Thankful Thursday - Heather Mattos

Today, I'm so excited to introduce you to Heather. I know you are going to love her! For one, she's bursting with creativity. The things she cooks, sews and crafts are all so beautiful. Two, her blog is virtual eye candy at it's best. One click and I know I will be a little happier just by looking at it! Three, she's not too proud to poke fun at herself or her children and shares some of the most honest sentiments on motherhood in a way that's both comforting and hysterical! I came to know Heather through our blogs and Twitter and am counting the days till I get to squeeze her IRL (in real life) and craft and sew and party our tweet hearts out next month! I hope you enjoy getting to know this amazing woman as much as I have. She is truly a blessing in my life.

Hi! I'm Heather, loving wife to Kevin, proud mom to stubborn, creative Chloe {8}, easy-going, cheerful Chayse {4}, and naughty, quirky Camden {2}.  My family is sure to find me in the kitchen, craft room, or on the computer.  I love baking, obsess over all things handmade, and somehow manage to squeeze in blogging and chatting with my beloved tweeps... often functioning on very little sleep along the way.  I feel so blessed to be responsible for three little lives, and to be sharing the journey with my very best friend. I love my life.

How do you try and give thanks every day?

 

By really remembering to savor the little moments with my kids.  They're only small for such a short time, and while the daily frustrations of tantrums and bickering often occasionally have me contemplating locking myself in the craft room, at the end of the day I want to go to bed feeling like I was present.  Really present.  Making time for snuggling during family movie night.  Baking cookies together every week.  Jotting down the hilarious things that come out of their mouth before I forget.  Even when it seems I haven't a moment to spare, I am constantly reminding myself to be present and be thankful for each crazy day with these {fast-growing} little people.

Along with this goes taking the opportunity to model gratitude and simplicity as often as possible.  Our kids know we may not have the biggest house or car on the block, but they do know how blessed they are.  This is a great time of year to really put an emphasis on this message.  I was so proud when we were taking down Halloween decorations last weekend, and Chloe replaced her handmade 'Happy Halloween' sign on her door with one that says {in her fanciest cursive}, 'Come in Please, be thankful!" 

What do you take for granted that you might express more thanks for?

Unfortunately, my fabulous husband.  How sad, but true, that we tend to get so wrapped up in keeping up with the kids' needs, that our poor, supportive, bread-winning husbands too often get neglected!  Once the kids are put to bed and the house put back together {somewhat}, it is almost always my first instinct to make a beeline for the sewing machine or computer and take advantage of the quiet.  I am SO thankful for the lifestyle Kevin provides for our family, and I need to make more of an effort to divide up my energy and attention to include more snuggles with the self-proclaimed 'blog-widow', himself.

What attributes do you possess that you are thankful for?

Patience and Creativity

Who has treated you with kindness and generosity, and how would you like to thank that person?

One thing I did not expect when I started my blogging journey was to "meet" so many interesting, talented, KIND friends.  Honestly, it has been life-changing.  It is really hard to explain to non-bloggers, but I am so thankful for my awesome blog friends, and SO thrilled to be partying in REAL LIFE with Erin and four more incredible ladies next month! *EEEEEK!!*

What is your favorite Thanksgiving tradition?
As long as I can remember, my family wakes up on Thanksgiving morning to Pillsbury Orange Rolls. {I want one right now.}  My mom, sisters, and I spend the entire day in the kitchen, and we end with stuffed bellies and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.  It's my idea of the perfect day.  Sadly, now that we're all spread across California, we're no longer together every year.  This year, though, they're all making the trek up north to stay with us.  Just one more thing I am truly GRATEFUL for.

Thank you Heather for sharing with all of us how you work to keep Thanksgiving in your heart and home all year through. I felt like all those words could've come straight out of my mouth! Even the ones about the Pillsbury Orange Rolls...we eat them too! Just the smell of them makes me think of my Dad. Now it will make me think of you too!

Be sure and visit Heather and her yummy family at Cookie Mondays

...but beware, you might get lost in there for awhile! It's so much fun.