Love/Hate # 10

I love that my mom is here visiting with a one way ticket to ride ;)
I hate that we do have to, at some point, by her a return flight home.

I love that I got to spend some time with my family in Mulkilteo.
I hate that I haven't been to this spot in almost a year. Crazy, busy life.

I love learning about my Italian heritage, and how my family came to be.
I hate that there are not enough hours in the day to listen to all the stories, nor are there enough details. I want a Farina family reunion ASAP!!

I love my son Solomon and the way he thinks.
I hate that sometimes I don't always understand his thinking and I am left shaking my head at him.

I love having face time with the beautiful Natalie Rose.

I hate that I don't live close enough to squeeze her neck on a regular basis.

So those are all the love/hates that I can think of for this week.

What are your love/hates for this week?

1. There are no rules to this link up, cause those are meant to be broken. But if you are so inclined to follow me because of this link up,  WELL first of all ... ahhh THANK YOU,  and second would you please let me know in that lil comment section down there so that I can follow back.

2. It doesn't have to be a whole blog about LOVE/HATES it could be either, neither, tomato, tomoto,potato, pototo, or... just link up... have fun and get to know your fellow bloggers LOVE/HATES.

3. If you want to grab the LOVE/HATE button so others know what you are doing grab the code and paste it whereva! I'm not gonna check. Don't have time for that. But I do have to tell you that when I come to your page and see my little button on there that I worked so hard on, well it makes me like you a whole lot more. Also your friends might appreciate knowing where this fun party is so invite them.

4. Have fun, get to know people that's what a link up is for :) Try to at least comment on one other bloggers link up that you don't know.

LInking up with this other Wednesday group.

Nacho Libre Birthday Party

This past Saturday we celebrated my son Isaiah's 8th birthday party.
For quite some time he has been asking me if we could have a Nacho Libre birthday party.
For quite some time I have said sure.
For quite some time he would change his mind.
For quite some time then we would do something else.


But this year all the stars aligned, and everything was just as it should be,
and we had ourselves the best Nacho Libre party you have ever seen.

What's a Nacho Libre party you ask?
Well first of all, I can't believe you don't already know.
And second of all go rent this movie right now;

This movie with Jack Black is a main staple in this house.
It is about an orphan boy who grows up in a monastery and secretly wants to be a Luchador.
He can't let the other monks know of his secret wish to be a pro wrestler so it is filled with all kinds of funny scenarios and well... I can't believe Jack Black didn't get an award for this movie.
We quote this movie All the Live Long Day.
Especially Isaiah.
  

Ever since my son Isaiah watched this movie when he was like 5 he has dreamed of being Nacho Libre himself.

This year we came close to making the dream came true thanks to Grandma Ellen.

 My mom arrived Friday night and we went straight to work sewing up a Luchador mask for every child to have at the party.  Because everyone knows that a Nacho Libre party has to be filled with masks and stretchy pants :)

We just took some old pillow cases that I bought at the thrift store, and some ribbon and went to work. We designed Isaiah's to be the colors of Nacho Libre but the rest were designed by the kids to just be fun and silly. 

The finished product was amazing. I was completely in awe of my mom's skills at the sewing machine. I can sew things by hand, but the sewing machine has alway intimidated me. Whenever my mom comes to town I put her to work sewing up all my torn clothes, blankets and other things that need her magic touch. 

She is amazing. 

 I want to be just like her when I grow up.

We rented a boxing ring bounce house against my better judgement. No, really it was hours of fun and I am happy to report no one got hurt. We had a pinata, cake, and ice cream and Nacho Libre style corn. Do you know that recipe? It's basically corn on the cob with mayo, parmesan cheese, and paprika. Mmm, Mmm goodness. 

 WE all had so much fun and the birthday boy... 

You tell me does that look like a happy kid?

Isaiah Gregory

Dear Isaiah Gregory-

The word that comes to mind when I think of you is Pure Joy. It is by no mistake that only after a year of living here the faculty at the School you attend nicknamed you "JOLLY." 

You exude happiness. 

Being the baby of our family there is never a moment that goes by that one of us is not quoting something funny that you have said.

