To make you think, laugh, smile, and "awwww"

Have you ever had one of those  lazy enjoyable Sunday afternoons where all you wanna do is watch youtube videos? 

Duh. Of course you have.

Well this Sunday was one of those awesomely lazy ones.

I found some gems that I just have to share.

You know how sometimes even though chocolate is AMAZING you crave something fruity? (Let's be honest though...when do I not crave chocolate?)

Or those days when instead of sweet, you crave salty? 

Lucky for you, I have videos to suit everyone's taste-buds .

1. If you are craving a game-changer, this video is for you.

So the "I hate when I chew mint gum and my ice water is too cold" comment....has definitely been said on more than one occasion by yours truly. Hearing my subconscious thoughts in this context really made me think about all the annoying little things, that really aren't so bad after-all.

2. If you are craving something to make you laugh:

Am I the only person that falls asleep listening to the lull of Liam Neeson's voice?! It is like a freaking lullaby!



  3. I you are craving something to make you smile, look no further!

Wasn't that awesome! Seeing the creativity of others never ceases to make me smile in amazement. Our bodies are indeed beautiful, powerful things!

4. Last, but certainly not least, here comes the "awwwww".

Warning: Baby hungry folks beware.

Why don't I look this cute when I am sleepy?! 

I hope you guys are all having an awesome Tuesday! If not, I hope these videos made things at least a tiny bit better :)

Quote of the Day:

                                                                   Source: girlmeetsbanjo.tumblr.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Winterlust

                                                                            Source: flickr.com via Ashley on Pinterest

I am currently sitting snug in a warm little house: listening to the quiet buzzing of a baby monitor and watching the snow fall down outside.

Wearing: Jeans and high knee socks

Feeling: Content

The little boys that I nanny are peacefully occupied. One is napping. The other, looking out the window; transfixed by the falling snow.

Some of you may disagree with me, but snow just does a mind good, at least this girl's mind (don't even get me started on rain! Ohhhhhh how I love the rain!). 

Being a former east-coaster, I am certainly accustomed to long, cold, snowy winters...and SURPRISE...I kinda dig em'.

They bring back memories of sitting and reading a book by the fireplace after school.

Memories of wearing my pj's inside out at night to ensure a heavy snow-fall and subsequent canceled school day.

Memories of one snow-storm that was so big, we were literally snowed-in for a week.

A glorious week spent making shadow puppets on the wall and drinking lots of hot cocoa.

Sometimes during these nostalgic moments, I wish that I could step back in time and relive these moments.

I wish that I could be back at home, under my parents care.

I find myself wishing away current worries, responsibilities, and decisions. 

But then, I remind myself that new memories are made everyday.

There lives new possibility and meaning in everything.

How exciting is that?

Sitting here, watching the wonder in a child's eyes as he experiences the snow for perhaps the 4th time in his little life, I am in awe.

In awe of the fact that one day, I will be a parent and will get to relieve all the moments that I loved as a child through the eyes of my kiddos.

Life is incredible.

I am blessed everyday that I get to experience its wonders.

 The baby monitor has ceased its buzzing, so I'd better go!

Time to show this other little one his first snowfall ever.

Quote of the Day

                                                     Source: museofagypsysoul.tumblr.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Rumor has it.............

......I have been M.I.A.

In order to prove how extremely sorry I am, I have included this video for your viewing pleasure. 

Enjoy :)

Quote of the Day:

                                                                          Source: quotebites.com via Natalie on Pinterest

Find time to be truly happy. It is mandatory!

The Feeling

Do you ever get the feeling that you are so lucky to be alive?

The feeling of pure exhilaration; pure gratitude for the life that you have.

Even though things aren't perfect.

Even though you still do not have a job.

Even though you are stressed when you think about the future.

You have a day, a moment where you get "the feeling".

I can only describe this feeling as Heaven on Earth.

Symptoms include:

1. Constant smiles

2. Contentment

3. Lots of laughs

4. A desire to be better...to do better

5. Being utterly exhausted at the end of the day

I love moments where I can feel and experience all the beauty that this world has to offer us.

Moments spent sleeping in.

Moments spent eating a yummy meal with amazing friends.

Moments spent learning something new (in this case, going to the driving range on a gorgeous day)

Moments spent just being outside without a deadline...without a watch.

