Smiles with Stephanie: 100 Things: Part One

While I was reading blogs today, I came across my friend Katie's Blog, where she had done a blog post of 100 Things. These 100 things were things that made her happy. She would post 10 things every Saturday for 10 weeks. I thought this sounded like a fabulous idea, and a great way to keep yourself positive. I will do 10 every Monday for 10 weeks-- Mondays just are not fun days for me so hopefully it will put me in a better mood. Let's begin shall we?

1. Singing

I absolutely love to sing. It doesn't matter if it is screaming Kelly Clarkson in my car, harmonizing with my sisters in the bathroom at home(great acoustics),doing karaoke over the holidays with my extended family or jamming out to Taylor Swift in the shower! I love to sing. It makes me happy.

2. Crafting

I am obsessed with painting. I may not be that good at it but it is just such a stress reliever! Turn the music on high, open the windows, and GO! Any kind of painting is good but my favorite thing to paint is canvases! I am in the middle of two right now and I am so excited to see how they turn out!

3. My Family

I have talked about them on here before but I seriously LOVE my family. Yes we fight... often actually.
.. but they are the most amazing people I know! The Lord blessed me with a father who is after God's own heart and has given huge shoes to fill for my future husband, a mother who is kind and will do anything for anyone, a sister a year younger than me that has become a great friend of mine over the past few years and who I can easily spend an hour on the phone with multiple times a week and another sister who is 6 years younger than me and who has a passion for people and the Lord that is contagious! Also, I can recently add a new bro-in-law who is so good to my sister and puts her above all others in his life, besides the Lord! He makes her laugh, pursues her and loves her unconditionally. I pray that I meet a man who not only will become great friends with him, but will do the same for me!

4. Accessories

I am obsessed with accessories! Any kind really: Jewelry (rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets), scarves, purses, shoes, bags, sunglasses, hats, etc. I can spend forever in Charming Charlie's just looking around. I don't think I can or have gone into there without leaving with something! Even if it was something I wasn't going to find! I just love them!

5. Make-Up

I love make-up. Always have. My mother taught me at a young age--"if all you have is your lipstick you are good to go". Well, I don't always have lipstick on, but I do love me some mascara! And whenever the time and place is right I love to bust out the fake eyelashes!

6. Receiving Snail Mail

Maybe this is from all my years of working at camps and not being able to have my phone on so the only communication I had was snail mail but I get so excited when I get mail! I like writing people because most of the time they will write you back-- and everyone likes getting mail!

7. Laying Out

What is more relaxing than laying out on the beach? Or at the pool? Even in the grass in your backyard? I just love the feeling of the sun and love the way it bronzes my skin in the summer. I know, I know its not healthy but it is a guilty pleasure of mine!

8. Getting my Hair Washed

I enjoy getting my hair done but even more I enjoy getting my hair washed! You can't do it yourself--I have tried. It just feels so good having a deep hair cleaning! I would pay someone to do it every week!

9. Africa

For almost a year now the Lord has been preparing my heart for Africa! On June 26th I will step on a plane to take me there for two weeks! I will be loving on orphans and sharing Jesus with those who don't know His name or the JOY He brings!