100 Things

I was lying in bed reading a magazine article about happiness. The author is writing a book entitled The Happiness Project. I started reading her blog and became inspired. Then I went to bed. On with my life because I had to be up in probably three hours to nurse Hadley and had a whole bunch of things to do the next day.

You read these articles, think “how true,” then go back to living your life. I woke up the next morning and nagged Jason for not taking out the garbage then scrambled to get Carson’s lunch together and start my day.

Tonight I’m clicking the pause button and listing off everything I’m thankful for. The little things; and some big ones, too. Right now. In the moment. Because I think there is a direct correlation between being grateful for what you already have and your own happiness. Sometimes you just need to be reminded of what those things are. I set the lofty goal at 100 but once I got started I realized it wasn’t that lofty after all. I’m blessed. I’m thankful for:

autumn air / a morning run / coffee brewed before I get out of bed / retired grandparents / six weeks to Mexico / in-laws I love / smiles from strangers / a phone call from an old friend / a talk with a new friend / grapes ready to harvest / a talkative two year old / a mellow baby / eight hours of consecutive sleep / new eye cream / a finished basement / Mad Men / new Office this Thursday / jeans that fit / Carson’s teachers / leftovers / a glass of wine / library books / cookies I thought were all gone / a hot shower, uninterrupted / mueslix and yogurt with Carson / play dates / dinner with friends / Google / a full belly / fresh tomatoes / Etsy / scarf weather / her new baby smell / a new client / Barenaked Ladies kids CD / BabyLegs / crackling fire / the right to vote / a new dress for Hadley / sweet corn-on-the-cob / dahlias / playgrounds / living in a family-friendly city / NPR / a caring husband / seasons / a garden / a healthy body / a home / paint / healthy babies / the good in people / the way he says Mama / a clean house / clean laundry / a husband who cooks / warm bagels / truffle oil / DVR / The Boppy / discovering new blogs / handmade afghans made by people who love me / Stumptown coffee / “Sokins” / iTunes / hulu.com / binkies / picnics / loving mamahood more than I thought I would / clean sheets / overnight guests / magazine subscriptions / IKEA / living near the ocean / living near the mountains / living near the desert / living in a great city / not having a picky eater / pedicures / finding sand in my shoes / chubby baby legs / his contagious laugh / comfy socks / when she stops crying / bakeries / istockphoto / finding old friends online / UPS Packages / date night / book club / Halloween candy / good memories / working in my PJs / FLOR tiles / blog comments / homemade pie / nursing her / morning snuggletime / not having to rush out the door / washable crayons

101 | realizing that I can easily list 100 things. Happiness.