I woke up on Saturday morning and could hardly believe it was November. The sugar crash of Halloween was over. The costumes were put away rolled up in a ball on the floor. And I felt the same urge that I feel every year at this time. The urge to blow right by Thanksgiving and start prepping for Christmas.
I mean, the Christmas decorations have been up in the stores since July, right? I love Christmas and I can't wait to start dragging out boxes of sparkly, holiday goodness from the basement.
But this year, I want to do things differently. I want to slow down and take the time to teach my children about living with a spirit of thanksgiving and gratefulness. And give myself a good reminder, as well. I'm pretty sure that I'll need the whole month to do it.
My friend, Melissa, posted a wonderful list that she called 20 Little Attitudes of Gratitude. I am going to print off her list and maybe wallpaper my kitchen with it.
And then I'm going to begin working with my children each day to cultivate a spirit of thankfulness in our home. If I don't make a purposeful decision to do that, we'll be filling out bellies with turkey and stuffing without ever having taken the time to reflect on our blessings.
How about this...whatever else I write about this month, at the end of each post, I will tell you what my family has decided that we are thankful for on that day. That way I'll know that my dear readers will be holding me accountable. Will you consider doing the same? Either on your own blog or in the comments on mine?
I'll go first. Today's Thankful Thought is my own since my kids are sleeping and I haven't had a chance to consult with them but I'm sure they would agree. I am thankful for my husband. I am thankful that he loves me (even when I'm not so lovable), that he works hard to take care of our family, that he loves our boys and takes seriously the job of bringing them up into good men, and that he seriously loves the Lord. I am blessed and I love you, baby!
Your turn!
One more thing I'm thankful for...FREE STUFF! I have a fabulous giveaway coming up tomorrow so don't miss it! I'd hate for the TIME (that was a little hint) to slip away and make you miss your chance.
Speaking of giveaways...The winner of our personalized stamp from Me Oh My Paper Boutique is Kelly from Blissfully Deaf! Congrats!
And don't forget...If you place an order with Me Oh My Paper Boutique by November 6th, you'll get FREE SHIPPING! Just enter the code "KIMBA" when you check out.
P.S. I added a bunch of new listings to the Moms Unite Shopping Guide over the weekend. Check it out!
48 comments {Click here to leave a comment}:
Well said Kimba! What a good gentle reminder for all of us to be super thankful for what we have in our lives! Happy November full of thanks to you and your sweet family~ Les
WHEN I TAUGHT 2ND GRADE FULL TIME, WE USED TO DECORATE A "THANKFUL TREE" (STARTED OUT AS A BARE TREE) WITH PRETTY FALL LEAVES, EACH SAYING WHAT WE WERE THANKFUL FOR. THE KIDS LOVED ADDING MESSAGES TO THE TREE, AND THEY REMEMBERED IT FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR. MAYBE I'LL DO THAT AT HOME THIS YEAR...THE KIDS ARE OLDER, BUT WE'RE NEVER TOO OLD TO BE THANKFUL NOW, ARE WE?! THANKS FOR THE REMINDER! AND OH, I AM THANKFUL FOR COOLER FALL TEMPERATURES AND THE SMELL OF FIRES IN THE EVENING!
What a great idea. You also reminded me I need to get out my Charlie Brown Thanksgiving movie and watch it.
I'm thankful that my husband got a job after 7 months without one. It's not a great job it still does not meet our needs and we still have to sell our house but it's a job and I'm thankful he has one these days.
Ally
Great post. I am so thankful for my parents today...they have been such a huge help with my kiddos while my husband is away. It is awesome watching them be terrific grandparents.
I with you, Kimba. I love Christmas, but I don't want to miss the joy of Thanksgiving. And I'm also with you on being so thankful for my husband!
I'm thankful, Kimba, that you suggested this idea. It makes me slow down and really focus on the things that are important. So my first thankful item is for your blog and this idea.
Sheila
HI Kimba! Thats such a great post, its so true! I know the first thing im thankful for is good health , something all things stem from. I also love give-aways too ;)
Im actually having my very first....GIVE-AWAY!!....I tried to make it very special because im so thankful too for meeting such wonderful gals!!
so stop by if you get a sec! I just love your blog, what a great job you always do!!
~ Cynthia ~
Such a great idea! I am thankful for so many things, but to deliberately take the time to think about a new particular one every day is refreshing. Today I am thankful for a past wweekend with great friends and family I hadn't seen in far too long.
Great reminder to be thankful b/c we all have a lot to be thankful for!! I love Thanksgiving!
-sandy toes
Nice post...and of course, I like Charlie Brown and the gang.
I have had that SAME thought. I want to slow things down to be thankful. To appreciate Thanksgiving in it's own right and not a speed bump in the road to Christmas. Of course, I adore Charlie Brown and love your pics. I also love how you're thankful for your husband - I think my husband needs to know how much he is appreciated too.
Hi Kimba --
I can NOT believe that I won the give away!! :) For that I am very thankful, I never win anything.
Woo Hoo!
I am very thankful for my husband, he puts up with me BIG time. And he is a Snoopy/Charlie Brown freak, he has a huge collection of them and I am not kidding.
