It's the simple things...

that make me smile. Here are just a few that have made my life brighter recently:

1. Taking a nap in sheets straight out of the dryer. Like I did on Saturday.

2. Having my whole room smell like freshly baking cake. Like yesterday.

3. Knowing that in less than a month I get to visit my aunts in Texas. Even though I've been at different times during the year, it will be the first summer since 2007. Before that, I had gone every summer since I was 12. Simply put, I can't wait.

4. Walking past leather bags and mentally checking out and going back to Italy and walking through the market stalls. Like I did today in TJ Maxx. *I can't wait to go back. I don't know when but I think it may be sooner than I had prepared...I love to think about the possibilities my God has planned*

5. Smelling honeysuckle when I roll my car windows down. Like I did today at the bank.

6. Going to the post office to send special packages. Like I will tomorrow.

7. I have made it a nightly habit after I sign my floor in to go sit outside on the steps in front of the school. To breathe in the fresh air. To close my eyes and soak it up. To literally feel my mind get lighter as I spend time in silence with my God.

8. Those first few chews of Juicy Fruit gum. Like I took last night.

Those are just a few things that I have clung to over the past few days. They make any heaviness I may have seem irrelevant for a time. I've been keeping myself quite busy these days which I suppose is a good thing. Looking forward to some busy but exciting few days ahead. I am off for 3 days! The next time I am off, it will be for good, for the summer.

A summer that holds more business than any other summer since 2007. I think it will be fun, amongst other things!