Miserable and grumpy to fresh and thankful

I had the blahs yesterday. I was so blue that I wrote my mom an email that went something like this:

Uggh
I have the blahs tonight.
I haven’t exercised in months.
My canker wont go away.
I have under-grounders like a teenager.
Cleaned the whole house over the weekend like a mad women and it already looks like a disaster. Having couples book club at my house on Thursday… going to have to clean and scrub everything- AGAIN.
The carpet looks so dingy.
Loosing patients with the kids. Can’t seem to get them in bed on time.
Back hurts. Probably from sitting here so LONG.
Skipping a school meeting tomorrow. Feeling guilty.
Wish I was relaxing and watching HGTV but it’s monday night football.
Sigh.

Don’t you have those sorts of days and all you want to do is tell your mom about it. She sent me back a comforting email full of love and emoticons. How funny. Today I’m doing much better.

In fact, when my friend, Amy picked up Isaac for preschool I asked her what she was going to do today…

“Going hiking with you!” was her reply. How did she know I needed to get out. I guess she needed it too so we dropped off the boys, bundled all up because it was a very blustery day, strapped Leah on, and off we went.

We drove to the closest trail head and headed up. And up. And Up the trail. It was such a steep hike and super windy. My hair was whipping all around. I was huffing and puffing from the steep incline and my legs soon start burning. I kept telling myself I need the exercise and to keep going. Amy is a hiking machine and took Leah on her back for a little bit but then she was huffing and puffing too. Ha. That extra 25 pounds makes a big difference when hiking straight up a mountain.

The wind calmed down at the top and we stopped to look around when we hit a small rock outcrop. It was so pretty up there. The view of the Salt Lake City valley was breathtaking. We climbed high enough to make the houses and cars miniature and to touch the line where the rain from yesterday had fallen as snow. We were far enough away to feel secluded and hadn’t pasted a single soul. Simply wonderful, I tell you.

The sun was shinning through the clouds making poka-dotted spots of bright sunshine all over the deep fall colors of the valley. The sun would occasionally hit our faces like a warm blanket as clouds moved on. We were all alone up there on the great big hill. As I stood there looking around my frustrations melted away. I felt such gratitude for the people who love me… my mom, my good friend who feels more like a sister. What a difference yesterday felt like to today.

This life isn’t so miserable. The feelings from yesterday were shaken off and pounded into the dirt of that great mountain. It left me feeling fresh and thankful. I really shouldn’t complain about my pimples and messy house when I have so many wonderful things around me. Such sweet children who make those messes, a husband who takes such good care of us and this beautiful world all for me to enjoy.

On the hike down it started hailing on us a little bit but none of us cared, including Leah. The white mysterious balls of ice just seemed to add magic to the place. There is something present there that is more grand than us and we were only there on a visit.