one thousand gifts

1000 and beyond.
I will keep counting.
I need to keep doing this. I have a natural tendency to be negative and very hard on myself.
This is like my medicine.
Daily gifts. Large and small. From God, for me.

#975... yummy new coconut flour waffle recipe!
#976... celebrating Aaron's half birthday (3.5 years old!)
#977... cleaning with open windows AND doors!
#979... a stack of new empty bins for packing and sorting (and labeling!!)
#983... the first flowers of spring
#986... organizing the garage with my husband
#989... watching my youngest be old enough to ride the Strider bike
#990... my very talented father... this weeks featured skill: texturing our ceiling!
#991... how the flowers perk up in the sun like I do.
#993... the sound of the tea kettle right before it whistles.
#994... scrambled eggs fresh from the farm... so simple but this food never grows old in our house.
#997... the many giggles the twisty slide brings
#998... the excited anticipation of a simple -For Sale- sign in our yard
#999... peace only God can give.
#1000... not knowing the future but knowing the One who does.
#1003... the helpfulness of my family
#1004... a great little car that still fits all of us
#1006... four of us sleeping in the same room... and ALL of us actually sleeping!
#1007... our new ride!
#1008... catching up with an old friend
#1009... blueberry pancakes!!!!!!!!!
#1010... the peaceful and sunny long drive home in two vehicles with children sleeping soundly in the backseat.
#1011... a weekend that was short, fast, restful, busy, productive and relaxing all in one!
#1012... coming home.

Join me in counting the gifts of God’s grace in your life with the gratitude community at A Holy Experience.

one thousand gifts

my list continues to grow
blessings overflow

(I've taken a good sized break from blogging, but I have not stopped giving thanks! My list is growing in my notebook, but I thought I'd share a few with you today.)

glimpses from the past week:

#924...the sounds of Spring...birds chirping
#925...reading in a rocking chair
#929...branches blowing in the breeze
#935...clean bedrooms, "Sarah clean!" :-)
#938...eating breakfast with just my daughter, dad already off to work, son sleeping in!
#941...sitting by the sandbox my dad built for my children
#942...watching them play in it and run around the yard
#944...the happy mood of children waking from naps!
#945...spring jackets.
#946...a freshly turned garden
#947...empty flower beds, a blank canvas
#945...a stack of clean cloth diapers
#951...breaking out the Birkenstocks!
#952...book club night with friends
#954...gracious, gracious babysitting sisters
#956...a weekend away! (a WHOLE weekend!!)
#957...quality time with family we see too little
#960...sitting in a bookstore, drinking chai, with no need to watch the time!
#961...The Cheesecake Factory.
#963...finding fellow bloggers to love to read like me! (SRT11)
#967...a full cup of tea
#968...the bottom of a cup a tea
#971...blessed by very nice compliments on our house!
#973...plans to move getting underway.
#974...the many different emotions that brings!

Join me in counting the gifts of God’s grace in your life with Ann Voskamp's and her gratitude community at A Holy Experience.

thankful

I'm still counting...

594 - 667

594. my son LOVES raw vegetables. I don't mind one bit he want to snack on broccoli while I cut it up for whatever recipe I'm cooking up for dinner!
-waking up and feeling rested because I actually got enough sleep
-a short work week for David
-the simple things: a free balloon from the grocery store
-the first batch of homemade ice cream of the year!
-long hours of sunshine

600. sitting on the floor playing with my kids
-a punch bowl full of fresh produce
-going a while day without rushing to do anything
-jars of my liquid gold!! local raw honey!
-super cute previously loved clothes for Lydia
-fresh made extra garlic-y humus
-a tall glass of ice tea
-a house (and ac) to keep us cool!
-a morning photo shoot with my resident 10 month old who was full of smiles!
-finding a schedule that works for my days

610. not needing caffeine as must as I did last week!
-my multi-talented husband
-Aaron loving to watch David do car maintenance and learning all about how things work
-butter, yellow butter, fresh!
-early morning walk around the neighborhood looking for all kinds of construction vehicles
-a wonderful borrowed double stroller
-David getting home early because the power was out at work
-summer rain
-baby giggles
-real emails from far away friends

620. movie night
-packing and planning for a road trip and getting done early without being rushed
-our first pepper from the garden (a purple pepper!)
-weekend trip to visit family
-no carsickness!!
-2 full days of relaxing and hanging out with family
-afternoon chai pick-me-up!
-a saturday morning farmers market trip
-visiting with my college roommate!!!
-learning some new gardening tips!

