Wednesday, November 30, 2011

DAY THIRTY!

Today is the final day of my 30-Days-Of-Thankfulness Attitude of Gratitude blog series! It was been truly eye-opening to focus on the many wonderful blessings in my life.
Here is my list of blessings from the past month:
hand-me-downs and givers of clothing
yummy food
snuggly bed
health
LOVE 146 and Danielle/Craft4Love
family
technology
walks on a sunny November afternoon with my precious four-year-old son
listening to my children pray
laundry
Veterans
being told "I love you"
Jesus as my Savior
my church
being a stay-at-home-mom
healthy body & fitness
written words
MOPS
trip to NYC with my mom and my daughters
time with my hubby
crafts, especially knitting
tradition/family/remembering dear friends/teaching traditions to my children
rainy days
a treasured Thanksgiving
unseasonably warm weather
family time, working in the yard together
family traditions/Christmas decorating
quality one-on-one time with my children
special time with my sisters

And on this 30th day of thankfulness, here are the lyrics to a song found in a book my second grader brought home from her class library this week:
Grateful - A Song of Giving Thanks, by John Bucchino
I've got a roof over my head.
I've got a warm place to sleep.
Some nights I like awake counting gifts
Instead of counting sheep.
I've got a heart that can hold love.
I've got a mind that can think.
There may be times when I lose the light
And let my spirits sink...
But I can't stay depressed
When I remember how I'm blessed!

Grateful, grateful
Truly grateful I am.
Grateful, grateful
Truly blessed
And duly grateful.

In a city of strangers,
I've got a family of friends.
No matter what rocks and brambles fill the way,
I know that they will stay until the end.
I feel a hand holding my hand.
It's not a hand you can see.
But on the road to the promised land
This hand will shepherd me...
Through delight and despair,
Holding tight and always there.

Grateful, grateful
Truly grateful I am.
Grateful, grateful
Truly blessed
And duly grateful.

It's not that I don't want a lot,
Or hope for more or dream of more.
But giving thanks for what I've got
Makes me so much happier than keeping score.
In a world that can bring pain,
I will still take each change...
For I believe that whatever the terrain
Our feet can learn to dance.
Whatever stone life may sling,
We can moan...
Or we can sing!

Grateful, grateful
Truly grateful I am.
Grateful, grateful
Truly blessed
And duly grateful.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

twenty-nine days of being thankful

Today I am thankful for being able to spend an evening laughing with my sisters!!!! Last night, my middle sister, Amy, had a little Sing-Off Finale gathering...it was just Amy, our little sister, Kara, and me...and lots of yummy (naughty) food! We all love music, especially seriously great harmony that gives us HEAD TO TOE (why did we even bother to shave our legs?)GOOSEBUMPS! Last night did not disappoint, especially when the men of the Sing-Off covered Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run"!! We munched and talked and enjoyed and when the show was over, we spent another couple of hours talking and munching and laughing some more. I am so thankful that the three of us live within an hour or so of one another. I am thankful that, although we are all very different and we do not always agree on everything, we will always love one another deeply and honestly. We will always be there for one another, no matter what!

Monday, November 28, 2011

Day 28

Today I am thankful for time with my five-year-old daughter. I love all of my children, of course, but one-on-one time with my children, since I had four kiddos in five and a half years, can be hard to come by. Today, I just ran a few errands with my five-year-old...we dropped little brother off to preschool and then headed to the library. She helped me find the last book in the Mitford series I've been reading, and we picked out a couple of movies. She also asked to get a book in the fairy series she likes, as well as two American Girl books for herself and her sister. Next, we stopped at Aldi and filled our cart with groceries. My five-year-old is amazing at packing the bags afterwards, knowing just how to fit the cans in one bag, boxes in another, cold things in another. She is quite serious when it comes to working hard, and it makes me smile to watch her. We made one more stop at Walmart for the items Aldi doesn't carry, and then headed home. She started to decorate the "fancy tree" in the living room while I unpacked the groceries.
All of this may sound pretty ordinary, nothing terribly special, but today was a little bit different. I had just heard that a friend's five-year-old daughter was having surgery this morning...having her kidney removed and starting chemo due to Wilms Tumor Cancer. Today I am more grateful than ever for an "ordinary" day with my children!

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Twenty-Seven!!

