I presented the idea to the family, explaining that we will write in our journals every day, expressing gratitude for specific things and try not to repeat ourselves. We talked a little about how focusing on things we are grateful for helps us to recognize our blessings and feel more positive about our lives. I was thoroughly pleased by how excited Lucas was about the whole idea. He especially loved President Monson's phrase "an attitude of gratitude". Everyone loved the fact that I was going to make a special little book just for them. This week has been crazy, and it took me until today to finish them. The boys thanked me sincerely for making them, which made it all worthwhile.
I used paper with numbers on it on all the journals to represent counting our blessings.
For Marc's I used the paper with arrows going in all directions to represent the way his mind works. Then I used the red arrow photo turn to draw attention to the need to stop and focus on the things we are grateful for. For mine I just used things I enjoy: flowers, jewels, and colors that make me happy.
This week I really need to focus on gratitude. I have felt barraged by little annoyances and stresses, and everything has been exacerbated by having a sick little girl who is like a Klingon. I have had several headaches, and twice I have had to put myself in time out because I thought I was going to lose it.
My mom sent us a dog food container that is actually cute -- I never knew there was such a thing, but trust my mom to find the cute versions of all things. We may have to stop using it for awhile, though, because Eva takes the lid off at least 20 times a day and attempts to scoop food into Jack's bowl, scattering dog food everywhere in the process. I don't know how much more of it I can take... It's silly, but it's one of the things that's really getting under my skin.
Thank heavens for good mail from Jill! A very cool t-shirt (again, not many people would dare to buy me clothes, but she does it well!), and the coolest paper napkins. Have I mentioned I'm somewhat obsessed with cute paper napkins? And I have to admit to wearing the t-shirt two days in a row, that's how much I like it!
This morning Eva used a fork for the first time to eat a pancake with syrup. She was most pleased with herself. It's a sad commentary on my life that I was excited that she ate a pancake with syrup -- only because she ate something!
So, to sum up: my mood=not so good. my coping skills=not good. gratitude journals=good!!!
My mom sent us a dog food container that is actually cute -- I never knew there was such a thing, but trust my mom to find the cute versions of all things. We may have to stop using it for awhile, though, because Eva takes the lid off at least 20 times a day and attempts to scoop food into Jack's bowl, scattering dog food everywhere in the process. I don't know how much more of it I can take... It's silly, but it's one of the things that's really getting under my skin.
Thank heavens for good mail from Jill! A very cool t-shirt (again, not many people would dare to buy me clothes, but she does it well!), and the coolest paper napkins. Have I mentioned I'm somewhat obsessed with cute paper napkins? And I have to admit to wearing the t-shirt two days in a row, that's how much I like it!
This morning Eva used a fork for the first time to eat a pancake with syrup. She was most pleased with herself. It's a sad commentary on my life that I was excited that she ate a pancake with syrup -- only because she ate something!So, to sum up: my mood=not so good. my coping skills=not good. gratitude journals=good!!!
19 comments:
WAY cute journals! I'm making some as a surprise for my kids while I am gone for my cruise. I can't wait for them to get 'em!
welcome to the club of moms and wives with bad coping skills! Ethan wouldn't nap, I had a presentation to finish for Stake Leadership Training Tonight and Kelly called me at 2:30 to see if I could bring warm clothes for Soren to after school pickup at 3:30 because there was an extra ticket for the BYU game tonight. I was totally rude to Kelly, yelled at my kids and locked myself in the bathroom for some serious prayer! You're not alone girlfriend!
The journals turned out so cute! Will you make me one too? It's not like you're busy or anything...
It cracks me up that you've had to put yourself in timeout twice this week, but I think it's a great idea. Why would we ever think that kids are the only ones that need to go chill out and regroup? Of course, we may end up putting ourselves in timeout all the time if it means we can be alone!
Love the journals and the whole idea of you all sitting around talking about it and writing in them everyday as a family.
I have been in time a few times this week as well and really felt so much better after. I wish I would have thought of this sooner. Yesterday Mya was doing whatever and I was getting a little upset and she said, "Oh no! Mom needs a time out!" I guess she can tell that I need them too. Hang in there friend.
Your journals are darling! I would love to make something like this for my family.
Sorry that you've been having a hard week. I can sympathize, it hasn't been the greatest week for me either. However, there have been some good things thrown in here and there, so I'm grateful for that. Hope your weekend is better!!
MIchelle, I can't stand how cute those journals are. You are so creative. I think I could take a lesson from you in gratitude. A little gratitude could take me far :)
Your journals are painfully cute.
And such a good idea to make everyone in the family one.
The journals are darling. I love them. It is a great idea to get your kids expressing gratitude (for things they wouldn't necessarily think of) at an early age. I LOVE it. As soon as Lulu can write- I'm jumping all over that bandwagon.
Don't beat yourself up too hard. I'm sure your bad days outweigh the good and really- we are much harder on ourselves than we should be.
SO CUTE. You are ridiculously creative and resourceful. It would probably take me a week just to get up the courage to dive in and try to make something even close to that.
I've wanted to put myself in time out so many times this week, but the boys would be kicking my door and each other if I did. Hang in there.
Ridiculously cute, ridiculous good Mom (like the one I had!).
I think I noticed the pancake plate was part of the Cynthia Rowley line from Target. Was it? I read the blog of one of the designers- ohjoy.blogs.com - very inspirational images and creativity, etc. I hope you like it!
I just realize I wrote had, instead of "have" in terms of a good Mom. She's still awesome. haha
michelle that is amazing...what a good idea and they turned out nicely too! It is funny you put yourself on time out...I think we all need those sometimes...
I love the journals!!! You have such a wonderful sense of creativity.
I'm with you on the mood. I think that we need another Renegade therapy session.
Love your journals. You're way better than me. I just bought notebooks from target and added "gratitude journal" on them with their initials. I always have good intentions, but if I don't make it easy for myself it never happens.
Love your idea of time out. I could totally use that on a regular basis.
Those gratitude journals are so cute! And I'm sorry you've been having a rough week--I hate it when I'm in those irritable moods when small things annoy me. The timeouts though are a good idea (I think I need those sometimes). However it does sound like you're making progress in the coping department. Sometimes you just need to be alone for a minute--I know I'm like that. I like my solitary time!
Those gratitude journals make me happy and grateful just to look at them! I had to smile at the recounting of the dog food dilemma--it's just the sort of thing that, as a mother of a young one, would drive me bonkers--but, as I am now the mother of teenagers, makes me smile at the fleeting-ness of it all (not a real word, I'm quite certain....).
Those are the cutest journals! I think gratitude journals are one of the best things ever. Even my kids love to do them and theirs aren't nearly so cute.
I love mom time out. It is so nice to be alone for a few minutes to regroup.
hi michelle...jill told me to check out your journals and they are so darling. how fun. i love little books and your personal touch makes them so cute. what a neat keepsake for your kids to have.
i find myself telling my son that "mom just needs a little space right now." i guess my own version of time out. i hear him repeating it at times. i admire you doing it though...sometimes it's so much easier to take it out on someone else and then we feel even worse.
I can't believe you just whipped those books up. You are very talented.
That is such a great idea especially for the month of Novemeber. What a great Thanksgiving tradition.
I love that picture of Eva.
Cute does not do justice to the journals you made! They are so cool. I love that Marc's is sybolic of his life and that you used paper with numbers to represent counting your blessings. Such a cool idea! And it's so sweet that your kids were appreciative.
Sorry to hear that your coping skills are low right now. We all go through these times. Remember that you're not alone. Anf by all mean use your blog to vent and gain a little sympathy!
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