THANKS

It's Sunday! When I was blogging regularly I tried really hard to make it a point to update this blog on Sundays every week. I struggled with consistency, but I'm going to give it a go again. =]

So here we are. I've been thinking a lot lately about blessings, as you may have guessed from my last post. Most people aren't aware of this, but I'm someone who gets overwhelmed with life pretty frequently. To be honest, I think I have a bit of an anxiety problem, but that's just a self-diagnosis, so I suppose you shouldn't put too much stock in that. =P

My point is, as wonderful as I acknowledge my life has been, we've been having a lot of trials lately too that have been extremely hard on me....everyone has their own trials and some things are harder for one person than they would be for another, right?...anyway, that's not the point of this post. This is -

There are some times when I think about all my problems, that I really do just need to vent and cry; it's therapeutic at times. But if I did that too often, then I would just be sad and depressed all the time. So when I need a pick-me-up, I stop everything, and take some time to think, and I mean really think and evaluate, all of the blessings I have in my life currently. It may sound a little trite and like far too simple of an exercise, but I'm telling you, when you take it seriously, it makes a world of difference.

All the bad things seem much more manageable when you realize what you've got going for you and, quite frankly, how much worse things could be. Even if it only helps for an hour or two, that's something, right? Keep coming back to it as needed to feel better.

For some reason, I felt like I needed to share some of my blessings that I've been especially grateful for lately. So here's my partial list.

• I'm grateful for my job. We are, frankly, so financially tight right now, and I don't make much. But I do have a job, and a job that I love at that, which is making a big difference for us while Travis is in school.
• I'm grateful that at my job, I have a friend who cares about the program and our kids as much as I do. My job would be impossible if I didn't. Someone understands everything that I'm dealing with and all that I want to achieve.
• I'm grateful for a husband who loves me unconditionally and would do absolutely anything for me. And he does [do everything for me]. He puts up with so much from me, and is never frustrated or short with me. What an incredible blessing he is. I know I don't deserve him.
• I'm grateful for prayer - that I can always go to my Father in Heaven and know that I am not alone in my pain. I can receive peace and answers to my prayers as often as I'm willing to turn to Him.
• I'm grateful for my parents who have been willing and happy to take us in. Of course, we would rather have our own home, but that's not feasible for us right now. Thanks to my parents, we're able to make ends meet, and they've been so gracious about the disruption we've caused them.
• I'm grateful for my babies [my puppies]. They may both have their flaws, but I am still convinced that I have the best two puppies in the world. They are such wonderful companionship and comfort to me, and bring me so much happiness. If you've ever had a pup, you understand. =]
• I'm grateful for my medication. For those who have never had the experience, breaking your pelvis hurts. Surprisingly, the pain has gotten worse over the last few weeks rather than better. But I've got meds that keep it mostly under control, and I'm so grateful that I do. I can't even imagine going through this process without them.
• I'm grateful for my wheelchair. Travis's dad was able to get a wheelchair for us to borrow, which has been an amazing help. Those of you who have been on crutches know how uncomfortable/bordering on painful they can be. It's been so nice to be able to wheel around the house in the [semi]comfort of a wheelchair.
• I'm grateful for a home in Arizona. Even though it's a [somewhat] non-sensical financial liability right now, I'm grateful that we have a house back in Glendale. I know there was some reason we were able to buy that house, and I am convinced that somewhere down the road it will serve us well, whether we're able to sell it for a gain or whether we move back and end up living there again.
• I'm grateful for some time off. I love my job. But it is so much more intense and taxing than I think anyone realizes. And considering my busy season [summer] is coming up all too soon, I need some R & R mentally and emotionally as much as I do physically.
• I'm grateful for new skills. If you read my other blog, you know I've taken up sewing, and I've fallen in love with it. I've always wanted to sew, and am so glad that I finally had time to start. I'm thrilled that I'll be able to continue to make cute clothes for myself and for my kiddos sometime down the road.
• I'm grateful for the help that my Heavenly Father has given me. I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that I wouldn't be able to do all that I've done within my job on my own. The demands would run down anyone, let alone a person with fragile health like myself. It's been a struggle, but I've been able to do it and the program has completely flourished. And as I discussed in my last post, I know He has also been protecting me as well.
• I'm grateful that my windows are open. I don't do well with cold weather, as many of you know. Fortunately, this winter has been pretty mild as Iowa winters go, but it's still been rough on me. Even though it's getting a slow start, spring is finally coming and breathing life into this [now-slightly-less-dead] landscape.
• I'm grateful for sugar. I don't really think I need to say anything else. =]