Most of us agree as parents, or anyone for that
matter, it's important to show
kids (and everyone) that "serving" is important....
Helping or creating something for someone else...and to have
the gift of giving it to them---not just at Christmas but whenever.
This first idea for Thanksgiving Day is that everyone in the family, prepare
a piece of the meal.
Not just Mama should be in the kitchen!
We are adding in the "surprise" of it all to make it more drum-rolly-
grabbing your dish from a hat.
That me friends, is two fold.
More suspense of course, any excitement around here is huge.
With a bonus of not being able
to blame mom/dad for getting that one, or wanting another.
Each of us are going to be in charge of that specific thing-
Shopping for the ingredients, making it however you'd like, picking the
presentation of it.
Whether it's a special dish or 200 toothpicks around the edges!
Then, at dinnertime, walking around the table, and placing it
onto everyone's plate.
The second idea was the "thankful five".
Having chose a family member, and writing down five things you
love about them.
After dinner is done, you go around the table and take turns sharing the
great things that you feel, when you think about them.
Every year I try and have the kids do crafty place
cards for everyone...
Someone write a special prayer....
Any little idea that can make it a homemade day.
And these two, I think will be added, to the traditions
around here..
Its so huge to me to always have a message along with the "festivities"...
And after we made our plan for it last night, I just thought I'd share in case
your family was looking for something too.
Wishing you all a beautiful Thanksgiving holiday.
Here's to sanity, love, and the simple blessing of health in your lives.
Remember, no matter where you are in your life when
you wake up Thursday, you are here.
You are alive.
There is a plan for you.
And so much to be thankful for!!!
Hugs!
Monday, November 21, 2011
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
The little things
Jewelry, a hundred dollar perfume, weekly blow outs at my favorite salon?
Those days, even if I ever had them, are over....
The little things my husband could do for me, doesn't even compare.
It's like a daily game of WOULD YOU RATHER?
With the winning answer (for me) never being
a tangible item.
The times I feel the closest to Roman aren't probably ever the
times he would think (well, until I told him).
Our anniversary plans are nice.
Romantic dinner,
whatever sweet present he passes across the table.
I do love it.
But to be honest, the car ride with one nights no interruption,
the idea of HIM,
actually making the plan for what were doing....
those are the heart jumper things.
The stuff that make me love him.
Maybe I'm not the "norm" but I know I'm not alone here.
The idea from back in the day that you could never understand,
the giving is better than the gift, is sorta like this.
Isn't simply picturing your spouse thinking about what to do for you awesome?
Actually coordinating a freaking plan?
And hopefully connected to what
he thinks you would enjoy?
Anything after that is icing. :)
When is it exactly that the thing YOU COULD NEVER IMAGINE
being exciting, become so?
Or the things you only heard your mom wanted for Christmas or
her birthday would be on YOUR own list?
Peace, a long bubble bath with no questions to answer,
no shouting for one morning, and someone
to call out "Alice" instead of Mommy a few times?
It's not a lot to ask....
And even if everyone around you simply tries, it's a score.
Let's face it, it's sort of a running joke how mom's never get breaks-
That's why the universal picture of one, mothers day morning, still in bed
pretending to be sleeping while their circus "surprises" them with breakfast,
is so adorable.
The entire family KNOWS she never gets to rest.
And commercials, or movies, lead all to believe that she needs more
after that...
When in reality, if after she eats, someone just gave her a homemade card
and she got to stay in her pj pants, she'd be over the moon.
It's the little things----
Say them, do them--every day if you must.
And we'll be ready!!
We'll be happier, because we feel loved.
We'll be less moody, because we were considered.
We'll be less stressed, because one little thing literally means ten to us.
How about communicating?
That's a little thing...
and yet, it's just
SO HARRRDDD for men.
Please.
It's only hard because you picturing having to get
ready for an actual event.
Dressed up and headed for the kitchen table, chairs
across from each other,
like you're preparing for the high school debate competition.
Like you need note cards and to have studied..
Like you may or may not make it out alive.
We really don't ask for much.
I mean, please, we married A MAN!
How much expectation could we possibly have?
But ladies, do not make the mistake I did, and ask your
husband to throw you a bone.
YOU WILL NOT LIKE THE RESPONSE TO THAT ONE.
Ummm, not what I meant honey.
Maybe if men knew not only how much these things mean
but how long we
just may remember them...
One of the sweetest things Roman did was a few years back.
He called my cell from
the road on the way to a job and proceeded to let me know he just saw
the best looking girl.
I was like....coooolllll.....
He told me he was on the highway going toward Savannah and that her car
passed him while he was at a light.
Again, I was like, coooolllll....
Then he said, YOUR HAIR LOOKS AWESOME TODAY.
I got tears in my eyes. I had passed him, it was ME!
Still to this day, I remember hearing that, and how it made me feel.
My morning was going crazy and such a small thing for HIM to do
but so huge to me. Still.
Whether it's a single flower from your own
yard, holding hands for the two seconds you may have in the morning,
or a smile~ that after you've been
married a while,
says more than anyone else knows....do it.
