The other day….I almost had a bad day.
Almost.
I was this close.
I had flat-ironed my hair in the wrong direction and someone knocked the giant chalkboard off the wall and it broke and then the sprayer nozzle on the sink fell apart and an entire colony of ladybugs scaled the dining room ceiling.
Everywhere I went….I opened my mouth…..
….and inserted my foot.
*sigh*
I wanted to crawl back into bed and pull the covers over my randomly flat-ironed hair…..
…..and start over.
And at the end of the day as I stood in the laundry room folding towels….frowning….looking at my half-empty-glass-of-a-day….
….I heard singing.
Seriously?
Singing.
Enough already.
I promptly marched down the hallway with an attitude and a load of towels and an immediate cease-and-desist order.
But when I reached the doorway….I paused.
I stood still as the music danced around me.
There sat my husband…..playing the guitar….strumming and singing to two little golden-haired twins perched at his feet and staring up at him with bright blue eyes full of wonder.
Never missing a note.
I didn’t go into the room.
I couldn’t.
My eyes were filled with tears…..
….and my heart was overflowing with thankfulness.
Thankful that I had hair to flat-iron.
Thankful that there was water and a sink and a faucet and a sprayer and a kitchen and a farmhouse.
Thankful that the ladybugs only scale the dining room ceiling once a year.
And thankful beyond measure…..that two tiny princesses…..
….know what it is like…..to be treated like a queen. 🙂
Beautiful post! Thank you for sharing!
You are beautiful!!!
So many times you've made me laugh. Tears are here tonight. Such a beautiful person you are.
That song always makes me cry. I love it, but it always hits me really hard.
Beautiful . I'm passing this on to my sisters and friends. Thanks. Mimi
Happy tears are flowing...hugs my friend!
Beautifully said once again. What you write hits me hard because I have been there and can relate. We really are blessed. How easy it is for me to forget. Thank you for the reminder.
Thanks for a great post...I have tears of grattitude & happiness...a great way to start the day!
This one makes me cry every, single time. We used it at our Father-Daughter banquet/dance at church, and all of the leaders stood & watching the dancing through tears. It's really a special song. I'm thankful for friends like you that write wonderful & moving stories that touch my heart. xo ~Sally
Oh my goodness! Here I sit with tears in my eyes as I type this. You're amazing! Thank you for the reminder of thankfulness. I'll be giving our 3 princesses and extra squeeze before they head out to school this morning, that's for sure. Have a Happy Day ;)
I love this song so much! Your story could be any of us moms on any given day...then being stopped in our tracks by a thankful heart! God is good! You always inspire me ~Sonya
Beautiful Post and beautiful song. I have never heard that song before. I didn't realize it was going to make me cry so hard, wow thanks for sharing deezie
Speechless.......touching moments when we least expect them. God speaks to our hearts.
A very good reminder of what is important in our lives
What a lovely memory that will make. You are a treasure! Best, Beth C.
Beautiful Kari!!!
Your experience is one I try to replicate with any bad day. Amidst the chaos, a glimpse of joy can be overwhelming.
This will sure help my already almost-bad-day go a little better :) xoxoxoxo
prince charming dad! can you imagine the girls dancing to this song with him at their weddings? !!!
Oh, what a sweet post! And what we think is a bad day, really isn't - compared.... I love this song and you are such an inspiration in so many ways!
Thank you for the humor. Thank you for the tears. Thank you for the most important reminder today. It is true...we never know when midnight will strike. Love the way you write and the pictures you share!
Oh what a wonderful way to start my day. Thank you! I am speechless, smiling and teary. I always enjoy your blog even when I don't comment. I am send ing this on to my sister. Smiles, Alice
KARI, Thank you for sharing your story with all of us. It truly is about having a grateful heart, not just being thankful, but have a spirit of GRATITUDE at all times in all circumstances. Kathysue
We're living with the inlaws for a short time plus our little 7 month old is having some sleep issues... But that was my father-daughter dance... So thank you for the reminder :)
Isn't God good to "stop us short" sometimes in ways we will never forget? I just love His creative caring...
You always touch my heart!!!! Love love love your Blog!!! Your words are always so beautifully written. js
Oh, what a sweet story and beautiful reminder of the "important" things! Thanks for sharing Karianne!!! :-)
Well, now you've gone and done it...you made me cry. What a sweet and beautiful song. I was such a "daddy's girl" and that song really touched my heart. Thank you. I got an unexpected medical bill in the mail the other day that I was surprised by. (Being recently retired, we have a very tight budget). I closed it up and thanked God for having my health, all my blessings, and knowing that I will somehow be able to pay that bill. God is so good.
