being grateful

Some days are harder than others, for all of us. This week has felt like a lot of the days have been the harder ones. Parenting - wow, am I right? 

So I am extra grateful for these moments today that have cheered me, made me smile, and encouraged me. 

I am grateful for the time us girls spent in the bathroom getting ready for their choir concert. First painting their nails red, white, and blue for Veteran's Day, and then curling and updo-ing their hair together. It felt lovely to spend that time together and for them to love how they looked when they walked out the door. 

At the concert, I am grateful for watching them in their seats while a veteran gave a speech. When he quoted Woodrow Wilson, they looked at each other excitedly because they knew his name from our President's song. When he quoted the Declaration of Independence, they jumped again because they recognized the quote from the Martin Luther "I Have a Dream" quote that they have memorized. And when he recited the Preamble to the Constitution, they proudly mouthed it along with him. I am grateful for knowing that I am playing a large part in preparing them to be well-educated citizens. 

And I am grateful for how our sweet little boy is growing to be so funny, making us all laugh at the dinner table with his expressions and sounds and combinations of tiny words. 

I am ready for bed and ready for a lift in the emotions of this week. But I am also grateful for these things.