Today I am thankful for family traditions. We are beginning to set up the Christmas trees tonight and everyone is very excited! The kids see decorations they remember from years past and eagerly ask to help with setting them out...
candles,
wreaths,
the nativity set,
a nesting snowman,
the reindeer,
cross-stitched towels,
the J-O-Y hangers,
the stockings.

Although I can be *a tad* controlling,
I am learning to
let
go
little
by
little,
and
I am seeing the joy in working together as a family.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Day 26

Today I am thankful for family time, working in the yard together. As the children get older, it's getting easier and easier for us all to pitch in and work as a family to build things and take care of our home. It's a great feeling, and now we can look out back and see what we accomplished together.

Friday, November 25, 2011

Twenty-Five Days of Thanks

Today I am thankful for unseasonably warm weather! It was a sunny and balmy day today, perfect for a run to CVS and back (had to print pictures for Christmas gifts and for my kindergartener's Star of the Week project.) It felt great to be wearing shorts and enjoying the sun on my face. After my run, I hooked up my phone to a set of speakers and cranked up the Christmas tunes while the girls helped me haul the outdoor decorations out front...our windows have been wreathed and burgundy bowed, the garage doors, side gate, mailbox and lamp post have been green garland'd and burgundy bowed. I'm leaving the lights up to hubby this year...he also has to get the reindeer set up and the giant wreath hung and spot-lit. Other than that, the outdoor Christmas decorating is DONE! And for the first time ever, I not only avoided freezing my fingers numb, I was wearing shorts the whole time!

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving! Day 24

Today is Thanksgiving Day. I am feeling SO overwhelmed with love, joy and thankfulness. I was able to spend today with my husband, my four children, my parents, my mom's parents, my sisters, their husbands, and my niece. We all shared in cooking for the gathering, and enjoyed a bounty of delicious food. My daughters sat with my grandmother and made pom-poms for their dolls' slippers. We talked and laughed. My older two children played the piano for the family. We took pictures. We savored our time. Together.

"Time never changes,
The memories, the faces
Of loved ones, who bring to me,
All that I come from,
And all that I live for,
And all that I'm going to be
My precious family
Is more than an heirloom to me."
- Heirlooms by Amy Grant

And I'm not just thankful.
I am thankful to God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, the Lord of Hosts, Alpha and Omega.
"Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost."

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

on the 23rd day of thanksgiving posts...

Today, I am thankful for rainy days. Crazy? I know! But I just love staying in jammies, sipping a hot beverage (coffee, tea, cocoa...love it all!), cozying up to the fireplace, listening to some relaxing music, enjoying the aroma of a burning candle, with some chili or soup simmering on the stove. Sunny days are wonderful, but there is something special about a rainy day.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

22 days of thankfulness

Today, as I stood at the kitchen sink with my younger two children, polishing silver in preparation for this Thursday's Thanksgiving gathering, I found myself incredibly thankful for several things:
Tradition.
Family.
Beautiful wedding gifts given by dear friends and family.
Special time spent teaching traditions to my children.
Inspiring music to listen to as we carried on with our task.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Twenty-One

Today I am thankful for handwork and crafts, specifically knitting. My grandmother learned to knit when she was four years old and has created thousands of amazing sweaters, hats, mittens, and the list goes on. She taught me to knit awhile back, and although I am not nearly the expert she is, I really enjoy knitting!!
Today, while my girls were at school, I was able to try the doll clothes I've been busily knitting, on the new American Girl dolls (just wanted to be sure they fit before I wrap them up to give the girls on Christmas). And guess what...they all fit and look beautiful! The only thing that will top this feeling will be to see their faces when their dolls are dressed as cheerleaders, wearing robes and slippers, or jogging suits with hoodies.
Do you have a crafty hobby? I definitely recommend picking one up!

Sunday, November 20, 2011

DAY 20

Today I am thankful for something very simple - time with my hubby. There are weeks when we are very busy, chasing kiddos, hurrying to events or meetings, hubby taking a side job here and there, the usual busyness of life. But connecting on the couch for a few minutes...sitting down to watch a show together...sharing a snack...knowing that although we aren't able to gaze lovingly into one another's eyes all day, we are a team and we are there for one another. After 12 years of marriage, we have a comfort in our routine, we are secure in one another. And I am very thankful for that! Time to have some popcorn and watch CSI with my man...

