Inspiration For Your Day

 To conquer oneself is the best and noblest victory; to be vanquished by one's own nature is the worst and most ignoble defeat.
Plato

Goodbye Magic Kingdom

Oh boy- mama's feet are tired. 
I don't think I have ever walked as much in one week as I have this past one. We hit all the Disney parks and even made a stop at Universal (can you say Harry Potter?!) I am spending the day relaxing with the fam and heading to Downtown Disney today with the hubby.
I miss home so much, I miss my routine so much. Who woulda thought? Having a blast here and soaking up the last of the 90 degree weather before heading back to CT and thus back into a "true" Fall atmosphere. And when I return it is time to put out those pumpkins and get down to business for Halloween!!
Don't you just love Cinderella's castle at night? Nothing is more beautiful!
I miss you guys, can't wait to overload you on photo's when I get home.
xoxo 
Kelly

kelly theresa smith trafton

i know that you knew this post was coming. i blogged a readers digest version of kelly and amie, but here comes the sappy post to my best friend in the world.

kelly:

you know that i take on the bleeding hearts, the people who need saving, the ones who are lost and hurting. because of this, as quick as i take someone into my heart, they leave. other people have best friends who stick around forever, cliques who stay friends for years. i've never had that. no one sticks around for me. this fact made me really sad for a long time. i woke up everyday, not feeling like i had a place or worth. i have friends for a few months, maybe a year at most. it's been like this forever. it hurts sometimes.

but, then, there are times i open my eyes and realize, it doesn't matter that i don't have 30 friends who care about me. there's one reason for this. i don't need tons and tons of friends. i just need the one person who has stuck with me for years. and that's you, kelly. you know this.

we've been through so much. you've been there for my best and worst times, and i can say the same about you. for every (good or bad) adventure we've gone on, for every long drive, for every day or night spent with you, for every time we've laughed for cried, for every time i've fallen down, when i feel like i'm at my lowest, whether you know it or not, you've been there. you've been my hand to hold, my friend to get crazy with, my mom to tell me i'm being an idiot, and my sister to love me through all these stages. i'll never forget the nights i spent, honestly broken. i've laid awake, unable to sleep, crying and hurting. and through it all, i felt your tiny hand in mine. i know that we've both been there for one another through our dumb decisions (which i won't elaborate on for the sake of your blog.....haha) but you will never truly understand how much you've done for me. i've longed for stability my whole life, for someone to show me that they won't give up on me. and there you are. i know that i don't always do what's best for me, or the people around me, but you've held on. i'll never thank you enough for that.

when we were sitting upstairs the other day, and you were sad, it broke my heart. but sitting on the bathroom floor of this beautiful red house, we shared one of the best moments of my life. people have said "best friend" and "family" to me before, but with tears in both of our eyes, you told me that we will always be family. and for the first time, i believed it. i knew, without any shred of doubt, that i have found someone to understand me completely. without judgement. without secret disappointment. you love me, kelly, and that means more to me than i could ever say in words.

aside from my issues, i want to tell you just how proud of you i am for overcoming, or at least dealing with, your own. i've watched you change from a lost, scared, little girl to a beautiful, independent, caring woman. you inspire me every single day. you show me that there is true belief in the world. that someone has the ability to care for two little tiny people more than they care for themself (and that's saying something, remember "attention"). you've allowed me to come along for the journey of you growing up, and that has given me so much hope. by making me phoenix's godmother, you've given me a whole new reason to open my eyes to the good in the world. every time i see her, or hold her, or play with her, i look at the face of something so beautiful, innocent, and pure. aside from that, i see you. i see a mother who loves her children more than life itself. i see the most amazing feeling a person can have. and that makes me wake up each morning wanting to be better. i want to be the best i can for her, for trace, for you. i am here whenever, wherever, however you need me. thank you for everything you've ever done, and will continue to do, for me. i'm crying like a baby right now and i feel pretty pathetic, but there's no other way for me to show you.

to everyone who reads this blog, or is friends with kelly, or knows of kelly, consider yourself blessed. the most beautiful person who has ever lived has touched your life. she loves and appreciates each and every one of you more than you know. and for that, you yourself are blessed.

