love

Last week Nixon made me realize how a true, excited expression of love can rejuvenate, motivate, uplift, and encourage that same type of love to be reciprocated. My sweetest little boy expresses his love perfectly. He knows just how to make my heart squirm with happiness.

He does this by randomly and excitingly yelling, "I love you!" And that random expression is what is so incredible to me. For example, just as I got him out of the car to go into the grocery store he quickly wrapped his tiny arms around my neck, squeezed tightly, and exclaimed, "I love you!" It seems he knows just the right time to express his love.

Another example of this perfect love came when we were playing outside last week. We were coloring outside enjoying the weather. I was sitting on the first step of the staircase. Nixon put down his colored pencils, walked up to the second stair, then jumped onto my back with his arms around my neck, exclaiming, "I LOVE YOU TODAY!" He did this probably 25 times... yes half of it was probably for the fun of jumping off the stair onto my back, but all 25 times he repeated, "I LOVE YOU TODAY!" And I was left laughing, smiling, and completely rejuvenated from his expression of love. It also left me contemplating the last word of his sentence...today. Yes, just as a little boy knows, we need to know we are loved today, tomorrow, and everyday.

This weeks challenge is to excitedly exclaim, "I LOVE YOU!" Tell those you care for that you love them EVERYDAY! Another addition to this challenge is to read the New York Times Bestseller book, The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman if you have not read it; or you could read it again!

I am in the middle of this book and absolutely love it. I believe we all feel loved by having the love expressed to us in our own love language. Personally, I have a mixture of a few love languages and it wasn't until reading this book that I realized which ones they were. This book also helps you understand others love languages and how to love them the best. My husband and I have different love languages, and I think it is crucial to understand that so I don't only express my love for him in my language, but also in his. With this understanding the felt and expressed in my life has drastically changed for the better.

So I suggest reading this book to help you know how to excitedly exclaim, "I LOVE YOU!"

Good luck! Feel free to comment on your experiences.

slow down and enjoy.

Nixon loves the outdoors! He plays, laughs, and enjoys every minute we are outside. And already at such a young age he recognizes the great beauties of the world. For example, last month we went camping in the Uintah Mountains. As we were driving up the mountain, with trees and mountains surrounding us, Nixon said, "WOW! Beeauutiful!"

Then just a few weeks ago, Nixon did the same thing looking at the moon at night. "WOW! Beeauutiful!"

We truly to live in a beautiful world that has been created for our enjoyment. The challenge this week is to go outdoors and enjoy it. Take a few minutes out of your hectic day, slow down, and enjoy all the beauties around you no matter where you live. How great would it be if we could take just a few minutes every day to regroup and refocus as we breathe in the beauty. Then, give thanks for what glorious creations we have!

Here are just a few pictures of what we have enjoyed!

Newport Beach

Payson Canyon

Salt Lake City

The Getty Museum in California

Laguna Beach

love.

What is it about growing older that makes us sometimes become more reserved about showing and giving love when it should be the opposite. Because my boy is so willing to give love, I have noticed I am reserved in giving love. It is because I make the excuses of trying to be "respectful" or "proper." Three incidents have happened in the last 2 weeks that I have been amazed with.

1. We were in the grocery store stopped in one of the aisles while I was getting something off the shelf. When I turn around and see Nixon hugging this little 5 year old girl. I said, "Oh Nixon that is so nice you want to hug people, but sometimes we don't need to hug everyone..." Do we?

2. While in the children's section in the library, I was sitting on the little bench right by Nixon who was playing with a toy we always spend some time at. When a little girl around his age came up to play as well. He played with her for a few minutes, then randomly gave her a hug and attempted a kiss. I was there to stop the kiss from happening... Should I have?

3. Yesterday we were at a garage sale. A little boy probably around 3 years old was at the house. Nixon told him some cool stories, of course about how fast his Lightning McQueen car can go. Then as I was looking at some things, he gave him a hug and planted a kiss on the little boy's forehead. The little boy looked at him for 10 seconds, and then with excitement said, "He likes me!"

Looking back on the 3 incidents, I felt awkward. My thoughts were, we don't know them, they could be crazy, etc. But why do I? Yes, they are perfect strangers, but why not treat them with love?

The challenge is to say Hi, or notice someone who is a perfect stranger who could use a hello, hug or smile. Reach beyond any walls you have created... maybe they don't need to be there.