The Habit of Thankfulness: A Few of My Favorite Things

 Apr 14th- A few of my favorite things...

~A package that brings a smile or two once a month

~A happy cloud that peeks out to smile back at you

~Wearable clouds of happiness to carry you throughout your day...Happy little clouds: Bob Ross approved

The Habit of Thankfulness: A Few of My Favorite Things

Nov 30th- A few of my favorite things...
~Putting the final touches on this year's Advent Wreath
~A bluebird of happiness to add to the season's joys
~Getting a sneak peak at my first grandchild...an early Christmas present to start off the season <3

The Habit of Thankfulness: A Few of My Favorite Things

May 10th- A few of my favorite things...

~Going out to eat with a Birthday Girl and her new doll Alice (Shaniah made for her)

~Taking her to a special spot from my childhood

~Six years blessed with contagious happiness

The Habit of Thankfulness: A Few of My Favorite Things

June 14th- A few of my favorite things...
~Living in my house for 11 years today grin emoticon
~Gwyn excited to wear her flower girl dress 2 days in a row grin emoticon
~Listening to the girlies tell everyone about the wedding yesterday

The Habit of Smiling

Smile...

just saying the word is almost spurs a reflexive action

 causing most if not all to smile back.

It is a universal sign of happiness.

Birthday parties, graduations,

 weddings, and births 

are just some of the many reasons that cause us to smile.

One of the first milestones after birth is

"When will s/he first smile?"

It seems to make the little one

real, interactive.
Not just taking...

...but it is the first gift they give back. 

Smiles interact with others on so many levels.

My youngest seems to have the gift of smiling.
Shortly after birth, she gave her first smile.
The nurses could hardly believe it.
They smiled back at her and
she returned the greeting, again.
Maybe it it because her first name means
"Gift of God"
and she literally has "Joy" in the middle.

Like a blessing of old,
her name is a reflection of her being.
She looks for people to smile at...
...to share her gift with.

Her smile has brought sunshine into more souls
than even her little heart can understand.
All she knows is that smiling
 brings smiles to others
in her world.

It lifts them up.
It tells another they are important to notice.
It's like giving a reflection of God
and his goodness,
a reminder
that God is good
and I see His image
in
you.

And because He is Good,
we can smile
and carry on.
Keep sharing your gift little one,
this world needs it!
And if she happens to share it with you,
remember to pass it on.
It might make someone's day :-)

Happy 2nd Birthday,
My Smiley One!