i love you, best friend. for yesterday, for now, for tomorrow, for always. now i'm ready for you to come homeeeeeeeeeeee!

busy busy busy busy..

so the first weekend of the trafton's vacation is over, and i've been slacking on blogging :( i bet kelly wants to kill me. BUT in my defense, i've been working alllllll weekend. derek abandoned us at the diner so we all had to bust our butts this weekend to make sure grumpy people had their breakfasts. i woke up to a picture from kelly that wouldn't mean much to most people...it was a shot of a glass ceiling with plants hanging from it. i saw it and instantly knew that she's at the harry potter theme park in universal!!!!!!!!!! i am SOOOOOO jealous. anyone that knows me knows that i am a 100%, loud and proud harry potter FREAK. i'm thoroughly convinced that harry potter is my soulmate. i'm obsessed. we have the same birthday and everything. oh yeah, it's love.
not only am i obsessed with the books and movies because they are such fantastic stories, harry potter did more for me than that. it got me into reading in general. as a 10 year old, i didn't want anything to do with books (so weird, if you know me) but i remember clearly getting the first harry potter book, and it honestly opened my eyes to so much literature. i don't have kids of my own but i will push reading onto trace and phoenix as much as i can!!! i know a lot of mommys read this blog and i think it's so important for everyone to make their kids read. read to your children, give them books instead of dumb toys, expand their minds as much as you can. reading and writing is so important to my life, it's brought so much joy to me, i've found some of the best friends i've ever had in books. i haaaaaaaaaate being in college and hearing people say "oh i don't read" or "i only read for class"...it makes me sick haha. pick up a book! read everyday. i'm making myself sound like such a nerd right now, can you tell i'm in school to be a teacher?
i have never been able to pick a favorite book but if you guys are looking for something new to read, check out any of these!
  • looking for alaska-john green.this was one of my FAVORITE books in high school. it's a really moving and beautifully written young adult book. i'm so excited that i get to read it for a class and give a presentation on it. alaska young is one of my favorite characters ever written, and the story behind these teens who try to grow up too fast is tragically beautiful.
  • a million little pieces-james frey/my friend leonard-james freyok ok i know this book is famous for being a lie that oprah believed, blah blah blah. i recently reread this story and i don't even care that it's all made up. it's an intriguing story about a man and his addictions, and the friendship, love, happiness and heartache that ensue.
  • hollywood-charles bukowskior really anything by bukowski. especially his poetry. he rocks. i could go on forever and ever but i'll leave it at that
wah, i'm blogging from class right now and class is about to end. i'll finish this list later! xoxo

Checking In!

Hello my loves! 
I am still pale as a ghost three days later. I hope you are enjoying Amie, I can tell she is trying to delicately touch on something hilarious before she dives right in. Just know I am reading right along with you, shaking my head laughing.
I am relaxing at the resort while Derek and his brother head off to Blizzard Beach. I am not a water park gal, all I can picture is every person looking around sneakily while peeing in the water. And then happy people splashing down from a water slide into a face full of piss. Yummy. Not my idea of a good time. Enjoy the urine facials boys, I will be back home with the kids coloring and hanging out with the in-laws. 
Trace met the love of his life yesterday morning, Minnie. You better believe he was overjoyed! I have taken so many pictures already (and bought way too many souvenirs) I can't wait to overload you all with the cuteness of our Disney adventure!
XOXO
Kelly

the adventures of kelly and amie: pt 1

hi again, everyone! kelly and the clan have made it safely to florida, i'm very jealous :( but i'm sure they're having a super time! it was ahem...fun...getting two babies up and out the door at 3 a.m. when i myself was NOT awake at all. the animals have made it safely through day one of me and matt working, so that's also a nice little success.

so i decided that my first guest blog should probably be the story of kelly and amie. i'm not sure i even know where to begin here haha. kel has been part of my life for SEVEN freaking years now...which is nuts. she's been my friend for so long, i kind of just think of her as always being there. we've had great adventures since we first met all those years ago.

