Little Bits of Happy.

Happiness requires effort.

It just does.

If you expect it to be given out in massive doses once you master a set of skills or accomplishments, you will be left with nothing but disappointment and resent.

I am trying to be better at this...the whole "work" for happiness thing. Lucky for me (said without sarcasm), I have been given opportunities in my life, in the most recent weeks and of course years, which have allowed me glimpses of understanding into this philosophy/choice. I get to choose to look at these pieces of my day and simmer them together to become a full steaming stew of happy.

Lately my stew has included...

*Deak has invented a dance (if you wanna call it that) where he hits himself in the head once, claps his hands a few times, and then uses both hands to pat his belly repeatedly...like a Gorilla. It is absolutely hysterical. He will begin on cue, at any impromptu time...all anyone needs to say is "Head" and he takes it as his starting signal. This past Friday night while eating at Zuppas, a darling little thing toddled herself over to Deak's highchair. He gave her his classic sideways eye glance and then softly touched her cheek.

Then...he busted out his dance routine, without cue from Blair or I.

She actually was quite impressed and came back for round two.

This boy is a Lady Killer.

*Ab goes against the grain...in most aspects of her life (except her hair and clothes, which have to be perfect). She began a love for China when her class celebrated Chinese New Year a few weeks back, and it has turned into an obsession. She would only root for anyone of Asian descent while watching the Olympics, and will only cheer for the young Asian fellow on American Idol. We have attempted to explain to her that China is Communist country where children obey their parents (interesting phenomenon), but she refuses to believe us. In fact, this morning while getting ready to go to school she said, "I wish I lived in China. They don't have to go to school." I was met with a look of disdain and a classic eye roll when I tried to tell her about the school schedule in China.

Blair and I have told her if we hear anything more about China she will be required to eat Chinese food (which she doesn't do much of at the moment).

I have to admit that I've found myself looking for Chinese items (which isn't difficult considering everything is made there) etc...anything to make her smile.

My Ab sure is full of it...but, that spirit is what I love most.
(At least she is moving to China now, and not to Switzerland where she could marry a woman and adopt a baby...I was a little thrown off by that one...(Boys have "cooties" in second grade, don't you know?)).

*Fake snowboarding on the Wii makes me feel as if I can be an Olympian, and I love it. I don't have to wear a coat, buy equipment, or fall off the ski lift. It is the perfect winter Olympic sport for me... Cheers to fake snowboarding.

*Eye cream...I have high hopes my new eye cream will make me look ten years younger, and ten pounds thinner. I am sure of it. If it doesn't, no need to tell me...I am sure my evil Wii Fit will.

*Kyle Korver's recent increase in minutes for the Jazz. So much irrational pleasure is derived from him doing well. Really. I get nervous and jittery while he's on the court and live each three point shot as if it is his last.

*Watching my kids irritate the heck out of one another. The joy I feel when I watch them relate and love each other as typical siblings do is really and truly immeasurable. Goose eggs, bites, and screams are all things I did not know I would ever get to experience. I do get to though...and I am so eternally grateful.

*CRAWLING...still not over it. I know; it's been a while now...but, I don't care. I Love It!!!


*Alone time with Ab as I run and she bikes alongside me. She chatters the entire way and takes my mind off the hurt. It is perfect.
....and I could go on...
Choosing to be happy is awesome.
Life is awesome.