Things that I love

10) being in a that stupor when you wake up, thinking it's Sunday and realizing it's only Saturday- I still have the whole entire weekend!
9) gadgets that help me not loose things (ie the lanyard I wear to keep my ID and the key chain that clips my keys into my backpack)
8)Walking around Book stores or Target
7)my car (her name is Nymphadora- Dora for short, there's a story, if you want to know it, you should ask!)
6)chocolate mint chip cookies (Thanks Megan!!)
5) SNOW (especially when it scares away all the VA drivers so there's no traffic!)
4)reading
3) good friends, long talks
2)laughing
1) babies/children

Mostly, I wanted to write about the kiddos of my life. I was walking around Target this weekend (something I do love to do) and there was this little girl, probably 3 years old, who had one of those fake microphones that when you talk into it it echoes back at you. She was chanting (and I emphasize chanting, not singing) Twinkle Twinkle Little Star at not quite the top of her lungs. It was so funny. You could hear her for isles around and it cracked me up. Her parents seemed less than impressed and pretty ready to get out of the store, but I marveled at the simple things that can bring so much fun and joy to life.

Another example- I get to volunteer in the nursery at the local Children's Hospital. It's basically my dream come true. The hospital has a very unique program in that the volunteers who are trained in these particular units are permitted to do all well baby care, no nothing clinical, but holding/rocking, feeding, diapers, bathing, etc. Which means I get to give babies their first bathes after they are born and their temperature stabilizes and I get to do some of their first feedings, etc. I don't know what else to say except- my dream come true.

Finally, just a few pictures to show it all. I love being where I am and I am content with my current life status, but something that always is music to my ears is hearing sweet children call me "Aunt Nicki". There's nothing that melts my heart quite like it. I miss being in Utah and driving up to my brother's house to have the kids run out and shouting "Aunt Nicki! Aunt Nicki!". How can you doubt that you are loved and good when such innocent precious people love and trust you so much?