A to Z Joy

Yesterday was a day.

 

For no reason whatsoever I was just having a terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad day.  Everything was wrong and I couldn’t do anything right.  I sat around pretending to be happy while Wes was awake and playing, but when he napped I just sat and cried.  For no reason.  It was just a day.

 

And then I read this post from Julie (even though at first I fought it because at that point I just felt like being in a bad mood) and realized that – HEY! – things really aren’t that bad.  So I decided to make my own list of things, from A to Z, that bring me joy and make my life great!

 

A – Air conditioning.   We live in Colorado where the temperatures are pretty nice 95% of the year, but I am still so incredibly thankful for air conditioning in the summertime.  As a chronic sweater (technical term…?) I either live life in a dry state or a sweaty state…I prefer the dry version best!

B – Bunker.  Our first baby boy and “my” dog, he makes me laugh with the fact that he still acts like he’s about 9 lbs instead of 100.  He’s big and slobbering and sweet.  He loves to lay on top of my feet while I work, and is always the one that takes up the spot between me and Wes and the door.  He loves with every bit of his 100 lbs, and I love him.

C – Camping. I remember a day long ago when my dad wanted to take us camping and my sister and I freaked out because we didn’t want to “run into bears.”  So we never went…and then Nate and I moved to Colorado.  And he basically told me to stop being such a sissy and learn how to camp already.  So, to save face, I did and I’m so glad!  Camping is awesome – dirt and fire and hiking and sweat and s’mores.  Clear night skies, no make-up, and the building of relationships the likes of which never really happen in cities.  It’s awesome.

D – Dad.   My dad is absolutely awesome – he’s smart, hilarious, good-looking, supportive, loving, kind, hard-working and disciplined.  He has always been such a huge supporter of the dreams and ambitions of me, my sister and my mom.  He taught me to never settle, to be competitive and to go after what I want!

E – Exercise.  I’m totally stealing this one from Julie, but I really am so very thankful to have the ability to exercise and workout whenever I want to.  I’m thankful that my body is strong and craves movement.  And I love that exercising brings me joy and physical peace!

F – Fried food.   I don’t eat it a lot, but boy do I ever love me some fried food.  Fried chicken, french fries, chips, whatever – most of the time if it’s fried I’ll probably like it!  Thank goodness for the small amount of self-control I do have…

G – Garage.  This is so random, I know, but for about 5 years or so I didn’t have a garage to park in because I was in college apartments or normal apartments that didn’t have garage space.  I am totally the smug person driving on the roads now with a spotless car when it’s snowing…and I love it!

H – House.   I love having our own home and making our own history here.  And as much as I miss HOME (Texas) it’s always so nice to be back in our house where it’s familiar and OURS.

I – Ice cream.   I love it, could eat it for every meal, and probably would if there weren’t repercussions (i.e. having to wear clothes that fit and whatnot).

J – JESUS. If I could make this the #1 top of the alphabet then I would.  It’s no secret that I am a Christian, but I don’t feel like God’s grace in my life is something I express enough on here.  I am so thankful that I am so loved despite the fact that I sin all the time, have a wandering jealous heart, and am pretty unforgiving.  Jesus is the greatest source of joy in my entire life!

K – Keira.   Our sweet little baby girl – and yes, she’s a dog, but she doesn’t know that – is seriously one of the best dogs ever.  I remember a time when I wasn’t sure if adopting her was the right thing since she was so terrified of everything and everyone, but she’s turned into the sweetest, gentlest and most loving pups I’ve ever known.  Oh, and her cuddles are the best!

L – Laughter.   I feel like it’s pretty obvious that laughter would bring me joy, but it does even more than that.  Laughter makes me happy and joyful from the inside out.  The fact that it has the power to turn even the most horrible day around is pretty awesome, and I know that I strive to laugh more and more every day.

M – Mom.   My mom is just awesome.  She’s beautiful, smart, kind, loving, hilarious, active and passionate.  She’s the woman I want to be the most like – and if I ever get even halfway there I’d consider it a success!

N – NATE.  If I haven’t made it clear before, I absolutely adore my husband.  He loves me despite my shortcomings, he is an incredible father, and truly is the love of my life.  To say that I love him and that he brings me joy is and understatement!  Plus he’s like the hottest guy ever – lucky me!

O – Outdoors.   Even when we lived in hot and humid Dallas I loved being outside, and now that we live in Colorado I love it even more.  There’s just something about being out in nature, hiking and playing and enjoying it, that really brings such incredible peace.  I can honestly say that the days where I don’t get outside for a little bit are definitely some of the hardest ones!

P – Prayer.   I’ve been working on praying more, but not just more.  Praying in an authentic way, TRULY sharing my heart with God is one of the best parts of my day.  Making it a way of life is work, but every time I hit my knees and just open up before the Lord I feel whole and I feel loved.  In short, I love it.

Q – Quiet.   Definitely something that I need a lot is just some quiet time to stop and reflect.  I always have to work hard to really quiet my mind, but when I finally do it’s completely blissful.

R – Rain.   Not something we ever get enough of, but when we do I love the way it looks, sounds, feels, and smells.  I love how it washes away the dirt and grime and reveals the world for what it could be.  And did I mention I like the way it smells?  I’d love to just bottle that up!

S – Salah.   My sister is my best girlfriend and one of the best, most genuine, most passionate, funniest people I know.  She inspires me to constantly search for the things that make me happy and then to DO them.  I love her!

T – Texas Tech.   My alma mater and the campus on which I grew up on.  The place where I learned how to really be myself, where I taught myself discipline and where I met my husband.  I grew up on the campus my entire life but going to school there is one of the best memories I will ever have.  Wreck ’em Tech!

U – U.S. and British Virgin Islands.  OK so I know that’s kind of cheating, but it’s my blog – I get to do that! 🙂  The USVI and BVI are one of the easiest, coolest, most relaxing places I’ve ever been.  I can vividly remember all of the tension completely melting away as I floated in the crystal clear turquoise water (and a little rum never hurt).  Just looking at the pictures makes me happy and stress-free!

V – Volleyball.  Even though I don’t play it often anymore, volleyball is the sport that made me love sports, that brought out my competitive nature, and that has taught me so much about teamwork and playing well with others.  It’s the best sport, if you ask me, and my hope is that I can find a league and start playing again soon.  Momma’s got to get her mojo back!

W – Weston.  After our miscarriage I really never ever thought that I could love another little life that much, and I really tried to guard myself from doing so.  But every time I look at Wes’s sweet little face, hear him laugh, watch him nurse or help him learn – my heart literally explodes.  I hope I never ever take for granted his incredible life and pray constantly for the man he will grow to be!

X – XOXO.   So I’m cheating a bit here I know, but kisses and hugs are awesome.  There’s life there.  I love them.

Y – Yellow roses.   It’s not just because I’m a native Texan; yellow roses have always been my favorite.  They’re beautiful, fairly rare and, well, the “yellow rose of Texas” thing makes me feel pretty stinking special 🙂

Z – Zoos.  Random fact number 1 million about me is this:  I love going to zoos.  I love the animals, learning more about nature, the smells and the overpriced hot dogs.  Throw in an elephant ride for good measure and I’m a happy girl!  Really though, I adore animals and being around them is awe-inspiring.