What makes you happy?

Life is hard. Happiness can be hard to find. But what makes you happy? When your kids are gone and the work is done, what makes you happy? I know that there are many days a years that we are just surviving making it day to day with all the crazy things that go on around us.

At one point in my life a list that consisted of more than my family would have been hard to do. I was just making it day to day my older three girls were little and being so close in age, made the days and night long. I felt so out of touch with the world, I let my self go. I was lonely and sad. It took a while for me to realize that I just was not happy. I started going to a yoga class and I found something I had joy in again, I loved it I did not miss a week if I could help it. I slowly put myself back together. I found my self, my happiness. I did not wonder any more about what all my old friends were doing in college, I did not wonder if I was missing out on the fun of life by staying home with my kids. I was happy. Truly happy and not just the I am happy to be a wife and mother that we all say on good or bad days. But the happy that lasts the joy that each day is new. The joy in I know who I am and what I want out of life for me and my family.

Sometimes we need to take a deep breath pull back and ask our self what makes us happy? Can we make our list? Long or short can we make one? Can we add on to one or just make it to the first number? Where can we find our happiness?

I can make my list:

1-My Husband I love him and He loves me. We have had 7 1/2 amazing years with more ups than downs we communicate well and rarely  fight. not to say he or I are perfect but we try everyday to do things for each other and help We are a team and do well as a team as long as our game plan is laid out every morning before we get the kids up.

2-My kids. They are my living, breathing, joy, frustration. They are full of daily surprises that keep me on my toes.

3- My Religion. Following the counsel of our prophet doing those small things reading my scriptures praying serving others, FHE , teaching my children those basic gospel doctrines. Going to the temple Fasting and attending church each week no matter where we are.

4-Exercise. I love to run, there was a time when I hated it and would do anything to get out of it now I need it, need to to clear my mind push my self to go hard longer fast. I love to go to the gym and go in the classes and learn new ways to keep my body strong and healthy. Maybe I am crazy but those early hours are mine before the world really wakes, and I love breaking a sweat.

5- My garden. It has become a place to see all the world has, the life all around us, a learning center for my kids. I place to thank God daily for his gifts.

6- Sewing. I love to make dresses, skirts, doll clothes, quilts. It is all fun to me. I love how I feel connected to my Grandmother when I pull out my fabric and piece together a quilt. I love the memories that are associated with the quilts my Grandmother has made me and hope for those same memories for the thing I make for my kids.

7- I love to read. I am never done with a book until I have read the last page. Sometimes I have been secretly happy when my kids are so sick all they do is lay on the couch and watch movies for a day and I can actually read a book with out to many interruptions.. I know I am a horrible person. It is just good my kids don't get sick to often.

Paris Ice Caves

8- Vacations. I love to plan out vacations. I have them planned out a few years in advance just waiting for my kids to be a little bit older so I can do more with them. I don't care if we are camping or staying in a condo or have to take a long drive, even with my poor kids who get car sick. I love the break from life that chance to do something new, meet new people, those long hours in the car full of conversation, those times where our family has a chance to reconnect and discover new things about each other.

9- I love to put together my kids photo book full of silly stories and memories for them it is so fun to scroll through the photos and remember different thing that had happened at that age. My kids love it when their book come in the mail. They will spend hours pouring over them showing them to each other and talking about how cute, silly, or messy they were.

10- I love to do crafts and projects just ask Bryce, there is always something in the works. Sometimes I am slow with them and others are done to fast but I love how each one makes our home more ours, my yard more mine and holidays more fun.

These are just ten things that make me happy, keep me going and keep the dark clouds out of my life. Not a hard list to make but one that I think is important. Being happy keeps me sane when things get busy and crazy. When the day doesn't go like I have planned. When life get rocky and hard, Happiness keeps me where I need to be. I have my own place I can run to when I am upset with whatever. I have  things I can turn to relive my stress, anger and frustration. Happiness doesn't cost a dime, but I honestly thinks it helps me mentally, spiritually and emotionally each and every day.


Happiness, Your Heritage By President Dieter F. Uchdorf

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/happiness-your-heritage?lang=eng&query=happiness#watch=video