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Nineteen Days of Thankfulness

If you read my updates on facebook, then you know that today, I am thankful for an AMAZINGLY WONDERFUL trip to NYC with my mom and my daughters!! Today we went to the American Girl doll store...from train to subway to a lovely walk and back home again. Everything about today was magical...my girls have been ooohing and aaaahing over the American Girl catalog for years, and today they brought home Julie and Kanani as their very own dolls!! I have much more to say about our trip, and lots of pictures that I plan to make into a photo book for the girls, but right now, I need to get to bed. I am just so thankful to have made special memories with my mom and my girls!

Friday, November 18, 2011

Today is Day 18

Today I am thankful for my MOPS group at church. No, it's not a cleaning group. MOPS stands for Mother of Preschoolers and I began attending in October 2002, when my first baby was a six months old. I had first learned about MOPS from my post-part-um nurse. She strongly urged me to attend, explaining that MOPS is for moms of children ages birth to kindergarten. During a MOPS meeting, moms get to drop their children off to loving caregivers, then enjoy coffee or tea and a beautiful breakfast. Sometimes a guest speaker comes to share her heart. Other times, we may discuss a book. We have made some lovely crafts over the years at MOPS. Towards the end of the meeting, we usually break up into discussion groups to talk with and get to know a smaller group of ladies. The first time I attended a MOPS meeting, a sweet mom of older children approached me and asked me if she could hold my baby for me, so I could put down my purse, diaper bag, infant seat, etc. and fill out the paperwork to join the group. I remember staring at her in awe...I had been doing the mom thing on my own (with hubby, of course), but otherwise on my own for six months. My baby was colicky and screamed. A LOT. I had a hard time with all the crying and refused to accept help...I had to do it. Myself. But that day at MOPS, I let this other mom hold my fussy baby. I filled out the paperwork and then began to meet other moms in the group. I slowly relaxed and found that I wasn't alone! I developed deep friendships with many of the other moms, bonding over feelings of inadequacy, control issues, anger issues, perfection complexes, and all kinds of other "flaws". We learned to build one another up, to pray for one another, and to love one another as Jesus loves us. Today, I am much more confident as a mom...more relaxed, with better perspective. I can laugh at myself, and I think God has called me to reach out to new moms and share my story...to keep the love flowing...to continue to nurture and support others through the MOPS group.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Seventeen!

Today, as I listen to my four-year-old ask (again), "How do you spell ____?" and my five year-old-daughter exclaim, "Look, Mama! I wrote in my diary!", I am thankful for words! And specifically, the written word.
I have an avid reader (my nine-year-old),
a chapter-book reader (my seven-year-old),
a budding reader (my five-year-old),
and a very letter-conscious four-year-old.
All day long, I am bombarded with questions...
it doesn't matter if I'm making a meal,
cleaning the floor,
folding laundry,
or driving the van,
my kids are constantly asking me questions.
I admit it,
sometimes I get
ANNOYED
and
IMPATIENT.
Sometimes I just want
PEACE
and
QUIET,
time to think my own thoughts.
But today, I am amazed at their little minds and the way they have learned their letters, the way they put the letters together and become readers, spellers, writers!
As my four-year-old pointed out the other day, "Mom, did you know letters give you the power to read?!!"

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

16 Days!

I can't believe we're halfway through November already...that means I'm halfway through with my thankfulness posts! Now I'm beginning to worry I won't have time to say all I want to say! Maybe I should have planned it all out ahead of time...made a list first. Oh well, I've been going off the top of my head so far, so I guess we'll continue in that manner...
So today I am thankful for a healthy body! A body free of disease and a body capable of getting through the day easily. A body that has held inside it six babies. A body that has given birth to four of those babies. A body that has nursed and hugged those babies. A body that has grown bigger and gotten smaller. A body that has benefited from a new concept for this body - exercise! See a former post about how it all got started, but my body now (for the most part) complies with running 5K's, participating in exercise DVD programs like The 30 Day Shred, Ripped in 30, TurboJam and P90X. A body that, although it is approaching 40, is cooperating with getting in the best shape of its life. A body that is able to keep up with my busy children and enjoy physical activity with them. I am thankful to be alive!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Fifteen Days of Thankfulness

Today (actually every day) I am thankful that I am a stay at home mom!!! If you asked me when I was a child what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would have answered, "A mom." I am tremendously blessed to be doing what I always wanted to do...have children, nurse them, care for them, watch them take their first steps, teach them their first words, watch in amazement as they grow and explore. I have been there for all of it! Has every moment been blissful? NO!! Oh my goodness, sometimes I am so overwhelmed! But I know that God has given me this tremendous task and I need to rely on Him to make it through each day. I am grateful to my husband for going to work every day so that I can be here to cherish this time.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Day 13 & Day 14, all in one post

