Like most everyone I enjoy having traditions.  A tradition can add spark or color to the most ordinary of days.  Just like looking back on pictures, our minds seem to make the memory more special then it actually seemed at the moment of happening.

It's so easy to get caught up in just living life that we miss doing the little things that can make for special memories.  So, when I came across this idea of Marking it Down (sorry, I can't get a direct link to the post) at A Place Called Home I knew it would be a hit at my house.

All you need are dry erase markers a plate and an easel to hold the plate.  Each day write something uplifting, a Scripture verse, prayer request, Happy Birthday or special events happening in the family.

The kids are very interested each morning to see what mom has put on the plate.

When my boys arrived home from a ski trip they found this -  

Then another morning,  the day began inauspiciously (uhhmmm, should I say it?) due to my grumpiness.  We played Bible trivia around the breakfast table and that along with my efforts of snapping out of "it" caused for a whole lightening of the atmosphere.  After this event (no, not the event of my becoming cheerful) but Wesley's winning Bible Trivia - our "Special Plate" had this written on it

Seth went to a math competition -

This is what the children saw today.

As you can see I don't have a real fancy plate but it's what I had on hand.  It doesn't take much effort and the children are really enjoying it.

If you make one, just leave me a comment.   I'd love to see it.