630.-getting to know a new friend better
-looking through old family photos
-happy traveling children
-a good nights rest
-huge white fluffy clouds in a bright blue sky
-sitting on the deck grilling dinner
-stopping half way home to visit my grandparents!
-tea party with Aaron on my new hostess tray/tea set
-a night out to fellowship with friends
-an oh so yummy chocolate dessert

640. throwing together dinner and having all the right ingredients
-a really really long nap by Aaron and...
-the fantastic mood he woke up in!
-Lydia content to sit and play on my lap for a very extend period of time just when I needed her to
-spending hours looking through old photos with my dad
-a one stop place to pick up all our yummy organic food without going to the grocery
-fresh melon with dinner
-dinner with friends that I didn't have to cook and then...
-swimming after dinner in their pool
-how much Aaron loves to be in the water

650. no internet most of the day so no opportunity to waste time on it
-kids napping extra long after a late night yesterday
-how good Aaron is at making Lydia giggle
-building towers as fast as I can before Lydia joyfully SMASHES them down
- a new "shampoo"
-huge blooming sunflowers
-morning quiet time for all three of us that WAS really quiet
-a mountain high tower of books from the library
-long naps AGAIN!
-being extra productive all day

660. still no internet and not minding it one bit
-homemade pizza -never a fail!!
-poolside reading (even if it is just our kid-size pool on the deck)
-fresh bathed babies
-old toys played with like new after being in "hiding
-walking the trails in the early morning
-being super-ultra productive before noon!
-planning a camping trip for this fall!

The Thousand Gifts
Care to join the Gratitude Community?

endless gifts

525 - 593

525. a good big rain for our growing garden
kids sleeping in a little bit!
a new game! Carcassonne! (If your a fan of Settlers of Catan then this one's for you!!)
picking out new library books
catching up on some blogging

530. catching up on some reading
easy, quick humus pizza dinner!
a planning/prayer retreat in the middle of the week
company for dinner
cooking in my new open kitchen
my mac book pro connecting me to so many friends and family
our home fellowship friends
people watching
a husband who understands I need to just get away sometimes
our dishwasher!!

540. the hose! So much fun for a certain little boy
watching Mr. A spend the afternoon under the kitchen table and having a blast
a productive evening of sorting and deleting photos making more space on my comp.
Nourishing Tradition's Spanish Omelet!
a quiet rainy morning
the house to myself (sort of) while Miss L sleeps and A and dad run errands.
watching Miss L pull herself up on everything
the first sprinkler day of the summer
trim work almost finished!
a big thunderstorm (I love tstorms)

550. the storm didn't take out the power (but we were ready!)
the storm didn't wake any sleeping children!
plenty of rain for our garden this weekend
being encouraged in my mission as a mother
making muffins. I love making muffins.
throat coat tea that reminds me of Christmas time
a pink sunrise
a peaceful, quiet morning
4 days with no fridge and it all worked out
a day trip spent with family

560. celebrating with my grandpa his 88th birthday!
packing plenty of extra clothes for the kids (and not needing them all!)
meeting Lizzy
learning a new way to make my chai... with a splash of coffee! (thanks Lizzy!)
coolers and a mini fridge
a slow clam day
a morning of storms
enjoying the power outage with open windows
a new fridge, quietly keeping our food cold &/or frozen properly!
the fridge arriving in just enough time to get cold before getting our co-op food!

570. D working from home for the fridge-install-day!
a quiet service project I ended up doing alone...what worked out quite nicely!
a house that keeps us dry!
watching L learn to feed herself!
an hour of puddle stompin' in the stream, formerly known as our street.
getting home late and a husband who cleaned the whole kitchen!
a rough two weeks that are over and done with.
several days in a row with the windows open!
fresh air!!
an early morning walk

580. seeing how excited A is to see the geese, throw a rock in the pond and run up and down hills
going to a baseball game with my family of origin!
a mini pool party for A with some friends
going to the zoo to see the new cheetah exhibit!
a babysitter and a date night
going TO the movies! I forgot how much I like seeing a good movie there! (in case you are wondering we saw The A Team... and really enjoyed it!)
new books that challenge me
being available to help friends with childcare
quick healing of whatever was making Mr. A so miserable.
a little friend spending the day with us while his mommy and daddy go house hunting

590. outdoor church!
going downtown with my sister to see fireworks
not getting REALLY lost on the way there, just sort of :-)
D home all day

The Thousand Gifts
Care to join the Gratitude Community?

endless gifts

I sort of fell off this wagon... It started with losing the notebook that I use to write these down... then I stopped looking and forgot to keep up with it... but now the notebook is found! and I'm back in the game!

