Simple Things

We had such a good Thanksgiving! We missed family, but we were happy to spend it with some good friends. As our gratitude tree filled up for this month I realized all that we have to be grateful for.

We don't live in a fancy house, own new cars, have expensive clothes, toys, or anything really. We don't go on expensive dates or even expensive vacations. Some might think we have hardly anything at all when it comes to monetary things, but we are so blessed!
I have the BEST husband ever. He makes me laugh and he makes me a better person. We have such a good relationship and are so happy together.
I have two adorable children.
We have such great and loving parents and extended families.
We have great friends.
We are healthy
We have a comfortable life.
It was so fun to hear what Kade was grateful for each day. I'm excited to keep up this tradition! Some of my favorite things that were put on the tree:

• Tenley's giggle
• Fresh baked cookies
• Kade's story time
• Sunshine
• Saturdays with Dad

The simple things in life are really what matter the most.

Belief

People really amaze me.
In a good way.
Sometimes in a bad way too, but lately in a good way.
If you look around yourself and notice all that you have and all that you hear, most of it came from someone who thought of it.
The cell phone, the internet, electricity, washers and dryers, so many amazing inventions.
And if you get on Etsy you can find beautiful things that people make and create.
On Pinterest you find amazing ideas, quotes, and so much more from people.
Turn on the radio and you listen to beautiful music that someone wrote, someone else played, and someone else sang.
People are amazing. There is so much talent in the world. And I'm grateful I get to benefit from it in so many ways.
These amazing people really amaze me because they had an idea or a passion and they believed in themselves enough to make it a reality. They pursued their dream.
I really believe that there is greatness in every individual. Everyone is special in some way and has the ability to bless others and touch their lives.
We may not all invent something that affects the whole world, be crafty enough to have our own store on Etsy, smart enough to have an idea pinned by hundreds on Pinterest, or talented enough to be on the radio, but we all have something to give to someone that can affect their lives for good.
A smile, a hug, a compliment, or an act of service. Being a good wife, mother, neighbor, co-worker, friend. We might even love to invent or create or sing and maybe we can't reach the whole world, but we can reach our community.
A phrase that I love to remember is that luck is when preparation meets opportunity. So instead of dreaming or wishing we were doing what we wanted or being who we can be, lets start doing it, because a great opportunity might be just around the corner.
So BELIEVE in yourself! Do what you love! Even if you feel like it won't get you far, do it anyway! If it touches even one person you have done something great.
No, you might not be the next Taylor Swift, but you are YOU and that is even better.

Nail Polish

I love painting my toes. They are always painted and they are usually always hot pink. Since I'm lucky enough to have a cute little girl, I've been painting her toe nails as well. Well, the other day I think Kade felt a little left out so he asked me to paint his toenails. He was really loving it and wanted to go show his dad, but when he came downstairs, Brad wasn't happy about it. Kade's happiness went away and he sat on the couch for a little bit. A few minutes later he came to me and asked me to take the pink off his toes. He said, "It's disgusting!" Awww, poor Kade. I guess he is prone to please his Dad.

Children

I'm so blessed to have two sweet children. One boy and one girl. They make me so happy!
They, well especially my 3 year old son, can also make me a little crazy.
Maybe it's just a hard age. Maybe it's just his personality. Maybe it's the way I parent him. I'm not exactly sure what it is, but we have power struggles more often than you should, I think.
I have read 3 parenting books in the past 2 months and they have all left me pretty confused and not much has improved between my son and I.
Through trial and error, and a lot of prayer I've come up with my own ideas on what is the best thing for me to do as a parent with my children. There are 5 things I think they absolutely need.

1. LOVE 
2. ATTENTION
3. PRAISE 
4. EXAMPLE
5. CONSISTENCY

LOVE: They need to know that I love them. I can say it a million times, but they also need me to show it. They need affection. They need hugs, kisses, and cuddles. They need to be tucked in at night and sung to and fed. They need to know I will take care of them.

ATTENTION: They need me to play with them. They need me to listen to them. They need me to stop what I'm doing right away and come to them when they call me. They need me to play on their level and show interest in the things that they like and enjoy. They need me to be a playmate and friend.

PRAISE: They need to know that I'm proud of them. They need to hear me tell them how proud I am of them often. Even if it is for something little, like putting the toys away. They need to know how happy it makes me when they choose the right and obey. They need rewards for doing the right things or for accomplishing things. They need me to hang their drawings all over the house so they can tell that I really do love them and I appreciate what they do. They need to know that I accept who they are even if it might be different than what or whom I would want them to be.

EXAMPLE: They need me to be a good example. Whatever I do they should be able to do also. They will follow my lead, repeat what I say, and act how I act. If I'm not happy with their behavior, maybe I should look at changing my own. 

CONSISTENCY: They need a routine. They need me to follow through with whatever I say. They need me to stay consistently calm even when I feel like going crazy. They need to trust that I will be collected no matter what situation we get ourselves into. They need to know that no matter what I will always be there to give them a hug, wipe their tears away, and be there with them through the consequences.

When I focus on these things and not warnings, time outs, and punishments. We all seem to be leaps and bounds happier. 

Voting

I'm so grateful that I live in this great county, the United States of America. 

I'm so grateful that I get to go vote today for our next President.

I'm excited about this election. I feel like this election will really affect mine and Brad's future after dental school, so I'm hoping the candidate that I want to win will be elected. I feel like our future as business owners and in the healthcare field will be a lot more secure with him.

Go Mitt Romney!

Gratitude

I'm starting a new tradition for November this year: a gratitude tree!

I know it doesn't look like much now, and I really had to go cheap due to our limited budget. Maybe in a few years I can make (or better yet, buy) something a lot cooler. But the point is, each day each one of us gets a leaf and we write on it what we are thankful for that day. Then we get to tape it up on the tree.
This is what the tree looks like after one day:

I'm excited to see it at the end of the month! Today I wrote that I was thankful for the warm sunshine. It was such a nice day today! Kade was thankful for candy. He has way too much candy from Halloween and has been eating WAY too much. That is probably my fault. Anyway, Brad is grateful for a warm, comfortable home, and Kade said that Tenley was grateful for trains. I don't know how he came up with that, but it was cute!
I hope it is a fun tradition that we hang on to. I think gratitude is such an important trait and I want my children to always be grateful! Kade seemed excited about it at least!