Ok, so one of my good friends announced yesterday that she is 5 weeks pregnant. And while I am happy (really and truly) for her, especially because she suffered a miscarriage with her first pregnancy, I am also jealous and disappointed that it's not me. The jealousy is pretty minor (although definitely there, lurking grimly and unattractively in my subconscious), but the disappointment that it is not me who is pregnant has been more prominent.

I am trying to remember that my life is a work in progress, and I don't know what's around the bend. I have had other times in my life when I have despaired of things ever getting better, and eventually, every time, they have. I'm not optimistic enough to be able to believe with certainty that I will have biological kids, but I know that one day, within the next few years, I will be a parent.

And, I am going to practice feeling lucky with all the good things I have in my life, as someone else suggested in a blog I read the other day. Here's my list:

1. I have an AMAZING husband. No exaggeration. He has been so incredibly supportive through the last 8 months (and, of course, at other times too!) And I met him during a time when I felt I might never meet the "right one." Just goes to show...

2. I have a loving and supportive family. When I told my mother I was going to start the testing process, she emailed me to tell me that I was not alone, and that she would support me in any way she could.

3. I have some really great, true friends. Again--couldn't ask for better.

4. I have a really, really sweet dog. He's very good natured and loving, and makes us laugh all the time with his "cute dog" tricks. My husband swears he has them written down somewhere on a crib sheet.

5. I love my profession. I don't make a ton of money, but I enjoy my job about 98% of the time. Some days I even adore it!

6. I have a house that is a great fixer-upper. And, I love DIY projects. To date, I have put in 3 beds (for plants, not to sleep on), painted the kitchen and bathroom, and am going to help a friend of ours retile the bathroom next month.

7. I am a good dancer.

8. I have been able to live in another culture for 2 years, learning the language and being able to really experience what it was like to live there.

Is that enough? I could probably go on, but I think the list would start getting inane, with entries such as, "I've never had lice," or "I can make a mean tuna casserole." (that last one is not true, by the way. I have never made a casserole of any kind, as far as I am aware, and intend to keep it that way).