Gratitude...

If you've been browsing my blog, you know by now that this week is Teacher Appreciation Week. It is also Nurse Appreciation week as I read on another blog.

Gordon B. Hinckley said:

"Walk with gratitude in your hearts, my dear friends. Be thankful for the wonderful blessings which are yours. Be grateful for the tremendous opportunities that you have. Be thankful to your parents, who care so very much about you and who have worked so very hard to provide for you. Let them know that you are grateful. Say thank you to your mother and your father. Say thank you to your friends. Say thank you to your teachers. Express appreciation to everyone who does you a favor or assists you in any way. Thank the Lord for His goodness to you."


As I get older, I have become more grateful and more aware of things I need to be grateful for. Sometimes, when I am at my kitchen sink with the faucet running just to get water colder or hotter or to rinse off dishes, I think, "Wow, I am so blessed to have such a never ending supply of water. I wonder what people would think in Africa or Asia...places where women struggle to get any water or fresh/good water for their families. Here I am letting it go down the drain...just to get it cooler or to rinse off dishes before I wash them."



Tonight as I was blog browsing, I came across this picture on Stamper's Dream blog (by Michelle).





While it is a fun pix, the words she wrote rang true. Michelle encouraged others with this statement: "Now...my blogging friends, please just take the time today to be thankful for 3 things. Apppreciate them, and vow not to take them for granted."


So, you've seen the funny picture and read about one of the things for which I am truly grateful. Now, I challenge you to post 3 things you are grateful for here. Feel free to use the pix and challenge others on your own blog too!

Gifts for those who touch my life...

Tomorrow, as you probably read in a previous entry, is the day where the elementary kids were asked to bring in their teacher's favorite candy bar for Teacher Appreciation Week. I'm the room parent for #1 so I've been trying to make things extra special. I got this sand bucket and decorated it so that Mrs. Q can fill it up with all the dark chocolate that her students give to her! (Boy, now I am really regretting not taking a picture of the fan mail envie that I made for Monday's Thank You Notes!!)



My Dad's birthday is coming up and as usual, I was stuck on what to do/give him. Then I remembered this idea that my friend M* told me about last summer. Luckily, she remembered the quote when I called this evening. I love how this turned out and I'll be making one for our house. (Just as soon as we get a Name Frame like the ones I gave out as Christmas gifts. hehe.) I bet M* will be making one soon too! The quote is:

"Those who stand firm, steadfast and immovable are given great inner hidden powers and unseen strengths." --James E. Faust





I know that this reminder will uplift my Dad in his times of need.

Who would have thought?

hahah....

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Teacher Appreciation Week

Imagine my surprise when I saw today's challenge...make something for Teacher Appreciation Week. Surprised b/c I had made this darling little "Fan Mail" mailbox/pouch out of an 8.5x11 inch page protector for DS#1's teacher and sent it off to school today without first taking a picture of it. It was really quite clever. Silly Sealife, blues, 17 turtles for the 17 kids in class...teacher was the whale... But tonight, I decided I'd do the challenge (for real) and take a pix of it too. haha. Here is what I did for the 2 teachers that instruct my kids.











Our PTO has come up with a clever way to get the kids involved with Teacher Appreciation Week. Last week, the room parents sen home a letter of explaination.


Monday--write a thank you note to your teacher on the stationary sent home. (I'm the room parent and so that is why I made a packet/mailbox for all the thank you notes for my son's class.)
Tuesday--wear the teacher's favorite color.
Wednesday--bring in the teacher's favorite candy.
Thursday--the PTO bought the teacher's favorite book and all the kids in the class will "autograph" it. Then it will be given to the teacher.
Friday, the room parent will be baking the teacher's favorite dessert.

Now the funny part. DD's teacher's favorite color is --- black. Can you imagine 25 kindergarteners wearing black? hehe. And DS's teacher's favorite dessert is icecream. Yeah...no baking for me...just buying a bunch of icecream and toppings.



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Other exciting news....

DD has learned to ride a bike in one day! I didn't think we'd get to this day. She insisted on using a scooter throughout last year. I was a bit concerned as we were heading into warmer weather. b/c I know her friends all bike. Of course, bikes are faster than scooters. So today, I said I'd help her. And sure enough, she's really getting the hang of it! Yeah hurray. I'll see about taking pix the next time she rides!