Silver Linings...

This has been a heck of a week. Life has tried hard to break me but I prevailed - mostly. It is Friday at 7 pm and I made it through this week with only a few tears. Honestly I don't know what that means but right this moment, I feel pretty tough and don't think my plans of ruling the world have been compromised at all.

The week started with an unplanned trip to the doctor's office. After a weekend of tight belly and pelvic pressure, I headed to the doctor. All was well but considering how the end of pregnancy #1 went, I feel like we may be in for a ride in the next few weeks. We are excited to meet the little one but just not yet. He needs to cook a little longer and honestly, we need to get ready for his arrival.

On Tuesday morning at 6 am, I stepped on the elliptical, opened the iPad, and read a message that a dear friend had died the night before. He and his wife are very special to Jason and me. They were there when we starting dating, they were there to celebrate our engagement, they were there to celebrate our wedding, and still when Jackson was born. We spent Christmas with them for several years and had countless laughs and fun times. I had Rocky Top on the way home Tuesday night and couldn't help but smile because we spent a lot of time watching Vol Football together. I haven't fully absorbed it yet. At some point in the near future, I will sit down and cry - a lot. We hadn't seen them a lot in the last year. Life stresses last year had really forced Jason and I to keep to ourselves and just make it through each week. Now, I regret not seeing him more and I hope he knows how much I loved him. I hope she knows how much I love her and I have been thinking about her and praying for her.

The rest of the week has been a blur. Bad news or potential bad news here and there and just nothing really going right.  Throw in 34+ weeks of pregnancy and a ton of hormones and I am grateful that I made it through. And, I am tired. I am at that point where I don't sleep and even if I do, I am tired. It is part of the territory and I need to get in a habit of taking more naps since a full night of sleep isn't really possible.

Silver lining time. Even with the week being so terrible, there was good. I had been voted as the Class Rep for Leadership Knoxville meaning that I will serve on the LK Board. I attended my first board meeting as a guest and am so excited to be part of the group and so, so honored that my classmates chose me to represent the Best Class Ever. I have also been asked to serve on the Community Advisory Board for Junior League of Knoxville and I made it to a reception for that group as well. I am honored to be chosen and even more thrilled to get to work with a dear friend of mine over the next two years.

Even better silver linings....our friends. We were blessed to receive gifts for Baby Altman by my fellow CHC Members on Thursday morning and I came home to gifts from one of my long time best friends that afternoon. Today, Jason and I were surprised to receive gifts for the littlest Altman from my co-workers who have all quickly become great friends. I am so thankful for all of the wonderful people in our life.

And the best silver lining....it is Friday and we have no plans for the next two days and I get to spend every minute with the two loves of my life. We are watching Henry Hugglemonster now and will get Chocolate milkshakes to celebrate the end of the week. When the rest of the day or week isn't fun, Altman and Little Altman always make me feel happy and content.

So, bring it on June. I made it through the first week and won't give up easily. I have a great husband, great kid, another kid on the way, and a fantastic support system all around. So, while life isn't always fun, there are always silver linings and blessings and I am one blessed lady.