Thrive or survive?

Last Spring as we started gearing up for these years of Jason being in school and working, I found myself with the desire to not just survive this time, but to THRIVE through it.  This has been much easier said than done. In certain moments of clarity, I remember that this very well may be an easy time in life and that it's possible I may look back, wishing I had appreciated it more.

Then the daily grind of life sucks all thoughts of thriving right out of me ... how do you thrive through times that in the moment feel like you'll be lucky just to survive?

A thoughtful friend sent me this at the beginning of the winter season. Just seeing it sitting in the bathroom has made me feel better on many days -- knowing someone (in California) is thinking of me :)

Another bright spot has been this little cutie ...

Funny how a person can add stress while at the same time as being a tremendous stress-relief. Mabel turned five months earlier this month. I was laid out, flat sick the week of her birthday so the photo is a bit belated ... to be honest, if a friend  hadn't given me these stickers for her I probably wouldn't be doing any monthly pictures :)