Gratitude Attitude

"Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God's love." Thomas S. Monson

As people are going gaga over Halloween, I prefer to focus on the last day of our Gratitude month. Here are a few things we've done this week:

Grateful for Grandmas!!! Our mothers have done more for us than any other and thus, felt an especially great need to let them know how much we appreciate them.  We visited Sam's mother with a grocery bag full of her favorite candy in hand to replenish the stock that my children constantly deplete. This thank you banner depicts the many things that Grandma does for us...for always having candy, for giving great hugs, for telling fun stories, poems and songs, for coming to all of our events, for smiling and being cheerful.....

We also visited my mother with a carved pumpkin and a banner specific to her, too. Thank you for homemade rolls at Christmas, for always knowing what to do and say, for lending your home for birthday parties, for giving us treats, for the SANTA CLAUS DOLLS....
We enjoyed an hour of leaf-raking and weed-pulling to further show our gratitude for EVERYTHING!

 

I picked up a few gratitude remembrances to keep the spirit of gratitude in our home as we move on to our next "Be". 

"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, but learning to dance in the rain."

This has become a very popular quote. To me, it's a reminder to be grateful for the joys amidst the sorrows, or problems, or annoyances, or dumb stuff. Besides, I love the red polka dots!!

"Every day brings something beautiful if we are just willing to look up and see it." Marjorie Pay Hinckley

This is a refrigerator magnet that I found at Deseret Book. They have dozens of them with a variety of uplifting quotes. At the end of our year, we should have 9 of these on our fridge - one representing each "Be". Back to this quote....there is something to be grateful for every day. We just need to look for it!

Now, to come up with our "Be Grateful Celebration", but even more difficult - when to fit it in?

Today - Halloween activities
Tomorrow - 16th Birthday (License and Lunch and Family Party)
Friday - AHS Gala
Saturday - 16th Birthday Party
Sunday - Extended Bushman Family Home Evening

And then we move into our new monthly theme, "Be Smart".

Oh well, I'm grateful today for a family to spend so much time with, and that all my family on the East Coast is safe after Hurricane Sandy.

More to Come...but until then, have a Gratitude Attitude and Stick-to-it!