Blessings...time to count them

This weekend was not a great one for me....I was pretty whiney for the majority of it. I'm lonely and bored most the weekend and my poor boys keep asking me when I'm going to get married. I did, however, make some very tasty grub. Friday we had the Nacho-rific Stuffed Chicken which I loved but the kids didn't. And Saturday we had Exploding Chicken Taquitos that were a huge hit all around. They were pretty delightful. I took pictures, sent them to my email then deleted them off my phone, only to find that when I got the ability to check my email, my phone sent blank messages to my email. Greeaaattttt. So no pictures of the food. But just trust it was delightful. Anyway... today I'm counting my blessings.....

Great kids who love me
A family who is supportive
A nice place I can afford (with a pool!)
The ability to go to school and finish my education
A job that allows me to go to school and still pays enough to provide for my family
Food on my table and a roof over my head
A (mostly) good running car

I think that's all for now. I hope everyone has a good week!

Sometimes we just need a reminder....

...........that we are okay. That life isn't a horrible as it seems. That times will get better. And that we will move on. I can't count the number of times that I have told my kids:

"Appreciate what you have! There are people out there who would KILL to have food in their tummies, clothes on their backs, toys to play with...........!"

And then I remember that not even a week ago I was doing the same thing. I was whining and complaining because my life was not going the way I wanted...why couldn't I get a break....why can't I have an easy way out....la de da de da. Then I was reading a blog I've been following (the same blog that gave me the spend less plan) and saw this:

I've taken my dose of humble pie. Who am I kidding....the whole freaking pie. We have a roof (not to mention a nice roof) over our head in a relatively safe neighborhood. We've never had to skip a meal. I've had to figure out how to live on a minimal income more than once, but at least I HAD an income. Now I have a good income and my biggest worry is managing my money. I have the opportunity to further my education.

I'm lucky.

And.....I need to quit whining. I'll work on that. I'm not guaranteeing anything...since I'm sure life will happen and something will toss my little apple cart around. But then I'll be reminded again of how lucky I am too and things will return to a (relatively) normal state. Its the vicious cycle of this life....be happy > go through hard/life changing/miserable trials > learn from those trials > realize your one lucky girl/guy > start all over.


My point: Be happy. Unless your a malnourished child in a 3rd world country who hasn't had a meal or a drink of clean water in days and your lying in some grubby street somewhere on your deathbed due to starvation/illness/etc....you've got it pretty good my friend.

Blessings

After work last night the boys were extremely hyper and needing to get energy out, and it was finally a nice enough night to go take walk. We were planning on going up the canyon when mom called and asked if we wanted to go along with her up the canyon. Great minds must think alike. We went late enough that it was nearing sunset and absolutely gorgeous, as you can see. And even better, it didn't even feel like exercise. When I got home I was gearing up to walk the treadmill and realized that I had already exercised. It was an enjoyable evening. And the boys were definitely tuckered out. We went home and went right to bed...and by the time I got out of the shower they were all snoozing contently in their beds.

And I swear it wasn't all creepy stalkerish...but I was watching them sleep and realized how big they have gotten. After showers last night I was putting lotion on their feet and realized Nate's feet are almost as big as mine (and made me realize I really do need to buy him new socks. I thought he was just wanting them because he wants new everything all the time. My bad.). His hands are almost as big as mine as well. Not to mention he reaches my shoulders now (not saying much since I'm practically a midget, but still). When did he get so big? I can remember cradling him as a little bitty baby and him snuggling up on my chest at nights when he couldn't sleep. Or having him lay on my lap as he got older and watch TV. Now he is growing into a strong young man. More than once I've leaned in to give him good night kisses and I've gotten a fat lip because he likes to swat my kisses away, and accidentally swats me instead. He doesn't realize his own strength I don't think. The time goes by quickly. That realization hasn't come with Ty or Ryder yet but I imagine its only a matter of time.