In the mood to ponder on the things that make me happy!!

as I sit in the office and look outside and see our backyard and beautiful trees I am so overwhelmed with joy. Let us all try to re-focus on the good and not the bad and on finding the Joy of the Lord in every day.
So ...

Things that make me happy ...

1. the moment that the sun breaks on a winters day

2. when a sleepy little girl wants a back scratch

3. making my husband a lunch that I know will fill his stomach, reduce the stress on his wallet and contains something he wasn't expecting

4. phone calls that stretch across states and connect hearts (even if face to face would make me happier)

5. that feeling following prayer when you've purged your heart and a weight has been lifted

6. dinner and coffee with friends

7. FALL ... finally, my sweatshirts are able to make an appearance

8. hot chocolate with my husband

9. friends who share laughter and tears

10. laundry that is done, folded and put away

11. cold sheets occupied by warm hearts

12. the promise of a date with my husband

13. music that leads me into worship, even if I'm cleaning the toilet

14. "light bulb moments" when we're trying to learn a new skill

15. people who want to be known

16. Christmas season

17. hot soup and warm bread (yes, even I like the occasional soup)

18. the feeling I get when house guests are about to arrive for a night of dinner and games- it's the same feeling that I used to get when I was young and trying to go to sleep before Christmas morning ... I just love preparing to have people over

19. knowing that I've helped someone

20. driving nowhere with Jonathan

21. camping!! I cannot wait to experience it in the fall

22. knowing my husband is coming home

23. completing a project (why don't I do this more if I like it so much ... hmmm)

24. did I mention Christmas???

25. the memory of the ocean crashing against the beach ...someday I could live in Cali again

26. baked sweet potatoes.... what the heck, the whole Thanksgiving meal!!

27. New kitchen appliances, they just make me giddy

28. new tennis shoes (New Balance please)

29. books that captivate me for a time

30. my new brownie recipe ... I think it's about time for a batch!