Things That I Love

You know the song, "These are a few of my favorite things..." Well, I am feeling thankful this morning, so I wanted to share. It feels good to make a list of things that you love. These are in no particular order.

• Lightning on a summer night.
  

• Literature. Really. I love it more than I should. If I could spend my days reading books and drinking tea, I would be the happiest woman on the planet.

• Watching my husband sleep. It's the most innocent he ever looks, for sure, but it erases all worry from his face and I can look at him like the child he once was. (Too sentimental? Sorry!)
  

• Being pregnant. I read a book recently called, "The Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy." Don't ever read it, or if you do, do it just to laugh at her idiocy. She says that no one enjoys being pregnant. She also says that no one can go through labor without pain medication. She's also a rich Playboy centerfold. (Not that I'm judging, but c'mon!) But my point is, I do enjoy being pregnant. Sure, the indigestion is terrible, the insomnia is a bit much, but wow, having your body go through such crazy changes and knowing that there's a little human (!) that you and your partner get to love as long and hard as you are alive - There's nothing like it. And I may not "glow" on the outside of my skin, but I feel a glow inside, and this is one of the greatest, if not THE greatest experience of my life. So, take that, Mrs. Iovine!

• Pregnancy pants. They may not be fashionable (I've never been a fashionista) but the maternity waisted pants are sublime. Thank God for elastic! It's like having the button on your jeans unbuttoned ALWAYS. Sigh.
  

• Cary Hudson's music. The lead singer of the band Blue Mountain recently came to Birmingham and we took Elsa to Rojo (a little restaurant) to see him. I hadn't seen him perform in almost ten years, but he was wonderful. His music just makes me feel good. Buy his new cd. (After you buy ours, of course!)

• Living in Downtown Birmingham. This city the third time around is really getting to me. Perhaps it's where I live now. We live in a swinging loft space downtown and I look at the skyline every day. I can walk down the street and get a Pete's Famous Hot Dog or go to the Alabama Theatre or go to Reed's Bookstore. It changes my perspective on everything. They say Birmingham has an inferiority complex, but I hope it stays that way because I don't want anyone finding out about this fabulous place and ruining it for the rest of us.

• My Family. The reason we moved back to Birmingham is because of the babe. We wanted to be close to our families (his is here and in Atlanta, mine are all here.) Being this close to them is wonderful. Really, Judge and I couldn't have done this move without my parents. They have bent over backwards to help us, get us moved, get us comfortable and settled, and they've never complained once. I am grateful everyday that I was born to such beautiful, caring, generous people, and I hope to even be a tenth of a great parent as they both are. Thanks family! Thanks to all of you!