Project Smile: I Survived October

Yesterday I crashed the car. Yep, I did. Thought the intersection was clear and pulled out... only to feel that sickening crunch as I smacked into another car. A high school student on her restricted license. A very sweet girl who mouthed at me through the window: "Are you OK?"

Thankfully no-one was injured. Thankfully we have insurance. But it kid of tops off what has been a bit of a tough month for me. October had some rough spots.

I survived panic attacks, verbal attacks, school holidays, brain fog, meltdowns and crazy hormones. Here I am still alive and kicking. Surely I must have to smile about that?

So I decided to break my blogging-during-the-day embargo and focus on Project Smile.

I really need to think hard and remember the things from the past month that were good. The things that made me smile and brightened my days. So in no particular order, here are my smiles for October (I'm gonna just start typing)...

• waking up to hear my Scrag singing the alphabet. He is Two Years Old.
• watching my six-year-old clean out my car so she can earn money to buy her brothers Christmas presents - totally her idea. She did an amazing job (and only wanted two dollars!)
• Another facial. Ahhh bliss.
• Putting the daybed in the carport outdoor living room. Hours of relaxing with a book while the kids play outside. Gotta be worth at least 11 smiles, that one.
• Spring sunshine. Spring blossoms. Spring in general.
• Discovering that the choc caramel slice at The Library Cafe is Gluten Free (and to die for)
• telling my hubby I crashed the car and getting nothing but support and love (technically in November but hey, I need a smile today)
• Hearing my nearly eight-year-old tell me that having me on his school trip made him "excited like a birthday"... I felt all kinds of wonderful right then
• Having 70% of my christmas shopping done in October
• Sweet Note from Miss Fab: "I am so sorry for being rude So came pletly"
• Sweet note from my lovely friend Meg... with DVD containing six episodes of the new (not in NZ yet) Greys Anatomy for me to watch. Oh I was smiling so wide my face nearly cracked.
• Submitting my first-ever article to NZ Parenting Magazine (publication in December) and getting an email back from the editor saying, "we are lucky to have you" HUGE GRIN that one

• Asking Scrag if he is ready for bed yet and hearing him say clear as the day, "Not yet, mum..."
• Hearing Scrag talk. He is speaking so well. He can count to ten!
• Watching him look at our family photos with a grin on his face as he points to each of us... "Mummy, Daddy, Doshy, Wubby, Nono and mahmah (grandma)..." He gets such a kick out of it. I can't help but feel all warm and fuzzy (awww look Project Smile is working! I am smiling just remembering him!)
• My husband. Who I have been married to for ten years tomorrow. We seem to be getting closer and closer lately. His arms around me make me feel so safe, which I've really needed. Man I love that guy.
• A Party for no reason. A Mother-Daughter Day. Smiles all round.
• Our Bright Light Party. What a wonderful night. Best Party Ever, I think. All those pretty lights made me smile so much. Warm fuzzies big-time.

Look at that list. What a lot I have to smile about. In spite of the things I've struggled with this month, there is so much to be thankful for in my world.

What did you have to smile about last month? {you can join in with Project Smile over at Alicia's Blog}