Oh, You Make Me Smile...

This song has been running through my head since last night, Smile, by Uncle Kracker... and of course, got me thinking on all the things that I have in my life that make me smile. My optimistic nature is thrilled with all the little things in life, maybe it's the time of year, maybe it's the fact that I have finally accepted the difficulties at work and the fact that "I'll be okay." I will have to find a new job, but that will be okay... For some reason that was a big hurdle for me. My optimism got crushed under the overwhelming desire to keep doing what I'm doing right now, but the light ahead is full of something else, something new and better. So anyway, I feel like I fully have my optimism back in check, and can face the changes with a smile and that attitude that says "here I come, watch out world."

But, back to the song, it's a good song. It's a simple song, and it's so true. It's the simple, everday things that turn our world upside down, and the same simple, everyday things that keep us going strong with a smile on our face.

My children make me smile a million times a day! Bless all three of them, for they are the greatest kids (yes, I'm biased). I have three kids who are respectful, caring, good students, good leaders, funny, healthy and full of life (and even good athletes)! I thank God all the time for blessing me with my family. Yes, we all have flaws, but a little attitude comes with the teenage years and I'll challenge them and accept them at the same time - everytime.

My husband, who doesn't like to show his emotions due to his introverted nature, but you can read it all over his face every time he sees his children, and seeing him smile with them, makes me smile. He's my best friend in the world, and has been for almost 18 years! How crazy is that, that I'm actually that old....

Just thinking that I really get to spend the next four days with family, no work, just family, makes me smile. There will always be those "family" moments that may be tense, or make you roll your eyes, but even those will make me smile, because that's who they are, and they are a part of us. We are all family and every little part of that makes me smile.

Merry Christmas

Every year about this time it hits me - where has the year gone? Did I accomplish my goals from last year, and am I ready for new goals and the new year ahead?

I've said it enough times, that maybe one day I'll figure out the answer, but why does every year go quicker than the last? It's the 15th of December and I only have about half of my Christmas shopping done, I have one more night of school, two more weeks of work, and so much to do before I feel like calling this year done!

But with all that I feel I still have yet to accomplish this year, I am running short. Just two weeks before the New Years, and only 9 short days until Christmas. Alas, time will not stop for anyone. But as the ever wise Grinch said:

"It came without ribbons! It came without tags!

It came without packages, boxes or bags!

And he puzzled and puzzled, till his puzzler was sore.

Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before!

'Maybe Christmas,' he thought 'doesn't come from a store.

Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.'"

And thus, the Grinch learned what I try and tell myself year after year... it's not the presents that we worry and fuss about, making equal between all the kids, making sure that lists have been crossed off, cookies baked, and the tree decorated... It's the "reason for the season" that we have to cherish. The gift that was given to us all so many Christmases ago in a lowly stable. And the gift that we continue to give to each other all year long, the love and support that we give to those that we love. Being with family in the overcrowded, loud and sometimes down right crazy Christmas get togethers is at least being with our family. At least we have them in our lives, crazy or not, and at least we have one more Christmas to complain of the bustling around and the gift buying, card making/sending, etc...

Christmas is so many things to each of us... but least of all the gifts under the tree, and most of all, the gifts we don't really see.