Vacation's Over

The beach was beautiful.

The girls arrived on Saturday with Nana & Papa, but Hubs & I had to wait until late Sunday night to join them. There was already too little time for sand between our toes without cutting our trip short. It seemed to be over before we knew it.

We drove all day on Saturday, missing the coast but happy to be back to our house and our critters.

We were in the door a matter of minutes before we opened a letter with some really bad news. Like, more-financial-stress-than-we've-ever-faced kind of bad news. And, although it is completely fixable and based on a misunderstanding, it's something that we are still waiting to clear up because of this long holiday weekend. And it is something that added stress to an already stressful time for us.

I'm feeling anxious and discouraged and angry and helpless all at once. But I'm also trying to be grateful for what we do have. I'm thankful for safe travels and sweet family. I'm glad that we could enjoy ourselves on our trip instead of having this looming over us the whole time (although I still wish it hadn't smacked us in the face when we returned home).

A good friend reminded me that the most powerful thing I can do is to change my perspective. My morning planning/prayer time last month included reading the book of Job. All at once, he lost everything. Even then, God asked him to press on, to hold fast, and to admit that understanding everything that happens to us is a task far beyond us.

I'm ashamed to admit that I did not, and hardly ever do, react with the steadfastness of Job. Unless Job also curled up and cried on the floor of his shower. No? Didn't think so.

A few weeks ago, I shared this blog with you. Mondays are "Motivation Mondays" with a giveaway about taking action. I'm taking action this week; I'm adding a page to my morning binder to begin a gratitude journal. I want to remember how blessed I am, even in the middle of the crappy times.

And right now, before the girls get up from their naps, I'm going to close my eyes and pretend this is me:


Ah. Much better.