Is today really the last day of April? This month has oddly flown by. March seemed to drag on and on, but not April. Poof! And it was gone. April’s been a fast and busy month around here. As I look back through my pictures from the past 30 days, below are 10 that made me smile.
1). Road trip to Raleigh. Early in the month, the boys and I traveled to Raleigh to visit my best friend since seventh grade who was also my college roommate. One of the highlights for the kids was visiting North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. That weird thing in Brooks’s mouth is a scorpion sucker. Yes, a sucker with a real scorpion in it. He was only able to consume the head before he decided to quit but nevertheless, he can now always say he ate a scorpion. Case loved the dinosaurs and Evy had a blast showing the boys around one of her hometown museums.
2). First solo singing performance. This was definitely a proud mom moment. Brooks auditioned for his school’s Disney program and got the part of Aladdin. I was worried he would get nervous up there on stage, but he didn’t. He did such an amazing job, and we were all beyond proud of him. I blurred out this picture because not every child in the picture can be photographed for public use, but I still wanted to commemorate the event on the blog and of course, in typical fashion, I didn’t have one picture of just him alone in his costume.
3). Young Living classes and events. April was crazy busy with Young Living classes and events. I traveled to Winston-Salem and Greensboro with one of my colleagues to teach a class and work at a health fair. I also co-taught two other classes during the month and attended the Young Living rally in Charlotte toward the end of the month where we learned so much interesting information about the science behind the oils.
4). Maddie in Mexico. My sister, brother-in-law, dad and two nieces traveled to Mexico in April. They had a ball and sent me tons of pictures throughout the week. Every picture made me smile but especially the ones of little Maddie. This was her first trip out of the country so it was certainly something to remember. Furthermore, who doesn’t swoon over a twenty-month old wearing a sombrero? The cuteness is just too much.
5). Annual Easter egg hunt and celebration. Every Easter our group of close friends holds an egg hunt and brunch at one of our homes. We’ve been doing this for at least four years now, and it is so fun and something we look forward to each year. All the moms get together a few weeks before and stuff the eggs with treats, little toys and change, then the dads hide them and the kiddos have a ball finding as many as possible. Oh, to be a kid again.
6). Garden-fresh lettuce. This one doesn’t need too much explanation, but it’s definitely a highlight of the month. In the past, we’ve only planted tomatoes and cucumbers, but this year I branched out and planted a variety of lettuce types (kale, spinach, Swiss chard, butter crisp, and red leaf). I love salads and if a plethora of lettuce in in my backyard, I know I’ll eat salads much more often. I’m trying to get back to eating more whole foods so garden-fresh veggies should help.
7). Soccer huddles. These little boys and girls are the absolute cutest. Case started Junior Academy soccer this year. Periodically in the middle of the game, they huddle up to make a “game plan.” It’s my favorite part of the game. They look so serious and focused. We have no idea what they’re saying. Case said the huddles and giving high fives at the end are his two favorite parts of the game. Just want to note neither activity is actually part of the game. Silly boy.
8). Big girl slumber party. This girl and I have been best friends since middle school and have remained close throughout all these decades. We’re both Young Living distributors and do it for fun and because we’re passionate about essential oils. We went to a rally in April and stayed in a hotel overnight. Even though we were in a fun city, we never left the hotel. We ate dinner there, hung out by their fire pits, talked for extended periods (such a rarity), listened to music, giggled and slept until 9:00. I can’t explain how rejuvenating this big girl slumber party was for both of us.
9). Winning the Coaches Award. Brooks had a really big month with his Aladdin solo and the award he won at his swim banquet. This was his first year on the Smoky Mountain Aquatic Club (SMAC) swim team. He was part of Little SMAC. At the end-of-year banquet last week, the coaches gave a Coaches Award to one swimmer from each of the three teams (Little SMAC, Big SMAC and Senior SMAC), and Brooks won for his group. I was beyond proud of him. I just can’t explain it. The only sad part was my mom wasn’t there to enjoy it. But I know she was smiling from ear to ear in heaven.
10). Supporting local. Even though I live in a small town, there’s always a lot going on in regard to local events, fundraising activities, festivals and activities. Last week, the Haywood Healthcare Foundation hosted a fundraising event at my favorite local brewery. This group of ladies and I had so much fun enjoying one another and supporting a wonderful, local organization.
They say the best way to bring about feelings of joy is to stop and think what makes you grateful. That’s why I love these “10 Things to Smile About” posts. No matter how heavy life gets, there are always things to smile about.
What about you? What’s making you smile as you reflect upon your April?
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
So much good stuff in April! Hopefully May will be even better.
susannabarbee says
It really was a good month all-in-all. And yes, I have high hopes for May! Can’t wait to see you soon. XOXO