So, in regarding to the giveaway, how should I go about it? Should I contact her or go through you first...? Help!!
Thanks! xo
love the gratitude addition each day! great idea...and i just might have to do somewhat the same! you know, it's also national adoption month...so there's a little something for m e to be thankful for...2 of my 4 are adopted!
Great post!!!
Thanks for the free shipping code-I already used it!
Love these Charlie Brown pics you used! How fun.
I'm thankful for my husband, too. Amy at Living Locurto is having a Mr. Linky "introduce your husbands" blog party on Thursday that sounds like fun.
I'm doing a version of what Lori talked about in her comment here at home with my kids. This is definitely the time of year to have an attitude of gratitude and to teach our children to do the same! :-)
This morning I am so thankful that my daughter has returned safe and sound from her trip to LA.
Great idea Kimba!
I have lots to be thankful for - a husband who loves me even when I know I'm definitely not very lovable, and two great kids who seem to be growing into very kind and considerate young adults.
I'm thankful for two beautiful, healthy children, a good husband, food for my family, and shelter over our heads.
Blessings,
Sher
What a great idea!!!
An Awesome idea!
I am thankful for the health of my Dad. A year ago, he was undergoing chemo and radiation treatments and now he is 100% CANCER FREE!!! God is so Good!!!
I wholeheartedly agree and love th accountability of posting thankful thoughts! Great idea!
And I LOVE, love, love the pics of Charlie Brown clan.
Suzanne
I am thankful that wrinkle don't hurt.
In all seriousness I am truly thankful for the years the Lord has given to me.
So many things to be thankful for! I won't be rushing into Christmas this month but will enjoy what November brings and use it to plan so that we can also enjoy December.
I love this idea.....
What a lovely sentiment! I'm thankful for my husband's secure job in these uncertain economic times.
great idea, Kimba. there is much to be thankful for.
I wanna do the whole 'pause' thing so bad....but I don't know if I can physically restrain myself from decorating for Christmas before Thanksgiving. You've made me want to try though. Great 'gratitude' ideas!
Thankfully yours,
Edie
Wonderful idea! And I love the Charlie Brown pictures!
Thank you for the much needed reminder today!
For some reason I have the grumps today so I posted a jewelry giveaway on my blog.
I need to go read Melissa's list again or even make one of my own. :)
What a wonderful idea! I was wondering myself how soon I could get by with starting to put up my Christmas stuff, but I think we will wait and take the time to be Thankful also:)
Love the pixs of Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving. The old cartoons are the best to me and remind me of the season. And you are so right about being thankful during the Thanksgiving season.
I am great at taking all the tremendous blessings God has given me for granted. I am with you and will be posting something I am grateful for at the end of each post on my blog as well. Thank you for the great idea! :)
Love this concept.
Thanksgiving is my fav holiday & I plan on doing this with my family.
I am breaking out the Thanksgiving decor tonight.
I collect turkeys!!
This was an excellent post and very timely. We must be thinking alike though because taking the time to write a thankful list was one I included on mine for the holidays. It's such a stressful time and so focusing in this area is so helpful.
You are so right...I have to admit that I'm ready to start singing Christmas Carols, and I'm almost in panic mode that I don't have a complete plan for all my Christmas to do's, but I do want to slow down through November and concentrate on what God has blessed me with this year. Thanks for the reminder!
The next 52 days till Christmas is a whirlwind and a blur.
What a Perfect reminder to slow down and enjoy the Holidays and be Thankful ~
Thanks so much for posting this, Kimba. (You have such a great name by the way.) I recently read something like you posted and about how the author was going to record at least on thing they were thankful for. I had already purposed it my heart to do but with your encouragement I'm going to post it on my blog. Thanks so much for helping us all remember to be thankful.
I'm thankful for a day at home with no where to go and no school! It's been so very productive. And the best part? I get to do it again tomorrow! Except I will have to go out in the morning and vote. :=)
Our family character trait for November is Gratitude. I will be adding lots of neat tradition ideas in the next few weeks that correlate gratitude/thankfulness with traditions. I look forward to reading your thankful thoughts for each day.
Such a nice idea....thanks for sharing with us each day. I will look forward to checking back.
I was thinking about this just the other day. I'm gonna be writing my thoughts in fact on my blog tonight.
I tell you what...I am DYING to put up my Christmas decorations too! My sister already put up her tree and stockings!!! I am trying to concentrate on more "fall" inspired decor. But I will take your challenge...I am going to be posting something I am thankful for on my blogs when I post! :)
Love the post! Thanks so much for your great blog!!
Meaghan
Kimba, I'm joining in the Thankful Days! I linked back to you on my post. Thanks for a great idea!
I love thankful posts. So lovely.
Did you know you won jambalaya over at my site? I need you to email me your address!
rhea@tx.rr.com
Did I thank you for mentioning my list? If not, I AM GRATEFUL FOR FRIENDS LIKE YOU! xoxo :-) Thank you, sweet girl.
xoox
Great post! I am thankful for Autumn days. I love taking long walks in the morning and seeing the beauty of all the fall colors and realizing that God created it all just for us to enjoy. So I am thankful for the beauty of the earth.
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