Smiles

Things that make me smile, the simple surprises that pop up out of nowhere and alter the course of my thoughts and the perspective of my day. Yet, These wonderful moments can be so easily missed. Lost in the whirl of life that consumed my consciousness daily. I've been noticing them a lot more though lately. Especially as I journey into what I've labeled #MyNewNormal. Thought I'd list a few for you and then challenge you to make your own collection. It's something God has impressed on me. The state of thankfulness and gratitude for what he's given me. The perfect gift giver.
 Light streaming thru my bedroom window in the morning.
The snorting and snuffles of 2 little black Pugs.
Mark listening to the Gaither's Homecoming.
The noise of Coffee brewing in my sister-in-laws kitchen.
 A midnight rainstorm.
Duke stretched out asleep on the living room sofa.
 A huge Hawk sitting in a tree in the side yard
A good old fashioned Watson Family Adventure, van ride, pranks, wrestling match and all.
 Tori, tossing that beautiful hair and laughing out loud at brudder.
Mac and cheese.
Early morning quiet time.
 Chris transforming into Fredrick at 5 pm.
 Lights on the Christmas tree.
Chili in the crock pot.
The hymn: Wonderful Grace of Jesus.
The house down the street that use to have a trailer coming out of it.
 Pride and Prejudice.
An afternoon at Hobby Lobby
 My old pink Barbie jeep.
Barry playing basketball.
Momma crocheting playing the piano.
My bird feeders filled with wild bird seed.
Memories of Gin Rummy with Mimi and Momma Stogner.
The Bible John and Rosa Cleghorn gave me for Graduation that I still use.
Mark cutting potatoes for French fries.
Lavender in the yard.
Day trips and weekends in Helen, Ga.
Watching Harry Potter with my Bear.
 Sitting on my deck in the morning.
 Mark, getting ready for a race.
Warm corn bread.
Dinners with Vicki at OCharlies.
 Hanna dancing in the living room.
Covenant Christian Academies Campus.
The smell of summer.
Dukes Antics
Barry with Pugs
Jonquils blooming in the yard.
My Daddy's old Indiana Jones Hat on my wall and his boat that sits in my side yard.
 Old Columbo movies.
A gentle breeze in Chris and Tracy's back yard.
 Pastor Bills pre-sermon prayer. "No one came here to hear the words of a mere man."
Watching my girls play soccer.
Sitting with girlfriends sharing life's joys and tears.
My family enjoying a meal I cooked.
Mark leading small group.
Hanna and her big pink panther
Snowfall in Cumming.
An afternoon at Shear Designs with Mom, Tracy, Mary, Julie, Liz, Tori and Hanna doing our impression of Steel Magnolias.
 A text from my son
Watching the sunrise in Belize with my daughter.
Climbing a volcano with my son.
Barry on the trampoline.
The crackle of the bonfire.
The sound of a fire truck.
Tori meeting me for lunch.
Laughing with my husband in bed.
So many wonderful smiles. So many beautiful gifts. Why do I so often not slow down to see them and appreciate them. It's taken my "New Normal" to show them to me. I am so lucky.