I'm happy because

I am happy because:

• I just feel happy.  But, it does make me a little nervous.  I mean, I don’t think I’ve felt this good in . . . like, ever!  I don’t know how long it can last before some kind of ick has to come crashing down on my noggin.  But for now, I’m enjoying it!  And trying to avoid that feeling of fear that it won’t last.
• Amber gave her first talk today in Sacrament meeting.  She didn’t stutter on the word “procrastination”, something she was deathly afraid of doing.  She did a good job for having written the talk herself without a whole lot of input from me.  (I told her how to outline the chapter she was doing the talk on, that’s all.  She did great!)
• I asked my ex and his wife to get the kids’ glasses fixed for me, since I keep meaning to do it and have not been able to get there during business hours.  His wife texted me today to say they would.
• My home teacher and visiting teacher tag-teamed me today!    I love them both, and it was great to have them both over, even if the kids did act like crazy hooligans the entire time.
• Tomorrow the kids will be with their dad for some of the time, so I will have a bit of time to get the kitchen clean.
• My bed is soft, and inviting.
• My rent has been paid for August.
• My gas tank is full.
• My heart is full.
• My children know that I love them.
• I love my children.
• There was rain tonight.
• I made homemade bread, which has been completely consumed already.
• I made a cake, which was far too sweet, but was a nice treat.
• Somehow everything will work out, and everything will be okay.
• I will start feeling better soon.
• I will have more energy soon.
• I will continue to find ways to be happy, no matter what life throws at me.
• I only have to be my best.  Not someone else’s.
• Tomorrow will be a good day.
• I still have hope.

I am happy because:

• Have you ever had a lightbulb moment?  Have you ever heard a phrase, or a doctrine, or something like that, over and over and over again, but never really had it sink in, and then suddenly, out of the blue, after years of hearing it, suddenly and finally find that it makes perfect sense?  Have you ever had a lightbulb moment that had the potential to change your life?  I have.
• There is a difference between the words “To” and “For”.
• I had a lovely chat with my bestie tonight.
• I got to eat at Sonic tonight, out of the blue, totally unexpected!  What a treat!  I felt a bajillion times better afterwards, too, because of the fact that I’d unintentionally starved myself all day long.
• I had an opportunity to talk with someone this afternoon, and learned a lot of things that I really needed to know.
• I’m actually grateful for things I never thought a sane person could be grateful for.
• I discovered that a certain someone delights in my difficulties, so I have decided not to indulge her anymore.  Naughty naughty!  I’m happy about this because I was able to decide this without turning my . . . disappointment into something stronger.  I was able to think outside of “the box”.  Whoa.  That’s a whole new thing for me!
• I don’t work tomorrow, so I can take my sleep aid a little later than I normally would, and sleep in a little longer!  I plan to sleep until 7:30 tomorrow!  Woot for weekends!
• Amber has a talk on Sunday.  The poor kid has been stressing and flipping out all week long, trying to make it a good talk.  This is the hardest 5 minutes of her life so far, I think!  LoL! But I’m so excited that she’s going to do it, that she accepted when she was asked, and that she realizes that it is important.
• Tomorrow I am going to take a full blown shower, and then I think I’ll fill up the tub and chop down the forest growing on my legs.  And then I’m throw on some clothes, and (hopefully) meet a friend at the Goodwill for a little shopping!
• Tomorrow I am going to pay my rent.  I actually have enough to do that!  Yay!
• Tomorrow I am going to catch up on my “homework”.
• Tomorrow I am going to spend at least 15 minutes just sitting outside in the sunshine.
• Tomorrow I am going to spend at least 30 minutes walking outside after dark, enjoying the weather, come rain or high water!
• But tonight, tonight I am going to pour out my heart and my soul to my Heavenly Father, and thank him for today’s experiences, and repent for not seeing the experiences of “yesterday” for what they truly were, and ask him for strength to see with a better perspective, with better patience, the blessings that my future experiences will bring me.
• That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. – 1 Corinthians 2:5
• For we walk by faith, not by sight. – 2 Corinthians 5: 7
• But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. – Romans 8:25
• Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. – John 14:27
• The LORD will give strength to his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace. – Psalm 29:11
• For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. – Jeremiah 29:11
• And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:7

I am happy because:

• Another day behind me!  I guess I’m getting better at the whole “one day at a time” thing!
• Work went well, and went quickly, today.
• My boss complimented me today.  She told me I am a superb caregiver, and she thanked me for doing such a good job!
• I am finally getting answers to my health concerns.
• My health concerns have been validated.  Guess what!  I’m not a hypochondriac!
• While finding out you have a disease isn’t necessarily good news for everyone, for me it is a huge relief because it is treatable.
• I’ve got a system, and it’s working for me so far.
• Tomorrow I am getting a little “me” time with my bestie!
• I just might finish quilting this quilt this weekend, and then I can bind it!
• I have a bajillion pills to take, it seems, but at least I am going to start feeling better!
• I still love my sleeping aid.
• The weather tonight feels promising.
• I’m feeling very sleepy and I’m ready to crawl into bed.  I love feeling sleepy at night, instead of just exhausted and wired.
• I have a nice bed.  And a nice pillow.  Two pillows, actually.  Cuz they came in a two-pack.  I’m spoiled!
• I have hope.

