Monday, July 30, 2007

A happy heart is a thankful heart...

Okay that title isn't original to me...it comes from Veggie Tales. And it is much quoted around here. Thankfulness is a discipline and a choice; so much of the time it is the difference between contentment and being insatiable. My kids struggle with this. They are such middle-class suburban white kids. They expect dessert, and cool birthday presents, and new bikes and trips to the museum, and zoo. They expect to have choices about what kind of cold cereal they eat. They expect to have a mom at home and willing to drive them to their friends house at the drop of a hat (I tell them not to hold their breath). They expect school to be easy and over by noon, and are put out by having to clean the play room (how dare I make them put away their own toys).

Truth time: I am not much better. I am a middle class white girl. So American; I struggle with "up-gradeitis". Not familiar with the term? Its basically the insatiable desire for new and better stuff. Most Americans have it. For example, lately I decided that our bedroom furniture is a hodge-podge of unmatching stuff - which it is. I told hubby that I'd like to keep an eye out for a new bedroom set. But then I started thinking about it. I actually picked the stuff that's in our room now - because I liked it; the furniture has great lines. I was going for a shabby chic look. I've definitely got the shabby part going on NOW, but there is "chic" potential. A new slip cover for my overstuffed chair. Paint. New drapes, that's about all it would take. Its a mini-makeover waiting to happen... yet my case of up up-gradeitis made me thinking only Pottery Barn would do.

Anyway, in an effort to start the day with a happy heart here is my list of things I'm thankful for today:

-A husband who brings me coffee in bed before he leaves for work.
- The almost 7 hour stretch of sleep I got last night.
- My laptop.
- My garden has produced 2 zucchini and soon I'll have more than I know what to do with ( it never ceases to surprise me that sex makes babies and that seeds grow plants that bear fruit - it is miraculous)
- A chubby cheeked baby who smiles and coos at me.
- A 7 year old boy who can make his own, albeit messy, breakfast.
- Two kids still asleep
-Air conditioning
-Friends who know and love me
-Family nearby
-A God who is patient with me, and loves me as I am right now.
- Dark Chocolate

Happy Monday!

1 comment:

Karen (3rsandahug) said...

I really enjoy reading your blogs. Glad you're back at it again! Since it looks like my garden is going to produce more pumpkins than I'll know what to do with, maybe we can trade pumpkins for zucchini this fall...?
Karen