I was just thinking about what sort of things make me happy. You know, not just those, “hey, that’s nice!” But a real, “I wish this moment will last forever!” kind of thing. So here are my top 10 things that make me happy.

#10.) Chocolate. Admit it; some times a piece of chocolate is all you need to make you feel better. And in moderation (or so I hear) can even be good for you! So remember to take a moment and eat a piece.

#9.) Cooking/Baking. I’m always up for trying new things when it comes to baking and cooking. I find when I get board that is what I do, I cook and bake. It’s fun for me! If any of you ever have fun, new, or interesting recipes shoot them my way!

#8.) Cleaning. This one is right up there with cooking and baking. When I’m board it is just what I do! And just like walking, it gives me time to think. So if you ever see me cleaning know that this is just one of those things that make me happy.

#7.) Sleeping/Naps. Some days I like to think I could sleep all day if no one or anything kept me from my bed. But if I can’t sleep all day, I’m more than happy to take a little cat nap to keep me going!

#6.) Good Smells. This one might seem kind of weird, but think about it. There are just some smells in life that bring back great memories. Cinnamon & apples = Christmas. Freshly baked cookies = Cookie Sundays. Flowers = spring time. Rain in the summer time = A much needed cool down from the hot summer days.
Just as the old proverb says, “Stop and smell the roses.” Try and remember to do that every opportunity you have.

#5.) Walks. I think I have come to enjoy this one just over the past few years a bit more. It’s a great time to walk off any stress you may have, to think about the big questions in life, or just to visit with friends. AND it’s good for your physical health! All around, walks are great!

#4.) Ceramics. My favorite sect in the Art department. I could (and have) spent hours working on ceramic pieces. I can’t wait to one day have my own studio so I can do it whenever I want to!

#3.) Music. Not a day goes by that I have a song (or a number of songs) stuck in my mind. If I’m not singing it, I have it on while I drive to work, while I’m at work, while I clean, or even while I sleep. Music will ALWAYS be a part of my life, and it is one of those things that just make my days a little brighter.
Here are just a few songs about being happy that make me happy!
You Make Me Happy – Lindsey Ray
Don’t Worry, Be Happy – Bob Marley
Happy – NeverSayNever
Merry Happy – Kate Nash
A Beautiful Day – India.Ari
Better Together – Jack Johnson
(Look these up on YouTube and enjoy!)

#2.) You do! If you’re reading my Blog post right now, it’s because you are one of the privileged few who even know I have a blog! It’s you guys who really make my life worth living. I always think that the two things in my life that make it worth living are my family and my friends. So thank you for making me happy!

#1.) The Gospel. Really, need I say more? It has been a part of my life my WHOLE life. I can’t image what my life would be like without it. What choices would I have made differently? Where would I be today without it? That is one question I rather not think about.

So there you have it! I hope you all take a moment and think about those things that make you most happy, and to remember where you’re blessings come from.

“I’m so tired of people needing
a reason for doing
everything in their lives.
Do it because you want to.
Because it’s fun.
Because it makes you happy.”
- Unknown

Now What?!?

Remember that time when you graduated and now you are dreading seeing family and friends during the summer because you know they will ask? You just know they will ask it - that horrible question, the one that is slightly better than hearing, "So, when are you gonna settle down and get married?"

"So, what you are going to do with your life after graduation?"

AAAHHH!!!!!

It’s true. I’m all edumacated and I still don’t have a CLUE about what I want to be when I grow up. Interesting how when we were growing up all we wanted was to be older. Now that we are older, we want to be what we were when we wanted to be what we are now. Not that im saying im not happy with where I am today. I got a great education, made some AMAZING friends along the way, and have grown so much from all the experiences I have had in these last few years. But what now?!?

Well, I still don’t know what to tell ya. I’m still trying to figure out what I want to do with my life. My moto for so long has been “live life one day at a time.” And I still stand by that. It hasn’t failed me yet! It would be nice to have some direction, but everyday opens up new opportunitys, and I’m excited and hopeful to see what life has in store for me!

“Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it.” -Unknown

Analogy

The other day at work I cut my hand. (And no Gretchen, it was not by a knife.) So I found some band-aids and wrapped up my wounds. But I soon found out that that was not going to do much. It still hurt; I don’t think I even washed off my cut before bandaging it. That’s just crying infection right?! And I’m sure it will leave a small scar.

Here is where my analogy comes in.

Sometimes in life we get cut (aka sin). If we leave these cuts unattended to, it can get infected (aka more or other sins). And the pain from the cut remains. (pain=heartache) and if this cut is unattended to it will leave a scar. (Or spiritual scars.)
But here is the great thing. We have something in life that can help with our
“cuts”. Neosporin! (aka the Gospel)
Neosporin can help prevent an infection from occurring. It can help deaden pain. And most importantly, with the help of Neosporin it can help what could have been a nasty scar that would hang around all the rest of our lives, to something that seems as if though it never existed. This scar healing action of Neosporin is repentance or the atonement.
If we simply take the action of applying “Neosporin” to our “cuts” it would surprise you of the healing action it can provide.

So when life “cuts” you, don’t think, “oh, a band-aid will fix that right up!” Apply Neosporin liberally, and daily.

Not Much...

It has been awhile, and I really don’t have much to say.
But I saw this and it sums up how I feel at the moment I guess! :)


Oh, and here were a few of our favorite pics we took in Ashland last week.