Last week was a horrible week. Just awful. My stress level was at an all time high. This week, I am starting it off on a high note. I was inspired by my friend, Chris’s blog, The Mom Cafe. She wrote about 100 blessings in her life and I thought, I could surely come up with 10 of my own. Let’s see if this works. I am going to speak of things that I am grateful for. Start out glass full so to speak.
1. Leo did all the laundry (well, the putting in and switching and taking out…I did the folding and putting away) and I am so grateful that as a team, we conquered the pile up.
2. I am grateful that Nico was undefeated in conference for football and Tommy ended his regular season undefeated in football.
3. I am grateful that Isabella is maturing and working at being laid back. Her cheer squad came in second yesterday and she was visibly upset at not getting first place. There were no tears but she wouldn’t talk and I could tell that at any moment, if she started to talk, she would start to cry. I hesitated knowing whatever I would say would not be well-received. I told her how proud of her I was and what a great job they did and how they beat a team that was really hard to beat in the past. She was quiet and when she got in the car said, “It would have been nice to get first but we still have another chance to get a bid to state. I think we did a good job and I’m really happy my stunt group went up.” That’s it. PROGRESS!!!!!!
4. This is going to sound like I am talking out of both sides of my mouth and I admit it, I am. I am working on helping Gia fall asleep on her own. I have a million things to do after she goes to bed and honestly, I would like to be done and get a little time for myself. This isn’t new. What is new is that I tried letting her cry it out and it was a disaster. Okay. I am weak. I made progress not falling asleep in her bed but she asked me to hold her. C’mon…I dare you guys to have this child look at you with big weepy eyes and say, “Mommy, please just hold me,” and have you be able to say no. I looked at her as she drifted off to sleep stroking my arm and felt grateful. I am a comfort to someone. Someone needs me in order to feel safe enough to fall asleep. I look at my older three and wonder where the time has gone. I remember that holding them while they drifted off to sleep seems like a lifetime ago so for now, I am going to be grateful that she still needs me. (You are allowed to remind me of that when I complain that I can’t get anything done.)
5. My family. We had the twins family party at my mom and dad’s because remember the list of things broken in the house? Well they still aren’t fixed and 30 people here with one toilet wouldn’t work. My mom made the gravy so instead of pizza, the family got a home-cooked meal. Nikki made the cakes (pom pons and a football cookie) saving me time. LeeAnna’s family couldn’t come and were missed terribly and God bless Gina’s kids for keeping mine (even Gia) occupied. Gina offered to watch Gia if I want to do any Christmas shopping and I am definitely going to take her up on it. As an added bonus, Chrissy watched Gia all day while I was at Belle’s competition. The amount of people at the high school was insane so having Gia with her was such a blessing.
6. No carpool duty this week and Nico has basketball after school. Do you know how happy that makes me? I won’t have to battle the “Can I hang out?” question. (It’s the small things.)
7. Answered prayers and the prayer group I belong to. No problem too big or too small.
8. I exercised every day last week. The week before that, I exercised three times. I am grateful for the energy and the desire to make a life change. I am taking it day by day and praying it lasts and that I soon start seeing a difference so I don’t lose motivation.
9. Good TV. Looking forward to Parenthood, The Voice, Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition, Sons of Anarchy (I have a ton of catching up to do but it is on the DVR). I watched one episode of American Horror Story (because Adam Levine was guest starring) and it was so disturbing that I won’t watch it again. Stuff like that gives me nightmares.
10. I might get the chance to really, really get some time to myself. Here’s hoping it comes to be. I need to regroup. I need to get away so that I can remember who I am and what I want. With life being so busy, if you don’t take time to do that, you get lost in the shuffle. I am grateful for even the thought of getting time to do this. 
What about you? What are you grateful for today?
I am a stay at home mom, married to my college sweetheart, Leo. We have four kids, Nico, Tommy, Isabella and Gia. We have a son, Rocco that is an angel in Heaven.
It’s always good to look on the bright side, gives perspective, y’know?
I watched the first episode of the first season of American Horror Story and thank you very much, I could not sleep! So er, NO MORE.
Alison recently posted..The Comparison Trap
I refused to watch the first season since it had my beloved coach’s wife from Friday Night Lights on it but watched the first episode of the second season. I don’t ever want images like that inside my head again!
I think, it wonderful and important to start the week of on a positive note and remember all that we are grateful for. I’m grateful today that my cold is at the tail end and I feel some energy again to tackle some cleaning and laundry. And I’m grateful for waking up to a beautiful day full of sunshine and also finally, a little bit of coolness in the air!!!
Susi recently posted..In a fog… {Picture Perfect Weekly #25}
So glad your cold is going away. I’m a little jealous of the sunshine you are getting since it’s a little dreary here.
