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."