The One with Turn that Frown Up-Side-Down


Tuesday, June 19, 2012

I find myself complaining a lot lately. It's hot. I'm tired. I'm constantly in pain from this that or the other, especially ever since Sunday when Jane decided to rest on my sciatic nerve. I'm sick of living on ramen noodles and mac and cheese because we've had some major unexpected expenses come up (think stupid car repairs, increasing health insurance, increasing gas prices, increasing food prices, and yet, our income doesn't increase to compensate). I feel fat and ugly; even my maternity clothes aren't fitting right anymore. And on and on.

Enough is enough. 
It's time to start thinking about all the GOOD things!

I'm so thankful for the opportunity to be a stay-at-home-working-mom. Even though I work about 50 hours a week between two jobs, I somehow still manage to be a mommy to Fox and take care of all his needs whilst earning a living. I love technology and computers and the internet and my flexible co-workers that allow me to be able to work from home.
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I'm grateful for on-site laundry and that this stacking unit came with our apartment. For two years we had to take our laundry to a facility (and when I say we, I mean Chris... he's the best!). Being able to do a load of laundry almost daily, from home, is an answered prayer.
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I'm so thankful for my loving and ever-growing family, both immediate and extended.
Missing from this photo is Eric and Tanya, Maren's hubby Logan, Fox and the baby in my belly, the baby in Sara Jayne's belly, and Ashley and John's newest baby Carter.
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Missing Eric and Tanya, Fox, and the baby in my belly.
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Missing the baby in my belly, Andy and Cami's newest baby Hunter, Peter, and the brand new baby in Bethany's belly! Hooray!
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I love my family and how supportive and amazing they all are. Cuz when it comes down to it, life really is about family.

I'm thankful for the art known as scrapbooking. It's been a major part of my existence since I was 16. My jobs revolve around it, I've met thousands of amazing women (and a few men, mostly co-workers) because of it, and I have stacks of albums full of precious memories that will be passed down for generations from it. I haven't been scrapping as much lately because I got burnt out a few months ago, but I'm really hoping to delve right back into it soon!
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I'm thankful that my body is able to create life. There are so many couples out there that I know that struggle with this issue and I hope and pray that one way or another they will get the blessing of having children. Being pregnant is no cake walk. With about 5 weeks to go I've reached my breaking point, but hopefully this post will help me pause and remind myself that this is a blessing and a miracle.
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I'm thankful for the bounteous friends I've made living here in South Pasadena. There are literally dozens of other young married families going through dental school and all living within a 5-mile radius. We get together often and I so appreciate and need those few hours of girl-talk!
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I'm thankful that Fox has the opportunity to play and interact with all of these children that we make constantly :)Photobucket

I love my pets, even if sometimes it seems Joey's cons outweigh his pros :) Rachel is the sweetest, fattest, laziest, nicest cat I've ever met.
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I'm thankful for my religion and the knowledge it gives me. Every Sunday at church is such a boost for my morale. 
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And most of all, I'm thankful for my husband and my son and soon-to-be-daughter. 
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I'm smiling now :)

20 comments

  1. what a great post!!! I know the end of being preggo is sooo hard and long, but it's such a joy when that baby arrives!!! looks like you are very blessed!!

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  2. You look great! The blue shirt and yellow skirt is adorable!

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  3. And.... the 6th graders are taking over the pool, so we can't have a pool day. I was excited, but now I get to look forward to Thursday!!:)

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  4. WOW I needed this. I've felt the pressure of similiar expenses etc. Thanks for the reminder of all the good things.

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  5. I hear ya!!! I go through those "I hate everything" days but we all really do have so much to be grateful for!! :)

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  6. Yes, in so many, many ways you are one lucky young lady and I am glad you are taking a momment to appreciate that. I am one of those people that couldn't have children and it's the only thing I look back on with regrets....but I have settled with that issue...right now I'd love to have a laundry station in my apartment! :)

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  7. Love this post! Thanks for sharing about what your eating due unexpected bills, nice to know it's not just us sometimes! :>

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  8. Sweet post, Paige. I know what you mean about pregnancy. I was so excited and then last night, while brushing my teeth, I was reminded of what the next eight months are going to bring. I had to look at Evelynd a lot to remember how worth it it all is.

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  9. What a beautiful post, Paige! We've all been there, or rather are there, too. Keep up the positive attitude! It'll take you places!

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  10. Hang in there! This is the toughest part, but the end is near! Can't wait to see photos of JANE!

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  11. That post is such an inspiration to all of us. We are thankful for YOU!

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  12. I agree, the last few weeks are the hardest, but you'll get through it and you look great!!

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  13. so positive and awesome. ps. you're a wonderwoman. i work 16 hours a week from home and i'm already dying. when we lived in south pasadena, we barely got out and you are always so great about getting out with Fox and helping him make new friends. i'm going to try to do that more often here in spokane!! you're an inspiration to me!

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  14. You inspire me! I am going to turn my frown into a smile every time I think about complaining:)

    This post reminds me of a book I recently received--1000 Gifts.

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  15. Nice post, Paige. You really do have a very blessed life. Keep busy and time will fly by.

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  16. Sorry you're having a blah day. Hang in there!

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  17. aw Paige, Hang in there.. I know all about unexpected expenses and I am going through the same... but glad you're able to look at the bright side of things. You have more to smile about than frown about. :) I can't wait to see Jane :) Anxiously waiting along with you :)

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  18. yay for smiles! it's good to do little posts like these every once in a while, especially when things get hard, to help remind us that everything we have in life is a blessing. i still can't believe that you are due in 5 weeks! that also means that eric and i's one year is in 5 weeks. yay for so many things to celebrate and be happy for ;)

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  19. Awwww! I'm so sorry... I know the last month is super hard with those killing feet and swollen legs and aching pelvis and... well, you know how crazy it is. LOL.

    Loved this post though. And you look SUPER cute in that aqua top with yellow skirt. I LOVE that top, and I would love to know where you got it. I hope to be pregnant again soon in the next couple months, and I need more stripes/prints in my maternity wardrobe! I had WAY too many solids last time, and they made me feel even MORE huge! LOL. :-p

    Hang in there, Girl! You're almost done. Love you!!!

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