a glimpse into the ordinary. letters for friday.

A classic friday favorite letter list today.
Simple letters celebrating the beauty
in the little ordinary things
that make life wonderful.

{A glimpse into my life.}

Enjoy.#littlethingsmatter

dear t-shirt at Target,
If I wore tshirts with words on them like this
then I totally would have purchased you.
In fact, I still might go back and buy youbecause I love the wisdom you share.

dear me who will be on a plane heading for Haiti in two weeks,
this will be an adventure for you
but more than that
I know your heart will never be the same
once you return.

dear little boy who wrote on the front steps,
I love you.
Your name made me smile
when I returned from Target.
And I know the day will come when you won't write in chalk
in the simplest places.

dear little boy with the crazy morning hair,
I don't think you could pay someone enough
to style your hair with such creativity.
Your cuteness is overwhelming.

dear rainy and cloudy and see the sun days,
after a week or so of you
I can truly say that I'm longing for the sun to return.
I'm trying to find the joy in the constant gray
but alas, now it's just getting weary.

dear fabulous movie,
that I could have turned around and walked right back into
and watched it again.
I am so thankful I just took time to go with my two older girls
and walk into a theater and to just watch you.

dear little boy who told me he was a scientist,
and because you were a scientist you decided to put a pencil behind your ear.
you are cute, clever, smart, curious,
and always a blessing.

dear front porch,
in the summer
{which might not be coming this year if you look at the weather}
you are my favorite place to write.
and I laugh at the collection of bikes and scooters
that always get left on you.

dear Little Tikes,
I think you might just want to take a picture
of my backyard for your next advertisement.
The end.

dear icecream pails,
this is reason 119 why you are great for a million uses
{according to my fabulous friend Maria}
you are a great wiffle ball holder
and helps me the awesome pitcher have all the balls
{which get broken so quickly} together.

dear sweet daughter of mine,
who is now seventeen
it feels like it was just yesterday
and I held you in my arms
and loved you.
I am so thankful for this journey
and for the gift of being your mother.

And those things? They are my sweet favorite moments from the week.
Little things, little moments, and all gifts.
Life is good.
All pics are from my instagram feed. Find me there at -> finding_joy
Make sure to also connect with me on the Udi's Gluten Free Community Board. :)

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Images and original content are sole property of Rachel Martin and may not be used, copied or transmitted without prior written consent.

adventure is out there! minnesota to pennsylvania and back again. my unexpected journey.

As you may have noticed - my site has been quiet this week. And that level of quiet wasn't planned or intentional. I'm one of those writers that has some articles written and saved, but honestly, this week there wasn't time to pull them out and keep the site going. You see, I was blessed with an adventure that I didn't expect to have - and those moments in life - those split second decision moments in life are sometimes the greatest unexpected gifts.

On Tuesday, my dear life friend Amy (in the pink) and her family were moving to Pennsylvania. I had gone to her home to help with last minute packing and to say goodbye. Tuesday was the day I wrote my post about my grandfather and work - and it was also the day that I ended up starting my unexpected adventure. As I pulled up to their home I immediately started to wonder if they would be able to fit all of their belongings in the uhaul that was rented. By noon, they knew - it wasn't all going to fit.

So on Tuesday at noon I drove to my home, packed a bag with belongings, drove back to their home, and became another driver on their trip to Pittsburgh. All of Tuesday night I drove - staying awake with lots of caffeine and sugar and great conversation with my friend Amy's sons, Seth and Isaac. Through Wisconsin, and passed Chicago at 3:30 in the morning, and into Indiana.

I did nap for 18 minutes at a Truck Stop in Indiana. I knew I couldn't sleep more because I wouldn't be able to stay awake. And we drove - me in a red jeep trekking across the country, paying many many many tolls, following two uhauls, and all the while being blessed to be on this grand adventure in life.

So unexpected, and yet so beautiful.

Life can surprise us at times. And for those times I am grateful.

We arrived at her home in Pittsburgh, her home that I wasn't going to get to see for months, and I realized just how enormous a gift this truly was - it made the unfamiliar familiar. I helped unpack, after I woke up from sleeping on their couch after the found me nodding to sleep while sitting on their hardwood floors, met her new neighbors, and then late at night was blessed with a trip to the top of Mount Washington to see the extraordinary sight of Pittsburgh at night.

I stood on that look out with a heart filled with gratitude for the gift of these moments in the course of a day. On Sunday, if someone had told me I'd be standing on the overlook at Mount Washington in Pittsburgh I wouldn't have believed it. And yet, there I was, there.

It was a gift.

