10 things i love

I got tagged by my friend Sarah to do this post about 10 things that make you happy.  Thought it would be a fun little way to end Valentine's Day.  I'm awake really late tonight thinking about where we are right now.  I miss my family & sweet georgia friends.  It's funny how removed you feel when you live away from home.  I'm just so thankful that we don't have to do this forever! 

These are some of the reasons that I love to wake up in the morning (only after 7 a.m.-ha!)

1.  Receiving snail mail.  Gone are the days that we put a stamp on a letter and rush to the mailbox to make someone's day.  I've tried to be better on my end about doing this because I know how much I love it.  My friend Jaime and my mama are the queens of snail mail and have kept me going in this department!  In college my friends would make fun of me because I had my little lapboard out every day.  Not for studying....for writing letters! :-)

2.  Lazy Saturdays when Shane is home.  I love having absolutely nothing on our agenda and loading up in the car and just going.  We did that this past Saturday and it was awesome.  A trip to Old Navy, Sam's, and to a cool place to eat lunch.  Station 77. 

3.  The way I feel when I exercise.  I've decided that this is the year that I'm going to try and focus on myself a tiny bit more.  I've signed up for a 1/2 marathon in April here in Ocean City.  It's been a secret because I've been so scared of being a chicken.  But, mark my word...I'll finish that race even if I am crawling. 

4.  Laughing.  Just good ole' make-your-eyes-water-and-your-face-turn-ugly laughing.  Shane is really good at making me do this.  It happened when we left church today and it felt so good. 

5.  Watching my children love each other to the core.  I love that they wake up looking for one another and they are sometimes the only ones that make each other smile or laugh.  It's their little brother & sister bond that they share with no other.  It's so dang cute.

6.  The trusting heart of a child.  And not just my own children, but I love watching children interact with their parents and caregivers.  Oh, how I wish I could let go of some insecurities and fears and truly have faith like a child.  I just love watching their little free spirits!  

 7.  Using my camera.  So I'm a little obsessed, but I just can't help it.  I'd say I would love to be a photographer, but that just seems to stressful.  I really like following my kids and photojournaling their lives. 

8.  Right at this very moment, I love a quiet house.  Everyone is tucked away in their beds (some snoring...how annoying) and comfy.  I love that we are in the state of Maryland, where sometimes it seems a little too quiet.  It's a good thing most of the time.  No obligations, activities out of guilt, places to be... just us in our home.  And to add to this note.........I LOVE that my son likes to be "comfy" 24/7.  He's such a man already.

9.  I really love to know about people that I love.  This sounds like maybe I'm just nosey, but that's not it.  I really love to hear about accomplishments and good things happening to my favorite people.  Thank goodness for FB sometimes, right? 

10.  I absolutely love being a mother.  (saved the best for last!) I love being called mommy & mama.  I love that they cry for me when they are happy, sad, or hurt.  I love that they let me hold them and kiss them until they become annoyed.  I love that they trust me to protect them and love them back.