My son has more of a negative look on life (not sure where he got that from:) He frequently complains that school is boring so my Firefighter husband encourages him everyday to describe three things he liked about school. Recently, my husband used a glass of water to explain to Ethan the difference between viewing things as “half full” or “half empty.” Each evening at dinner, the boys report to us their list of “half full” things they are thankful to God for that day. We’ve been doing a family “1,000″ list and take turns writing it down in a journal.

My son is probably the only child in the world who is thankful for the peas I made for dinner (#14 on the list)!

I think it helps them want to write in the journal since Ethan is the one who designed it:)

297. Sharing with the kids the graces God gives us and hearing their gratitude list.

298. Trip to Orlando and Sea World.

299. I did not cry once on said trip (seems to be a family rule that we haven’t experienced Orlando without the entire family crying at least once)

300. Seeing old friends and their kids. (one whom I was there when he was born-now he’s 8 years old)

301. Happy faces on rides at Sea World.

302. The wonder and diversity of the sea animals God has made.

303. Challenging sermon yesterday on the cost of discipleship-one I need to hear over and over.

304. Sunny days next to the pool.

305. Firefighter husband who can take care of all injuries bloody and somehow convince a screaming child that it’s okay to wear a bandaid.