I am happy because:

• even though the cure can be, and will be, painful, I am grateful for the pain, for the safe place to release the tears that come with it, and for the chance I have to heal if I can, eventually, let it go.
• my Savior suffered that He might succor others, and I am one of those others.  And there is purpose in my suffering, also.
• I have good friends who help me, who think of me, and who pray for me.
• I will be starting a new medication, in addition to the one I am already on, and I am hopeful that it will be helpful.
• Robbie is outside playing with a friend, a quiet boy who’s just quirky enough to get along well with Robbie.
• Dee is outside playing with just about every little girl in the neighborhood.  She appears to be the ring leader!  I’m glad she’s not quiet and mousy like her mommy.
• we are having raspberry chipotle bbq chicken tonight for dinner, and it’s really yummy.
• the kitchen is almost clean.
• the dining room is almost clean.
• the air conditioner is working wonderfully tonight.
• I have a working washer and dryer.
• I have a great couch and loveseat, perfect for laying down and watching Netflix streaming!
• I have Netflix streaming!
• I have a Wii to watch Netflix streaming!
• I have a Wii, and I have Rabbids Go Home, my guilty pleasure!!!
• I have a guilty pleasure!!!
• I am taking Amber to mutual in a few minutes, I’m so glad she’s active in church.
• I am grateful for the mutual program, which I didn’t have growing up (as a convert).
• I am not going to let myself “be ashamed” of my testimony anymore, not for anyone, no matter what!
• I have a testimony!
• I am going to go to the temple again someday!
• I am going to get temple clothes, too, someday.
• I am going to lose weight, because I’m going to “Stop Thinking About It”. 
• I am going to get healthy – Mind, Body, and Spirit!
• I have hope for the future, something I haven’t had much of in the past.
• I love my children, and they know it, even when I don’t show it so well.
• I have four wonderful kids.
• School starts in a couple of weeks!
• Monsoon showers are bound to come soon.
• I have more homework from my doctor, and I am actually both a little scared and a lot excited to get it done!
• Amber gives the best hugs!
• It’s Wednesday, so the work week is half over!  Yay!

I am happy because:

• Even though certain . . . events . . . led to my having to stay home from church today, we still had a lovely sabbath.
• I think that I’m ready to tackle the coming week, and all of its challenges, so long as they aren’t too challenging!
• The house smells like freshly baked rolls . . . because I made some earlier.  They tasted good!
• It’s raining outside, and hard!  It smells so good to me, the smell of the wet rain on the hot eucalyptus trees.
• I have several appointments in the coming week, which means a lot of juggling of things for me, but also means I’m taking care of myself better than I have in the past.
• I love flavored water.  Especially Ocean Spray Cran-flavors.  Mmmm.  I get hydrated, and there are hardly any calories to worry about!
• Becca is going to spend some time next week at her Gramma Jean’s house, hopefully helping out.  I hope it makes my mom smile to have Boo over for a few days.  I miss seeing her smile.
• If it is raining tonight, which it is, this means we might have rain tomorrow, too, which would be awesome!
• Amber got a phone call from Br. Williams tonight.  She’s freaking out about next Sunday, but I can’t wait to see what she comes up with!
• My car has a full tank of gas.
• It looks like I should be able to pay my rent next month, on time and everything.
• I just feel content with things, even though they are still rather stressful.
• I think that I’m going to sleep well tonight, cuz I remembered to take my medicine.
• I have a wonderful friend, and I wanted to see her today but circumstances prevented it, so I have to just be happy thinking about giving her a hug and telling her how wonderful she is, instead of actually doing it, for now.
• I’m pretty sure tomorrow will be a good day.
• There’s someone out there for me, too, I just know it.  I just need to be patient, and wait for the Lord to point him out to me.
• I have sunshine in my heart.

I am happy because:

• I had some “alone” time today, as the kids were with their dad and step-mom for the day.
• I took a nap in the middle of the day, just because I could.
• I read a whole book, (it was small).
• I found out that a friend of mine is a published author!  I had no idea!
• I watched a movie today.  It wasn’t a good movie, it was boring, but I didn’t have to listen to my kids complaining about it.
• I ate a single-serve frozen pizza and some yummy popcorn.  Not good choices usually, but I felt like splurging!
• A friend of mine helped me this evening when I ran out of gasoline.
• I was able to fill up my gas tank tonight.
• Tomorrow is SUNDAY, which means I get to go to church and get my cup refilled for a new week of challenges.

