Rachael Lever is the mother of four and stays home so she'll have plenty to write about. She has always dreamed of that elusive moment of perfect parenting. Come join the quest to find it.

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Pumpkin cake recipe: too good to be healthy

Happiness Tip #8: Enjoy the little things

Thanksgiving meditations: Children

Fall projects for kids: maple seeds

Santa's Elves at Gardner Village

Food for Healthy Families

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19 Ways to Happiness

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19 Ways to Happiness, Tip #1

3 comments

October 4, 8:34 AM

by Rachael Lever, Salt Lake City Parenting Examiner

So, yesterday the kids weren't perfect, if you can believe it. They whined everytime I asked them to do anything. They fought with each other. They cried a lot, and seemed to fall down an unusually large amount of times. The two-year old, who is getting potty trained, didn't do that great. All in all, I was glad when the day was over, and they were all finally asleep. As I sat exhausted on the couch, wondering how I could possibly make it through another day, I remembered this list I'd found in a magazine, oh so many years ago. I don't remember what magazine, but I was impressed enough to write the list down and keep it all these years.

So for your excitement and pleasure (and hopefully your path to happiness) we now have our first installment of "19 Ways to Happiness".

Tip #1: Smile

Yep, that's it, just smile. Fake it til you make it. I've heard about this in a few different places, but the idea is to plaster that smile on your face, and keep it there until you feel like it belongs. I know you think this sounds crazy, but it really works. Not only does it make you feel better than that perpetual frown you've acquired since having kids, but it makes everybody else feel better too. People see you smiling, and they smile back. Then you smile a little bigger, and your happiness becomes a little more genuine. Your kids see you smiling, and they get that happy little feeling in their tummy that you get when you feel approved of. And isn't there a t-shirt somewhere that says "Smile, it will make people wonder what you're up to". So true, so true.

So start increasing your happiness today. Smile, and the world smiles with you, or something like that.

Topics: happiness , smiling

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Pumpkin cake recipe: too good to be healthy

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November 22, 10:41 AM

If you are looking for something a little healthier, but still completely delicious this Thanksgiving, you are in luck. I have found the most (seriously) the most delicious chocolate cake recipe I have tried in years, and it is healthy, easy to make,... Read More
Topics: holidays , recipes , health , Food for Healthy Families , Thanksgiving , desserts

Happiness Tip #8: Enjoy the little things

1 comment

November 21, 8:29 AM

Fill your life with little things you love to do.This tip goes right along with the last one, engage your skills, but is maybe a little easier to do regularly. It feels more managable to take a break for five minutes and dance wildly in the livingroom... Read More
Topics: kids , chores , happiness , habits , quotes

Thanksgiving meditations: Children

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November 20, 8:59 AM

I am thankful for children. Novemeber 20 is Universal Children's Day, not to be confused with Children's Day in India, or National Children's Day. You may not know much about this day (I didn't), so here is some background."The UN Convention on... Read More
Topics: kids , happiness , holidays , love , parenting , children

Fall projects for kids: maple seeds

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November 19, 7:58 AM

Just in case your kids are getting tired of turkey crafts, and thankskiving themed activities, here is a fun fall science project that you can do in less than ten minutes.Project: Why do maple seeds look like little helicopters?Materials:2 same... Read More
Topics: kids , parenting , children , crafts , nature , science

Santa's Elves at Gardner Village

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November 18, 12:29 PM

If you've been wondering when, waiting for, hoping, and longing for the Gardner Village elves, your agony is just about over. They will arrive, for your viewing enjoyment (please don't touch) this very week.SANTA'S ELVES ARRIVENov 20, 2008 Thru Dec 31,... Read More
Topics: holidays , local events

Homemade bread recipe

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November 17, 8:23 AM

November 17, 2008 is Homemade Bread Day. Who knew? What a great thing to celebrate.Homemade bread is the be all end all of good smells. If I were house hunting, and I smelled bread baking, I'd probably buy the house right then and there.The great... Read More
Topics: kids , happiness , recipes , health , parenting , Food for Healthy Families , children , bread

Bean Enchilada recipe

2 comments

November 15, 9:38 PM

Sometime this holiday season, you might just get tired of turkey and ham. If that happens, here is a delicious, healthy recipe for Bean Enchiladas, including homemade sauce, oh so good. And the kids like it too.Bean Enchiladas2 large cans of beans... Read More
Topics: kids , holidays , recipes , health , Food for Healthy Families , frugal living

Happiness tip #7: Do something to engage your skills

2 comments

November 14, 9:34 PM

Be happy! Do what you're good at! Don't tell me that you don't feel awesome about yourself when you are in the middle of doing something that you totally rock at and you know you do, and everybody else does too.Do something to engage... Read More
Topics: happiness , habits , parenting , teaching by example , children