How to Connect With Emotions

**THROWBACK POST**

February 20 2016:

“The precursor to defining emotional connection is to reach acceptance that negative emotions and discomfort are a part of us. Then, begin the practice of not running from the uncomfortable emotions, or squashing them with positivity, or feeling a failure for having them. Emotional connection is …. ”

“Let the power of your emotions open you up … Take your seat in the middle of your home ground and rouse your confidence – your innate capacity to open to your experience.” – Pema Chodron’s “Living Beautifully“

What is Emotional Connection

 

Sunny and Crisp and Cool and Songbird

February 13 2017:

Sunny and crisp walk with Thomas yesterday. xoxo

Check out the tree shadow on the water! Cool!

Walk with Thomas Vintage Lake 2.13.17 #1 Walk with Thomas Vintage Lake 2.13.17 #2 Walk with Thomas Vintage Lake 2.13.17 #3

February 14 2017:

Oh what a feeling …. I’m in love with you …. These two souls, me, nature, shadows, rocks, trees, grass, water, ducks, geese, pinecones …. life. xoxo

Walk around Vintage Lake Team TLC 2.14.17 #1 Walk around Vintage Lake Team TLC 2.14.17 #2 Walk around Vintage Lake Team TLC 2.14.17 #3 Walk around Vintage Lake Team TLC 2.14.17 #4 Walk around Vintage Lake Team TLC 2.14.17 #5

February 18 2017:

Dear Songbird:

I love YOU! Thank you for your light, for the laughs, for the INspirational company … for the gifts … So blessed our paths crossed all those years ago.

Love, Blessings, And so it is,
LoveSeed

Alchemist Salon Drive Home with Carolyn 2.18.17 #1 Alchemist Salon Drive Home with Carolyn 2.18.17 #2 Alchemist Salon Drive Home with Carolyn 2.18.17 #3

Book Review: The Greatest Power

February 18 2017:

The Greatest Power

I think this is one of my favorite DEMI books. Such a powerful story of a boy emperor who gathers all the children of his kingdom so as to choose the new prime minister. He challenges each of them to show him the greatest power in the world.

He claims, “To know the greatest power in the world is to know the greatest peace.” One child reflects deeply on this while the others begin working away on their chosen answer. Thomas and Lillian loved it too, as with all DEMI books. The illustrations are simply brilliant!

The Greatest Power Book 2016

Library Day and Joyful Dog

February 13, 2017:

Field trip to Spanish Springs Library today. Such a treat to have so many amazing libraries in this county. We are blessed and grateful …. xoxo

Spanish Springs Library Day 2.13.17 #1 Spanish Springs Library Day 2.13.17 #2 Spanish Springs Library Day 2.13.17 #3 Spanish Springs Library Day 2.13.17 #4 Spanish Springs Library Day 2.13.17 #5

February 17 2017:

Thank you to the amazing, wonderful, and oh so happy dog in the pet store who brightened my day. She was so incredibly happy and joyful. When she wagged her short, little tail; her entire body moved! I am grateful for her joy. Thank you and bring me more please!

Sharing Life Stories With Your Kids

**THROWBACK POST**

February 18 2016:

Team TLC at Vintage Oktoberfest 8.21.16

For many years now I’ve been sharing a “life story” with Thomas and Lillian before bed. They take turns choosing a topic or word and I share what comes to mind from my past. Tonight Thomas chose the word “Panama”.

The first thing that came to mind was Van Halen’s song, “Panama“, and thoughts of watching the music video on MTV. We looked it up afterwards so they could hear the song. I don’t think Lillian was impressed that I know all the words.

I deeply love this tradition we began so many years ago. It brings much laughter, silliness, and sometimes tears (on my part).

Love, sweet love … xoxo

**Update** March 9 2017: We are still doing this! With one twist. I have now brought Thomas and Lillian into the story telling. We take turns telling a life story and also take turns with who gives the clue word.

Pumpkin Curry Soup and Okra and Tarte aux Champignons and Cobbler

February 15 2017:

We did some flavor traveling last night with dinner. A pumpkin curry soup, oh so yummy okra (including memories of mammaw Downs), a Tarte aux Champignons (French style flat bread with mushrooms), and a dirty apple and pear cobbler (Thomas‘ name for our dessert).