As you all know, I like to keep a gratitude journal. 

It helps me gain perspective and it helps me to remember that everyday has the potential to be amazing.

Today, I am grateful for sunshine.

I am grateful for music, the smell of banana bread currently baking in the oven, and friends that know my faults...and love me anyways.

I am grateful for possibilities.

I am grateful for how unpredictable life is. For the chance to evolve and to grow.

I am grateful for the person I am: A person that loves people and who desperately wants to make a difference in this world.

I am grateful for a Heavenly Father that loves me and trusts me, even though many times, I am just winging it.

I am grateful for my family and for the unconditional love they have for me.

I am excited for my future and for the challenges and adventures that it will bring.

I'm sorry if this post is too "unicorns and rainbows".....but I am just so happy!

Quote of the Day:

                                                                             Source: imgfave.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Let's face it, if Dr. Seuss said it....it is true!


What are you grateful for today?

Bumblebees really are not THAT cute!

You know how in children's books, bees are always depicted as being super-cute little critters that buzz around happily with their bright little yellow and black bodies shining in the sunshine? (sorry, I got a little carried away)....Well those stories are definitely fiction. 

Change

Change can be the best and worst thing.

 Dontcha think?

It can influence our views, actions, feelings, and environment.

Change can happen in the blink of an eye and can affect our world in just a year.

When I look back to where I was this time last year, I have to laugh.

I laugh remembering how I thought I would just die if a certain boy didn't like me.

I laugh remembering how once I got the boy, it wasn't everything it was cracked up to be.

I thought I knew so much about life, about love.

I laugh thinking about past late night adventures and early morning mishaps.

I have changed so much in the last year and I am better for it.

I have gained perspective; I have gained strength as well.

I have realized that life goes on.

Even in the space of these past two weeks since we rang in 2012, I have changed.

I have re-evaluated certain decisions.

I have laughed, cried, and lived in the moment....and please tell me what could be better than that?! 

The biggest reason why I appreciate change is that it allows me to accomplish my dreams...and after I do, I get to create new ones.

Change allows me to discover who I truly am and what I want out of this life.

We have been blessed with so much in this life.

Even when things are bleak, sunshine is always right around the corner.
Amazing huh?

Wanna see how our world has changed in the last year?

We have all come so far...and we have even farther to go.

The beauty of change is that anything is possible....anything can be.

Quote of the Day:

                                                                        Source: notsalmon.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Embrace change. 

If it is scary or challenging, you will grow.

If it is happy and exciting, it will make you smile.

Either way, it'll do ya good :)

Pretty pictures

Whenever I look at beautiful pictures, I feel inspired.

Photographs have a way of not only capturing a moment, but a feeling.

Flipping back through photo-albums takes me back to lazy summer days spent laying on my trampoline with friends.

I am transported back to a time when I had braces, or crazy poofy hair.

I am taken back in time to first crushes, first heartbreaks, and the start of friendships that still exist today.

Pictures have a way of making our hearts happy, or sad.

Their language is universal and their images can be interpreted in many different ways.

When I see this photo....

                                                                          Source: weheartit.com via Brenda on Pinterest

...I feel free and happy. I want to travel and bask in the glow of the warm sun.

When I see this photo............

                                                                                Source: weheartit.com via Elyse on Pinterest

...........I am transfixed by this little girl's gorgeous eyes. It makes me wonder what she is thinking, what she has seen.




This picture.............

                                                                            Source: tumblr.com via Olga on Pinterest

...........makes me smile. Pure and simple.




This pretty picture................

Source: junebugweddings.com via Li on Pinterest

..........makes me dream about a wedding. It makes me think about that special day and I find myself hoping that I feel this light and happy too.




Lastly, some photos........

                                                                         Source: weheartit.com via Ashley on Pinterest

...........may not be breathtakingly beautiful or artistic, but can be quirky and cute. Pictures like these make me smile. They make me happy.


I am a person that is constantly taking pictures of my friends, family, and the world around me. 


While I might not take the best pictures ever, or have the vision of a great photographer, I can still capture memories.

I can still create a memory that I can look back and smile on.....and for now, that is good enough for me.




Quote of the Day:

                                                                    Source: witanddelight.tumblr.com via Ashley on Pinterest

What images do you love?