Thankful...Wednesday.

Today was one of those days where things just seemed...overwhelming. The day got off to a rushed start, I didn't take the time for prayer and exercise that usually grounds me...and I just felt tired and blah and really sad, too, because I found out that one of my amazing friends is moving away soon. I felt like I didn't have any of the right answers for the kids, spent the rest of the grocery money for the month (and there is an entire week of July remaining) and I just couldn't get out of the funk. Not gonna lie, I cried a lot. Hormones are probably involved in some way.

Today is also my baby's birthday. Lydia is 2 today and I really have no idea how. Lexi was insanely jealous of the attention and gifts Lydia got, and made it known in a loud and irritating way. I didn't have my usual patience to deal with it. There's a load of laundry that has been in my dryer for days, Tim is out of undershirts, dishes and Play-doh are everywhere, and I need to throw together a birthday party on Saturday. Exhausting. I tried to flip through my Bible a few times but I just wasn't feeling it. Nothing spoke to me. But, as the day drew to a close, this quote kept going through my head:

“Courage does not always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, 'I will try again tomorrow.” 

I felt defeated today, but tomorrow is a new day. A fresh new period of 24 hours for me to start over with. Tomorrow also happens to be my birthday. It has a lot of potential.

No matter where I am, what I'm doing, how I'm feeling, God is there for me to lean on. Nothing is too big or too small for him. I have to say it again: nothing is too small for him. That means I can pray about my funk, my hormones, my kid chewing on the woodwork in her room, the laundry, and feeling lonely. I can pray about anything, and he hears me. He is there with me when I decide to try again. I'm never really alone.

I recently read that in tough times and struggles, I need to praise God. One way to praise God is to give thanks for all the blessings he has given me. Cause there are a lot. Instead of dwelling on the crappy stuff that is bothering me, I am going to take a few minutes to be thankful for my blessings. It probably would sound nicer if it were "Thankful Thursday" but today is Wednesday. Sorry.


 I am thankful for my happy, healthy 2-year-old. I was pretty nervous about having another baby, but the second I laid eyes on her, I loved her more than I could have ever imagined.

 She was due the day after my birthday, and came instead the day before. She knew better than to steal my birthday ;)

I love this little girl! She is a little ray of sunshine and gives the best hugs. I am so blessed to be her mom. Happy birthday, Lydia! You are not a baby anymore and while I don't miss those long nights when you cried until I ran the vacuum cleaner, I can see you growing up before my eyes and it is bittersweet, little lady.

And this little girl too. I am so thankful for Lexi and so blessed that she is my daughter. She has given me a run for my money lately in so many different ways...but she is happy, healthy, sweet and smart. She saved up her hard earned quarters to buy Lydia a present from the Dollar Tree and wrapped it herself in special paper that she decorated. I am so proud of how kind and thoughtful she is. And the girl knows how to dance. She is so special, unafraid to be herself, and passionate about life. Sure, she may do things that I can't explain, understand, or change...but she is my little girl and I will always love her.

I am thankful for my friends. The ones that are in this picture, and the ones that aren't. Thanks for loving me just the way I am. Sometimes I am awkward, embarrassing, overly emotional and just plain weird. I am really blessed to have friends who love me through thick and thin, support me through hard times, love my children, teach me how to properly scramble eggs, dress myself, scrapbook, and let my hair down every so often :) I love you, friends. Thanks for loving me back.

I am thankful for this man.

I get to spend the rest of my life with this amazing guy. If you aren't jealous, you should be. He is always there to listen to me cry, complain, or act like a 5 year old, without judging. He loves me for who I am and I am so thankful that I have him. He puts up with me, and looks good while doing so.

I am blessed in countless other ways. Thank you, God, for trusting me with so many gifts.

Tomorrow is a new day. I will try again.