Crappy to Happy

My daughter woke up around 5a.m. creeping into my room, "soff blankie"  and cup in hand, wanting a drink, and pretty much wanting to get up for the day. I was like, "Forget it and go back to bed!"

Then, around 6a.m. she was back up again, this time for good. I was not happy about this. I was tired because I had a terrible night's sleep. I was angry because she interrupted the little sleep I was getting (why do I always seem to get my best, most restful sleep between the hours of 5 and 8 a.m?) I marched her into the living room, turned on some cartoons for her, covered her up with her soff blankie and went back to bed.

She then comes in, throwing a MAJOR screaming hissie fit because she doesn't want to watch Go Diego, Go. But I tried to explain to her (in a not so sweet tone) that nothing else was on so early in the morning and that she'd have to watch Diego. She did not like that, screamed at me and got in BIG trouble.

What a great start to my day...being woke up and having to discipline my child all before the sun came up. A few minutes later, my husband was up for work, showering and getting ready, so he checked on her because I sent her back to the living room, crying.

I was angry this morning. The more I lay in bed, the angrier I became. Have you ever woke up, first thing in the morning, with just the worst attitude?

But the truth is, my daughter getting up before the chickens didn't set it off, I had already decided before I went to bed last night that I was going to dread the next day. I had so much to do and didn't know how to get it all done, so I decided last night that I was going to have a miserable day. My little one's early start only magnified my poor attitude. It wasn't her fault.

So, I got up to make her some breakfast, muttering, "Help me Jesus, help me Jesus, help me Jesus," because I knew I was going to explode if I didn't get some assistance. After I made her breakfast, I had every intention of going back to bed to pull the covers over my head and wish the previous few hours away, but I didn't.

Luckily, I had set the "delay brew" feature on the coffee pot the night before, so there was fresh, hot coffee right there waiting for me. I poured a cup and added real cream and a little Splenda...it was heavenly. Then I got dressed. It's amazing what putting on clothes will actually do for your mood.

I then opened up the laptop and immediately went to facebook. I started typing, "Ugh! What a crappy start to the day," intending on whining to everyone. But something stopped me mid-type and I deleted that and instead wrote, "Just woke up feeling incredible! Hallelujah for a great morning!" 


I wasn't being "fake" on facebook, I was battling the devil and his sour puss attitude with JOY (something I had just posted about on fb the day before)! And it worked! I started feeling less irritated and crabby and began feeling hopeful.

Then God sent me a laugh to lighten my mood even more! My daughter came in my room after using the potty, needing me to wipe her bottom (she hasn't quite go that down yet), so I did. And as I was wiping, she walked away, leaving a big wad of tissue stuck to her bottom like a bunny tail. She started giggling, "I have tissue tail." I just giggled right along with her...it really was cute. I finished wiping her and promised that as soon as I finished on the computer, we'd play. She skipped away excited and has left me alone (for the most part) to write this.

A few minutes later I got a text from my husband that said,

"I prayed that God would give you joy unspeakable today. Your mood really does set the tone in our house, so make sure you own that joy! I love you. :)"

So that did it! That put me over the edge from crappy to happy! I begged Jesus to help me first thing this morning when I was struggling, and in a matter of minutes, He sends me little clues to let me know that He is with me and that He gave me this day to be glad in if I would just choose to be.

So, I rejoice today, knowing that I am alive, have a wonderful husband and a beautiful sweet, well rested child and a beautiful home to take care of. I own it...and I own this joy!