The Little Things

A few days ago, I was working in the kitchen when I realized that I hadn't heard from the baby in a few minutes.  Normally, this is cause for great concern, as usually when he's quiet it means that he's somewhere shredding toilet paper and/or throwing things down the stairs.  I went to check on him, bracing myself for disaster, and found him sitting on the couch, playing quite happily with one of his shoes.  He was utterly fascinated with the velcro, and continued to play with the strap and giggle to himself for another fifteen minutes.

I found myself feeling slightly envious.  I thought how lucky he was to be so utterly fascinated and entranced by something so simple.  As I've thought about this more, I've realized that I have a choice.  There are a lot of little things that make me happy, I just have to choose to focus on those things and be joyful, rather than shifting my focus to all the little annoyances that come from parenting three small, energetic children.

Here are some of the little things that make me happy- remembering that by "small and simple things are great things brought to pass, and small means in many instances doth confound the wise." 

- Kisses from the baby, especially first thing in the morning when he's all soft, cuddly and sleepy.
- Watching the girls twirl in circles as if they have no cares in the world.
-A pot of pink tulips in the middle of January, especially when I haven't seen grass in months. (And likely won't until sometime in May!)
- Chocolate.  Anything chocolate.  It doesn't even have to be particularly good chocolate.  (I'm wondering now if I have any chocolate in the house...)
-A purring cat sitting on my lap.
-Getting mail that isn't bills, ads or junk.
-Comments on my blog.
-Phone calls with friends, especially when you end up giggling like a couple of thirteen year olds. 
-The grin on a student's face when they finally connect with a concept.
-My six year old curling up on my lap, taking my hand, and putting it on her back, making a not-so-subtle request for me to scratch her back.
-Experimenting with a new recipe and having it be a smashing success.
-The sigh of quiet and satisfaction when all three kiddos are peacefully sleeping.
-Curling up on the couch with a blanket, a space heater, and my laptop. 
-Connections, real connections with people around me.   Sometimes it happens in person, on the phone, by email, text message or just by chance, but those moments of true connection nourish my soul.
-A good novel - one that's worth staying up until two am to finish.
-All three students canceling in one day, leaving me an entire day free.
- Sunday afternoon naps.

What are the little things that make you happy?