Thankful Project Monday

This post is my attempt to keep a MONDAY tradition going.  On my 'other' blogs in the past I've participated in a "Thankful Thursday".  I like to do it on Monday!  

Here is why:
So often Monday is a suck-tastic day.  It isn't a day that any of us look forward to.  The weekend can be lovely and the beginning of the work week can be ever-so-very-hard.
So...here is my on-going attempt to remember the "little things and sometimes the BIG things in life that I am THANKFUL for".

PLEASE....POST A LINK IN THE COMMENTS or ON MY FACEBOOK PAGE (click HERE for FB link) with your Thankful Project Monday Post.

**Thankful for the sleep I was able to get on Saturday night into Sunday morning.  Sleep hasn't come very easy after my shoulder surgery in August.  And the last few days it has increasingly gotten a bit worse because I've had quite a bit of pain this week.  Sunday morning I slept in.  I was awake early.  And I still slept in.  I was able to roll over and fall back asleep...over and and over.  I vaguely heard my phone beep with a private message on FB from my mom to call her.  That was at 9am.  I rolled over and called her.  We cemented plans for my family to go visit her today. My children had a wonderful time with my mom today.  And I'm so thankful they are able to have that relationship.  My daughter-13 is holding a "sock for smiles" sock drive.  My mom has passed the word around her agency.  So my daughter was making thank you cards in the Scrapbooking/Card room (aka: my old bedroom).  My son laid on the floor w/the tablet and watched football with my dad.

**Thankful for an awesome chiropractor who knows me well.  Who has been very helpful working with me in being able to break up the adhesions in my shoulder.  The treatment for frozen shoulder is horrific.  The week has been long.  I'm thankful for the small gains that I've been able to gain in the last week.  Over the weekend my pain was much less.  Which is a direct result of not working.  Today it has kicked in a bit more as I came back to work this morning.

Gonna keep this weeks post a tad short.  Typing is hard to do.  Using my phone is even harder.

WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR THIS MORNING??

Thankfulness Project Monday

Several months ago I did a "Thankfulness Project Monday" post.  When Musings of a Counselor got a bit busy in her life and stopped doing them...I kinda forgot about it, too.  Even though I didn't write a post each week...I still looked forward to her posts and miss them.

So today I decided to take them back up. I hope and pray that I will be able to keep up with them and post every Monday.  At the end of the day, after we've been in and out of the ick over and over....we still have so very much to be thankful for.  And so with that in mind...here goes it.  No promises.  Just will say that I will give it a try.

• Naturally we all tend to think first how thankful we are for our children and family.  I know that beyond a shadow of a doubt how lucky I am to have the spirits that I do in my life. I know that my Father in Heaven hand picked not only my husband for me, but my children.  Even the one who is no longer technically MY child...he will forever be sealed for time and all eternity to me and he was chosen to be my son...even if he choose not to accept my love for him and the ability to get better.  I am eternally thankful for each my children.  For the foster child that we've had in our home.  For all that each of these children of mine have taught me.  EVEN when it is so very very hard!
• I am so thankful for a loving Heavenly Father. Who knows me. Who hears me. Who knows every single hair on my body.  My aches and pains.  My faith has continues to be weary and weak.  However, there are glimmers here and there.  In my darkest of moments, I know that my Heavenly Father has walked that path right beside me.  Even though, I might not admit it.  
• I am thankful for the ability to have some sort of work and income during my recovery period after my surgery.  Not all of my coworkers with similiar injuries have that option because their cases were denied by the workers compensation company.
• I am thankful for such beauty that surrounds me.  Each day as I drive to work it is apparent the seasons are changing. Ever so fast and it is a tad scary to think about being snowed in this winter.  We were blessed with a mild winter last year.  I don't believe we will be so blessed this year.  We can only hope and pray that we will be.
• I am thankful for the dear friend that I have.  Whom I can call (even though I don't) when I need it most.  To know that she loves me regardless of my flaws.  Regardless of my dreariness.  That I can ask her "What should I do about these meds...." and we can have this conversation about "the crazies" and how freaking hard it is.  I can't even talk about this with my husband on this level.  And so, for that...I'm so thankful.  She's been such a stellar of strength to me and I love her so incredible much.  (Now...dang it all if my shoulder/arm would cooperate I would drive thr 5.5 hrs and 2 states away to go see her...but I just can't make that drive right now. booooo)
• I will be forever thankful for access to medical care.  Without that access I am certain that I would not be writing this post. I would not be sitting in my living room in the wee hours of the middle of the night.  That I have a job that provides me with the best coverage I could ask for.  I'm more than willing to pay double of what I pay...in order to have the coverage I have.  It is truly a blessing that I believe so many people take for granted.

HOW ABOUT YOU?
What are you THANKFUL FOR?
Share your link in the comments OR on I Will Get Up Again and Again's Facebook Page!

