And Speaking of Gratitude...
 |
| I will spare you the video, but I think we can agree this proves...I still got the moves...😂 |
It's a big galaxy and here we all are...crowded on this one planet...and so many of us in this one home. It's very truly ALWAYS something. I wouldn't have it any other way...too much freedom and alone time isn't good for the Kristen Shanna brain! It seems everything is about finding balance. Like...3 day work weeks and 4 day weekends.
But...you do understand what I mean by "day off," right? It's not, like, all "rest and relax." It's certainly NOT not getting anything done, because I have been crafting out my precious little heart. I am getting so close on my Starry Night project...and my knitting needles have been working so hard it's its a wonder they haven't caught fire.
 |
| There are no days off in this circus show, but...look what beautiful kids I made!! So worth it! 💕 |
No, for me, mostly, "a day off" is a (at least nearly) whole day without anyone regulating what I do with my time...at any point in time.
THESE ARE MY FAVORITE DAYS!!! The ones where I am in charge. (You're shocked. I can feel it.) I also like the days where I flit around the house like a little hummingbird moving from one task to the next with effervescent joy. A little here...a little there. No reason to let things get mundane, when: I can handwash one dish. Put away the bottom rack of clean dishes. Fold one load of laundry. Put away one stack of towels. Wipe the bathroom sink. And then sit and knit for 20 minutes before I get up and "work" all over again. It all gets done (rather EVENTUALLY), and I never even have to feel burdened or uncomfortable. Isn't THAT happy?!!
 |
| It's as happy as...spending quality time with the people I love??? |
Oh that all the days were bubbling joy.
Alas...that's why we have gratitude, isn't it? For helping us find joy in the midst of the not-always-so-joyful times. Some days just stink. It's stinky when I wake up. It's stinky as I go about my daily grind. And it's stinky when I go to bed. My only hope in getting through those days is in remembering that blah won't last forever...and in searching for and focusing on the gratitude in the midst of it.
I have heard stories of people in the most economically and/or physically miserable circumstances who manage to find gratitude even there. It inspires me through my own discomforts - however big or small...
And speaking of gratitude, I had the most WONDERFUL Thanksgiving...
 |
| It doesn't hurt that I got to enjoy some time with this little great of mine...you should have seen him playing with Evan. I will hold those giggles in my heart forever! |
I was acutely intentional in my appreciation, because I know that Christmas is going to be a big, lonely bummer with Matt working. And I chose to NOT let that ruin Thanksgiving by 1) NOT ruminating over it DURING Thanksgiving and by 2) reminding myself that we will find the gratitude in that holiday, despite the big-frustrating-disappointing-lonely absence of my spouse, when it comes. (This one might take a little extra work...)
I don't know about you, but I erred on the side of simplicity this Thanksgiving. I did not host anyone, and I only contributed one dish per party. Of course, I chose my most cherished faves to contribute - Knorr's spinach dip (I didn't even have to bring the Bugles!) and pumpkin pie (Matt insists).
Given I had the opportunity to take my time, I invited my children to help with the pie. Evan was my only taker. And he was REALLY helpful. We had a super special memory-making time together, and it was the best pumpkin pie I've made yet!
 |
| Don't you think Chewie was a nice touch? |
As I was measuring out the spices, I handed Evan the cloves and told him to smell them before he poured them in. He paused for so long I commented, "It's strong, huh? Different."
Eventually, he replied, "It smells like...and old grandma's house...that has ivy all over it...and they sell...garden stuff."
So...yeah. I decided I want him to meet Stephen King. Consider it my 2022 make-up-for-a-lonely-Christmas-wish. Anyone willing AND able to help???😉🤣
Speaking of Stephen King...my little teenager managed to beg his dad to drive him to Target on the guise of Christmas shopping, and do you know what he did? He bought his parents post-bad-choices apology gifts. (Including a very thoughtful note!!) Fortunately for me, Matt helped him pick my gift...SK's new Fairy Tale. I, honestly, don't know if I've ever read a newly released book before! It may be a first.
So...we must be doing SOMETHING right. Right?
 |
| Making memories while remembering my own special moments in the kitchen with Grandma Carlene. 💕 |
My best mom-couragement advice on the terrible teens (for those who have to endure them...not all teens do!) is: hang in there, no matter how hard it gets. Keep loving, keep instructing, keep encouraging, keep disciplining, and learning and researching and taking the advice of others who have been there before you and seen their kids through it successfully...and (most importantly) KEEP praying!
And keep finding (and sharing) the gratitude. Like moments in the kitchen with Evan, these are the things that bring value to life and all the subsequent striving and pain.
Happy End of Thanksgiving Break, my friends.
Love, Always, to all...now rest up and go get something done!!
Comments
Post a Comment