10 Things That Make Me Happy

Day 14 of the Blog Everyday in May challenge: 10 Things That Make You Happy
Just a little list of some current and past favorites!


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Being with my family // This one is a no-brainer. There is nothing more special to me than the moments I find myself giggling with my handsome husband and sweet baby girl on the floor in our home while we're playing with toys or just having fun somewhere together. As long as we're together, we're happy. It's only taken me a few days while Joshua is away on this trip for me to realize just how much I really LOVE being with him! This is why time apart is so crucial for marriages! ;) It really does make you appreciate one another. Miss you, Joshua!

When Eden naps longer than normal // Because let's face it, motherhood is exhausting and beautifully rewarding all wrapped up in one lovely package but rest is much needed for us mamas! I've been blessed with a wonderful sleeper from the start, but there's nothing better than when she takes a little longer on that nap ;)

Red wine, especially any kind of Syrah // I really enjoy unwinding at the end of the day with an occasional glass of wine. I don't do it often, but sometimes it just really hits the spot! I love red wine and now that summer is almost here, I look forward to some summer nights with a good book and a glass of it out on our porch!

Strawberries with Bisquick biscuits // I had never had Bisquick biscuits until I met my husband, but man they are so good (and probably horrible for me, I refuse to look at the fat content, ha!). I'm on such a strawberry kick right now and I am really enjoying these two fused together. Yum!

Open, blue sky with lots of space // Moving out to Arizona was so good for my soul on many levels, one of them being the need for space. I absolutely love how much room to breathe there is here. I rarely feel like I am in a concrete jungle, and I love that. I appreciate that I can drive only a few miles outside of our neighborhood and there is nothing but space for us to roam. The sky here is amazing and the clouds are gorgeous almost daily.
And nothing is more beautiful than an Arizona sunset!

Organizing // I love organizing and always have. It's a huge stress reliever for me, and oddly enough, I find myself frequently doing some project around the house that involves organizing or beautifying an area of my home, whether that's cleaning out our closest or organizing paperwork in the office. I love knowing where things are and that they'll be there when I need it. Moving into a new home and having a baby only a few months later was really a stretch for me because a little one came into our lives before I felt really "settled" here but it's been good for me! Now that the dust has settled, I'm enjoying getting settled here and making each room organized.

Being outdoors // My parents are instrumental in shaping this aspect of my personality but I have to be outdoors at least sometime during the day or else I go crazy! I have a lot of respect for moms who do it in cold climates where making that happen doesn't always work out. I love hiking, sailing, being on water, and just being outside in general-- even if that means walking around an outdoor mall. It's so good for the soul!

Finding a good deal // I thrive on a good deal and I swear it actually energizes me, ha! There's nothing better than the end aisles at Target with the little red "Clearance" tags, can I get an amen?! ;) Joshua and I are really different in this area-- he'd rather save for a more expensive, high quality item and I'd rather just get what works, pay less & have money left over for something more! I see pros and cons to both sides for sure.

Being a homemaker // I've always wanted to be a wife and mom and there's nothing more that I enjoy than running my household and taking care of my family. While I do believe that women can "do it all," I believe that I am a better wife and mom by not working. This is such a personal thing, but this is my "job" and I feel like I can do it well because I have the time to do so. I take great pride in watching my home thrive and watching my husband eat good meals that I've taken the time to plan and prepare. It just works better for us on many levels. I have tremendous respect for women who can do both.

Setting goals and reaching them // I love "to-do lists" and making goals and achieving them. It's such a gratifying feeling for me to see them checked off and accomplished! I would love to learn to run and although it's so intimidating to me, I'd love to have that become a part of my daily lifestyle. Some goals that I've set this year included starting to juice fresh vegetables and I have really enjoyed that so far! Another goal is to continue exclusively breast feeding for at least a year, and as of today we are 9 months going, so we're almost there! Wish us luck ;)

What are some things that make you happy?