Yesterday got a little busy and I never got the chance to post my attitude of gratitude thought for day 13, so here's day 13 and day 14 all in one post:
Day 13 - I am thankful for my church! But before that, I am thankful for my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!! When I was four years old, I "asked Jesus to come into my heart"...in simple terms, I admitted I was a sinner and that I needed Jesus in my life. "All have sinned" - Romans 3:23. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life" - John 3:16. My parents were believers, and my mother's paternal grandparents had prayed for me before I was even more. There was a heritage, a legacy, a line of believers before me. I am so thankful for this!! My life hasn't been an entirely smooth ride, but I have always known that God loves me, that this world is temporary, and that I could look forward to eternity with God. That has given me peace and comfort as I would go through valleys here and there. And the following verse has helped my controlling nature let go a little: "I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you; to give you hope and a future" - Jeremiah 29:11

Day 14 - And now I can say how thankful I am for my church! When my first baby was born, in March of 2002, my postpartum nurse learned that I was going to be a stay at home mom, and that I was a fellow Christian. She excitedly told me about a MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) group at her church, and I, in turn, excitedly told my husband about the group and the church. In the summer of 2002, we visited that church for the first time and we felt like we belonged. The music was lovely, the gospel was being preached, the Bible was viewed as truth, and there were plenty of opportunities to serve, fellowship and grow. Over the years, we've participated in a terrific adult Bible fellowship group, we've enjoyed learning and bonding with other families via several in-home Bible studies, I sang on the worship team for awhile, I've participated in the MOPS group since October 2002, I have been baptized there, and last November, my hubby and oldest daughter were baptized together. My husband went on his first-ever mens' retreat this past January, and he's in the middle of an excellent mens' group study. Over the years, we have seen changes - some minor, some major, and we've weather some storms, witnessing true suffering in others' lives, yet we've witnessed tremendous blessing as well. I am thankful to have a church family and pastors who know me and love me, who love my husband and my children.

Saturday, November 12, 2011

On the 12th Day of Thankfulness...

Today, my four-year-old son came running up to me,
grabbed me around the legs
and gleefully proclaimed,
"I love you, Mama! Sooooo much!"
He did this AT LEAST twenty times throughout the day.
And I melted.
Every time.
Today I am thankful for my family, for my loving four-year-old, for the words "I love you" and for the way I feel when I hear them spoken to me.

Friday, November 11, 2011

11/11/11 and It's Day 11 of Thankfulness

Today is Veteran's Day and I am thankful for all who have served and who continue to serve. My father, both of my grandfathers, my husband's grandfathers, friends near and far, and brave people I have never met...thank you all for your courage and your dedication.

Here are a few quotes I found fitting for today:
"Freedom is never free." -Author Unknown

"When our perils are past, shall our gratitude sleep?" -George Canning

"Courage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live taking the form of readiness to die." -G.K. Chesterton

"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave." -Elmer Davis

"Courage is fear holding on a minute longer." -George S. Patton

"It is easy to take liberty for granted, when you have never had it taken from you." -Unknown

Here are the lyrics to "Thank You, Soldier" by Angela and Michael Souders
"When I lay my head down every night
and go to sleep in peace,
I can stay there knowing all is well
While you're standing on your feet.
Keeping watch, protecting shore to shore
In the air and oceans, too
Defending freedom at all cost,
For the red, white and the blue.
Thank you, Oh thank you
Men and women, brave and strong
To those who served so gallantly
We sing this grateful song.
To the soldiers who have traveled on
to countries far and near
In peace and war you paid the price
For the cause you hold so dear.
That we may wake each morning bright
And know that freedom rings
Because of your great sacrifice
Your country joins to sing...
Thank you, Oh thank you!"

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Attitude of Gratitude, Day 10

Today I am thankful for laundry! Crazy? No! I love the people who wear all those clothes I get to wash, dry, fold, and put away every day. I am thankful that I don't have to wash laundry by hand!! I am thankful I don't have to haul the laundry to a laundromat! I am thankful that my washer and dryer are in my home, a few steps from my family room. When I think "I GET to do this laundry" rather than "I HAVE to do this laundry," my whole perspective changes. And there are very few things more cozy than a pile of warm laundry right out of the dryer.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Thankfulness, Day Nine

Today I am thankful that I can listen to my children pray! Here is what my four-year-old son said at bedtime tonight:
"Dear Lord,
Thank You for the great day we had. Thank You for preschool. Thank You for a lovely dinner. Thank You for playing with me outside. Thank You for church tonight. Thank You for Jesus and for trust and love. Thank You for our hearts. Thank You for my mom and dad and our house too. Please help Mrs. G. to feel all better soon. And help me sleep til eight-oh-oh like mommy says.
In Jesus' name, Amen."

