10 Things That Make Me Really Happy

Tuesday, May 14 - 10 Things That Make Me Really Happy

(In no particular order at all!)

1. Coffee. And I need some of that right now. BRB! (Eric and I were just talking about how no one uses TTYL and BRB anymore now that MSN isn't huge. Well, it's gone completely now, isn't it?)

2. Obviously my family, and specifically my daughter. I love just watching her. Watching her play, walking her walk, watching her learn. Listening to her talk and babble. Getting hugs and kisses. 

3. Talking with Madi. Or really, teaching Madi new phrases. This morning she said "Chloe, eat your toast." and "Daddy, what's up?" It was fun. 

4. This guy. Especially when it comes to just hanging out on the couch when he's not feeling so great (top) or taking stupid pictures when we've just gotten up and I'm still half asleep this morning (bottom). 

5. The promise of summer. Summer is my favorite. This summer I can't wait to see a friend who just had a baby in March, and meet her little baby. I can't wait to see a friend who has been living in the Dominican for a couple of years now, doing amazing things. Hopefully seeing other friends who live away, as well as friends who live nearby that I barely see. I can't wait for beaches, and bonfires, and sitting out on the deck with a drink in my hand. I can't wait! 

6. Reading a really good book, which I haven't done in probably years, but if I ever manage to get through this awful 50 Shades of Grey book I've been reading since October, I hope my next one is great. I'm open to suggestions! 

7. This upcoming Monday I think I'm taking a day off work to spend it with my little family. It will be our first day all together in over a month, and I couldn't be more excited. 

8. The beach. I really, really, really just want to go for a walk on the beach at night. 

9. Taking pictures. Especially when they turn out really nice. 

10. Reading a really great blog post. So I'm off to do some reading now!

Things That Make Me Happy

I am cranky today. Just ask my boyfriend. 

Why I'm cranky? Well because it's our second snow storm of the week, but I made it to work this time. It's supposed to snow all weekend, so my plans for the weekend are probably ruined. Oh, and money. I have money. So now, instead, it's time to list some happy things. 

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- I made a half coffee/half hot chocolate at work with my own hot chocolate powder. It's not as good as Tim Horton's, but I almost drank it all so I'd say it's good enough. Maybe I'll start saving money that way. No coffee = pretty bad headache. 

- It's almost the month of April, and that means real spring is almost on its way. So far, I don't like the spring that we're getting. Two huge storms during the first week of spring? Unfair. 

- I love Instagram. I don't always upload daily, but I like seeing what other people upload. It seems so much more personal than just reading a blog sometimes. Sometimes I post things on there that I don't on the blog. Simply because if there's a way for me to save my Instagram photos from the website to my computer, I still haven't figured it out. 

- Madi let me try almost her entire summer wardrobe on her Wednesday night. It was to the point that she wanted to keep trying stuff on when we were done. Mostly just to rip the tags off, but whatever. I got a few cute pictures, but this one by far is the best. She is too stinkin' cute. All the clothes fit, except one pair of brand new shorts that I'm going to exchange for the next size up. They fit, but barely. Chloe isn't as interested in trying on her summer clothes, but we're getting there. 

- Summer. The idea of summer coming makes me so happy I could cry. Walking barefoot in grass. Beaches. Swing sets. The smell of sunscreen. Baby hats. Flip flops. BBQ. Sitting on a deck after dark listening to the crickets. It all sounds so amazing. 

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- Coffee is good for me. And I love coffee. 

- Boyfriend and I have somewhat of a hobby together now. Next project? Our daughters' names. 

- Chloe. She's cute and I love her. 

What are you happy about right now? 

Dear World End... Bring it on.

The world is suppose to end tomorrow. It doesn't seem like that much time has passed since the last time the world ended. And last time, I wrote a post on the things I've done, and how I felt if the world ended, I'd have no regrets. 

So! Let's do 'No Regrets if the World Ends' part two, shall we? Because I sure have done more amazing things. 

I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. I watched her laugh, learn to crawl and walk, and watched her bring smiles to the faces of others. Because of her, I felt the kind of love that I didn't know was even possible until I held my child in my arms for the very first time. 

