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We brought our daughter home today.

So many amazing things are held within those 6 words.  It could easily be one of my "6 word stories".  

We're a WE.

We have a child.

Not only a child - a daughter.

We brought her home.

We have a home together with her.

Our family's home.

What she will always know as her first home.

Her first day in our home.

She seems perfect here.

As if she were always meant to live here.

With us.

And we with her.

We brought our daughter home today.

Amazing.

PRIVILEGE

It's an awesome feeling to be inspired by the one you love. 

And now, an even greater awe-filled feeling to be inspired by TWO. 

GRACE

“There’s only one pretty child in the world, and every mother has it.”

- J.C. Bridge

Welcome to our family, Grace.

We love you so much and it's only been one day!

2010 HANDBOOK

These beautiful reminders were forwarded to me with this message:  "This arrived from my daughter, a civil engineer, serving in Bagram, Afghanistan.  Some of the most meaningful life lessons are learned from our children, if we are open to them."  As we head into the hospital later tonight to begin the childbirth process for our own daughter, it's thoughts like these that will be wonderful to keep in mind.

Health

> Drink plenty of water.

> Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.

> Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

> Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy

> Play more games.

> Read more books than you did last year.

> Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.

> Sleep for 7 hours.

> Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality

> Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

> Don't have negative thoughts for things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

> Don't over do it.  Keep your limits.

> Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

> Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.

> Dream more while you are awake.

> Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

> Forget issues of the past; that will ruin your present happiness.

> Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

> No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

> Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.

> Smile and laugh more.

> You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...

Society

> Call your family often.

> Each day give something good to others.

> Forgive everyone for everything.

> Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.

> Try to make at least three people smile each day.

> What other people think of you is none of your business.

> Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will.

> Stay in touch.

Life

> Do the right thing.

> Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

> However good or bad a situation is, it will change...

> No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

> The best is yet to come...

> Your Inner most is always happy. So - be happy.

COMMITTED (Podcast)

I recently received an email from a lovely woman who works at Penguin Group (publishers of Elizabeth Gilbert's COMMITTED) - she stumbled across my blog and shared a few links with me that I'd like to pass along to anyone who's interested:

CLICK HERE to listen to a podcast - Elizabeth's thoughts on writing this book and her views on marriage.  CLICK HERE to read an excerpt from Elizabeth's book.

How nice to be stumbled across! 

MAKEOVER

Giving my blog a makeover. 
What do you think? 

As with all makeovers, it starts off as someone else's idea (this new template, for example) and slowly transitions into your own "look".  As I attempt to improve my blog's look and function and style, I hope you'll take a moment to let me know what you like (or don't like) and what you'd like to see.