If your a man, remember your wife loves if you check in to
say I love you after lunch.
She wants to hear how you feel every now and then, even if it's the shortest
sentence ever.
She also likes to be reminded that you feel lucky to have her.
.
If you're a woman, remember your husband likes to hear you still
love his butt.
That he is a hard worker and
(even if it's a long shot) that you may want some tonight. ;)
They don't need much.
Even if you can afford all the "big" stuff,
you can't buy the "little".
All those things are only sold inside ourselves....
That's probably why it feels even better
to receive it.
I know at least for me it is.
At this point in my life,
38 years old with eight kids, it's a clean sweep.
The sweetest thing Roman can do is put the coffee on.
The sparkle in my eye every morning with that, far surpasses
any diamond ring that he could ever find.
Enjoy the "little" in your life...and pass it on :)
Hugs :)
Those days, even if I ever had them, are over....
The little things my husband could do for me, doesn't even compare.
It's like a daily game of WOULD YOU RATHER?
With the winning answer (for me) never being
a tangible item.
The times I feel the closest to Roman aren't probably ever the
times he would think (well, until I told him).
Our anniversary plans are nice.
Romantic dinner,
whatever sweet present he passes across the table.
I do love it.
But to be honest, the car ride with one nights no interruption,
the idea of HIM,
actually making the plan for what were doing....
those are the heart jumper things.
The stuff that make me love him.
Maybe I'm not the "norm" but I know I'm not alone here.
The idea from back in the day that you could never understand,
the giving is better than the gift, is sorta like this.
Isn't simply picturing your spouse thinking about what to do for you awesome?
Actually coordinating a freaking plan?
And hopefully connected to what
he thinks you would enjoy?
Anything after that is icing. :)
When is it exactly that the thing YOU COULD NEVER IMAGINE
being exciting, become so?
Or the things you only heard your mom wanted for Christmas or
her birthday would be on YOUR own list?
Peace, a long bubble bath with no questions to answer,
no shouting for one morning, and someone
to call out "Alice" instead of Mommy a few times?
It's not a lot to ask....
And even if everyone around you simply tries, it's a score.
Let's face it, it's sort of a running joke how mom's never get breaks-
That's why the universal picture of one, mothers day morning, still in bed
pretending to be sleeping while their circus "surprises" them with breakfast,
is so adorable.
The entire family KNOWS she never gets to rest.
And commercials, or movies, lead all to believe that she needs more
after that...
When in reality, if after she eats, someone just gave her a homemade card
and she got to stay in her pj pants, she'd be over the moon.
It's the little things----
Say them, do them--every day if you must.
And we'll be ready!!
We'll be happier, because we feel loved.
We'll be less moody, because we were considered.
We'll be less stressed, because one little thing literally means ten to us.
How about communicating?
That's a little thing...
and yet, it's just
SO HARRRDDD for men.
Please.
It's only hard because you picturing having to get
ready for an actual event.
Dressed up and headed for the kitchen table, chairs
across from each other,
like you're preparing for the high school debate competition.
Like you need note cards and to have studied..
Like you may or may not make it out alive.
We really don't ask for much.
I mean, please, we married A MAN!
How much expectation could we possibly have?
But ladies, do not make the mistake I did, and ask your
husband to throw you a bone.
YOU WILL NOT LIKE THE RESPONSE TO THAT ONE.
Ummm, not what I meant honey.
Maybe if men knew not only how much these things mean
but how long we
just may remember them...
One of the sweetest things Roman did was a few years back.
He called my cell from
the road on the way to a job and proceeded to let me know he just saw
the best looking girl.
I was like....coooolllll.....
He told me he was on the highway going toward Savannah and that her car
passed him while he was at a light.
Again, I was like, coooolllll....
Then he said, YOUR HAIR LOOKS AWESOME TODAY.
I got tears in my eyes. I had passed him, it was ME!
Still to this day, I remember hearing that, and how it made me feel.
My morning was going crazy and such a small thing for HIM to do
but so huge to me. Still.
Whether it's a single flower from your own
yard, holding hands for the two seconds you may have in the morning,
or a smile~ that after you've been
married a while,
says more than anyone else knows....do it.
If your a man, remember your wife loves if you check in to
say I love you after lunch.
She wants to hear how you feel every now and then, even if it's the shortest
sentence ever.
She also likes to be reminded that you feel lucky to have her.
.
If you're a woman, remember your husband likes to hear you still
love his butt.
That he is a hard worker and
(even if it's a long shot) that you may want some tonight. ;)
They don't need much.
Even if you can afford all the "big" stuff,
you can't buy the "little".
All those things are only sold inside ourselves....
That's probably why it feels even better
to receive it.
I know at least for me it is.
At this point in my life,
38 years old with eight kids, it's a clean sweep.
The sweetest thing Roman can do is put the coffee on.
The sparkle in my eye every morning with that, far surpasses
any diamond ring that he could ever find.
Enjoy the "little" in your life...and pass it on :)
Hugs :)
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