Wordless Wednesday – Memories of Home

Posted on January 8, 2014 by Looking Inward with Lily

Cliffs of Moher 2

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Dakota in the Snow

Posted on January 4, 2014 by Looking Inward with Lily

Dakota Snow Collage

It’s been snowing here and Dakota has been having lots of fun in the snow. School and work were closed yesterday – yeah snow! The boys went sledding with some friends and while it was freezing cold my heart was warmed by their laughter as they took off on their sleds. Even the moms went sledding. Not sure who had more fun… the kids or the moms 🙂 I also joined Instagram and you can find me at lookinginwardwithlily – Not really sure why it took me so long to join as I love taking pictures but it is now my new obsession 🙂 I will be posting pictures from my blog and other pictures of Dakota. The pictures above are some of the pictures I have posted since joining. Enjoy!

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Blessings for the New Year

Posted on January 1, 2014 by Looking Inward with Lily

2014

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Soothing Sound of Rain

Posted on December 29, 2013 by Looking Inward with Lily

Rain Day Collage

I love the sound of rain as it falls outside. There is a calmness to the sound of rain which can be very soothing if you let your mind relax and just listen. Today the grey skies and falling rain prompted me to make some soup. My kids call it dipping soup as I cut up slices of bread so they can dip it in their soup. If it is raining where you are now or the next time it rains; curl up with a nice cup of soup by the fireplace or under a cozy blanket and just listen. Let the sound of the rain from outside soothe your ears while a warm cup of soup warms you on the inside 🙂

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Wordless Wednesday – Lighting the Way for Santa Claus

Posted on December 25, 2013 by Looking Inward with Lily

Christmas Eve Luminaries and Santa Cookies

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Wordless Wenesday – Tis the Season for Gingerbread Houses

Posted on December 18, 2013 by Looking Inward with Lily

A Gingerbread House Blog

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Snow Day

Posted on December 10, 2013 by Looking Inward with Lily

Dakota Lily Snow

I got up this morning as usual and began my drive into work. Less than half way there I had to pull over at a gas station as the driving conditions were really bad. I decided to turn back and go home rather than risk getting into an accident (I saw four accidents on the way home). I was greeted at the door by two very happy boys and puppy. We had a great snow day. The boys played football in the snow. They play football everywhere so why not in the snow right? 🙂 I helped them build a snowman, Dakota played in the snow, there was hot chocolate and tea, and after I post this there will be movie night with popcorn.

I didn’t plan on staying home today but it turned out good that I took a vacation day and stayed home. I would have missed so much fun with my boys. I enjoyed seeing Dakota run like crazy in the snow, watching my cats try to catch falling snowflakes through the window, and the smiles and laughter of my boys as they threw snow balls and scored snowy touchdowns. Maybe just maybe today’s snow was God’s way of saying stay home and enjoy some time with your family!

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Thankful Thursday – The Teachers

Posted on November 28, 2013 by Looking Inward with Lily

Shadows Blog

Today, we celebrate Thanksgiving in the U.S. It is a time to express our gratitude and give thanks. It also happens to be my birthday today. As I look back on my life, I am reminded of all the teachers and life lessons I have had. My parents and grandparents were my first teachers. They taught me right from wrong, how to be responsible, and to always care for others. For the love they gave me, the wisdom they shared, the stories they told, and the lessons I learned… I am thankful!

I have met a lot of wonderful people in my life and through all of our interactions I have learned about relationships, love, friendship, strength, and understanding. I have also met people who were not so nice and tried to spread their negativity to others. I have experienced the exhilarating life events of marriage and the joy of having children yet I have also suffered the devastating loss of loved ones. I have walked on the calm sun-kissed sand next to the ocean and I have also felt the wrath of a hurricane. I acknowledge the kind and unkind people, the happy and sad events, the beauty and power of nature… for they all had special life lessons. They taught me to be open minded, to treat others with kindness, to appreciate everything in life, to not take anything or anyone for granted, and to always feel blessed. For the good and bad life lessons… I am thankful!

There are stories I have heard, books I have read, and documentaries I have watched that have taught me about courage and standing up for what is right. I have been given examples of how to choose compassion and respect others. For the educators, religious leaders, coaches, pioneers, and mentors who have crossed my life’s path… I am thankful!

A special thanks to my husband and children who have taught me that love is one of the biggest blessings of life. My pets also show me unconditional love and are there to cuddle with every day. They are such a big part of my life and family too. For the love and loyalty of my family… I am thankful!

So as you sit down today take a moment to look around, then close your eyes, look inside yourself and give thanks for your blessings. Remember that material things come and go but love stays in your heart forever. Thank God everyday you wake up and always feel blessed. For my life… I am thankful!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!

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Thankful Thursday – The Little Things

Posted on November 21, 2013 by Looking Inward with Lily

Beach Blog Picture

This week I was reminded of how we should all be thankful for the little things in life. A stroll on the beach with family, a dinner cooked for you after a long day at work, the hugs and giggles of your children, the wagging tail of your ever so happy puppy who can’t wait to smother you with kisses, watching football or a movie on a Sunday afternoon with friends and family, for all these little things… I am thankful!

Be thankful if you wake in the morning and can hear the birds singing outside. Be thankful if you can open your eyes and can see. Be thankful if you can touch your feet on the ground in the morning and walk. Be thankful if you can smell and taste your food. For our five senses, for our health, for these little things that we often take for granted… I am thankful!

There are so many little things that we should be thankful for every day. There are big things out there that try to distract us from the little things. We often crave more instead of being thankful for the things we already have. We look at others who we perceive to have more and feel that we don’t have enough. Look instead upon those who are less fortunate and you will always feel blessed. There is a quote I like by Robert Brault that states, “Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize that they were the big things.” For this quote and for all the little things in life… I am thankful!

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I Hope You Dance

Posted on November 16, 2013 by Looking Inward with Lily

I hope you dance collage

Have you ever heard a song and can’t get the words out of your head? This has happened to me with the words from a Lee Ann Womack song called “I Hope You Dance.” The words are very inspirational and thought provoking.

We all need to live life to the fullest, take chances, have faith, be humble, never take things for granted, and be happy. As the song says, “And if you get the chance to sit it out or dance… I hope you Dance!”

Have a great weekend everyone! I hope you’ll do some dancing 🙂

(The picture of the little girl above at her ballet class is courtesy of my good friend and fellow blogger CC – check out her blog at A Working Mom Today. The other picture with my boys was taken at Point Pleasant beach on a day where the waves were amazingly high.)

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