we met through a group of mutual friends (who neither of us talk to anymore hahaha). my first real memory of kelly was her at her own birthday party...she took the phone from my ex-boyfriend and said (or...slurred...) about what a nice girl i was. she talked to me for about 15 minutes, telling me i was cool and awesome and great. funny enough, i'd never talked to her before!! i knew from that moment that a great friendship was to come...

we were joined at the hip from when we first met. we went on ghost adventures, shopping trips, her first apartment on her own (i like to think of it as ours since i never went home lol), prank calls, babies...we've gone through it all and every day makes me realize how lucky i am to have her as my sister and best friend<3

hello, new friends!

so! it's officially vacation week at the trafton household. obviously, i mean that the traftons are (almost) in florida, but it's vacation for me, too! oh yeahhh, housesitting all week in a GORGEOUS house! i'm looking forward to ten days of relaxing, playing with new animal friends, and watching arrested development on an awesome flatscreen. and of course, i'm excited to blog for kelly and maybe get to know you guys a little better!



so here's a little about me to start off. my name is amanda, more commonly known as amie, or auntie amie, ameep, or mattamie, depending on who you talk to. (the last three are my affectionate titles from trace). i'm 21 and a kind of senior in college. my favorite things in the world are arrested development, poetry, bright eyes and radiohead, my boyfriend matt, harry potter, and sushi! i don't have kids, but i'm phoenix's godmother and i consider trace my best friend :) i'll elaborate on those things later...they're all on my list for future blogs! so yeah. i'm excited to run teeny tiny mommy for a little while. you guys are in for some great stories...and don't worry, kel, i'll keep them clean.

i think she's more worried about me destroying her blog than she is about me destroying her house.

but for now, it's time to install a cat door. gotta keep these animals alive somehow......




OH! i'm doing my best to learn how to use blogspot, because i'm used to having tumblr. if you have one, feel free to follow me! http://legacyofthunderstorms.tumblr.com

Surprises All Around!

I am off to DisneyWorld tomorrow at 4am! What an adventure that is going to be, not excited to get the kids up and out the door that early. I literally just packed everything we need right now, on top of babysitting my friend's daughters. Today is my 3 year anniversary with Derek! He surprised me BIG  time yesterday when there was a knock on the door and this  walked through!
Derek hates dogs, so much. I have been begging for a dog since the day I moved in with him. He said "No way, No how".  That man really loves me. 
Meet Jax, a beagle lab mix, I am so in love! 
Needless to say the new cat (I was completely unaware a doggy was coming into the mix) is ripshit. She has bitten me and the dog already. Muffin has spent an entire day under my bed. No one is eating except the dumb dog. 

In other news: I have an awesome surprise for you guys! As mentioned before, my best friend Amie will be taking over The Teeny Tiny Mommy for the ten days while I am away. 
Amie<3
She has told me a few ideas she has for you guys and I am so excited to see them when I come home. But, I'm a bit nervous. Amie is a crazy gal and I am scared of the stories she may spill while I am away. We had our fair share of bad girl times. She is a fun loving, hard working, drama queen with a heart of gold. This girl has the best sense of humor so be ready to laugh! And probably cry at least once.

Anyway- I have alot more to get done before tomorrow morning. Off I go to the store and try not to panic about the fact I am going to be on a plane. 
I will miss you guys! 
XoXo Kelly

The Power Of Positivity

A must read for those feeling down, depressed and hopeless.
You can always change the pattern of your life. 
You can always change the pattern of your thinking. 
But you must work hard at it. And never give up.
Dear Friends,
I have been speaking to so many of you lately and have been hearing such sad stories. So many of you aren't feeling like yourselves lately. Motherhood is not what you expected. Fulfilling the duties of marriage isn't how you thought it would be. Love isn't coming as easily as it used to. Work is tiring and draining. Things seem to be happening to you that feel unjust and unfair. 
The best most loving advice I can give to you my loved ones is change your thinking. 
Practice, practice, practice your gratitude and positivity. 
Change will and must come. 
I love you all so much, and I wish you the best with whatever you bring in to your own lives. Make sure your thoughts are centered, your heart is light, and your intentions the best. 
xoxo
Kelly
The Power of Affirmations
By Remez Sasson
Positive affirmations are positive sentences repeated many times in order to impress the subconscious mind and trigger it into action. These sentences describe a situation that we desire to happen, and are repeated many times, with conviction, attention and feelings.

