Thursday on our radio show we talked about the importance of laughter. I have always had a pretty warped sense of humor...always. In fact, I pretty much can't repeat most of what I think is truly hilarious. I try not to take myself too seriously, or others really, because life is just too freaking short for that. If we can't laugh about life, laugh in the face of adversity, laugh at ourselves, well, then I think that we are missing out on a whole lot of living!

Here are some random things that make me happy and help bring perspective to my life:

Because mud is meant to be played in...these two BFF's demonstrate what older women now call "Mud Spa Treatments"...hey ladies, it's cheaper to play in the mud in your own back yard!

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Did you know that in the 50's women used to put these feather wigs on after a dip in the pool? I didn't either until Em and I discovered it while organizing my Grandma's closet. She's got some treasures in there, for sure.
And, this wig was one of those treasures. Who knew my Grandma had a wig?! Em and I had fun trying it on and playing dress up in my Grandma's things.

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We were changing out the mantle piece recently and I wanted to see what this masterpiece looked like on display...gives a whole new meaning to 'still life' and 'portrait', huh?

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Noah's first movie (and only I guess) was "Nacho Libre". I took him to the theatre and nursed him while I cracked up at Jack Black in stretchy pants. It is now our family movie. Reading "Junie B. Jones" is fun to do with Emily, too. Though, for me, I find myself grammatically correcting every other sentence, but it still has the same effect. We were even crying once reading a "Junie B. Jones" book. I read stories to Emily in "Nacho Libre accent" until she complains and then I stop. I think it's important as a parent to model mature behavior balanced with healthy "immature" behavior. Plus, laughing with Emily has got to be one of the greatest things in the entire world
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The one thing I bought from our trip to Mexico last year...not a quality piece of pottery, leather goods, or even .925 jewelry, but a Gen U INE Nacho mask.

Not initially, but gradually I was able to laugh even while Noah was in the hospital. I felt guilty at first for even cracking a smile or allowing my thoughts or heart to be anywhere other than centered on saving my son. Let's face it, there's nothing funny about a child dying and "modern medicine" not having answers in the midst of illness. No matter how many clowns or stuffed animals they have at a children's hospital, it's not funny. There's nothing hilarious about not being able to save your own kid...it's tragic and that part sucks. Don't get me wrong, in bringing up laughter it is not my intention to disrespect serious issues, life is decidedly serious, but if God Himself said that laughter is good medicine, then I think we could all use a dose...and some of you might just need a double...especially you! Ha ha ha!

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Contest:

Here's a pic of Em looking for her favorite monkey in the wash. The funniest caption wins a pair of handmade pearl earrings. Send in your captions by 7/20 at midnight and I'll announce the winner and post your caption by 7/21.

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I think laughter has to start with ourselves, not only laughing at the stupid things we do but even at our own jokes. I laugh at my own jokes. Not because they are necessarily funny but because if I don't laugh at them, it's quite possible no one else will. If we can't laugh at ourselves I believe it is because we are trying to portray an image of perfection to those around us. If we could just lighten up a little and realize there is no such thing as perfection then I think life would be just a little sweeter.
In an effort to commemorate the life of a beautiful woman who died the same day as MJ, I feathered my hair for a week. Let's face it, feathering my hair for a week like Farrah Fawcett was easier than getting plastic surgery or wearing strange leather outfits and a glitter glove.

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As I was doing 'research' for our show on laughter (really rough having to look up funny videos on YouTube and read jokes on emails from people) a video came to my memory that really reveals my weird sense of humor, even in my family's darkest hour. I haven't shared this with very many people, mostly because I thought they might think I was weird, but since, one, I am weird, and two, I don't care what anyone thinks, I'm posting it today. This is how I kept 'sane' in the hospital with my sweetie boy. I hope that all of these random things will simply be an inspiration to you to enjoy this life, one day at a time, even through the hard times, and to remind us all to make time to laugh. It's a gift from God that He knew we'd need this side of Heaven...