{ acres of grace & gratitude }

Last week was a doozy my friends. Everything that could have gone wrong did. {For example, my website crashing minutes after getting major press despite dozens of preventive measures taken; the kids hopping into the shower fully clothed (that I had warming up for me) right before I had to take them to school for Sam's Thanksgiving performance, the video camera dying 20 seconds before aforementioned thanksgiving performance started, etc.} I was going to write a post today about how you can prepare for the worst, hope for the best, and still be left with your head spinning, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. Because even with all of the chaos of last week we are still SO LUCKY. We have our health, each other and lots of love.

One of my favorite lines in my favorite book, Eat Pray Love is at the end of Part Two when, after spending four months at an Ashram in India, Elizabeth shares two poems that she's written - the first at the beginning of her stay at the ashram, when she was struggling, and the second one written her last day there after she had found peace and happiness within herself. She writes, "In the the space between the two poems, I have found acres of grace." Acres of grace. I love that. Although I find that I did not handle the events of last week with acres of grace. Acres of attitude perhaps, but not grace. So I vow to work on that. To improve my ability to rein in perspective when I need it most.

In light of the Thanksgiving Holiday this week, I find myself working towards acres of grace and thinking in terms of acres of gratitude...I have so much to be grateful for - happy, healthy children; a loving, kind & patient husband; wonderful parents who I get to see often; Sam & Henry's contagious giggles; our children's birthparents who chose us; my grandparents who are still alive and able to get to know my children; wonderful friends who are supportive and loving; my health and being cancer free; our warm & welcoming home; the men & woman working to protect us; a warm & cozy home over our heads; the affection of our golden retriever; businesses that provide for us....we are so very lucky.

We will have a home over the Thanksgiving holiday filled with the love & laughter of children, family & friends. Just the way I like it. So I'm signing out for a bit to cook & bake, cuddle with the kids and spend time with those I love. Wishing you all a very happy Thanksgiving....