15 Things to be happy about

Thanks to Becca for letting me shamelessly steal her idea...

Friends who call and, for no other reason than being an awesome person who should probably be translated, offer to take our kids overnight so that we can have a getaway before the next baby is born.  I need to be a friend like that.

The clean house that results from a friend coming over to spend the night.  There are even clean sheets on my bed.  As long as she doesn't open the closets, she should be good.

A walk to the 7-11 in the middle of the afternoon for a Slurpee.  I don't think I've had a Slurpee since I was a teenager.  Mine was wild cherry flavor. You better believe we'll be doing that more often!

Violin students who practice, and seeing the joy on their faces when they accomplish more than they imgained they could.

Bountiful baskets.  Is it silly to be excited about enormous amounts of produce every Saturday?  I hope not.

Thunder storms.

My little boy climbing in my lap to read a story, then demanding that story over and over again.

The (few) moments of peace and giggles when my girls are actually getting along.

Remembering leftovers in the fridge, excited that I'm not going to have to be creative for lunch again.

Laying out back-to-school clothes in neat little piles for each kids, realizing that they will likely never be that clean or neatly folded again.

Hearing that your soon-to-be third grader's teacher emphasizes reading like crazy, and hearing that he has transformed many a reluctant reader into  kids that disappear into their rooms for hours, reading a novel.

Sleeping in until ridiculously late because my 8:00 am violin lesson cancelled.

Text messages.  From anyone.

Watching my violinist daughter win $100 in a talent contest, and feeling (for a minute) that all the hours, frustration and tears were worth it.

The promise of a ward campout next weekend.  It's the only way I can get hubby camping, and the kids love it!

How about you? What are you happy about today?