Back in the Saddle

Well I've been out of the optimism business for a while but its time to hop back in the saddle. No need for an introductory paragraph today, I'll just get right down to my five good things for the day.

1. Thanks to my mom, I've got a plan for Christmas crafts. Today my mom helped me find patterns and choose supplies for craft projects to get me through Christmas. Since I quit my job I won't be getting that holiday bonus that financed our holiday gift purchasing for the last 9 years. As such, I'll be making most of my presents this year. I never know what to make for people (especially my dad and brother) or where to look for ideas but my crafty mom helped me get it all sorted out and organized. Now I know what I'm going to make for people and I have the supplies to get started on at least two of the projects. I'm glad I have my mom to hold my hand through this Christmas crafting.
2. C smiled at my mom today when she arrived at Starbucks. This morning C and I were already at Starbucks when Grammy arrived and C cracked a big smile when she saw Grammy. Since she's pretty new to the smiling game, it was really special that my girl broke out a smile for her Grammy.
3. My new cookbook didn't totally lead me astray. I tried a baked chicken recipe from a new cookbook today and it was pretty good. I used the crockpot instead of the oven (to avoid raising the temperature in our house from really hot to unbearable) which I think resulted in the sweet potatoes tasting a little tart thanks to the vinegar in the cooking liquid. However, I think this problem would be rectified by cooking the chicken in the oven as recommended. Any way, I'm always happy when I try something new and it doesn't totally disappoint me. (Side note: this attitude is why I need to practice being more optimistic.)
4. To my kids I'm the most comforting thing in the world. Tonight A was having a hard time falling asleep and she wanted me to rub her hand. I indulge this request more often than I should because I can't resist when she says "Mama, stay" in her tiny, tired little voice. I know she's totally taking advantage of me and I'm perpetuating a problem, but it feels kind of nice to be the thing that comforts her and helps her wind down and fall asleep. While I was rubbing her hand it hit me that I'm two peoples' mom and that means that when they don't feel good, or when they've had a tough day, or when they get an owie a hug from me can make it better. I'M the mom. I know that when I need comfort my first instinct is still to turn to my mom, but now I'm that person to two little people. It's kind of empowering to know that I can provide that for my girls.
5. I have good support. It's nice to know that I have people around me that are willing to help me while I work through my anxiety. Not everyone has a set of people that will regularly take time out of their days to keep an anxious second time new mom company and keep her from sitting home alone with the baby wallowing in anxious thoughts.
6. Its finally summer! The weather has finally turned summer-like here. Of course its roasting hot in our new un-air conditioned house but its bearable. Its a real treat to finally wake up to sunshine and blue skies.