What's It Going to Take?

I came across this post online and thought it was extremely powerful. We say all the time "What's it going to take?... to get up early...to make that first step...to quit your job... but do we ever say... What's it going to take to be incredibly joyful?" We should live life as urgently to just be happy and love unconditionally as we do everything else.

I think it's worth a read. Enjoy.

What’s it going to take? From http://tinyurl.com/235zq25

We usually use that phrase in dire circumstances. What’s it going to take for you to wake up? What’s it going to take for me to quit? What’s it going to take for them to realize?

But life is an urgent circumstance, really, when you think about it.
Birth…miraculous. Survival…miraculous.
Death…inevitable. Suffering…optional. Life…urgent.

I wonder what my days would be like if I approached my happiness with more urgency and insistence (like I do deadlines and should-do’s.) I’ve GOT to meet my dancing quota! Come hell or high water, I WILL get a facial and lay in the sun! Wild horses couldn’t keep me from lunch with my girlfriends! Most important deadlines: to meander, to laugh until I snortle by noon every day, to see the first Robin bird of spring before the week is over.

So, in the spirit of urgent vitality, and not knowing when death may strike, and being acutely bored of my same old pattern of complaints, I’m asking myself, lovingly but firmly: LaPorte, what’s it going to take for you to be incredibly joyful? What’s it going to take for you to make an evolutionary leap as an artist, lover, mother, friend, human? What’s it going to take to get you to walk to the lake that’s four minutes from your house? What’s it going to take to get you on the dance floor? You want to eat life whole? To know God? To radiate pure love? What’s it going to take?

Now I want to cry. I think this exercise is backfiring. Because…I think it’s going to take everything I’ve got. Deep breath. Pause. I still want what I want. Softening.

And now I’m smiling. Because, hey! I’ve got so much to give.
I’ve…got what it takes. Most true desires come with capacity.

xo
Danielle

Pumpkin Picking

Yes...I am SO far behind in blogging. But the good news is the second trimester has been feeling great so hopefully more updates are in order!! Here are a few photos from picking pumpkins. After Nichole and I made paper-mache bones for decorations (unfortunately no photos) and Sean decorated the house (again...unfortunately no photos) we went to Schaeffer Farm in Germantown and picked ourselves some pumpkins. It was such a great time. My tiny pumpkin was my favorite. Apparently it was Jack's favorite too because he ate the entire thing when I brought it home! My favorite photo is Sean showing off his juggling skills. Yes honey...you are so talented!! Hope every had a great Halloween and is enjoying the fall season!

Baby DeFrehn

It is our greatest joy to let everyone finally know that Baby DeFrehn is indeed on the way. The past few months have been difficult to not jump for joy (and or hide the growing bump), but we are finally heading into the second trimester and are excited to announce to the world that Baby DeFrehn will be making its entrance in May. Thanks to everyone who has helped us get through the first few months and especially to my husband who has picked up the cooking, cleaning, dog walking and continuous "Hunny...look how big I am getting!" The next few months are guaranteed to be fun and we couldn't feel more blessed.

Brody...Our Surfer

When people heard we were getting a lab back in January, we were given an onslaught of warnings.

"He'll destroy your kitchen table!"

"Get ready to replace at least $1000 in stuff"

"He'll eat you out of house and home."

and most memorably... "He'll be a counter surfer."

Jack is now pushing 90 pounds and is 30 inches at the shoulder. He is a horse! His nose easily peers over the dining room table and he could easily reach over the counter.

Now when Sean called me the other day to tell me a dog had pulled a chicken off the counter I would have assumed it was the counter surfer...finally surfing, but NO!

It was this guy...

Our Brodster...the 15 pound, no more than 10 inches at the shoulder Cairn terrier!

While the chicken was a lost cause...Brody was more than proud of himself...and we might add we were kind of proud of him too.

The Nation's Tri!

Today Sean completed his first Triathlon for the Nation's Tri! He did great! This had been a plan since last October so it was exciting to see him Patrick and Brandon finish! It was a super rainy day (are we surprised?) but it was fun to see them finish! Congratulations guys!!

Meet Bordeaux Quaker DeFrehn AKA Brody

Sometimes in life you don't find the things you need... they find you.

Since Abby passed, we knew that the best way to honor her life was to open our hearts to another dog. As good as that sounded, we didn't think it would be possible. I told Sean pretty soon after Abby died that I never wanted to go find another dog and that it would have to just walk onto our porch. Well when I inquired about a 7 month old Cairn, never did I imagine that two hours later it would be on my doorstep and its foster mom wouldn't be taking it home. Brody is much more than we could have asked for. Of course he is not Abby, but he is a carefree, and cuddly puppy who needed us just as much as we needed him. Welcome to the family Brody!

Things are Growing!

So while I have been busy inside editing pictures and getting no sun at all... Sean has become a farmer. Yes...on our itty bitty little spot of Gaitherburg, Sean is creating a very unconventional farm. Ok, well maybe the farm part is a stretch...That is left up to Farmer Jeff (He farms from China), but Sean has made our yard look amazing and has had some veggies to show for it. These were our first peas of the season and went well with Trader Joes lemon pepper pasta, mushrooms and homemade alfredo sauce! Yum!!