Thankful Tree

I wanted to find a way to help my family focus on gratitude this month. I truly believe that having a thankful heart is the key to happiness and abundance in life.

I am a little late in starting for the month--but I made this 'Thankful Tree' this morning anyway. It is a cut out from my friend's cricut machine( that I happened to have for a family tree project I had in mind). Anyway, I glued it on a 12x12 cardstock and I have a little bowl full of paper leaves.

My plan: Every evening at dinner go around the table and each person say something they are thankful for. After dinner we can write it on a leaf and glue it onto our tree. Simple--but I think my boys will enjoy watching the tree fill with leaves and hopefully they will develop a habit of thankfulness.

I added the first leaf this morning with the words Family.

Here is a sweet message to get you in the mood "The Divine Gift of Gratitude"

Fine Summer Days

I am realizing that the best things in life are the small and simple stuff.

One morning my crew was eating their bowls of Life cereal when they got a crazy idea. Next thing I knew they were all jumping on the trampoline and running around with the sprinklers on, throwing their t-shirts to the wind and laughing it up!

I went to pick up my Coleman from our old neighborhood one afternoon and found the most lovely sight.
A group of children were gathered around in a circle chatting and laughing together. They had found a perfect spot in the cool shade to escape the heat of the day. They were so content in each others company on a lazy summer afternoon, I wanted to join them--Cannon did!

One of the happiest evenings for me was a night with my two little puppies--Bridger and Cannon. My older boys were gone enjoying late nights with friends.
So the three of us jumped on the tramp, played silly games in the yard, stopped by the snow shack for yummy cones with "buried treasure" (gummy worms) and ended the night with a warm bubble bath. As I tucked in my two sweet smelling boys all slathered with Burts Baby Bee lotion (my favorite) I knew that even though there was nothing too special about this day, I would always remember it. It was simple but so sweet!

My little "twins" seem to get closer to the same size everyday!

They grow so fast--too fast! I feel like I need to savor my time with these little toddlers while it lasts.

PS We are on the road home again to beautiful TN. Pray for us...this is a LOOOONG drive with five boys, let me tell ya!