Better!!

I finally am feeling almost whole again. Thank goodness! A little more sleep and a few more regular trips to the gym and I’ll be back to my old self. Being sick for three months sucked. And really sapped my energy. But I’ve never been so happy to be healthy. It’s left me wanting to really love, recognize, and appreciate all my blessings. There are so many! Even when it feels like everything is going wrong, there really is so much more that is right.

Things I’m thankful for:

1. My husband. He wakes up SO early, works long days, commutes, and then comes home and keeps on working (i.e. helps with homework, dinner, dishes, diapers, etc.). And he doesn’t even mind that I’m wearing ratty sweats 70% of the time. And he makes me hot chocolate almost every night. And he is tall. I love him.

2. Lindsay. She is my most challenging child at the moment. She talks non-stop (at the top of her lungs), throws tantrums, is super needy, and drives me up the wall. But as crazy as she makes me, I love her even more. She is so beautiful. I want to treasure this age with her, because I know it will be gone in a blink. She gives me hugs and kisses all day long. Just because. She has a talent for love and affection. The other day when I was crying she asked me to bend down, and then used a napkin to wipe away my tears. She runs and yells “Mo-om!!” whenever I come home and climbs into my lap before I can even get out of the car. She brushes my hair and tells me I look like a “berbae” (mermaid). She calls Danny “Nanny”. Her favorite foods are “totters and she-shees” (crackers and fishies) and “oat-nore” (oatmeal). She’s obsessed with birthdays. And she is a total boyfriend stealer (see tall husband who is a complete sucker for said small blonde).

3. Cookies! And cornbread. Baking treats really makes the world a better place. At our house especially.

4. Danny’s smile right now. He has no teeth. It’s pretty cute.

5. Music. A good family car dance can turn my day right around.

6. Good books. And the library!! Thank goodness for such an easy and free escape.

7. My sweet baby. He loves to snuggle with me and sleep in the crook of my arm. So I let him. More than I should. He has chubbier cheeks than any of my other kids did. I smooch them daily.

8. Miracles. I believe in them. My “BFF” brother Teddy (we are only a year apart and grew up more like twins) and his wife Megan just had their first baby after several years of wanting and waiting. A healthy and perfect little girl named Kirra Elizabeth Cox. Heavenly Father answers prayers!

9. Love at home. Not always easy when your patience is worn thin. But such a powerful thing. And so much easier to accomplish with #3. 🙂

It’s been almost one year since my sister-in-law Kaci’s passing. I think of her often and still feel her influence daily. Be positive and love the road you’re on. She taught me lessons I will never forget.

Don’t sweat the small stuff. Appreciate the big stuff. Enjoy the little things. Love your life!

The End.