Live Well, Laugh Often, Love Much

This phrase has been one I have held close to me for years.

Twenty or so years ago I went to Door County with my Dad for the first time. We decided to make the trip an annual event for just the two of us. It was always a ton of fun, filled with a lot of shopping. I still remember the shop that I found a wood wall hanging that said 'Live Well Laugh Often Love Much'. I loved it when I first saw it and through the years its meaning has grown deeper and deeper! We now have it hung in our dinette above the sliding doors.

When Chris's parents gave the girls little bracelets with a charm that says Live Laugh Love for their baptism, I was very touched. At that moment I decided that this will be our family slogan. Ironically the next day, Sue, Taylor's Godmother came over with a bunch of toys and a little sign with "the phrase" she found and thought of me. WOW, how cool is that?!? So, I now keep it in the play room where we spend most of our time.

Live Well

What does living well mean to me? It means many things...(Oh, and I would love to hear from you as to what it means to you in the comments) Living well means enjoying life, kind of broad, so I will break it down. It is deeply important to me to enjoy a close knit family. The unconditional love and support that comes with this is extremely powerful. I have my parents to thank for always making family a priority and being the pivotal factor in how I view family. Thanks to their example, I always felt the importance of keeping the bond strong. It now plays an even more significant role in that I want to instill in my daughters the unique love that comes with being a family. It is up to Chris and I to be the teachers of this and to model this behavior. I would be remiss if I failed to specifically mention my "new" family. Aside from Chris and our girls I feel very fortunate to have in-laws that are absolutely wonderful. It is a pleasure to spend time with them and they are incredibly supportive

Friends also play a major role in living well. What would we do without the people who choose to love us because we are who we are?!? We must treat them well and expect the same of them. It is hard to imagine my life without the friends, new and old, that have brought so much fun, stomach hurting laughter, love and encouragement to my life.

In my mind, a key to living well is staying positive, being excited (even about the little things), giving thanks for our blessings, having faith, helping others in need and feeling good about the person we are when we go to bed at night.

I think I could go on and on about living well, but I will refrain and move on!


Laugh Often

How great does it feel when you laugh so hard that it hurts, well besides the pain??? Or, the laugh that is so hard that it is silent! I love nothing more than a good laugh! My parents and Chris's parents always laugh and giggle a ton when they are around the girls, I love it!!! I also find myself cracking up often during the day with their silly antics! I can imagine Chris and I in the not so distant future sitting there, wanting sooooo bad to laugh at something ridiculous one of the girls does or says, but we feel like we shouldn't (at least in front of them). I guess we will have to save that laugh for later, which I think might be even funnier! Sometimes even laughing when you are really mad can make what ever you are mad at seem silly. It is a hard thing to do and I don't think I am very good at this, but it really is no fun to be mad!

Love Much

Show AND tell your love!!! Who doesn't love big hugs and kisses??? It feels good to give them and it feels even better to get them! I could have never imagined the depth of love I feel for Chris, Brooke, Taylor and Sydney. I was never the girl who envisioned planning my wedding or how many children I would one day like to have, I always just sort of let life play out. I am so glad I did! God had a plan for me and I could never have dreamed it would be this great! I am now loving much!

I can never forget loving animals. I love our doggies like babies, well almost it is a little different and, I am thankful they are more self sufficient!

Thanks for staying tuned to my little rant about my favorite saying. I feel strongly about it and hope you agree!