I can't possibly listen to that song, just the thought of my boys leaving someday soon has me bawling my eyes out. Such a good lesson for us to take every moment and spend it with them, because too soon they will be gone. Thanks for the reminder!
Oh my goodness. I had not heard that song before. So beautiful and wistful that it brought on the tears this morning!
Oh Kari, how sweet I love this story and I'm thankful for you sweet friend!
It's always good to be reminded of WHY we should be thankful down to the small things, which in this case is such a big thing. Thank you for the tears and the reminder this morning ... a bit fortuitous as I was feeling a bit down this a.m. Your post reminded me of an incident that happened years ago. The short story is that I was painting my bedroom a deep burgundy in my just.moved.in.three.weeks.prior.brand.new.home.with.white.carpeting when one of my three girls ran into the room dancing about and bumped the ladder and spilled a whole tray of paint onto that lovely white carpeting. It was a day that no amount of red lipstick was going to fix and I was feeling pretty darn sorry for myself and madder than all get out at my daughter. That evening we received a phone call informing us that my 17-yr. old niece had died. My sister-in-law would no longer have the opportunity to watch her Cinderella dance and suddenly I was very thankful for the paint spill and the not so gentle reminder that I had much to be thankful for.
Tears here also. In joy and appreciation for my own father. Am in my 70s, lost him when he was too young. He had so much love and life for others. This song brought back memories as if they were yesterday. Thank You....
here's to picking perfect dads for our kids Kelly
Another good thing about life is that it keeps reminding us just how good it is. Thank you for sharing, KariAnne.
Yes...yes...and yes! ;)
Thank you for this beautiful post. I want to share it with my son-in-law who is struggling with a job loss right now. My soon to be 6yr old Cinderella granddaughter is coming to stay with me during her fall school break (can't wait). I will share this with him as a thank you for letting me dance with his Cinderella for a few days :). Happy Thanksgiving!
Thank you for this sharing ....
Missing my dad so much...he passed away this year. He may be the last man in my life and it is really hard without that. Every girl needs their dad...their whole lives. Thank you!
My eyes needed cleaning anyway. I was an only child, a daddy's girl for sure. Thanks for putting Thankfulness in a different light. I'll be sharing this at Thanksgiving where we have two niece Cinderella's of our own. Thank you for your wonderful blog.
Such a beautiful post. How special it is to be able to capture these precious moments. We all have so much to be thankful for! -Shelley
Oh...my...goodness...I have experienced the same scene, only now, one of the princesses is with her Heavenly King. You and I are so blessed. Thanks for posting this. PS Steven Curtis Chapman is my all-time favorite songwriter!
You just wait till the picking of a song to dance with dad at their weddings. Consider this a warning. This moment will be emblazoned in your memory, as well as the song, and then their dance happens and messes with the original moment in your head and might even become the new emblazoned memory surpassing the original. Fact. Tested. Proven here at the ranch.
I have never heard this song before. Having two daughters...need I say more? One is a childhood cancer survivor... I should have learned this lesson five years ago but sometimes I need a swift kick in the butt to remind me not to 'sweat the small stuff.' Thank you for doing just that by this posting. Seriously...thank you!!!! oxoxo
Beautiful song...... and I am sure you have all bloggers getting the tissue right now! It is humbling how God always gives us the moments we need to see that we are so blessed!
Beautiful post. I am so happy you had to have a such a bad day, so you could truly understand the real joy in your life.
I bet your glass is never really 1/2 full…that is why we are so drawn to you. It may be a for a minute or two now & again, but quick as Cinderella fled the castle as the clock struck midnight, you see the beauty, the joy & the reasons to be thankful. What a beautiful post. Thank you for joining with me on this tour de force of thankfulness! xo
I love this song. I don't have kids of my own but I have two little blond-haired nieces so I understand. And thank you for the reminder! Today I'm tired, and don't like my hair, and just don't feel like doing photos for my blog. But what does any of that matter really? ~Cheryl https://snaps-of-ginger.blogspot.com/
Lovely, Kari, my dear! You have such a gift with words. You're a blessing to me and many others. xoxo, my friend!
there is an incredible story behind this song. thank you.
