The-Courier-recoveringnoah

I'm worried my post from yesterday turned into a big 'ol whine fest. So, I'm trying to dig myself out of the funk I've been in lately by realizing how blessed we are...

1. We may be up to our eyeballs in debt, but at least we have a roof over our head, food to eat, and air conditioning to keep us cool.  AND Sim and I are in agreement that we have to break down this mountain and we're slowly chipping away at it one penny at a time.

2. Noah may not qualify for SSI, but we are blessed to have been able to provide therapies for him for the last 10 years. He's never gone without and I'm so thankful that we've been in a position to give him what he needs.

3. N &E may have explosive tempers, but they both also have very sweet sides, are wonderful with Noah and Naveen, and we are very fortunate that their tempers are no longer violent.

4. Nandi's at Math & Reading camp this week through our local elementary school and it means we're all up, dressed, teeth brushed, fed and out the door by 7.45. I love being back on a schedule!

5. I have mountains of laundry to wash and fold, but how can I complain when there are so many people who have nothing?

6. We have been abundantly blessed with hand-me-downs and new clothes for Naveen and Nandi. Thank you Jeanie, Jennifer, Lisa, and Emily for thinking of us!

7. We may only have a grocery/diaper/dog food budget of $100 a week for a family of 6 (with food allergies), BUT there are people in the world surviving off 30 cents a day. We have never gone hungry. Never.

Ever.

And we always manage. Always. It's hard, but at least we have that $100 to spend.

8. I'm thankful for parents who live nearby who let me "borrow" rolls of toilet paper when we run out and who let us eat at their place once a week. (And who load my kids up on "the good stuff" when they start feeling deprived.)

9. Sometimes I throw myself a pity party because Sim is gone 12-14 hours a day, but I'm so thankful he has a job to go to, that pays well, and allows me to stay home. Geesh, why am I complaining? I'm also blessed that we're a double parent household and that he does come each night. I know that I'm very lucky.

10. I'm so fortunate that Noah's autism, though considered severe, is a mild form of severe. He's not violent. He's so sweet and gentle. He sleeps through the night (for the most part) and we are so so so blessed.

11. Naveen pees about every 20 minutes. He is constantly peeing. I found myself getting frustrated from constantly taking him to the toilet, but then I thought, you know what? I should be grateful that he pees so much. He has one working kidney and even that one's not at full capacity. How blessed we are that Naveen's kidney is working so well.

12. I also found myself getting frustrated at Eli's incessant talking. He.Never.Stops.Talking.Never.Ever.Ever and I'm a person who thrives on peace and quiet. The other day I actually said, 'Will you please stop talking?!" And it occurred to me that I constantly pray that Noah will start talking and here I am begging my very verbal kid to stop. Wrong attitude.

13. Sometimes I get overwhelmed by Naveen's clinginess. He becomes hysterical if I leave the house or if we go to my parents because he thinks I'm going to leave them there. He's fine when it's just us alone at home, but once Sim comes home, Naveen follows me like a little puppy everywhere I go. He's terrified I'll leave. But I am so thankful that he's bonded to me and that he's so attached to me and that he feels so secure with me. Just remind me of this when I'm on here in a few months complaining that I ended up having to get a pap smear with Naveen sitting in a stroller in the corner. Do you think they let three year olds come back when you get a mammogram?

14. Naveen may have parasites, but at least we have the medicine to fix them. There are so many people in other parts of the world who have to watch their children whither away from something that could be cured with a simple pill. We are blessed beyond measure!

Plus, I'm so thankful I've never opened up a diaper full of worms. *gag* No, really. I've just caused myself to gag. I have a terribly vivid imagination.

Okay, so there's more, but now I'm starting to feel embarrassed about all my whinging yesterday. I feel so selfish in reading these. But maybe every now and then I do need to set my pride aside and realize how blessed I am. I think I see the light more clearly when I write it all down and it's just sitting there staring back at me. It ain't pretty, that's for sure. But it does help me recognize that I need to change my way of thinking. Pity parties are great. For about 5 minutes. And then it's time move on.

So for today, I'm going to be thankful that Nandi's at Math & Reading camp. I have some free time to tackle chores. We have a pool for the kids to cool off in. We have a fabulous Occupational Therapist to work with the kids this afternoon. I have a husband who will be home in 11 and a half hours, and there's food in the fridge.

It's gonna be alright.