Happiness is...

Last year my mom gave me this Willow Tree figurine, entitled "Happiness".

Take a good look at it.
Doesn't she look at peace, content, happy, grateful? 
As if it goes from her toes all the way through her fingertips! 
I am sure she has a smile.

Since receiving this figurine, it's been sitting on my dresser and I've taken a look at it almost every morning.
How often do I look like this figurine?  How often do I feel this happy?  How often do I share with those I love the happiness in my heart?

In order to better do this I'm beginning a little series of "happiness is..." posts that will occur randomly in the future.  Many of the moments that bring me the most happiness cannot be photographed.  But they must be recorded.  So for today, I will share for me happiness is...

• My kids sitting right next to each other, when the entire couch is empty. 

• Matthew squealing with delight when we pick the oldest four up from school, with open arms, "I missed you guys".  As if they have been gone for eight days, not eight hours!!

• Having friends and family that are truly and genuinely happy for me. It is almost as if the things that bring me happiness are their blessings as well. As if they receive some sort of happiness themselves through seeing others (specifically that they care about) happy. This is a rare, but valuable quality that I am so appreciative of.

• Last, but not least, catching a child doing something that is "best" with their time.  I caught Aubrey reading her scriptures with the few extra minutes she had before school.  Tears came to my eyes and I ran to get my camera to capture this beautiful moment.  Oh the happiness that brings me!

"Happiness is a grateful spirit, an optimistic attitude, and a heart full of love." -Wendy Bentley