It's been a couple of years since I've visited this medium. Reading the last post I created makes me realize how much has actually happened in the last two years. Jobs accepted, games coached, weddings planned, and career changes.
With all of the stress and worry that engulfs your life, it is sometimes refreshing when you come across something light, and enjoyable. Something that makes you forget, if for just a few moments, anything that you are worrying about.
I recently read a blog post by Kansas City Star writer Joe Posnanski (a fave in our family as Dad grew up in Cleveland and Mr. Posnanski wrote brutally honest articles about the struggles of the Browns...Cavaliers...Indians...etc. and was also a writer for the Kansas City Star in later years.) This blog post contained a list of things that made him happy. It filled me with such joy in a time that all I've felt is frustration and defeat. It inspired me to do a list of things that I'm GRATEFUL for (kind of the same thing.) So here it goes.
1. Ice cream with peanut butter and chocolate in it.
I am absolutely one of those people that when stress hits, or when there is something to celebrate, or you are really sad... ice cream with chocolate in it is the way to go. Ice cream with chocolate AND peanut butter in it is just heaven.
2. My dog, Fallon
Sometimes I take for granted how happy this animal makes me. I walk through the door and no matter what mood I'm in, this dog manages to put a huge smile on my face.
3. Airplane trails
My mom has always said that airplane trails remind her of her late father. He was an airplane mechanic and a big part of her life. Now whenever I see them they make me happy because I immediately think of my mom.
4. A good wine
To me, there is something just very soothing about relaxing and sipping on a chilled glass of wine. I associate good happy thoughts with pulling out the wine bottle. (It's also entertaining watching my husband work the electric wine bottle opener.)
5. This video.
6. And this video.
7. First Watch lunch dates with my Dad
My search for a job means I'm currently always available around lunch time. Sometimes my Dad will call and ask me to lunch, and it's always to First Watch. and we always get breakfast. And I always love it.
8. Shooting hoops in a quiet, empty gym
Some basketball players know this feeling. When there are so many things on your mind and you just need to get away. Grabbing a basketball and spending two hours shooting in a completely empty gym is the perfect remedy to get your mind off things. 
9. My KitchenAid Mixer
Can you say welcome to adulthood? I love this magical device. I throw ingredients in the bowl and voila! It mixes it for me! My arms are forever grateful, KitchenAid.
10. The Hanson Bros
In the age of N'Sync, Backstreet boys, and 98 Degrees fanatics, I was a Hanson Brothers follower. The youngest brother, Zach, was my crush and I knew EVERY word to their song. Don't get me wrong, I still loved N'Sync, but Hanson was my JAM.
11. Ratty converse shoes
Never did I think that I could pull off converse shoes, nor did I have any interest in them. However I took the plunge with a pair of original black and white converses, and I adored them. I could pair it with jeans, shorts or yoga pants. As I was putting them on one day I completely ripped the side of them. That was two years ago and I still wear the same pair. It adds character!
12. Emails from my Grandma
Every once in awhile I will get an email from my Grandma, usually with the subject line in ALL CAPS, ASKING IF I'M THERE AND IF I STILL READ MY EMAILS?? My Grandma is very near and dear to me and was raised with a strong Irish Catholic presence in their home. Only every other email has some hints of guilt for not making contact sooner but is always laden with love and well wishes. LOVE YOU GRANDMA!
13. Random acts of kindness
The best feeling is when you are in line at Starbucks and the person in front of you payed for your coffee. Or when you are walking up to Aldi to begin your grocery shopping adventures, you are approaching the shopping carts when... oh no... you don't have a quarter to put into the slot in order to get a cart! Then.. out of nowhere.. an angel disguised as a middle aged soccer mom hands her cart off to you and tells you to "search no more." Warms the heart.
14. The relationship between Royal's players Salvy and Cain.
I can't be sure when this relationship developed between Royal's Golden Glove Catcher Salvadore Perez and center fielder Lorenzo Cain, but I adore it. It started as Lo Cain hated being filmed, and hated being touched. Salvy loves filming Cain, and loves hugging him. The friendship blossomed and Kansas City eats it up.
15. Flavored Water
The very idea of drinking plain water makes me cringe. It's just so...bland. I only need a touch of cranberry or strawberry to give it some FLAVA!
16. My husband's singing voice
You might read this thinking that my husband has a beautiful voice. He does not. We both know it. However, hearing him belt out a song that he's replaced some of the words with my name in a high pitched tone always makes me smile, even chuckle.
17. Receiving personal letters in the mail
In the age of electronic mail and cell phones it's rare to receive hand written notes in the mail. There is so much joy when I open that mailbox and see my name handwritten on the envelope.
18. Surprises
This one is both getting, and giving surprises. I'm pretty horrible at keeping secrets, so my surprises are usually pre-mature, but the feeling of gifting someone makes me so happy. I'm also grateful for receiving surprises. Someone taking time to do something for you is an incredible feeling. Big or small.
19. This Scene from Young Frankenstein
20. Pumpkin Patches
It gives such a warm, cozy feeling visiting pumpkin patches. Especially our favorite, Weston Red Barn Farm. Fall give you that feeling anyways but there is something about the Apple Cider, the tractor rides, and the small campfires with people making smores around them that really makes me grateful for this type of place.
