Working on my attitude and my gratitude

I find myself to be a fairly positive person. I like to see the glass as half full. I can keep up with that philosophy through a lot of stressors, but right now I'm overwhelmed. Moving into our house, the kids starting new schools, a clingy toddler who only wants me, a husband who is rarely home due to his new hours at residency has me feeling like I'm drowning. I've overwhelmed and I'm feeling sorry for myself.  Even when someone calls to ask me how's it's going, I always reply with "ugh, it's alright."  It has changed me from a positive person to a very negative person. I only see the unorganized mess in my house, the dirty floors, the lawn that needs to be clipped. I'm tired and every time someone wakes up too early I am cursing that I have to get out of bed. The weather is either too hot or it's too cold.  You get the picture. I am bitching about everything and I am failing to see anything in a positive light.

Someone must be looking out for me.  When I was at my lowest point and felt like I was completely drowning, I received the following posting from my friend.  It really hit home for me.

I'm complaining about my dirty house, but what I should be doing is being thankful for the roof over my head.  I have three healthy, beautiful children who love me so much that they can't wait to see me, ME! when they wake their sweet little faces up in the morning. Sure, my husband is gone a lot during the week, and we don't have nearly as much time with him as we did before, but at least he comes home to us at night. He's not deployed to Afghanistan or Iraq for a year. He is working so hard to provide our family with more stability and possibilities. Every time I think something negative I want to turn it into something positive.  I know that it's only going to make me happier and it's going to help me to be a better wife and mother.

"Life is short.  Always choose happiness."
xo
Kirby