Gratitude

As I have reflected on the season of thanksgiving and the topic of Gratitude, I have thought alot about what I would consider to be the perfect example of a Grateful person. There are many people in my life whose gracious examples have helped to shape the mold I would love to someday fill.

To me a grateful person treats everyday like a gift. One that is full of surprises, some good and some bad.

A grateful person realizes that the Lord intended for us to have hard times so that we can humbly learn to come to him.

A grateful person is someone who loves herself. Someone who has completely accepted the way God has made her.

A grateful person loves every day that they are granted to spend with the people they love. They don’t wish for the time to pass by or for the day to end, but they enjoy each minute they have.

A grateful person remembers God in everything. They remember God when they comfort a crying child or experience beauty in the nature that surrounds them.

Ibelieve a grateful person is someone who is in love.

A grateful person says, “thank you”.

A grateful person will make you feel good about yourself.

A grateful person is always thinking of another person and wondering how they could ease their burden or make their day brighter.

A grateful person can cry.

A grateful person is not perfect but is striving to become so.

A grateful person prays a lot. They have a relationship with their God and include Him in all aspects of their life.

A grateful person knows pain.

A grateful person sees the glass half full.

A grateful person cares more about his standing with the Lord than what the world views as important.

A grateful person has integrity.

A grateful person wouldn’t trade their own life with that of anyone else.

A grateful person Loves God and tells Him.

The Power Within

What is this? you may be thinking to yourself. Well this, my friends, is the next ticket to anything you desire your little one to do. This is called the Power Box. For those of you who know my little Anna, you know that at times she can be shy, very shy. We have had a hard time persuading Anna to do several things: ie. Nursery, going to sleep by herself at night, staying in Dance class by herself.

*You will notice that all of our examples are doing things without Mom or Dad.

About a week ago Anna and I made and decorated her very own Power Box. Anytime she does something that takes courage, (or in this case power) she gets to put her hand in and pick out a surprise. It works like a charm. She is very motivated to try to be brave. If any of you are having a hard time with anything, try it! I promise it will work!

Anna Claire TinkerBell Brown...

...That is what Anna would like you to call her this month!

The excitement levels at our house have been sky-high (and that was before the intake of absurd amounts of sugar). Every night we had to go to sleep there was a subltle tear in a little eye as this little person asked, " But WHEN is it going to be Halloween?" Well the day finally arrived in all its Glory and fortunately for us it lived up to every expectation the little one had!

We started out the day Decorating Pumpkins 'Claire Style'. ( No Mess, No Clean Up)
Though at time it did get a little bit stressfull...

All Worked Out in the End...

Our little friend Grace

Froggy, TinkerBell, and Spidey

and the broom so that froggy wouldn't hop off the step during the photo shoot

YES that is indeed my Father. Nice. The wheelbarrow is a long-time tradition that has now begun the 2 nd generation.

*I can see how we look related but I don't think we should be mistaken for each other. 8:30 PM and not one bit ready for Bed!

Just Call Me Crafty-Claire

Or I could be honest and give all the credit to my incredibly Crafty Mother...It was all her Idea!

Right Now would be a perfect time to make this little craft for yourself if you are interested. The pumpkin was purchased at Roberts ( which is now about 75% off). Then pick out your favorite colored scrapbook paper. (Estimate about 1 1/2 pages to cover one pumpkin) Tear and Mod Podge paper onto the pumpkin! Super cute AND you will feel a quaint sense of pride when your project is complete!

Happy Birthday Adam!

So about 3+ years ago I had this great idea to birth my children in the fall. I thought there would be several benefits (except being 8 months pregnant in August!) ie. being oldest in their class, but now that I have made 3 birthday cakes in 4 weeks I am starting to rethink my plan. Nevertheless we had a wonderful time celebrating Adam's Birthday. Only 1 more year in the twenties...better be a good one!

*In case you are looking for a good alternative to the TraDitiOnal CaKe, this recipe is a sure fire way to receive several 'that was the best cake ever' comments!

MiX:

1 Yellow Cake Mix

1 Large Box of Instant Vanilla Pudding

1/2 C. Water

1/2 C. Oil

4 Eggs

1 C. Sour Cream

PouR into greased and floured BUNT pan

BaKe for 50 Mins @ 350 degrees

Garnish with home-made whipped cream and fresh cut strawberries!