100 Things I Enjoy, 71-80

What do you enjoy? If you're thinking about making a list of your own, do! Please come back and share your post in the comments.

71. Going to my moms' group. Once upon a time, I was a moms' group dropout. I didn't fit in, and I felt like I could never fit in.

I'm a whole different person than I was back then, and I'm a whole different mom. I adore the girls in my weekly moms' group. I wouldn't trade that time for anything.

72. Hugging a friend in need. Some of my friends tease me because I'm not generally a hugging kind of person, but it feels good to hold a friend who's hurting.

73. Playing Stand O Food 3. Not long ago, we got an iPad, and Grace has largely claimed it as her own. She got a game called Stand O Food 3, and it was too complicated for her. I tried helping her, and I got hooked. I love it.

74. Listening to the Lord. There are lot of times in my life when I hear God talking to me. I'm not sure if it's soul searching or meditation or general nuttiness, but I look forward to those moments when He speaks.

75. Going to the partial program. I'm not going any more, but I really looked forward to going to the hospital every day. It was peaceful time when I could focus on myself, a rarity for any stay-at-home-mom. I feel so much better for having done it.

76. Responding to blog comments. I love when readers comment on my blog posts; every blogger does. In the last year or so, commenting here has dropped off, but I attribute that largely to my lack of thoughtful posts. I get it.

At any rate, I like having a conversation with you, my Dear Readers.

77. Doing crafty projects with Grace. Last week, we made a guitar and a shaker. Today, we made an autumn wreath using felt leaves. I look forward to making a mess and creating with her. (And, of course, you'll get to see that autumn wreath soon.)

78. Solving problems. I've spent most of the last week trying to fix my pastor's email (after having broken it last Thursday). I also broke his secretary's email, but that's not the point. The point is that I fixed it. I worked and worked and worked, and I fixed it. I got frustrated and annoyed, but I pushed through the problem and figured it out. That makes me feel really good about myself.

79. Going out with my girls. Not very long ago, leaving the house with my two children felt like a task so huge and overwhelming that it crushed me. In the midst of bipolar disorder and intense depression, I rarely went anywhere.

Now, I am healthy and strong and Allie eats less frequently. We run around all the time, to the library, to MOPS, to art classes and Bible classes and Walmart. I like taking my girls out in the world.

80. Giving Allie raspberries. She is at that age when she giggles and laughs all the time, and I love it. When I grab her and tickle her and make a silly raspberry on her belly, she grabs my head and laughs the most awesome baby laugh ever.

Stop back for 10 more (hopefully unique) items next Friday.