Challenges and Blessings

Inspired by two friends, Maggie and Calli who so thoughtfully share daily gratitude with their readers, I thought I would try and {sometimes} do something similar.  I thought I would tell you all about some of the good things happening around us, blessings for which I am grateful.  I think I will also share {some} of the things that are hard.  Obviously, this list will be at my discretion, so I might only tell you about the mundane little things that annoy me :)  Well, I’m only sort of joking.  I’ll try to keep it real.  My reason for sharing these little lists is two-fold:  1. I need to remind myself of the many ways that God’s goodness is reflected in my life.  2.  At the risk of sounding depressing, you all need to know that you are not alone in your struggles, so why not tell you about some of mine? (I know you have them, just as I do!)

So here we go…

Things that are hard right now:

1.  Wade has recently lost weight from his barely-in-the-3rd-percentile frame.      

2.  Last week’s feeding therapy appointment was rather traumatizing for both Wade and mama.      

3.  Maintaining a healthy and thriving marriage is hard work.        

4.  In the past 24 hours, I’ve spent over 2 1/2 hours on the phone with some sort of customer service department.

5.  #4 has reminded me that I have a quick tongue and too frequently speak harshly.

What I’m grateful for:

1.  For the first time in his life, I feel like I am able to soothe my baby. 

2.  This makes me really feel like his mom.

3.  Last Saturday, Wade took the longest nap of his life, EVER.  It lasted for 3 hours and 20 minutes, people!

4.  This weekend I spent many hours working on our back yard.  We still have some work to do, but it has come a long way.  Seeing these beautiful flowers (and early vegetable plants)  makes me happy, especially as I anticipate their beauty as they grow.   All credit for the serpentine wall goes to Philip—didn’t he do a great job?!

                                                             

This is how it used to look:

(not really the same view, but you get the idea)

5.  Celebrating a great friend this weekend at a lovely baby shower and being reminded of some of the wonderful women God has put in my life.

6.  Neighborhood friends and happy hour gatherings!

7.  A weekend away for a women’s retreat.

8.  A husband who is eager to lighten my load. 

9.  My parents who are eager to lighten Philip’s and my load by keeping Wade for another weekend!

 

10. Last, but maybe one of the best, Wade’s “on command” smile.  It is ridiculously cute and so funny!