Gratitude Sunday

Last Sunday was 'Gratitude Sunday' at church.

It really got me to think more about this whole idea.

Definition of Gratitude:

The quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation

for and to return kindness.

It might have been good to have thought about gratitude while the

following stories occured last week:

1.My husband and I could not find Averie anywhere but we heard her talking. She

 was found hiding underneath the kitchen table with her entire bag of Halloween candy

 and several opened wrappers.

2.While cleaning up the endless mess that was created in every room of the house.

3.While counting the number of times Averie gets out of her bed before 10 pm at night.

 How many you ask?  4-7 on average.

4.When Cameron started sweeping the entire house with the dirty broom

 including all the carpeting and walls. Number of times this has ocurred in the past week: 3.

He is getting a cleaning set for Christmas.

Then all of the sudden it snowed an inch of snow.

That kept Keaton busy for at least 3 hours.

It was dark by the time I ran out with the camera but the next morning

the other two discovered something white:

I was thankful the hardware store still had three little shovels.  This is gratitude   I tried not to look out the window. I really prefer summer and try to savor every second of the warmth, however the snow made me think of Christmastime, cookies baking, hot cocoa steaming, Christmas lights and I got all excited. I am trying not to fall victom to decorating way too early, (as I do every year) Christmas shopping more than I should, playing Christmas music and decoratingbut I might have to give in soon. There were even holiday movies that started playing this weekend. The Hallmark Channel is sure to get anyone in the Christmas spirit. Number of times The Grinch Who Stole Christmas was viewed this weekend? 3. And, one of those times was shared with a special friend:  Gratitude for playdates with friends     I could never express enough gratitude for the three healthy and happy children we have been blessed with. And, gratitude is the word to whisper when this one looks like this when she really should be sleeping:  Gratitude for the daughter I never knew I would have   Number of times I have had to put Averie back to bed while writing this? 8. And it could be more... Happy sleeping to all, Dena

Times Are Sure Changing

I went away for four day weekend last week. Just me. Nobody to worry about but myself for four entire days. It was fabulous.

It made me really start to think about how times really have changed. Gone are the days where I could pick up and go.  There was endless preparation and planning to get everything organized before I left. I frequently still find myself wondering...how do I possibly have three kids? I still feel like I should be the one babysitting.

There were two things that I was certain on in this life:
1. Marry someone who will not plan his day around sporting events/football programming/hunting activity
2. Have children who will dress nicely in polo shirts (boy) or dresses (girl)

I thought I had those areas all covered until apparently times have changed. I came home from a blissful shopping experience along Chicago's Magnificent Mile to find my husband and oldest son dressed in head to toe hunting gear while watching a football game. I must have had a horrified look on my face for the entire night.

What in the world? Is my own family ganging up on me I thought?

My son Keaton, who I want so badly to wear Ralph Lauren, would rather stay in camouflage from head to toe. He told me that maybe his teacher would not be able to find him the next day at school.

This happens every year in November when the hunting bin comes out. Keaton gets dressed in orange.

 Some things though have not changed. I have been friends with my dear friend Lesley for 16 years. It was a connection that occured almost instantly and we have talked almost every day since. I am so grateful for this friendship.

Myself and Lesley in Chicago Nov 2011

This photo of Cameron makes me stop and think... How is it possible that he was only a tiny baby last year at this time?

Times just keep changing.

Take for example my oldest niece, Carissa, who is turns 15 this week. It really does not seem like that long ago when we went to visit her at the hospital. Or the first Thanksgiving where there was a baby in my family. My brothers and sisters all fought over who got to hold baby Carissa.

Carissa was Miss America for Halloween-Plays the part well I'd say

The trip to Chicago could not have come at a better time. I am back feeling a lot more patient and that is not something you can just find anywhere.

Dena