Simple Abundance

I have recently decided to re-read Sarah Ban Breathnach's Simple Abundance. I love this book and it really brings in to focus what is important and how to rid myself of things that are weighing me down. In particular, I love taking a moment, at the end of each day, to write down 5 things I am grateful for each day. This simple task forces me to recognize all of the amazing things that happen throughout the day and, in turn, become a more positive person.

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow."

~Melody Beattie~

A new tradition...

Justin and I have recently started a new dinnertime tradition with the kids. After we say grace, we go around the table and each share a "gratitude" and try to think of at least one way we helped someone else that day. The idea is to start focusing on being more grateful and focusing on others and not just ourselves.

It really is so sweet to hear some of the things they come up with and it really showcases their different personalities. Tonight, Sophie was thankful for the chicken that gave it's life so that we could have dinner {always the animal lover}; Hannah was thankful for her friends; Bella was thankful for her family; and Mia was thankful for the curve that God put in her foot that allows her to dance. As for ways in which they helped others, Sophie talked about helping clean up in the lunch room; Hannah helped a friend with some school work; Bella also helped a friend with some school work and Mia helped a friend on the playground.

There are moments as a parent that you find such profound joy and gratitude. For me, tonight was definitely one of those moments!

Thankfulness in December

WOW! As I often do, I fell off the map for a weeks. I didn't even finish my "thankful series" so, even though it's not the same, I'm going to take a moment and list those things that would have completed the list.

1. Our home - a wonderful life is lived in this home

2. Our Families - we are fortunate to a have large extended families and that kind of love is irreplacable.

3. Wyoming - it's a gorgeous state to be able to call home!

4. Holidays - I love holidays and all the joy they bring!

5. Traveling - near or far, I love being able to get out there and see the world.

6. The Internet - how lucky are we to live in a day and age where we have this phenomenal resource at our fingertips.

7. Facebook - maybe a little cheesy but, I have reconnected with so many old friends that I truly am thankful for it!

8. Food, Clothing, Water - it's easy to look around and see those less fortunate, those that are struggling and everyday I am thankful that we can provide these basics for ourselves and our children.

9. Washing Machine & Dryer - although laundry is the bain of my existence, I can't imagine life without these modern day machines.

10. Knowledge - knowledge is power and I love that I always have the ability to further my own knowledge of any thing, at any time.

11. The Learning Tree Preschool - after 9 wonderful years, we are closing our doors. It's been a great run Amy, full of memories that I wouldn't trade for anything!

12. Jennifer - I've been lucky in my life to have many great friends. And then along came you; a friend that was immediately more than just that. You are like a sister to me and I feel blessed that we found each other!

13. My husband - he's my best friend and the only person I would want to walk through this life with.

14. LOVE

Today I am thankful for...

JEN

Sister, friend & styling guru! You are like
the 'wocket in my pocket' that I don't want
anyone to know about!
I love you and your brilliance! xoxo

Today I am thankful for...

volunteering!

I volunteer in many different capacities and although I enjoy each one immensely; I have to say that, without a doubt, the time spent volunteering in my children's schools is my favorite. I love getting to know their teachers and I just adore spending time with my children!
It exposes me to a whole other side of their little personalities!

Today I am thankful for...

church.

In a life where we are all governed by a multitude
of tasks, it can be difficult to take the time and give
an hour out of our busy week's schedule and honor
God, the man who is the reason we walk this earth.
However, once you do it, it's quite rewarding! Once
there, I find myself in such a state of solace. For
me it's like a mental check {out with what does
not really matter; in with a stronger focus on
those things that need to be done}. Most
importantly, I feel the stronger desire to come
back and live a better life {be a better spouse, a
better mom, etc.} and be more wholly devoted to

my Catholic beliefs.

Today I am thankful for...

the Twilight Series.

Some might say these books are totally cheesy and definitely filled with a lot teen angst and frankly, I don't care; I LOVE them!

{waiting for the release of Breaking Dawn next year might be the death of me}

Today I am thankful for...

my mom.

