So, last week we endured a doozy of a time in the Smyth household!  On top of a few unexpected health issues that arose, we also got thrown some dramatic escapades guaranteed to keep anyone on their toes for awhile!  All in all, I was fairly pleased to close my eyes on Sunday night and bid the week farewell!

As I was dozing off that night, I found myself thinking a lot about closure and some of the turn of events that we’d been experiencing.  I can’t help but think that closure is actually one of life’s most exquisite blessings…whether it’s closure to a tough day or closure of a tough relationship…one way or another, serenity usually follows.  If nothing else, because there’s nowhere left to go but forward.  And forward is a hopeful and endearing place.

In the midst of all of this, I didn’t always feel so hopeful though.  Sometimes I just felt overwhelmed and defeated.  Sometimes I just wanted to cry or be angry.  Other times I just wanted to take two Tylenol and bury my head under the covers.  I’ve read a lot about how the best way to overcome the stresses of life is by showing gratitude for the things that aren’t wrapped up in your bubble of isolation at the time.  So that’s what I made a very concerted effort to do…to count my blessings for the enormous gift that they are and just indulge in those instead.

A wonderful colleague of mine started a hash tag on Twitter called #5happythings.  It is essentially a challenge to come up with five happy things for that day…regardless of how challenging it may feel at the time.  I just love it and while I don’t get around to participating as often as I would like, I love watching the beauty that our friends and colleagues come up with!  Those, in and of themselves, usually make me smile!

So, as I look back on a week that I’m more than happy to let go of…I’m also appreciating five very happy things!

1.  My son!  This seems obvious but seriously, this kid is hilarious!  He’s at that delightfully wonderful stage right now where his personality shines through more and more every single day, and while his desire for independence definitely takes a leading role at times…he constantly cracks me up!  He is, without a doubt, my greatest adventure!

2.  Our daughter!  In less than seven short weeks, our daughter is due to make her beautiful appearance and I can’t even begin to tell you how excited we are about this!  Little girls are rare in the Smyth family and this little one – combined with the Christmas season – is bringing so much to look forward to!  Truthfully, we haven’t really had a lot of time to think about the fact that we will soon have two children.  This year has been so busy and all consuming…but in those moments, when I sit still and she moves around…I can’t help but smile!  Her name is chosen…her room is nearly done…we have a closet full of ridiculously adorable clothes.  Baby Girl, we can’t wait to meet you!!!

3.  My espresso machine!  Call me superficial if you will, but it’s no mystery that coffee brings me great joy!  Especially if it’s mixed with chocolate and hint of peppermint!  But coffee made in the convenience of my own home, whenever I feel like it?  Well that is almost too much for me to handle at times!  Though I’m kind of surprised that it took me five years of being addicted to Starbucks before I made this purchase, I will not hesitate to put it up there on my list of ‘best investments ever’…maybe even alongside the likes of my Uggs, my Lululemon hoodie, and the GPS for our car!  Seriously.  Amazing!

4. Our home!  This little corner of the universe that we call home is honestly the most wonderful place in the world to me.  Walking through our front door brings me more peace and contentment than just about anything else in the world.  The little voice that I hear laughing up the stairs or the handsome smile that gets flashed my way as I come home.  These things are simply incomparable.  As we prep our home for another little one and for some much anticipated visitors, I realize more and more what a gift it is to have such shelter…a place to call our own to contain our happiness.

5. Elle Oh Vee Ee!  Love and oh so much of it!  This past week, if nothing else, has shown me such immense amounts of love from those that I adore.  From the much needed visits with friends and family, to the long chat on the phone with my Mom three thousand miles away, to the constant hugs from the best husband in the world.  You just can’t beat knowing that you are loved.  And I can assure you, my friends, that will get you through anything.