The nightly habit went very well for about the first week...in fact I have a saved post where I was doing a recap of the things each person was grateful for that first week. Then the next week came, and schedules got in the way of trying to form a new habit - and so I didn't write down what we were grateful for....and I'm sure I missed a day or two of even asking the children what they were grateful for.
It's been on and off since then....mostly off which I am sad to say - as I still do believe it's a very important part of a daily reflection to talk about what we can be grateful for. And this past Sunday I was reminded why I should start it up again.
Nana and Papa Lord were visiting us, and we all went into Primary to hear Jacob give the scripture and Bryson Jr. give the talk. I slipped out after his talk to go to Sunday School, however Nana & Papa stayed behind to enjoy the remainder of Jr. Primary.
That evening when the little ones were tucked into bed, and we were in the Living Room talking as adults - Leslie (aka Nana) told us that we would have been very proud of our little Bryson during the Sharing Time of Primary. The teacher had been doing a lesson on Prophets and held up a picture of the Prophet that was called to tell the Nephites that the Savior Christ would soon be born. When she asked the children to identify the Prophet in the picture, no one responded....except Bryson. His hand came up to share that it was Samuel the Lamanite. She said he then opened up his Book of Mormon to find the same picture and showed it to the girl in his class (there are 3 children in his class....2 girls and Bryson - and the other girl was away that Sunday. They have such a small class!).
Sister Whiting continued with the lesson, and at one point held up a picture of President Monson and asked the children what he had asked us to do at the last General Conference.
I can't remember if that was the specific answer that she was looking for....but he was right. The Prophet had asked us to have an Attitude of Gratitude among other things we are asked to do - and I am so grateful for his little reminder to our family that I need to work hard to make and continue this as a family tradition to share our gratitude one-liners each night. They are so simple. It shouldn't be hard....and who knows, it could just be the thing that opens up a discussion we will always remember and be thankful for later on. I want us as a family to always stop and share things that we are grateful for, to focus on the positive and to remind ourselves to give thanks for all things.
As so often - I was taught by my child.
And....better late than not at all - here are the 'Attitude of Gratitudes' that were shared in our family & written down....and now they are finally here. I am committed once again and can say with assurance - there will be more :)
Jan. 18th
* Bryson..... I'm thankful for wonderful books to read (we went to the library)
* Madeleine..... I'm thankful for the library to pick out books & movies
* Jacob..... thankful for pizza
* Mommy..... I'm thankful to organize and clean and the wonderful feeling with having things in a place, and that we have these things in our life.
Jan. 20th
* Jacob..... playing Magnetix and making robots
* Bryson..... I'm thankful for books, so I can read
* Madeleine..... I'm thankful that Mommy goes grocery shopping for us
* Mommy..... I'm thankful for good reports on my children - that they are doing what they are supposed to do (Ms. Alvarez, Madeleine's science teacher, had stopped me after school and had praised Madeleine saying that she was always doing what she was supposed to & absolutely a delight in class, with a bright mind and always doing what is right. If only every student were like her she commented, and I was super proud of her and all my kiddos and their good reports!)
Jan. 22
* Bryson Jr...... I'm thankful for basketball (his winter community class had just started)
* Daddy..... I'm thankful for healthy bodies to run and play basketball (he enjoyed 'parent coaching' and running around with basketball almost as much as Bugaboo!)
* Jacob..... My castle
* Madeleine.... Roasted peanuts from the street vendors (yummy!)
* Mommy.... Staying inside and being cozy
Jan. 24
* Bryson.... instruments to play
* Madeleine.... friends like Aoi
* Jacob.... to go to sleep
*Mommy.... to see Madeleine and Bryson dancing (tap & ballet class night where they had a Parent Open House. Bryson was having so much fun, and Madeleine was so graceful)
Jan. 25 (big snow day in the city)
* Madeleine.... snow that we can play in and have snow fights with each other
* Bryson..... for plants that give us food. Like broccoli and apples, which I don't even like but they do make applesauce which I like! (funny kid!)
* Jacob..... that I built a snowman!
* Mommy..... big fluffy snowfalls
Jan. 30 {Sunday}
* Jacob.... for snow
* Bryson.... I'm thankful for Mom and Dad so that I'm not homeless
* Madeleine.... my teachers that can teach me about the gospel, a car to drive us home safely
and mommy to teach us in music because she's funny
* Mommy..... I'm thankful for music - to feel the spirit and lead the Primary children again :)
* Daddy..... No cavities (ironically as he was munching on the carmel corn we had made for a FHE treat!)
We are truly blessed. We are truly grateful.
We will strive to be a family that says more often the things we feel as our
Attitude of Gratitude.
Attitude of Gratitude.
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