*don't forget to checkout my Thanksgiving Spread designed here and below especially for you!
Give thanks with a grateful heart ♥️
Does your family have any Thanksgiving traditions? A friend of mine was just telling me about her family’s tradition. Every year they go around the table and each share what they are thankful for and it got me thinking…
And you know how the thinking train goes…
This is such a great tradition, but I want to change it up just a bit. I want to make this an entire season of gratitude, not just a day. Being grateful once you finally get to sit down at the table with the ones you love is the easy part. But how can we focus on having a grateful heart the days leading up to Thanksgiving.
Being thankful everyday, sometimes it is easier said than done. Oftentimes, as busy mamas, we spend all of our time focusing on our ever growing to-do list. This season, I have a challenge for you. Be intentional with your time, your thoughts and your actions. My hope is that in doing this you will be able to cut down on stressors that plague people during the holiday season.
Okay so, this is all great in theory but how can we actually put it into practice when we are entering the craziest time of the year?
Let me HELP you!
Our culture often goes straight from Halloween to Christmas, but let’s break that cycle!
Being a mom, some of my favorite days were the days each of my children were born. I think that Christmas has to be one of God’s favorite holidays. I like to think that Thanksgiving comes next on his list. (Do you think He has favorite holidays? I might add that to the questions to ask Him one day.)
After all, He calls us to give thanks in all circumstances. That is easier said than done, trust me I know. This has been the hardest year for me and my children. Many of you know I lost my husband in April of this year. If you are unfamiliar with our sudden loss of Quintin, you can read about it here. And while I have done everything I can to not completely drown in this grief and to be a mama to our four children who are each grieving as well, there is one thing I have learned through it all. Even when it is hard to be thankful for everything, just find one thing.
One. Single. Thing.
Start small; find even just one thing a day that brings a smile to your face and be thankful for it. For me, my smiles come from being with all four of my children. They are my world and I am thankful everyday that they are mine. I am also thankful for their father, he made sure they never doubted how much he loved them. I am thankful for that gift, that even in his absence, they can look back and remember how much he treasured them. How much he treasured our time together as a family.
And man, what a wonderful thing to treasure! Time together as a family ♥️
Here is a picture of our last Thanksgiving together. It holds so many amazing yet bittersweet memories. Let it be a reminder to not sweat the small stuff and to make the time to enjoy your precious time with your family.
I truly want you to get to be present with your family during this season. But I don't just want you to be present. I was you to get to be present and RELAXED. I want you to be able to do fun Thanksgiving turkey crafts like this TURKEY COOKIE
Let’s free up a little bandwidth so that you can be intentional with your time among family this holiday season. And fully embrace a heart of gratitude for precious time with the people you love.
And in efforts to help you manage the stress load; please check out my family's favorite, easy and delicious THANKSGIVING side options ready for you to throw together for the perfect Crazy Busy Mama Thanksgiving spread. Wether you are hosting or traveling there is something for everyone in this Thanksgiving section of my blog!
Could you do me a favor? If you something from my Thanksgiving section of my blog for the holiday and loved it, would you please go to that recipe on my blog and give it 5 🌟 STAR review and comment with what you specifically loved about it too? I would be so grateful! In doing this, it allows me to see what you love the very most so I can feature more of what you love.
Much appreciation and love to you and your sweet family! – Lori
PS- It's not too late to join my FREE Gratitude Challenge this month, I would love to have you! JOIN ME HERE!