I am happy because:

• Sleep makes your whole life look a little less intimidating.  (Doesn’t change the fact that it is intimidating, just makes it seem less so!)
• I have full-time work, and regular income.
• I have been recognized at work for being totally awesome.  LoL
• I love to cook italian, apparently!  (Well, I love to eat it, not necessarily cook it.)
• I got to spend some brain-foggy time with my best friend tonight.
• I got to sew a little bit, on a project that I didn’t suppose I’d get to make, because I have an awesome friend.  Whoa, wait a minute!  That’s two happies in one!
• I have an awesome friend!  There, that’s better.
• I feel giddy, probably because I am over-tired and had way too much fun today.
• I have the kids’ registration forms and stuff all filled out, stuffed into envelopes, and ready to be mailed.  (Only one day late.)
• I know the financial stuff will, eventually, work out.  I have faith that my dear Dad knows what I need, and I know He will look out for us.
• I think I’m doing pretty good at the whole single-mom thing, even though I’m not perfect and I mess up . . . a lot sometimes.
• Tomorrow I am going to the pool for a couple of hours, just to float and not have to worry about the kids (they won’t be there) for a bit.
• Even though right now the apartment still smells a little like raw sewage, I know that tomorrow it will smell better because of my awesome glade plug-ins.
• I got a free sample box of Kashi’s new Pita Crisps in the mail today, and they taste super yummy!
• I’ve been blessed with a wonderful mother who helps me when I really need it, and who loves me, and is in my corner.
• I’ve also been blessed with a wonderful grandma who also helps me when I really need it, and who loves me, and is rootin’ for me from the sidelines.
• I have been blessed with a couple of really great friends, each of which know me better than anyone (even myself, sometimes) and stick around.  (Hey, they haven’t run away screaming . . . yet!)
• I have a working vehicle, and I don’t have to walk everywhere in this heat!
• I have a working RADIO in that vehicle, so I can blast it and sing along (horribly) at the top of my lungs while not walking around in this heat!
• School is starting up soon, and the kids are all very excited at the idea.  Even Robbie.
• Robbie’s medications really seem to help him, and they give me hope for the coming school year that he might be able to integrate more.
• I hear my bed a callin’, and I think I should give heed!  I love my soft pillow, my comfy and clean sheets, and the fact that the bed is “broken in” in all the right places for me.

I am happy because:

• Work went by quickly today, and was fairly easy overall.
• Tomorrow is Friday, which is good for more reasons than just being the last day of my work week!
• Tomorrow I get to have a “playdate” with my bestie!
• Tomorrow is payday, which is important, since I’m nearly 100% broke!
• Robbie has a little friend over from the neighborhood, a boy named Louise, and they are getting along!
• My kids are good kids, overall, and we do our best, most of the time, and love each other, no matter what.
• Dinner is in the fridge, all I have to do is heat it up and serve it with a side of salad and a side of rice – both of which are super easy to fix.
• I still have energy, and I am so not used to having energy after work!
• I’m pleased with Amber’s selected courses for her first year of high school.  She’s very ambitious!  I’ll have to encourage her to join a club or two so that she has FUN somewhere . . .
• I’m so thrilled that I don’t have any children in diapers anymore, and that they are all old enough to make their own peanut butter sandwich in a pinch, and that they are all in school during the day, and all of those wonderful things!
• School starts in a few weeks!

I am happy because:

• Dinner for tomorrow has been slow-cooking all evening, and will only require reheating and a couple of quick and easy sides.
• While I was at work, Becca watched her brother, and they got along super well.  She even took him on a bike ride.
• Robbie loves his bike.
• Becca did a load of laundry without being asked.
• She also picked up the kitchen, dining room, and living room.  All before I got home from work!
• We had yummy strawberry banana crepes for dinner tonight, because I didn’t wanna cook.  I got no complaints.
• Work went well, and generally quickly, today.
• My kids are all in bed, and are all sleeping.
• My washer and dryer are working just fine.
• I’m going to sleep like a rock tonight.
• I have a lovely bed.
• My brain is shutting down, which means my pill is working, and I need to get off of the computer and go lay down before I smack my forehead on the keyboard or something.  LoL

I am happy because:

• I got enough sleep last night.
• Work went well today, I didn’t run out of steam before I was done.
• I got major grocery shopping done, and it took less than 50 minutes from start to finish.
• I saved nearly $100 in coupons/discounts.
• I gave the kids lunchables for dinner, and choose not to feel guilty about it.
• We had a wonderful family home evening, taught by Amber, entitled “In the world, not of the world”.
• The kids are full of all sorts of awesome insight.
• We all found areas in which we can improve our personal prioritizing.
• Dee had a mini-lesson, too, which we don’t normally do on the same night, but it tied in nicely.
• I am impressed with how well the night has gone!
• I have book club tonight, which means I get to see, at the very least, my good friend Judy!
• Becca watched Robbie today, and it went really well!  No tears!
• I took a shower, and feel nice and clean!
• Tomorrow is Wednesday already!  Yay!