On this special week of thanks, I am reminded of all the good in my life. My house may be messy... When I say messy, I mean lived in... I may have loads upon loads of laundry and I may be fraying at the seems with all the things I need to do but.... I am thankful. My kids are growing and soon they will be over all the toys that grace my floor! I am determined to not let this year go by and be just another stress factor. I spend long days cleaning and preparing for family dinners and sometimes, I miss the joy of togetherness when it's actually time to be together. I don't take near enough pictures which leaves me feeling like I was distracted from the big picture. We are blessed if we have family dinners, we are blessed if we have family that desires to be involved, we are blessed to have people surrounding us with positivity. My family comes over and sometimes they leave in less time than it took me to prepare and I can guarantee you, they didn't notice all the tiny detailed cleaning I stressed about.

Don't let another year go by without truly embracing and enjoying the holidays!

I am no longer concerned with my house living up to everyone else's standards. I want my boys to enjoy time with Mommy which means, sometimes I leave the mess and create another one which etches a special memory in their mind. My purpose is not to please everyone everywhere, my purpose is to be a thankful and joyful Mother and Wife. We are making a list and checking it twice this holiday season. Preventing stress starts with the person you stare at in the mirror each morning. Choose joy simply by focussing on the positive in every situation...... I won't lie and tell you it's easy but it will create a renewed perspective of thankfulness in every day, it's worth the extra effort.

Design a culture of thanks 365 days a year, not just a few days in November. I am challenging myself, my family and my followers to have an attitude of gratitude all the time.

"Gratitude helps us see what is there instead of what isn't."

My gratitude journal has genuinely changed my life and my heart. I now see happiness where I once saw chaos. I can now look passed the mess, beyond the clutter and be sincerely happy. I feel sad for those who still sit in judgement wondering why that other girl has a messy house and why in the world she is allowing her kids to get dirty.... Sister, I am going to sit over here and continue praying that God will take that stress and anxiety you are adding to your everyday and free you from those chains that are binding you.... In the meantime, I'm going to love you and smile at your disapproval. I was that Mom who looked at other Mom's like "what in the world is she doing? Her child has dirt on their hands!"..... Then God gave me boys, not just any boys but boys who LOVE the outdoors (most days) I realized, it was me that was stealing their childhood and personality by limiting them on what they should enjoy. Now, we ride bikes, play ball (all kinds), we play in the sand, we swing, we run, jump and skip.....

All while my house needs to be cleaned and guess what?? I'm still breathing.

I just told someone yesterday that I don't even enjoy the holidays anymore because there is so much pressure to be perfect! I was so grieved in my spirit that I felt that way. I decided that I was going to make the best of every moment with my little family of 4, with or without everyone else's blessing and I am ok with that. We are going to live in a constant state of thanksgiving and I want to continue that mindset through the New Year. I am going to learn to say "no" more often and afford myself the same standard of grace that I give everyone else.

We are creating a Holiday Bucket List and regardless if my "To-Do's" are complete or not, my family will experience a season of true love and togetherness! We are made for more than a life of comparison and stress! Be grateful and thankful for the life God has blessed you with! Enjoy moments with your loved ones, you never know how long you will have that special time together.

XOXO -Denisha