The good things

I haven't been sleeping much lately, as I've whined about in previous posts, I'm sure. Last night was particularly bad, with our 8 month old up from about midnight on, only occasionally sleeping. But only if we held him. I kind of get hateful when I get really tired, and I am really tired. So I thought I might post a quick update about a few things I'm thankful for. Before I have to leave the house and be around people. I'm hoping this will help my attitude.




I have friends who had their 4 month old baby taken away from them and placed in foster care because of an accident with a babysitter. Yesterday I spent the day in court with them, watching them fight to get their daughter back. So far they are unsuccessful. I can't even imagine what they must be going through. I am so very thankful that my children are home with me, and not in some unknown house somewhere, with a foster parent. Even in the middle of the night, when Ben won't sleep, I'm thankful he's not sleeping in my arms rather than someone else's.

I am so thankful for my husband. I'm not sure what I did to win that lottery, but he's such a great friend, husband, dad. He is honest, kind and patient. I'm thrilled to be married to him. Which is why I won't let him get that motorcycle that he wants so badly.

We live in a nice house, with a pool. (In AZ that is huge, as it gets to 120 in July and August.) We are able to pay our bills and mostly don't have to stress about money. We live next door to our church, and can walk to work every day.

We have (mostly) healthy food to eat, and are able to eat together as a family every day (almost!)

My husband and I work together, sharing a large office. We can bring our kids in with us. We have never needed to use daycare, and I'm so thankful for that. Even when Ben is crying and Madeleine is whining.

Our church is awesome - full of wonderful people, who are so supportive of us. And the church is open to women ministers, which is fairly rare. I am one of 4 ordained women on staff. That's huge, and I forget sometimes that most churches aren't comfortable with it.

I lead worship every week - which gives me the opportunity to play guitar and sing, which I love. I can be totally creative with the music and have the support of the church. I sing in our choir, which is led by one of the ministers at our church. It is a close group of people who are amazingly talented.

We have an amazing family, and though they are far away, we can count on them in times of need. They love us, and we love them. There is very little drama.

We have great, supportive friends, and love spending time with them. They have become like family to us, since we live so far away from our families.

We are healthy. There are so many people who deal with horrible illnesses and function every day. So many people with no hope for a long life, and they go to work every day and are kind to those around them.

The weather here is perfect, for now...

I just got the guitar that I've been waiting YEARS and years to buy. It's beautiful, and I love it. It plays like a dream. Technically, I still owe our savings account $500 for it, but it's in my house and it's mine. I've been saving for a long time to get it.

I love coffee. At night, when I get in bed, dreading the inevitable crying baby just minutes after I fall asleep, I think of how great that cup of coffee will be in the morning.

I have started running, and nothing has fallen off yet.


Ok, well there's much more, but that's enough to say today. I have to go be social now. And I think I can, after this reminder of all the good things in life. Maybe I'll grab another cup of coffee on the way out.