Sometimes I feel like I always complain, and that’s not a good feeling.

Let me write down the people who are a positive influence in my life.

I love my guys: Zander, Zevan and Doug. While they can be frustrating at times, I really cannot imagine my life without them.

Zander is super smart and clever. I know all moms say that, but I believe its true! How many other 2 ½ year olds do you know that can tell you an brachiosaurus from a diplodocus?

Zevan is walking! It’s sooooo cute. He just gets up in the middle of the room and starts walking to things now. He can say words, too, like duck, ball, blue. And if you ask him what a tiger says, he does the cutest little growl.

Doug works at a job he doesn’t enjoy so that I can stay home with the boys. He cooks dinner most nights and breakfast most weekend mornings. He gives them baths and watches them every Wednesday night so I can go climbing with May and go out to eat with her afterwards.

Doug’s parents (aka Grandma and Grandpa) are my lifesavers. On Mondays, the Zboys and I go over to their place for breakfast. Then Zander (and occasionally Zevan) stay there until 1:30 PM so I can run errands, or go home and work/do housework. On Wednesdays, the ZBoys and I spend the whole day there. We have breakfast, they watch one boy while I take the other to the library, we have lunch there, and the boys play, read, watch movies while I can either participate, or take the time to shop nearby, run errands, check my email, clean out my purse/restock the diaper bag. It’s FANTASTIC. And they are always happy to babysit for a date night or TV watching night with our friends. I don’t know what we would do without them. I am so thankful that they are nearby and such a loving, constant presence in the boys’ life.

I have great friends that keep me sane. Candy is enjoying new motherhood and still finds time to come over and watch our shows with me (Desperate Housewives & The OC). Doug and I go over and watch Battlestar Galactica with her and Mike. May and I climb together every week, then talk over a late snack/meal at Village Inn. As a mom of older kids (5 and 7), she gives me perspective. And we also have a chance to vent about life as a full time mom after working full time. We work through our issues together – if nothing else, we can vent to each other what we might not say to anyone else. Johanna is in the trenches with me – and our boys play pretty well together. I feel like we have similar parenting styles and political leanings, which is rare in this town.

My family, although not nearby, is very much a presence in my life. Berni is the closest, in Denver, and it’s fun to spend time together when she can visit. It’s really cool to have Lester in Denver right now, too. The boys love him and he is so great with them. I’m excited that Fran and Kimmie are going to have a new baby soon, but I’m sad that I’m not close enough to be a part of it. I’m still working on my parents to move out here, but now we have to wait for Dad to finish Deacon school. But they are a good influence for me and I love them a lot.

I have a good life. I really do. I’m really lucky. I just need to remind myself of that more often.