Reasons To Be Cheerful...it's a double!

I didn't get chance to join in with Michelle at Mummy From The Heart and her lovely 'Reasons To Be Cheerful' link up.  So, I'm being extra cheerful this week to make up for it but as it happens Michelle has encouraged everyone to be more cheerful = result!  I'm also being extra cheerful as I'm going to do my first link up with Maxabella Loves on the other side of the world.  I love finding new blogs to read so it's a chance to hop around about 'down under'.

1. I love my new 'job'
I say job but it's not really as it's volunteer work. I'm now volunteering at a local Save The Children shop. If you haven't already read it, you should have a little read of my post from earlier this week called 'Born To Volunteer'. It's something I've always wanted to do but always used the 'I don't have the time' line. Well, I find my days are filled to the brim but I've managed to squeeze in some time and do you know what? I love it!

2. It's my daughters 2nd birthday next Friday
I can't believe that 2 years ago on the 11th March she entered this world.  She is growing up so fast it's untrue!  I am loving my time with her right now - she's really starting to talk properly and it's amazing to watch and my husband and I love having little conversations with her about her day.  She was diagnosed with childhood asthma on Thursday, poor little love, so has to have an inhaler before she goes to bed but she's been great with it.  In 6 months time she'll be starting play school.  Where is the time going?

3. My husband has some time off work coming up
He's off the day of my daughters birthday and he's also off the following week.  We have lots of treats and days out planned and I can't wait.  Just hoping he's fit enough to manage it with his ankle injury.

4. I went to the cinema
I can't actually remember the last time before that I went to the cinema it was that long ago.  I went last night with my best friend and we had a really nice time - especially as we went for a meal first too. My friend picked the film called 'No Strings Attached' which was about 'f*ck buddies'. All I knew before we went was it had Ashton Kutcher in it - nothing like a bit of naked eye candy on a Friday night if you ask me!

5. Spring is definitely in the air
It's finally March.  We are through the dull and cold months of January and February.  We are through the lull after Christmas where we all feel like we've eaten too much and are on the come-down after the festivities.  The snowdrops and daffs are blooming, the sun is shining and everything feels so much better!

6. Bloggy reasons
I was approached by a small company to host an advert or run a giveaway on Tuesday.  It's not what I started this blog for but it's nice to get recognition that my blog is being read and enjoyed.  Also, I updated my blog banner.  I know it's not exactly a reason to be cheerful but it made me a little happy on Wednesday night when I did it.  The one I had up before was thrown together in 5 minutes when I first started blogging at the beginning of the year.  This one is much better - and it took me 20 minutes, so worth the extra effort haha!  The photo of my daughter and I on the right was taken by one of my closest friends who runs Claire Penn Photography.  Oh and Lady Estrogen also wrote a funny guest post for me which I posted up yesterday...if you haven't read it then have a little look here and go check her out, she's fab!


What are your reasons to be cheerful/thankful this week?  Join in the hops and make new friends...