Happiness
Life with children is not always what we imagined, pre-children, what it was cracked up to be. I know I had a very different idea(s) about what I would do when I had kids. I’ve since learned to (mostly) shut my mouth about what I think I know. But it doesn’t mean that parenting is any easier.I started this “Happiness is…” project to remind me of the good that happens in my weeks with the kids. It’s not that it’s necessarily hard to find the good, but I often forget. To use a well-used analogy, I can’t see the forest for the trees and the good can get lost in the bad.While the bad stuff keeps happening (as it always will – one more peanut buttered head, or milk spilled on the floor, or pumpkin plants cut up to pieces), I can look joyfully at my pictures to remind me that our happiness keeps happening too. Sometimes it’s about the kids, and sometimes it’s about a moment of joy in the cleanliness of a counter. Or an early bedtime and some free time. Whatever it is, it’s a little piece of happiness I can reflect back on.Welcome to the Happiness project.
Happiness is… (vol 13)
First popsicle (or whatever you’d like to call it) of the summer season. Right before the flash thunderstorm hit and nearly blew the deck away. But we got it in before that. And…
Happiness is… (vol 12)
Peonies. Lots and lots of beautiful and fragrant peonies. They don’t last long, and I enjoy looking at and smelling them so very, very much. And teaching the kids about pollination in the…
Happiness is… (vol 11)
Goofy dress ups. I don’t know if I have words for the goofiness. But it comes amidst some stressful growing times for all of us. Children’s drive for independence is so freeing and…
Happiness is… (vol 10)
Walking away from a really bad fall and not needing emergency attention. Yesterday we went for a walk to a Crescent that was having garage sales. I didn’t strap Cassia into the stroller…
Happiness is… (vol 9)
The joy of watching a child find endless amusement and fun in perfecting her circle-making skills. She’s been at this for about a week – just grabbing the stool, picking out a dry-erase…




