Happiness Is....

I know I'm getting old -- it's one of the benefits of waking up every morning, but when my brother and I were young we used to stay at my grandmother's house and she had these Peanuts books -- Charlie Brown and Snoopy cartoons -- "Happiness Is..."
Happiness is a warm blanket, etc... I was thinking this morning as I was putting Mary Elizabeth down for a second morning nap (there's a Happiness is for you)

and jump starting the laundry, of my list of "Happiness Is..." Happiness is sharing cheerios with Rusty....Happiness is Easter Brunch with your neighbors who happen to be such good friends...Happiness is our monthly Jefferson Family dinners (it's April, so we are having another one tonight)...

Happiness is Wednesdays with the baby, Sundays with the whole family and Monday night dinners when we're all home.

Happiness is...watching Jason and Mallorie turn in to teenagers I enjoy being around, most of the time...Happiness is watching Hannah try to be more mature than her big sister, but still wanting to go outside and play with the younger kids...Happiness is watching Mary Elizabeth crawl and smile and play and laugh as she is growing in to a toddler (one who probably won't actually toddle for another six months)...Happiness is curling up on the sofa with my husband and over 200 pounds of doberman and trying to figure out how we're all going to fit -- Rusty has finally acknowledged that we don't all fit in the bed together and he has taken to sleeping on the floor until one of the human animals gets up in the morning...Happiness is...Spring flowers and bright sunshine and fresh cut grass...Happiness is family and friends and the promise of each new day, new week and new season. We are so blessed in our life and with Mary Elizabeth getting ready to celebrate her first birthday I truly appreciate that we are all together and healthy and happy and reflect on what a year it has been for all of us.

Happiness is.....