470 - 524

less diapers to wash
potty training success
cinnamon chai
sleeping all.night.long with no little ones waking me for ANY reason!
quality time working in my flower beds
a trip to the apple orchard buying plants and visiting with friends
the gift of better transportation
more very successful garage cleaning
my first homemade Mother's Day present from Mr. A!
Mother's Day's many blessings!

480 no cooking or cleaning all day long!
a clean house
reading in the quiet while baby #2 naps and daddy took baby #1 for a walk
going to bed on time
the 3rd night of getting a full nights sleep
waking before the rest of the house
a really good long nap
only washing diapers for ONE! (yes! I'm still rejoicing over this!)
meeting with friends at Starbucks
the sound of a big rain storm

490 making big batches of baby food quickly with my vitamix
cuddling with my kids
a new to me camera!
an awesome 35mm lens!!!!!
both kids sleeping all night when they are sick and I thought for sure they'd' be up in the night
an at home pedicure!
a small painting job around the house to surprise D while he enjoyed a weekend away
well-behaved children even tho they have colds/coughs all weekend when D was gone
re-reading my favorite novel from childhood (Treasures of the Snow) -SO good!
watching A lay on the floor lost and completely content in imaginative play

500 holding Miss L and reading books with her before bed -a tradition I'll always have and love with my kids
planting some flowers in pots on my deck! --which is calling my name to come out there and read... sometime... somehow
sunflowers determined to grow even though something had a hay-day trying to eat/destroy them!
reading in the sun with D while both little ones nap
a sister graduating from Purdue!!
a long weekend with my husband home!
a very talented and skilled husband
new great room!
seeing my baby sister graduated High School
visiting with my family that lives far away

510 seeing Miss L crawl for the first time
then promptly learning to pull her self up and climb all over the place
the peaceful sound of silence during afternoon nap time
the first summer cookout with friends
restful Sabbath
complete with a good nap!
a nice trip out of the house with just Miss L and myself
morning quiet time
a new and fresh week ahead of me
lots and lots of birds filling the would-be silence

520 throat coat tea
clean sun dried cloth diapers!
breakfast made for me by my husband
a full day checking off almost everything on my to-do list!

The Thousand Gifts
Care to join the Gratitude Community?

endless gifts

417 - 469

417. a trip to the library
watching Mr. A running all around the yard
Miss L's looong nap!

420. watering growing plants
singing fun kids songs in music class
a happy waking boy
a boy who wants to play outside before 8am
eating breakfast with Mr A sitting on my lap (he's getting bigger and doesn't usually like to sit on my lap anymore)
planning a mini-vacation
good news from a friend
GREEN grass
the quiet peace of getting up with the sun
a short road trip

430. the refreshing sight of rolling hills (we definitely live in the flat lands)
a cute cabin
an adorable mug (you know, right, sometimes the mug just makes the drink!)
hot tea
the sound of wind in the trees
crickets (the sound of summer)
a good meal with extended family
quiet reading time
a happy little boy loving all this nature time
visiting with family

440. a cool spring morning
my first weekly prayer and planning retreat
finishing my weekly menu
quick trip to the grocery ALONE!
He Himself is our peace. Eph. 2:14
fresh air + reading = wonderful combination
a very fun late afternoon playdate
two big bags of clothes for Mr. A
a roaster chicken in the crockpot for dinner and the yummy smells all day!
barefeet

450. growing vegetables
Miss L's scrunchie nose smiles!!
successful potty training day
a work day in the garage -sounds messy... well, it was, but oh so needed and so much was accomplished
exercising - really good exercising
how happy Miss L is jumping in the jumper (and seeing the height she gets!)
baking bread
having a menu plan... and following it!
a happy quiet boy during nap... even if he wasn't sleeping
lots of rain for all things growing

460. Miss L's going back to bed in the morning before Mr A even woke up!
A second quiet time first thing in the morning!
a big pot of tea for the day
music
finishing Anne of Green Gables
sunshine after the rain
colors
the smell of laundry dried in the sun
the smell of fresh cut grass
new recipe (granola bars!)

