“The more you lose yourself in something bigger than yourself, the more energy you will have.” -Norman Vincent Peale

This morning, I was full of negative thoughts.

I was feeling sad for L, who is a trooper, but is obviously feeling like crap. Seeing your kiddo dry-heave all night and have to go back into diapers for the day thanks to stomach-flu induced issues is just plain depressing.

I was feeling very nauseous, which could be due to ongoing morning sickness, side effects from Progesterone, impending stomach flu, worrying, or all of the above.

I was feeling worried about my unborn baby, due to the fact that dehydration can have very negative effects on my placental abruption.

I was feeling sorry for B, as today is his 30th birthday, and I haven't gotten him so much as a card and although I threw him a party last weekend, I felt like his birthday was ruined. (Plus, I'm too busy complaining to write him a birthday post. Not that he even reads this blog. But still.)

And then B, my self-proclaimed realist who I claim is actually a pessimist, came around the corner and in response to my teary apology, said, "I feel great! I could have never dreamed when I was younger that at 30, I would have such a great life!"

Will wonders never cease. My pessimist realist husband made me look at things from a more positive perspective.

And as I sat down to read some of my favorite blogs, I was again reminded that I need to pick myself up and end this pity party.

Two of my favorite bloggers wrote exceptionally eloquent posts about the devastation in Haiti and ways that we can help the people in need there.

Because they are both far better writers than me, I am going to send you their way.

One of my best bloggy friends (turning IRL friend) Brittany posted about her experience talking to her high school students about the devastation in Haiti that brought me to tears. She also has a link at the bottom of her post to a good place to find ways to donate to Haiti.

Then, another one of my all-time favorite bloggers, Mama Kat, wrote this post reminding me that while I'm complaining about nausea, people are "trying to stay alive" and listed some fabulous ways we can help.

Thank God I have the people in my life that I do. And thank God I am safe and sound and even if I do get sick, I have the resources I need to keep me safe, one way or another.

It's amazing what a little dose of perspective will do.

The post in which I sound a bit like Sybil.

In an effort to focus on the positive and quit whining, I am going to couple each statement I make with a positive....

Poor L has a fever again and says his ears hurt.

However, he's been on antibiotics for four days, so I don't think it's possible for him to have an ear infection. I know you don't get over bronchitis in 6 days, so this is to be expected.

Waaahhh...I just want him to get and stay healthy.

But he's my kid. We both just get upper respiratory infections. He's happy. The asthma is not life-threatening. He's doing okay.

Poor guy probably won't be able to make it to school on Monday.

Thank goodness my mom has already agreed to take him if he's not well enough.

He's STILL coughing.

The albuterol seems to be helping, and he's tolerating the treatments so much better.

I hate that my posts are all about L and his asthma and I am a hot whiny mess.

I have a much more light-hearted Not Me! Monday post coming....I swear! And good news for my followers...if I don't turn this blog around, you'll have grounds for charging me copays for these therapeutic posts.

5/35

My blogfriend turned IRL friend Elizabeth posted this post not too long ago. She was asking her readers to focus on the good in their lives and jot down five good things every day for a week. I loved the idea, and had every intention of jotting down my five good things each day. Then a week later, her follow-up post popped up on my reader and I realized that I had forgotten! Whoops! So this week, I was good, and even though I was a bit whiny in my other posts, what you didn't realize was that I was that behind the scenes, I was being positive every day! So without further ado, here are my 5/35!

Monday:
the ability to wear tennis shoes to work...they come in handy when running after students!

being let off with just a warning from the police officer

the fact that Logan didn't really kick his classmate like he claimed

reading part of The Velveteen Rabbit to L; remembering my mom reading it to me as a child

watching B read books to L (and make funny comments about them)


Tuesday:
the escape of reality tv (just being honest)

wonderful principals who support me in tough situations at school

comfort food like Happy Meals

my cycle being regular again!

free child care twice a week....by my mother, no less!


Wednesday:
L's preschool and the feeling that I'd never send him anywhere else

Fruit Punch Gatorade and Cup o'Soup...perfect sick-at-home meal

a very comfy couch and blanket

my DVR...without it, sick days would be even worse

rockin' out with L to Guitar Hero and being amazed that he actually has drumming talent at two


Thursday:
Listening to Logan say funny things, like "this is delicious," "let me tell you something," and "good boys don't hit Kingston"

people who obviously care about me at work

a long talk with my BFF

a smart-ass email from my assistant principal that literally made me LOL

Logan staying accident-free all day long....the thrill of him coming home in the same underwear I sent him to my mom's in!


Friday:
a coworker picking up a Cherry Limeade for me from Sonic

Mr. Goodcents delivery for lunch

my 2nd grade speech group giving me a "group hug"

a very successful and smooth IEP that easily could have gotten ugly

lots of laughs at dinner with my in-laws


Saturday:
the best spinning teacher in the world

getting my house (mostly) clean

a midafternoon nap

my US Weekly arriving in the mail

successfully cooking a good dinner...and pumpkin beer to go along with it!


Sunday:
Mowing the lawn on a beautiful morning (and starting it the first time every time!)

Wrestling in the fresh-cut grass with L and laughing hysterically together

L having significantly less tantrums this weekend

Unexpected "Kids Eat Free night" at McAllister's

Delicious vegetarian choices at dinner

So now I challenge you! Try it out. And let me know if you do it...I'll hook you up with a link on my blog. Optimism is contagious, you know!

Counting my blessings

What do you say when your best friend of 24 years calls you to tell you that her in vitro fertilization that she had saved for years for didn't work?

That happened to me today. As I listened to her cry on the phone, telling me her heart hurt, I wanted to break down with her, but all I could do was say, "I am so sorry. I am so sorry. It's not fair. My heart hearts for you too."

It made me realize how blessed I really am.

I got pregnant with Logan on the second month trying. He was a healthy boy with lots of hair...exactly what I dreamed of.

I have a job that I really, truly love. I am SO excited for this school year to start on Monday. Who can say that?

I have had the summer of my dreams. I got to go on a vacation with my other best friend and her family, then jet-set to California, where I have always wanted to go.

I have the most incredible, adorable, sensitive husband...who takes care of the finances, and does the laundry.

I have a home. It may not be the home of my dreams, but it's cute and it's mine. After seeing too many homeless people in California that broke my heart, I have a new appreciation for what I DO have.

I have great friends, both IRL and in the blogworld, who count on me for support and are there when I need them to be.

I have a crazy, mixed-up family, who drives me ca-razy and who I wouldn't trade for the world.

I'm healthy enough to make it through my workout classes and work hard enough to feel soreness like I'm feeling today.

I've discovered the blogworld and rely on it for an outlet, for socialization, for inspiration. (And I am grateful that I missed the whole Google Reader snafu that sent my dear blogfriend Brittany into a tizzy today!)

What are YOU grateful for?