happiness

I just got done reading the book, The Happiness Project, by Gretchen Rubin and truly enjoyed it! It made me self-reflect on my own happiness, the actions I take, and little things I can do that can increase my own happiness while spreading it to others. I strongly encourage you to check out her book or her website!

The book got me thinking, " What makes me happy? What things in my life truly bring my joy and happiness?" I thought I would share with you all some of the things in my life that make me truly happy, through pictures. Since photography makes me happy and is a hobby that I like to pursue, I thought this would be the best way to display things that make me happy and my soul smile (in no particular order).

Carol Jean

This is one of my favorite pictures of my mom. It was taken at a local bar in Mankato, MN after my oldest sister Jen's surprise 30th birthday party. My whole family continued the celebration downtown at Blue Bricks, one of my favorite bars. Everyone had a smile on their faces and embraced the festivities. In the photo my moms spirit and energy, shine through, and I love her coyness. I look at this picture and see the traits in which I inherited from her. This photo was taken in May and my mother then passed away in November. I keep this photo on my desktop and smile whenever I look at it, she may not be here in the physical form but I know she is always with me. My family

When I graduated with my masters, my whole family flew/drove from MN to VA to support me. I felt soooo loved and appreciated during this time. My family can sometimes be a crazy one, we all get busy with our own lives, but during times when it matters most we come together.

Clouds & The Countryside

This picture is perfect because it represents two things that make me happy all at once.  First, I LOVE clouds! Whenever I look up at the clouds, I smile. They are sooo beautiful, ever changing, and represent so much.  I also love driving in the country side, I grew up in the country, so it always reminds me of my childhood. The above picture is of a bean field on a wonderful summer day, I took it on my drive home to Fairmont, MN. 
Trees

Trees, are by far the part of nature that I love the most. I find trees so fascinating, they are strong, solitaire, beautiful creations. Not one tree is the same! I am in such awe of trees, they hold a deep meaning to me. This photo is one of my first favorite trees ( I now have at least 3). Growing up, we lived 5 miles to town, where my grandma lived. On the drive to town we would pass this tree, it is placed on a bend in the road, where you can pick up a small gravel road from the main road. I always looked at it in awe, taken back by its beauty and strength.

GRANDma

This lady is my everything! I LOVE her SOOOOOO SOOOO much, at times my heart bursts! Growing up, I spent A LOT of time at her house, I basically lived with her for 1/4 of the year, because she lived in town where I went to school and had friends. She imparted many things that now make me who I am. She is the one person in my family, who I feel truly understands me and accepts me for who I am. I love it when she states, "I wouldn't expect anything else." when I tell her silly stories of my life.  Plus, isn't she just the cutest!

Travel

This photo is of Kathmandu, Nepal, where Dave and I attended a wedding of a friend. There is so much of this world to see and so many adventures to be had. I get excited every time Dave and I talk about the countries we want to visit and things we want to do. There is so much this world has to offer, and I for sure am one that will take it up on its offer. Like Nas says, " Who's World Is This? The World Is Mine, It's Mine."

Friendship

To me my friends are my family. They are the ones that were there when I transformed into the woman I am now. They get me, the whole me! They have been there for the fun times and have supported me through the worst. My friends are irreplaceable and hard to beat! This photo is of my graduation, when two of my friends traveled the country to celebrate this accomplishment with me.

Cuddling with the AVE- to my SHOAVE

The feeling of his arms around me, holding me tight is one that I cannot explain. In his arms, I am safe, I am loved, and I am cherished. There is no place I would rather be than with his arms around me.

Now that I have shared a little, I would love to hear your thoughts on what makes you happy! 

 

Spring is in the Air!

Spring is one of my favorite seasons. I love how when the sun starts shining and the temp. begins to rise how everything slowing begins awakening.  People start taking walks outside and neighborhood children pick up playing right where they left off in the fall.  The earthy slowly moves from a rustic brown to being full of color. Green grass pops up, tulips, daffodils, and other flowers start blooming a petal at a time. The whole atmosphere and spirit changes, you feel a buzz everywhere you go.  This is the moment we wait for the whole winter...and when it finally arrives, I welcome it with open arms!

What is your favorite things about spring?

Cherry Blossom Festival

These are a few of the many pictures we took the evening we went into DC to see the blossoms. It was a beautiful Monday evening we went....not really a better way to spend a Monday evening!

What is an activity you like to do on Monday evenings?

Warm Happy Feeling

Just like The Format song says, " I love love, I love being in love, I don't care what it does to me.." I do LOVE love, if you saw my husband and I on the street you would swear that we just started dating. He is good at giving me kisses to the head unexpectedly, grabbing my hand to hold, and starting impromptu dances on the street.  When I see other couples do these actions of love and displays of affection, it makes my heart smile. I get filled with joy that they themselves are soo happy in that moment and are experiencing what I get to experience with my own husband.  Because I love these little moments in life, I'm kind of a creeper and take pictures of other people's displays of affection. I hope you enjoy and that this makes your own heart smile a little!

I hope this makes you smile and fill you up with warm happy feelings you can carry with you throughout the day!

Click Click

Here are some pictures from the last two weeks. ENJOY!!

Ben Rector; opening up for Matt Wertz

Cherry Blossom Festival in DC

Roses from the wonderful husband

DC United and David Beckham!

We LOVE Seinfeld!

DC Kite Festival

Perfect Ending to a Perfect Day

Well..Hello There!

This is a quick update on the CRAZY, BUSY, STRESSFUL week I have had..hence no posts in  awhile. The last two weeks have been the craziest professional days for me ever! They truly have been a learning experience and now that I have had time to catch my breathe, I am grateful for the crazy days because I have learned a lot professionally and personally. I have been putting in long hours with a group of very dedicated students! We have had 5 hours meetings lasting until 11p.m., I have talked to them from a pay phone in the metro station, we have handled situations that have occurred in the past, and our little group grew into a family! It was great to see how the students worked together making tough decisions. I was also able to learn by observing staff above me handle different situations, which is always a treat for new professional growing in their field. So even though I had worked over 50 hours in 4 1/2 days last week, I still love my job and am able to reflect on the development that occurred and why I am in the field that I am.

But work hasn't been all that I have been up to! Dave and I have been able to see a great concert by Matt Wertz and Ben Rector, we were judges for Greek Week synchronized swimming (sooo cool and loud!), we saw the Cherry Blossoms in DC, we watch 127 hours, went to a DC united game, and now are headed to the  Kite Festival! I'm glad I have a husband that appreciates the need for me to have balance outside my work and helps me come up with things for us to do!

 Pics will be posted soon to show you all the cool stuff we have been able to do these last two crazy weeks!