The Thousand Gifts
Care to join the Gratitude Community?

endless gifts

417 - 457

417 my sister Rachel, celebrating her birthday early with her!
birds chirping everywhere
peas sprouts growing

420 flowers blooming
reading my Bible outside
a husband who makes the bed!
Miss L trying for the first time and really liking peas!
pink tulips
Miss L, celebrating 7 months!
Rachel, celebrating 22 years!
taking a kefir soda class
fresh rain, LOTS of fresh, clean rain
thunderstorms

430 getting home safely
Miss L tried for the first time and LOVED squash
having my sister over for lunch!
Miss L who will go with the flow of the day
Miss L who is still smiley and happy even if she misses a normal nap time
a quiet afternoon
cool wind
the calm a stormy sky seems to bring everyone
piano music
having conversations with Mr. A! I love hearing what's going on inside his head!

440 a friends healthy new baby (who happens to have the same name as one of mine!)
fresh new perspective from re-arranging furniture
a fun little photo shoot
morning sunshine
finishing a book
perfect warm spring weather
spending the day outside in the yard
digging a new bed for sunflowers!
planting seeds in the garden
weeding

450 a garden fence
compost in the garden and flower beds
the smell of fresh cut grass
open windows
kids playing outside
a day of rest
a much needed nap
457 and a good nights sleep

The Thousand Gifts
Care to join the Gratitude Community?

endless gifts

learning to be a Joy finder.

352 - 416

watching Miss L happily entertain herself with just her feet for so much of the looong drive
small pockets of sleep while on the road
finding a comfortable position to rest
no traffic issues
no car troubles
remembering to have extra changes of clothes easily accessible for the little ones
only one of Mr. A's security sleep items got dirty when he got sick.
plenty of snacks

360 lots of drivers
2 HUGE walk in closets that make perfect bedrooms for small ones, seriously huge!
both little ones sleeping IN!
a good nights rest, in a bed!
Mr. A loving the pool right away
reading by the pool in the early morning hours
baked oatmeal for breakfast
doing my Bible study on the balcony
listening to the wind and waves
Miss L sleeping all.night.long!

370 finishing a book!
playing in the POURING rain on the beach with Mr A
watching Mr A find shells and observing which ones he decides to keep and which ones not to
fresh grilled vegetables
it didn't rain all day! just the morning
seeing how happy Mr A is in the pool
creating a baked apple dessert topped with crumbled creation of homemade protein bar/granola
the BRIGHT GLOWING moon at 5:30am (I am still floored at how bright it was over the gulf reflecting on the water!)
kids still sleeping well

380 celebrating fun things -like 7 yrs ago when David proposed!
David taking Mr A for a walk on the beach and getting a quiet morning inside
learning to go with the flow
the bulldozer my dad found for Mr A
new sarong J & H picked out for me
reading for 3 straight hours in the sun!
an evening walk with David on the beach
just talking and sitting with our legs in the hot tub
my turn for a morning walk on the beach with Mr. A
seeing a huge jelly fish on the beach

390 Miss L trying out the pool
Miss L trying mango -and LOVING it
a family pool picture
Mr A going to bed SO well! (the beach and pool wear him out nicely)
another nice afternoon reading by the pool
so much beautiful weather
seeing so much bright blue cloudless skies
great sunscreen preventing Mr. A from getting even the slightest bit red (in fact I think he has zero tan lines!)
swim shirts for both of my guys (makes getting ready for the pool and lotion-ed up much quicker!)
taking my vita-mix on vacation and making so many things in the kitchen go so much quicker!

400 enjoying my last afternoon reading outside
no one getting sick in the car on the way home
a happy happy little girl, who even when she's whining to get out of her car seat still smiles when you look at her!
getting home 2hrs faster than it took to get there
beautiful weather to return to
finishing another book in the car
a mostly clean house -thanks to all my hard work the wk before we left
going shopping with my sister to get Mr A some Easter clothes
browsing Borders!
how funny Miss L was trying egg yoke (w/ a little chicken stock) spit. it. out. -in her defense I think she was already full.

410 not being late to church!!
seeing Mr A open his (and his sisters) Resurrection presents
Mr A playing in sandbox for an hour
I got to read during LONG naps
windows open
lasagna from the freezer
416 sleepy time tea.

