Texas Lou

Here’s a great video entitled “Shawn Achor: The Happy Secret to Better Work” that talks about rewiring your brain to be a happier person:

I thought this slide from his presentation was great at describing the things a person can do each day to rewire their brain so that they become a more positive thinker ultimately allowing them to be happier, more successful, and more efficient at learning:

The video is only about 12 minutes long and the speaker is engaging and funny (plus he’s from Texas).  Give it a watch!

101 Reasons You Should Live In Texas At Least Once In Your Life – the title says it all!

A friend posted this article entitled “37 Life Lessons in 37 Years” that I really think has some great guidelines on how to be happy.

A couple of my favorites:

1. Happiness comes from within. We spend way too much of our lives looking for outside validation and approval that eludes us. Turns out, it’s been an inside job all along. Go inward.

8. Never take things personally. What others do is a reflection of what’s going on in their own life and probably has little or nothing to do with you.

12. Perfectionism is an illusion. A painful one at that. Ease up. Strive for excellence, sure, but allow yourself room to make mistakes and permission to be happy regardless of outcome.

27. Fear is often a very good indicator of what we really want and need in our life. Let it be your compass and enjoy the exciting adventure it leads you on.

30. Let those that you love know it often and enthusiastically. You can never say it or show it too much. Your time, total presence, love, and genuine concern for their wellness is the greatest gift of all.

But they are all work reading!

Good morning and happy Thankful Monday!

Here’s what I’m thankful for today:

1. I’m thankful for a WONDERFUL weekend with family.  My dad and brother came to visit me and we had the best time (and my dad brought me kolaches from the Kolache Factory)!  Friday evening, after giving my dad the tour of our new house, my mother-in-law, father-in-law, Ian, Sarah, Mikey, Ben, my dad, and I had dinner at the Clifton Inn, where Ben and I got married.  The food was great and it was really nice for my dad to get to know my Virginia family even better.  Saturday, my dad, Mikey, Ben, and I went to one of my favorite restaurants in town, Beer Run, for an early lunch and then we drove out for some skeet shooting at Ben’s grandmother’s farm since it was such a beautiful day.  Afterward, we stopped off at Barboursville Vineyards and Jefferson Vineyards so my dad and Mikey could sample some local wines.  We then had a great dinner at my in-laws.  Sunday morning, I made Lebanese Eggs for Mikey and dad before they had to hit the road.  Then Ben and I had a nice day together running errands and making pre-baby arrangements.  Afterward, we had another great family dinner with my in-laws, Ian, and Sarah followed by watching The Walking Dead before bed.  It was such a fun and happy weekend!  I love my family so much and am so thankful to have them in my life.  I hope I am able to instill the wonderful sense of family and closeness in my own children that Ben and I have grown up with.
2. I’m thankful for the warm and amazing weather we had this past weekend.  After last Monday’s snow storm, it was so nice to finally have some beautiful, warm days to enjoy.  Both Saturday and Sunday were sunny with temperatures in the 60s and it was perfect for my dad and Mikey’s visit.
3. I’m thankful for yet another clean bill of health from my endocrinologist.  Typically, during pregnancy, women with thyroid problems have to be closely monitored and often have to take a higher dose of medication to help keep up with the demands on their body.  Thankfully, my thyroid levels are still normal in my 6th month of pregnancy, despite the fact that I am having twins.  My doctor is surprised and I am very grateful!  I’m also thankful for a clean bill of health from the dentist late last week as well.
4. I’m thankful for more discounted baby gear and advice last week.  I found some amazing deals at the Here Wee Grow Again consignment sale last Friday, including a Snuza for $30 (they are normally $120)!  I also got a gently used double jogging stroller for only $50 from another twin mom (these normally start at around $200)!  And I got a rocker/bouncer for $10 from a lady on Craigslist!  I am very grateful for all of the opportunities to save money when it comes to our double bundles of joy.
5. Lastly, I’m thankful for friends and opportunities to catch up with them.  I was able to get lunch with my friend Dana last week at Baja Bean and it was so nice to chat and see what’s going on in each others’ lives.

Here’s me at Beer Run on Saturday after lunch with my family (buying some rare beer finds to drink AFTER the babies come):

Have a great day!

Good morning and happy Thankful Monday!