KariAnne, Thank you. This moved me from a different prospective, the Cinderella. I do not consider myself a Cinderella, but my dad did. We lost him over Thanksgiving weekend 3 years ago. Those handful of dances slowly turning circles in the middle of the room a more precious that ever. ~Jeanette
I'm crying and my daughter is a sophomore in college! I'm miss her so much!
Thanks again for making me cry at work. My daughter is 8 and we have many tough days with her, but she is my light and my salvation. You are so right, she will be grown up before I can blink my eyes and I am thankful everyday that God chose me to be her mom. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your beautiful family!
I sat with my fingers on the computer keys for awhile, because I just could not put into words what my tears were saying! YOU ARE BLESSED... and so am I by your precious story!
Kari, what a beautiful post. It brought tears to my eyes too. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing. What a beautiful song. Tears in my eyes.
OH this lovely post hit home, Karianne! With my daughter marrying last summer, my children are already all on their own (passes in the blink of an eye)...but I am so blessed to have 6 grandchildren who dance with their crazy grandmother...xo
Get yourself to a computer and buy tickets to The Glorious Unfolding Tour!! My hub and I along with our 23 year old princess attended the concert on Friday night and it was fantastic. As our daughter put it, "the old man still knows how to rock the house!" It was unbelievably good! As always, your post was wonderful!
PS That tour is in Louisville, KY tomorrow!!
Beautifully written. We can all relate to those "hard" days. And it is ALWAYS wonderful to have those sweet tender reminders of what we do have to be thankful for. Thanks for helping me be reminded of what I am thankful for. Loves. xoxo
Dear KariAnne ~ I really hope you know how much you contribute to the lives of your cyber friends - Love to you today . . .
What a lovely story Kari..Tears are running down my face...This song makes me sad...Glad your day turned out better...
Loved your post. Sometimes it's the little things that just take our breath away!
Your life sounds amazing! And the best part is, you appreciate it. God bless.
Great post, Karianne! It's such a blessing to be mindfully thankful each and every day and it's so wonderful when we get hit with beautiful reminders like the one you shared. (I love that Steven Curtis Chapman song, too!) Thank you so much for joining us on this tour...it has been such a blessing to have each and every one of you be a part of it! I am having a ball! :) Julie
That song!! It does it every time! I had one of those days too. The kind where I am just sick and tired of making one more school lunch and then those moments, those moments that take your breath away occurs. I just love how the Lord draws us right to what matters most, right? :)
okay...the title of that song is enough to make me cry...thank you for making my mascara run at 9am! LOL! thank you for the wonderful post!-aimee
Man, Karianne, you've got me balling again!! And I've never heard that song before but I guarantee you that Friday when I take my oh so grown up, know it all 15 year old daughter to Disney and she STILL gets that princess look in her eye, I will be remembering that song and thankful for you and your sharing it with me. BTW the 10 year old prince and resident Disneyophile will be accompanying us. His first costume at 8 months was the prince to his sisters Cinderalla.
A song worth printing and placing it where you can see it every day…to remind us of our blessings of family…and to always be in the moment….so very wonderful Kari…glad you were folding towels so you could have something to wipe off the tears!!!
BEAUTIFUL..............
What a beautiful blog today karianne, I am thankful for the same things as you, health...home...family and although you had 2 beautiful blue eyed blond haired princesses....I only had one and yes she has always thought of her Daddy as the King of ALL daddys, and now that she has blessed us with 2 princesses onw with blonde hair and blue eyes and one with brown hair and green eyes, The same King now known as Papa gets out his guitar and plays for them and they DANCE all over the house.......and to me, it feels like the whole world is dancing and smiling and I KNOW to thank The Lord for all of our blessings too.....
What a beautiful post, Karianne. I too have two blond haired, blue eyed girls who gaze at their father the same way. Thank you for the reminder.
This was my daughter's dance with her daddy at her wedding. It was beautiful and hysterically funny at the same time because my husband has a wicked sense of humor and is an actor as well. Steven Curtis Chapman is also an adoptive father and their family's walk through grief has been heartbreaking and an inspiration as well. Love this post!
Thank you so much for sharing. What a beautiful song and what a lovely way for you to share your feelings of gratitude.
You have no idea how much I needed this. HIS timing is perfect. Thanks, Kari Anne
Oh, thank you for this post and the reminder of what is important. I have had a really bad day today and this is just what I needed to read. Wiping the tears from my eyes.
