Cause to Celebrate

I stroll in the yard,
dry as an arid desert.
Drought drains most of life,
but they persevere, soaking
up occasional showers
.

Follow their guidance,
no surrendering,
joy imparts effortlessly.
Even through difficulties
cause to celebrate sweeps in.


So much is happening in the world to feed anxiety. But there is also cause to feel the joy that nature offers and to learn from her messages. And the desire to celebrate always sweeps its way into our lives to help keep our minds balanced in order to move forward.
For my husband and I, today we celebrate our beautiful daughter’s 30th birthday. 💞
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend, and one filled with joy and Cause to Celebrate!

Lauren Scott (c) ❤️💜❤️

Happy 10th Birthday, Copper!! 🎈🎈🎈🎈

Our furry family member turns 10 today! He’s a big baby and he still thinks he’s a lap dog even though he weighs about 78 lbs. If we sit on the floor, he’ll back his butt into the circle of our legs and park himself. “Oh, Copper. You filled a void when we adopted you eight years ago, welcoming you into our family. And in turn, you give us unconditional love and kisses, and let us rub your belly as often as we want. Look how generous you are! You continue to melt our hearts with your golden eyes and make us smile with your funny faces. We love you!!

Happy Birthday, Copper Boy!
🎈🎉🎇🎊🎼

The 3-Day Quote Challenge #3

Welcome to the 3rd and final day of my 3-Day Quote Challenge, which I was happy to have been nominated by Annika at annikaperry.com. Thanks again, Annika! This has been fun, but it’s also lead me to some great new quotes. Please visit Annika’s blog if you haven’t already. She’s a fabulous writer of fiction – an amazing story teller!

To the challenge…The rules are as follows:

Thank the person who nominated you.
Post a quote on 3 consecutive days.
Share why this quote appeals so much to you.
Nominate 3 different bloggers for each day.

I found my quote online, which ties into this very special day, my son’s 23rd birthday…

birthday quote

Our son came into our world on 5/9/95, at 3:38 pm. We had our little girl so were elated to have a son. Before our children were born, though, we chose not to learn the gender. We loved the element of surprise and would simply be thrilled with healthy babies. With these thoughts going in, I experienced the same “high” I felt after giving birth to my daughter – a wonderful feeling unlike no other.

As to my son’s purpose, he’ll be graduating from college next month and is still working on his path in life. Many have been blessed to have realized their purpose, and for others, the search continues. This is perfectly okay because there is no time limit, although remember to enjoy the journey, also! 

Regarding birthdays, some choose to skip theirs for fear of aging. This is one aspect of life out of our control, so as I conveyed in my prior post, let’s live life to its fullest and celebrate our special days. Each birthday is another year of life, and getting to blow out candles on a festive birthday cake is not a guarantee. It’s a privilege that many people don’t experience because their lives end sooner than expected.

So, I wish my son a very Happy 23rd Birthday and am so proud of the young man he’s become. I love him and my daughter to the moon and back! And his family is beyond excited to see where his path leads him post graduation.

michael in tokyo 2017
(Photo taken in Tokyo 2017)

I hope you are inspired now to celebrate your special days, to not worry about aging, but instead, to enjoy the possibilities and gifts that each day brings…and if you haven’t figured out your purpose, yet, then keep searching…You may learn something wonderful about yourself along the way…

I’ll leave it up to anyone who would like to take on this quote challenge, instead of nominating individuals. Hope you enjoyed! Lauren ❤

 

 

 

 

 

The 3-Day Quote Challenge #2

group photos 3
Welcome to the 2nd day of my 3-Day Quote Challenge, which I’m happy to be nominated by Annika at annikaperry.com. Thanks so much, Annika! 

To the challenge…The rules are as follows:

Thank the person who nominated you.
Post a quote on 3 consecutive days.
Share why this quote appeals so much to you.
Nominate 3 different bloggers for each day.

Following the events at our house this past Saturday provided inspiration for my second quote:

“Life isn’t meant to be lived perfectly…but merely to be LIVED. Boldly, wildly, beautifully, uncertainly, imperfectly, magically LIVED.” ~ Mandy Hale, The Single Woman: Life, Love, and a Dash of Sass

This quote is relevant because it ties into our celebration of my father-in-law’s 95th Birthday this past weekend. He is truly a man who has LIVED his life and still does!  He’s found love twice in a lifetime, outliving two wives (30-year marriage first then 25-year marriage), has been healthy and active in league bowling and bocce ball. He’s found great satisfaction from delivering meals on wheels, has been a member of SIRS for 30 years, has been an avid walker, and has enjoyed traveling. Not to mention, he’s been active in his church since 1967. He’s also been passionate about classical music and light opera. He loves to socialize and everyone loves him! We finally managed a group photo (above), but only after many guests had already left. 

cake time (1)

So, it’s quite apparent he’s lived life magically, and may we all do the same!