Thankfulness Project Monday

I started following Musings of a Counselor several months ago.  I love the fact that each Monday she posts her Thankfulness Project Monday posts.  I often do not post them on Monday's.   However, I do think about it each week.  This post is being wrote on Sunday night and will be scheduled to post on Monday because I've got a very long day tmw and wanted to try and get this posted.

So here goes my "Thankfulness Project Monday" Post

I have a wonderful husband.  He endures so much from me. I know I do from him also.  However, he is my rock.  I very well may be griping about him next week.  I was reminded this morning during our Sacrament Meeting at church that our Temple Sealing-Marriage Anniversary is this week.  We were married by our Bishop in January 1994.  Just under 2 years later on a cold day in November, the day before Thanksgiving my Grandparents, In-laws and a few other local member friends joined us in the LDS Chicago Temple.  Where my husband and I were sealed for Eternity.  I'm thankful for my husband and the example he continues to lead to myself and children.

Two beautiful children.  Often, it is easy to loose sight at how well behaved, polite, and all around good young beings they are.  I'm blessed to be their mom.  I often do not feel worthy to be their mother.  They give me strength when I don't believe I have any left.  They lead by example in so many areas of our lives.  The last 3 weeks that I have been off work due to significant dip in my depression and will to keep fighting...these 2 children are what helped every single day to bring me one step closer to "normalcy...whatever that might be".  

So many other things I am thankful for in my life.  These are the 2 areas that I often take for granted.  I love them so deeply and can not imagine my life with out them.

Thankfulness Project Monday

I've not participated in this the last few weeks/month as I should have. 

**As posted previously I had lunch today w/a co-worker/friend.  What a blessing she was to me.  I needed to hear her story. And how she has/is/continues to recover from such a tragic accident.  What a blessing to hug her.  To feel her love.  To see her laugh and laugh with her.  To be able to cry with her.  Such a blessing to just be....the 2 of us....for that hour.

I'm leaving it at that tonight. 

Thankfullness Project Monday

Breaking the blogging break...for the Thankfulness Project Monday Post.  It has been a few weeks since I've posted this. I need to try very hard to do this each week and not let myself get so deep into depression cycle that I don't do it.

• Medical Care
  I'm not always very thankful for the my medical team.  I am very blessed to have a wonderful PCP, PCP-PA (who is just an absolute doll), Psychiatrist and Therapist.  Each of these 4 ladies is beautiful in their own way.  Frustrations aside...I love each of them for various different reasons. 

• InsuranceI am very blessed to have a very good insurance policy.  My employer offers this plan to me at no cost.  I will begin paying a small portion ofmy insurnace costs starting next year.  I'm okay with this.  I have wonderful insurance and I've had to turn down employment in the past because the insurance did not have a very good mental health policy. I'm blessed beyond measure to have this benefit at my employment.  It comes at a very high price at times since my choice of career at this moment tends to be very triggersome.

• Massage TherapistWhat a blessing Heather has been in my life. I've been very blessed to have the ability to get frequent massages.  it seems that every single time I think/say "I'm going to spread these out"...something happens.  Somewhere along the line - my shoulder acts up, my head attempts to exploding (like this week) or something and I end up back at square one.  Heather is very good at what she does.  She is very passionate at what she does.  Because of this she has a very unique ability that I've not been able to find in any other massage therapist. 

• Summer Sweet Corn and Chocolate Marshmellow IcecreamCrazy I know.  But for tonight...it is all good in the dinner department.  Oh' what a lovely and easy dinner we had. I hate to cook. I hate it.  I rarely ever cook.  This evening our dinner included:  Cresc. rolls with peperoni and canadian bacon - rolled up with a 1/2 string cheese, GRILLED sweetcorn. We googled grilled sweetcorn and came up with 3 different ways to grill.  The best way would be that of "wrapping it in butter, salt/pepper, and foil."  and of course our dessert was icecream!

Thankfulness Project Monday

Friendships:
My heart is so full this evening as I think about what a wonderful weekend my children and I had.  And I'm truly blessed for a wonderful frienship that has blossomed over the last few months.  Having someone that truly knows what it is like to fight daily, weekly, monthly w/the demons of suicidal ideation, depression, anxiety, ect ect...is a truly blessing in disguise.  Truly...a blessing in disguise.

Children:
My children are rockstars!   They are the reason why I get up every day.  They are the reason why I not only get up but go to work  (almost everday)!  I am so proud of the beautiful people that they are becoming. 

Job:I often complain about my job. I often am triggered by my job.  Actually, every single day I am triggered by my job.  Regardless, I am so thankful that I have this position. I'm thankful that I've been able to keep and maintain fulltime employment for 2 full years and 1 yr part time before being promoted to full time.  I often think back to not very long ago when my psychiatrist encouraged me to apply for SSDI.  I flat out refused. I knew that I could work and be productive. I also knew that working was healthy for me.  Most of the time.  There have been many times over the last several years where I have thought about giving up, applying for SSDI and accepting that as my fate.  Right now that will not be my fate.  There are so many people who want to work and are not able to do so. I may need a reminder about this in a few hours when I'm working a 12 hour day w/o a break.  When my body is sore from the physical nature of my job.  When my anxiety is in full blown "I can not do this anymore" and am ready to give up.