For instance the other morning you were talking to your brother about a friend and well it went something like this;

You- "Korbin is a Liar, he said these smarties make you smarter and then he said , See watch 100+100 equals 1 million and that's not true."
Solomon- "He was probably joking"
You- "Well, why would he do that?"
Solomon- "To trick you."
You- "Well that's not very nice"
Solomon- laughing
Me- In the other room laughing and taking notes

I remember when you were little you would say things like, "Mom do you like baseball players?" and I would say "Yes, I do" and then you would say, "I want to be a baseball player when I grow up." Really, you have always been so sweet to me. 

You are sweet to everyone.

Did you know that I got to name you? Yep, I chose your name because Daddy chose Sol's name. And, well also because we couldn't agree on boy names, but that's besides the point. You were the only baby that we didn't peek to see who was in there. If you were a girl you would have been named Gracie Ellen, but you were YOU and I feel your name is truly God given. 

Isaiah means God is Salvation. 

YOU have reminded me on more than one occasion what God has saved me from.

A life of sadness and despair is what I would have had without God.

And

A life without you Isaiah I can't even imagine but I know it would be not nearly as full of 

JOY like it is now with you.

.

Recently you have been telling me that you want to be a farmer when you grow up, because you want grow Sunflowers for me. ~ Be Still My Heart~

You are MY PRINCE.

You are MY Zay Zay.

You are JOY to my heart Zed Head.

I love you beyond words

Happy Birthday,

Love Mom xoxo 

Flashback Friday

Ha ha, talk about a Flashback from way Back we were watching Xanadu last night and I was dying of laughter.

Ok maybe not dying, but for realz.

This was so fun to watch with my daughter Chloe who loves a good dance movie. 

And Xanadu after all is a classic.

Give a shout out if you have seen it?

Were you alive when the movie came out in 1980?

I was only 6 years old, but I saw it I think when it came out on VHS as a young tweener, and I remember it distinctly because I LOVE ME SOME ROLLER SKATING!

Here are my thoughts on this movie now...

ONE- Umm...  Without a doubt people were on DRUGS back in the day!! I mean for real this movie is so all over the place, that one can only wonder, What were they thinking? 

Is it a kids cartoon?

Is it a fantasy?

Is it a romance?

Or is it simply Xanadu? 

And

TWO- I am convinced this is where the Music Montage got it's start. It is also where all the dance movies that are out now like Footloose, Dirty Dancing and  Step It Up got their start. It's all about the makeup, costumes, and dance moves.

Well that was a fun little trip down memory lane don't ya think?

And now that we have Flashed back with movies, it's time to Flashback with our Blogs

So Are You Ready Bloggity Bloggers? This is the dealio:

1. You have to have been blogging for at least a year.(Mandatory) 

2. Link up your old posts from at least a year ago. Don't link up your website, click on the actual title of your old post so that's what the other linkers will read(did you know you could do that?)So if you did know way to go Smarty Pants, but if you don't know how to do that you click on the title of your post that will give you the right http:// to copy and paste in the box that says LINK. 

3. Follow Your Host- It's the decent thing to do.


4. Have FUN!! 

Thankful Thursday

I am busy, busy over here today, but I didn't want to miss out on Thankful Thursday's so here you have my list for this week with a few recent shots, that I posted on Instagram, if you aren't a follower there you can find me @monosco 

This week I am thankful for

The power of Prayer

Facetime with friends.

My momma and Emmers coming home tomorrow.

The game of Baseball.

Where I live.

My new Summer quilt.

My new cousin Samantha(married into the family a few weeks ago)

My boys and the funny conversations that I get to overhear(boy talk is so different than girl talk)

My husband Mo who works day and night to provide so well for this family, yet rushes home to be there for his boys summer baseball games. 

My new thrift store finds.

The blogging community.

The puppies that showed up at my doorstep yesterday morning and made my day.

Early mornings with the Lover of My Soul.

Peace that surpasses understanding.

Chiropractors that fix My Giants back.

My 2 cups of Awesome.
Special one on one time with my Chloe girl. 

My siblings Jenny, Gregie, Gina, and Jeremy. 

Linking up with these three Lovely ladies. 

Happy Thankful Thursday everyone.

Christmas In July

 "Deck the Halls with bows of Holly Fa La La La La La ... La La La La, Tis The Season to be Jolly"  


Ok well maybe not the season where you live but it is around here today because I am celebrating Christmas in July.


What?


WHAT?


Most of Ya know I am a Christmas child so when I saw an ad go up for Christmas in July I jumped on that like fried on Rice :) Love me some fried Rice too, don't cha know.


