Christmas posts are in the works...
i just don't know when my life will let me finish them!
i hope you all had a very
Merry Christmas!
Monday, December 29, 2008
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Mad about Max
My mornings usually start out the same. Max comes into my room and wakes me up with a big hug, a sweet kiss, "pets" my hair, and every morning he says "I love you" in a different exquisite way. (I should post about it every morning but I won't). Well, this morning after saying good morning and I love you, he said "mom, you are so colorful" (mind you he's been working on pronouncing his "L"s so the L sound was a little exaggerated. sooo cute!) I then said "what?" And he said "you are so colorful.... you know, like a rainbow!" It was a wonderful way to start my day!
Monday, December 1, 2008
mailing list
I'm getting my 2008 Christmas card mailing list finalized.
If you would like a coveted (teehee)
DeGraff Christmas Card
make sure to email me your address!
If you think I have yours already, email it just in case!
kdegraff@gmail.com
Thanks!
Friday, November 28, 2008
ScRuMpTiOuS
if i had a few of these, i think it
might motivate me to drag our tree upstairs.
which one's your favorite?
go here for some lovely Christmas shopping and to donate
to a very, VERY good cause at the same time!!
we love you stephanie.
our thoughts and prayers continue to be with you and your family.
to a very, VERY good cause at the same time!!
we love you stephanie.
our thoughts and prayers continue to be with you and your family.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Thanksgiving 2008
I thought I would make a huge list of things I'm thankful for this year on this day of Thanksgiving. I'm in awe at how quickly I thought of 100 things! They are in no particular order... whatsoever (I put crochet hooks as #1 and temples as #100 to prove it)!
1. my crochet hooks
2. Parties... of any kind
3. talented and inspiring girlfriends
4. Heavenly Father
5. my Savior, Jesus Christ
6. the Holy Ghost
7. my Shmoopie, Clay
8. Jack Dale and EVERYTHING about him
9. Grace and EVERYTHING about her
10. Maxwell Dennis and EVERYTHING about him
11. my Mom
12. my Dad
13. blogs
14. online shopping
15. my sewing machine
16. my house
17. my kitchen aid
18. my beehives
19. the Utah Jazz
20. Tish, my hair stylist
21. Heather, my masseuse
22. good tv shows
23. my tv
24. my dvr
25. my brothers and sisters
26. doctors
27. facebook
28. gmail
29. the sun
30. clouds
31. Thanksgiving dinner
32. my children's schools and teachers
33. my imagination
34. my creativity
35. mountains
36. my ridiculously stuffed tummy, fridge, cupboards, and pantry
37. my dentist
38. President Monson
39. that Stephanie is doing better
40. pureology
41. flowers
42. my extended family
43. good books
44. good magazines
45. my volvo
46. digital camers
47. my pictures
48. Missionaries
49. my Marriage
50. my ancestors
51. Martha, Ina, and Nigella
52. my smile
53. hip and humble, anthropologie, nordstrom, dear lizzies, j. crew, tj maxx, corn wagon quilt shop, american quilting, roberts, target, children's hour, border's books, soel boutique, the flower shop, gap, mini boden, thanksgiving point, evan's country store, all tucked in, urban outfitters, naartjie, trendy tots, ebay, costco, body works, the land of nod, etsy, pebbles in my pocket... i could go on but i won't.
54. the beehive bazaar
55. crayons, markers, and all artsy things for the kiddies
56. that the elections are over
57. that i've had a head cold and an ear infection the past week (and not some life threatning cancer) to help me not take my healthy body for granted
58. my closet stocked with cute clothes and shoes
59. good music/ talented musicians and artists
60. my ipod
61. my vacuum
62. great in-laws
63. my computer
64. Clay's ability and work ethic to provide such a great life for his family
65. geneology
66. Joseph Smith
67. my pottery wheel
68. chocolate
69. my sense of security
70. mac cosmetics
71. that i get to celebrate Christmas soon!
72. spring
73. summer
74. autumn
75. winter
76. yummy restaurants
77. electricity and all other modern luxuries
78. antiques
79. soft, high thread count bed sheets on my cozy bed
80. down comforters
81. my fireplace
82. that my family is healthy and happy
83. to be a member of the true church
84. the ensign
85. good memories
86. vacations
87. pedicures
88. that Christmas party invitations are already coming in the mail
89. that i didn't have to do the dishes tonight
90. my sewing/ crafty room and everything in it
91. gold's gym
92. relief society
93. the bishopric in my ward
94. the fact that my daughter set the table today and did a great job... she made a big deal about the place cards and was adamant about the center pieces on the kiddie table precisely matching the grown up table. that's my girl!