Here’s what I’m thankful for today:

1. I’m thankful that despite having a pretty scary fall down the stairs on Monday, both my babies and I are ok.  I got pretty banged and bruised up but had no serious injuries despite hitting my head against the brick on our house.  I’m also so thankful that the doctors and ultrasound office were able to fit me in last minute to check on the babies to make sure they were ok.
2. I’m grateful for a job that allows me to work from home on days like today when we are having a snow storm and the roads are not safe to drive on.
3. I’m thankful to live in a city that has such wonderful resources for expecting mothers.  On Saturday morning, we attended the Charlottesville Birth Expo where I learned so much and met so many supportive people and organizations.  Charlottesville definitely has its fair share of natural birth advocates and I’m grateful to live here.
4. I’m once again so thankful for all of the supportive moms out there who have been giving me advice, support, and free and discounted baby gear, especially the twin moms who have been sharing their stories and advice with me.  This week, I received a free double snap-n-go stroller from a fellow twin mom who’s babies have outgrown the car seats that work with it.  I’m so thankful for her generosity.  I’m also thankful for the constant help from another twin mom in helping me find good and cheap baby gear for twins.  Last Thursday she took time out of her busy schedule as a twin mommy to help me shop for great finds at the Here Wee Grow Again consignment sale.  I am really lucky to have so many great people around me.
5. I’m thankful for my continued energy and productivity which has allowed me to get alot done before the babies arrive (sorting, organizing, and filing 5 years worth of papers) and has also allowed me to spend time with friends before I take a sabbatical to raise newborns (like enjoying dinner with Robert and Crystal for Robert’s birthday last Wednesday at the Smokehouse Grille in Scottsville).

Hope everyone has a great day!

Good morning and happy Thankful Monday!

Today I’m thankful for the following:

1. I’m thankful for the support and advice from all of the moms and parents out there who have donated or sold me discounted baby gear, given me reading materials and videos to help me research, and shared their personal stories with me.  I’m especially thankful for two fairly new twin moms who reached out to me who have been such a wonderful help and have helped me feel alot less overwhelmed about the idea of twins.  I’m so grateful for their friendship, support, and help.
2. I’m thankful my father-in-law was able to have a non-invasive surgery to help with his injury and that he seems to be on the tail end of his stay in the hospital.  I’m also grateful for the wonderful staff at UVA hospital who have taken great care of him.  In addition, I’m grateful that my mother-in-law has been by his side the whole time and has been so strong and supportive for him.
3. I’m thankful for a fun weekend spent with friends and family.  Friday night, my sister from another mister, Sarah, and I had dinner at Timberwood Grill and then saw the amazing Denise Stewart perform her one-woman show, Dirty Barbie and Other Girlhood Tales at Four County Players.  The show was amazing and I could relate to it on many different levels!  Then Saturday evening, after visiting my father-in-law in the hospital, we joined Amy, Joel, Ian, Sarah, and Collin at Boylan Heights to celebrate Collin’s birthday!  Sunday afternoon, after a beautiful walk with Ben in the unseasonably warm weather we had, Lindsey and Sarah came over for girls night and to watch The Walking Dead.  We had an amazing spread of pork tenderloin, curry chicken salad, veggies and hummus, cheese and crackers, and caprese bites.  The girls outdid themselves with the food!  It was a wonderful weekend full of awesome people!
4. I’m thankful that my energy levels continue to stay somewhat high despite me poor sleep lately allowing me to be really productive and get alot done before the babies get here.
5. Lastly, I’m thankful for my husband Ben once again.  This past week he has been there for me through early-morning leg cramps and nightmares and general pregnancy discomforts.  He is so supportive and I’m so happy he is my husband and the father of my children.

Have a great day!

Good afternoon and happy Thankful Monday!

Here’s what I’m thankful for this week:

1. I’m thankful for a good report at our ultrasound today.  Despite me having a little trouble laying on my back long enough without getting sick, both babies (currently nicknamed Tex and Virg) are doing well!  Tex is 1 pound and 2 ounces and Virg is a pound and they are both growing well and have strong heartbeats.  I’m so thankful that they are growing so well thus far and that I have not had any complications.  If I’m lucky, I’ll get to avoid bed rest.
2. I’m thankful for a wonderful family who helped me start painting the babies’ nursery on Saturday.  Phyllis, Sarah, Ian, and Ben all pitched in to start turning the nursery from pink (a seemingly favorite color of the previous owner of our house) to a nice neutral off-white color.  I hope they know how grateful I am for their help.
3. I’m thankful my father-in-law is ok.  After a fall down some steps during the snow storm we had last week, he ended up in the hospital with broken ribs and a punctured lung.  I wish he hadn’t sustained the injuries but I am glad he is ok, on the mend, and in good hands.
4. I’m thankful for a job that allows me to work from home during snow storms so that I don’t have to risk driving on the treacherous roads.  I worked from home last Thursday and Friday because we were snowed-in due to the foot of snow that fell Wednesday night and Thursday morning.
5. I’m grateful for my husband Ben.  He continues to take great care of me and provide me with wonderful emotional support throughout my pregnancy.  Whether it’s building a fire to keep me warm, clipping my toenails or helping me put on my shoes because I have a hard time reaching my feet, or just rubbing my back, he has been so great and I love him.

Have a happy day friends!

When I was in elementary school, I remember one year getting my Valentine’s Day cards ready to hand out to the students in my class.  Rather than just filling out the To and From fields on the store-bought cards like most kids, I chose to add a special message to each and every one.  I write “I Love You” on each card.  I remember feeling embarrassed the next day when some of the boys in my class made fun of me.  I remember thinking I should have just done the bare minimum and not gone out of my way to make my cards extra special just to get teased at the school Valentine’s Day party.