Imagine that you are swimming with your friends in a swimming pool. They swim fifteen rounds, something you have never done before. As you desire the respect of your friends, you want to show them that you can make it too. You start swimming, and at the same time keep repeating in your mind: "I can do it, I can do it...". You keep thinking and believing that you are going to complete the fifteen rounds. What are you actually doing? You are repeating positive affirmations.

More than often people repeat negative sentences and statements, concerning diverse situations in their lives, and consequently bring upon themselves undesirable situations. Affirmations work both ways, to build and to destroy. They are a kind of a neutral power. It is the way we use them that determines whether they are going to bring good or harmful results.

Affirmations are similar to creative visualization. The repeated words build mental images and scenes in the mind. The words help to focus on the aim, object or situation one wants to achieve or create. Frequent repetitions make the subconscious mind accept them, and then it influences and affects the way one thinks, acts and behaves.

The conscious mind, the mind you think with, starts this process, and then the subconscious mind takes charge. This means that the most frequent thoughts that pass through your mind, ultimately affect your life and your destiny.

Affirmations work like commands that are given to a computer. They influence us, other people, events and circumstances. It might seem strange to you, but they do also influence the people we meet, our circumstances and the events we encounter.

Sometimes they work fast, but more often they need time. Repeating positive affirmations a few minutes, and then thinking negatively, neutralizes the effects of the positive words. You have to refuse negative thoughts, otherwise you will not attain positive results.

We often repeat affirmations, without even being aware of the process. We use them when we tell ourselves that we can't do something, that we are too lazy, or when we believe we are going to fail. The subconscious mind always accepts follows what we tell it. It is the same principle at work when we say to ourselves that we can do it, or we cannot, when say we are going to succeed and when we keep saying that we are going to fail. It is the same power working both ways. Why not choose the better way?

How to Repeat Affirmations
It is better to repeat affirmations that are not too long. A short sentence is quite enough. They can be repeated, when your mind is not engaged in something in particular, such as when traveling in a bus or a train, waiting in line, walking etc, but do not affirm while driving yourself or crossing a street. You may also repeat them in special sessions of about ten minutes each, several times a day.

There should be no physical, emotional or mental tension while repeating them. The stronger the concentration, the more faith you have in what you are doing, the more feelings you put into the act, the stronger and faster will be the results.

It is very important to choose only positive affirmations. If for example you desire to lose weight, do not say, "I am not fat, I am losing weight." By saying this sentence you are repeating to your subconscious mind that you are fat. The word "losing" also evokes negative images. It is better to say, "My body has an athletic form, and weighs the right and healthy weight". Such words evoke positive images in the mind.

It is important to affirm using in the present tense, not the future tense. Saying: "I will be rich", means that you intend to be rich one day, in the indefinite future. You are actually telling yourself that some day you will be rich, never now. It is better and more effective to say, and also feel, "I am rich now", and the subconscious mind will work overtime to make this happen now, in the present.

As to results, sometimes they may come fast, and at other times may take more time to manifest. Achieving results through the power of affirmations depends on how much time, energy, faith and feelings you invest in your affirmations, on how big or small is your goal, and on how strong is your desire.

By using the power of affirmations you state what you want to be true in your life. You see reality, as you want it to be. For a while, you ignore your current circumstances and your doubts, and concentrate on a different reality.

Positive Affirmations
- I am healthy and happy.

- Wealth is pouring into my life.

- I am flowing on the river of wealth.

- I am getting wealthier each day.

- My body is healthy and functioning in a very good way.

- I have a lot of energy.

- I study and comprehend fast.

- I am getting A's in my exams.

- My mind is calm.

- I am calm and relaxed in every situation.

- My thoughts are under my control.

- I radiate love and happiness.

- I am surrounded by love.

- I have the perfect job for me.

