I have been feeling very discouraged lately. Tired as usual, and Sophie’s gassiness / burping is making everything a giant pain in the ass. After spending most of yesterday crying, today I am trying to remind myself of all the things I am grateful for.
Two beautiful, gorgeous, spirited, healthy children
A devoted, loving husband who is an amazing parent and lets me cry on his shoulder without pointing out that he gets even less sleep than I do. Who is willing to help me during the night without complaint. Who – on bad days – picks up the pieces when he gets home from work with a smile on his face and still finds time to play with the kids. Who can fix almost anything and has saved us untold thousands of dollars over the years working on the house, cars, etc.
A mother-in-law who loves me like I was her own daughter, and does a reasonable job of filling the gaping hole left by my own mother.
My husband works in the auto industry, but he has so far survived three rounds of lay-offs and still has a job. He is one of the smartest people I’ve ever met and a hardworking employee, and I am certain this has saved him, at least for now.
I have a nice house and a good car. We all have clothes to wear and the kids have too many toys to play with. We eat delicious and filling meals.
A local farm co-op that provides me with reasonably priced meat from humanely raised, pastured animals, as well as raw dairy products (almost impossible to find here) and when I’m lucky, the most delicious organic, raw apple cider I’ve ever tasted in my life.
A 3 year old with a bladder of steel (I’m also jealous of this fact since I’m still peeing myself 9 months after Sophie’s birth).
Money in the bank.
Rapidly dwindling retirement accounts, but at least they exist.
I have a good camera, and the internet provides me with the means to hone my craft for free.
Good friends and high tea.
After weeks of barely making it out of single digit temperatures, two days of 50+ degree weather. It will be brutally cold again soon, but today I don’t care.
Wine.
Chocolate.
Healthy chocolate muffins (unless you have the right tool for grinding oatmeal, just buy oat flour. I use 1 cup of honey and sprinkle each muffin with approximately 6-8 normal sized chocolate chips - it’s just the right amount of sweetness. Fill the muffin cups about 1/2 full of batter and you’ll get 36 of ‘em. Bake on 350 for 30 minutes. If I bake them in batches and only put them on the center rack of my oven, the chips don’t really melt and leave delicious, chocolately surprises).
A rare 90 minute nap from Sophie that allowed me to empty and refill my dishwasher, spend time with M stamping and painting with watercolors, and write this post.