The Best Things in Life...

are free! Yes, but that's not what I was going to say :) What exactly are the best things in life? I wanted to write down some of the things I find absolutely great about this life. Some are of eternal value, some of temporal significance and some are of both. I think it's beneficial for me, the "worrier" to reflect on what some of the greatest things about life are instead of having a "doom and gloom" attitude about what goes on around me in the world. I know that one of the greatest challenges in this life is to be "in the world, but not of the world". It doesn't mean we can't emjoy the things of earth, but we must rise above the flow of changing moral values and a the consistent confusion of good versus evil. Part of doing that is recognizing the Lord's hand in our lives and the blessings He has given to us. So here are my best things in life:

A genuinely good-hearted husband
Children who teach me
A warm and safe home
The scriptures
General Conference
Hot showers
Smoothies
Ice-cold water
People who care about you and show it
Dinners people give you after you've had a baby (we've got some awesome cooks in our ward I just have to say) :)
Watching a good, funny, romantic movie
Summer nights, with a little bit of a warm breeze
Green grass
Thunderstorms
Les Miserables
The Chronicles of Narnia series
Bike rides
Roller-blading
Frozen yogurt (with Reeses Peanut Butter Cups!)
Subs (the sandwich kind)
Hot Chocolate
Pianos
Musicals in general (besides Les Mis, which is my all-time favorite, I love The Music Man, Phantom, Blood Brothers, Ragtime).
Andrea Bocelli
Sarah Brightman
Mana
Okay, so I could on and on with the music stuff..... :)
Going to church
Seeing old friends
Seeing new friends
Going out to eat
Massages
Free days at the Chicago Museums
Lake Michigan

Well I think I could go on and on, but that was a fun reminder about all the great stuff about this life! And to quote my wonderful friend, Beeks, who is an amazing example of positivity and optimism, "I LOVE LIFE!" :)