- I am living in the house of my dreams.

- I have good and loving relations with my wife/husband.

- I have a wonderful satisfying job.

- I have the means to travel abroad whenever I want to.

- I am successful in whatever I do.

- Everything is getting better every day. 

Sick Kids= Coffee and Today Show

 Good Morning All! 
I am huddled under a blanket on the couch, and don't tell the hubby but I put the heat on.
It is freezing!
Ok- so maybe not freezing, but I am always cold. So as it is currently 50 degrees I am hiding until the sun warms the day up more.
The kids are still sick, and I can feel their germs crawling into my throat and nose. I wish it was socially acceptable to outwardly cough and sneeze directly into the faces of others, my kids get away with it so why can't I? There'd be a few good people I'd like to sneeze on...
I slept with Trace in his room last night, poor baby was coughing continually and I could tell he was struggling to breathe. I just wanted to stay with him so he knew his mommy was right there if he needed something. All he really needed was to pet my hair and face and fall back to sleep every time he was woken up by a coughing fit.
 Can I be honest for a second? I kind of like my kids when they are sick. Set aside the occasional grumpiness, I can keep up with them more. They are slower, groggier, and actually want to cuddle. Pass me tht sick baby! I will cuddle the crap out of it. 
As I write, Trace is counting blocks in his sick stupor. What would he be doing in his healthiest state? Running rampant through the house demanding I play with him in this room or that. 
I quite enjoy being able to drink my coffee and watch some Today show while my little monster plays quietly next to me. Ahhh...


Loving Life !

I am loving life so much lately. 
I have two sick kiddo's but we are the happiest sickos. 

4 more days until Disneyworld!
Today is Phoenix's birthday!
Wednesday is my 3 year wedding anniversary with Derek!
27th of September will turn me a quarter century old!

Turning Into Butterflies

Myself,  and quite a bit of my friends have been feeling icky lately. I have noticed it within myself for a few months now. I can feel myself changing, evolving. I know all change requires growing pains and I have been going through my own, just as those around me are suffering from their unique situational growing pains too. Change is so hard, and as humans we fight change. Change is most of the time looked at as "bad" or "scary". Newness takes you out of your comfort zone and throws you to the wolves, naked and open to emotions you may not want to release.
I have been releasing old habits and emotions like a faucet left on high for a few weeks now. I have cried more tears lately than I have in years, I feel empty, but in a good way now. Whereas a few weeks ago I felt empty in a terribly lonely and hopeless way. I feel amazing. The release of old habits and baggage has given me a feeling of peace and calmness. Like a caterpillar emerging from a cacoon I feel my wings begining to shake free from my chrysalis and the start to my evolution raining down on me. Change is coming, change is here and I am (like always) welcoming it with the widest of arms and gratitude galore.
A good friend of mine Stephanie Borrelli, who helped me make my vision board, has written a blog entry on transforming ourselves into the butterflies we truly are. She inspires me in so many ways and I would love to share what she has written about the changes my friends and I, and maybe even you have been feeling lately. 


