Happy New Year

Happyness is realizing that the year has been a good one! Happyness is also looking forward to the next year...as I move from 2007 to 2008 I also want to transition this blog from a pursuit of happyness to a pursuit of worship. In 2008 I will record those moments of worship - the ones where I get just a glimpse of God and am swept away by His glory and grace. I cannot wait! Happy New Year to me!

Creating...

I made a simple chocolate cake with chocolate icing and then dropped red, white and green sprinkles all over the top. I realized in those few seconds that the sprinkles were making me happy. And I thought that God is so good to allow us to share in the act of creating - whether it is a piece of art, a sprinkled cake, or a child - aren't we blessed? Sprinkles led to worship, and there is no finer happyness than that. Selah.

Autumn

Autumn makes me happy. First the delight of cooler, crisper air and then the fantastic array of colored leaves clapping on the trees, dancing in the breeze, landing at my feet. The orangey-red leaves are my favorites. And then when the leaves are gone, the evergreens show off. They are so tall and majestic around my house. They take my breath away. "There's so much beauty around us for just two eyes to see...everywhere I go, I'm looking." Selah, Rich! Thank You, Abba! Your creation brings me happyness.

I'm a mom again!

Yes, I've adopted a child through Compassion International and it makes me verra happy!! Her name is Mulu - she is 17 and lives in Ethiopia. She loves volleyball and singing. :) Thank you God, for Mitch McVicker who sang at our church last night and gave me the opportunity to do the one thing that really counts - "faith expressing itself through love." Welcome to our family Mulu - I hope we bring you happyness!

Remembering Rich...

is not a particularly happy activitiy - since Rich died 10 years ago yesterday. But, on the other hand, Rich's legacy in my life does bring me much happyness. I listened to his music yesterday while treadmilling and it still has such power in my spirit and my soul. The conviction in his voice and the honesty of his words challenge and inspire me, no matter how many times I've heard them. My life would be far less fulfilled if not for the Rich-man's music, so here's to you Rich, for being such a willing instrument of Abba - and here's to You, Abba, for creating such a unique, glory giving child. No wonder You took him to heaven so soon. Happyness is Rich Mullins.

Treadmilling

Happyness is having my very own treadmill and actually using it faithfully! I feel so much better physically, mentally, and spiritually since the Bowers gifted me with their treadmill. I listen to spiritual tapes while walking and it is a great way to spend time in the Word, while being a good steward of the temple of the Holy Spirit. I love treadmilling! Is that a word? Well, it is now!

Time flies...

when you don't have DSL anymore! I haven't posted in a few months; we no longer have DSL, so the computer is verra slow! I did, however, have a happy summer despite no blogging. Joe was home and Haley was home from school and the summer passed quickly and peacefully. I was able to go home to mom and dad's for 10 days, and also saw Randy and family and Rick, too, which made me verra happy! So, happyness if family!! In the summer!

Baby Birds

Happyness is finding a bird's nest in the rhodedendrum bush in front of my house and discovering there are two baby birds there. They are so cute, but ugly! Though they are new born, they seem close to death - barely able to breathe and with big beaks open and waiting for worms. There is another nest up in the corner of our front porch. Momma bird only leaves when we come out the front door. She stays nearby perched on a wire, watching. Haley found two eggs there as well. Soon we will hear the tiny chirps of two more newborns. What a blessing to be a home for these sweet creations.

Haven on the Hill

Our house has always been a "haven on the hill" for me. Even though it has been an old, decrepit farm house, its setting on the hill next to the woods has been a restful escape, especially in the early mornings when all is quiet except for the birds and an occassional passing vehicle. The past three weeks our homestead has been getting a face lift - soon the siding will be finished and a new front door, windows, gutters and shutters will be in place. It makes me happy to see a new look on an old friend. It is now a "shining haven on the hill" - nice and bright and white.

Brothers Keeper

Kenton preached a sermon yesterday on sibling relationships, reminding us that we are our 'brothers keepers'. I love my brothers and I want to be their keeper, in the sense that I love them and care for them, even from a distance. I talked to Rick last night and I emailed Randy and will try to stay in closer contact with them both. Even though I am the baby sister, it doesn't mean I can't be their keeper, right? My brothers are treasures and thinking of them this morning makes me happy.

"Everywhere I go...

...I'm looking." This is a lyric from a Rich Mullins song. I have identified with it as long as I've worshipped to Rich Mullins' songs. Happyness is walking in the sunshine, seeing all the beauty around me - "there's so much beauty around me, for just two eyes to see...everywhere I go, I'm looking." Spring has finally sprung here in Williamsport, and my walks have begun again. Hearing the birds, seeing a blue sky, watching the buds open on the trees...laughing at the antics of the squirrels. One can't help but smile. And smiles are a reflection of happyness.

