If you don’t know me, I’m NOT a morning person. I’m the person that cheery, morning people fear. I’ve been compared to a bear… and worse! Also- I hate Mondays. I don’t jump up out of bed on normal days and Mondays always seem to be especially horrible. Ben quotes Office Space to me way too often, “Does someone have a case of the MONdays?” and I want to hit him. On a more positive and less abusive note- I used to have a regular series on my blog where I’d say all the things that made me happy that week on Mondays to get my brain in a better place. It’s a little cheesy for me, but I got the idea from someone else, (I’ve long since forgot who,) and it really inspired me to see beauty and goodness in everything- if for nothing else but to post in on my blog.  Whatever works. So, here goes my first installment of Monday Happies- objects, ideas, news articles and places that have made me smile over the week.

-Hot water! Before you roll your eyes and click away, know that I’ve lived overseas and there have been plenty of times that I either had no water or it was cold. Every time I shower I praise GOD that it’s warm and that it’s even drinkable!

-Trees. Yes. I’m a tree-hugging, lover of trees. Except I wouldn’t chain myself to one in protest of it being cut down. Unless it was the last tree. Then I’d totally chain myself to it. So, I’m not really  “tree-hugger” per se, but more of a “tree appreciator”. I like the oxygen they give us.

-Bug is walking everywhere now- he just woke up and suddenly got it! It was such a struggle for Bear to walk, with all his therapies, that the ease of which Bug is walking is SO AMAZING! Seeing him toddle around a corner still makes me smile.

-Food Processors and Blenders- random, I know. Without these loverly kitchen helpers my family would eat cereal every day and probably never have fruit and veggies. I hate cutting. I’ve sliced too many parts of my hands from knives. I’m clumsy, or so Ben tells me. He has leathery hands though so he can’t understand- it’s like he has gloves of thick skin on over his hands that protect him from the kind of cuts that nearly take off MY fingers.

-Air Condition! Hallelujah! It’s been a hot, record breaking week. Nothing makes me feel instantly calmer and more collected than walking into a building and being greeted by a gust of lung-craving, brain-activating cool air. I’m also very thankful that my air conditioner at home was replaced by the previous owners recently so it’s top of the line, energy-efficient goodness that works well.

-Sewing machine! I have no idea how to use it well, but I’m dreaming of beautiful pillows and panels in eye-catching colors decorating my house… ahh Pinterest is revving up my imagination!

-Blogging community! I feel kind of stupid saying this because I have a lot of great friends but it’s so nice to connect AND MEET people locally that “get me” and can offer such great advice on how to achieve my dreams!

-Gray! The color! Over the weekend I painted the boys’ bathroom this fine color and every time I open the door I feel excited and calmer at the same time… (Post coming on the before/after of their bathroom transformation)

-My new Logo! The wonderful people at the Belford Group, where Ben works, have created a logo for me and are in the process of re-vamping my blog and twitter page! The utter thrill of this makes my heart pound- nerdy blogger moment! ha ha

-Pinterest- described to me as “lady crack” by a friend. I created an account a few days ago and already love it. It’s such a great way to express yourself but still have all of your online searching organized.

-Fox new’s being hacked. bahahahha

-Also, it’s the 4th of July so I HAVE to mention that I love this holiday of sparklers, good food with family and the general thankfulness of freedom.

Originally I was hoping to have a Mr. Linky up so you could link up, but I couldn’t figure it out and I want my post to be published AND it’s the 4th of July so I’m thinking not to many people will be online today. Next week will be different, but seriously, if you have a HAPPY post, please leave a comment so I can go read it. I need me some Monday Happies!