I'm Lovin' It

Borrowing McDonald's slogan, here's a little list of things I'm lovin':

• Grocery shopping. Every Monday, using the day my mom used for years, I make my little meal plan for the week and then my shopping list. I head to Walmart and sometimes Kroger's and happily roll down the aisles selecting what I need, looking for the best prices, and resisting all the food that looks SO good to me right now! Then I watch the cash register as the clerk rings up each item to see how much I stayed under my weekly "allowance." I'm not exactly sure why shopping makes me happy, but maybe it's my domestic, homemaking genes that just like to "store up" for my family's needs. :-) Cooking and baking also make me happy.
• Having more time to read and even cross-stitch. The last five or so years have seen me not do as much of those two activities as I used to do, so now I'm relishing the opportunity to do so. And we have a TON of books to choose from, between what Dennis had, I had, and what we've bought together. We don't watch TV (except an occasional movie) and I think we're richer for it!
• Fall in Georgia. The days have been gorgeous lately, with golden sunlight streaming through the crimson and amber leaves which are falling to the ground in earnest now. It's cool out but not TOO cool.
• Renewed energy. The farther I get into my second trimester, the better I feel! I'm exercising almost every day now and have the energy to keep up a little better with housework. I do get tired by the end of the day, but it's not the same dead feeling.
• Cozy evenings in front of the fire with my husband or friends. I love having a real wood burning fireplace!
• Knowledge of the baby growing in me. Only a week and a half till our ultrasound! We'll see if everyone's right in their guess that it's a girl. I've fancied I've felt a few little flutters inside, and I'm sure it won't be long before it's clear that Baby is kicking! I'm so grateful for an uneventful pregnancy thus far. I know a number of others that have had various problems and even miscarriages, and it makes me thankful that the worst I've had to deal with was nausea.
• Silly kittens which keep me laughing with their antics. They're also good practice for parenting, I think, as I'm learning to be patient with them while training them out of bad behavior. Unfortunately, I'm not having as much success with Cheeky who now refuses to use the litter box, doesn't like to go outside if he can help it, and thinks that bathroom rugs and curtains are the best option. Aaargh.
• Having a handyman husband. He's not only a stellar deputy with a well-educated mind and great people skills, but he's also got an abundance of practical skills! Right now he's building me a pantry in our laundry room, which will be such a blessing since we don't have much storage space elsewhere. He's had experience in carpentry, plumbing, electrical, tree felling, car maintenance and repair, etc. Of course I have a dad who can do just about everything, but I know that's not common with every guy, and I'm determined that our sons will learn practical skills starting when they're young!
• God's infinite patience with me. He's been teaching me important lessons, and sometimes life's a struggle, but He never gives up on me. He is always good!