Instead of nominating individuals, I’ll leave it up to anyone who would like to take on this challenge. 🙂

 

 

Scene Change, Full House, and Balloons!

Sunny California is finally sunny again with warmer temps on their way. Our son flew home on Saturday, following the end of his political science internship in DC. He wanted to be home for my birthday (Sunday), and what better gift than to have both of my children home. My excitement to see him couldn’t be put into words. Then to have the four of us together again was awesome! And the awesomeness continues for the week before he returns to college for his final quarter. Yes, then graduation in June. More celebrating! 🎉
The picture below was taken on the speaker’s balcony of the capitol.

michael on the speaker's balcony of the capitol 2018

My heart was full from all the birthday wishes from family and friends, but this year, 
I wanted a celebration with just my husband and children. It was a great family day with lots of surprises and carrot cake (my fave) to top of the day. I made my wish, so we shall see. I’m also not shy about sharing my age. I’m simply grateful to be alive to celebrate each new year.

IMG_2581                   

 

IMG_2611
Thirty-nine again!

 

 

And with the seasons changing, I wrote a sequel to my previous poem and post,
A Cup of Spring. 

Image result for spring flowers

Scene Change

Mr. Winter bows as the
curtain gently falls
His mood is melancholy
yet, he understands

Miss Spring adjusts her
petals, poised with grace,
for the welcoming applause
Hats off to her glow and
the warmth she evokes

 

I hope you’re applauding Miss Spring’s arrival, too, and I’ll end with some wise
words that you’ve probably heard before…

Life is full of give and take. Give thanks, and take nothing for granted. ❤ 🌻 🌼 ❤

Lauren Scott © 2018
Daffodil Photo: Google

 

Happy 7th Birthday to Our Forever Puppy!!

 

Copper in Autumn by Steph 2016

Copper by Michael 2

Happy 7th Birthday, Copper!!

I remember where you lived
as we walked to the door,
a little cramped for three
dogs on one tiny floor

But after a ten-minute walk
we took you to our car,
you jumped in the back
and it was only the start

You couldn’t see how
your life was changing
We had no idea just how
much we’d be gaining

I wonder where you’d be
if we hadn’t seen that site
Nothing matters now, though,
because everything is right

Lauren Scott 9.27.17
Adoption date: 3.27.12 ❤️
Photo credit to my Son & Daughter

 

More than a Party

bday candles

Let’s hang the streamers
a rainbow of colors
then dress the tables
and add some flowers

Get the cake ready
for sweet, sweet frosting
and top it with candles
with everyone watching

What a day to remember
of wishes and laughter
yet many want the hands
of time to move faster

It’s the aging of souls
another turning of a page
focusing only on gray
they’d rather disengage

Each day, though, is but a gift
unlike “store bought” with dollars
Tomorrow makes no promise
for any of its followers

Let’s not take for granted
another chance to make a wish
Celebrate another year of life
and be happy we exist

Lauren Scott © 2014

Happy Birthday to my Hubby,
who is very grateful for another year
and his family is very grateful for him!
♥ ♥ ♥

Happy 94th Birthday, Dad! ♥

Happy 94th Birthday, Dad

I’m honoring my Dad’s 94th Birthday today! 

At this “youthful” stage in his life, he still drives, enjoys reading my blog,
has a facebook now, meets a good friend for lunch often, remains active
in his church and is still going strong!
Someday, I’ll ask him again what the secret to a long life is…

Dad, I’m sending you a Blitz Torte (your favorite), but this time,
I didn’t make it myself.
You know I’m a great baker,
but this cake is not my specialty, it was Mom’s.
I was afraid mine would look like the California Earthquake cake again! 🙂
Remember that? I think Mom really enjoyed my attempt and had a good laugh! 

blitz torte for dad oct 14 2013

There are no new words to say,
only those that have been repeated over the years…

Thank you for all you’ve done for your three daughters
and for all of their families. Your kindness and Love
doesn’t go unnoticed. Thank you for being our Pillar
and for being Mom’s true love.

WE LOVE YOU AND WISH YOU A HAPPY 94TH!

xoxo

LScott © 2013

Cake photo credit:
Google Images