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Counting Blessings - Day 8

Today I am thankful for walks on a sunny November afternoon, crunching in the leaves, with my precious four-year-old son! I could go on and on about all I love about my little guy, but I took a mental picture of him today, one I will treasure for ever: he had on a brown and orange striped hooded shirt and brown corduroy pants. His blonde hair, cut in a "mushroom" style haircut, was gleaming in the sun. He belly-laughed as he ran as fast as he could go, looking back to see if I was keeping up with him. He would leap and jump, skip and hop, laughing all the way. I love all the joy, wonder, excitement, energy, and love of that little boy. What a blessing!

Monday, November 7, 2011

Seven Days - Attitude of Gratitude

Today I am thankful for modern technology. I know, I know, it seems silly, even a little petty and small, but I'm serious: being able to stay in touch with family and friends around the world is so easy and such a blessing thanks to technology. My grandfather sends a daily email to us and it is such a joy to read his thoughts and to share a piece of his day. Some people find facebook to be a terrible thing, but I have found it to be a quick place to share (an idea, a photo, a recipe, a praise, a prayer request). I have shared my faith on facebook and I have actually received private messages from self-professed atheists and agnostics asking me to pray for family members and friends. It has truly been a tool that has built bridges and opened doors. I'm not saying that sitting in front of a computer for 24 hours a day 7 days a week is a good thing, nor should communication via technology replace all face to face contact. Like all things, moderation is important. But as a stay-at-home-mom, I have been affirmed, inspired, challenged and motivated by others as we share on facebook or via blogs. I am very thankful for the ease and convenience of modern day technology!

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Day 6 - Being Thankful

Oh today was a delightful day! I could list hundreds of things I'm thankful for, but I'm going to narrow it down to one thing: FAMILY! Family is usually thought of as the group into which you are born, but I think it can also be a close group of friends, or even your church. Today, I will talk about the blessings of my blood-family...the one into which I was born.
I was blessed to be born into a loving family, with great-grandparents who prayed for me before I was born! In my lifetime, I was able to meet three of my great-grandparents and I have enjoyed time spent with three of my grandparents for most of my life...my mom's parents are still a vital part of my life!! My mother's father's Facebook updates and comments, as well as his daily emails, are such a treasure! His calm, patient ways are a marvel to me. My mother's mother taught me to knit, as well as to appreciate music and rainy days. She spent hours playing the piano while I sat beside her and sang, and she also played dolls with me. Now, she enjoys watching my daughters play with the dolls in which I once delighted. My father's mother taught me about being a Republican and how to play many card games. She also took me to England when I was nine and I remember our trip like it was yesterday!
My parents are both very loving, giving people. They have shown me the meaning of unconditional love by the way they love one another and the way they love me. They have servants' hearts and they inspire me every day.
My sisters are gifts...even if I had moments growing up when I wanted to be an only child, I know that my sisters have loved me and will love me in good times and bad. They have my back. They can be more honest with me than anyone else, and they love me, knowing my faults. Now that we are older, we appreciate our differences and we can see how we complement one another.
I am so very thankful that I was born into such a special group of people.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Give Me Five!

I have to say, I'm really enjoying counting my blessings! It certainly accents the positive and helps adjust the attitude.
Today, day five, I am thankful for an amazing woman named Danielle, for her dedicated team of helpers, and for what they are doing to help the Love 146 campaign. Please go to www.love146.org to learn more about how to END child sex slavery and exploitation! Today, Danielle and her team organized a fabulous day for crafty ladies..."Craft4Love" started at 9:30 with a delicious spread of breakfast. We were shown exquisite samples of gorgeous crafts. Then Danielle described a craft, we were given supplies, and we sat 6 to a round table and worked on the given craft. We started by wrapping a wreath with yarn and making felt flowers to decorate the wreaths. Next, we used book pages to make Christmas trees. Before we knew it, it was time for a very tasty lunch, catered by Carrabba's. After lunch, a guest speaker from the Love 146 group shared a video and some practical ways we could help do our part to end sex slavery and exploitation. When he was finished, Danielle explained our next crafts...fabric flower pins, rosette earrings, a rosette necklace, several very pretty ornaments, and a beautiful bunting. By 4pm, it was time to head home, with our arms full of beautiful crafts, along with some very special treats.
It was very satisfying to make the crafts...
relaxing to visit with friends...
and mind-blowing to think that the Craft4Love day had raised $1740 to help end sex slavery and exploitation!
I am thankful for Danielle and her team, for Love 146, and for the safety and security I have had and continue to have in my life.