Well, as an adult, I am proud of my childhood self for wanting to stand out and express my feelings.  I am glad that I went the extra mile and wrote that meaningful yet often feared sentiment on each card.  The truth is, I do love all of my friends.  Even as a child I loved my friends and knew that love was an emotion that wasn’t just meant to be between a couple in a relationship or someone who shared your blood.  I’d been in the same class with those kids since I started school and they were important to me and I wanted to show them that.  So I don’t regret it and I never will, even if it did cause me some embarrassment as a little girl.

I hope my children are never afraid to express their true emotions and I also hope they are never made to feel embarrassed of them either.  Happy Valentine’s Day to you all and remember that Valentine’s Day and loving someone is not just about expressing your appreciation and love for your boyfriend, or girlfriend, or husband, or wife.  It’s about sharing your gratitude and love with all the people that fill your life with joy and happiness.

Good morning and happy thankful Monday!

This morning, I am thankful for the following:

1. I am thankful for a fun day yesterday painting and celebrating Dana‘s birthday at Wine & Design.  It was so much fun and I always enjoy getting to catch up with friends.  Plus we got to meet Dana’s adorable kitten Pippi!        I definitely can’t wait to do this again!
2. I’m thankful for a fun evening with Ian and Sarah last night.  I made chili for us and we watched the mid-season premier of one of our favorite shows, the Walking Dead.  I’m lucky to have family on both mine and my husband’s side that I also consider to be my best friends.
3. I’m thankful for a great weekend with my husband.  Friday night, we finally tried Tavola, an Italian restaurant in town that had been highly recommended to us.  It was delicious and we finished the meal with homemade chocolate hazelnut gelato.  Then we went to Babies ‘R Us to check out baby gear and headed home to watch the Winter Olympics.  Saturday, we had a busy day together starting with Beer Run for breakfast tacos and a virgin bloody mary,  shopping at Leftover Luxuries, Lowes, Pet Food Discounters, Sam’s Club, and Giant, followed by lunch at Sticks Kebob Shop.  And since I accidentally left my wallet at home, my gracious husband paid for everything.  I’m so lucky to have him!
4. I’m grateful that I can finally feel my babies moving!  I was so anxious to feel them move for so long as I’ve been told that this experience is one of the coolest parts of being pregnant.  I have been feeling them for over a week and I have to say I definitely agree that feeling them move is my favorite part!  I love my baby boys!
5. I’m thankful for the new twin moms I have met and all of the advice they have given me and cheap baby gear they have sold me.  I feel so lucky to have such friendly and generous people in my community who have reached out to me.  Hearing their stories makes me feel alot more confident about having twins.
6. BONUS:  I’m thankful for the extra energy I seem to have found lately.  I had a super productive week and weekend and finally picked a color to paint the nursery.  After weeks of feeling exhausted and having little energy, I am glad I am getting some because I have so much to do before my boys get here!

Have a great week!

Well there is a BIG secret I have been keeping and most people who know me well, know my secret by now so I feel confident in sharing it here.  Today I am 20 weeks pregnant with TWIN boys!  This is the biggest thing I have to be thankful for!  In relation to my boys, I am thankful for the following:

1. I am thankful for these 2 beautiful gifts from God!  They are truly the greatest gifts I have ever received and I now can’t imagine life without them even though they have not been born yet.
2. I am thankful for a healthy pregnancy and healthy babies thus far.  All three of us are doing well, gaining weight appropriately, and growing as we should.
3. I am thankful for a wonderfully supportive husband who has been my calm rock through the news that it was not 1 baby but 2 babies we are expecting.  I am also so grateful for him for taking care of me when I’ve been sick and making sure I am as comfortable as possible while I carry and nourish our little boys.
4. I am so thankful for supportive and generous friends, family, and coworkers.  People have been so eager to celebrate our news and hear our updates and they have donated so many baby and pregnancy items to us.  We’ve received Pack N’ Plays, maternity clothes, a baby swing, baby clothes, a cradle, a high chair, a rocking chair, baby books, and so many other items and there are still offers coming in.  In addition, people helped us out with food, words of encouragement, advice, and such when I was too sick to stomach cooking regular meals and feeling like morning sickness all-day sickness would never end.  Ben, Baby A, Baby B, and I are all so lucky to be surrounded by such generous and loving people.
5. I am so grateful to my workplace for offering me the best maternity leave options I have ever heard of and allowing me to come back to work part time so I can spend more time with my babies and save on childcare.  I truly feel like they care about me as a person.

I know we are about to embark on a wild and crazy ride soon but I am already thankful for the opportunity.  I’m sure there will be sleepless nights, tears, and stress, but I wouldn’t change it for anything.