I can never listen to that song without bawling like a baby-and now I sit with tear-filled eyes knowing how you felt as you watched your hubby sing to your babies! xo Diana
Kari, Thanks for sharing this post. First of all it reminds me of my Daddy who used to sit on the side of the bed, play his guitar and sing to and with me and make me feel like a princess. Such sweet memories. Also reminds me how truly blessed I am that at 50 something I've fallen in Love for the last time. I had the same day you had yesterday and many days recently, but I believe it's because the Devil loves to steal my thunder. Thank God that with the sweetest name I know, Jesus, I can rebuke the devil and do what my Bigmama always told me to do and "kick the devil on back to hell."
Truly enjoy your blog, and this post is a favorite! Love the SCC song and touched that you had such a moment hearing your husband sing to your children - how precious! I've forwarded it to my niece whose husband plays & sings hoping they'll be as moved. Thank you for sharing this lovely scene!
Instead of stopping to smell the flowers, you stopped to feel the blessings. We all should do the same. Enjoy it!!! Love your blog.
All my life I would have given ANYTHING to have my Dad. He died when I was 4 and my sister was 2. I don't even remember him and so I had my Uncle walk me down the aisle etc. You chose prince charming for a Daddy and husband for sure. I would have MELTED on the floor if I had been there. Your girls are SO fortunate and blessed to hahve you BOTH. XOXO
i've about had it with you karianne.... you either have to start giving me a tissue warning at the beginning of your posts or make a Puffs dispenser that comes out of my screen!!!! and i can SEE the whole thing, those faces entranced... btw, love, the the font on these posts... finally someone has given some class to our reading pleasure... love you... j
......and so I therefore cry, lovely Kari! Those priceless moments to bring us back, softening our day! Love,Lori
Praising God for you...letting me go back in time my girls that age when the song came out...the swift years have past...the Cinderella dances were just magical and they're gone. It's different around here! Another of lifes sweetest moments...but we do cry...thank you for keeping it real. Your miracle babies, smart, sitting at their earthly Daddy's feet, learning how to sit at Jesus' Feet ...I'm deeply moved
No matter how bad our day may be, we all have so much to be thankful for. xo Laura
Kari, Thank you for sharing this today. So beautifully written, as you always do. I have just recently joined your blog and have enjoyed your daily posts so much! This one really hit home - as my husband and I have three daughters in their early twenties and a new precious granddaughter. How time does fly.....savor even the smallest moments with those sweet princesses of yours! I imagine you to be a wonderful mommy, and with that, your girls will forever be close to you.
And now I'm bawling. :-) What a beautiful memory K.
Your artistic pictures and writing are a good match! I am really enjoying reading your blog. I'm jealous of all those lovely leaves!
WOW! Beautiful song Karianne. I have never heard this before. I think your husband is the PRINCE! What a wonderful Daddy. I want my 14 year old Granddaughter to listen to this. She is being a very mean girl right now to her Dad (my son) whom loves her more than life itself! Thank You for being brilliant you!
I, my new friend, am thankful at this very moment for you... and for Mamas and Daddies who love their babies in Jesus understanding that the time is so very short. Love you. C
I have just found your blog and have been bouncing around checking all the amazing posts. I then made sure to like your facebook page and saw this post, which of course I had to read! Your day sounded just like mine has the past two days and after reading your post with tears flowing down my face... I am grateful for all I have! Especially my husband and two beautiful girls! Thank you for sharing and helping others like me realize that we all have days like this and it's okay as long as at the end of the day we appreciate all we have!
tears leave a moist trail on my cheeks as I think -I hope you have many, many more days like this. Crazy flat ironed hair and all. That day was a blessing. Joy! xo
Oh my, knot in my throat. Thank you for sharing this, sometimes they really can turn the day around, can't they? Blessings to you and yours!
Wow Kari! Thank You! Tears here also, we just had our "Cinderella " wedding, and yes she came to her father to dance! Celebrate the moments!
Just love this story, as I love all you stories :)
love the song......I called my son :)
Thank you so much Karianne. I sit here with tears in my eyes. My dad passed away this past year at the age of 92. Dad loved to dance and taught all three of us girls how by having us stand on his feet when we were little as he danced us around the living room. I remember my wedding day and how my dad cut in on our last song and cried as he danced his youngest across the floor. What wonderful memories this has brought back.
