Gratitude...

So I've been stuck in a "blah" place this last month. I know it's going to get better soon because my "blahness" will be replaced with gratitude that we have our Joellie back. He's been on his OB rotation this month and I've HATED it! He's been gone constantly (it seems anyway). His last day is Thursday and then we'll be able to enjoy "family time" again.

The weather has been so incredible this last week so I just can't allow myself to feel this "blahness" any longer! So even though Joel will be home more next month, I know that I have to figure out a way to bust out of the mundane entirely on my own. Something that usually works with me is to verbalize or write down the things for which I am grateful....

Quiet time in the afternoon when Christian is sleeping and Camryn is off playing with friends.

Taking care of my tiny, but thriving spring garden.

Getting a pedicure with good friends.

Enjoying a beautiful spring evening outside with friends and family.

Waking up to the sounds of birds singing and the sun creeping through my blinds.

And finally, I'm grateful to my great family and friends that made my 33rd (I know, I'm getting old!) birthday special. I was all alone (Joel was on call - like last year) on my birthday and I just figured it was going to suck again. Thankfully, the weather was beautiful and I kept getting little surprises throughout the day.

My cute neighbors got the kids to decorate a fun poster card for me. JD made me 2 hilarious birthday cards. In fact, I'm going to take a picture of them so that I'll always remember how dang cute he can be. He made me a "Champion" card because he said I'm the best mom in the world! How cute! He made the 2nd card quite early Saturday morning while I was still asleep. It has a built-in spring attached so that, "...when you shake it, it bounces up and down."

Joel surprised me with a new pocket camera and some amazing tulips. Some great friends surprised me with more beautiful tulips, a gift certificate to Barnes and Noble and a cool bookmark (they know me so well!). I received quite a few cards, ecards and phone calls throughout the day from the awesome people in my life. I just loved my birthday this year because I was reminded that I have wonderful folks surrounding me.

And that is certainly something to be grateful for.

Wow, it worked...I'm in a good mood already!