I am a Monday person. I believe you get a fresh chance every Monday. As far as #4 goes, Mama I understand. She is your baby. It’s hard to let go, even if you are busy. I need to start laying Baby E down without nursing him, but what is it hurting? He’ll get there. I’m in no hurry to push him. Maybe there’s a happy medium of cuddling and then leaving her room.
Bravo for the exercise! I have been slacking on that. Hope this week is a great one!
Kathy at kissing the frog recently posted..We’re More Alike Than Different
First of all, LOVE the picture…I see no paste there. Second of all, I think I might look at Mondays that way more often. I tried the cuddling and then leaving but she cried. I think it is more of the falling asleep thing and you’re right…she’ll get there. Yours will too and then we’ll be crying about where the time went.
Oh how I love this! Hoping that perhaps you were inspired by my post!!? Or maybe you just knew you needed to start anew this week and try to focus on the “good things”…the blessings! Sounds like there were some really womderful moments to embrace… so glad for you! Praying you continue to have some more blessings this week!! And btw- you are a blessing to ME too. So grateful for our newfound friendship.
Oh and another thing…you hold that precious babygirl as long as she asks and BASK in her needs. Why push it? You know from your other kids that this won’t last forever. And someday you will wish it all back… enjoy it as a BLESSING!! And all those things you need to do, you can do when she is ten. You have the rest of your life don’t you? 
Chris Carter recently posted..100 Blessings…
You know what? I read your post and it stayed with me and this morning, I woke up thinking, I need to do focus on what is right instead of what is wrong so yes, your post totally put me in that frame of mind. I’m going to add your blog on here if you don’t mind. Thanks for alleviating some of the guilt I feel about the sleep thing. I am going to bask in it for a little longer. It won’t last forever.
It would be an HONOR for you to put me on your site. Thank you so much AnnMarie! Would love to put yours on mine as well… SO glad you are starting your week out with a good frame of mind! Will pray for you to be able to stay there. (That’s always the hard part, right? ) I just KNOW you can do it.
Your strength amazes me…
Chris Carter recently posted..100 Blessings…
Done! I would be honored to be on yours as well.
Yes, the staying in this frame of mind IS what is hard.
I love this! Both you and Chris have totally inspired me.
I just have to say, though, that your #6 just made me hoot! THIS IS A DAILY BATTLE here! I completely get why avoiding this battle is something to feel grateful for! Love it! –Lisa
That battle exhausts me! I have already instilled the “No playdates during the week” rule. It’s been in effect for a week.
Ha! I am writing a post that has almost the exact same first sentence as yours! It will be up tomorrow because I need to scan a few pictures and I am too lazy to do it now. We had football and cheer competitions this weekend too! So crazy busy. I think we are all dragging today. Luckily this week is a little easier and we have a weekend off from cheer competitions.
Love that you have the patience to be grateful for things – usually I just get all snippy and snappy with everyone!
This post was to deflect from the snippy snark that has been me the last few days.
So grateful to have found your fun blog, the hot cup of coffee beside me, and The Boy sleeping peacefully in his bed … warm, comfy, and healthy. Of course, I need to wake him up in about 30 seconds …
michelle @ this little light recently posted..Tuesday Tango!
I love that you found me! Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment. Ahhh…nothing like a sleeping child and a hot cup of coffee/tea.
Love this list! I’m thinking I need to try this in the next few days. One can often get caught up in the stress and forget about all your blessings.
It definitely helps put things into perspective or at least gets your mind going in a more positive direction.
When we let the kids deal with their own failures, or perceived failures, actually, they handle things quite well. But if we don’t give them the chance, they’ll never get the experience.
I’m grateful to have a job! Although I do miss my life as a pre-pre-mature retiree. I miss the Katie show and stuff.
Eli@coachdaddy recently posted..How’s a dad tell how he’s doing? Only time will tell.
Congrats on your new job!!! So true that we do them a disservice by not allowing them to work through that stuff themselves.
I LOVE your list! Brent and I do tag team laundry too
I’m totally with you on the bed thing. I rock my little one to sleep every night too. I won’t give it up until she wants me to.
Glad I am not alone! I”m ordering a twin mattress right now.
Wonderful post, AnnMarie! I am working so hard on my perspective too. So glad you found such a great prayer group and like you said, I’m happy you just have the chance to think about regrouping. Must feel so very healthy! And yes, lookin forward to watching Parenthood can get me through a rough day too. Go you for the exercise and keep hanging in there with everything!
Meredith recently posted..When Your Husband Says No
Thanks, Meredith! I am going to get the chance to regroup so I am even happier than I was before.
I know that last week was a rough one for you so I’m glad to see you looking at the positives here.
Last week kicked my @ss.