Jerico's Adoption

Yesterday was the official court adoption of Jerico Norman Carr. After years of waiting and hoping and dreaming and praying, Jerico is finally really Fawn and Noel's. They pursued happyness and found it! I am happy for them all. Jerico is one blessed little boy.

One Thing...No, Two!

One thing that makes me happy is getting my annual pap smear over with. I finally did that last week and that is a relief. The second thing that has made me happy this week is planning a trip to Va in April and searching the internet for a cabin to rent while we are there. Such fun!

No Sweets

Happyness comes from giving up sweets for Lent, trying to identify with Jesus in resisting temptation. Of course, there is no comparison to what He gave up, but at least a small sacrifice sheds a little light on the condition of my soul. Its been a week with no sweets and a week of sweet journalling with Jesus every morning. Happpyness is time with my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, my Shepherd. His grace and mercy and faithfulness are unfathomable. But what I can fathom makes me happy.

February 24

Joe turned 19 on February 24! Joe has made me happy from day one and continues to impress with his maturity, thoughtfulness and spiritual convictions. He was home for his birthday, went to Ski Sawmill with Sarah Horton and Dan-O, was gifted with a new sport coat from The Clothier, and was able to worship with us on Sunday. Having Joe as a son brings happyness, and having Haley as a daughter makes double happyness. I am BLESSED!

Olivia

February 19 was the birth date of the newest member of our family - Olivia Grace Hawbaker. April had a c-section yesterday morning and now Carly has a new baby sister. All is well and that makes Aunt Kelli happy.

Snowstorm!

Happyness is 8 inches of snow after an entire day of nonstop falling snowflakes. It was beautiful and we all stayed home and had a spontaneous day off! The storm started on Tuesday, Feb. 13 and lasted until the end of Wednesday, Feb. 14. Happy Valentines Day!!!

Blueberry Pancakes and Joe

On Saturday morning Kenton, Haley and I drove to Restless Oaks Restaurant and met Joe, Sarah, and Buddy for breakfast. That was fun! Joe will be home in two weeks for his birthday. Happyness is seeing Joe and eating blueberry pancakes with bacon.

Cracker Jack

Its been a week since I posted, not a happy week. Cracker Jack's heart congestion finally reached complete failure and so on Wednesday we had to put him down. My chest and head and heart and entire body hurt the entire day because it was so hard to say goodbye. So in my pursuit of happyness, where did I find it this week? In memories of tiny dog feet clicking on the kitchen floor, the way he would cuddle in so tight and lick my face, blowdrying his hair in the morning "oh that feels so good!", those sweet sweet eyes, jumping up for treats, streaking across the backyard with the wind beneath his wings, and just everything about Cracker Jack spelled HAPPYNESS. Our home is empty without him and it is a major adjustment.

Old Friend...

Happyness is starting February with an email from my best friend growing up, well one of them anyway (I had three - Paula, Karo, and Jim). Karo sent out an update to her email address so now we are in communication again. "Make new friends, but keep the old - one is silver and the other gold."

End is a Beginning

I'm happy to look back over January and see that at the end of it, I've had a happy month. Tomorrow will begin February, and what happyness will it bring? It is exciting to anticipate more happyness.

Gal Pals

What would I do without my seagals? They bring me happyness in many different ways - we share laughter, fun, gossip, secrets, tears, faith, fear and hope. We go to the beach, to the movies, out to eat, to church functions, to each other's homes. We pray together and dream together, and are growing old together. We share our children and laugh at our husbands. We vent and we cuss when necessary, and eat chocolate, ice cream and crunch and munch when necessary. My gal pals make me happy.

Feeling Good

Having rheumatoid arthritis makes every day a question mark. Will I hurt today? Will I feel tired? Will I "just not feel right"? Will I be able to walk normally? When a day rolls around and I can say "I almost feel normal today!" then that is a GREAT day and a day to be happy, happy, happy. Yesterday was such a day and so yesterday was happy, happy, happy!

Groceries

I normally totally dislike going to the grocery store - it is a chore that must be done but normally holds no enjoyment for me. I do have to say, however, that when Joe was home he went along with me and that was an hour of happyness. He pushed the cart and made it an all around good time - loaded the groceries and helped me carry them into the house. I'm not sure why he went, but it made me feel loved, and now when I go the grocery store I smile with the memory of it. So, now I can associate happy with groceries!