Happy Valentine’s Day to Team TLC!! xoxo

Also known as …. Using what you’ve got to create a special dinner! That cobbler is amazing! I mean, Lillian even ate it …. and that’s a miracle!! I had the store bought gluten free pie crust in the freezer. Peeled and sliced 4 apples and pears.

Mixed with cinnamon, lemon juice, and coconut sugar. Then made a topping to crumble over the top with coconut oil, coconut flour, almond flour, salt and coconut sugar. We ate almost the entire dish!!!

Valentine's Dinner 2.14.17 #1 Valentine's Dinner 2.14.17 #2 Valentine's Dinner 2.14.17 #3 Valentine's Dinner 2.14.17 #4

What Would the World Be Like if We All Liked the Same Thing

**THROWBACK POST**

February 18 2014:

Thomas at Camp June 23 2014

When I picked up Thomas the other day he told me he has been asking all of his classmates whether or not they like LEGOS. Only one or two say they do and the others tell him they don’t and they like playing the Wii.

He said it makes him feel bad that no one else likes them. I explained to him that I’ve had a similar experience with feeling bad when others don’t like or feel the same way about something I like. BUT, I have learned that I am choosing to feel this way … And I can choose not to feel this way also.

He said, “That’s so hard, though”. I told him I completely understand and it takes lots and lots of practice to choose not to let it bother you. I said this may help …

“People are all different. We like different things. Some like the same things. Some don’t like the same things. Instead of labeling it as good when someone likes the same “stuff” as you, just look at it as “It just is” and when someone doesn’t like what you do, look at that as “It just is”.

What would the world be like if we all liked the SAME thing? Nothing would ever get done! If EVERYONE liked LEGOS and only building with LEGOS we’d having nothing but little plastic LEGO food, LEGO furniture and LEGO houses, LEGO cars. We’d be these big giant people trying to live in a little LEGO world! We all three got a laugh out of that one!

LEGO GRill 2.14.14

Brain and Heart and Stomach are Happy

February 12 2017:

“My brain, heart, and stomach are happy!” … Said by Thomas last night after our beautiful dinner at Moon Rabbit Cafe.

What wonderful feelings brought about by good food, great company, and a peaceful, joyful setting.

Me too Thomas … Me too! xoxo

Thomas and Camilla January 2017 Date Day Part 3 1.31.17 #3

Everything Flows Onward

**THROWBACK POST**

February 15 2016:

Absolutely wonderful sunset walk with Thomas and Lillian. We walked around the entire wetland loop. A FIRST FOR LILLIAN!!! Its between 4 to 5 miles long. We had so much fun giggling, enjoying the views as we walked, and reminiscing about the past ….

Changes, fun, adventures, growth, letting go, more fun, miles of walking, and more adventures. Love, sweet love.

“All things change, nothing is extinguished. There is nothing in the whole world which is permanent. Everything flows onward; all things are brought into being with a changing nature; the ages themselves glide by in constant movement.” -Ovid

Damonte Ranch Trail Walk 2.15.16 #1 Damonte Ranch Trail Walk 2.15.16 #2 Damonte Ranch Trail Walk 2.15.16 #3 Damonte Ranch Trail Walk 2.15.16 #4 Damonte Ranch Trail Walk 2.15.16 #5

Movie Review: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

February 11 2017:

Team TLC Movie Night: Lillian’s choice – “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” .. We’ve seen it several times, yet Lillian wanted to watch it again.

Lillian says, “Good, awesome, 100% recommended to watch, musical, very good acting and special effects, and my favorite parts are the singing in the garden, the singing wind up doll, the end, and my favorite songs are chitty, chitty, bang, bang and Toot Sweet.”

I say, “Love watching this magical tale with Thomas and Lillian. We had so much fun dancing during intermission!”

Thomas says, “Even though I’ve seen it four times, it’s still original and good! I like characters and special effects. I like the idea of the fantasy and the candy. It has a good storyline about him being an inventor.”

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Movie 2.11.17