Thanks!

I can't believe it's almost three months since I've posted anything to my blog - in large part because I have been completely swamped with home-work, play dates, cleaning (I got rid of my cleaning person because we are in a tight economy and I'm trying really hard to make decisions about needs vs. wants), etc. etc. But I'm back and my first post is an ode to thankfulness.

While we are rushing around, dashing from here to there, we have to remind ourselves to stop and smell the roses. To be truly thankful for all the many blessings we have even as everything around us seems to be going crazy. Last week I was reminded that as much as we have to remind ourselves to be thankful as adults, it is never too early to teach our kids how to be thankful as it really is a life lesson.

Last week after we were all hit with the stomach flu (with the exception of hubby who of course was out of the country when we were all busy contracting the virus) and my mom dutifully cared for my entire family, my mom got hit on Saturday - just in time for Princess' school auction and sleep-over.

When Princess started crying, I lost my patience and scolded that she was not being very appreciative of all grandma did to take care of us when we were sick. To which Princess replied "I wish you had started teaching me about being thankful when I was one or two, so now that I'm eight, I would understand better how to be thankful". I stopped and asked - really? I never taught you about thankfulness before? Don't I talk to your brother about being thankful? The retort - "No." So I thanked Princess for her insights and told her she was absolutely right - it is never too early to start teaching kids to be thankful.

So here's to being thankful - for all the bumps, bruises, twists and curves that life throws - there is no way to achieve balance without a healthy dose of thankfulness!