It's the Simple Things

You know when you open a new jar of peanut butter? You're the first one to dig your knife or spoon (or finger?) into that fresh, untouched pile of goodness. There's something extremely satisfying and enjoyable about that first dip into the peanut butter.

Sometimes, it's the simple things in life that just make me happy. Like the birds singing. Such brave little things. They must realize that it's a little colder than usual, but they just let loose and celebrate anyway. I'm sure I'll take this for granted in a few weeks when I get sick of birds in the morning when I'm trying to sleep, but for now it's just simply wonderful.

In the library, when new books come in, I have to go root through them and check them out. Can't keep my hands OFF those new books! Shiny covers, bright titles, favorite authors...what could be better?

As soon as the weather cooperates, I'm running right out and having a picnic. Summer food can be simple and delicious - fruits and vegetables, meat on a grill. Time to put away all the casseroles and soups and comfort food. Let's freshen things up!

So these are some random things that make me happy. Simple things.

Here're some more: hugging babies, baking cookies, blowing bubbles, running (when I actually feel like it), drinking green tea, talking with friends, singing along, walking barefoot in the grass, hiking with my family...

It's the simple things.

*Sniff*

I love my nose.

I have lots of different favorite smells. Usually they're my favorites because they remind me of something or someone. I have happy memories associated with smells.

So here's a list of some of my favorite smelly things:

1. Old books
2. Freshly mowed grass
3. Christmas trees
4. Chocolate chip cookies baking
5. Spring rain
6. Wood
7. Vanilla
8. Hand sanitizer
9. Babies' heads
10. Fresh bread
11. Laundry
12. Coffee brewing
13. Campfires
14. Strawberries
15. Lilacs
16. Basements

Hm...some of these are kind of strange. Others have definite memories associated with them. What're your favorite smells? Think about it...

Baby Therapy

You know I’ve spotted a baby when my smile gets bigger, my voice gets higher, and my feet walk quicker in that direction.

Babies bring a different mood into the room. Unless they’re being fussy, they just spread smiles everywhere they go. Innocence and joy, chubby cheeks and tiny fingernails, all presented in a soft little package of Baby. I volunteer in my church’s nursery, and it’s one of my favorite things.

So many different moments. When I hold him close and smooth his hair. When I whisk her up and blow into her stomach to make her laugh. When he pulls himself up holding onto a chair and looks at me triumphantly, head wobbling like it’s going to roll off.

Simple moments that make me do nutty things. Like stay frozen in uncomfortable positions that cause my arms to go numb because she is sleeping and I can’t bring myself to shift and wake her up. Or wave baby food around in circles over his head, making zooming noises. Or pop my head up from behind a counter to make her giggle so much she starts to hiccup.

Yup, there’s nothing like it. Baby therapy. And when I’m holding her in my arms and she curls her tiny fingers around mine and sighs, so content. I look down and sigh right back, perfectly satisfied to stay like this, looking at her forever.