The Happy One

Today my friend Tami told me that my blogs were so sad. I decided that TODAY my blog would be dedicated to the happy.

So here's what's making me happy in my world right now…

God and faith. Here's a guy who loves me unconditionally and is so merciful and gracious even when I'm so undeserving. I talk A LOT and, although he doesn't say much I know he's listening - and better yet, I know he's working on me. It's like the story Pastor Stepp told in church last Sunday of the shepherd who left his flock to find that 1 little sheep that nibbled it's way out of the pack and wandered away...lost and scared. And when he found that sheep, he celebrated it's return. See? That makes me smile!

Amazing friends. Amelia, who I have attached at my hip on Blackberry Messenger. She receives random messages from me throughout the night and early mornings when I can't sleep and just need to get some thoughts out. We both understand and can relate to one another. Sarah, who is away on the Rock Boat but will be back soon and spending more time with me here in Florida. She listens, asks questions and gives loving encouragement to me. She's unapologetically Sarah, and that makes me smile. LP, who makes nights to remember with me, eats cheesecake with me and laughs at my inappropriate and giraffe like tendencies. Chandler (and T) who host a weekly nurturing "Girl's Night" accompanied with bottles of vino, games of Apples to Apples and back patio caring and sharing, analyzing and impartial advising.

My family, who I've grown so much closer to over the past 3 months. Reconnecting with my cousin, Nicole, and catching up on life. Spending weekends with my sisters and brothers and lovin on my Mom. Making so many new memories, recalling old ones and laughing...just laughing.

Memorial Presbyterian Church. It's been a homecoming, of sorts, for me. All the families of kids I grew up with at King's Academy and friends I knew through First Baptist Church are flooding back into my life and it's a great feeling. I attend the Bible Study each Wednesday evening and sing in the choir on Sunday. I look forward to this each and every week.

Music. Ahh yes, Sarah knows the CD I have in my car. The one I put on when I need to clear my head, sing at the top of my lungs and forget about everything around me (except driving safe, of course). Writing lyrics, learning this guitar and these beasties called bar chords and not taking the cheaters way around them. So proud. My new weekly voice lessons and learning songs. It makes me smile too to realize all the things I've unlocked recently…my ability to sight-read, controlled breathing, time signatures…I've known all of this for years but never used it. I'm having all these, "I KNOW THIS!!!" moments and it's sweeeeeeet.

The furry little loves of my life. Bella and Benson. They truly are lights in my life and love unconditionally no matter if I spend 30 seconds with them or 3 hours. They've made me more responsible and, I suppose, more responsive. They always do something new to make me laugh.

This weather!! It's the one time during the year I can actually wear my Uggs in Florida. I wore a coat out last night! And a scarf! I love the crispness in the air when it's chilly. I love the cold weather SO much. Smiles.

Facebook. Yeah, facebook. Thanks for connecting me with all these blasts from my past. I've found pretty much everyone I went to King's Academy with and looking back through old photos and reminiscing with classmates has been so entertaining. It's wonderful to be able to communicate with my extended family and keep each other in the loop of what's going on in critical (and not so critical) moments. Bumper stickers and flair? Well, lately, they too have made me smile. It's the simple things, really.

Clematis Street makes me grin because I have yummy Rocco's Tacos and delicious Starbucks in my backyard. Weekends are bliss (during the day only though).

Hall & Oates, woooaaahhh here they come! Definitely a highlight in the smile/happy department. My brother and I scored front row seats...after almost 8 concerts that involved standing in the back, in the heat of summer, in the rain, driving to random cities throughout Florida...we will finally be seeing them in a way we've never seen them before.

My Blackberry. Guilty pleasure. I have a love/hate relationship with it really. My calendar keeps me on schedule and on time, believe it or not. Who knew the Blackberry was what I needed ALL this time to keep me from being late? Hah. I play Brickbreaker just 'one more time' to see if I can make it past level 11. The video, music, photo, memo, voice recorder capacities...yay. OK, enough about that.

I'm sure I'll add to this one blog as I realize more and more things that are bringing me happiness. These are just the things that are highlighted for me right now.

And so there, Tami. A happy blog. Boy that felt good!