- The smell of a baby fresh from the bath.
- Clear, starry nights.
- The unbridled laughter of children.
- The words “I love you” partnered with the look that means it.
- Freshly cut grass.
- Swinging at the playground.
- A child’s hands folded in prayer.
- Eating produce grown from your own garden.
- The whole family snuggling in one bed on Saturday morning.
- Watching older siblings care for younger ones.
- Fresh clothesline-dried sheets.
- All of my children napping at the same time.
- The refreshing smell of rain.
- Homemade gifts: given or received.
- Chocolate chip cookies, fresh from the oven.
- Witnessing your child’s first steps. (or any firsts!)
- A hot bubble bath on a cold night.
- Sleeping with the windows open to catch the cool breeze.
- A quality back rub, or foot rub… or neck rub… shoulders…
- Chocolate covered strawberries.
- The way bread baking in the oven makes the whole house smell cozy.
- Chasing fireflies.
- Random acts of kindness.
- Rocking a waking baby while the sun rises.
- Catching your own fish, and reeling it in.
- Family bike rides through town.
- A large, close-knit extended family.
- A freezer fully stocked with fresh foods.
- Checking off everything on the to-do list!
- Putting the to-do list aside to play with or read to the kids.
- Not running the air conditioner in August, in Kansas.
- Comfort food.
- Playing outside in beautiful weather.
- A back yard bumper crop.
- Giving.
- Having money available when an unexpected expense arises.
- The smells of fall (pumpkin, apples, spices).
- Napping on a cloudy, cool day.
- Answered prayer.
- Unrushed family meals eaten peacefully.
- Snuggled up with the kids in their jammies, reading a good book.
- Kids’ footie jammies.
- Sleeping in a tent… on a comfy air mattress!
- Water-skiing.
- The funny things kids say… when they’re not trying to be funny!
- An unexpected phone call from a long-distance friend.
- Volunteering.
- A child’s faith. “Jesus IS coming!”
- Cheering for the winning team.
- Receiving a heartfelt thank you note.
- Christmas through the eyes of children.
- Celebrating the full 12 Days of Christmas.
- A fun afternoon at the park on a 63° day in January.
- Skate Crazy 9′s.
- Antique furniture hand-me-downs.
- “You the best mom ever!” accompanied by a voracious hug.
- Learning to make it better than you could buy it.
- “Mommy, we forgot to pray,” as he closes his eyes and bows his head.
- Playing in 10-foot snow piles on a 55° day.
- Unasked for, undeserved hugs.
- Surprise notes found in the fridge, in my shoe, on my pillow…
- Garage sale treasures.
- Harmless thunderstorms, quenching the dry earth.
- Family game time.
- Creating a delicious recipe from scratch.
- Forgiveness.
- Finding and communicating with friends from long ago.
- A fresh coat of paint.
- A clean bathroom.
- A full bucket.
- The resilience of small children.
- Holding hands around the table before supper.
- The brilliant colors of fall.
- Surprise phone calls from a friend or family member.
- A child’s pride at accomplishing a much practiced task.
- Recreation league ballgames for little kids. (What a hoot!)
- Sleeping in.
- The first beautiful spring day after a long winter.
- Observing brand new baby animals.
- Frisbee.
- Rickety, tiny (but safe!) county carnivals.
- Hearing “This is the funnest day, ever!” from our children.
- Holding my 3-year-old baby, while feeling my in utero baby swimming around.
- Babywearing.
- Delicious Air
- Sledding on a car hood behind a 4-wheeler.
- Slobbery, open-mouthed baby kisses.
To be continued… I’d love to know what’s on your finer things list.
