An Attitude of Gratitude

This year, I felt Finley was at a good age to really focus on what she was thankful for leading up to Thanksgiving.  I had all these cute ideas in my head how we would do this, but ended up just cutting up scrapbook paper and throwing them in a little cannister.  Not exactly what I had envisioned, but I knew that  the point wasn't to be "cute", but to be meaningful.  I did have to help her a bit on certain days (and by help I mean I listed a few things and she chose one or then came up with one on her own) because in general she wanted to list Mommy, Daddy, or Jude for just about every day, but this was a really good exercise for both of us on finding something or someone to be grateful for each and every day!  Finley really did better with this than I thought she would!

Finley's List:
1. Treats from Storybook Forest
2. Miss Brandi
3. Jude
4. My Caterpillar Toy (Mommy found it!)
5. Mickey Mouse and Babydoll
6. Daddy
7. Miss Penny
8. Miss Cain and Miss Sanders (BSF teachers)
9. Josiah
10. Fruit Chews
11. Waterpark
12. Icecream
13. Lila
14. Miss Meredith (her dance teacher)
15. Mommy
16. The New Baby
17. Aunt Beth, Uncle Kenny, Aunt Tracey, and Uncle West
18. Claire
19. Jenny (our dog)
20. Grandpa Bill and his tractor
21. New Veggie Tales Movie
22. Pete (the cat)
23. Apple Juice
24. The 4 Wheeler

My List:

1. A Day at Home in Our Pajamas

2. Long Conversations with Friends

3. Watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Snuggled in Bed with My Kids

4. Dinner Date with Devin

5. Cowboy Football

6. Devin's Birthday!!!!!

7. Hearing C3's Heartbeat!

8. Our Church that Desires to Do What Is Biblical

9. Productive Day of Errands

10. Packed Bags for Our First Family Vacation

11. Safe Travels and Our Veterans

12. Fun Memories at Great Wolf Lodge

13. Happy Children During Trip Home

14. Encouraging Comments and Words

15. Our Health

16. Jude's Doctor's Appointment

17. MUCH NEEDED SHOPPING AND QUALITY TIME WITH BETH

18. Annual Football Watch Party with Aubrey & Ralph

19. A Weekend With No Major Plans

20. My 3 Beautiful Kids Who I Am Honored to Call MINE!

21. Girls' Night with Christy, Katie, and Melissa

22. A Happy Marriage

23. My Grandma's Dressing Recipe

24. Spending Quality Time with My Family

It's fun to look at these and remember exactly why I listed them on that particular day!!!!  I really want to do this at various times of the year and not just at Thanksgiving because it really helped me open my eyes to just how blessed I am!!!!