I wrote my friend Alyx over at 

and I said "PICK ME PICK ME, I WANNA PLAY!"

Ok so maybe that's not exactly what I said, but I did let Alyx know that I was super excited to have a Christmas gift exchange in the middle of July.  She very calmly, very maturely let me know that I would be paired up with another blogger soon, and then I could do a little Secret Santa shopping for that person. 
Then I got even more excited to meet my new friend and starting singing again, "Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle All The Way"

So then I waited.

And waited.

And then an email came that led me here to Amanda my Christmas in July buddy.

I knew right away that Amanda and I were paired so well when I read that not only did she love books, old classic movies, polka dots, and poetry but she is a published author. Something I hope to be when I grow up.


And then like a "cotton headed ninny muggins" I got busy... lost the email and shh... please don't tell, but I had to get mailing info on Amanda again. So then I was not going to make that mistake twice and get put on "the naughty list" I hurried out picked up a few more things for my new friend Amanda and got my box out to her lickedy split. 


About one day after I mailed my box this came in the mail. I was beyond excited when I saw who it was from(I also felt a tinge of guilt being as how I got my box out late) and as I unwrapped each and every gift I kept thinking, wow that Amanda sure does know me well. Almost too well. 

There were things in that box that I don't think I put on my 5 things I like list, but somehow she knew. She is a girl after my own heart, and this box of joy... well I can't even begin to tell you how much it meant to me.

Of everything in that box that she gave me my favorite thing was the note she wrote to me. Ya know you are an over the top words person when you are given a box of goodies like jewelry, coffee, hair accessories etc., and your favorite item is the hand written note.  I knew she would understand about my box being late when I read this ,  "and I imagine you keep quite busy with 4 kids and could use some on-the-go items." Melt my heart... she gets me so well. The note and her VERY OWN BOOK of poems meant so much to me. Amanda I only wish you would have signed your book. I have really enjoyed it, and plan to do a blog with the poem titled, On The Injustices of Dirty Dishes. 

You are getting a thank you note in the mail Amanda, but let this also be a HUGE thank you for making my Christmas in July so much fun.  The pic below is of me sporting the jewelry and headband, just for you ;)

                        I would now like to leave you with one more Christmas Carol. Change of words by yours truly. If I have EVER wanted to do a VLOG before it would be so that I could sing this to you all myself.  Ah well, add that on your Christmas wish list for next year, maybe I will work up the nerve by then.

"Rocking Around the Christmas Blogs, @ the Christmas in July Blogging Hop

Everyone exchanging merrily every blogger turns to stop.

Rocking around the Christmas Tree 

Let the Christmas spirit ring

Later we'll have some new bloggy friends

And we'll do some Blog- og- ging!

You will get a sentimental feeling when you see

Gifts exchanging, Friendships making- Singing

"Spread the blogging cheer"

Rocking Around the Christmas Blogs @ the Christmas in July Blogging Hop

Everyone dancing merrily in The New Old Blogging Wayyyy!"

MERRY CHRISTMAS IN JULY xoxo

Until next year

Nothing But Love <3

Noël

Love/Hate dedicated to the Birthday boy

I LOVE beyond words my son Isaiah.
I hate that I can't keep him all to myself forever, and ever AMEN.

I love how social he is. He has never met a stranger.
I hate how this can sometimes provide some socially awkward moments for his Momma ;)

I love that my son Isaiah wanted to have a "Nacho Libre" themed birthday party this year.
I hate that there is not a lot of party decor for this type of event. (Ideas, anyone?)

I love that my son Isaiah is turning 8 on July 29th.
I hate how no one is ever around for summer so the birthday party guest list seems slim.

I love having one more kid who is not yet double digits.
I hate how in 2 very short years this will not be the case.

I love that he is my baby.
I hate that someday he won't be able to sit in my lap, well he will but it will just be kind of a Buddy the Elf situation.

1. There are no rules to this link up, cause those are meant to be broken. But if you are so inclined to follow me because of this link up,  WELL first of all ... ahhh THANK YOU,  and second would you please let me know in that lil comment section down there so that I can follow back.

2. It doesn't have to be a whole blog about LOVE/HATES it could be either, neither, tomato, tomoto,potato, pototo, or... just link up... have fun and get to know your fellow bloggers LOVE/HATES.

