Bad Attitude

When Emerson has a bad attitude we ask her to tell us four things she is thankful for.  When I first started this I said tell me three things, but she insisted on four because she is four.  As she tells us her list, she also has to say why she is thankful for each thing.

Today, I have had a bad attitude.

For the last week, Benaiah has finally accepted that he can get out of his big boy bed all by himself.  This is good because he used to stay there and cry until I came and got him.  The problem is that as soon as he wakes up, he is out of bed.  Even if it is 4:50 in the morning.  

I love getting up before the rest of the family is awake and having some quite time all to myself.  I think I am better prepared for the day because of it.  Some pilates, some time reading, time to journal... I need that time.

Today I had reached my limit.  I felt that everyone was taking and that I had nothing to give.  When that happens, it is so much easier for me to get angry and feel really negative.  

So its only fair that I require of myself what I require of my daughter and say things I am thankful for.  I unfortunately am in the double digits so I need to say a total of 36.  Maybe God knows that it takes more for my bad attitude to change.  

So here it goes.

I am thankful for....

1. A relationship with God that is not condemning but filled with love and grace (I sure needed that today).
2. My husband who helps me work through my junk (like today).
3. Sliding in the snow with Emerson.  I do not like being out in the cold but David wasn't feeling well and I didn't want the kids to miss out on the snow.  So, begrudgingly I went out.  But there is something infectious about a child's excitement and by the end I had a lot of fun.
4. Snow... being able to look at it while warm inside my home.  My favorite kind of snow is gone in a few days.  : )  
5. Some quiet time while the kids are both resting and David is at the church, like right now.
6. Friends coming over for dinner and games tonight.  Love quality time with others.
7. Teaching online through Liberty University.  I am so thankful that I am able to be home with the kids and have a flexible schedule.
8. My toes.  I like having long toes.  When I was younger one of my friend's dad told me to put my feet away because they scared him.  : )  But, I like my toes.
9. Living Word Community Church.  I can't imagine a better place for David to be working or better people to be serving with at this point in our lives.
10. My small group.  So thankful for the friendships that have come through our time with this group of people.
11. Ashleigh and Shaula being home for Christmas.  I really love that they are part of our family.
12. Flat irons!  It's just fun to make frizzy hair straight.
13. Making pizza together as a family.  We had so much fun last night and it was way healthier than picking one up from Pizza Hut, although I do love their breadsticks.  
14. Reading Magic Treehouse books with Emerson.  I think I like the stories just as much as she does.
15. A son who loves to cuddle and randomly tell me "I love you so much mommy!"  No explanation needed.
16. Facebook.  I really like that I can stalk friends and family who live far away.
17. Popcorn made on the stove with olive oil.  Yum!
18. All of the challenges that David and I have gone through and that God has used them to make our marriage stronger.  Completely undeserved.
19. Random text messages from others.  It makes me feel loved.
20. Wrestling with the kids.  Benaiah is a riot with his karate chops!
21. Going to the beach with family.  Looking at rentals in OBX as I write.
22. David cooking!  I don't enjoy it and I'm not very good at it.
23. Laughing until it hurts!  
24. Chocolate.
25. Conversations with depth.  I love hearing others' hearts and sharing my own.
26. Walking.  I really like to go for a fast walk early in the morning.  Good conversation with God and it's my favorite way to exercise. 
27. The way a two-year-old talks.  Learning the English language is a fun adventure! 
28. Sleep.
29. Church on Sunday.  Love the worship and hearing David speak.
30. Emerson and Benaiah's friendship.  They play together so well.  
31. Lotion.  My hands are a mess this time of year.
32. Photographs.  Memories preserved.
33. Hearing my children sing just about anything, especially the made up songs.
34. Real love displayed by others.  It motivates me to do the same.
35. Laying in bed talking with David until we fall asleep.
36. Being 36 and not 78.  Although I might think twice about having a bad attitude if I had to list that many things that I was thankful for.