Great things

Today was really great and then super crummy and then good again. I used to keep a "gratitude journal" where I'd write down all the things I was grateful for at the end of each day. It was a nice way to focus on the positive instead of the negative and it forced me to go about my day looking for the good instead of the bad. And it put me in touch with my inner Oprah.

I don't have a gratitude journal anymore, but I do have a blog. So here are the things I'm choosing to think about as I head to bed tonight:

1. We've recently acquiesced to Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift. Honestly, their music is not half bad (way better than the teeny-bop stuff available when I was reading Tiger Beat). The best thing, though, is listening to Magpie (age 2) sing "Love Story" by Taylor Swift. Whenever the word "baby" is used, she replaces it with "baby Jesus." As in: "It's a love story, baby Jesus, just say yes." I don't know where it's coming from, but it's hilarious.

2. For the third time in three years, we're attempting to have the girls share a bedroom. It didn't work before, but it's going beautifully now. This morning I overheard Bo showing her little sister around her new bedroom and helping her choose clothes for the day. Very sweet. And best of all, Magpie's old bedroom is now a playroom with a designated spot for everything. I'll post pictures soon.

3. Speaking of eavesdropping (eavesdropping?! I always thought the word was "easedropping"! What's wrong with me?) on the girls, they were playing in the kitchen today with a laundry basket when all hell didn't break loose.

Let me explain.

I could tell they both wanted to be the one sitting in the basket. I had another empty basket in front of me in the next room that I could have easily handed to them to make everyone happy. Instead, I listened to their voices go up slightly. And then, like magic, they worked it out on their own. They figured out a game where one was the dog in the pound and the other wanted to adopt her. And then they switched roles.

I don't pretend to know everything about parenting, but one thing I've learned is that sometimes the best action to take is no action at all.

4. My first advertiser. Look up, to your right. The fabulous Ari of Buttercuppity has generously signed on as my first sponsor. Check out her handmade bags, wallets and other beautiful goodies, and don't miss her witty, honest and heartfelt blog.

Thank you, Ari!

 

5. Sweet, simple birthday themes.

6. This Alexander Henry Christmas fabric, which I got to see at The Top Stitch today. It's called Merry Modern and I looooove it.

 

7. The wanting of books, like the Farm Chicks' Christmas:

and Craft Hope: Handmade Crafts for a Cause:

 

and Jess Walter's The Financial Lives of the Poets, which is on my nightstand right now waiting for me to start it.

8. I wrote something about Grandparents Day on my kids' parties site this afternoon. I think often about my Nana and sometimes say I'm trying to live more like she did, but this was a nice excuse to spend an hour remembering her, her vegetable garden, her kitchen, her clothesline and looking at her beautiful face again.

So, not crummy at all, really. Quite good, in fact.

 

I'm updating this to add a link to this brilliant idea that I posted a link to on Facebook the other day and totally forgot about when I wrote this post last night:

The Five Good Things Booklet from Whisker Graphics

Jehan's comment below about involving kids in a gratitude journal reminded me. Print out Whisker Graphic's booklet once a week and fill it out at dinner every night with five good things from the day.

School starts next week here. Seems like a great time to start it!

Comments

[Jehan]

I LOVE the idea of a gratitude journal!! I believe that I will start one, and have my 6 y/o start one. We could write in it after dinner, as part of devotionals. I have been having some issues w/my faith, my finances, homesickness, etc. This is a great way to put things in perspective!

[Megan]

Jehan, your comment just reminded me of a "good things" booklet printable I linked to the other day on Facebook. I love the idea of involving kids in this. I updated the post--check out the link to the printable from Whisker Graphics at the bottom of the page. Thanks!

[charith]

You are a true seamstress when you "ease"drop rather than eavesdrop! :D

[Megan]

Ha, ha, Charith. Thank you for the positive spin on my stupidity.

Just want to make sure my first paragraph up there doesn't sound like I invented gratitude journals. It literally was an Oprah moment for me.

[Jehan]

Thanks for the link. I'll be printing it out. :)