3. If you want to grab the LOVE/HATE button so others know what you are doing grab the code and paste it whereva! I'm not gonna check. Don't have time for that. But I do have to tell you that when I come to your page and see my little button on there that I worked so hard on, well it makes me like you a whole lot more. Also your friends might appreciate knowing where this fun party is so invite them.

4. Have fun, get to know people that's what a link up is for :) Try to at least comment on one other bloggers link up that you don't know.

Being Okay With That Person

I woke this morning thinking about a conversation that I had yesterday while on the phone with my sister. We were walking and talking. It's how we do. I was telling Jenny my older sister that I heard a wise woman once say,  "You will spend half your life finding out who you are, and the other half being okay with that person."  I totally agree with this statement, and would say that I am almost to the other side of it. Almost being the operative word in that sentence. I feel everyday as I inch closer and closer to my forties a certain calm come over me.  It's not that I feel I was totally obsessed with what other people thought, but I was totally obsessed with what other people thought. 


As I've gotten older and had many a conversation with The Lover of My Soul, and My Giant about this I have realized that in my lifetime I think I have spent more time wondering and worrying what others are thinking, than I have spent having my own thoughts. 

That is the truth of who I was.

And now as I think about where I am right now, I still have the tendency to be concerned if people will like me or not. Although I recognize this tendency, it doesn't make it any easier to change.  I guess I would like it to be categorized as The People Pleasing Gene. I would like to believe you are either born this way or you are not, because then it makes it easier for me to swallow that pill.


Some are people pleasers.
Some are not.
I am a people pleaser that comes from a long line of people pleasers.
My Giant is not a people pleaser he comes from a long line of non- people pleasers.


I see the good in both.
I see the bad in both.
Somewhere in there, people pleasing and not people pleasing there is neutral ground. A Switzerland if you will of somewhat pleasing people and some what who gives a flying flip people. 


Do hear what I'm saying?
So the other half of that wise woman's statement is what I am working toward today. I feel I have a pretty good handle on who I am at the ripe old age of 37 and now it's just ...


Being okay with that person.


I recognize my need to please. 
And ya know what, I'm okay with the years I have spent doing so. It's what has brought me to this place.
But, at the very same time I want, I seek, balance in all things.
I'm ready to be okay with the person that I am, but not become complacent either at the same time. 


Does that make sense?




Now read this statement again,

"You will spend half your life finding out who you are, and the other half being okay with that person."
And think about it through the eyes of health, fitness and your looks. It takes on a whole new meaning doesn't it?
Maybe a topic for another day.
I thought of character traits when I heard it.
Sister Jen thought health and fitness.
That's why it's good to have a sister.
They help change the way you see the world.
Thankful for my sisters and my brothers this morning and for YOU! 

What are your thoughts about that statement? 

To Throw A Party or Not To Throw A Party?

Happy, Good, Great, Monday morning to you beloved reader. I want to start the week off with a fresh perspective, a challenge,and maybe even an admission to you all. But before I get ahead of myself I want to bring up the topic at hand, or foot whichever you prefer.
It's a topic that I think we can all relate to, and one that never really goes away. In fact it's a conversation that never ends. Have I peeked your interest yet? Are you just dying to know what we are gonna talk about today?
Don't let my title fool you because even though I am planning a party over here, that's not the kind of party we are going to talk about. It is also not the first topic at foot or hand, or elbow? Was that a bit Too much silly for a Monday morning?
Nope, ok well we are gonna talk about Self Talk first and we will talk about Parties later. So I guess Self Talk would be the hand, and Parties would be the foot. Sorry, sometimes Monday mornings just bring out the silly in me.  


(I know it's too early for an intermission but that last sentence just made me remember when I played the lead role in South Pacific, I was Nellie anyways I didn't sing this song but do you musical fans remember it?- "Keep talking, talking, happy talk. Talk about things you like to do. If you don't have a dream, how you gonna make a dream come true" I warned you there is a song for everything in my world)


Ok back to our topic... Self Talk, You know it's the little voice inside your head(that is sometimes louder than any others) that speaks to you all day, everyday, 24/7.
It's the inner dialogue that we all have. 
It's what the cartoons have depicted as the little angel or devil that sits upon your shoulders and either speaks death or life. 


I heard this statistic at church the other day that said in a study done at UCLA  73% of self talk that was documented was negative versus positive. I'll admit at first this statistic was surprising to me, and I of course immediately put myself in the 27% that doesn't fit that bill. But after I began to think about it, I realized that on many occasions I have been in that negative camp, or thrown myself that Pity Party.

