Happiness Is

So many times it's easy to wake up on the wrong side of the bed and feel like there's nothing good in anything. I found myself just complaining about everything even if there wasn't something to complain about. So instead of complaining I decided that whenever I felt like complaining I would have to come up with something as I call "Happiness Is."

1. Happiness Is when your nephew is sitting on your lap and you're both sharing chicken nuggets.
2. Happiness Is dancing in a coffee shop with a friend to soft music and people around you  staring.
3. Happiness Is your nephew smiles at you when you may look silly trying to get him to smile at you.
4. Happiness Is laying awake listening to the sound of rain falling.
5. Happiness Is telling kids a story you've made up.
6. Happiness Is Summer days and watching it turn into fall colors
7. Happiness Is when your dream you had at 9 years old is one step closer to happening
8. Happiness Is finding God's beauty in every color, every person no matter how crazy they are.
9. Happiness Is seeing my best friend Bella. She just makes me insanely happy.
10.Happiness Is getting the little bit of peace you haven't felt in a long time.
11.Happiness Is spending time with each of my Hive kiddos.
12. Happiness Is feeling excited every time I see something sparkly, elephant or Vintage style.
13. Happiness Is celebrating a funky National every day holiday.
14. Happiness Is my baby mouse Cheese.
15. Happiness Is my drawing Levi Finley drew.
16. Happiness Is doing puzzles with my Grandma Burkey.
17. Happiness Is a sugary doughnut .
18.Happiness  Is Thanksgiving with my family.
19. Happiness Is being able to wear tights under dresses.
20. Happiness Is dancing and twirling in dresses.
21. Happiness Is finding treasures with the Bumstead kids.
22. Happiness Is Helping out with the Foster Parents Night Out.
23. Happiness Is know you can conquer obstacles that come in your way.
24. Happiness Is spending time with the kids in your life.
25. Happiness Is Finding your happy spot.
26. Happiness Is Getting little gifts from the kids you love.
27. Happiness Is dancing in the rain
28. Happiness Is ice cold water
29. Happiness Is snuggling with a baby
30. Happiness Is friends celebrating your birthday
31. Happiness Is painting nails with the girls you're watching
32. Happiness Is celebrating silly everyday Holidays
33. Happiness Is blogging
34. Happiness Is spending time at your grandparents and eating your grandma's amazing pies
35. Happiness Is my Fridays being spent with the Scholls
36. Happiness Is friends, small and big
37. Happiness Is Mango fruit and Rice
38. Happiness Is coffee dates with people even though I hate coffee and most hot drinks
39. Happiness Is going on walks which some leads to just endless dirt roads
40. Happiness Is Dancing

Inexpressible Joy

"Fight on, Fighter! The spirit is alive inside you." -For King and Country

When you think of this guy what is the first thing that comes to mind. When I think of Derek, I think of Jesus sitting down with one of his dearest friends. I don’t know if many people feel this way but that’s how Derek is. Everyone who walks through his house he treats them as if they were dearest friend. He’s a caring empathic soul. He has a heart like Jesus. He loves to tease and when the mood seems moody he breaks the ice in a light happy way where everyone is happy. He reminds me of a papa bear, not one from Goldilocks and the three bears, but one who's tender and protective, I've seen him reflect that with his 4 boys. A wonderful person who conversations are lively and meaningful. His name means "Gifted Ruler." some of his gifts is the gift of love and Compassion.  He's a friend of Jesus, sitting beside him soaking up his presence, a mentor to many young men and a great husband and father. 

 When I writing this I was listening to a song when a word came to my mind over and over, as I was thinking what about Derek it wouldn't leave. Joy! When you look up the word, it means great pleasure and Happiness.  In the bible the definition of joy is inexpressible joy..  I see such that inexpressible  joy in his eyes when he's home with his family.  

Better than Superman

"Love looks not with the eyes." -William Shakespeare

When I was a little girl, I was like what most girls thought of their father.. He was superman.. And I really liked superman. He raised 13 kids and if you count the Nichols kids who were around a lot, he had a influence on them. He's a fearless leader, a example of our father in Heaven. Timothy means honoring God which describes my dad to a T, He lives to honor god and hopes that all 13 of his kids and their spouses follow and love God their whole life. Growing up I loved hearing stories of my dad childhood and compare the difference he is now than as a child. He may not have thought that he would grow up raising 13 children all with different personalities, moods and philosophy on life. But I don't know any other father who raised 13 with such wisdom and endless amount of grace and love.  He has a side of him that he thinks is quite amusing. A comical side that brings out the kid in him.  Most of the time you roll your eyes (but don't actually do it in front of him, he hates eye rolls) and pretend to not smile and hold your laughter. He is a laughter, he makes people laugh even if they wonder why they're laughing.

Most people write sappy happy father's day post about their dad being the best dad in the world. I have father that continues to become a blessing to anyone and everyone in his path. He has shown what it means to love unconditionally. Even if it turns into a sappy post about my dad..I'm truly grateful for the sacrifices and Love he continues to give even as I'm an adult.