About a month ago I was in an interesting mental and emotional space, my mom noticed it and challenged me to write out a list of all of my blessings(at least the ones I could recounts over the last two years. Once I got started I never actually made it to 2017 and it took up half of my day. As I sat reflecting on my list I was extremely appreciative of her challenge to me. As a single mom it’s so easy to focus on the hurdles of parenting and your situation until you forget to be thankful for your blessings. Since then not only have I been more cognizant of my blessings and acknowledging when I’m thankful and appreciative of others but some things have transpired that I am just thankful for. Check out my latest list of things I’m thankful for:

1) I’m officially comfortable on my own skin. The day before Thanksgiving my son’s daycare hosted it’s annual Pre-Thanksgiving Play and Luncheon. I’m pretty sure I was the only single parent there, and if I wasn’t I was certainly the only person there by myself. The other parents brought the whole family, and knew parents of other children. Now last year this situation would’ve made me so uncomfortable but this year I gave not one care(inserts shrug). I was so cool with it, I recorded his play; sat and ate lunch and even mingled with the other parents. It just felt great to be comfortable in my skin!! Huge accomplishment and blessing!

2)I’m thankful that while I think I’m ready to attempt another relationship I refuse to rush into something just to say I’m with someone! This is another huge blessing for me. In my 20s I would’ve rushed into a relationship or started talking to a million different people just because I “felt ready”. In my 30s I’ve learned that feeling ready and waiting patiently for the right person are totally different things. There are people interested in me but our goals don’t match up so there’s no point in wasting my time. At this stage in my life I want to take my time, not waste my time, and actually listen to and watch people before I hop into anything. Major growth!

3)Rejection! Another thing I’m grateful for lolbs! I had a gentleman tell me he didn’t see us getting married and starting a family. I am SO happy he said that in the “getting to know you phase.” Again I’m dating (at some point) to eventually marry, if you can’t see yourself marrying me because I already have a kid we don’t even need to date. Thank you for not wasting my time. #movingforward

4)Selectivity! I’m a some what new Real Estate agent and well holiday season can be a tad slow. With my son’s birthday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas approaching I started looking for part time gigs in September. As of Veteran’s Day I still hadn’t found anything. Normally the thought of not having a job and knowing all of that was approaching would’ve caused a sheer panic leading me to take whatever came my way. That wasn’t the case this year. I had set parameters that needed to be met and I wasn’t willing to budge on those boundaries. Instead of panicking and acting out of fear I turned down interviews and offers that didn’t meet my criteria. I took my time, stayed focused, stuck to a strict budget and the week before Thanksgiving was blessed with a job that fits my criteria. The opportunity is perfect and I’m glad I didn’t panic.

5)Cuddle Moments: I confess I was not a huge fan of my son sleeping in my bed even a few months ago. He has a bed, I have a bed, I wanted him to stay in his bed….besides he sleeps wild as the devil. I realized at the beginning of this month that he’s only getting older. Soon he won’t want to sleep with me, or have me around. Once I realized that I began to enjoy our co-sleeping way more. He won’t always be young, and he won’t always be infatuated with his mommy! I’m gonna enjoy this.

ok guys I have to get ready for a quick tour, promise to come back and close this out. There are about 5 more things I’m thankful for.