Happiness is...

Nothing like giving a post the title of "Happiness is" and then starting off with a complaint:) Sorry about that, but here I go in spite of myself. It's really more of a celebration than a complaint; a celebration of wellness. I have had 3 sick kids for three weeks now. We have had a few days with only 1 or 2 sick kids, only a few where everyone was well and we ventured out, but for the rest of the time we have had an endless stomach virus (started by Aidan and continued by the other two kids), pink eye (Aidan only) and a cold (started in Brendan and followed by the other two). Liam is still hanging on to the cold but everyone else is well and I hope we are free and clear for the month of August. We've spent a lot of time at home in the month of July when we should have been visiting every playground in town.

I was looking at photos from the past month and even though we were sick I realized you couldn't tell from looking at our adorable pictures. The kids all just look happy. That's the way it should be, right? Everyone should have a great time in spite of snot and vomit:)

I was reminded of sheets I had on my bed as a kid. I loved my Peanuts sheets with "Happiness is" quotes plastered all over them. Here is my version of "Happiness is..."

Chillin' in the swing with a cold beverage

Grandmas and Krazy Straws

A sweet baby
Exploring the vegetable patch
An unexpected nap (even if it was fever induced) (black and white because he picked his own clothes and was wearing every color of the rainbow)
A "Wicked" performance

Playing dress up
Cuteness
A lovingly prepared meal
Cousins
A bubble bath (no, that is not mildew, just an area where the caulk came off and needs repaired)
Backyard delights
Drooling in the grass

Having kids has taught me about happiness all over again. I wish I could feel the same joy the boys do when I let them put the library books in the little slot at the library and they squeal with joy. Or the way they practically do somersaults when Pap Pap lets them have a drink of his orange soda. Or the way they were mesmerized when they saw the ferris wheel at the fair. Wouldn't it be grand to feel joy like that in everything we do. That right there is the best reason to have kids.

Happiness is anyone and anything at all that's loved by you.

HAPPINESS IS FINDING A PENCIL.
PIZZA WITH SAUSAGE
TELLING THE TIME.
HAPPINESS IS LEARNING TO WHISTLE.
TYING YOUR SHOE FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME.

HAPPINESS IS PLAYING THE DRUM IN YOUR OWN SCHOOL BAND.
AND HAPPINESS IS WALKING HAND IN HAND.
HAPPINESS IS TWO KINDS OF ICE CREAM.
KNOWING A SECRET.
CLIMBING A TREE.
HAPPINESS IS FIVE DIFFERENT CRAYONS.
CATCHING A FIREFLY.
SETTING HIM FREE.

HAPPINESS IS BEING ALONE EVERY NOW AND THEN.
AND HAPPINESS IS COMING HOME AGAIN.
HAPPINESS IS MORNING AND EVENING,
DAY TIME AND NIGHT TIME TOO.
FOR HAPPINESS IS ANYONE AND ANYTHING AT ALL
THAT'S LOVED BY YOU.

HAPPINESS IS HAVING A SISTER.
SHARING A SANDWICH.
GETTING ALONG.
HAPPINESS IS SINGING TOGETHER WHEN DAY IS THROUGH,
AND HAPPINESS IS THOSE WHO SING WITH YOU.
HAPPINESS IS MORNING AND EVENING,
DAYTIME AND NIGHTTIME TOO.
FOR HAPPINESS IS ANYONE AND ANYTHING AT ALL
THAT'S LOVED BY YOU.