Friday Five - The Sick Edition

This week was dominated by sick little boys. Three of them to be exact. Three boys, all with hand-foot-mouth-disease. In case you are not up with your infectious childhood illness this disease is marked by a fever to start with, then puss filled sores around the mouth (and in the mouth and throat), on the hands and feet - hence the name.

So this week I am thankful for:

1) Acetaminophen and ibuprofen - for those fevers over 103F.
2) Snugly PJs and blankets - for when the chills hit
3) The magic mixture the nurse on call told me about - Maalox and Benadryl - for treating those mouth and throat sores
4) Naps, naps and more naps - because they were up all night
5) Three little boys on the mend - Amen!

Thankful

Way back in the day, on this blog, I would write up three things I was thankful for.  I was trying to reshape my thoughts to focus on life in a more positive light (after a series of tragic events).  I haven't posted these three things in a while, and not because I was not  /am not thankful; but because... well, I don't really have a reason.

That being said I find myself very thankful as of lately, especially after yesterday morning.  You see the day started out like any other.  I was on my commute to work, about 25 minutes from my house; driving along the interstate when all of a sudden my brakes locked up.  Thankfully I was in the right hand lane and "only" doing 70 mph.  Traffic was heavy, as usual; and yet somehow I managed to not get rear ended as my car quickly, and unexpectedly braked.

I am thankful that I was not hurt and that no one else was hurt in the process.

I am thankful for the state trooper that came to my aide.  I appreciate his effort to try and push my car further to the side of the road, albeit an unsuccessful effort.  I am thankful he was able to call a tow truck.

I am thankful for my Husband for being there when I called, and for helping me out with numbers and coming up with a plan of action.

I am thankful for the DOT worker that checked on me to see if he could help.  Knowing people want to help you in a time of need really helps you remain positive.

I am thankful for the tow truck driver who came and got my car; who waited around with me for my Uncle who was coming to my rescue.

I am very thankful for my Uncle for rescuing me, yet again, when my car broke down.  I appreciate the ride, him letting me use his car and his AAA membership.  I am thankful for the smile on his face, despite the early hour and the rain when he got to me.

I am even thankful for my boss - who is very understanding, even if a little sarcastic, for helping me laugh about the situation.

I am thankful.  Thankful for it all.

3 Blessings

Today I am thankful and blessed for:

1) Being able to stay caught up and current at work... breathing easy in the office this week.

2) A nice chat on the phone with a friend during lunch today

3) A nice chat on the phone with my Mom this evening

3 Belssings

Early in my blogging days I had started working on The 3 Blessings Exercise.  

I fell out of practice, despite the fact that it seemed to be helping.  With all that has gone on recently, I figured it was time to get back into the practice.

So tonight, marks Chapter 2 in 3 Blessings:

I am thankful and feel blessed for:

1) the wonderful evening I had with my family

2) taking Turkey to work with me today, it was great to have the time "alone" with him despite him playing video games under my desk for 5 hours

3) the long hot shower I took with Husband this evening.

3 Blessing - Day 9

1. Spending time with my mom, making t-shirts for the heart walk tomorrow
2. Taking a hike with Turkey
3. Going to a breastfeeding support group with Monkey

3 Blessing - Day 8

Blogger has been down on me, so no sharing a few days back dear readers....

1) Playing mini golf with Turkey
2) Mocha Moo ice cream
3) Getting a big project done for work in the morning (on time).

3 Blessings - Day 6 oops

Last night or rather this morning around 1am, I realized I forgot to do my 3 blessings.... I see this a good thing, it means it's something that is becoming a habit.

So 3 blessings for yesterday....
1) Monkey giggling when I blew raspberries on his belly
2) A walk to the park in the sunshine
3) Being proud of Turkey when he came home from school with a good report

3 Blessings - Day 5

1. Was able to tackle a mountain of laundry
2. Went on a trip to get produce by myself
3. Put Monkey into his highchair for the first time, and was able to eat dinner without dropping food all over him

3 Blessing - Day 4

1. A wonderful Mother's Day brunch with my guys, mom and step-dad
2. Seeing Monkey start using his hands and grasping toys
3. Visiting with Nana
4. Ice cream for dinner

3 Blessings - Day 3

1. Paying $3.57 a gallon for gas
2. Having people tell you how much they enjoy your blog
3. Both boys napping at the same time

and I actually have more today....
4. getting the letter from the church confirming Monkey's baptism date
5. movie time with Husband
6. snuggles from Turkey

3 Blessings - Day 2

I am focusing on the positive (despite an off day)...

My 3 Blessings today are:

1) A surprise giftcard from a work contact for Outback

2) Being able to work from home 2 days a week (when my maternity leave is over)

3) Eating a Little Debbie Marshmallow Supreme 

Three Blessings

Today while at yet another specialist appointment for Turkey I read an article, a blurb really, on the principle of "three blessings".  The article stated that most of us are trained to look at the negative and that this focus on the negative forces us by default to focus on what can and will go wrong.  In order to correct this problem everyday, for at least a week, you need to count your blessings.  At least three of them (more is ok).  You should do this at the end of the day.  Further on-line research when I got home provided a little more insight about meditating on the blessing before bed to help with your dreams and stating why these things happened to you.  Your blessings can be large or small (such as noticing a beautiful flower).  Eventually the "three blessings" will have such an affect on your thinking that you see yourself as a person good things happen to.

I've decided I could use some change in thinking, and so tonight dear reader starts my first of three blessings.

I started thinking about my blessings before writing this blog post and I found myself only counting general ones (good health for my sons, nice weather, etc)... but I think I have found my three blessings for today.

1) Had a wonderful early afternoon nursing session with Monkey, full of smiles and tummy rubs
2) Enjoyed a beer and popcorn with Husband
3) Looked at and enjoyed how big my strawberry plants were getting

(I've think I will do the why's next week once I get better and into more of a rhythm of this exercise.)