Life is so interesting. I had notes about posts to write, and a list of things to do around my home, and yet I found myself half way across the country following a uhaul (whose words on the back are now etched in my brain), chatting with the sons of my friend, and helping a friend out in need. It was a gift to help. In fact, that trip will be one of those moments that I look back at in my life and I think about how blessed I was that I said yes, had the space and time to go, and just did it.

Last night I flew from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia and back over Pittsburgh on the way to Minneapolis. As the plane soared through the air my heart was full. Blessed, grateful, amazed (I think I pinched myself several times and asked myself multiple times if I really just did that) and ultimately thankful for that unexpected gift. And that is the reason that this site has been quiet for a bit.

I hope your week has been wonderful and full of simple moments of joy tucked in the fabric of the day.

As I told Amy last week - Onward brave mother. Onward.

Life is full of brave moments. Some huge like driving across the country and flying back in 48 hours and others, which are so incredibly beautiful, like getting up in the morning, loving on your kids, pulling up your bootstraps, wiping those faces, and keeping on going with the every day normal. Sometimes it is in being a bit silly and taking crazy pictures, or following a uhaul for 21 hours or those times when you just sit on your couch reading stories. Life is a mix - good, normal, extraordinary, beautiful, hard - and unexpected.

Little things matter. Life is good.

Onward!

How about you? What are some of your favorite little things matter moments from the week?

And, if you're interested - most of these pictures came from my instagram feed --> finding_joy

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Images and original content are sole property of Rachel Martin and may not be used, copied or transmitted without prior written consent.

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For those of you who blog, I've added the Friday Favorite Things link up below. And for those of you who don't - this is a great way to check out other sites. :)Please feel free to share your favorite post from the week. Thanks!

95 Things to do with Kids Under Five

Have toddlers? A preschooler or two? And are you looking for simple things to do?

Today I'm listing some favorite activities to do with those kids under five. Those days when you have little ones in your home are certainly some of the most busy years but also some of the sweetest years as they have an exuberance and joy about them.

All the pictures are from my instagram feed - find me there at finding_joy. :)

1. Blow bubbles.

2. Invest in a good go-to book of ideas. I love the series Five in a Row. Highly recommended.

3. Crayons and paper.

4. Markers and paper for those of you who love to live a bit boldly.

5. Paint and paper for those of you ready to practically ready to bungee jump through the day.

6. Let them help you bake. 

7. Teach them to crack an egg. Expect a mess, but a joy filled preschooler.

8. Teach them how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

9. Make hopscotch in your kitchen.

10. Go for a walk.

11. Chase shadows.

12. Go for a walk, chase shadows, blow bubbles, and have a race.

13. Go on a nature hunt.

14. Work on reading. I totally recommend and LOVE All About Reading. {affiliate link}

15. Work on reading and painting.

16. Teach the letters of the alphabet.

17. Work on writing the letters of the alphabet.

18. Make a treasure hunt.

19. Institute nap time. Or at least rest time.

20. Have a friend come over.

21. Read books.

22. Read more books.

23. Have them "read" the books to you back.

24. Act out the books.

25. Go swinging.

26. Rest in the grass, on a non-rainy day, and look at the clouds.

27. Listen to music.

28. Dance in your living room.

29. Listen to their stories.

30. Let them pick out lunch. 

31. Take them to the bookstore.

32. Take them to the library.

33. Sort through your toys.

34. Play with blocks.

35. Make patterns with the matchbox cars.

36. Practice counting. Use simple things.

37. Practice adding. It's just like counting, just make them add the two groups together.

38. Let them wash dishes in the sink.

39. Let them help fold towels.

40. Take them for a drive.

41. Take them for a drive while you go to get coffee.

42. Take them for a drive while you go to get coffee and let them get a kid's temp cocoa or apple juice.

43. Go to the garden center.

44. Let them push the cart when you shop.

45. Play dress up.

46. Let them use glue. And if you're bold get out the glitter.

47. If you use glitter have them shake it in a pan so the glitter doesn't get everywhere.

48. Do simple science experiments with them.

49. Plant a garden.

50. Talk about the seasons.

51. Trace their hands and write down things they say in them.

52. Watch a movie. Media is okay. Freedom. 

53. Fill a bird feeder.

54. Get a bird feeder kit and make a bird feeder.

55. Run, or at least let them run.

56. Have a no smiling contest.

57. Teach them to fold socks.

58. Teach them how to put away the silverware. No sharp knives, of course.

59. Take funny pictures with them.

60. Take funny videos. 

61. Make maps.

62. Learn about clouds.

63. Make model clouds.

64. Play legos.

65. Tell a story with legos.
66. Let them help you dust.
67. Teach them how to say I love you in different languages.

68. Look for red (choose any color) things in your home.
69. Play catch.
70. Tape their name on paper and have them color around it.

