn. I’ve got a great team; we play well with each other.
Happy: Impromptu pool date with Lainey’s friend Aleena. And our new Hatley umbrellas (love the wooden handle)
And the savior for escaping both quiet and too calm or crazy and too busy? Stop, drop and run. Pack up the car and drive somewhere–anywhere–for an hour excursion. Last night, my friend Rebecca answered the “leaving house now” text and showed up at the park with a box of popsicles that slowly melted as we walked through park trails, veering off on a secret path that led to an imaginary gnome village. If I wasn’t sworn to secrecy by the kids, I’d tell you that hundreds of tiny bearded gnomes showed up–in hats–and ran from tree to tree, dodging the kids’ glances.
You could see little sprouts of imagination wildly growing as the kids joined in, describing gnome clothes and hiding spots–where they darted, how they ran.
Want any day to feel like a Friday party? Go for a walk. Find gnomes. Imagine tiny felted hats and polished boots.
Other happies just kind of squeezed their way in this week.
Things like loyal dogs.
A little girl who knows exactly how many days are left until her “hula party” (um, seven).
Funny rear view mirror smiles that pleasantly catch me off guard.
Blue skies.
And Friday Photo Dumps.
Friday Phone Dump photos are taken on the Instagram iPhone app (free) and dropped into a 12×12 collage using a photo editing software (Photoshop Elements works). I am @etst (enjoying the small things) on Instagram if care to follow the feed.
*****
Come back this weekend to read four moving stories from readers about being transformed by the unexpected. Or read more from the hundreds of personal stories shared on the We Bloom post.
The beach is calling this Mother’s Day weekend.
Thank you to William Morrow for creating this video, and thank you to all of you who are sharing Bloom with others. (Might I suggest a book for a last minute Mother’s Day gift for friends or mamas?) This Mother’s Day, I am more aware, more appreciative and more–well…happy.
(Direct link to video HERE)
Have a happy weekend. Turn up the music.
<3
I don’t even know if it’s crazy busy around here or not, because I can’t remember what it was like before I had two littles running around eating, jumping, laughing, falling down, asking questions, making messes left and right and filling up my days with love and smiles and giggles and wonderment. All I know is I wouldn’t have it any other way. Happy Mother’s Day!
i read your book this week (i have been a follower since a bit after nella was born) and i REALLY REALLY enjoyed it 🙂 thanks for being so open,honest,raw and real! what a refreshing thing to read. i love your love for your family, daughters, small things, overall life, parties and being yourself!
have a blessed mother’s day,you sure deserve it!!
god bless you and your wonderful family!
I love the pictures of the girls with the umbrellas under the water fall. So cute!
I love productive busy, but crazy busy makes me nutso! I flip out – wish I could get a handle on that, but the more I have to do, the more I freak about getting everything done, which is super helpful.
Your crazy busy week looks like a lot of fun… a lot of energy too, but a lot of fun!
I love your Friday posts, I can feel the smile on your face as you look back on the last few days & drink in all the fabulous that is a weekend!
Love the sun in your post today. Such a contrast to the weather here. But despite it being FOUL today, I’m happy. We went out on a date last night scurrying from hut to car to restaurant. Knowing the waiter & the chef. The wood fire. Then hibernating in the hut this morning. Reading in bed til 12! Happy weekend Kelle.
Happy Early Mother’s Day Kelle. Thanks for asking for people to share on We Bloom. I have been reading the comments from everyone all week. So many amazing, beautiful, touching stories. Lovely. Thank you.
Totally cracked up when I saw the pic of Lainey in the rear view mirror!! Nice catch!!
Happy Mother’s Day!
OH! The video….what a sweet surprise!!!
What’s Lainey eatin’ for breakfast? I wanna bite.
Happy Mother’s Day every day 🙂
Bless you!
I hear your music and I’m dancing with you!
Awww…your breakfast with Lainey was at my favorite cafe! Now if I find out you went to “my Target”, I’m going to be sorry I didn’t go today. My daughter is just so sure we’ll bump into your family one day. I’m afraid that if that happened I’d freak you out with the whole “I know all about your family and you don’t even know me” thing. Anyway, I think it’s great that you took time out with just Lainey. And there’s no such thing as “too happy.” Thank goodness.
i love the colour yellow. & gnomes too! a happy mum’s day to you kelle! xx
I spent over an hour today reading all the stories that were posted related to the challenge. It’s an incredible outpouring of tragedy, setbacks, shifts in life and always shift in perspective. What a beautiful community.
My favorite word yesterday for the photo-a-day posting on IG was present. It’s a reminder to live and to appreciate a day at a time; not trapped in yesterday & not dwelling on tomorrow. It’s also a reminder that everything I have is a gift, and I am humbled and grateful everyday. Choose Joy.