95. my darling mismatched antique plates that i decided to use today
96. that my kiddies have such great cousins to play with and to love
97. bubble baths
98. my knowledge and wisdom
99. that you came to my blog
100. Temples
1. my crochet hooks
2. Parties... of any kind
3. talented and inspiring girlfriends
4. Heavenly Father
5. my Savior, Jesus Christ
6. the Holy Ghost
7. my Shmoopie, Clay
8. Jack Dale and EVERYTHING about him
9. Grace and EVERYTHING about her
10. Maxwell Dennis and EVERYTHING about him
11. my Mom
12. my Dad
13. blogs
14. online shopping
15. my sewing machine
16. my house
17. my kitchen aid
18. my beehives
19. the Utah Jazz
20. Tish, my hair stylist
21. Heather, my masseuse
22. good tv shows
23. my tv
24. my dvr
25. my brothers and sisters
26. doctors
27. facebook
28. gmail
29. the sun
30. clouds
31. Thanksgiving dinner
32. my children's schools and teachers
33. my imagination
34. my creativity
35. mountains
36. my ridiculously stuffed tummy, fridge, cupboards, and pantry
37. my dentist
38. President Monson
39. that Stephanie is doing better
40. pureology
41. flowers
42. my extended family
43. good books
44. good magazines
45. my volvo
46. digital camers
47. my pictures
48. Missionaries
49. my Marriage
50. my ancestors
51. Martha, Ina, and Nigella
52. my smile
53. hip and humble, anthropologie, nordstrom, dear lizzies, j. crew, tj maxx, corn wagon quilt shop, american quilting, roberts, target, children's hour, border's books, soel boutique, the flower shop, gap, mini boden, thanksgiving point, evan's country store, all tucked in, urban outfitters, naartjie, trendy tots, ebay, costco, body works, the land of nod, etsy, pebbles in my pocket... i could go on but i won't.
54. the beehive bazaar
55. crayons, markers, and all artsy things for the kiddies
56. that the elections are over
57. that i've had a head cold and an ear infection the past week (and not some life threatning cancer) to help me not take my healthy body for granted
58. my closet stocked with cute clothes and shoes
59. good music/ talented musicians and artists
60. my ipod
61. my vacuum
62. great in-laws
63. my computer
64. Clay's ability and work ethic to provide such a great life for his family
65. geneology
66. Joseph Smith
67. my pottery wheel
68. chocolate
69. my sense of security
70. mac cosmetics
71. that i get to celebrate Christmas soon!
72. spring
73. summer
74. autumn
75. winter
76. yummy restaurants
77. electricity and all other modern luxuries
78. antiques
79. soft, high thread count bed sheets on my cozy bed
80. down comforters
81. my fireplace
82. that my family is healthy and happy
83. to be a member of the true church
84. the ensign
85. good memories
86. vacations
87. pedicures
88. that Christmas party invitations are already coming in the mail
89. that i didn't have to do the dishes tonight
90. my sewing/ crafty room and everything in it
91. gold's gym
92. relief society
93. the bishopric in my ward
94. the fact that my daughter set the table today and did a great job... she made a big deal about the place cards and was adamant about the center pieces on the kiddie table precisely matching the grown up table. that's my girl!
95. my darling mismatched antique plates that i decided to use today
96. that my kiddies have such great cousins to play with and to love
97. bubble baths
98. my knowledge and wisdom
99. that you came to my blog
100. Temples
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
A few years ago, two researchers conducted what they called the Research Project on Gratitude and Thankfulness. They found through science what most of us know intuitively: gratitude makes people happy.
For the study, several hundred people were divided into three groups and asked to keep diaries. The first group listed the day’s events in their diaries, the second group recorded any unpleasant experiences they had during the day, and the last group made a daily list of things they were grateful for.
The researchers found that the simple act of taking time each day to count your blessings makes a person more enthusiastic, determined, optimistic, and energetic. Those who expressed gratitude experienced less depression and stress, exercised more regularly, and made more progress toward personal goals. Researchers even noted a relationship between feeling grateful and feeling loved, and they observed how gratitude inspires acts of kindness and compassion.1
Remarkable, isn’t it? All this from daily gratitude and thanksgiving.
Of course, the best way to discover the benefits of gratitude is not by observing them in an academic study but by experiencing the miracle for ourselves: When we daily count our blessings, we feel better about life, even in the midst of adversity; we garner a strength of character and largeness of soul that will help us through hard times; and we see life as basically good, despite its challenges and heartaches.
Gratitude does not need to be reserved for holidays and special events. Every day is filled with miracles and blessings. If we open our hearts and look, we’ll find reasons for gratitude and thanksgiving each day, all around us.
-Lloyd D. Newell
-Lloyd D. Newell
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