71. Pick flowers. 

72. Pick flowers and give some to your neighbors.

73. If you can't pick them, go to Trader Joe's and buy some for $3.99. {love that store}

74. Count to 100.
75. Teach counting by twos.
76. Let them help you wash the walls.
77. Teach them to tie their shoes.
78. Teach them how to set the table.
79. Make a fort.
80. Let them play with flashlights.

81. Make shadow puppets on the wall.
82. Bring a stack of books in the living room and read them all.
83. Let them take a bubble bath.
84. Go to Target {if you're feeling brave}.
85. Play with chalk outside.
86. Draw chalk roads and a town for them to play in.
87. Play hide and seek.
88. Let them play with the pots and pans and measuring cups.
89. Play Memory.

90. Act out different animals.
91. Get out the playdough.{which for us is gluten free}
92. Have them tell you their favorite things.
93. Hold them.
94. Simply sit and watch them. They grow.

95. Give yourself a gold star. Kids under five take work. :)

What activities would you add?

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little things matter. the ripple effect moments in life.

My friend Amy shared a story with me about the impact that we leave with others. It was a raw story, filled with emotion, about how the effect of our words and actions leaves a ripple effect in the lives of others. It was about a moment in time that won't be forgotten and about the effect actions a stranger had on her life. One encounter, and yet, a life of remembering it.

So often I race through life unaware of the ripple that I'm leaving. I'm short at the store. I respond to my kids with annoyance. I scowl as I drive down the road late. I ignore holding the door because I'm focused on my own agenda. I complain about all that isn't going well and miss seeing the good.

Ripple effects.

Deep down, I don't want to leave a trail of negativity. In fact, I write so much about joy and seeking it and actively finding it because in that is a posture of the heart that embraces the positive. This world is full of negative - from the news, to sickness, to financial situations, to relationships - that there needs to be an effort to live more positive. Awake, in a way. It's this recognizing of the fact that we're not in this world for ourselves. As soon as we begin to look at this world through the lens of just me then we lose the reality of the impact we have on the lives of others.

What if we held that door for that woman racing into Target? What if we smiled more when we paid for our coffee? What if we got to know the names of the baristas at Starbucks? What if we paid for the coffee for the person behind us? What if we helped bag someone's groceries who was trying to deal with a two year old? What if we intentionally said something kind to those we meet? What if our words were tempered with grace instead of cynicism? What if we instead of life focusing just on me it's more on we?

Little things matter.

There's a reason I write about the little things - it's because those little things are really the big things in life. They are often the start of the ripple. It's powerful when we become aware of the little things and begin to appreciate them with deserved appreciation. Those little things are the normal things - the moments in life that we overlook so often, but that truly does matter.

My challenge to you today? To look for the positive, the good in life, and to be a person that changes lives. Maybe it's in the little things - the simple smiles and sweet words - or maybe it's in a big dramatic way. You have the power, the choice, today to make a difference. I believe in you.

It can be in doing life and reading an extra book. It can be in giving our kids the benefit of the doubt. It can be thinking of the good in people first. It can be in simply being a person who listens. Those things matter - it's the power in the moment when you choose to look beyond just you and see the world full of people where so many just need a breath of grace or joy or I believe in you.



Look for the positive. You and I and the next person are truly blessed with each day that we are given to live. We're blessed with normal. We just need to remember it. Remembering that will set our minds - it will set the target. If our target is to be a generation of people that gives others grace and looks to the good then we are truly powerful. We'll have days where we mess up, oh my, I've got plenty. You can read my archives about failing, and when I forgot to say yes, and on and on and on. But, you can also know that my heart is about believing in people, believing in you, and empowering you and me to know that what we do every single day matters.

In a world of so much harshness it needs more good.

Make a choice today. Look for the good. Be positive. Give yourself grace.

It starts with you and me and then next person and the next.

Ripple.

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Images and original content are sole property of Rachel Martin and may not be used, copied or transmitted without prior written consent.

