Month: February 2025

Finding Joy Through Music: My “Happiness 911” Songs

Published on by noteworthymommy4 Comments

I love listening to Gretchen Rubin’s Happier podcast. On a recent episode, Gretchen and her sister Elizabeth talked about “Picking Your ‘Happiness 911’ Song.” The idea is simple yet powerful—having a go-to song (or several) that instantly lifts your mood, provides inspiration, or helps you push through life’s challenges.

Throughout the 53 years of my life, this Noteworthy Mommy has had many songs that serve as my personal anthems. Music has been a constant companion, celebrating my happiest moments and comforting me through the difficult ones. So, I thought it would be fun to write a series of articles highlighting some of my favorite uplifting and inspirational songs—songs that have brought me joy, motivation, and strength over the years.

I’d also love to hear from you! What songs pick you up, inspire you, and bring you pure joy? What songs motivate you to get through this crazy world we live in? What songs are on your ultimate playlist?

To get the conversation started, here are a few of my “Happiness 911” songs—songs that never fail to put a smile on my face or give me the energy to keep going:

• “Electric Youth ” – Debbie Gibson

• “Amazing’” – Point of Grace

• “September” – Earth, Wind and Fire

• “The March (We Demand Equality)- From the Musical SUFFS

• “Counting Stars” – One Republic

These are just a few of my go-to songs, but there are so many more that hold special meaning for me. In the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing the stories behind some of my favorites—why they matter to me and how they’ve helped shape my journey.

Now it’s your turn! I’d love to hear what’s on your ultimate playlist. Drop a comment below or share your favorite “Happiness 911” songs with me. Let’s spread some musical joy together!

The Joy of Pets: A Love Story from Afar

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Pets bring immeasurable joy into our lives. They each have their own unique personalities, quirks, needs, and wants—just like people. Some are bold and demanding of attention, while others are reserved, watching the world from a safe distance until they feel ready to engage. What remains constant is their ability to provide love, comfort, and companionship in the most heartwarming ways.

I have always felt a deep connection to animals, a kinship that has been part of me for as long as I can remember. There’s something about their innocence, their honesty, and their unwavering love that draws me in. But despite my love for animals, I can’t have a cat or dog of my own—my husband and daughter are both allergic, and as much as I would love to share my home with a furry companion, it simply wouldn’t be fair to them.

That’s where my “pet therapy” comes in. Instead of having pets of my own, I get my dose of animal love by visiting the beloved pets of my friends—especially the wonderful little menagerie at my friend Julie’s house. Julie and her husband, Dave, have a home filled with love from their four adorable pets: Leo, Spartacus, Snoops, and Boris. Each of them has their own distinct personality, and spending time with them brings me so much joy.

Leo is the ultimate attention-seeker. He is the kind of dog who makes you feel like you are the most important person in the world the moment you walk through the door. He’ll get up on his hind legs, his big, pleading eyes silently begging for me to pick him up. If I let him, he would stay in my arms for my entire visit, soaking up all the love and attention I can give.

Then there’s Spartacus, his canine brother, who is more cautious and reserved. It took time, many visits, before I earned his trust. But once I did, he welcomed me into his world with gentle affection. He now knows I am a friend, and that bond feels incredibly special.

Julie recently added two rescue cats to her family, Snoops and Boris. Their lives before finding their forever home were not easy. Boris had to have his tail surgically removed due to past trauma, while Snoops came to Julie with no teeth. Despite their rough beginnings, they have found a loving, safe haven with Julie and Dave. They were slowly introduced to their new canine brothers, and I’m happy to report that all four of them now live together in peaceful harmony—most of the time!

On my most recent visit to Julie’s house, she captured a beautiful moment of me with all of them. The photo taken that day radiates happiness and contentment. It perfectly illustrates the beauty of individuality; how some beings crave the spotlight, while others prefer to observe from the sidelines. It’s a reminder that, just like animals, people have their own ways of engaging with the world. Some of us are naturally outgoing, eager for attention and connection, while others take time to warm up, quietly processing their surroundings before stepping forward.

And that’s the beauty of life. God created each one of us differently, and our job is to embrace those differences with kindness, patience, and understanding. Whether it’s with people or animals, love is about acceptance; seeing others for who they are and meeting them where they feel most comfortable.

Though I may not have a pet of my own, my heart is full, thanks to the love and joy I experience through the wonderful animals I get to visit. And for that, I am endlessly grateful.

Welcome to 4th Grade

Published on by noteworthymommy1 Comment

At the start of this school year, I found myself hesitant, almost mourning the end of early childhood as my daughter stepped into 4th grade. It felt like a shift I wasn’t quite ready for—one that marked the passing of time in a way that tugged at my heart. The days of little hands and endless snuggles were fading, and I wasn’t sure what this new chapter would bring. My degree is in early childhood education, and this new stage was filled with the unknown.

Mini Me on the first day of fourth grade

But now, halfway through the year, I see that this stage of parenting is not something to fear—it’s something to love. I’ve found joy in the deepening connection we share, in the inside jokes that make us burst into laughter, and in the excitement of rushing home to tell Daddy the funny stories from our day. I cherish seeing the world through her eyes as she grows in confidence, trying new things like playing the violin, working hard in dance, falling in love with theatre, and advancing to the next level in softball. Watching her discover her passions and push herself to new heights fills me with pride and excitement.

Academically, she is thriving. Her love for reading and writing is stronger than ever, and she has even created her own virtual book clubs—one with a friend and another with her grandmothers and aunts. Seeing her passion for stories and discussion brings me so much joy, and I love watching her enthusiasm for learning grow.

A big part of this journey has been navigating the year with Miss Schnegelberger, her teacher—a fourth-generation Lutheran educator and a first-year teacher who has already made such a meaningful impact. Not only is she supporting my daughter academically, but she is also guiding her in faith, teaching her about Jesus, and helping her grow into a kind, thoughtful person. Miss Schnegelberger has encouraged my little rule-follower to relax a bit, to enjoy life, and to not take everything so seriously—something I know all too well from my own nature.

Mini Me and Miss S.

Beyond the classroom, my daughter continues to amaze me with her leadership and creativity. She is the great negotiator, always finding ways to make her friend group happy, ensuring that everyone feels included and heard. On the playground, she and her besties, Abby and Penelope, dive into elaborate role-playing games, imagining themselves as sisters who recently lost their mother or a family who live on a farm with horses. And perhaps one of the most inspiring things about her is her fearless approach to trying new things. This year, she picked up the violin without hesitation—quite the opposite of me, the Noteworthy Mommy, who was so shy and afraid, only willing to try what my best friend was doing.

I realize now that each new stage brings something beautiful. I’m no longer dreading what’s next—I’m embracing it. The unknown doesn’t feel so scary anymore; it feels full of possibility. So bring it on! I can’t wait to see where this motherhood journey takes me next!