Counting blessings.

Thanks for all the nice comments on the Christmas book - glad so many of you will be aiming for a simple Christmas this year too! A couple people asked about journaling - since you know I am all about the story - I am planning to add journaling either right onto the photos (by computer or pen) or I will replace a circle or two depending on how much I want to say.

The circle punch I used was 2 1/8. Right now there is just one sheet of cardstock in each sleeve. I am thinking I may just use it that way and add the photos in onto the back of the circles.

The quote on the cover is from the 7gypsies sticker sheet called Joy (sticker componet# 17294-A).

COUNTING BLESSINGS

So many things to be thankful for this year. It has been a year of tremendous change for our family. Crazy, wonderful, heart-wrenching, amazing...all those emotions and so much more wrapped into 12 little months. We learned of Simon's autism. One chapter closing in Chris' career and another one opening. We moved. I became the breadwinner.

I am so thankful that we are where we are. That each one of us is here to celebrate with one another. That Chris is pursuing his passion. That Simon is progressing. That I am able to wake up and love what I am doing every single day - even when I am so busy I can barely breathe.

I am thankful for all the people that have come into my lives because of scrapbooking. I am thankful that they continue to stick with me even when I disappear for awhile in the midst of work and family. I am thankful for all the kindness that has been shown to me from scrapbookers all over the world. Thank you for taking the time to connect with me, for sharing stories from your own lives.

I am thankful for my parents and all the support they have given Chris and I. We could not have made all these changes without them.

I am thankful for art. For the opportunity to create. To focus on things that matter to me. To explore and experiment and communicate through a variety of means.

I am thankful for generous understanding & patience from so many people in my lives.

Loved this article from Yoga Journal about selfless gratitude.

And I am thankful that we are back in the city of Eugene. Simon and I went to the library this morning for his first library card. Eugene has a BEAUTIFUL library that we did not have access to from our old home. I have been wanting to do this ever since we moved back to town.

Since he is so into helping right now, I gave Simon a basket to carry - one that he could put books in as he chose which ones he wanted to bring home. We walked in and up to the desk. The woman at the desk was moderately friendly. She looked tired. I had all my necessary documents proving that we now live in the city limits.

While she was plugging in all the info Simon was chattering and whining and walking in circles in the large rountunda that greets patrons when they enter the library. I have always found it tough to talk to someone and watch Simon at the same time...and standing still next to me is not really his strong point.

The woman behind the counter heard me call Simon by name as I tried to corral him back over to me (enticing him with something from my purse that would never prove as interesting as the stairs) and then she said to him something to the effect of, "Simon, we need to be quiet in here and not run around. The sound echos up to the other floors." She said this to him as he was walking away, in one of those tones that demonstrates she has forgotten what it is like to have a child in tow.

My response to her was kind, "I am sorry. He has autism. I don't think he will probably understand what you are telling him."

That pretty much stopped her grouchy attitude right there. "I am sorry," she said. "I had no idea."

From there on out she was very nice to him. Encouraging him while he scribbled lines all over his new card - his signature at 3 years old. She told him what a great job he was doing. He told her "thank you" after a bit of prompting and we were on our way into the world of books.

That was the first time I have said that to someone in that manner before. I imgaine it was a reminder to her, as it was to me, that appearances are not always the only signal of something deeper. That we need to have patience and understanding and compassion for all people.

I want to be the kind of parent that sets a good example for Simon. That sets boundaries and teaches him to behave (to the best of his ability) in a variety of situations. But I also know his limits right now and what he is and is not really capable of at this time. I also know which battles to choose.

A totally interesting experience to say the least.

So hug your families. Have patience with your relatives. Give a little compassion and understanding. And have a very wonderfulThanksgiving.