Perfect

I watched this video, and thought, I've got to share this (that is, in between my tears I thought that) I've got to write how I feel about this.




I love this song. I've got it downloaded on my ipod, on my playlist, every time I hear it on the radio I turn it up - it's something I need to remind myself of. It is so easy to let myself believe I should be someone else, that I've become a boring mom, that I'm overweight, that I'm a bad wife.....the list could go on forever. But instead of tuning into that negativity, I push it away. I don't need excuses, I'm perfect being me. I especially need to hear that when I worry about working out, that I'm not getting the results I think I should - to remind myself that I am not working out to get skinny, to fit in, or look like a celebrity mom. I'm working out to be strong and healthy and a more awesome me. I caught up on Glee last night, and watched the episode where they were looking for an anthem - well, for me this is my anthem today (I reserve the right to change it as I see fit). I am more than a number on a scale, the van I drive, or the mom jeans I currently wear :)Even if I never worked out again, I am perfect just the way I am, and I am a child of God. I need to remember to tell my kids and my husband that important lesson every day, and also everyone I'm around - because we all need to know that.

Count your blessings

I'm going to take a page from Matthew Henry ( a 17th century theologian and bible scholar.) He was once robbed, and later recorded in his journal (I'm summarizing this) Let me be thankful. First, that it was the first time I was ever robbed. Second, though he took my purse, he did not take my life. Third, though he took all my money, it wasn't much. And fourth, that it was I that was robbed, and not I who did the robbing.

So today, I'm going to be thankful. Here is the background, and I really hope I don't come off as Debbie Downer! For the past week, I have had three sick babies, and I am sick as well. Sydney woke up Saturday at about 1 am with croup, and a double ear infection (again!) Lexi came down with something Sunday evening, and ran a fever of an average of 103.5 for about 3 days, then came down with pink eye! Austin has had a cold since Monday, I took him to the Pediatrician's today, and it turns out he has RSV (a respiratory virus that's really hard on babies) and now he has to have nebulizer treatments to help his breathing, and not get any sicker or he could be in the hospital. I have been sick since Monday, spiked a fever of 103 on Wednesday, which thankfully broke the same night since Kevin took over and I slept for almost 13 hours straight! Kevin was also gone on Monday and Tuesday for business, and also has to work during the day, so I've pretty much been flying solo except for yesterday, when he came home around 1 pm.
I have heard that happiness is a frame of mind, and I'm trying to cultivate it. Here is the list that I have come up with over the course of today, while washing, cleaning and sterilizing nearly everything in my house! It's amazing the amount of laundry that has to be done when everyone is sick!
1. So thankful for modern medicine, like Tylenol, nebulizers, and antibacterial eye drops. I'm also thankful for homeopathic medicines, like saline spray, honey syrup for coughs, and earache drops.
2. Thankful for access to competent, reliable doctors and nurses, who really are just a phone call away. And on that note, pharmacists as well.
3. Family members who have helped with advice, and running to the pharmacy for medicines (Thank you Matt!!)
4. That I can stay home, without having to take time off work, or find a sitter. I know that this is not the case for everyone, and to each their own situation. But for me, I am very grateful to be able to stay home and cater to their every need.
5. A warm home to be in, with hot water, electricity - one that is clean, dry and safe. I know there are so many others that are without these basic needs, and my heart truly aches for them, and how hard that must be knowing that where you live may be the cause of your baby being sick.
6. A husband that is willing to take more than his share to help me through all of this.
7. Prayer. Because I know that Heavenly Father has heard every single one of mine, especially the ones at 3 in the morning when I am so tired and frustrated and congested and feel like I cannot keep going.

And that's where I'm going to end this post for now - there are so many other things, too many to really list - but life is calling and I have to take care of sickies. Be thankful everyone!