With that sight in mind, I was thinking yesterday and today that I didn't want this month to past by in such a flurry and rush that I only spent one day being thankful. I certainly try to focus on the blessings, but sometimes fall short in the day-to-day. For a while, I experimented with a gratitude journal. Every night before I went to bed, I wrote five things down for which I was thankful. After a couple of days of writing the "family, friends, health, etc" down in some form or another, something changed. I noticed that throughout my day I would stop and take note of something that I could write down later. It made me see things a little differently. Better.
The real challenge was on the crappy days. BUT, these were also the days that I found it to be the most beneficial to me. If you haven't tried something like this, I recommend it. (there are even apps for it!)
So, why am I saying all this? Well, like I said, I didn't want November to rush by and me stopping to give thanks only on Thanksgiving. I have decided to do 30 Days of Gratitude (DoG for short because that would make my kids laugh) posts. My goal is to have a picture, too, because it definitely helps me learn in that area as well. Join me if you can, even if it just a comment or one post on your own blog.
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We have friends here in Ohio that we eat dinner with often. It is always casual, fun, and without expectations. This dinner has taught me that I need to have people over even when the house isn't perfect (ahem... never!), and that good friends don't care if you run out of dishes and you need to serve dessert on paper plates, and that the company is more important than the food, so if I try something new and it stinks, well, it just means we eat more dessert!! And that the good and bad of life happens and friends are nice to have around to share it. For all of that, I am grateful...
The other night our friends hosted a dinner and pumpkin carving night!
Check out these adorable cupcakes Stephanie made for the kids...
When I saw this one, I had to laugh... So Ross... the Guinness and the power tool, all for carving pumpkins!!
Here are the finished products all lit up:
The three that we did in particular...
Mine- dots!
Max- traditional face
Zoey- Stars!
And because I forgot to post... here is Zoey's Pumpkin Globe. All third graders do it as a project this time of year. I think it is so cool!
Happy November.
3 comments:
Excellent idea. The 30 DoG!!! And great pumpking carving. Very impressive.
I too, have always enjoyed people over to celebrate the little things. I miss that sort of thing now. And I wish I could do it more often. Unfortunately, I have taken a path for the next two years that will keep me extremely busy. At times, I wonder if it is worth it in the end.
Of course, my kids are always doing stuff with THEIR friends....so.......
I love your posts Jill!!!
DoG- nice. Does this mean I'm posting a month's worth of gratitude for having a plethora of shoes?
I have come to terms with having people over and my house not being perfect, it just can't be Martha Stewart clean every day- we LIVE here. And guess what, we're called to be hospitable- Jesus wouldn't care if dishes were done or laundry all over the sofa, just invite them in :)
Super cute cupcakes!
what a great idea. wish i were up for the challenge. you do have me thinking more about what i'm grateful for, though. :) great post.
love your awesome pumpkins, too!
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