I'm back with an update about my first week in the gratitude challenge. Below are the daily highlights.

November 2

I dropped Gardner off at daycare this morning and thought about how lucky I am that he has really great teachers at school. Today I'm grateful for those that care for my son each and every day because well... I like being a working parent. 

November 3

Today I'm grateful to work with such amazing people. I'm so lucky to have a great support staff around me and a great supervisor that always has my back, but challenges me in all the right ways. It's great to be part of such a great team. 

November 4

Free events! Like so many parents on a budget I'm always on the search for free and/or cheap activities to take the kids to. Our hometown had exactly what I needed on Saturday with the NC Whirligig Festival. With 6 blocks of vendors, food, inflatables, and music it was the perfect thing to do with the kids (even if it came with some toddler meltdowns along the way). 

November 5

Sundays always begin with church and this Sunday was no exception. I am so grateful to be surrounded by a great church family and friends who have such great perspective and often understanding of what we all go through on a regular basis. It's a short reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the week and makes me appreciate why we all need community and rest. 

November 6

Now that the time has changed it's dark when I get home. Thinking about having to cook is already a chore, but when you have leftovers it makes dinner so easy. So today I'm grateful for leftovers that fill my lunchbox and make dinner easier. 

November 7

Exercise is my gratitude of the day. Three days a week I head out at lunch for a 50 minute workout. It's not always easy, but I'm usually glad I did. I'm currently part of a pregnancy study which gives me some extra motivation. As a byproduct, I get some extra energy too. I'm grateful to have joined this study and be able to exercise every week.