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for those of you interested in linking your friday favorite things post simply add your link below. This is week 110 of simple intentional finding joy in the little things gratitude. Blessings!

little moments shared

You all know how much I love instagram for it's ability to capture the little things, the little moments, in life. To me, it's like the paper scrapbooking of years passed (and yes, I did that, and yes, I still have many many many to do), yet digital and a bit raw. This week, I'm sharing some of my favorite instagram moments with you. My Friday Favorites is like a gratitude journal of moments and memories - they remind me to see the little things in life and to be grateful. Find joy.
To find me on instagram click-->  finding joy

Here are my favorite instagram little moments:

a pile of snowballs

inspired by the movie Elf

made by my Caleb

on April 11

after seven inches of snow.

{which wasn't a favorite thing}

shoveling

that seven inches of not so favorite snow

and that I've decided that next time

I will simply let it melt.

But, it's still a favorite thing

as the kids enjoyed playing in the snow.

{and shhhh...I had packed all the winter gear away.}

coffee

on a Sunday

when I sit and write and write and write

working on my ebook

and my physical book

{more info on that coming}

and drink a caramel macchiato and then some tea.

coffee and painting

exactly what a mom needs

when you pull out the non watercolor

and very very very messy paints

and let your three year old have free reign.

That being said

he painted for an hour

and the paints were washable.

joy of painting

captured in the face

of sweet three year old Samuel

his focus, his joy

makes me so thankful that I purchased those paints

and paper and paper towels at Target.

rebel socks

well, not really, but on a snow day

this was my form of rebellion

to wear orange bicycle print socks

underneath my black riding boots.

hee hee hee.

silly pictures with five year olds

are an absolute must do

take those silly pictures with your kids.

In this one, Elijah decided that we needed to look like

we were popping up out of the popcorn bowl.

His face is priceless to me.

my continued mission
to get Starbucks to carry
fabulous
Udi's Gluten Free Products
in their stores.
Remember this instagram?
Yes, this. I need those snickerdoodles with my latte.
And join me on the Udi's Gluten Free Community  to chat
about gluten free living and that it's fabulous.

oh yes and this picture

{not an instagram}

Grace

as today is her 12th birthday

{where did time go???}

so to her, I wish her the most beautiful birthday

and want to let you all know how proud I am to be her mother

I love her spunk, zest for life, and love for her family.

Happy Birthday, sweet Grace. :)

How about you? What are some of your favorite moments from the week? Take some time, write them down, tell a friend, sit back and reflect, and see the gifts tucked within your week. Gratitude matters. Little moments matter.

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If you blog and would like to join Friday Favorite Things simply grab the button and add your link below. This is intentional focused loving the little things gratitude. We're on week 109.


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stopping to see the favorite things

Today I'm sharing with you a very classic favorite things post. It's a simple celebration of the little things - those moments in life that we're blessed to experience. Often life races by so fast that we miss seeing them - I know I do - so today can be a time where we deliberately look at our lives and see the little, and very beautiful, things. ~Rachel

Here are my favorite things.
(shared from my instagram feed. find me there -> finding_joy)

family bonds
this picture is a total
melt your momma heart moment
I love the bond between my boys.

bring out the glitter
and the glue
and the arts and crafts
earlier this week I became as my kids said
the best mom ever
when I relented and let them play with the craft stuff.

dear friends
this is me with my dear friends
Jenn from Daze of Adventure
and
Jimmie from JimmiesCollage
So blessed to be spend time with them.

build your own dinosaur kit
that I finally let Brennan build
after days and days and days
of asking to build it.
And, moms, it wasn't that bad.
Was it a mess? Yes.
But it was so worth it.

movie screening at costco
or at least
let's watch a bit of the Avengers on the big screen at Costco
which has become a favorite thing for my boys.
I try to stop and let them just watch - just for a bit.

this airport
Chicago O'Hare
which I flew through on my way to Atlanta yesterday
I love the architecture and the energy here.
And today, today I'm speaking at the Real Refreshment Retreats
on why being a mom matters.
I'm so blessed for the moments to share my heart.

me and the boy
on our way to the dentist in the morning
on a cold day in March
{when it should be warm}
He was so brave and I was so proud.
Motherhood is full of these sweet moments of growing up.

angry birds
this little angry birds set
is my Elijah's favorite
{and I mean favorite}
thing to play with every single day.
Well worth every penny.Here's the link to Amazon because we love it so much{and please note this is an affiliate link - please see disclosure policy for full details}
Angry Birds: Birds in Space Game

starbucks
after a visit to the dentist
for my sweet Caleb boy
these are moments that I love to savor
and guard and cherish
Find them.Take the time.They are worth it.

Want to join in on the Friday Favorite Things? This is week 107 of intentional gratitude. Simply share your favorite things from the week below, or write your own post -grab the button and add your link. Gratitude is contagious, it's a blessing, and a needed thing. It's a loving the little things life.


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