Gratitude Journal #5

Today I am reminded how blessed we are to live where we live. Jackson got to participate in "International Walk To School Day" and I happened to have the morning off so I could go with him on his journey. It was such a joy to see him interact with his friends and watch literally HUNDREDS of elementary students pour out of their houses, down the streets and into the school. I am reminded of the fact that not all children have that luxury of being able to play on a safe cul-de-sac like my kids can. I am grateful that we live in a safe community where everyone looks after each other's children and we can live without fear.

Gratitude Journal #4

I didn't get this posted yesterday even though I did put it up on the official challenge board. I think maybe its because its a hard one for me. Yesterday's assignment was to talk about something about yourself for which you are grateful. Why is it so easy to look around yourself and see all of the blessings but it is SO hard to look inside yourself to be thankful for what you have in your heart.

So today I am grateful for me. I am grateful that my kids have a mom who loves them so completely and would literally do anything for them. I am grateful that I can be a loving, faithful and devoted wife to my husband. I am grateful that I was given skills that allow me to provide enough for my family that we can live comfortably if not richly. No matter what my flaws - I am still grateful to be who God made me to be.

Gratitude Journal #3 - Fun!

Today's assignment was to talk about something that I am grateful for that is FUN!

This is going to sound really generic and obvious but the fun thing that I am grateful for is my scrapbooking - not just because its a creative release for me and gives me some "girlie time" but because it inspires me to take my kids out to events and gardens and fun things to do and take thousands of pictures. Even if they never really "appreciate" the hours of work and love that I have put into the books that I have done for them, they will have memory sticks upon memory sticks of photos and videos documenting all of the fun we had over the years and, for me, that is something to be grateful for!

Gratitude Journal #2

Today I am grateful for a God a church and a faith who truly does provide for us when we are faithful to pray. The last few years have been one challenge after another for our family. Through all of the relationship issues and healing, moving houses, financial stress and gain, having a baby, and fluid living situations for our oldest two I had a source of comfort support and comfort in my church. Many challenges were full of pain but my God is a BIG GOD who turned all of that pain to his glory and blessed us beyond all imagining. As I sit in this warm cozy home and sip my coffee and watch my children play and laugh I know without a doubt that I could not have made it to to this point on my own.

Gratitude Journal #1

Our good friends over at The Scrap Room are hosting their 7th birthday celebration this month - the theme for their anniversary is Gratitude. At the end of the month you should have all of the makings of a journal of things that make your heart sing. I loved the idea but I also wanted to have all of my responses in one single place. So I thought I would try to update my blog with my journal entries here so I can come back to them and share them with my friends and family at the same time. Without further ado...

Gratitude Journal #1

Today I am grateful for my youngest son Joseph. I love all

of my children equally, but today when I came home from work feeling beat down and defeated, I could hear his tiny voice even before I got up the stairs calling

"MOMMY!" with all of the enthusiasm and joy of a two year old - just the sound and smell of him made my heart soar and my spirit sing. I am so glad I have that little miracle in my life.