Hi Shenanigan Enthusiasts,

Another week full of love and shenanigans has come and gone. Yesterday day we had a visit from the vet to check up on everyone. The whole gang got a good bill of health. Yay! Rowdy did not love his shot. Let’s just say it put a little pep in his step!

Both love and shenanigans were as abundant as ever this week! One morning not long after opening up the barn, shoveling sh*t, and feeding everyone I sat down in the office to get to work when something caught my eye out of the window. The ‘pacas went skipping by. What?! Shoot! By the time I hit the mudroom to throw on my muck boots (click here to get your pair of must have MUCK BOOTS) there was Rowdy and the goats too. Fortunately, they were happy to see me and followed me right back down to the barnyard. Always shenanigans!

Betty and June never made their way out because they were still happily snorting and rooting for spilled sweet mix. It looked like someone; most likely Rowdy pushed on the gate enough to spin the latch just enough to wriggle the gate open. T-R-O-U-B-L-E! Nothing twisting the latch back and a bungee cord for good measure didn’t fix.

SPREAD A LITTLE LOVE AROUND

I love my mornings down at the funny farm, doing chores and spreading a little love around. In these moments I am able to reflect, thank God, and witness the magic of simple things. I am reminded of what matters most, LOVE. EVERYONE needs a little love. I almost always have some tunes singing in my pocket when I am getting chores done. One morning this week these lyrics resonated with me as the whole gang gathered around me for a little love.

Spread a Little Love Around - Darryl Worley (click to listen)

You know it don't take much to make somebody's day
A kind word of tender touch goes a long way
We can change the whole world if we start in our hometown
So get out today, and spread a little love around

IT DOESN'T TAKE MUCH TO MAKE SOMEBODY'S DAY

It's so true that so little can often do so much. Here at the funny farm, it's treats for everyone, belly rubs for Betty and June, and pets and brushing for the rest of the gang. They all line up for their turn, sometimes pushing their way to the front of the pack. Even Bonnie who is a bit bratty loves her loves. On days my heart feels heavy for one reason or another it can even turn my day around to make someone else smile. Little things like holding the door for someone, smiling and saying hello to a stranger, sending a thoughtful note, kissing someone you love, sharing the heavy lifting, saying THANK YOU, so little can mean to much, so let's go out today and spread a little love around. 

WHEN YOUR KIDS TALK LISTEN

I love this line. I have been guilty of not always being present in the moment and no doubt will again because I am human but in this season of life, I am much more conscious of how special and fleeting the moments are when our kids come home and want to share about their day. Soon enough they will be out in the world with a home of their own. It's hard to imagine that there will be days I don't get to know about what they are "celebrating" that day and what heavy loads they might be carrying. As I listened to these words singing in my ear, I reflected on conversations I have had with our boys recently and couldn’t help but smile at the laughter, the heartbreaks, the shenanigans they share and most of all the I Love You’s. Moments to cherish. Moments to CELEBRATE!

I LOVE, LOVE

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 

I love this passage, love never fails. Love never fails but humans do. And that’s ok. The blessing of being human is we may fail but we can learn, grow, and get better. If I could make a wish for the world it would be for all if us to spread a little love around, grow from the lessons along the way, be better for where we have been and thrive in life and love. 

My Wish

My wish for all of us to Thrive, is why the Victim-Survivor-Thriver Podcast I recently launched means so much to me. My hope is to offer hope, insight and resources to our Tribe. Episode 4, is a personal one for me that came out this week. Click HERE to listen to Remember When - Reflecting on Seasons - Sharing the Messy and the Magic.