Thursday 13.....

Things that make me happy....today's topic for Thursday 13!

1. My child's excitement in reading a good book. Evan and I just spent 15 minutes searching for the next books in a series he's gotten into reading.....seeing his excitement in the fact that there are 9 books in the series (he's read 3....) but his disappointment to see that only the first 4 have been published here in the states. That's my boy....

2. Curling up with a good book myself......I've read 17 books so far...in 19 weeks this year. Falling a little behind my book a week goal but there was about a week that I just couldn't get into a good book so I kept switching! I'm sure I'll catch up later this summer!

3. The library....it makes me happy! I am so thankful to my friend Michelle who taught me how to search online for books and reserve them (sometimes before the library had even received a copy!).

4. Being able to walk into "my" old classroom (really, just where I was long term subbing) and have the kids genuinely excited to see me. After the year I had a couple years ago..it' makes me happy that I AM making a difference in their lives.

5. Knowing we are getting away this weekend for a fun weekend of camping with friends!

6. Learning how to do more digi scrapping...or rather hybrid scrapping (combining paper and digi!)

7. Being able to line up sponsors for the design team over at The Shaker Box...we've got some good ones lining up!

8. Having made the most important travel arrangements for our trip to England this summer.....all hotel reservations are made, things are starting to get mapped out. Now that I know WHERE we are staying, we can start planning WHAT we want to do and see! It's just over 2 months away!

9. Getting notice that Alex was placed in the class I requested for 4th grade!!!! Whooo HOOO!!! I am happy with the teacher he was placed with for next year. It means a change in track schedules for him but it's well worth it, Ms. B's an amazing teacher!

10. Being blessed with friends makes me happy....through scouts we have made such great friends. Friends who really care......one is a 16 year old boy who was concerned about DH the other night cause he just didn't seem himself....brought it up to his mom. How many 16 year olds really pay that much attention???

11. Being blessed by my online friends.......who else can you vent/whine/complain to and never be embarrassed?? I love the fact that the Shaker Box is a community of amazing women who "air our dirty laundry" on occasion, ask for prayers for many reasons and are just there for each other!

12. Being able to fit into shorts I couldn't a month ago!!!!!! I was so excited the other day when I tried on a pair of shorts that didn't fit me back in March!!!!!

13. My family....that's what truely makes me happy!