Old You Versus New You

So, having children has changed my life - no news there.  But just how much?

Before I had Mini, I was a 20 year old kid who still lived at home with her parents and whose greatest responsibility was choosing what to wear for the day.  I had a boyfriend whom I saw when he was free.  I had disposable income.  I could get away with not wearing a bra.  I was studying for my first course with the Open University, looking for work and still had acres of time to myself.  I read several books a week.  I watched films for pleasure.  I bought clothes and CDs (that's pretty much all I bought, to be honest).  I had no outgoings.  I wasn't that happy really.

Now, I am a 23 year old mother of two beautiful children whose wellbeing and happiness is my greatest responsibility.  I have a partner for life whom I see every day; we live together in our own little home.  Disposable income is a thing of the past.  I really should always wear a bra.  I am studying for my third course with the OU, looking for work, cleaning the house, caring for the children, cooking...I rarely have time to myself.  I read a couple of pages of a book at night just before I go to sleep.  I generally only watch films that are certificated U.  The biggest clothes I buy are aged 18-24 months.  I have many outgoings (more than my income can cope with most of the time).  I am the happiest I have ever been.

So yes, having children has changed my life - I am finally a very happy, proud, fulfilled person.  Thank you, Mini.  Thank you, Sunshine.  I love you. 

Gratitude

I know I did my reasons to be cheerful just a few days ago, but have been reading the latest entry over at Kooky Boutique and thought I would compile by own gratitude list:

1:-  Daddy is better - he is still having back troubles but is in less pain than last week.

2:-  Mini and Sunshine are both healthy and happy.

3:-  The weather has been good enough to hang washing outside to dry.

4:-  There is a new series of Family Guy just started on BBC3

5:-  We need to go food shopping tomorrow, which means we will have nice things in the cupboard for a couple of days (these will soon disappear though and we will be left with pasta and tinned tomatoes again, ho hum).

So, there's my little list, but do you know what I'm most grateful for at the moment?  That I could easily make that list a lot longer.  Happy days!