What Makes Me Happy

It is so hard to narrow it down to 5 things that make me the most happy. In case you do not know, it does not make much to make me happy. I'd say one of my strengths is the fact that the smallest things excite me and make me happy. It's the small things, really.

1. Hearing my students mimic me. I know this sounds weird, but it's wonderful. I taught kindergarten this year, and we learned how to add and subtract 1-digit numbers. Sometimes what some of my students really needed was a peer teacher, so I allowed it. I had tried and tried and pulled out all the stops to try to explain the concepts to them, and I just wasn't getting through to them. Enter in peer teacher. I had a couple of girls who are natural nurturers and helpers, and I just loved to listen to them ask the same exact questions I ask to prompt their thinking--"What kind of sign is that? So, are we putting together or taking away? So how many dots do we start with? Are we crossing out or adding? How many do we have now?" Music to my ears.

2. Affirmation. I love you. You are special. That was such a great idea. You are brilliant. You are beautiful.

3. Clean apartment. Although my husband is the definite type A in our marriage, cleanliness is the thing I'm anal about. If the apartment stayed as clean as it does during the summer day when it's just me at home all the time, I'd be very happy. Disclaimer--Jordan tries his hardest to keep it clean. I'm just impossible to please.

4. Gift cards. I might sound materialistic, but these are fantastic. We don't spend much money on ourselves, and I feel so special when I have a gift card. It's all for me. It's like someone knew what I would love and let me be in charge of what to get and when to use it. I'm telling you, the small things.

4. Lazy nights. Goodbye late nights (who am I kidding?!) of college or at least having to have something to do at all times. There is not much better than eating pizza, watching a movie, and all in my PJs.