1. Morning time with the Lord
My days always seem to run a bit more smoothly when they begin in my study — the one place in our home that is solely mine. This is the place where I spend reading and meditating on the Word, and fellowshipping with the Lord in prayer. This is the time when my spirit is strengthened, my soul is restored, and my attitude is adjusted. I crave this precious time when the Lord speaks His tender love to me, showing me His mercy and grace, and romancing my heart. Time in His presence is vital.
2. Hot tea
A nice hot cuppa always accompanies my morning time with the Lord. It’s also a lovely little “pick-me-up” for the kids and me around 3pm. (Hey, we’re not Brits, so we don’t have to wait til 4- or 5 o’clock!) My daughter, Olivia, and I also usually have another cup around 8pm. And depending on what kind of day it is, we may have another sprinkled in there. I must say, I thoroughly and completely agree with the following statement:
3. Quality time with my husband
Ahh…I love this man! And I love spending quality time with him. Heck, it doesn’t even have to be “quality” time as long as we’re together. Whether we’re on a date at a nice restaurant, having a heart-to-heart discussion in which we share our hopes and dreams together, or just sitting in front of a Braves baseball game at home while he reads and I write, I just love being with him. And now, since he travels overseas ministering so often, time with him means even more to me!
4. Spontaneous hugs from my kids
They’re not so little anymore…not under my feet like they used to be. In fact, they are all involved in their own little worlds and their own interesting hobbies. But it sure does this mama’s heart good when they come up to me and give me a big ole hug! Two of them are taller than me now, so it’s not the same as it used to be…but they’re still my “babies.” And they still know how to make my day!
5. Family time
Another thing that makes my day is our family time. We enjoy game nights, family dates out, movie-a-thons (we’re currently in the middle of a Doctor Who fest — for the 3rd or 4th time), or getaways whenever we can. Most of these times are spent laughing with or at each other! We love to laugh!
6. A hard workout & dripping buckets of sweat
Well, I must admit it has finally happened. The girl who couldn’t stand to sweat or do cardio of any sort has fallen in love with it! I must say I amaze myself! 😉 That awesome feeling after giving 100% during a strenuous workout totally makes my day. I know I am doing something wonderful for me as well as for my family.
7. Rainy days
There’s nothing so wonderful to me as the sound of the heavy downpour of rain, and especially when it’s accompanied by rolling thunder. As a teen, I loved to wrap up in a blanket and sit on our front porch swing during a thunderstorm. Unfortunately, the position of the porch swing of our current home would leave me drenched if I did that now. So, I’ve settled for curling up on my comfy sofa under my goose down comforter to listen to it pour outside my windows.
8. My down comforter
And, as mentioned in the above point, I love to snuggle under my down comforter — even in the summer (as long as the air conditioning is on). Soft, fluffy and extremely comforting, it makes my day and night. The joke in our family is, the moment I lie down on the sofa and cover up with it, I am “out like a light” — even during the middle of an extremely LOUD action movie.
9. My laptop (and iPhone)
Is it weird that my laptop or smart phone can make my day? As a writer, it’s hard to be without my laptop since I can type faster than I can write out by hand (although, I’m not so fast on the iPhone). But I thoroughly love having the “world” at my fingertips through the internet. I love to be able to connect with friends near and far. I love being able to encourage others with the Word of God through this blog on my little laptop. A couple of times I have left it at church or at my mom’s overnight, and it felt like I had left a child there. (Hmm…I guess that is a little weird, huh?)
10. Anything that reminds me of England
As I’ve mentioned many times before, I am an Anglophile. And anytime I get to read an update or see a picture that reminds me of the time my husband and I spent in England, I get a little bit of a thrill. I can’t wait to be able to go back and take my kids there to visit! Hopefully, it will be very soon! (The picture below is of Dove Cottage, the home of poet William Wordsworth. It is located in Grasmere, in the beautiful Lake District of England.)
What are some of the little — or not so little — things that make your day? Leave me a comment below to let me know!
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Linking up with the lovely ladies of iHomeschool Network for the “10 in 10 Series” & with Many Little Blessings for “Top 10 Tuesdays.”
Love your list! My down comforter ranks up there, too!
Thanks, Mary! 🙂
Oh yes…the rainy day is on my list as well!! Sweet post. Coming over from What Joy is Mine link-up today. Your blog is very beautiful and serene. I have enjoyed my visit today! I’ll be back (not in an icky Terminator kind of way :D).
Thank you for your kind words, Kate. My teen son is a huge Terminator fan! Lol! I’m so glad you’ll be back! 😀 Blessings, Alisha
Starting the day with prayer and a cup of tea is high on my list, too. Love that quote about tea. 🙂
We’re kindred spirits, Jamie. We should have tea sometime. 🙂
Great list! I love your tea quote. 🙂
Thanks, Michelle! 😀
Just discovered your website, Alisha and love your list (and your heart for God’s word and writing)…especially that first one and #8! Many blessings and continued inspiration to you, today!
Thank you so much, Linda. Blessings to you!
What a great list! I have to agree with you on morning with the Lord and rainy days. A rainy/stormy morning with the Lord would be perfect! 🙂 I hope you get all ten today!
Ooh, I totally agree you, Kelsey! Rainy & stormy mornings are the BEST!!! Blessings, Alisha
I love your list.
I especially agreed with the laptop/iPhone (though mine is an iPod touch) and the hugs. I have very huggy kids. Three of them won’t let me walk past without a hug, and one of them is a teenage boy. I also love being out in the rain and did a whole photographic blog post on a rain walk. http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2013/04/april-showers-and-flowers.html
I know *exactly* what you mean with those teenage son hugs! There’s something extra special about them, right? Btw, I checked out your April Shower & Flower post — what a lovely idea & great pics! Blessings to you!
I love your list. Your number one is my favorite. My children are small and they get up early so, I have to get up with the chickens to have my time with God.
Thank you, Michelle! Only one of my children is an early riser & when he was small he *always* interrupted my morning time. He would crawl in my lap each morning to cuddle & even sat on my Bible a couple of times! Lol. Enjoy those sweet moments when they’re all small — priceless!
I love the rain and the morning with God.
I desire to workout bt not yet attainable for me.
Thank u for sharing.
Blessings to you, Racheal. Thank you for stopping by! 🙂
You have a BEAUUUUTIFUL blog here. I love so many of the same things you do! Found you through Mercy Ink’s Faith Bloggers!
Thank you so much, Alyssa. I love meeting more “kindred spirits!” Blessings, Alisha
Wonderful post, love your list