Let me go ahead and spell it out for you. I did not like today. It was hard, tiring, frustrating, and really tested my patience. Makenzie woke up almost two hours early and remained super cranky throughout the entire day. The one day this week I hoped to have time to get things accomplished vanished before my eyes. I was in one of my hormonal induced moods and felt angry and stressed. Good thing Ashley from Nourishing the Soul helped squelch all that. She has started a special Blogger Series called Self Discovery: Word by Word which features a different word and topic each month for anyone around the blogging world to share. Check out the link for details on how to participate!

When Ashley contacted me, asking for my participation, I gladly accepted. I originally intended to do a more thorough discussion of the topic and something more profound. Well, I needed a dose of gratitude and perspective today. I just needed a reminder! I usually do a good job keeping things in check on my own, but I’m only human and some days I need a little help. Today I choose to listen to my gut. Instead of a more analytical and inspiring post, I will simply write what I need to remember – all the things which deserve my gratitude.

Despite her keeping my hands more full than usual today, I still could not imagine my life without her. She never fails to make me laugh. She gives my life purpose. And I am also so thankful that I have the blessing to stay home with her. I know how truly lucky that makes me.

You all know I love fall. Being able to enjoy the outdoors and see scenes like this deserves gratitude. Life is too wonderful to pass it by without taking a second look at our surroundings.

While at the park with friends, which I am also thankful for, I even recognized that I have gratitude for nasty public restrooms. I originally took this picture to gripe about “hover worthy” restrooms at parks. How about I appreciate the fact I have such luxuries as running water, plumbing, electricity, etc? After all, without electricity I would not have been able to easily whip up these….

Pumpkin Nutella Oats. I know my Twitter pals loved the idea of this one. 😉 Now looking at this picture I don’t simply see a delicious bowl of food for breakfast. I also see food. In abundance. I have easy access to food, which is more than many in the world can say. How thankful I should be for that!

I almost didn’t work out this afternoon thanks to stress. Then, I decided I need to show gratitude to my body for all it can do and treat it with respect. I know it longs for activity when I feel this way and I always feel better afterwards. So I did some TurboKick again. Today was no different and I’m so thankful to my body for taking care of me, my baby, and knowing just what to do at all times.

Most importantly, I need to show gratitude to God. Without Him, my life would likely still resemble a shattered mirror broken across the floor and trampled over by my own insecurities and doubts. He saved me and continues to save me. He loves me and gives me peace every time I open my heart to Him in prayer. No matter what inappropriate words may have left my mouth moments before. 😉

Blessing surrounds us and we need to walk into its sweet embrace every day. Some days prove more difficult than others. Believe me, I know. However, if we take a second look at things and pause to breathe, we often find beauty that leaves us with nothing but gratitude. I started my day overwhelmed with annoyance. I will end it overwhelmed with gratitude.

***Ashley’s post on gratitude today really inspired me. She discussed how it creates a new reality and even the smallest things deserve our gratitude. Katie wrote how sharing gratitude helps you feel it more strongly yourself. I highly recommend reading both of these amazing posts from these beautiful women.***

• What are YOU thankful for today? Small or large…it all counts!

Sometimes you just need…

…a good cry. My hormones drove me crazy this past week. I think they played a big role in everything I felt a few days ago as well. Or at least made it easier to let those thoughts bring me down at the time. Mentally, I felt much better by Wednesday night. Emotionally, I still felt off until last night. I popped in The Last Song and let the tears flow. Even though I didn’t feel upset about anything in particular, I just needed a good cry and felt much better afterwards. Strange, but true.

…to sleep in. Yep. I slept in until 7 am this morning. My body still awoke around 5 am but instead of just getting out of bed and using that time, I forced myself to stay in bed. I only dozed off and on, but I awoke with more strength and energy.

…to say no. Poor miss M did not like that I would not allow her to watch an extra episode of her favorite show. I stuck to my guns and said no. I ignored the tears, squeals, and pleas for attention from throwing things. She needs to learn “no” sticks to life like duct tape.

…to say yes. When Peter learned his work sponsored lunch wasn’t until next Friday I had no problem saying yes to an impromptu lunch date so my man wouldn’t starve. We went to Tacone, a specialty wrap cafe. I love this place! I ordered a wheat wrap wit fish, shredded cabbage, red onion, tomato, lettuce, pico de gallo, and cilantro ranch. Definitely worth saying “yes”.

…to sing at the top of your lungs in the car. On the way home from lunch I belted out all of my favorite songs that played on my favorite radio station. I listen to a Contemporary Christian station and praising God out loud in such a positive way truly uplifted me. One of my favorites -

…earplugs. While I sang, M tried to outdo me with her renditions of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and the ABCs. Let’s just say she has my genes and nails on blackboards sound better. It’s still pretty cute though. I’ll have to get a youtube video of that for you. 🙂

• Tell me yours. Sometimes you just need ________________.
• What song are you loving right now? Anything! I listen to a whole variety of stuff.