I decided that I needed to focus more on the positive in my life and do as the hymn says: “Count Your Many Blessings”. In an effort to do that I thought I would list the TOP 10 things that make me HAPPY. I could just get rolling and not be able to stop at 10, but is that such a bad thing? I think not.
In no particular order (just what comes to my head first):
Jared: I can’t tell you how blessed I am to have the husband I do. He takes such good care of me and worries so much if I am happy. He still does all the sweet little things to show that he loves me. Just a very simple example from the other day. I was working on the computer and the battery was running low. As I was talking to Jared I pulled out the cord to plug in. Jared immediately took it from me and plugged it in for me. It is such a little thing, but it shows how much he is conscious of my needs and even my thoughts. He does things like this all the time.
Anne and Alicia: They may frustrate me at times, but I love them so much. Each day they make me smile, laugh and just be grateful that Heavenly Father sent them to me. I am constantly amazed at how smart they are too. They are so obedient. Anne is a little helper for me and such a good companion for me. Alicia is such a cuddle and love bug. I love most when they spontaneously say that they love me.
Healthy Body: I am especially grateful this now that I am pregnant yet again. It may not always be fun, but compared to the challenges so many women have with pregnancies and I am so blessed. It is such a miracle. I am truly amazed at the wonderful miracle the body is.
Gospel: There is no way I would be able to deal with this life without the gospel. I don’t know how anyone does it. I may get frustrated with my calling, but I am glad for the chance to share the gospel with the sisters in the ward and see it bless their lives. I am especially grateful for General Conference. It always gives me such a boost.
Vacations: I put this one in because I am desperately in need of one. I really understand how necessary they are. I would love to just have a week to be with Jared and my girls and not worry about anything else (especially my calling).
Christmas: This one should be obvious. Most of my favorite memories and traditions center around this holiday. I am so glad that it is getting so near. Luckily for me just after Christmas this baby should be on its way here, so I have distraction from all the woes that the end of a pregnancy brings. I love all the time with family, the food, smells, music and even the commercialism of is to a certain extent. I love all the spiritual uplift that comes around this time of year and the generosity that seems to fill everyone. It is when the world is at its best.
Good Books: I am not sure how I would survive without a book to read. Even if it is only for a couple minutes each day. I love getting lost in the world of the book and forgetting my worries for that short time. I made a list once of all the non-kids books I have read. There was over 200 of them and that was in 2001, so a lot more have been added since then.
Cosby Show: Jared and I have bought all the seasons on DVD. We watch them over and over again. It is clean and just plain fun to watch. The parents’ relationship is almost exactly like Jared and I’s, which makes it even funnier. I love also that it subtly teaches good values. How long has it been since a popular sitcom has done that?
Food: Some of my favorites are, of course, chocolate and Mexican food. While my uncle Eric was here in Germany he got me some American hot dogs from the commissary and I have been loving them. I think I am very much an emotionally driven eater. One of my faults (as my figure proves). So many wonderful memories for me center around food. Every celebration requires it. I am excited to do some Christmas baking this year, and to see how the girls love it.
Music: I don’t play an instrument and frankly am grateful. I love just listening to music and not being able to analyze it or how it is being played. I love how music can sooth me and make me so happy. I understand about 80% of German at church, but I have to concentrate so much (which is hard when I am also trying to keep the girls quiet), so for Jared and me it is important that I sing the hymns in English (some in the family and ward don’t agree with this, but really…I don’t care). I need the spiritual message of the hymns and to not have to concentrate on grammar or vocabulary in order to get the message. So I am very grateful for the hymns.
Disney: We are slowly building up our collection of classic Disney movies (when they are under 10€) for me and for the kids. They just make me so happy and I love seeing the girls’ reactions to these movies that I grew up with. Jared and I are hoping to be able to go to Disney World next spring and I can’t wait. There are few things that make me smile so broadly or get more excited than when I talk to Jared about Disney World. I can’t wait to share it with him and make something that means so much to me part of our memories together.
Autumn: I have decided that this is my favorite season (spring comes in a close 2nd). Winter is too bleak and cold, and summer is way too hot. Autumn is the most beautiful. Here in Germany the leaves turn the most spectacular colors. I was driving to an appointment the other morning and the sun was coming up and it was making all the gold in the leaves just pop. I wished I was able to stop and get a picture.
Friends: I have never really had friends outside of my family and always longed for a small group of people do things with. I just didn’t really have anyone who seemed to seek out my company and seem to need me as much as I needed them (Rachel was the first to fill this need for me, which I am forever grateful for). Here in Germany I have found a small group of friends who truly seem to need me as much as I need them. I think Heavenly Father knew I would need this, so has blessed me with it now. We are all getting together this weekend and I can’t wait.
I told you this would probably get longer than 10 things, and I will probably make another list soon as I think of more things.