Friday, November 4, 2011

Day Four - Being Thankful

I waited until the end of the day to write this one...I've counted so many blessings all day, but today, it's my health. After praying at MOPS this morning for several young moms with cancer, another young lady with kidney failure, and a kind and giving woman recently diagnosed with cancer and then having a stroke, I can't help but be overwhelmed with sadness for them and for their families, while feeling very thankful for my own health. I started with either a cold or bad allergies this afternoon and spent about two minutes feeling sorry for myself, that I had to go upstairs to get the motrin, the allergy medicine and the air-borne. I quickly snapped out of it and was thankful it was just a runny nose and sneezing! I have also watched close friends lose their precious children due to cancer and other terrible diseases. Each night as I tuck my children into bed, I thank God for keeping my children and my family healthy. This is something I never want to take for granted.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Thankfulness, Day Three

Today I am incredibly thankful for my bed! I know, kind of silly, but really...I love my bed! I am thankful for my warm house, for my cozy bedroom and bed, which I share with my strong, snuggly husband. I am thankful for the beautiful comforter my parents gave us as a wedding gift. I am thankful for the cherry sleigh bed and matching pieces, which hubby and I shopped for and picked out together years ago, as we planned our wedding. I am thankful for my squishy (flat!) pillow, which is gentle on my tweaky neck. I am thankful that I can sleep in safety, that when I close my eyes at night, I can truly rest peacefully. I am not outdoors on the ground. I do not have to worry that malaria-carrying mosquitoes will bite and infect me. I do not have to fear that snakes, scorpions or tarantulas will crawl into my bed. I do not sleep with a pager next to my bed, waiting for a middle-of-the-night call of duty. I do not have to stay awake all night, guarding my family. I can sleep with my feet warming against my husband's toasty legs, knowing that God is in control, and that I am incredibly blessed.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Counting My Blessings, Day Two

Today I am thankful for food!!! We have so much more than we NEED and isn't it amazing to walk into the local grocery store and see all the color and variety in the produce section alone?!! I'm thankful for herbs and spices, for recipes, for the friends (real and cyber) who share delicious ideas. I'm thankful for the family members I have who (usually) happily eat whatever I set before them. I'm thankful for the Giver of this bounty, for the farmers and all who work to get the food from its origin to my local stores. I LOVE to eat and I'm thankful I can do so. Here are some of my favorites:
chocolate
chocolate + peanut butter
coffee
peppermint mocha creamer
lobster
Pancho's salsa
Olive Garden's black tie mousse cake
mexican food
italian food
that nasty i'm-not-really-cheese sauce stuff in a jar that you pour on nachos
nacho chips (the kind that turn your fingers orange) with french onion dip
fresh fruit (berries!!)
I could go on and on, but guess what...I need to go check on tonight's dinner (taco soup) simmering away on the stove!

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Attitude of Gratitude Challenge

It's November 1st and I've noticed many "I'm thankful for..." posts on facebook today. That's wonderful! I love reading about blessings! So I've decided to challenge myself to update my blog every day (gulp, every day?!) for the month of November. There is no maximum or minimum on post length, but I want to be conscious of the many blessings in my life.
So here we go:
day 1 - I am thankful for each person who has helped provide my family with clothing. Over the past nine years, we have received many, many bins of hand-me-downs from friends and neighbors, and I truly do not know what we would do without these "mini Christmases"! My parents and in-laws, as well as my sisters, have been generous giving my children new clothing...and they've been thoughtful in asking us what the kids NEED (snowpants, coats, shoes, etc.) Although I admit to being overwhelmed when changing over the clothes from season to season (hauling bags, boxes and bins out of the attic), it's been a joy to not have to spend money on new clothing!! We have much more than we "NEED" and I am very grateful.
* On a related note, I am extremely happy to have a washer and dryer, which get daily workouts!