mothers' day gratitude

Mothers' Day made me feel very grateful this year.  We went for a nice bike ride along Lake Washington on the first Bicycle Sunday of the year.

Some things I appreciate:

• my healthy and happy kids
• Jack for so many reasons
• my parents and in-laws who help us out sooo much, have such good relationships with our kids and hold back the criticism they must harbor for our messy house and whatever ways they think we're parenting wrong.
• work, in a way.  I've had some tough days since going back post-Dd, but for the most part I feel valued and I appreciate the 5 months I took off and 80% schedule I've had for a few months now.  I think it will matter more when they are older but I recently remembered that I want my kids to know that I do skilled and interesting work outside of parenting.
• our home, which remains a work in process but brings me joy
• parts of myself.  At the moment this includes my body which can handle as many vegetables as I can consume, has no allergies, and is making all the milk for Dd.  Although postpartum mental health issues can come up even after the first few months, I am feeling good, thankfully.
• my kindle, which is usually on airplane mode with an endless seeming supply of Outlander novels to consume