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…

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16 Responses

  1. Oh Ade! I remember laughing through tears when you shared this with me in the hospital. Thanks for risking so much to put your heart out there to so many.

  2. “He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.”-Job 8:21 and “Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, ‘The LORD has done great things for them’.”-Psalm 126:2…. Laughter is truly the medicine for the soul…. I know for me it has been a long time since I have really and truly laughed… looking forward to more of it REAL soon!! Thanks so much for always risking and being true to who GOD has created you to be. Thanks for sharing you and your heart, Adrienne! I think the best laughter comes from the joy a child brings…. I have recently got to spend some time with some special kids… love listening to their laughter. Seeing pictures of Emily puts a smile on my face… you can see the joy and love and laughter in her eyes.

  3. Great post! I laugh through tears sometimes too.
    My picture caption would have to be, “Don’t worry, Monkey. I’ll wait for you!” said in a very overly dramatic voice.

  4. Your post just makes me want to say “God is good… All the time.” I’m so thankful he’s given you the gift of laughter. If you weren’t just a little “weird” how would you survive the hard stuff? 🙂 It’s a good thing. 🙂

    I think your darling Em is saying, “Oh no!… I’m gonna be in trooooouuubbblllleee!”

  5. “Just keep swimming, just keep swimming…”

    I love you and your sense of humor. You are one of my very favorite people to laugh with.

  6. What great pictures Adrienne. Thanks for sharing your heart and thoughts with us.

    Caption: All monkeys take a bath on Friday night.

    Love you all so much,

    Aunt Diane and AndyBoy (AB) XOXOXO

  7. thanks for the reminder!! as moms we all need to laugh more, and these moments with our babes is short and i’d rather look back with memories of laughter in our home!

    caption: Monkey!! i will come back for you! don’t worry, i will find you!! (very dramatic, of course)

    thanks for sharing the video, it was cute 🙂

    …heather

  8. I love that video! 🙂 I think your whole post just spoke my heart. Even the littlest bit of laughter can make up for the worst moods or snotty words for kids’ mouths. 😉 The best times I have with my husband are the times we’re cracking up on the couch over a joke NO ONE else in the world would think was funny.

    As far as the caption goes, I am so not creative. But I’ll give it a shot to give you a good laugh- at my expense! 😉

    “Looking for the monkey in the middle.”

  9. Hey ade,
    Awesome post. I laughed especially hard at the nacho libre masks. That’s so funny that that is your movie with noah because the whole time justin and I were in the hospital with mo, that is what we always craved to see. Also, I secretly nicknamed moriah nacho because I think she slightly resembles jack black with the hair and the chubbiness…that has only been a thing between justin and I because I too don’t want everyone to know how weird I am…but what the heck? =)
    With love and prayers,
    Victoria

  10. Caption: “Their love forbidden, they were left no other option but to embrace through the glass that separated them….”

    Ade, these were all so funny and sweet. But I was so touched to see Noah’s sweet face and hear his voice 😉 It truly warmed my heart. (And made me chuckle too!)

  11. As I was reading the Bible yesterday I came across this verse and it’s so fitting I had to share it:

    Proverbs 14:13
    13 Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in grief.

    My husband and mom had me laughing less than 48 hours after our son was delivered stillborn. I understand your hesitation in sharing the video (which I got a chuckle out of) because I doubt many would understand the laughter in the midst of tears that I’ve had. At first I felt guilty for the short breaks from grief but as time has passed I welcome the laughter & the tears. Laughter doesn’t mean the heart isn’t aching but life is too short to not laugh sometimes too.

  12. I loved the video of Noah “saying” his first word 🙂 Thank you for sharing it with us. I agree laughter is good for the soul. I remember Philip’s oncologists making me laugh shortly after informing us our son had cancer. It was probably some corney joke and nervous laughter but it was a gift to me in the midst of such sorrow.

    Peace, love and laughter

  13. Couldn’t remember her name before but it finally came to me. By Wonder Woman, I mean Linda Carter – back in the day. That’s who you look like in that picture with your hair feathered.

  14. What a precious video! That was absolutely heartwarming.

    And you know I love the feathered hair. You look like a 70s pin-up model yourself! 🙂

  15. 1. From the movie “Steel Magnolias”, “Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion!”

    2. 80% of what I think is funny isn’t repeatable/printable either. I love that about you!

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