Serendipitous Sunday II

Two Sundays ago I had the idea of just jotting down a few things about my week that are good, worth remembering, fortunate or wonderful accidents that occurred. By doing this, I'll be even more appreciative of where I've been and where I'm headed in my path. This is my second edition of "Serendipitous Sunday."  If you missed the first installment, click here.

Well, I have MUCH to be thankful for this week.  In fact, I feel rather guilty since many of my friends and relatives had a very tough week. 

• I'm thankful for my health.  A very good friend of mine, JP, recently had surgery and she's been having a very tough time since then.  She even developed an infection and had to return to the hospital.  She's my age and she ignored some signs from her body for over a year.  I'm thankful that JP seems to be doing better now and that she didn't wait any longer to have her system repaired.  Please don't ignore your body when it's trying to tell you that something is wrong.

• I'm thankful that my husband has a stable job and we have a steady income right now.  This is so important in these trying times.  Two of my friends' husbands were recently laid off from their jobs.  I have been thinking about them the past few days.  (KG and JC, you've been on my mind!!!)  I pray that their families can find financial security again soon.

• I'm thankful for my marriage.  Someone I know and love is having marital problems and it really puts my own loving, wonderful situation into perspective.  Kirk and I aren't perfect.  We argue and disagree at times but so far, we always make it work.  I think it's because we are committed to communicate to each other and made a promise that sometimes we have to put each other's needs first, before our own and compromise when it's for the greater good of the family.  Plus, he's awesome and he makes me laugh.  I'm so lucky.  And I won't forget that.

• I'm thankful for my determination and end results of my 5k race (which you can read about right here).  I exceeded my expectations in a good, positive way.  I am so blessed to have a supportive family who encouraged me all the way through it too. 

• I'm thankful that March is ending and that April is near.  I'm ready to move on to a new challenge in my life.  I can't wait to tell you about what I intend to do for the next month!  That post will be coming very soon!

• I'm thankful for good friends who tell it like it is and who make me laugh.  I'm glad that they call me and count on me because I'd do anything for them.  I especially enjoyed my conversations with J, B and JP this week.

• I'm thankful for the hilarious discussion that occurred when I was having blood drawn on Saturday morning.  I did NOT feel like spending my weekend in a doctors office, skipping my coffee/tea and Kirk's scrambled eggs.  But the nurse and I laughed and laughed over what lab test I have to do next.  Don't worry -- I'm writing about that exact conversation right now, trying to remember it word for word.  Stay tuned because it will be my next post!  :-) 

• I'm thankful that the fence in our backyard is complete.  Now we have complete privacy and a great setup for barbecues and gatherings.  Also, I can just push the dog out the door whenenver he needs to do his business and not worry about him.  That goes for Vivian too, when she starts annoying me... off she will go into the backyard.  I'm kidding, well sort of....

• I'm thankful for kind neighbors who make us feel welcome and answer our questions about the community.  BR and JR are so nice and thoughtful for offering us baked goods and plants from their garden.

• I'm thankful that I am leading a proactive life and am taking control of my happiness now, more than ever.  I feel good that I'm an active person, and not someone who is helpless and waits for others to lead the way.  If you want to know more about my thoughts on that, click here. 

• I'm thankful that one of Vivian's teachers has offered to babysit for us in the future.  She seems like a very nice and trustworthy individual.  Kirk and I may actually be able to go on a real date soon! 

• I'm thankful for all the laughs that my daughter provided for me this past.  It began with her dancing with birds (see video of it by clicking here).  She is being so bossy lately, telling me to "sit down," "come here," or "no, you do it."  But it makes me smile. Sometimes I comply and sometimes I tell her she is the one that needs to do those things. 

• I'm thankful that I have lost another 1.5 pounds after being at the same weight for almost three weeks now.  I've moved past that plateau that I hit.  Just when I was becoming discouraged, the scale revealed my hard work.  And when I put on my old "fat" jeans a few days ago and they were hanging off of me, I felt like a rock star for a few minutes.  (More on that will be revealed in a future blog post.)

• I'm thankful for all this lovely spring weather we're having.  Big thanks to Kirk for his hard labor in rebuilding our lawn to make it look beautiful again. (We have a lot of holes in our grass and dead spots).  I am grateful to be outside while others are still dealing with snow and cold temperatures.

• I'm thankful that my friend just birthed a beautiful, healthy baby boy yesterday without any troubles or complications.  Way to go Dani!  I can't wait to "meet" Hudson Michael and hear more about your new adventures!  :-)

What are you grateful for today? What accidents, fortunate or not, have made your week special?