Things I love.

There are so many of them. Here are a few.

1. Making my kids laugh/smile. Thad is still too young to really laugh, but he is such a happy boy. He smiles so readily. There is nothing like your kid smiling at you. Sally is a sweet girl and she is generally happy. Her laugh is so infectious and genuine. She does a silly little fake laugh when she hears Martell and I laughing because she knows she should laugh, but this morning she and I spent a good amount of time playing with a box and let me tell you. It was hilarious. She laughed and laughed and laughed, which of course just tickles me.

2. Snuggling. When I'm pregnant I have a hard time with snuggling. My skin gets really sensitive and I get really squirmy and there's that giant belly to deal with. Now that I'm not pregnant anymore, I realize just how much I love snuggling.

3. Naptime. I know, every parent practically lives for naptime, and let's face it, I'm no exception. Don't get me wrong, I love it when my kids are up (and happy) too, but I love being able to get things done. I guess it turns out I'm a pretty task oriented person and to be able to get things accomplished without worrying about Sally trying to "help" is good for my sanity.

4. Being active. I don't get out of the house much these days and I am not as physically active as I used to be as a result. But I started trying to workout a bit at home and it turns out, it makes me a happier person. The best is being active and doing something productive at the same time. Like cleaning the house. I get a workout(kind of) and a clean house all at the same time.

5. The internet. I probably spend too much time with the internet and not as much as I should being active, but I love how I can stay connected with people without leaving my house. Not that I don't like to leave my house. I love that. (wait, that's a different thing I love) But it's rather challenging.

6. Leaving my house. In particular I like to go grocery shopping. Again, it's accomplishing something while accomplishing something else. I get groceries and I get out of the house. And I get to walk around the store, which is more exciting than walking around my apartment.

7. Food. I love trying to find healthy, cheap, delicious things to cook, and it turns out there are tons of things that fit those qualifications. I love trying out the new things to cook and it turns out I enjoy cooking for other people, so if you want me to cook for you, come on over. I'd go over there, but, well, we talked about that already. Kinda challenging with the wee ones.

8. My salad spinner. I just got one. This goes with food, but it deserves it's own entry. I love salad, but I hate making it. Or I used to. It took so long to wash all the lettuce and to get it sufficiently dry so it wouldn't leave a puddle in the bowl and go bad before it's time. Well, that is no more. I don't have mushy lettuce, I don't have gross lettuce water at the bottom of the bowl and I have a salad in about half the time.

9. Music. Martell gave me a keyboard for Christmas (I know, awesome!) and I'm really pretty bad still, but I love having the chance to practice and get better. It actually makes me want to be better at guitar too, which is something I haven't pursued for a long time. It's kind of embarrassing when Martell is so good. But that's lame. I should pick it up again.

10. Exploring new things. Intellectually. (remember, I don't get out much?) I love the potential that comes with learning something new, or rather, beginning to. The potential that comes with trying to learn to play the piano better, or trying to be better at guitar, (or trying to get over my embarrassment). I've been thinking I need to learn French...don't ask why, I don't know, so I'm going to be working on that. I started knitting (I have technically been introduced to this skill before, but it didn't stick too well. Thanks to youtube for being an ever available tutor). I'm learning more about gardening because, like most things, I'm not so good at it yet, but I can't get over how interesting it is. Wish my little indoor herb garden luck...it will need it I think.

11. Photography. This is another thing that is mentally stimulating for me. I love the discovery of finding the best angle, the best lighting, the best camera settings. Ok, that's a little ideal. It's pretty tough to find the best. I'm not sure there is a best, but there are a lot of goods, and the fun is finding all the good variables a picture has to offer. Then you have something too look at and enjoy afterward.

So there you have it. 11 things I love. I should do this more often. So should you. Tell me what you love. And no fair saying me. :D (I love you too)