With one-month-old Emma on (UK) Mother’s Day, 2006
Ways I fully enjoy my life and family:
- Simplify – outings, commitments, belongings, activities
- Memorize – expressions, feelings, moments
- Invent – family traditions, games, stories
- Live – in the moment
- Engage – listen, play, lose track of time
What are your secrets to making the most of life and motherhood?
Happy Mother’s Day!
MaryAnne lives is a craft loving educator, musician, photographer, and writer who lives in Silicon Valley with her husband Mike and their four children.
Smile – I love that. Beautiful picture.
I do my best to never take any moment for granted.
Love that phrase – it’s a beautiful reminder to us that we need to slow down and live in the moment. I often remind myself that “the days are long, but the years are short”!
MaryAnne I just found this through Pinterest. I recognised you in the photo and clicked through. I’m so glad I did. This is absolutely beautiful. I’m doing a weekly parenting series on ways to connect with your children. I would love so much to link back to this post one week, if that would be ok with you?
Oh, thank you, Ness! I would love for you to link back to this post!
What a darling picture!
OMG it’s a cute little pinky in the air. I wanna glomp it up! hehe So cute :)
That is such a beautiful picture of you, you look so sweet!
.-= Katherine´s last blog ..One Yard Wonders Exhibit A =-.
Oh, I love the SMILE acronym too! Stopping by to wish you a Happy Mother’s Day!! :-)
.-= Valerie @ Frugal Family Fun Blog´s last blog ..Sunday Snapshot — Happy Mother’s Day! =-.
The same goes for you! It’s hard to believe how fast time has gone by. To make time the most of our time and motherhood, I try to remember to slow things down and enjoy the moment.
.-= Katie´s last blog ..Happy Mother’s Day =-.
Such a sweet picture you posted, and I definitely agree with your ways listed to enjoy life and family. Time passes too fast and is too precious to be wasted.
Happy Mother’s Day! I hope you are having a wonderful, special day!
.-= susana´s last blog ..The Journey of Motherhood =-.
Happy Mother’s Day to you.
What a wonderful list. I think living in the moment and not losing perspective is important. We have a sign in our living area which says: “Too blessed to be stressed” and I think that amongst the chaos that comes with three young children this saying holds true.
.-= Elise´s last blog ..Homemade Goodness And A Whole Lot Of Sweetness. =-.
I always say “better laughing than crying”… so SMILE seems just about right! :) Happy Mother’s Day!
I think many of those, but mainly enjoy those little moments. Those are the ones that are special.
.-= Ticia´s last blog ..South American books and animals and such =-.
Gorgeous photo! Love your SMILE acronym and I totally agree with everything you included.
For me, anything that reduces stress (as in your Simplify list, and in starting to get ready to go anywhere in PLENTY of time) makes for a happier Mama and more peaceful, joyful family. At the same time, increasing Engagement (especially one-on-one time and getting into their pretend games with them) vastly increases my children’s feeling of significance and reduces acting up.
Happy Mother’s Day!!
.-= Elisa | blissfulE´s last blog ..Jake the Pillow Snake =-.
Smile? Love it!
So simple, and so often I get too busy and actually forget that they need it.
Beautiful picture. I agree – live in the moment and capture it in memories and in pictures. Spend as much time with your children as possible – they will grow up sooner than we think is possible. Happy Mothers Day!
.-= Natalie´s last blog ..Science of the Dead Sea =-.
Happy Mothers Day! Hope you have a wonderful day. Such a good list! My secrets are take things as they come and life is too short to let things upset you and live in the moment and see all the good and beauty in life.
.-= Beverly´s last blog ..Happy Friday and Update =-.