Living in the moment

I was recently thinking about how hard it is for us to live in the moment. We are always worrying, thinking or planning about the next "big thing" we have going on. I realize that I am very much like that in the sense that I have a hard time slowing down long enough to enjoy today. I don't know about you but I can often tell when I have my hand in to many things especially during the holidays. I will all of a sudden feel this panic coming on and my brain feels like it is going to explode on the next person that asks me anything about anything. Are you following me? To be honest I have no desire to be that mom who does it all. I would be happy just doing a few things well. I got to thinking about how stores make it really hard to live in the moment. I mean when I was shopping for Halloween I had a hard time enjoying myself because the store clerks were climbing over me to put Thanksgiving stuff out. Now as my family gets all excited about Thanksgiving we have to climb over Santa statues to buy a Turkey platter...........ummmm hello!!I totally get starting stuff early and in fact am almost done with my Christmas shopping (more on that in a minute) but it's already so hard to just enjoy TODAY without all the "pushing" from the outside world. ugh! Seriously when I start shopping for Christmas decorations they will be throwing Valentines cards at me. he,hee! One way we stopped to enjoy the amazing Fall weather was to go to our home school harvest party.Ryanne and her friend Seth. Show me those mugs!!!!
They had a pumpkin rolling contest and Ryanne and her little friend had to work together because the pumpkins were SO BIG! It took these two forever to get down and back but they laughed the entire time and never gave up.

Morgan did great too!

Ryanne came out with this crown on this morning, I guess she wanted to make sure everyone knew who was in charge today. ;)

Yup, they even had sack races. Morgan was all business!

OK, so I wanted to share our idea we are using to keep Christmas small and in perspective this year. Every year we say,"let's not go over board, cash only, etc." Well, this year I got this great idea out of a magazine I was reading. Dan and the girls thought it was a great, fun way to make Christmas more fun and keep our eyes on the Lord. You buy three gifts; one they REALLY want, one they REALLY need and one that is a total surprise. We are doing stockings for them as well. It has really caused the girls to stop and think about what they are asking for and what we can buy for Dan as well. Just a thought. :)