A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.

~Washington Irving

Today I am thankful for...

Kristi, Jen, Megan, Ali & Meghan.

Life has taken us in many different places

but they are still some of the most important people in my life.

“Though we drifted apart in distance

I still think of you as being right here.

And although we have many new friends,

it is our friendship that means the most to me.”

Today I am thankful for...

my camera.

Because I truly am a

I would be lost without my trusty sidekick!

Today I am thankful for...

poetry.

I enjoy poetry almost as much as reading or music. Some of favorites are Maya Angelou, Emily Dickinson & Robert Frost. But, below is my all time favorite poem; written by one of my all time favorite people, none other than my very own, Justin! He wrote it for me when we were in college and to this day it sits framed on my nightstand. So lovely, so sentimental.

A Smile

Today I am thankful for...

flannel sheets!

We put ours on our bed due to the chillier nights and oh I how I love them! Seriously, if you need a great set {worth every penny and available in a rainbow of colors} buy these:

Garnet Hill's Paintbrush Flannel Bedding

Today I am thankful for...

lazy Sunday afternoons.

Need I say more?

Today I am thankful for...

music.

I love music; pretty much all of it.

My current obsession is Bruno Mars' Just The Way You Are.

Today I am thankful for...

books.

“There is no substitute for books in the life of a child.”

^{- May Ellen Chase}

“It is not enough to simply teach children to read; we have to give them something worth reading. Something that will stretch their imaginations--

something that will help them make sense of their own lives and encourage them to reach out toward people whose lives are quite different from their own.”

^{- Katherine Patterson}

Today I am thankful for...

our dogs.

MacGregor the Scotty



Frasier the Boston Terrier



Harry the Standard Poodle



Finn the Cairn Terrier


A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself.
~Josh Billings

The Thanksgiving Challenge

Every day this month until Thanksgiving, think of at least one thing that you are thankful for and write it. "Today I am thankful for..." This little challenge comes to me via Facebook but is worthwhile all the same. However, I thought my thankfulness might get lengthy or even sappy {given my recent state of mind} so, best to be written on the blog.

Today I am thankful for the health of my children. On of my best friend's children is having some serious medical problems right now and watching her endure this is very difficult to say the least. I can only relate in that we only ever want the absolute best for our children and when any issue arises that threatens that it is devastating. This particular situation just breaks my heart. So today, my beautiful, strong, healthy girls are what I am most thankful for.

They are the focus of my life and I love them beyond measure!

However, today I am also thankful for the gift of friendship. I have many girlfriends and few that I am blessed to call my very best friends. Without whom, I often wonder, would I ever make it through {a day, an hour, a cold; a PTO event, parenting crisis, etc.}. We rely on each other for A LOT: a text, a call, a drink, a compliment, a lunch date, a shoulder to lean on, an ear that will listen, someone that will laugh at you and, as I have been reminded again this week, we need each other. To embrace with our mutual love, lift up, look into each others eyes and say:

"you are going to survive this; we are here and we love you."

I am thankful for...

... A close and loving family;
... A good job that puts food on my table;
... The things that my kids say that make me smile;
... Thanksgiving Day football;
... Maggie's deviled eggs;
... Four furry dogs;
... Beer;
... Green bean casserole;
... Wyoming;
... A warm bed and flannel sheets;
... Warm summer evenings;
... Cold December nights;
... Maggie;
... America;
... Two sets of supportive and loving parents;
... Grums;
... An occasional day off;
... Today!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

I am thankful for...

I am thankful for my cell phone because when I am bored I can either text or go on youtube to watch numa numa guy. And when I take my cell phone to school I have something to do on the bus and on the way home when I get picked up. I am also thankful for my dog MacGregor. (fat-pat.) When I go to sleep I know I'm safe when he is at the foot of my bed. The last is my friends and family. because they love me and listen to me when I am sad. These are the things I am thankful for.

I am thankful for...

I am thankful for my family because they love me. I am also thankful for shelter. I am thankful for the food I get to eat.