Transforming Ourselves as the Butterflys 
Stephanie Hewes Borrelli
 I was reminded that these flitty little creatures landing in and out of my cache of sweet william flowers in my front yard providing such spiritual inspiration, once began their lives as caterpillars. Destructive little beings, creeping along, eating and doing damage to plants along their paths. Caterpillars are hardly an enlightened seeming creature I once thought. But later, as butterflies, these same creatures provide beauty and joy and assist with the pollination process providing a valuable assist to the plant world they had earlier damaged.
I thought about the changes these destructive little bugs underwent to become the beings of light and inspiration they are, and it led me to a parallel vision of humanity being in that destructive caterpillar stage.
We've been stripping and raping and eating our way through the world, taking what we needed and doing damage to a much greater degree than caterpillars ever could. However, I have a deep respect for life and the higher purpose in all things. I perceive that we are moving into the next stage of our evolution which involves changes as dramatic and life changing in every way as what the caterpillar undergoes during its time within the chrysalis.
In the world of spiritual healing this journey is called ascension and it is happening throughout our lives and our planet, affecting every life form. As humans we are noticing changes in our environment many of which we could blame on our own behavior. There are also changes going on in our bodies, and souls which if we pay attention could cause us some anxiety.
An interesting element of the butterfly's changes is that the chrysalis which supports and protects it during its changes exists right within the body of the caterpillar! First the caterpillar sheds its skin and underneath is the chrysalis... right there waiting to provide a protective shield as it turns into a being and life of beauty, purpose and flight.
Within ourselves and our world is being born our own means of metamorphosis. Looking with spiritual vision, a person can see the new world forming even as the old is breaking down. The new forms which are coming will appear the same... a tree will be a tree, a horse will be a horse and a human will be a human. The differences will be that the body we live in will be built on a higher frequency of energy. We will move out of the stage of the destructive worm and into the stage of light being... filled with purpose, beauty and wholeness. We will be contributing to the well-being of the very world we currently appear to be destroying. When the caterpillar undergoes this metamorphosis, it is a kind of death and rebirth. It is a total surrender to change. The wisdom within the caterpillar understands this process and it knows what to do. I wonder if we as humans do too?
We have the choice to surrender and trust this process in ourselves and our world or to fear and fight it. Either way, we are being changed.
The Butterfly has it down...Do we?

Fall Escapades

With Fall comes the insatiable urge to continually change my hair.
Cut and color done myself, thank you very much :)

Girl time with my best friend & acting like complete goofs.

                                                    
Sushi dates with my husband.


And playing Resident Evil all night.

Fall-ing In Love!!!

Oh boy! 
My favorite season is knocking on my front door! The leaves are falling, the air is crisp and chilly. The trees are shaking in the wake of Summer's passing, while Fall makes her grand entrance.
For me Fall means
Yankee Candle
apple picking
pumpkin carving
warm sweaters
cozy boots
leaf piles
owl hats on each of my kids tiny heads
horror movies gallore
cuddling under blankets 
lazy nights with the fireplace

Batten down the hatches, crank that heat, pull on those adorable leg warmers and don your biggest smile! Time to get snuggly with all of those you love!!!

P.s.
We got a new Himalayan!
I adopted Hannah last night, sadly she has FIV but as long as she is given proper love and care and stays indoors (my cats do anyway) she should live a long and healthy life. Poor baby was about to be euthenized simply because of the fact she had a sickness. Muffin should be safe from contracting it as long as they do not get into a huge fight and Hannah breaks skin. I will admit I am a tiny bit nervous but everything should work out ok. Hannah is spending the next couple of days in the playroom to adjust to life here. I am not sure how I will get the cats to meet and interact peacefully in six days time. We leave for Disney in under a week and I need them to be friends before then. 
Wish me luck!

Happy Birthday Phoenix...

Well, not quite yet but we celebrated early!
It was a small affair but so much fun. Dinner was homemade organic spinach and turkey lasagna with salad. It got to the table cold but everyone seemed to enjoy it. I think I had two bites the entire time, I can't ever just sit and enjoy a party I am hosting.
 The princess and all her glory say in her high chair adorned with balloons. She LOVED all the attention.
 After attempting to use a fork she gave up and decided hands were the better option. Until she knocked the entire bowl onto her lap. She exploded into 7pm bedtime tears and was put to sleep early. That meant the kids and I got to open her gifts! And I could not resist getting Trace and his friend Caeley gifts as well. 
Phoenix earlier in the day looking at all of her "loot"
 Can you tell I was more excited for the toys then anyone else?
 A car! Yeah!!
 Trace and Caeley got bubbles!
 Helping to open the gifts
Trace and his aunt and uncle
 Trace and his uncle playing with glow sticks
   After Fifi had a small nap we decided to dive into the cake, she was so grumpy she wanted nothing to do with it. But I forced her to at least look at it before going back to sleep! 
 We all sang happy birthday while Phoenix cried. 
The kids loved the cake and had so much fun!! I was filled with joy from the tips of my toes to the top of my head. It was a perfect celebration to the first year of my daughters life!
Happy Birthday baby, you are a miracle, my sweet.

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