Just thinking…
Yes, just thinking… And I’m wondering,
What makes you happy?
Not what *should* make you happy, or what used to make you happy — What *does* make you happy currently?
I’d love to hear your answers. In hoping for answers, I should make things fair and answer the question myself.
It makes me tremendously happy when Cinderella reads. I know she can, but she does it when SHE wants to and only when she wants to. Yes, it drives me nutso when I ask her to and she won’t, but this isn’t a post about “What do you find super frustrating?”
I’m also very happy when immersed in a great book. Mm, I love that feeling. It’s such a quietly exciting endeavor. (Wendy? Any good book recommendations for me? And remind me again – what is the author of those funny mystery books you love?) In the old days, John and I used to love reading books together. It was heartbreaking, the first roadtrip we went on when C was a toddler. She screamed bloody murder if we read our big fat novel while she was awake. And if we read while she was sleeping, more often than not she’d wake up so she could scream about it. “NO! YOU SHALL NOT READ! YOU SHALL PAY ATTN TO ME AND ONLY ME!!!” So much for roadtrips being great times for us to get through books together. 
Sigh.
I’m being too wordy. Let’s make this quicker.
Parenting-payoff moments. Very happy.
Beautiful weather.
Treehouse museum.
Shopping. I know, I know… very shallow of me. I’m trying to get better, really I am, but I’m also trying to be honest, and I honestly really enjoy shopping.
Good hair days. (Speaking of shallow…)
Spending time with people I love. Especally if we get to play games involving lots of small pieces. I’m pretty sure the small pieces are part of the fun, and we hardly ever get to since the kids are always there with their eager little hands. Hmph.
Playing duets with my “little” sister. She’s passed me up in height, hair length, and in piano playing skillz. I’m so proud! It’ll be a long time before she passes me u in # of children, though. hahaha!
Date nights. Babysitting trade-offs when all children involved are sleeping.
Visit Teaching.
Christmas. Which reminds me — If a family newsletter is going to be sent, I must needs write it. ACK! Okay, off the blog – as much fun as it’s been. Oh wait. One more thing.
Blogging is happiness, too. I love it when my friends post cute pictures, funny or heartwarming stories, and when they write so that I can hear their voices in my head as I read. Makes me feel closer to them, you know? And friends definitely make me happy. So hurry! Go post something fun! You brighten up my world!
Ah ha! New posts you shall have, as I have great plans for nap time. And if I do not, you have the right to come haunt me.
Your blog makes me happy…as does most of your list actually. Shall I just say Ditto? Even to the shopping and hair parts? Yes, I think I shall for it is too true, too true. Well, except playing duets, I just listen to my littlist sister play…bah. Good luck on that Christmas letter!
Lovely list of happiness! I agree with reading, shopping when there are great deals and cute things involved, and friends. I would also add comments (who doesn’t get happy?), playing board games with lots of people, running, taking walks, dancing, and getting spiritual aha moments.
Ooh, love the comments ladies! Thanks!
You’re right, Chesky — Comments make me happy too! And those aha-moments where the Holy Ghost says, “Look!” and you’re changed forever. Love those too.
Love this post! Seriously, all of those things make me happy too! Shopping is so much fun, I’ve got to agree with you on that one and we don’t need to feel ashamed.
Happiness! Gotta love it!
Yes to parenting-payoff moments. No to shopping. Yes to spending time with people I love. Yes to visiting teaching–especially when the sisters get it done and I don’t have to beg, beg, beg. Do it because you should ladies, but even if not, do it for your Relief Society president and her gray hair. Wait, what was I commenting about?
Oh yeah, my gratitude list. The five darling people that live at my house, my husband’s wonderful job, God’s love, the ability to be still, decorating for Christmas, our chance to keep trying because of the Atonement, no snow in MA yet, serving others, laughing, being in a car with my husband for nine straight hours (you get some serious talking in). Okay, I’ll stop. Even if I have about four thousand others to add. Thanks for the opportunity to think about this.
Oh, and I think you are tremedous–one more person added to my gratitude list for sure.
I’m glad I found your blog because you are one of those ones that stays on the top of my list, and you write very entertaining and even uplifting posts! Blogs can definitely bring happiness or share it and spread it around anyway
creating Christmas magic for my children brings me joy. So does general women’s broadcast every year. and the dear little sounds my baby makes when he wakes up and looks at me smiling.