Some Housekeeping and How to make a Thankfulness Tree

First some housekeeping:

I have had several people tell me recently that they have no idea how I do it all. How I raise my kids, homeschool, minister to teen girls and women, etc…. They read my blog, see our family picture and then wonder how I get it all done with so many kids. So let me de-myth.

First, last year, before Rebekah left for college, I asked my husband if we could JUST ONCE have a professional family picture done as a keepsake. We had never had one done.  So my blog header is one from that session.  I love our family photo and treasure it , but  we do not live a life of hazy, sun-shiny backgrounds, girls. he,he

As for doing it all{ahem!!}–I do admit, that I am typically high energy. I love life and so many things: art, music, home decor, people, entertaining and love things to be “just so.”  I rarely watch television or movies. I choose to spend my time doing other things. But that said, right now, I am tired and still recovering from mono. My son has the stomach flu. My refrigerator needs a serious cleaning and ditto on my car. Our water heater is broken (can you say “serious money right before Christmas?) and last night I fought with my husband.  Not too pretty, huh? So, when you are tempted to compare yourself to someone “online” or on facebook, please, please, remember this little ditty: “The SNARE of compare.” That is exactly what happens when you analyze your life with someone elses. I just want you to be aware that I fold mounds of laundry on a weekly basis and am forever vacuuming up crumbs.  And your life should not look like mine, because God made you, You, and me, ME. Just do what He has called you to do and there is nothing wrong with doing what you love to do, as long as it is not sinful. Creativity, friendships, cultivating beauty, encourageing women–these are all good things, and you can do them.  That is okay.  Mkay?? 🙂

With that out of the way {ahem}– I want to share an idea–an EASY idea–for you to do with your kiddos. I shared it with my friend Nicole in an inbox message and she let me know that I should share it with my readers. So…………………..

I was telling her how when my kids were young I would make a Thankfulness Tree with my kids, by tracing their hands once, and cutting through lots of layers of colorful construction paper. They then wrote all that they were thankful for on their leaves and we displayed it on the refrigerator. So here is a pic. If you decide to make one, send it to me and I will post them. 🙂

Have a wonderful day!