Practicing Gratitude

Today was rough.

Winter came in full force early this November, and I think everyone in my hometown is reeling from the shock.  I’ve lived in Rochester, NY almost 30 years now, and never will I ever be ready for this bs.

A winter day just has a way of taking the life out of you. Add 2 kids to the mix, and I’m practically a zombie. Cleaning off the car, slushing through the snow, overdressing the kids in hats, gloves, and all of the accessories they love to misplace when they’re most needed, then explaining multiple times at 7:30 am that there’s no time to go outside and make snow angels….

After clocking in my 8 hours, I get off work, and pick up my babies. I feel my body relax as I pull into my driveway. My safe haven awaits.  I’m home. Once inside, I give Bella a snack and some juice before she even requests it. Boom! I’m getting good at this mom stuff.

I was smart and defrosted the chicken this morning, so luckily I’m able to parboil it quickly, bake it, and serve with vegetables and leftover rice.  I whip up a quick sauce of sauteed onions, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, butter, vinegar, brown sugar, salt and chili powder with my handy whisk. Dinner’s ready in 45. Bella raves about my baked BBQ chicken.   I’m killin the game.

I walk in the living room to finally sit down, and my 6 month old senses that I’m going to have a moment to myself. All of a sudden he is no longer content rolling around on his playmate. The whining and fussing commences.

How Can I help you sir?

A diaper change, breast milk, a cuddle session?

My evening continues, and I don’t stop moving until 8 pm.

While today was one of those crazy days, the best thing about everyday is knowing that my children are happy and taken care of.

This is not just a post about being Thankful because it’s timely for November. Parenting has taught me that when I’m frazzled to practice gratitude. It’s a part of my self-care as a busy mother. I really cannot complain.

Today was cold, but my home is warm.

My me-time finally came after putting these 2 to bed. I finally wrote a post. It’s been 4 months since I last wrote about the adjustment of having 2 kids.

I could complain about not having enough time to write a long, articulate post, how I generally like to write. But, instead I chose to be happy that I had just enough time to write at all.

Are you practicing gratitude?