Grains of Gratitude

What a week it's been! It's quiet in my house right now - Kayla is in bed and Joe's at work so I'm taking this time to reflect back on my week for my Sunday Grains of Gratitude.

1. Of course I'm most grateful that Kayla's surgery for ear tubes went well and no complications. I'm grateful for all the prayers that were said for us. I'm grateful Joe was able to go with us to the hospital, not only for moral support, but because Kayla is a handful! I know you all don't believe me, because this adorable daughter of mine has you all fooled and wrapped around her fingers! You all think she is so sweet & nice & calm & easy-going & happy. Well you try taking this child of mine to a doctor appointment! Then you'll see the other side of her! She hates doctor appointments. She doesn't throw an all out temper tantrum with loud screaming, but it's pretty obvious she is not happy. She tries to get away, shakes her head, yells no, wriggles around, waves her arms at you, won't sit still. She doesn't like her temp, blood pressure, pulse-ox or anything like that taken. Doesn't like to get on a scale (actually she did that just fine this time) doesn't like them to touch her at all. There is no reasoning with this child and trying to make her understand it's not going to hurt. She didn't want the identification tags on her wrists, or ankles. Even after the nurses made tags for her baby doll and Henry dog. It's emotionally draining to say the least. So yes, I'm grateful Joe was there! And that it's all over with.

2. I'm grateful our spouses' group had a game night on Wed. Not a lot of people showed up, but for the few of us that did we had a great time and enjoyed ourselves!

3. I'm grateful for the generosity of blogging friends. Not only did Jennifer from Pinwheels contribute a copy of the Gifts book to my contest, she also sent me a few books as well! One is a book she edited and contributed to titled "My Heart’s First Steps: Writings that Celebrate the Gifts of Parenthood" and 2 books written by her husband Tom Groneberg. I enjoy having great books around to read so thank you Jennifer and Tom!

4. I'm grateful I decided to participate in the One World One Heart contest and that there was such a positive response of those interested in wanting to read the Gifts book. I'm grateful 4 copies of the book will be making their way into the hands of some wonderful ladies out there! Connie, Amy, Melanie, and S. - congrats again on winning!

5. Another reason I'm grateful I participated in the giveaway was because I won 3 prizes! Whoo hoo! I won a cute hair bow made by Miranda (mom to the adorable Shaylee who also has that extra chromosome!) at Sweetest Cherry In An Apple Pie. I can't wait to see how it looks in Kayla's hair (and if she won't keep it in now I'll save it for when she's a little older!). I won this gorgeous painting from Sandy (who is also a military spouse) at Dream Create Inspire, and then I won this beautiful necklace and earring set from Nici at Art Shaped World. She's also had a story published in a compilation book called A Cup of Comfort for Parents of Children with Autism.

Yes it was a great week and I hope yours was too!

PS - Joe is grateful I picked up Banana Pudding flavor ice cream from Blue Bell Oh my goodness this is delicious! (From their website: Banana ice cream perfectly blended together with whipped topping and vanilla wafers.). You know me and my history of ice cream (remember this post I did of the ice cream places you can sign up for and get free coupons etc?) So of course I did some looking around on the Blue Bell site and found out that if you join Blue Bell you'll get a coupon for a free 1/2 gallon of ice cream for your birth month. I'm signing all 3 of us up for membership! Hello free ice cream!