So on that note, I just love your comment of can you be too happy. It’s all good. And no, you can never bee too happy.
Happy Mother’s Day dear.
Happy Mother’s Day weekend, Kelle. 🙂
Finding your blog is one of the best things that ever happened to me – you have shown me how to find joy again in life. Last October my beautiful niece was born with Downs. I knew the minute I held her, but her parents didn’t. I waited outside while the consultant gave them the news and when my strong, brave and wonderful brother came outside and told me and cried, I just said “I know sweetheart and she is my niece and I love her.” I know that this little lady is going to bless our family and heal old wounds and rifts like no-one has ever managed to do. Can you be too happy? No Kelle you can’t because you are right out there living your life and teaching your kids joy. I cried my way through Bloom and loves every page. I hope that the universe blesses you as you truly deserve xxx
Gawhd, I want to live somewhere with a climate that allows people to just pack up and GO places, OUTDOOR places, just about anytime they feel like! Sure, we can take weekly trips to the beach, heck, we can take daily trips to the beach, to the lake, to the whatnot, but I just can’t find as much pleasure in it when it’s constantly gray and rainy and cold and windy. As soon as the sun pops out, we barely see the inside of the house, but it’s been a loong winter. Oh well, if we’re lucky we’ll get a couple of weeks of actual summer this year, fingers crossed!
I am experiencing some weather aggresion lately, does it show? We just had snow, SNOW, in MAY! Sigh.
Your happiness instantly rubbed off onto me during reading this post 🙂 I freak out with every post, just how big Nella is getting. She has lost so much of her baby-ness. Your girls are simply beautiful Kelle and you’re doing such a great job balancing the hectic buzz of your book launch with quiet, meaningful moments with your family. I love it.
I can’t wait to see Lainey’s party come together.
It’s Mothers Day here in Aus tomorrow…..so happy mothers day Kelle.
x
http://blog.scissorspaperrockdesigns.com.au/
Your children are going to grow up to be pretty freakin’ awesome. Just saying.
Happy Mother’s Day!
Hey I’m in that video! Thanks for including me! and the pictures at the water park… perfect 🙂
When you first mentioned your book, I asked my hubby who knew I was a long-time reader of yours…’can I get it for mother’s day?’ I got it a little over a month ago. Happy Mother’s Day girl!
Thank you from Tejas,
Melissa
Aw, love this! And your splash parks look amazing!
Oh, and that pic of Charlotte about did me in. (Which means I am seriously emotional, I’m hanging out with her today…)
Beautiful post, as always. I’ve been crazy busy making tutus for ten little girls who will attend my granddaughter’s “Ballet and Baseball” fourth birthday party today. I was afraid I wouldn’t finish, but I did it! Can’t wait to see them on the models, and to have brunch tomorrow at the art museum with my incredibly funny, loving, accomplished kids and their spouses and my three (soon to be five!) grandkids. Happy Mother’s Day!
Your pictures are wonderfull!!!
I can imagine how good it is to spend time with the girls … and feel their happiness!!!****
I read your blog every day almost and have totally failed to comment in probably over a year…but I just wanted to let you know that after a rough day, that your words hold so much hope and inspiration for me :)I am ready to be painting things yellow and drinking a hot tea 😉
“Do you think I’m too happy?” I would LOVE to someday be able to legitimately ask that question. Thanks to inspiring writers like yourself, I’ve become more and more aware that happiness is a choice and you have to let stuff go. I don’t like being unhappy, so I avoid it at all costs, but I know that I don’t radiate happiness the way I’d like. Also, I just thought I’d let you know that I recently bought my first EVER yellow cardigan and my mom just bought me a pair of yellow heels…you’ve definitely inspired me to add more color to my life…even a color that I never thought I’d like. I’m converted.
o my gosh, i love Nella’s pigtails. She keeps getting more beautiful!
Thank you for a such a beautiful happy post! (It so helps after being up with a sick little girl much of the night.)
On a side note, I’m SO excited to give my mom your book tomorrow for Mother’s Day. I introduced her to your blog and she loves it of course. It’s opened up more of a discussion between us about my brother who has Down syndrome. Sometimes I feel she could have been you 36 years ago when he was born because of all the things she has done to provide him with the opportunities he needs and to educate our community that everyone’s differences should be embraced. Thank you for your continued inspiration!
This is great way to start my day. I always feel so inspired after reading your posts, ready to tackle the day and enjoy Mother’s Day tomorrow.
Happy weekend, and I will be turning up the music!
Ok I think those black glasses are fake but I am seriously loving them! ;). Have a beautiful mothers day!
