Preparation and Doing

I have been pondering preparation that last little while. I have been trying to get prepared for a summer schedule that doesn't include tons of free time for hours of playing on the computer or the Wii. I have been trying to get prepared in case of emergencies by getting my food storage, water storage and emergency supplies together and ready. I am preparing menus and shopping lists so I am prepared to make dinner at 4pm and not scrambling for ingredients. I am trying to prepare myself to be a good mother, wife and person by practicing the habits I think will lead me to a happy life. I have been so busy preparing that I haven't been DOING enough doing with other things in my life. I would much rather make a list of the fun things that we are going to do as a family and put off doing the taxes.
So is my preparing my doing? I know I have been neglecting the odd thing (you don't get in that much trouble if you don't pay taxes...right? It's not like I am not going to do them. They just might get submitted on April 15.)
Last night I was preparing for what I wanted to teach my children spiritually. I would like to spend the week focusing on having an attitude of gratitude. My 9 and 5 year old boys have been saying increasingly more silly prayers. My 5 year old has been thankful for the Wii, games, computer games and new Wii game with alarming frequency and while I think we should be grateful for the things we have (because who doesn't appreciate things?), I think we should be focusing our appreciation in additional ways. So last night I found a bunch of quotes for us to discuss and a couple of stories that we can explore to help develop an attitude of gratitude. I want them to be prepared to be grateful even when things aren't going great to be grateful for what they do have. I think one of my favorite quotes was this one:

Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful. - Buddha

So that is the goal for the week to help increase all of our attitudes of gratitude. I have decided to add two keys to my 8 keys of excellence. (Bobbi DePorter's 8 keys) I am adding Attitude of Gratitude and Look for God in all things. I hope I am prepared :) and if not I am grateful for the journey. Have a great day of thanks.