What an adorable story. The little ones and daddy's love really melt your heart, don't they? I know that gets me every time here at home. I'm glad you found your center that day. Blessings, ~Angela~
Karianne, I read your posts almost every day and they always elicit a smile, a chuckle, a tear or inner reflection but I have always been able to stifle my impulse to comment, but not today. I lost my wonderful father recently and today's (yesterday now) post brought back wonderful memories of him "teaching" me to dance. ( He also paid for many years of ballet lessons -- guess I was a little slow . . . he he) A loving father and his adoring daughters is a beautiful thing --- a special love. I showed your post and the video to my tough 27 year-old son and I'm pretty sure that was a tear in his eye . Happy holidays to you and your family! Kayden
What beautiful words and images! Thanks so much for sharing! I'm going to see ladybugs in a new light :)
And now my eyes are filled with tears! Thanks for that lovely reminder! ;)
I've been following you for a while, but this is the 1st time I've written. Boy did you ever get me today....been going thru a lot of junk lately and have lost sight of what's important. Sometimes it's so hard, thanks for putting a lump in my throat, a tear in my eye and a fire in my heart. Keep up the beautiful home design work, along with encouraging us all.
This is why I would follow you and your blog to the end's of the Earth and back. And, the photos today, they take my breath away! You are amazing, amazing......
Beautiful post! I had never heard that song before....wow! Thanks for sharing.
Priceless. /Wiping my tears away.
Wonderful post!! I laughed, I cried!! I related all too well. Thank you for a wonderful reminder of how small annoyances can be a minor bother, but it is small beautiful moments we treasure the most.
Isn't it just like God to turn our grouchiest moments into our most gratitude-filled, beautiful ones? Thanks so much for sharing this, KariAnne!
Oh KariAnne. Well, I needed a good cry anyway. I love this post so much - so poignant and just a great reminder of the blessings we take for granted. I have always loved that song too and hadn't heard it in a while So very thankful to be a part of this tour with you!! xo
Suffering from a combination of chill bumps and tears at the moment! So well written and beyond touching. And SCC has long been a favorite around here! I read his wife's book about the loss of their daughter, so watching this video was at once sad as well as moving. And we have given both of our daughters in marriage. Though we're crazy about our 'sons-in-love', it's bittersweet all the same. Thanks for this reminder to have an 'attitude of gratitude'!!
Thank you so very much for joining us on the Blog Tour. You are a blessing. ~Jeanette
I am thankful for you and your wonderful blog.
This is so lovely Kari, my baby girl turned 17 last month…all too soon, the clock will strike midnight and then she will be gone….I'm now bawling…thanks! It's so true..time flies, grab those moments and be grateful. Lovely post, thank you Wendy xx
Thank you for reminding me that every day life can be like a fairy tale!
Today is 11/12/13, it is late in the evening and I am tired. I have had a productive day and am sloughing away at some emails that have lain neglected for over a week. I've had some health issues that have prevented me from keeping my usual housekeeping chores up to their usual snuff, so I've spent quite a bit a time today browbeating myself for not having done a better job keeping up with things large and small. Then I sat down with the lap top, and the three dogs assumed their favorite positions on and around me (touching me, of course) and I began counting my blessings. I opened your blog post, read it and realized just how much I missed 'hearing from you'. Not being able to get to my computer screen to read your post is like missing an email from a good friend. One who is going to have something good to say, not just something crabby and negative to gripe and complain complain about, something nice. Pretty, even. To uplift, even without meaning to. I miss it when I can't get to your posts and wanted you to know that. I know we've never met, and probably never will. But I still sit here in the Deep South on a cold winter evening drinking hot raspberry tea being thankful that you are a small part of my life. And feeling blessed. Thank You.
what a wonderful and sweet story!!!! give your husband and those two little princesses and long and gentle hug .... for me ..... and hugs to You , dear one, for sharing this. My heart just melted all over the place, really!
Love your post, love your blog, love your honesty. <3
Cried my eyes out. Thank you xx
I know that story and the story behind that song so why does it catch me by surprise everytime I hear it... and make me cry.... and make me stop the craziness. I'm going to call my babies and give them a big ole virtual hug because my sweet friend Kari reminded me of what is important. Thank you dearest. Love you. Cindy
Oh my loveliness I have to agree, this is on my favorite stories that you've done.