The Good I've Found (TGIF) : the secret of happiness

No, it's not Disneyland.  

(although living close, certainly doesn't hurt one's 'happy meter')

The truth is...I've never much liked the word HAPPY. And I consider myself a pretty 'happy' person. Now...JOY--that's a whole different animal--not to mention post!--and that's certainly an awesome thing...a thing I treasure as a child of God. But happy is well...meh.  

let's see what mr. webster has to say about it, shall we?

happy (hap'ee) adj.1 favored by circumstances; lucky; fortunate 2 having, showing, or causing a feeling of great pleasure...

and therein lies my issues with the word.  circumstances  lucky   feeling   all temporal. all variable. 

now, please do not misunderstand me. I like to be happy. Very much. HELLO..Disneyland!!! :)  But what I don't like is how much time I spend trying to BE happy. Trying to maintain that feeling. it is not something I am proud of.

But ... TGIF!!! Check out this quote:

"Happiness is finding something more important than you are and dedicating your life to it." 

This video contains that quote in it. And I like it.

The secret of happiness

It is not my life's philosophy. And I certainly still do not love the word happy, but this quote, this video THIS view of happiness is a nice reconciliation for me... it is The Good I've Found this week :)

Meteor Shower!

The title comes with an exclamation point because I am still super excited at the thought of a meteor shower on a clear night with just a sliver of a moon (keeps it nice and dark).

HOWEVER...our star watching party turned out very different from what was planned. ~ I am learning that plans are made just to keep me sane and excited for something, but they are not what is actually going to happen (I know, many of you figure this out much earlier on, but I am slow on the uptake with this concept, and just now learning to not anger at change) ~ so! while not a lengthy campout under the heavens...it was a fun evening topped off with a few 'shooting star' viewings.

My Plan:  (Revised)

1.buy tarp check
2.make snacks check
3.gather blankets/sleeping bags check
4.flashlight check
5.movie on for kiddos at 10pm (keep them awake!) check (half of item accomplished, see #7 below)

6.pick up daddy at airport at midnight

6.pick up daddy at 12:15 (flight delayed)

6.pick up daddy at 1:15 (flight REALLY delayed) check
7.wake up 3 children
7. put youngest child to bed check
8. wake up 2 children check
9.spread out tarp in backyard check
10. cuddle in blankets check
11. watch meteor shower for hours while eating yummy snacks

11. try to get children to keep eyes open to see even one meteor check
12. put children to bed 5 minutes later, not sure if they even comprehended any of it check
13. while blogging about it all, realize that this is the stuff of great memories anyway :) check

Found: Our Christmas Tree!

Like in so many years past, we were able to go to the tree farm with our friends, The Loughs. (Heather's blog can be linked to in my sidebar--she captured many of these same moments today--can't wait to compare posts!) The weather was lovely and mild...not even raining! and the fog provided a beautiful, white backdrop to all the greenery.

oh my, it is not even December yet, and I already have my tree and I have done some present shopping...now, for many of you that may seem like the norm, or I might even be a bit behind--but for ME--this is huge!!! I am actually excited for it to be December tomorrow--rather than dreading it because I am usually so behind in preparations for the holidays. Bring on the season--and may it be filled with JOY!