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"