list 5 things I am grateful for daily

1. for hubby taking daughter to a birthday party
2. for getting a new hairdo, new make up and tonight I’ll dye my hair. I’m feeling much more polished and attractive now.
3. for the beautiful summer weather we had today and the long hike with my son
4. that I live in a place blessed by mother nature.
5. for the most delicious burrito that was my lunch.

Sometimes I feel like I’m living a Frank Capra movie. I mean I used to have a pretty horrible life but I always tried to work hard and do the right thing and now I have a pretty happy life. I am grateful for when things come together in a meaningful way.

This mood is brought on by my wonderful children. I’m not going to be humble about it, I work hard at setting examples, building their confidence and getting them to know and follow their moral compass. They do and I’m grateful for that.

Last night I was folding a mountain (the entire dining room full) of laundry. It was getting stacked all over the table. No big deal really. I told the children to start getting to ready for bed. They refused. My son walked up to me, squared his shoulder, set his jaw and said “not while you have all this work to do.” I tried to tell him, no go to bed but he walked past me, picked up laundry and started putting it away. Then he and his sister put it all away with me, all the while having a fun running up and down the hall. When it was all done, son refused to go to bed until I promised I’d stop cleaning for the night and let him help tomorrow. I’m grateful for the help and for both the children’s attitudes about getting a job done.

I am grateful that I can step back and remember that having my children obey my is not always the most important thing.

I am grateful for my boss for taking the time and consideration to write personal thank you notes to everyone who works for her, and highlighting each persons unique contributions.

I am grateful for this beautiful spring weather, the chance for the children to play outdoors and for me to get my car clean.

I am grateful for a flexible and parent friendly work place.

• I watched a show called “Clean House” thinking it would motivate me to get cleaning. Instead it showed me that my house isn’t nearly as bad as I thought (wow, there are some messy houses out there!)
• Son watched the same show and cleaned the living room as a surprise for me. Did a really good job too!
• daughter being so good at writing out all her colour words
• I had everything I needed to make a new game for the children. Sometimes it’s good to have clutter.
• Hug and praise from hubby for some parenting skills.

• Hubby for coming home with my favourite chocolates
• Support I got when I took charge in a crisis.
• The children’s enthusiasm for doing the right thing
• really getting a lot done today. I needed a day like this.
• for my work friend’s cataract surgery finally getting done and went well. She says its like science fiction, the whole world is brighter.

1. I’m going to be an aunty again!
2. There’s going to be a baby!
3. My brother is finally getting to be a daddy!
4. I like the girl he’s with and they seem good together, and will move in together (ok, they’re doing things a bit out of order)
5. I never got rid of all that baby yarn! Tiny little sweaters!

1. for the power of chocolate chip cookies. More specifically for being able to say “If you both get your rooms clean by 4:30 we can make cookies” and watch the children spring into action.
2. That my son can clean his bedroom well enough AND vaccuum without supervision
3. for daughter surprising me with cleaning her whole, very messy room without help for the first time….and even sorted the toys properly and making the bed.
4. for getting home early
5. for all the mini cheerbombs I’ve been getting. Not really sure why..but Thanks!

1. for the laugh son gave me when he announced he wants to work for the vatican. And then put on the “uniform”.
2. that even though I am sick AGAIN and feeling CRAPPY, I am functional and it hasn’t hit me like the last time….yes, I am still grateful for my iron supplements.
3. for sitting around with some other women and talking about our do it yourself projects. Feels good to have women who don’t look down their noses at me for this sort of thing.
4. for signs of spring
5. for finding a hairbrush that gets through daughter’s hair with less pulls. Sounds like a little thing, but it’s huge.

1. Iron & B12 supplements. Yippee!! I can’t believe how much energy I have. A couple of weeks ago I was worn out, short of breath, unmotivated and getting nothing done. Today I put in a full and busy day at work, visited with my mom, picked up the kids, got groceries, cleaned up, prepped all my veggies & stocked my fridge, made bread, made muffins, had some fun….and I’m still going at almost 10 oclock!
2. the wonderful emergency preparedness coordinator who came to speak at our staff meeting, to my awesome coworker for arranging it and to my employer for providing the forum. I thought I was prepared, but now know I have work to do!
3. My son for his ability to push me right to the edge of exasperation and then laugh and smile at my tension instead of taking it on.
4. My daughter for getting ready for bed without help or nagging (much).
5. That no one was hurt in the arson explosion downtown today.

1. and the way good honest work makes bedtime early and easy
2. I’ve spent some wonderful time with the children this weekend
3. Opportunities to say “good job” and “I’m proud of you” so often
4. Patience
5. Hearing son say to his sister “I have a big job and it needs someone beautiful. Come with me”. He made a parade float out of one of those wheeled under the bed storage boxes, a quilt and a xylophone, put daughter on the front in her butterfly costume and pushed her around while she waved. It was quite sweet.
6. Bonus gratitude. Heads resting on my shoulder.

1. Butterflies in winter
2. The energy of my children and how it pushes me to keep up
3. That my children got all excited about the bedroom project, taking some ownership and making plans. And that I ditched my plans to have them at granny’s for the day. It was the right decision, good family time.
4. That in some ways, at some times, when my children try to be helpful they actually are.
5. Getting something done that won’t be undone. I needed that so bad.