The Ten Things that Make Me Happy

A friend suggested that I make a list of “The Ten Things that Make Me Happy.” I’ve been thinking about it for a few days and I think I have my list complete.


1. My husband makes me happy. Matt and I have been together since August of 1995, which seems like a million year ago. In other ways, our first date seemed like yesterday and the cute little things he did to try to get me to notice him are still vivid in my mind. It’s funny, but over the years, you’d think it would take more effort on his behalf to make me happy, but instead, it actually takes less. Just seeing him walk through the door at the end of the day makes me smile.

2. My kids make me happy. I tear up just thinking about how happy they make me. I remember the struggles we had trying to conceive and that joy that consumed me each time I found out that we were bringing another child into the world. Just watching them laugh, play, and grow adds light to my life.

3. Journaling makes me happy. I always journal about things going on in my life and love going back and reading many months later what was happening at that moment. I like writing about funny things the kids say and do. I hope one day to give my journals to them as a gift so that they read about themselves as children and know just what I was feeling and thinking as their mother.

4. Talking to my mom everyday on the phone makes me happy. That’s right, Mom, I do enjoy your daily phone calls! Although they’re sometimes at the most inconvenient times, I know she’s calling because she loves and cares about me, Matt, and the kids. And most of the time, she’s the only adult that I’ll talk to between the hours of 7am and 7pm!

5. Talking with my friends makes me happy. There isn’t anything better than a phone call from a friend…except a girls night out! Either way, I cherish those ladies in my life that listen, give advice, pray, laugh, and cry with me.

6. Having a clean house makes me happy. As an individual with a mild case of obsessive compulsive disorder, the only time I can completely relax in my own home is when things are picked up and organized…and with three kids, the whole house is rarely clean for very long! Nonetheless, when it is, you can bet there is a huge smile on my face and my rear end is resting comfortably on the couch!

7. Bedtime makes me happy. Firstly, after all three kids are in bed at the end of the day, the house is so peaceful. Sometimes when I’m having an especially chaotic day I wonder how I’ll make it through without having a panic attack or a meltdown. When they’re all fed, bathed, and happily resting in their beds, I know I successfully cared for, loved, and nurtured my children that day. Secondly, my own bedtime makes me happy, too!

8. Being surprised makes me happy. It doesn’t happen often because it’s hard for Matt and the kids to get one by me, but when it does, I’m smiling for days. I know it sounds a little selfish, but I liked to be fussed over. As a mother, that doesn’t happen often! It doesn’t matter if it’s a note on the fridge from Matt when I wake up in the morning or a gift from one the kids that I wasn’t expecting, they’re all just as special.

9. Having a manicure and/or pedicure makes me happy. At least once a month, I make an effort to pamper myself with either a manicure or a pedicure. If I get both, things are REALLY GOOD! It’s a gift to myself that keeps on giving because every time I look down at those perfectly painted fingers or toes, I grin.

10. BUNCO night makes me happy. One evening a month, I get to spend time with my fellow BUNCO Babes. During these few hours, I am surrounded by several AMAZING women who lift up, support, and cherish me, as I hope to do for them. This time of fellowship is so special and important to me.