Thankful Thursday-Gratitude in spite of crabbiness

I'm not gonna lie. I'm grumpy today. I'm emotional. I'm uncomfortable.

But in hopes of "turning this frown upside down," as my coworker just instructed me to do, I am going to refocus here.

I am thankful that I have a job that I adore. Because, really...if I had to go to a job that I hated, or even just sort-of liked, I'd be miserable. I'd actually cry before coming to work every day instead of just being close to tears as I was this morning. Each student I see makes me smile. Every hug and belly pat I get reminds me that I am working in a place that is as close to a fairy-land as I can get. (Yes, I really feel that way...starting your career in a middle school makes an elementary school appear to be filled with sunshine and rainbows. Trust me on this one.)

I am thankful for my coworkers who are by far, the best staff in the world. They compliment me even when I am as big as a house, let me vent, and perhaps most importantly, supply me with candy. Yesterday, my work bestie brought me Lemonade Mike and Ike's and this morning another coworker insisted I go get a handful of her stash of Swedish Fish out of her desk when she saw me looking less than happy to be here.

I am thankful for blogs like this and this that put things into perspective for me. When I am complaining and only thinking about myself and my back pain and the contractions that keep teasing me (I had two that were three minutes apart last night!) , I tend to have a hard time staying positive. My husband has been telling me lately that when I'm pregnant, sometimes my "be positive...everything's gonna be fine" mentality goes straight out the window.

I am thankful that even though I haven't gone into labor yet, I was progressing as of Monday. And the fact that I'm dilated as much as I am means that I can be induced without Pitocin next week. My doctor and I made a compromise that as long as I'm dilated, he'll simply break my water rather than starting that lovely Pit.

I am thankful that my back feels better than it did yesterday. I seriously thought it might break in half by the time I got home yesterday.

I am thankful for my new discovery of sweet iced tea at my favorite gas station. I've been craving it lately and I get a 32 ounce tea with crushed ice for 69 cents. And it's on my way to work. And although I've been so good about only drinking caffeine every other day at most, I have fallen off the wagon since I have started working full-time. (All you worriers...I promise I put ice in until it overflows my cup first, so I don't drink anywhere near 32 ounces of that evil caffeine. Feel better?)

I am thankful to feel this little man rocking and rolling like the wild man that I am convinced he is. I love seeing a knee go across my belly and marveling at the miracle that I get to experience every single day. As much as I'm ready to meet him, there is something truly awe-inspiring about watching his movements and wondering who he is going to look like. Will he have eyes like B and L? Will he have my nose (I hope not)? Will he make his entrance into the world as active and alert as L?

Now when I have those every-seven-minute contractions that go on for 35 minutes and then just stop....or when the hundredth coworker says, "Oh, you are still here?" I'll re-read this. Just remind me to do so before the hormonally-induced waterworks start...okay?

Namaste!