more cheer, more happiness, more hope

so i haven't written in a while. i've been sick and stressed and just so busy trying to keep up with life that has seemed to run away from me. most days i have just been working all day, out in the field and then in front of my computer as soon as i get home until late in the evening and then i am so exhausted i head straight to bed. it is not a very glamorous life. and even more so lately, it seems that things have just been out of my control in almost every aspect of my life. but in the midst of all of that, as i was decorating for christmas yesterday, i found myself being able to be very thankful for the small gifts i am given during the day, not necessarily of monetary value, but just the little things that make me happy, the things that lift my spirits. sometimes they come directly from a friend or they are just something i notice, but God knows the desires of our hearts right down to the little things we enjoy and He knows just when we need a lift. it is from those little things that i get my hope back. not from the gifts themselves, because that would not last, but the brief cheer and happiness they bring is usually enough to bring me out of my stressful state, even just for a moment, long enough to remember the true joy that i have that brings me hope for each new day. He can be seen in those little things no matter how trivial, ordinary, silly, or simple. He knows what we need and sometimes that is only something small to remind us to look to Him. those things are all around us in this world and the people we come in contact with.

so i started this list a very long time ago. it is a list of the things that make me happy and i decided i would share it with you. as you will see, it is about people, His creation, and simple things, all things i enjoy and things that remind me of joy and hope.

• driving my car, no traffic, especially with other vdubs
  
• riding with jeremiah, especially on a nice day, windows down (being driven by someone who knows how after driving myself around in traffic all day/all week long)
  
• washing my car, having a clean car
• laying under the stars
• hearing the right song at just the right time
• reading to children
• finding the perfect gift
• being at the beach
• pedicures
• studying, learning, science and experiments, reading science books, watching Myth Busters
• graduations (and seeing people reach goals)
  
• capturing the perfect photograph, this is fun to play with as well to find other good photos
  
• being taken out on a date whether surprised or planned but having him do the decision making, ie. being taken out
• campfires, toasting marshmallows
• puppies
• babies and children laughing
• shoe shopping
• breakfast food anytime of the day
• slowing down with a friend in the middle of a busy day for lunch, coffee, or just a walk/talk
• soft socks in winter
• christmas decorations, lights, candles, red ornaments, and holiday smells
  
• snow
• miracles and seeing people doing genuinely nice things, big or small
• having time with God outside under a tree on a beautiful day
• naps on a rainy day, laying around watching movies
• fireworks
• having a creative project turn out just the way you pictured it in your mind
• traditions among families
  

i hope that this helps to remind you of the little things in your life that can bring more happiness and hope to your day.