The Thousand Gifts
Care to join the Gratitude Community?

gifts

301 - 351

exciting product to review and giveaway coming soon
cheaper phone bill with more perks
tulips
birds
blue skies
playing outside
making tracks in the last little patches of snow
both children sleeping
Mr. A's paintings
Mr. A's good productive tot school time
catching up on my reading through the Bible plan
painting
going barefoot
new shoes
a new strawberry garden
all afternoon outside
making bread (kefir raisin bread!)
forced simplicity and not minding (internet went out)
finishing another book
talking with my 2 yr old and understanding him more and more
Miss L's huge smiles
iced tea
John 15:5
watching Mr A play for hours in the sandbox
watching him try to talk to the robins in the yard
hearing birds out my window
the freedom of no internet
yogaX
sunshine!
blue skies
a silent house
spontaneous trip to the wooden park
beautiful sleeping children... almost to the point that I want to wake them to hold them... almost.
a quick internet connection repair
snap peas planted
helpful friend having just the right tool
chocolate chip banana muffins
great (and cute) consignment sale finds
a new bed for Mr. A
he stayed in it all night!
he even stayed in it when he woke up in the morning!
another tooth for Miss L
playdate with new friends
new squash bread recipe
removing the plastic from the windows
open windows
new tires that fix so many car issues
summer sandals for Mr. A
Mr. A giggling at Miss L
Mr. A building a soft block tower and Miss L knocking it down... over and over
a night with the book club ladies

The Thousand Gifts
Care to join the Gratitude Community?

gifts

It's not Monday... but these little thing will not to be taken for granted.

244 - 300

a big box that came in the mail for a little boy and all the joy it's bringing him (more on this soon)

soy candles

my new mini cow creamer!

pretty baby girl clothes

hot tea before bed

a shelf just for my painting supplies

250. sitting and painting, both a relaxing and energizing time

a random trip to Target as a family

Miss. L sleeping in the wrap the whole time

simple (and oh so yummy) stir fry!

movie night with hubby

hearing Mr. A giggle

my new chai ladle

another bright winter day

visiting with a neighbor for the morning

talking about gardening and seeds

260. watching Miss. L get sooo close to crawling!

Miss L's very happy and loud high pitched squeals

and the little laughs she gives us every once in awhile

making loaded smoothies for lunch

Tropical Traditions coconut peanut butter

my new SmartMom necklace

seeing Mr. A play with Miss L (he's building her towers with her soft blocks)

helping my son make a birthday cake for his grandpa!

Mr. A making a snow man -hopefully the LAST one of the season. (it was actually a pile of dirty snow that he put a face on... but boy was he excited and proud of it!)

270. sunny sunny days

playing for hours in the sandbox with Mr. A

Miss L not taking an afternoon nap -and still being a happy little girl!

french onion soup

a quiet morning

sun on my face

almost all the snow piles melted

the grass looking more green and less brown!

decluttering Miss L's closet

sorting clothes and bagging lots to give away

280. spring rain!

seeing more and more of the tulips and daffodils

planning for a vacation!

music class with the kids has begun again!

a weekend with no schedule

less computer and more family time!

being in a women's Bible study again!

getting up with the sun

being outside almost more than inside!

waking up the garden (turned and raked it today)

290. new (to Mr. A) original tonka gear for the sandbox (he wanted to take the digger (excavator) to nap with him!)

reading in the sunshine

vacuuming under the couches (and finding lost "treasures")

hearing the thump thump thump, over and over and over of Miss L jumping in her jumper!

spotting airplanes in the BRIGHT blue sky with Mr. A

staring a new Bible study

seeing so many neighbors outside

our first walk in the stroller of the season!

hearing the neighborhood kids playing outside

seeing them play a pick up game of baseball! I didn't think this still happened it was amazing to see all the ages playing a game together that was not scheduled or adult controlled!

300. blueberry muffins made and ready for a morning snack

The Thousand Gifts
Care to join the Gratitude Community?

gifts

179 - 243

my grandma cleaned the inside of my microwave!

