We put up our traditional “thankful tree” this weekend:
It’s a little sparse right now, but by Thanksgiving this baby will be heavy-laden with blessings. (We add a few leaves each morning at breakfast.)
Our girls got so excited about our tree that they decided to make their own this year too.
I love that it’s November. I LOVE Thanksgiving. I love having an opportunity to reflect on blessings. Because it really is true that being thankful is directly equal to being happy.
I had such a full heart all weekend.
For many reasons:
–Dave got home from a week in China. We were all so glad to finally have him home.
–I got to watch another Primary Program. They always make me cry, especially when they sing this song. It makes me so thankful for families and that God let us be a part of them…forever.
–I got to have a few “dates” with those girls pictured above, and they helped me plant some beauty flowers at our house. Flowers make me happy.
–I got caught up in noticing how much progress Lucy is making going to preschool.
–Dave and I got to finally have the “big talk” with Grace…it deserves a post of it’s own so more on that later.
–Lucy “conducted” our family home evening (we do the lesson part on Sundays). I loved watching Claire help her.
–Max passed us the sacrament in his new suit:
But one of the biggest things that made my heart so full this weekend was that I ran into Stephanie Nielsen at Blissfest. The girls and I just happened to run into her (we didn’t get there until after all the big crowds) and got her all to ourselves for quite a while. I cannot believe how strong she is. That same wonderful spirit I met when we both started teaching classes at Blissful Living Studio just shone through her and it really affected me so much. I thought it was interesting that after we left the only impression my girls talked about is how nice she is. That inner beauty just radiates out of her, and, burned or not, she is beautiful.
I’m so thankful for her example of courage, and for the power that she has…that we all have… from Heaven if we’ll only ask for it, to get through our trials in life whether they be big or small. My favorite scripture is in Isaiah 41:10 & 13. “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee…For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.”
He wants to be there for us, we need only to ask and let Him in. And for that, I am so very thankful.
Any pointers for the "big talk"? My daughter just turned nine and I keep thinking it is time to have the talk. Would love some advice! So glad Lucy is doing so well!
i love the blessing tree idea. (thats not what its called is it??) you always have such good ideas. Max looks great in his new suit 🙂
As always I loved your post, Shawni! Loved the Primary Program this year, probably especially because my one and only daughter got to participate for the first time (she just turned four.)Esp. the Family is of God primary song. Loved the pictures of your beautiful children. Have a wonderful day!
Hi Shawni! Happy November 🙂 I'm thankful for your post. It is eminding me to start thinking of gratitude as much as whether our dining room painting will be ready for Thanksgiving dinner! Love the gratitude tree 🙂
November is a great month. I feel bad for poor old Thanksgiving. So overlooked and not really pondered. You Thankful tree is darling. We do something a little similiar. Isn't it great to do this as a family? Our kids really love it. Looks like your family enjoys it too. http://thegoatandthekid.blogspot.com/2009/11/old-school-style-gratitude.html
That was a beautiful post. I loved how it came from your heart and reading it I could feel your emotions. Thank you for sharing. You are such a fantastic woman. I feel truly blessed to know you.
I'm loving this gratitude tree idea, lady! But I really love the ending to this post. That scripture has always conjured my heartfelt love for the Savior.
And now, I want to hear all about Grace and her newly found knowledge. She's now an official member of the Girls In the Know Club:)
I love November and the month of gratitude also! We tried the gratitude "tree" last year and our youngest pulled off all the leaves…every day…so, I'm trying something different this year, but I miss the tree.
I loved all your comments, and especially those about meeting Stephanie. I have never met her, but did tune in to Oprah just to see her, and I felt exactly like you described. I could literally feel her goodness over the tv (does that sound strange? ;-)) and she was beautiful. I was touched by your description of the same feeling and of your feelings of gratitude. We all have so many things to be grateful for. Thanks for the great reminder!
Oh I would love some time with Nie Nie! She is one of my heroes! We started the thankful tree last year and I LOVE it!
I just discovered your blog via a friend. I would love to share the idea of the thankful tree on my own blog http://www.grandmaslittlepearls.com What a fun tradition!
Would you mind if I did so? May I borrow your picture and post a link to your blog?
Please let me know.
Grandma Shelley
grandmashelley@grandmaslittlepearls.com