I'm blessed

Wow, it has been a REALLY long time since I have posted along with Gretchen's Monday blessing party!  It's not that I haven't had things to be thankful for (I most certainly do!) and it's not that I haven't thought about all of the things I have to be thankful for (I really have!).  It's just that life has been busy and I haven't made it a priority to post on here.  And sometimes that's ok.  If I have to choose between spending time with Randy and the kids or spending time typing on the computer, my family wins. :)  But I also believe in the importance of "counting our blessings" and I can tell you that today it is really necessary. :)  


Again, it's not that I'm not aware of how blessed I am, but some days they are a little harder to see than others.  Today is that kind of day.  Abby has NOT been sleeping well at all.  (Not a huge surprise, since she has pretty much always taken the award for "Worst Sleeper" in our home.)  When she first pops out of bed in the morning, she is just a little ray of sunshine!  Seriously!  She pops up and runs into the room with a huge smile and a happy "Good morning!"  The other day, she said that she was happy and she wasn't going to be whiney.  Like many days, that lasted about 10 minutes before she dissolved into tears and whining and begging for juice and a movie.  The juice is ok, but I would much prefer that it accompanies breakfast.  (She is just not big on breakfast lately for some reason.  That probably adds to the whining throughout the morning.)  This morning she had a half hour meltdown because I wouldn't turn on a movie.  We have learned the hard way that tv during school does not keep Abby distracted nearly as much as it keeps the others distracted, so it stays off.  


Ok, I suppose I should set a good example and stop my whining.


Here are some blessings:


Abby is happily playing with some of her new toys from Christmas.  There was a plastic tea set (complete with kid-size plastic table and chairs) that she received.  Randy and I were not exactly enthusiastic about the idea of more big plastic stuff taking up space.  But, it does fit into her play area and she is absolutely having a BLAST setting up for her little tea party!  It's keeping her happy and quiet, and that is worth a lot!


Emma is SO loving and patient with Abby and Michael!  Seriously, she is an amazing big sister!  She takes time to snuggle with them, read stories, dance and twirl with Abby, and most of all, she does it with a loving heart, not with frustration at having to pay attention to little kids.  She really makes my day and I appreciate her more than I can say!


When Abby is happy, she is tremendously funny!  She constantly makes us laugh!  She can also be really sweet in what she says.  Like when I am not feeling like I look my best, and she runs up to me saying "Hi Mommy!  I love your hair and your clothes!  You look beautiful!"  And I know that she means it, which is so sweet and valuable.  The other one that makes my day is when I get out her clothes to get her dressed.  Most days, her face lights up and she says "You washed them for me, Mama?  Oh, thank you!!!!!"  It's nice to be appreciated!  


Here is a big one:  Even though Michael has a little bit of a cold and he is teething, he is still sleeping through the night and still just as sweet, happy and smiley as ever during the day!  THAT is a HUGE blessing!!!


Wow, look at that!  What started out as me being frustrated and admittedly a little whiney myself, has turned into me feeling really happy and truly blessed!  Thank you, Gretchen, for encouraging us to take the time to focus on our blessings instead of frustrations.  It really does make all the difference!  And thank you, Lord, for blessing me beyond measure!