Ya see, most days I consider myself to be a very positive person. If there are two roads to take on any given Sunday, one being negative and the other being positive, 9 times out of 10 I choose the yellow brick road, with birds chirping, lots of singing, and dancing. I am just sure it will lead to that big rainbow with a pot of gold at the end. Because don't ya know these are the only kinds of roads there are for positive people. 


In fact even if the bird is more of like a Black Crow Ca Ca-ing, and the singers are the rejects from American Idol,and the road is only yellow because someone just pissed all over it(sorry that was a tad crude), and I just saw some scary dude run off with the pot of gold that is supposed to be mine at the end of that road when I get done,... I will STILL choose THAT positive road. Just in the slight chance that maybe the robber will get stopped by my Fairy God mother and some wonder boy will come with a hose and clean off the pissy road before I have to walk down it.
(No I don't believe in Fairy God Mothers, or Wonder Boys... but stick with me here, ya know I'm gonna tell ya what I do believe in the end)

At my core I just really feel positive about life. Hello Captain Obvious, the name of My blog after all is Noël's Beautiful life, BUT and here's where my admission comes in. 


Recently, I feel like I'm constantly fighting with my emotions and my self talk. The negative guy is trying to beat up the positive guy. It's like I have two lives. The inner life and the outer life. I know I'm not alone in this struggle to keep these two lives in check. Sometimes my 2 lives co-exist just fine, and life goes along well, and nothing seems wrong, and everyone is happy, and no one gets hurt :)


But, there are other times when my inner dialogue starts to throw itself a little  pity party and that's when all Hell breaks lose.
Because, 
I have been to these parties before.
I have invited friends to these parties.
I have decorated for these parties.
I have even brought appetizers to these parties.
And I have lingered too long at these parties.

Come on, Haven't you ever hosted a Pity Party?
Certainly you've been invited to one? 
Can I get a witness that no one looks good in a Pity Party dress?


They are not my favorite party to attend nor to host.
Although often times when hosting my own pity party, I'm too busy to notice whether or not my guests are having a good time, so if you are like me you wouldn't notice that I wasn't having a good time at your pity party because that's not what those parties are about.


Are you still trying to imagine me as Nelly in South Pacific? 
Or do you not live on planet earth, and you are still wondering what the heck is a Pity Party anyways?


Ok well then, I can help you out 


Here's a picture of Me as Nellie in South Pacific. Sorry it's a terrible shot being that my face is turned the other way and all, but would you believe it's the only pic I have from that event?

And now that I have revealed way too much of my past...


Here are some rules for a good Pity Party Sesh-


Rule #1
A pity party is all about the host. It's kind of a ME, MYSELF, and I event.
- Don't pay attention to your guests.
- There is no room for consideration.
- Absolutely no grace or understanding for another guest there.
- Don't even think about serving during this time. 
You just sit back, put your feet up , and pull up a good full box of kleenex.


Rule #2
Be sure to serve up a good portion of 
-Discontentment
-Self-Loathing
 and 
-Whine(not the kind that goes good with cheese either)


Rule #3
Your fashion statement for this event should be dripping in 
- Selfishness 
- Egotism
- Pride 
and
- Misery

I think that should help explain pretty well what kind of event a Pity Party is.


So I guess now here is where the challenge comes in.


I am challenging myself(and maybe you too) to choose not to even entertain the IDEA of having that kind of party. I want to stay with the 27% of positive people. I want to "keep talking happy talk."


As I have gotten older I have come to recognize the decor of these parties, and once I start to head down that road that 73% of people tend to get on I have learned to stop.


Well, usually I don't have to stop physically because most pity parties start when I am standing at my kitchen sink doing dishes for the um-teenth time and I start to put one leg in that Party dress... and I think what am I doing?


Right there is where I stop, my thinking that is.


"I don't really feel this way do I?"
"These feelings are not the TRUTH." 
"What could I think that is positive about this situation" 
(Usually I start being thankful for my pretty purple dish gloves)
"I am as happy as I choose to be"


And I pray.


I ask God for a fresh perspective, and to reveal his heart to me.
And I read things like this;


"Teach me Your way, O Lord, that I may walk and live in Your truth; direct and unite my heart (solely, reverently) to fear and honor Your name." Psalm 86:11