Life is Good.

Well, I have never been one to be very philosophical on my blog. I have a little bit of an issue with opening up to complete strangers, but I have something to say tonight, so humor me. It's been a long day and a long week, and I have an even longer weekend ahead with work, so I'm enjoying a glass of wine and quiet time in my office.

Yesterday I had Bunco at my house with my dear friends, and while I was preparing dinner (ha! alert the press, I made dinner!) I caught a segment on the news about "children of the recession." I stopped and just stared at the TV and realized...crap, times are really tough right now. Sure, I'm in my bubble with my own life. Justin and I are both fortunate enough to still have jobs in these tough economic times. Up until recently, we have spent money like crazy. Justin has his crazy gun hobby, and I love shoes, jeans, and clothes for my kids. I haven't had an issue with buying things that aren't on sale, and I rarely even look at my grocery bill before I pay. Don't get me wrong, I can and have lived on a tight budget! When it was just Kamden and I on my teacher's salary, I knew where every penny went. Recently, we went to a financial planner. Our purpose in doing this was to set up a Special Needs Trust. (turns out its actually a lawyer who does that, and there are a ton of things to know about making sure a special needs child is protected. If you're on a waiver program for instance, that child cannot have any funds in their name...or be the beneficiary to any insurance...or they go right back on the waiting list and they don't receive benefits for another 7-10 years. Once I know more, I promise to post solely on that topic) I had a reality check with how much money we waste...so we're on a financial diet now so we can actually enjoy our retirement later on! ANYWAY, my point is, we are so blessed. And I've taken that for granted. Sure,we have our struggles with Kendall's health, but all in all, we are so lucky. And it's not just money. We have our family and friends. We have support from complete strangers. I just think that sometimes we get so caught up in all of the bad, stressful, irritations in life that we forget to stop and breathe in the goodness. I know I do. But for the most part, I believe people are kind, life is good, and if we can just focus on the positives, we'll all be a little better for it. I'm going to try to do that more. Starting now. (er, maybe after the weekend...since I have to work while everyone is enjoying their families and the weather...)

By the way, the picture at the top was taken out of our hotel room on our honeymoon to Curacao. That is a time in my life where I remember laying in a lawn chair next to my new husband and breathing a sigh of relief. I remember thinking "wow! This is as good as it gets. This is what life is all about. I'm so happy. It can't get any better than this. My life is going to start going just as I have planned" Boy was I wrong! It does get better than that! Oh, and it totally isn't going to go as I plan! Someone has a bigger, better plan! And I'm learning to accept that. One day at a time.

Think I'll have another glass of wine!