Happiness Is...

This summer has been stressful.  I believe the phrase is I "bit off more than I can chew."  I know this is a season in my life that won't last forever, but some days it is harder to find the good than others.  So, I made another 100 Happy Things list to remind myself that there are so many things to be happy about.  What is happiness to you?

1. Finally breaking in a new pair of sneakers  2. thunder snow  3. 4th of July cookouts  4. Where the Sidewalk Ends  5. Teddy Roosevelt  6. homemade cinnamon rolls  7. catching up with old friends

8. neon post-its  9. brinner  10. a field full of wild flowers  11. trail rides  12. going for a run in the dark  13. potato guns  14. the pen and marker aisle at an office supply store  15. Pixar  16. naps outside

17. creating  18. zoo trips  19. mini cheesecakes  20. crossword puzzles  21. eating cereal out of the box  22. OJ + Sprite  23. IKEA  24. Super Nintendo  25. rainbow sprinkles  26. Christmas cookies

 27. leggings  28. great-aunts and uncles  29. milkshakes  30. not having to wear socks  31. uncontrollable giggles  32. Instagram  33. 56=7x8  34. The Cosby Show

35. getting everything on your grocery list the first trip to the store  36. lightning bugs in cornfields  37.  birch trees  38. dancing at weddings  39. game nights  40. horses eating out of your hand

41. girls' night  42. Doris Day movies on Netflix  43. art supplies  44. Thanksgiving  45. kayaking in the lily pads  46. Jackson Cut  47. the first fall day  48. Sunday naps  49. loon calls

50. Maid of the Mist rides  51. DiCamillo's  52. cheese fries  53. crickets singing outside of your window  54. old family photos  55. button collections  56. the word AWESOME  57. bacon

 58. catching someone smiling to themselves  59. alliteration  60. Bible study  61. Roald Dahl  62. the smell of oranges and grapefruits  63. raspberry lemonade  64. outdoor concerts  65. leftovers 66. cardigans

67. fabric stores  68. star gazing  69. a new box of crayons  70. homemade quilts  71. hot cocoa + a warm fire  72. Sunday drives with my pops  73. antique shopping  74. Top Chef marathons

 75. wet cats after a bath  76. tire swings  77. opening a new can of tennis balls 78. chocolate milk  79. peonies  80. new sheet music  81. worm hunting  82. cream cheese danish  83. people watching

 84. evening walks  85. dusk  86. family traditions  87. ghost walks  88. butterfly gardens  89. over-sized sweatshirts  90. handwritten notes  91. blow torches  92. gram's laugh  93. sunlight filtered thru trees

 94. compost lessons from a 3 year old  95. a job well doe  96. pulling off a surprise  97. new socks  98. Raygu  99. reading thru old cards  100. God's timing

Dear Nat and Livy,

I've waffled on what I was going to nickname you - Via and Lia? Livy and Lia? Nat and Livy just seems right.

You are going to be entering this world  any day now.  I am beyond excited to meet you.  I can't even begin to tell you how many times I've prayed for you.  You are already so so very loved.

You are about to join this family and I want you to know how special they are.

Your great-grandmas.  They are both a little nuts, but in the best ways possible. They both have kid tested and approved laps.  Neither of them carries a tune so great, but that won't matter.  Their lullabies are some of my most cherished memories.  They are both so ecstatic to get to be around to meet you. They've both been trying to figure out if they can handle holding 2 babies at once (and luckily they both realize their capabilities won't let them- we don't need dropped babies!)

Your grandparents.  They are going to be great grandparents.  Your pops is kind of quiet, but has the biggest heart in the world.  If you turn out emotional, it comes from him.  I sure did, but it isn't all bad.  It just means you have all the feels!  He is sweet and caring and already loves you so so much.  He will take 8 million pictures of you and put most of them into frames to show off to everybody.  He will ask you to pull his finger waaaaaay to much and find it hilarious every time.  He gives really good hugs.  And is an amazing listener.  Your nana is fiercely loyal to her family.  She will love and support you.  She is an AMAZING cook and baker.  There will never be a shortage of cookies in her cookie jar once you are able to eat them.  She will read you a million stories.  Her patience with children is to be admired and you will benefit greatly from that.

Your dad.  He's the best big brother I could ever ask for.  He's going to spoil you rotten.  You are going to steal his heart.  He will be over protective - I can't wait to see what happens the first time you bring someone home to meet him!  I've told him he has to let you be girly if you want to be, but he's pretty set on you being football players ;)

Your mom.  I haven't known her as long as the rest of this bunch, but I love her like a sister.  She's able to put up with my brother so that's saying a lot (haha).  She is kind and supportive.  She can handle the rest of us which also says a lot!  She's done a good job baking you, but out of all of us, she is definitely the most ready for you to be here!

Your aunt.  She is a little crazy.  But in a fun way.  She is creative and quirky.  She is beyond ready to be an aunt.  She isn't a baby person, but somehow that just might change once she meets the two of you.  She will teach you about glitter and rainbows, but she will also encourage you to play in the dirt.

Your extended family:  There is a lot of them.  Nana will try to teach you all of them, but it's a losing battle.  I can't even keep them all straight.  But it is a fun bunch.  You'll like them.

We are so blessed to get to have you joining our family so soon (but not too soon- bake a few more weeks if you can!).  Our family has experienced a lot of growth in the past year in terms of building our relationships, but now we are so ready for the fun growth of adding babies to the mix!  We are dedicated to helping you grow and learn and helping you be the most amazing little girls you can be.

Welcome to the family.  You are loved.