Finding Happiness

I don't believe that money can buy you happiness, but I do believe that it can sure help. That being said, I try not to focus on the money side of things when living my life, except the all too important budget of our family. Yes, I spend money on several things every day, but it is not the money that I find enjoyment or. It is not the enjoyment of spending money that brings me happiness. Life is about finding happiness (not a theological discussion, just a broad statement) and here are some seemingly simple things that I have bought recently that have brought me happiness: 

1. My new water bottle. I have been using a 32 oz nalgene, which is wonderful. I love that I don't have to fill it up every hour and that it is green and has an Army sticker on it. But... When going out with a toddler it adds (a lot) weight to the load. I am constantly carrying a 20-something (I should weigh Jack tomorrow. Note to self) pound toddler and my diaper bag that feels like it weighs more than said toddler, plus I hook on my nalgene. Yeah, not gonna work for me any longer. So I bought a lovely 20 oz water bottle. It is plastic and has a yellow leaf design over the entire thing. It is clear besides the design. I thought it was glass at first, which was part of the lure. Plastic is much more toddler friendly. Double score. This bottle fits in the side pocket of my diaper bag nice and neat. Happiness. 

2. I invested (all of $12!) in a new pillow. I have always had back and neck issues and fairly regular headaches. Bad pillows exacerbate this problem. When we first moved we bought all new pillows (as well as a lot of furniture), so we bought cheapo ones. Well, a Target recently opened in town and at Target you can buy an amazing pillow for $12. It is down alternative since I am allergic to feathers. It is extra firm so it stays in place. It is lovely! What a difference the right pillow makes! 

3. Olay Professional Pro-X Cleansing System. The exfoliation and brush makes my skin feel so smooth! Plus after using the brush I can see all the leftover makeup that comes off my face, even though I've already used a make up removing wash. 

4. New notebooks. I may not be heading back to school, but I can still browse all the back to school supplies! I always loved getting new notebooks, planners, and pens for each school year. I currently have a personal journal (I made Matt promise to burn all my journals without reading them if I should die. I wouldn't mind him reading them really, but they are private! I've contemplated burning them anyways because I doubt I'll ever read them!), a small notebook with to do's and research on Fort Campbell I've compiled, a smaller notebook that stays I the diaper bag for when I need to jot a note, my 2013 day planner, a journal specifically for my Bible study and devotions, and a notebook for recording quotes from the books I read and my thoughts on the book as I go. Yes, I like notebooks! 

5. A good mechanical pencil. I also love Tiger pens, but I recently bought a new pencil and am loving it! Such smooth writing, a great eraser, a comfortable grip. It is grey, which is one of my current fave colors, and it brings me great happiness. 

So many things bring me happiness and have been bringing me happiness lately. I am so excited when I am searching for just the right item and I find it and am able to give it a new home. My items in no way define me, but they do help explain my story. 

I can quite honestly say that I am the happiest and most content I've ever been in my life. It is such a remarkable place to be and I am not even fully aware of how I got here. I hope to only continue to grow in happiness and contentment and to never let the love of money shade my view of the world. 

Thank you, Lord, for providing for our family. Thank you for my happiness and my contentment. Thank you.