180. a balloon to seriously brighten the day of a very sick little boy

my sister who has a job that allows her to pick up some things for my sick children

cuddling on the couch w/ Mr. A for HOURS while he works on resting and recovering

the smiles Miss L still gives even when she has a miserable cold

both children napping AT THE SAME TIME!

the amazing blessing of having my grandma in town the week I seem to be needing the most extra help!

the handy-round-the-house-ness of my husband!

watching the winter Olympics and cheering on the US

many quiet hours in the evening reading

190. a random afternoon visit from my sister!

Miss. L getting up on her hands and knees!

Miss. L recovered! all better! NO MORE COUGH!

Mr. A recovered! all better! NO FEVER, NO COUGH!

Seeing Mr. A learning to obey the first time!!! and doing it often!

sunny sunny days in winter

being still

making a dinner full of wholesome food

a play-date planned!

more shelves in progress!

200. more places to be organized!

birds chirping in the morning!!!

knowing Spring is coming even if all I can see is snow right now

anticipating my tulips to soon push through

an early birthday present! (a book!!!)

getting the new Aperture 3 to better organize my photos!

seeing Miss L getting better at reaching and grabbing things!

being helpful to others

finished shelves in the laundry room!

our health

210. Miss L laying on my shoulder

Mr. A wanting and asking to sit on my lab and read a book

a working car

good exercise

exciting news from a friend!

finished shelves in the garage!

cleaning and re-organizing my kitchen

garden planning

getting time to read my book club book (The Count of Monte Cristo)

pretty white snow that didn't melt right away

220. Mr. A talking more and more!

the huge window in the front room

a stack of clean white blocks ready for creativity to spill all over them

my neti pot

a birthday morning of blueberry muffins and chai

my spot on the couch in front of the big bright window

a good night with my book club ladies

news of a VERY exciting review and giveaway I'm blessed to do soon

cheaper cell phone bill with more perks!

seeing tulips coming up!!!

230. seeing the grass, almost ALL of it!

birds chirping

BLUE SKIES!!!

playing outside

making tracks in the snow with Mr. A

seeing how much Mr. A likes to paint!

a good productive time of Tot School with Mr. A

making blueberry muffins

going to bed early

both little ones sleeping in past 8am!

240. catching up on my reading through the Bible plan

getting my hands in the dirt and planting our first seeds indoors!

opening up the sandbox for the first time of the year

playing with the bubbles and the big bubble wand even though it's cold outside

The Thousand Gifts
Care to join the Gratitude Community?

gifts

145 - 179

145. huge snowflakes

being ready to stay home and keep warm for the winter storm coming

learning new things

excellent quiet time

reading with Mr. A

150. watching the snow fly all around from inside where it's warm

quiet evening

the news that our insurance company IS going to cover and reimburse us SOME for Miss. L's home birth!!!

getting snowed in with my family for the day

happy happy children

2 cups of chai day!

blending all sorts of smoothie concoctions!

new soy candles

a healthy eating 2 yr old

organizing my laundry room

160. Sunday afternoon napping

sneaking off to read, even if it is only for 15 min

numbers matching when they are supposed to on my UNFI account! HUGE praise here!

Superbowl party with friends

the Colts... I still like 'em even if they got 2nd place.

our Father in Heaven, The Healer, who will heal Mr. A's first fever

having Miss L these 5 months and trying to remember each day b/c they are going so fast!

chai made just for me first thing in the morning! Thanks David!!!

piano music in the background of my afternoon

Grandma coming for a morning visit

170. clean, white snow

getting to watch my youngest sister swim at Sectionals

watching her win or break a record OR BOTH in all four of her events while advancing to the State swimming meet in 2 relays and an individual event

being at the meet and watching as another of my old school records gets broke..errr shattered!

seeing the team WIN the whole meet! and the coach (was my coach too!) get Coach of the year! (both for the second year in a row!!)

more help with laundry from Granny (I vote she should move MUCH closer! :-) )

quick trip out while Granny played with Mr A and Miss L

a full fridge before more snow might fall

extra hands around when a little one get sick

a movie to comfort the wee sick one... even if it is watched... over and over and over...

The Thousand Gifts
Care to join the Gratitude Community?

gifts

126 - 144

127. core synergistics w/ P90X -better LATE (in the evening) than never!

our team is in the Super Bowl

a great full night of sleep

130. a husband who will get up with our toddler in the middle of the night so I can sleep

getting up before any little ones

chai first thing in the morning

visiting some brand new baby chicks! Mr. A even got to hold one!

cuddle time w Miss L while Mr. A naps

our food co-op

my granny being in town and getting to spend the day with her!!

how good my kids were when they had to sit in the car for a long time with granny while I carried loads of food and figured out paperwork

Miss. L's easy-going nature

watching Mr. A play by himself -boy I wish I knew what he was thinking while he plays! It would it would be fascinating to know!

