Happiness is...

Growing up, I had a Snoopy book entitled 'Happiness Is...' and I often think of it. It was one phrase per page, like 'happiness is a warm blanket' and it was really perfect in its simplicity. Happiness really is the little things, and I think too often we overlook those things. Way back in 2006, when I created my first blog, I posted a list of 'things that make me happy', but I haven't done one since. So, in a continued effort to see this crazy world as a glass half full, I'm going to write another one. I warn you that it will be cheesy, but it's supposed to be ...so suck it up.

Happiness Is... by Amy L. J. Sayler

• Morning snuggles with a cuddly toddler
• Waking up at 8am and realizing that EVERYONE slept all night long, and is still asleep.
• Slobbery doggy kisses from my favorite mutt
• The sound of Brad tooling away in the workshop (He really is an amazingly handy dude, which is a post marriage bonus. I had no idea of the extent of his handiness.)
• A perfectly made bed (to compliment a perfectly clean house)
• Walking through the woods
• Gram 
• Annie saying "night night by-let" to her little sis
• Cousins' Weekend 
• Getting together with the girls
• Wide-mouthed baby tooth-less grins, first thing in the morning
• Keurig (so fast, so good. Although I do miss the smell of a freshly made pot of coffee)
• The moment when you realize BOTH babies are asleep
• Writing out my 'house improvements' wish list (with many things for Handy Brad to complete)
• Saturdays with nothing to do
• Friday nights with lots to do (and by 'do', I mean 'drink' ;)
• A forecast of snow that actually materializes
• Fire pits 
• Flipping through home decorating magazines
• A good beer
• Mady and Lorelei coming to visit and bursting through the door with squeals of excitement
• Fresh flowers in the house
• Dancing to a band at a bar
• A bushel of crabs
• Watching the deer from the sunroom windows
• Long 'Dad' stories
• Good friends
• Organization
• A big bowl of pho
• Trips to CT (preferably with healthy friends and family to visit)
• Pedicures
• Family
• Calm

See, I feel better already.
Happiness is using work time to make a cathartic list of just how good you have it...