This post is a offspring of Thankfulness Project Monday.  I'm thankful I found her blog and for the sweet and tender advice that I've picked up from her posts.

Thankfulness Project Monday

It's Monday....

Which means it is THANKFULNESS PROJECT MONDAY.

GRACE:  I am thankful for the Lord's Grace.  Plain, cut, simple and dry.  The last week has been rather ugly.  And at the end of the day it is His grace and tender mercies that I try hard to find comfort in.

Soul Sisters:  I am quite certain this is going to be an ongoing part of my Thankfulness Project Monday post.  It brings me to tears every.single time I think about it.  This coming holiday weekend, I'm pretty certain I will be traveling about 5-6 hours to go visit one of the sweet soul sisters.  I couldn't be more excited.  I hope and pray that everything works out and I am able to make that trip.  We need to just sit and be!  Maybe even find some good finds at a thrift shop or two.  Oh' how I wish some of the other Soul Sisters could join us.  Soon though...I think we will be making a plan to see others if at all possible.



Thankfulness Project Monday

Last Monday I wrote about the Thankfulness Project Monday that Musings of a Counselor writes every week.

Here are the things I am THANKFUL for this WEEK:

**I am thankful for EACH of my Soul Sisters!  It is often hard to be thankful for the situation that brought us together. So many of these wonderful mothers I do not know intimately.  Regardless, our hearts hold a dear place with each other.

**I am thankful for the opportunity my family had to spend nearly 2 days in the Windy City.  For beautiful blue skies.  For beautiful frienships made stronger.  For the opportunity to find peace and comfort...among our trials. For the opportunity to just be!!

My list is a lil short tonight.  For many different reasons.  There were several moments this week where I was able to notice and see how incredible blessed I am.  Regardless of the ability to seek these moments out, recognize them, and name them....there is still one thing that remains the same and the struggle to fight that battle every single day....can become tiring.  I needed the break I had this weekend more than I could have ever imagined.  And for that....I am thankful!



Thankfulness Project Monday

Sometime ago I came across this blog:  Musings of a Counselor and have been following her ever since.  I'm inspired by the positive outlook and leash on life that the posts prevail.  Always giving me something to think about.

Today....her topic is "Thankfulness Project Monday"  Click on the link to check it out. 

Here is my shot at the "Thankfulness Project Monday"

Children:  My children are the reason I get up every.single.day regardless of how bad I am truly feeling.  This last week, we celebreated both of their birthdays.  I'm continue to amuse myself at how beautiful each of these two individuals are.  As frustrating as parenting can be.  It is equally (if not more) rewarding.  I'm so blessed by their special spirits.  Their resiliant hearts and personalities.  I'm thankful that they have blessed my life and continue to do so!

Mango Peach Salsa:  It is my new drug of choice.  We recently bought a house.  Our realitors "thank you"  to us was to throw an Open House Party.  We combined it with our childrens bd parties and I lost count at 40 people/children who were at our home on Saturday.  S* brought all the food and drinks.  She brought LOTS of Mango Peach Salsa.  I've never had it. I never tried it on Saturday.  Honestly, the only thing I ate while we had company was the frosting off the knife (as I put it in the sink), a pork sandwhich and lots of M&M's (bc they were easy to eat and visit and keep track of several children jumping on a trampoline.  That evening, I had some of the Salsa.  My mouth is sore.  I've had a tad TO MUCH salsa.  Right now...as I am typing this...I have a bowl sitting beside me.  No chips.  Just mango peach salsa.

Shoes:  I'm so thankful that my familyy has the ability to provide my children with shoes.  Many families don't.  As frustrated and irratated as I was about having to go shoe shopping this morning.  I am lucky that I can have this opportunity.  There have been many different times in the past that I could not buy my children 2 pair of shoes from our favorite small (VERY SMALL) town personal shoe shop.  (THe owner is awesome. People come from all over the country to 'see' this lil-BIG store and their wonderful prices).  I'm thankful that I was able to let my children each purchase 2 pair of shoes that they wanted and not have to worry about how I was going to pay for them.  I also bought myself a new pair of D.ansko's...I'm a D.ansko and K.een freek.

Home: I'm blessed to have the home that I have.  It is peaceful.  It is quiet.  It is warm. It is inviting.  It is mine.  After having to nearly foreclose on a home 6 years ago, renting for many years before the purchase of that home and renting for the last 6 yrs....I'm blessed to have the home I have.  And now...more than ever before....I don't want to leave my home!!  Ever!

Thanks Musings of A Counselor for your sweet inspirations each week!