the start of something good: Beautiful Reminder

As I sit here on this beautiful, quaint Sunday morning hearing nothing but my son snoring in his swing, my husband snoring in the bedroom, and birds chirping outside I am reminded at just how wonderful and perfect and beautiful my life is. With the everyday hustle and bustle of waking up, getting myself and Dax ready for work, running a class of twelve 3 and 4 year olds, getting home, keeping our house in order, running errands, caring for a baby and two dogs, putting Dax to sleep, and starting it all over again, it's easy to forget to step back and appreciate all you've been blessed with. It's so easy to get stuck in a daily routine, especially with a baby, that you really don't find time to look around and thank God for everything he has blessed you with. This morning has been a beautiful reminder of that. I woke up to a happy cheerful baby, fed him, played with him, cuddled him, watched him fall asleep as he looked out the window from his swing. My husband made me coffee before running back to get an extra hour of sleep. It is absolutely perfect weather... cool, kind of overcast... perfect spring time weather. And like I said earlier, now I'm sitting here just soaking up the beautiful sounds of my little family and nature. While I have some quiet time to myself (which doesn't happen hardly ever... and I def. wish it would a little more) I figured I make a list of just SOME of the things that I am SOOO thankful for in my life. There's no way I could possibly list everything... but here's a few.

* My beautiful, perfect little boy. He's simply wonderful. To be completely honest, it's easy to get caught up in those fussy moments and wonder if being a mom was really made for me. But then I remember how perfect my little boy and how much joy he brings to my life. He smiles ALL the time. He loves nature and animals. Watching him learn and explore the world around him is just amazing. His laughs and cooing can make me forget all my worries and stresses. He's perfect. I love him. And I love being a mom.
* My amazing husband. He really is simply amazing. Who would have thought when we were 14 and he asked me to be his girlfriend at a school dance that we would end up spending the rest of our lives together and have such a wonderful life. He's my best friend. He's strong when I'm not. He's supportive. He's so smart. He's determined. He's caring, kind, thinks about the world around him. He's loving. He's pretty cute if I do say so myself :). And most of all... he's a GREAT daddy.
* My family. I truly have the most amazing family. I have the family that so many people dream and wish they had. And I'm not just talking about my mom, dad, brother, and sister. My entire family, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins. We area all so close and the love for one another just pours out. As a little kid we were always together... and as we've all grown up and life has changed for everyone yet we're still SO close and love being together. We all still go to the lake together throughout the year. We have random get togethers... like Scentsy parties or football watch parties... I think mostly just as a chance to be together more than actually wanting to buy stuff or watch the game. We experience new things together... Daniel and I went on a cruise with my brother and sister in law a couple years ago and our family is currently planning our third ski trip together. We all love each other so much and can't spend enough time with one another.
* My job. I have wonderful, beautiful coworkers who love what they do. I have the MOST amazing group of 12 kiddos in my class that I just adore. They make getting up and going to work easy. They're love for life and learning melts my heart. Getting hugs from them first thing in the morning and before I leave make getting up at 5:00am every morning a little easier. They truly love me (and baby Dax) and I truly, honestly love them. It will be such a sad day when they leave my classroom.
* Days like today. I am SO thankful for days like today. Days like today when God says, "Hey, slow down a minute, sit back, and look around you. Look at what I've blessed you with and be thankful for it. Appreciate me and all I've given you. Forget the day to day stresses and that to-do list that is a mile long, and be thankful for this beautiful, wonderful, perfect life you've been given." I am most thankful for days like today.... and the wonderful Man who sends them my way :)