21. Wedges (Sand, and heel)
Since I've stopped playing basketball, I've grown to appreciate golf. Does NOT mean that I'm any good at it, but I enjoy playing. If there is a sand trap, I will hit into it. Which brings me to my gratefulness for my sand wedge. Part TWO of #21 is Wedge Heels. You guys, heels with wedges are pretty much the most comfortable kind of heels you can wear (in my opinion.) I cannot think of the last pair of stiletto pumps I thought "wow, these are great!" while hobbling around in them. Side Note: I have not tried wearing wedge heels in a sand trap using a sand wedge.
22. When my cell phone dies/has no service
You know it gets overwhelming sometimes when you feel so attached to your phone that you lose touch with everything around you. I get so mad at myself for scrolling through facebook or instagram for too long and losing opportunities to talk to those around me or make eye contact with people. When I lose service I feel so free from my phone and it's the BEST feeling.
23. Oscilating fans
It's mid July right now. We're in the "Hey... it's 99 degrees outside but it feels like your breathing in hot coals and sitting in a steaming hot bath with 106 degree water" zone. We have AC in our apartment, but it's so hard for it to keep up. This fan is our savior as it gives us that little bit of UMPH to keep us comfortable.
24. My sister
This woman is my best friend. Not everyone gets to have a sister, let alone a sister as supportive and inspiring as the one I have. She is 8 years my senior and has always been that protective older sister. I'm so grateful for our relationship and that I always have someone to call for whatever reason.
25. Game of Thrones
I would not have guessed that I would ever be a huge follower of show about knights, dragons, kings and queens. This show is the bright part of every Sunday for us during it's season.. and it's always something for us to look forward to! Who's going to get beheaded next? Can you trust that guy? Is JON SNOW GOING TO SURVIVE?!
26. Freddy's Cheesburgers
So, so, so unhealthy for you. Riddled with cheese, and fat, and blech. SO, so, so delicious. whenever I get that feeling of "I NEED TO EAT SOMETHING UNHEALTHY" this is my first choice.
27. Avocado Toast
Usually my go-to at First Watch and a DELICIOUS weekend breakfast in the mornings. Williams family fav.
28. Gameshows
Family Feud, The Wall, Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy... I love seeing how many answers I can get and one of the items on my non existent bucket list is being on one of these shows someday!
29. No kill animal shelters
My dog Fallon was a rescue from an animal shelter. I truly applaud no kill shelters because it is a huge guilt of mine that I can't save every single dog I come in contact with.
30. The moon
It's just so beautiful. It seems so close but knowing it is so far away seems magical to me. I love to gaze at it and try to distinguish the different craters. When I was on the other side of the globe my mom would tell me to look at the moon on that particular night, because we'd be looking at the same moon. It was something that made me feel way more connected to home.
31. The Rat Pack Live! CD
My father and I used to take 45 minutes car trips out to basketball practice from the time I was about 13 to the time I was 16. One of the ways we passed the time those two days a week was to blast this ONE C.D. It included Frank, Dean, and Sammy Jr. just belting out songs and having an amazing time...and to this day we can recite word for word that 25 track CD.
32. Cleveland, Ohio
The setting for many a summer vacation growing up. We would drive the 12 or so hours to visit family for a little over a week each summer and it was always my favorite trip. I grew to love the rough style of Cleveburg and the houses so close together you could hand your neighbor something from the windows. I'll always have a place in my heart for Cleveland.
33.Ranch Dressing
There are very few foods that I wouldn't put ranch dressing on. I use it with my scrambled eggs, pizza, I'd even put it on a hot dog. IT'S JUST SO GOOD.
34. Snapchat Filters
I love the fact that every day there is some new creative filter that I can mess around with, as well as getting those around me involved without their knowledge.
35. Colorado
We took a few trips here during college for basketball tournaments and I always loved it. It's such a different environment than Kansas City. This also happens to be the place that Nick and I got engaged. A cool place for outdoor activities and a very cool culture. 
36. Disney Movies
I remember seeing Aladdin in theatres and wanting to be Jasmine. VHS tapes galore of Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, The Jungle Book, Robin Hood....
37. Game night with friends
Game night with my friends gets very competetive, which is why I love it. We have all been friends so long that there is pretty much no holding back. It's a "tell it how it is" group and it is ALWAYS a fun time.
38. Cherry Sours
If you have never tried them, they are the perfect combo of crunchy outside sour and chewy sour inside. I associate trips to Hobby Lobby with my mom to getting a small bag of Cherry Sours. YUM!
39. My Family
My family is one of the most important things in my life. I depend on them for advice, support, laughs, tough times, and joyful times. I love them more than anything and am so blessed with the family that I was born into, and the one that I married into.
40. My Faith
To finish of my list of things that I'm grateful for it is only right that I finish with my love and appreciation for the Lord. I have gone through times in my life where I doubted my faith and ignored it. I now believe that happened so that I could come back stronger in my faith than I was ever before.
It's amazing how you can forget about all of the things that you are grateful for when you focus on things that are not going your way. Try to choose the positive path, I'm going to!
Until next time,
Jess
