Making Lemonade...

My dad has this saying that goes something like this: "When life gives you a lemon, make lemonade!" And then he usually forms the fingers of his hand into a "U" which means, "smile". It used to work when I was a kid and a teenager, but adulthood has kind of beaten the optimism out of me and now it just kind of drives me crazy. Like you can really just smile and everything will be okay...when your children are all crying and screaming at the same time and you only had 3 hours of sleep last night...or when you wake up to a huge mess that your children made making their own breakfast - ice cream and pink milk....or when they have poured syrup all over the carpets while you were taking a shower...Or more serious problems that many of us face financially, physically, and emotionally. Life throws us a lot of lemons. Can we really find the sugar and make lemonade? It is so delicious afterall - and it quenches our thirst so perfectly.

Well, I'm turning 31 in a few weeks and my year of being 30 had a lot of lemons in it that kind of sat around and rotted and didn't help anyone. It's time to turn over a new leaf. Starting now...in the winter...the hardest time for me (I get depressed and want to move to a warmer climate every February because I'm just DONE with the cold!). I am going to make lemonade everyday (Josh would be happy if he thought this was literal) and kind of make a gratitude list to help me get through the next few weeks until Spring. Because it's true - my dad is right. You can make good choices, but sometimes things just happen. Life throws you lemons. You can try to make the best out of it and maybe it will sweeten up your life a little. Optimism can go a long way.

This is what I am grateful for today:

• Our pediatrician gave me prescriptions for all three of my children even though one of them was at school. Josh & Holly have ear infections and Sammy has had a terrible cough for a month. It saved me another trip to the doctor - and another $25 copay.
• Simple things that make life easier. Macey's in Orem sells premade pizza crust - 4 personal size crusts for about $3. Brian used them in the pizzas he made tonight for dinner and it was easy and delicious! And it was so nice to have a break after taking care of sick kids since 4 am. And I'm grateful for a loving husband who volunteered to make dinner - while dancing with our baby, Holly, to some Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.
• Hobbies. I ignored the dishes and the laundry and spent an hour or so sewing baby blankets today. I really enjoy sewing and I don't take the time to do it. It is service - I donate them - and I enjoy making them.
• Silky pajamas - even if they're polyester really. Warm enough and cool enough - basically just right for winter and summer. I'm comfy and ready to snuggle my honey and watch something on tv.
• Hope. Hoping that I will get some sleep tonight and that tomorrow I will feel better. I just don't run well on empty. This girl needs some sleep or she's cranky!

Well, that's all I can do for now. My eyelids are getting heavier and I'm yawning as a I type. Here's to making lemonade and hoping that Spring comes soon!