10 Things that Make Me Happy

1.  My Handsome Guys:

Joey is our comic relief in this family and oh, do I love him so.  He has some great signature dance moves, and will on occassion come and snuggle with me in the morning.  That is the BEST way to start the day.  Soon he'll be too old for that, so I grab every chance to love on him.  He is a nice kid, and tries hard to be responsible about his diabetes. 

My husband is my greatest cheerleader and best friend.  It's funny how we as girls tend to choose guys very much like our own fathers for husbands (although mine has MUCH more fashion sense than my dad!); my dad would not deny my mother anything.  My mom was right when she told me my father was the one that would love her always and regardless of anything--and Joe is the same with me.  He can be really goofy at times, especially with the kids, which makes him the best kind of dad--engaged, loving, and thoughtful.   

2. My Beautiful Moo

Every day I marvel at what a smart, beautiful girl I have!  She is a far better student than I ever was, which I credit to her love of reading.  She is an adventurous sort and is usually willing to give new things a try, from food to sports to travel.  I am so glad that she has some very close friends--girls that have been in her life since before preschool!  I know she will grow up to be a confident and independent woman.

3.  My friends--both near and far, old and new

My friends challenge me:  to do new things, to push myself, and to reach for things I want.  I love that they see things in me that I can't and believe in me when I don't.  Without you guys I would've never become an Ironman, much less tried a triathlon in the first place.  Peer pressure can be a good thing!  (Although that fourth vodka gimlet was not a good idea.) 

4.  Sophie

Wouldn't it be nice to wake up everyday in the same "Gee, I'm happy to see you!" mood?  It has taken a while (4 years) for her to get over the piddle-in-submission greeting, but Sophie is always ready to go for a run or snuggle on the couch.  She absolutely LOVES the beach in any kind of weather which makes her my kind of dog!  Now, if only I could break her annoying habit of carrying shoes around in her mouth. 

5.  Cupcakes

Now, I'm sure you thought this was a given, but it's not the cake itself that makes me happy (although I am a total sucker for that coconut/lime flavor YUM!)  Cupcakes to me are about making other people happy because shared indulgences are the best, especially with folks from #3.

6.  The Beach

Like my dog, I love the beach in any kind of weather.  We are so lucky to have our house at the beach and it has become our "happy place."  There is no clutter, no demands on our schedule, and no hassles (other than home repair issues.)  It is a time to read, do puzzles, lounge on the beach or in the house, go for runs or bike rides if the mood strikes, and generally just hang out.

7.  A Clean House

....and preferably one I didn't have to clean myself!

8.  A Good Book

I am the type of person that gets easily sucked into a good book.  I will ignore everything else, and just read read read.  I've been known to stay up waaaay past 3am to finish a book.  It doesn't happen very often, which I guess is a good thing, since then the house would be a total wreck and my children would be dirty and starving.

9.  Nice Hotels and Flying First Class

I don't do camping.  I don't like to be cold, sleep on the ground, or have to use a flashlight to find the bathroom in the middle of the night.  I much prefer a bed that is freshly made every morning, down comforters (love the fact that more hotels are going in this direction), and clean towels every day.  My husband has spoiled us--we have stayed in some pretty swank places on our travels and been able to cobble together some good itineraries on flights that let us fly in style.  The days of tighter budgets will be a sad thing when and if we get to go overseas again.

10.  Tulips.

Tulips are my favorite flower, but I especially love parrot tulips that are variegated and have the raggedy edges.  Joe knows birthdays are better with tulips!