I love my kids, but...

...I hate my life.

So was the lead story in my weekly e-Newsletter from Raising Happiness, a division of the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkley. According to the research, American parents are, on average, less happy than adults without children. Click Here to read the quick article (it will open in a new window and I promise is not a virus!)

I went on to read the New York magazine cover story that was referenced. An interesting (long) read. Click Here to read it, if you're interested and have time. I can certainly see why so many parents are unhappy, and while I myself have been frustrated by a constant theme of over-scheduling, running late, lack of sleep, and too many chores, I examine my heart and conclude that I DON'T HATE MY LIFE and actually, wouldn't trade it for anything.

I recently became addicted to Kelle Hampton's blog: Enjoying the Small Things, and her intentionally positive attitude that is so contagious I find myself enjoying the small things a lot more in my own life. Her incredible writing and gorgeous photography make it impossible to feel anything but inspired.

In case I ever find myself starting to feel like some of those parents in the New York magazine article, here are several Small Things about being a mom that I truly enjoy.
1) The smell of my children's hair after a bath
2) Reading books to my children that I can remember reading as a child, even for the hundredth time
3) The cold, squishy feeling of Play-dough and the smell it leaves on your hands
4) Looking in my rear-view mirror and seeing Hayden pass Cheerios to his baby sister - their tiny, not fully-coordinated fingers managing the exchange.
5) Pizza and wine dinner at Zeek's (helps that it's across the street!).
6) Laying my head in Phil's lap after a busy day and having him play with my hair and massage my head.
7) Getting to re-experience the firsts of life from a fresh perspective - the feeling of grass, the challenge of a straw, beginning to recognize letters and reading, petting a soft bunny, cracking an egg, new tastes, textures, sounds, I could go on... it's all new and interesting again.
8) Having an excuse to watch all the awesome Pixar movies
9) Looking through photos and taking new ones, getting them printed and putting them in albums. I never get tired of looking at pictures of my kids. It always makes me smile.
10) Picking out what cute outfit Brooklyn gets to wear today.
11) Giving Hayden a sweet treat, and not feeling guilty about it because he eats so nutritionally 95% of the time.
12) Blueberry Pancakes on Saturday mornings (and a chocolate chip one for dessert!)
13) Brooklyn falling asleep in the Ergo/Moby - her body limp and warm and peaceful against mine.
14) The Minivan.
15) Going to the library, nurturing Hayden's love of books.
16) The monthly Mom's Night Out with my PEPS group moms who mean more to me than they could ever know.
17) Our household agreement that whoever cooks doesn't clean up.
18) Planning date nights.
19) Family getaways to the Oregon Coast and Suncadia.
20) My mom and my mother-in-law, and knowing that when my kids are with them, I can relax.

Wow, I could go on.

But while there is a lot to be happy about, I know there are areas that need some improvement. I recently purchased Christine Carters new book "Raising Happiness: 10 Simple Steps for More Joyful Kids and Happier Parents" and am following the online book club (see Greater Good link at top of post). Such good stuff. Highly recommend it. I catch myself practicing happiness habits more and more and it's working!!

BUT nothing kills the positivity vibe better than a speeding ticket. Dang. My first one ever - last Sunday on my way from enjoying a fun shopping solo time at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale to meet Phil and the kids at the Bellevue Way Park & Ride to go to the Bite of Seattle together. Should have been a great day. Well, it still was. Take THAT, Bellevue PD!!