I'm THANKFUL jar

Well, it is getting to be that time of year.
The time of year when we try to remember all of the things we are thankful for.

I have been trying to come up with a way for my children to think about all of the things and people they should be thankful for.

They realize they should be thankful for things ~ toys and food, but it seems they forget (as do I) to remember to be thankful for all of the people in our lives as well.

We have come to expect our priest to be at church on Sunday mornings and say mass.
We expect our friends will be there when we need/want them.
We expect our children's teachers to show up to work and foster our children's education.

But does our Priest KNOW that we listen to him and appreciate that he proclaims the word of God.  Does he know we listen to his homily's, his words and his perspectives, take them with us when we walk through the church doors and try to live as better catholics?

Do our friends know that we appreciate them.  Whether it's my children and the friends they play with, or even for me, an adult and knowing I have a shoulder to lean on.  Someone who will have my back, give me advice and support.

And teachers.  25+ kids in a classroom, all with different learning techniques, personalities, and behaviors (good and bad).  Oh, how I appreciate them.

And these few people are just the icing on the cake.  There is so much more and I want my children to be reminded of the things and people they are fortunate to have in their lives, because there are SO many with so much less.

Here's what I did:

You will need some sort of Jar with a lid
Items to decorate it with (stickers ~ I used card stock leaf "stickers" that had one foam sticky on the back, which I ripped off, as well as letter stickers)
Mod Podge and a brush to paint it on.

Depending on what type of decorations you are using will depend on the process you will use.  

* First I stuck my letters on ~ I used the phrase "We are Thankful".

* Then, Since my "stickers" were not sticky, I covered the areas I wanted to place them with Mod    

   Podge.  

* Once everything was in place, I coated the entire jar with a layer of Mod Podge to seal it all.

* I also tied a ribbon around the lip of the jar.

Then.... fill it with things to be thankful for and an action that puts those things into play (I made one slip for every day beginning Nov. 1st until Thanksgiving).

Example:                         

 I am thankful for:

MY FRIENDS

* give at least 2 of your friends a compliment today *

Then everyday, take a slip out, read it together then do it. A simple way to remember the little things in life we are thankful for.