Sheer Gratitude....

I woke up this morning and thought about what I was grateful for....because, admittedly, many mornings I wake up and wish upon wishes that my kids would sleep just a teency bit longer. Yesterday was a day where I caught myself being short-tempered and impatient with my children. I didn't teach them much except that I can whip up a healthy dinner with even the barest of cupboards and refrigerators (another blog topic).

So when I went to bed last night after a large glass of wine, I decided to mentally take stock of the good things in my life. This was inspired by the large glass of wine and the theme of the 11:00 showing of Kai-lan on Nick Jr. (since Colt was still awake then). Don't think about what you can't do but what you can.

So I slept on this toddler theme and woke up feeling refreshed in spirit and ready to tackle more mommyhood. Here is what I am grateful for today - the amazing smile Cohen gave me when I sang him the "good morning" song at 6:57. The quite minutes of solace we shared after I nursed him back to sleep for a post-dawn nap. The cuddle hug Colt gave me when he woke up, and the lessons to learn about incentives on using the potty in the morning that I worked on with Cade.

I am grateful that RJ gets the coffee ready even before he leaves the house, so I have 2 cups ready when I eat breakfast. I am grateful that I got to take a shower and get dressed without too many interruptions while daddy was working, and that when I was done Cade told me I looked beautiful. I am grateful that I love to read and try to instill this shared love in my boys - though they are sometimes lured more heavily by the temptations of toys and computers.

I am grateful that it only took three rounds of the kitchen timer for Colt to become used to the idea of sharing the old iphone (aka toddler puzzles and matching games) with his brother while learning to taking turns. I am grateful that I have a strong partner to walk with in life and that he shares many smiles and concealed laughs as our kids test the waters and begin to ask interesting questions.

I am grateful for my mother who helps without qualm whenever asked, and who often doesn't wait to be asked but offers her help freely. I am grateful for the lavish getaway we have planned next week, and though I will miss our sons terribly, am planning to squeeze indulgence and serenity into as many moments as possible during that time.

Mostly I am grateful for the opportunity to self reflect on my misgivings and become a better mother and wife.