Family - The Ultimate

The common thread running through my family this month, this beautiful month of blatant, unmitigated, joyfully felt GRATITUDE is FAMILY.  We all mention it several times a day.  We can't get past it.  It's kind of annoying.  Everyday has been a love fest but I want MORE!  I've put my 6 and 4 year old under the Spanish Inquisition spotlight and demanded a more specific answer to the question - For what do you give thanks!?!?!?!?  They just giggle and say "I just like being with you."  or "My favorite is when we are all together."   Awww...  OK, great, but it's getting redundant.

So my 6 year old said last night, after I forced encouraged them to delve deeper, "Mom, it's OK to be thankful for the same thing every day if it's a really good thing".

He is right.  Here I am grilling them about being thankful for the joy of our family and insisting that they delve deeper, but when I lay my head down at night, that is the one constant for which I thank God. 

So, I guess I should be glad that everyday isn't  about being thankful that Wii and TV were invented.  It's about family, the ultimate gift.

There is a double dose of  gratitude on this one!
I am thankful for:
Little Girl - Movie night with the whole family & playing ping pong with mommy, daddy & brother.
Little Guy - Extra time on Wii and playing ping pong with mommy, daddy and sister.
Him - My mom and dad and wrestling with the kids on the front lawn.
Me - The good man who raised my good man and being able to catch a nap! Woo Hoo!
Nonna - Celebrating a good man and spending the day with the kids.

I think I learned
to appreciate and treasure each day,
because you don't know
how many you're going to be given.- Sandra Day O'Connor

Long Live Love

We went to a wedding today!  What a blessing to see two young people so in love and so excited to embark on their life together. 

Weddings are always a beautiful reminder of one of the greatest gifts I've every recieved.  My husband. 

I am today, was yesterday and will forever be grateful for the love of this wonderful man.

The kids were so exhausted today that we didn't get to thankful ritual after dinner.  So, I've decided, since I am the Grand Pooba of this blog, that I will pick one  (of many) things that I'm thanful for about each of these special people.

I'm thankful for:

Little Girl -  The daily affirmation of her love which starts like this "Mom, do you know what I like most about you..." It usually ends with "everything!"
Little Boy - The decision he makes daily to make it a good day.
Him - His long arms and tight hugs.
Nonna - Her constant support.

People who live the most fulfilling lives
are the ones who are always rejoicing at what they have.
Richard Carlson, PhD,

"Shortcut Through Therapy"

Friends and Starry Nights

We have just spent the evening with friends.  A lovely evening under a canopy of lights (don't get jealous it was an easy-up with a string of lights around it)  We ate, we talked and shared, we laughed, the kids played - it was a beautiful evening.  I always find it amazing that I end up with the coolest and most wonderful friends.  What an amazing happy accident.  Throw some twinkling lights on it and boom...perfection.

I am THANKFUL for:
Little Guy - Playing with my good friends.
Little Girl - Playing with Benjamin, Bryce and John.
Him - Having beauitful children and being proud of them.
Me - Friends who love me just as I am.
Nonna - This beautiful dinner and good company.

"Every time we remember to say "thank you", we experience nothing less than heaven on earth"
- Sarah Ban Breathnach

Thank You, Sir, May I Have Another

I'm finding that making a conscious effort to find all the blessings in your life leads to more blessings.  It's like magic.

I am thankful for:

Little Girl:  My mommy laying down with me at night.

Little Guy:  My mom laying down with me at night.

Him: My kids giggles.

Me: The goodness of my family and friends.

Nonna: My coumadin check going so well.

The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings.  ~Eric Hoffer, Reflections On The Human Condition

The Magic Is in the Details

We are in breakdown mode.  (Well, I am.  The kids just want to watch Phineas and Ferb.)  I'm breaking down the goodness.  If we are open to it, every moment is a moment to be grateful.

We see.  We hear.  We communicate.  We touch.  We feel.  We walk.  We Breathe.

We Rock!!!  Life is good.  Thank you, God.

I'm GRATEFUL for:
Little Girl - Going on a walk with Gracie and Daddy!
Little Guy - Daddy!
Him - Feeling better.
Me - Time to rest my eyes this afternoon.
Nonna - Having a nice dinner together.

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”

-William Arthur Ward



Transformation of Gratitude

It's amazing how asking the question  "For what do you give thanks?" has altered the landscape of our family and has created change in our dialogue thoughout the day.  My 4 year old and 6 year old, now challenged to look for the goodness of thanks, can't seem to get past it.  All those little gifts throughout the day seem obvious.  How cool is that?

I am THANKFUL for:
Little Guy - Dinner.  (he thanked the farmers for growing the veggies!)
Little Girl - Everything and being with you (mom). 
Me - The kids getting along so well today!  (here's hoping the same for every day of summer!)
Him - Antibiotics.
Nonna - To have (Little Guy) home today, we had a good time together.

When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.
-- Willie Nelson

For What We Have Recieved...

may we truly be thankful.

I am GRATEFUL for:

Little Girl:  Going to the Lazy Dog for dinner!
Little Guy:  Getting medicine and feeling better.
Nonna - A trip to the garden.
Me - My kids and the smiles that they give me.
Him - For the medicine that helps my son.

Some people are always grumbling
because roses have thorns;
I am thankful
that thorns have roses.
~ Alphonse Karr