Lainey looks so grown up in these photos.. It’s crazy to think of how small she was when I first started reading your blog!
Hope you have a great weekend! xx
I love reading your blog Kelle. It’s always an inspiration. Up here in Maine there’s a place called Mackworth Island just north of Portland. It’s this great little island with a beautiful walking path. There is a whole section in the woods dedicated to making fairy houses. No joke. When I first saw it, I was completely mesmerized and enchanted. I can’t wait to have kids of my own so I can bring them there to make lasting memories.
Wishing a happy mother’s day, to a deserving Mama. Thanks for always showing me that being a Mom isn’t just a once a year celebration, it is an every day one.
Hi – hello 🙂 I have followed your blog for a while, I wanted to just say what an amazing thing you have done with Bloom. I haven’t even read it yet – but my goodness, you must be stopping in your tracks fifty times a day to think ‘wow!’!! Such an amazing thing. You amaze. Lather, rinse, repeat! Lou x
I rarely comment, but I thought I should tell you (mostly because I love it when people tell me things like this) you were in my dream last night. I got caught up on your blog and I watched the new Johnny Depp Dark Shadows movie yesterday… The combination of the two equaled a dream in which your neighbors were vampires and were draining the blood from all of your babysitters. You found out, went to be momma bear to protect your kids, and your neighbor informed you she was just going to burn your house down instead. You thought everyone got out, but somehow Nella was left inside (how that’s possible, I don’t know). Don’t worry though, I rushed into your burning house and rescued her. Then I woke up. I hope, for your sake, your neighbors are not actually vampires and that your house is not about to spontaneously combust 🙂 Happy Saturday!
Loved the video. The kids are all adorable and Sandra is an inspiration, but can I just say, that cat rocks!
This. Is. My. Favorite. Post. I’m highly suspicious of the person who tries to tell me that it gets any better than wildflowers, baby smiles, sunshine/open air, and gnomes.
Congratulations!
I haven’t read Bloom yet, but I have been reading your blog for awhile now. An old friend shared Nellas birth story post with me one time, when I was having a rough stretch of life. At the time, I don’t think I understood why she shared it with me- it was a sad story! Haha. But I think I get it now! When something bad or unexpected happens, you don’t have to wallow in it, feeling sorry for yourself! You can choose to make something good out of it- to choose joy, find beauty in the unexpected! Nella is a beautiful girl and so is Lainey, and you do such a great job of raising the both of them!Thank you for sharing what you do, you are an inspiration! 🙂
Just Happy. That’s how I feel.
Simple. Drama free. Lovin’ life.
HMD!
Ahh.. I love weekends too 🙂 And no, even though I don’t personally know you.. I can’t imagine Kelle without all that happiness! 🙂
What a wonderful happy post. The sun & warmth reach all the way up here in the Rocky Mountains. Happy Mother’s Day, Kelle! May you always have the right mixture of calm and crazy!
Love this….
your happy is so contagious and i am so happy to have caught it!!
…you can NEVER be too happy…it’s a beautiful gift you give to yourself Kelle and to all those around you…even those that live a whole country away 🙂
(i feel it every time i read your posts)
a very happy happy happy mama’s day to one FUNtastic mama who brings out the happy in every moment!!
Cheers!
Monique
Happy Mother’s Day! And happy weekend!
I bought BLOOM for my mom for Mother’s Day! Can’t wait to give it to her tomorrow!
Happy Happy Mother’s Day Kelle!
Happy Mother’s Day Kelle!!
xo
i’m just gaga over the warm light in your magical backyard forest. what a good mama you are.
Gorgeous.
Your book arrived a couple days ago from amazon.ca – I cannot wait to dive in!
Happy Mother’s Day to you, Kelle. Your daughters, sons, and I am very blessed to have you in my life.
with love
sarah in Canada
This is a truly beautiful post- it gave me butterflies!
Katie
http://www.mummydaddyandmemakesthree.co.uk
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Oh so perfectly and beautifully happy! A complete reminder of summer. I totally get crazy busy, and yet, you seem to pull it off with grace and ease… and style!
~Tabitha Blue
ok so first of all you kids are so lucky to have you as a mother… im slightly jealous of that on both levels… i’d like to have you for a mom and i wish to be like you as a mom…
on another note your pool date looks a lot like ron jons… which i LOVE – and am also jealous! LOL ;o)
No way! With Lainey’s xylophoning and Nella’s tambourining, you have your very own family percussion ensemble!!! So cool! 🙂
I absolutely love your blog and aspire to think more like you do and write more like you do. That’s all 🙂
Karla
herhomemadelife.blogspot.com