Also My mom had her 64th birthday. 
She shares a birthday with Eleisha, aka her adopted granddaughter, aka my harp student. 
So the family went up to a cabin and took a snowmobile trip for the day. It was grande! 
My mom LOVING her birthday!
Then my dad dared us to lick the ice "The Christmas story" style. 
So we did. 
We haven't had an updated picture of the family since the one where I am holding Norman the cat. Oh you know the one!
LOVING Hillary and can't believe she is 16! She is such a fun girl and I just want to hang out with her all the time. One night after skiing we sat up giggling until all hours of the night and fell asleep on the floor by the fire. That's my kind of camping. 
We took a shot of the WHOLE family but I believe that it is under construction at the moment (photoshop). Coming soon...
Mom and dad so cute. I like that saying 
I wanted to jot this down tonight because I've been reading this book that talks about recognizing small miracles in our lives, showing gratitude and happiness that things are 'just working out for you'. Ok ok I know you may be laughing because this was just a free movie, but that is the point. Many times we discount the small sweet things that go well for us and chalk them up to coincidence. 
I read this article today and liked it. I should do a click HERE thing in case you want to read it. I don't really know how to do that so...I'll just put the article below and you can read it if you want. It's pretty good I think. Happy February! Relationships are easy.
You may have read or heard the opposite, that relationships are hard work. I used to believe that was true. Not anymore.
Relationships are easy.
I understand that making time for someone else or giving up some of the things you love or getting your own way create some struggles in life – but once again, relationships are easy.
Perhaps what people who believe relationships are hard work are actually referring to the difficulty of interacting and living with an immature, childish human.
Why would it be hard work to be in relationship with a mature, caring grown up?
Here’s a couple of other questions to ponder:
Why is it that we are sometimes nicer to strangers than we are to loved ones?
Shouldn’t marriage and relationships lighten our load, not add to our burden? Because if it were the latter, why in the world would any of us sign up for something like this?
Perhaps the problem is that many times we get bogged down in a lot of the unnecessary parts of relationships and lose focus on the essential parts. Or we lose sight of the fact that our significant other is a separate being who is capable of making their own decisions and charting their own path in life.
But this fact isn’t a bad thing at all as it frees you up to do the same! And it also frees you both to choose each other – not feel like you’re stuck in a monotonous existence together.
It all boils down to how you view what goes on within your relationships, specifically your significant ones.
First and foremost, marriage is designed to help you grow up. It’s not about happiness. It’s not about becoming more complete, despite what Hollywood and popular press would like you to believe. Marriage is about growing. Happiness will accompany you at times along the way, but it’s not the ultimate goal.
And second: your growth – your responsibility; your spouse’s – theirs. When you keep this in mind you realize that all you can control in a relationship is yourself.
Many times couples have sought my help in working on their marriage. They come in thinking their relationship is an outside entity that can be fixed. The problem with this is they’ve got it backwards – the relationship is working on them! That’s the way relationships are designed.
When you acknowledge this and live accordingly, relationships are easy.
Here’s how.
How many times has something about your spouse’s behavior driven you crazy? Or how many heated discussions have come from your differences in beliefs?
The best way to combat this is found in this phrase: Rather than trying to adjust the wind, adjust your sails.
Focus on what you can control – and this begins and ends with you!
Simplify things in life so you can savor more of the goodness. This same idea can be applied to relationships.
And it starts by slowing down.
Do you have trouble remembering names when meeting someone new? Do you know why? Most of the time you’re too busy talking or thinking about what to say that you don’t even hear their name.
This happens in regular conversations as well. You’re busy or rushed thinking about something else and you miss the goodness of the moment with your spouse, or kids, or friends.
Slow down. Let their be pauses in the conversation while you think and respond. There doesn’t have to be a banter or speedy exchange of ideas in conversation.
Breathe. Listen. Breathe. Connect.
This will open you both up to more with each other.
Leo’s favorite guide works for most every aspect of relationships as well:“Smile, breathe, and go slowly.”
Just think how much better everything, and I mean everything (wink wink), will be when you follow this guide in your relationship.