I met a man. The sweetest man who will do anything for anyone, without complaint. One who takes care of my daughter like she is his own. One who is so opposite from me in the most perfect ways, but also so much like me in other ways. I've never felt more lucky. 

I've got a crazy family. The kind that could probably get their own trashy sitcom. Or at least be on Jerry Springer. In a few days, we'll all get together for the first time in awhile to enjoy an insanely noisy, chaotic Christmas. 

I still have some of the most amazing friends anyone could ask for. 

We've got a ton of gifts under the tree that we were able to provide for our girls, each other, and the rest of our families. We won't get to open them, if the world does end, but at least we were able to buy them. 

I have a ton of chocolate sitting on my kitchen table. And a box sitting next to me on my desk. And a coffee on the other side. What more could I ask for?

Well, if the world doesn't end, a million dollars would be okay. 

Time to enjoy the little things

Happiness.

Isn't that all anyone's ever looking for in life?

We try to find love because it makes us happy. We buy things because they make us happy. We have children because they occasionally make us happy.

But even when we get what we want, we're not always satisfied.

It's always the little things.

With me, if you look at the big  picture, things are great. Things are pretty much amazing.

My daughter is amazing. She's semi healthy. She plays, she learns, she cries. But she also likes to try to get up too early sometimes. She's cranky a lot. And she barely eats. And too much I forcus on the buts, instead of the wonderful things.

I've also got an amazing boyfriend. Some of the things he does still catches me off-guard. Like the day he got off work before I did and had dinner ready, the dishes done, and laundry in the dryer by the time I got home. He picks up the toys when the girls are in bed without being asked. He'll change and dress Chloe sometimes without being asked. But when I get up in the morning with a baby and he gets to sleep in, sometimes I want to punch him in the face.

Okay, bad example because that has more to do with jealousy and not being a morning person. And I kid. I don't want to punch him. I just want to beat him with pillows and make him feel my pain.

But he's not perfect either. And more often than I'd like, I find myself annoyed with the little things when I shouldn't be. The good outweighs the bad times a million.

I am grateful for all the good things in my life, but too often I find myself focusing on those little annoyances, and forgetting the big picture. I want to enjoy the good, instead of alway noticing the bad.

When my daughter got up at 6:30am this morning, 40 minutes before our alarm was due to go off, I was annoyed. But she was in a great mood and it meant that we got to play for awhile. Usually we only play in the evenings, and she's tired and cranky.

In the end, are we trying so hard to be happy that really we're the ones messing it up by not appreciating the little moments?

My new goal is to do exactly that - appreciate the little moments.

And I want you to do it too. Think of a few times today that something bothered you, even just the slightest, and think of something good about it.

If you're feeling really ambitious, blog about it. But if you do, please send me the link.

24 Amazing Things

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1. Coffee. Even better - coffee sitting out on a deck while it's still cool on a summer morning. 
2. The beach. Even better - at night with someone special. 
3. Your baby saying 'mama', or 'dada' if it applies. Even 'uh oh' is pretty cute. 
4. Finding an awesome new blog to read. Bonus points if it's one that makes you laugh. (MODG, anyone?)
5. Babies who wiggle and dance to music. 
6. Fresh bread. And perfectly crispy bacon, not necessarily together. 
7. When baby takes both naps without a fight during the day and goes to bed easily at night. 
8. Completing a craft you've been working on forever.
9. Taking a really great picture, and getting it printed, framed and hung on the wall. 
10. An unexpected friendly email.
11. Watching a movie with the perfect 'pick me up' happy ending, like Legally Blonde.
12. Completing and perfecting the decor in any room of the house.
13. A good game of cards with friends.
14. Putting together new furniture (I love it, I'm weird like that).
15. Waking up feeling well rested while the baby is still sleeping.
16. A shower after being outdoors all day.
17. Finishing a really good book. 
18. The perfect new haircut. 
19. Buying a ton of nice, used clothes for the price of one brand new outfit.
20. Discovering a catchy new song.
21. Random ice cream trips with best friends. 
22. Falling asleep in someone's arms. 
23. A really great power nap. 
24. A long, non-rushed shower. 

Only 24 things because that's my age. What are some of your amazing things?

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