Little Happies

Isn't it the truth that the day-to-day of life can be a little tough? Especially for us infertiles? Especially for anyone with a heavy cross to bear?

Now I'm not saying I'm any good at this, but I try, and my husband encourages me, to find joy in the in-betweens. In other words, we can't just be living for the next big thing to happen in our lives: graduating, getting a new job, engagement, marriage, babies, buying a house, big trips, restored health, retirement. We'd spend our whole lives wishing our time away, just focused on our next "big thing" to happen... and then, after it happens, what do we do next? Go back to wishing and hoping and rushing through life for the next "big thing"? It's so easy to fall into that cycle and live that way, but it's not usually very joyful. Especially during those in-betweens.

The best way to stop ourselves from living life only for the "big things" is to fall in love with the little things. We've got to find stuff worth celebrating every day. We've got to find God in all good things, no matter how small. We've got to take time to savor all of life's little happies.

So, that's what I'm working on now: finding and loving all of the little happies in my life. And that's what I'd like to share with you here from time to time. 'Cause though it's fun to share big, exciting news with all of you, it's important to remember the "big things" are not all that's worth celebrating in life.

Here are 5 Little Happies I've experienced over the past few weeks:

-- one --

It was a normal Wednesday night at our apartment. John was still at work and I was about to start cooking dinner. When I went to the pantry to fetch the olive oil, I found this guy, staring back at me, hilarious as could be. And all I could do was giggle. Apparently John had gotten his hands on some googly eyes at work (he works at a children's hospital -- these things are common there) and decided it'd be fun to use them to bring our olive oil to life. He stuck the googlies on a few days before and just waited and waited and waited for me to come across them. And when I finally did, he wasn't home to see my great reaction, but he laughed his little tush off when I sent him this picture. The googlies are still on our olive oil to this day and they make me so happy whenever I see them. 

-- two --

Sonic alwayyyys makes me happy! I'm pretty sure my love for Sonic is based on the fact that I didn't discover it until I moved away from RI, post-college. I had a lot of slushies to drink to make up for lost Sonic time. That plus I just can't resist their happy hour drink discounts. Ever. If it's between 2pm and 4pm and I'm within a mile of a Sonic, you can be your bubble I'll be there. Even sometimes if it's not happy hour, I'm still drawn to it. Like a few weekends ago. I was having a girly day with my friend Rachel and Sonic was just there. So we just had to go. Diet Doctor Pepper with vanilla syrup is the bomb dot com, so obviously that's what I ordered. And then we posed with our delicious treats, because that's what silly-on-soda people do. 

-- three --

Cuddling with my love while watching the Winter Olympics opening ceremony (U-S-A, U-S-A!!). Oh, and couch selfies. Lots of happy going on there. 

-- four --

Remember that time I mentioned how horrible I am at waiting to give or receive gifts? Yup, happened again. And that's why you see me showing off my Valentine's day gift in the picture above, several days before Valentine's day. Oops! I just couldn't wait to give John his gift, and then he couldn't wait to give me mine! Plus, he felt there were several events I could wear it to before Valentine's day. And he was right. I'm wearing it right now! Love it, love him, and loving all the compliments I've received. He's a sweetie for picking out such a fantastic necklace. It brings me so much happy, most especially because it makes me think of him whenever I wear it. 

-- five --

Discoring new delicious foods is definitely one of my favorite little things in life. Before our date to see Wicked (which was fantastic, btw, but not featured here because it's more of a "big thing"), John took me out for a new-to-us cuisine: bibimbap (translation: mixed rice). It's a Korean dish served in a hot hot hot cast iron bowl. The rice and all its toppings sizzle as you eat your way to the bottom. Mmmmm. I can still smell and taste it now. It was wonderful! Makes for a very happy tummy. 

---

You know what? That was a lot of fun!! Knowing that I'm going to post about my life's little happies makes me stop and think about just how awesome these every-day little things are. Like I said before, I'm not always great at finding joy in the in-betweens, but I'm thinking this new Little Happies series will help with that. And if you think it'll help you out, feel free to join in!! I'd love to read about the little things you're celebrating in your life too. 

Sharing little happies with each other -- now that's a happy thought! :)