Happiness Project - Why We're Doing This

For this week's Happiness Project post, Minivan Mom asked a few questions about why we are participating:

Why are you doing this project?
When we got married ten and a half years ago, we had several goals in mind for our life together, including Mommy and Daddy both finishing up school (an AA, a BA and two MDivs), getting jobs as pastors, getting commissioned/ordained, having children and getting ahead financially. And out of all of those goals, we have only two left - we're working a Dave Ramsey plan for our finances and and we have a couple of years before Daddy can apply to be ordained as a minister. But after working so hard and for so long towards all of these goals, it's kind of hard to switch gears and realize that we're living NOW the life that we've been dreaming of for so long. We don't want to take for granted what we have; we want to be happy with where we are and want to enjoy every moment!!!!! In Philippians 4:12, the Apostle Paul says that he has learned to be content whatever his circumstances and we don't want to let the little problems and distractions of everyday life to detract from our general happiness and contentment as a family.

What does happiness look like for you?
Happiness seems so elusive at times. It's one of those things that is hard to define, but you know it when you see it! But it's more than a feeling; it can be attitude we choose. That's why we want to be more intentional this year in looking for it and creating space for it within our family life. For our family, happiness comes in valuing relationships and taking pleasure in shared moments together - as a couple, as parents with our children, with our extended families and friends and with our church families as well. This means letting go of some of the expectations that we have for certain things (hey our Christmas decorations are still up!) and concentrating on being together and making memories.