Monday, August 6, 2012

Baby Tricks

"Hi."

"Dada."

Giving kisses.

Locating others' noses.

Hide and Go Seek with Dad.

Icky-Pee, Panty-Roo, Rudy-Whistle, ...

Friday, July 20, 2012

Projects

Are you all acquainted with Shutterfly.com?

If you aren't, you really should get to know that site. I was familiar with the products but it wasn't until our own orange package arrived yesterday that I truly fell in love. The anticipation of receiving the package was enough to make me happy but the actual receiving, joy!

I am not a crafty person. I like to think that statement is true for the two ways it can be interpreted. The problem with that statement is I want to be the crafty mom with all sorts of homemade stuff. I also struggle with home decor, I don't know what my style is. So that presents other problems with this desire. So in an effort to debunk my self-taught belief that I'm not crafty, I have completed two projects this year and started another. These all make me VERY happy!



Project #2 was from Shutterfly. I am not a scrapbooker but I still want to document in a fun way. Shutterfly makes this possible. I also am pretty thrilled about the concept: I'll be doing a family yearbook each year, complete with spots for the family members to sign and write their own little memories. This will be fun for the young one to see how handwriting changed or how her drawing improved. I can afford $30-$40 a year on family documenting. Plus the time I spent compiling 2011 was delightful. It was so nice to have something to work on. So Shutterfly=Happiness currently.

And finally, the latest undertaking, a quiet book. I was fortunate to find a blog that has pages I thoroughly enjoy and on top of that, the dear blogger posted her templates. I'm pretty darn excited about this one!
Let the happiness continue!

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Books

Books make me happy. I have always been a lover of the written word. The summers of my past were always filled with reading. I was the child who always had a book in her backpack or in her hand. In college, I loved reading textbooks. (That makes me weird, I know.) I was definitely the student who could say she had read the textbook cover to cover. And in the last 2 years as I have had more time to myself, I have rediscovered the art of leisurely reading. Already this year, I have read over 50 books. I crave reading and I'm always looking for the next book to get my hands on.

As I have renewed my love affair with books, I have discovered some greats that have contributed to my happiness.
There are many, many more that I could offer in this category. 

The Last Lecture, Standing for Something, Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam, John Adams
Barnyard Dance, Christy, Think and Grow Rich
Zero: Biography of a Dangerous Idea, The Holy Secret, Madame Tussaud, Heist Society
Before Ever After, A Tailor-Made Bride, The Westing Game, Change Your Questions Change Your Life

Monday, July 16, 2012

Lists

I absolutely LOVE making lists. There is some satisfaction in them. Whether it is a to-do list with check marks, a chronological list with numbers, a simple list with bullet points, or a list with nothing at all, I love them! My life would not be complete without a list. It makes me happy. Here is a smattering of some of my lists that make me smile. 

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A list from my personal blog from a particularly frustrating day.

Top Ten Reasons to Avoid Living in an Apartment
10. Awkward moments with neighbors in the stairwells.
9. Neighbors that fight, loudly.
(Enough said.)
8. Neighbors that love, loudly.
(Probably too much said.)
7. Neighbors that party late into the wee morning hours.
(At least someone is having a good time, right?)
6. Neighbors that have band practice every Tuesday.
(At least it is consistent. Something I can count on.)
5. Writing that check every month knowing that this isn't any sort of asset, just a roof. 
(And SO grateful for that roof, don't get me wrong.)
4. A lack of a yard.
(Yes, there is grass but the neighbors below kind of treat it like their yard. It feels like we are trespassing.)
3. Lawn-mowing day every Wednesday.
 (Yes, I know this means we don't have to mow, but if we were mowing, it wouldn't ALWAYS happen during nap time.)
2. Power-washing day that leaks water through your front door.
(This is happening RIGHT NOW and I am SO upset... hence the blog post. Plus, who power-washes without giving the residents notice? Do you know how loud it is? And what if my windows had been wide open? Geez...)
1. Neighbors that think playing the piano ANY TIME of the day is okay.

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Yes, Monday is Laundry Day and I list "Laundry" every Monday. 
And while I could have just written "Floors," 
I love to check boxes so I was specific. 

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And below is a list I have compiled over the last six weeks of things that make me happy.
Yes, it is a happy list of happy things. 
  • A baby that loves books.
  • A miracle that makes a magical date night possible.
  • Catching up with friends.
  • Perfect cards with the perfect note.
  • song that reminds you to be better.
  • Naps.
  • Clean sheets and the Ensign.
  • Technology.
  • A full day with the husband.
  • Date night.
  • A solar eclipse.
  • Audiobooks.
  • Winning. 
  • Free games.
  • Reading and Frozen Yogurt.
  • Help.
  • Surprises.
    • Eternal Ordinances.
      • No Work.
        • Disney Movies.
          • Sleeping in, even slightly.
            • The last day of a rotten work schedule.
              • A very healthy, happy baby.
                • Hosting a fun dinner with friends.
                • Testimonies.
                • Learning something new.
                • In-town Training.
                • Packages, sunshine, and air-conditioning.
                • Baby and her nose kisses.
                • Eclairs.
                • Being out and about together.
                • Being reminded what makes a happy marriage.
                • Our Blessings.
                • An Uno Victory.
                • Paying off debt.
                • Coming to know God better.
                • Lunch and a Movie.
                • Swimming.