So I'm trying to be grateful.....

for the changes in our lives. As most of you probably know, Brian was laid off work 2 weeks before our little sunshine baby was born. And I had to go back to work when she was only 6 weeks old. So needless to say, the joyful arrival of our baby girl has been surrounded by some pretty stressful times in the Barnhart house. But, amidst all of that, we have seen some amazing blessings, so I am going to list them out in case some time in the (near) future I need reminding of why life could be worse...

Top 5 blessings of Brian being the stay-at-home- parent
1. He cooks alot more. I am not a good cook and even less talented at getting dinner on the table at the same time (or even close) every night. He is a very good cook and also good at reminding me that it is 6:30 and we have no idea what's for dinner.
2. He fosters the kids independence far more than I do, and they thrive on doing things themselves. Jacob and Austin can do things on their own that I never knew they could, simply because I never stopped doing it for them.
3. We finally have the opportunity to spend quality family time together, something sorely lacking all the years we have worked opposite schedules.
4. More time for house projects, too...
5. The revelation that Brian does know how to fold laundry after all. :)

Top 5 blessings of me being back at work
1. I have a job to go to, which in this economy is blessing enough in itself.
2. I work with one of my best friends, who has been an enormous amount of emotional support on those days when I just don't feel like I can make the whole balance thing work.
3. My management team has been extremely supportive as well. I can do what I want when I want and/or need to and no one questions me.
4. My kids will one day (I hope) recognize the value of my work ethic.
5. There's nothing like the feeling of being greeted at the door every day by two little boys so happy to see me they fall over themselves to get to me. (At this age Leah is only excited to see parts of me.)