Cooking

Happyness is coming in the door after work and finding Haley and her gal pals sitting around studying. Their laughter and youth is wonderful to have in the house. Of course, the unexpected company leaves me in a quandary as to what to fix for supper, and will I have enough food? Happyness comes when I find that I have fed them all and they, too, are happy.

Rest

I have been sick with a head and chest cold, so Saturday am I went back to bed and slept from 9:00am - 1:00pm. Sunday I stayed in bed and slept from 8:00am - 12:00pm, and again from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. Happyness is being able to stay in bed, and just REST. Especially when you have rheumatoid arthritis.

Pizza and Mel

Two more things that made me happy yesterday were eating white pizza with spinach made at Joe's Pizza, and watching Mel Gibson in Signs. I don't think a person can go wrong with that combination, pizza and Mel.

Cleaning Out

I love throwing out the old and making room. Simplifying is a dream of mine. Losing clutter leaves free areas which free my mind and soul, which leads to happyness. When the dining room table is clear it is sweet. Yesterday Joe and I went through his clothes and loaded up three garbage bags full which have now gone out the door into someone else's life. Perhaps today I will go through my drawers, and Haley's, and find more happyness.

Blood

Today Val and I went to give blood. I was happy that I was successful - in November when I tried I was so slow I couldn't give enough. Also, I came home and found Haley and Becca here studying, and Joe working on his bible study. Double the happy. And when I said I needed to go to the grocery store, Joe went along. Triple happiness. Then we all ate pork and kraut, potatoes and green beans, quadruple happy. And then I stayed home for the night. Quince happy day!

The Office

I rent past episodes of The Office from Netflix, and I have to say watching these shows makes me happy. Laugh out loud funny!

Snow

I looked out the window this morning and surprise, there is a delicate coating of snow on the ground. It is so soft, white and pristine looking, unmarred yet and smooth. I love the freshness of the snow when it first falls. Happyness is a surprise snowfall.

Pain

Being in pain does not elicit happyness. Yesterday I hurt all over for most of the day, and moved my appt. up with Nancy Lemoi. My meds are no longer working, and in order for me to pursue happyness, my meds must work! I've been hurting now for over a month and enough is enough. Life goes on, with our without pain. Can I pursue happyness in spite of my pain? I guess I will have to try. Overall Monday's blank page was not filled with happyness. Maybe Tuesday will improve.

Reading

Yesterday boredom began setting in so I went to the library and borrowed two novels. With a book in hand, one is never bored! Sunday is the day of rest, and that is what I did, read and rested. With my arthritis I find I need more and more rest, so maybe part of pursuing happyness this year must involve making every Sunday a day of rest. I'm reading The Shell Seekers by Rosamund Pilcher and a quick read by Nora Roberts. Nora Roberts is a little racy, but she is a nice escape, plus this one is set in Maine. Maine makes me happy.

Promised Land

Today at Yayas we listened to Kathy V. and encouraged her. I pray for this year to be a happy new year, and that at the end of this year we can look back and see how her life has improved. 40 years of wandering in the wilderness is long enough - it is time to move on into the PROMISED land. You promised, Father, and I am holding You to that promise. We have a blank page of days ahead of us, and let us pursue happyness on each page, not only for Kathy and Dave, but for the rest of us yoyo Yayas as well.

Resolutions

Every year I naturally am lead to think about resolutions - fresh starts and improvements. Of course, I seldom am able to be successful in the changes. The only year I succeeded was the year I resolved to use my crockpot more. That was a good one! This year I have made a cleaning schedule in hopes of keeping the house in a state of order so that, at any time, if someone 'pops' in I won't feel embarrassed. Also, I guess keeping this blog is a resolution of sorts. The purpose of this particular resolution is just to keep a diary of my life for the fun of it. Filling in the blank pages of my life.

Fun!

Randy and family pulled out this morning. This family is so full of life and it was fun to be caught up in their whirlwinds of energy. We went for walks in the cemetery, read tombstones, baked a cake, read books, drew pictures, ate, Ethan and Ava built a fort under the dining room table, chatter, chatter, chatter and little feet, hands and tongues being very active all through the house. Now all is quiet again and I return to my hum-drum existence. I like being peaceful, for the most part, but I certainly enjoyed filling up the blank pages of Jan 2 - 3, 2007 with my brother and his family. It was FUN!

Snow

Today Randy, Carole, Ethan, Will and Ava arrive! They wanted it to snow so badly - two years ago when they were here they built snowmen, rolled snowballs down the backyard until they were giant snowballs, and had snowball fights. I love the backyard immediately after it snows - it is smooth, soft, pure, white, and blank, like a blank page. Untouched and waiting to be written upon. Just like today. Let the magic begin...