Happy Monday, friends! It's weird for me to type the word happy because right now I'm feeling downright cranky. I didn't sleep well, I woke up later than I had wanted to, and at the moment I just want to drink my coffee and be left alone! Since everyone is home, that's not going to happen anytime soon. Have you ever had one of those days? 

I sincerely don't feel comfortable with myself when I start feeling this way. I get "snappy" when asked innocent questions, I get irritable when one thing keeps me off of whatever "mission" I might be on at the moment, and I'm just kind of ornery (like an alligator with all them teeth and no toothbrush)! 

Matt is not feeling well. He has been coughing pretty much incessantly, which means he got very little sleep, and so did I. 

 You know that stereotypical joke about how guys are big babies when they are sick? Yep, he gets like that....except really, he doesn't. It just feels like he does because he is letting himself need my help a little more than he usually does. I need to recognize that fact sooner and not get so snippy when I mention making myself a cup of coffee and he asks me to get him a cup of tea as well. 

When I notice the full sink of dishes and start washing them (while in the middle of making tea for Matt & coffee for myself) and the girls ask me to grab them a small snack, I need to find a better way to remind them that if they are unable to get what they need themselves, the polite thing to do would be to wait until I was finished with what I was doing and then ask for what they want. The "now what?" snarl they got this morning is not one of the memories I want them to carry of me. 

So, how do you practice being grateful in the midst of one of those days? You excuse yourself and remind yourself of all of the things you have to be grateful for. In my case, it's a husband that loves and goes all out for our family. When he is not feeling well, he trusts ME to take care of him and help him out.

The sink full of dishes means we have food to eat and dishes to help make and serve the food.

 The girls "forgetting their manners" means that I have been given another opportunity to touch on some life lessons with them. As quickly as they are growing, they still need their Momma and I will always be grateful for that.