Day 3 - Every Day is a Test-

Day 3 found me the opposite of yesterday, waking up earlier than usual to the annoying sound of the alarm clock. Ugh. It's Thursday... Thursdays are long days. Longer than any other day. Work in the office all day, stop and pick up little boy on the way home. A visit with the in-laws, always nice, but means home around 7pm. Though, today's schedule is a little different. Hubby is studying (err...cramming) for a big exam coming up on Tuesday. He's stressed. I've been there. I've taken the very same test. It's hard. It's too much info. Ugh... brain hurts from numbers and formulas and definitions and a new language or jargon... I get it. I understand. So in an effort to help him, I volunteer to drop off our son at the in-laws. Must leave early to get there, get him settled and get to work on time... I can do this.

As I race through the house packing bags for the day, making lunch, getting my work together and getting clothes ready, I stop... at the dining room table where my hubby's books are piled up. Piled. Up. Notes upon notes. Where is a blank piece of paper? Without really thinking much, I find a blank sheet, and I write at the top... "POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS"....and it continues with a note to hubby in an effort to help him during this stressful next few days... "YOU CAN DO THIS. WRITE "I WILL PASS THIS EXAM" SEVERAL TIMES, RECITE IT, BELIEVE IT... ASK FOR GOD TO HELP YOU CLEAR YOUR MIND, HELP YOU FOCUS, HELP YOU DRAW THE CONCLUSIONS, RID YOUR BODY OF NERVOUSNESS AND FEAR. YOU "GOT" THIS. I LOVE YOU."

Off to work. Baby dressed. Drop him off. Give him "extra" kisses to keep in his hands for when he misses me today. He can pull them out whenever he needs them. In the car, guzzling my coffee (again), it hits me: Those words I wrote for hubby this morning were meant for me too. Every day. For every day has its "TEST" of its own. Why don't I tell myself these same positive affirmations every morning? I need to. I'll start... today.

So, #1 item to be grateful for is this lesson that's hitting me in the face this morning. Positive affirmations. Thank you God for the reminder.

As I continue to drive (it's a lengthy drive), it hits me again as I'm searching my brain for the gratitude I have this morning... My inlaws. How did I get so lucky? They met me at the car with love in their eyes and smiles on their faces. Both of them. Together. I am SO grateful for them! My father-in-law is so intelligent. He's a book with many colorful chapters and awesome stories. He's fun! His children and grandchildren are his world. I respect and love that. It's who I want to be.

My mother-in-law in her apron this morning, busy in the kitchen making a healthy breakfast for her grandson. She greets me with a bowl of veggies to take for lunch. She's thoughtful and kind, always visiting a friend who needs her or preparing a meal to take. Like her husband, her children and grandchildren are her world. I am grateful for her. It's who I want to be.

So, day 3... Before I get to work... Today I'm thankful for my lesson in positive affirmations, my father-in-law and mother-in-law. It's going to be a good day.