140. My car and it's tire that is still full of air!

a new kitchen appliance to make my life easier!

my star-swimming sister! starting to finish up her last season and doing it in a lightening-fast kinda way!

stacks and stacks of clean folded clothes thanks to granny!!!

homemade banana orange juice!

The Thousand Gifts
Care to join the Gratitude Community?

gifts

64 - 125

a full un-broken night of sleep

the yummy smell of my baby

a perfect batch of popcorn made on the stove -DH got every kernel to pop!

fellowshipping with friends

early bedtime for children

early bedtime for me!

70. picking up all my groceries by myself, no help from little hands

reading for hours in a quiet house

candle light

a new furnace

our warm house

my warm car

being still and quiet

cheeseburger paradise soup

beautiful sleeping children

juicy fresh fruit

80. a while day with no errands

a baby who always wakes up with a huge smile for me!

reading with my husband

the excitement of a 2 yr old doing a 12 piece puzzle for the first time

another early bedtime

getting plenty of sleep

getting up before the sun

reading through my Bible

listening to Mr. A giggle

smartwool socks. I only have one pair, and as soon as they are clean I put them on!

90. eating dinner someone else made

sitting in church with my husband

Mr. A liking his Sunday School class so much now he doesn't want to leave

Ordering groceries from my computer

Reading The Count of Monte Cristo in a silent house

warm sunshine thru the windows even when it's 23 degrees outside

Miss L's new super cute carseat cover that keeps her comfy cozy!

the weekend.

getting new-to-us clothes

Melissa & Doug toys half off!

100. Mr. A writing an "A" for the first time!

crock-pot chicken stock!

a new month

a birthday month!

chirping birds

two full days with my husband home!

new (much bigger) shelves

reading poems with for Mr. A

planning paintings!

meal planning

110. a new start and a fresh week

making a fort with Mr. A

a night out

a helpful stranger

my dad

a warm car

thick mittens

a tire patch kit

Miss. L not needing me while I was out stranded and waking up right when I got home

super cute Baby Legs

120. a much needed nap

a friend who picked up my groceries!

dinner in the crockpot

a whole day at home

clean laundry

125. garden planning

The Thousand Gifts
Care to join the Gratitude Community?

gifts

31 - 63

late night reading and cuddling with Mr. A

Miss L laying her sweet head on my shoulder

A quick dinner so more time to play together as a family

waking feeling rested

a clean laundry room

reorganizing / sorting / de-cluttering

my 4 mo old who will still nap in the wrap

warm heat

exercising and seeing it make a difference

a night out all by myself

hot chocolate

working appliances

plastic on the windows

hot creamy cauliflower soup with warm cornbread muffins

fast homemade meals

Miss L's smiles

a husband who cleaned the whole kitchen when I was swamped

cloth diapers and not ever running to the store for more disposables

ordering garden seeds for indoor sprouting!

fellowshipping w/ friends

chai that makes me chatty

a husband who listens -even when I'm very chatty

a well needed break from blogging

sitting IN church (not in new baby/cry room) WITH my husband for the WHOLE service

a down comforter!

BIG snow flakes

music class for preschoolers (Miss L goes for free and LOVES it! -Mr. A is still undecided)

folding little clothes

Miss L rolling all around the floor

Miss L reaching and grabbing for toys!

blueberries

roaster chicken in the crockpot -making the house smell wonderful all day long!

thyme

_____________________________________________

I'm giving myself 100 days to get to 1000.

The Thousand Gifts
Care to join the Gratitude Community?

gifts

10. sparklely snow

11. bright January sunshine

12. reading my big book under a warm down blanket

13. two little ones napping extra long and being extra productive with my time

14. a house full of extended family

15. a clean kitchen

16. warm apple-gingerbread upside-down cake

17. a snow fall that finally covers most of the grass

18. two cups of homemade chai in one day

19. the bright blue January sky

20. exercising for an uninterrupted hour

21. a shopping trip with my 2 yr old to pick out his own pair of scissors and the crazy amount of joy it gave him

22. another date with my sweet two year old to the library, reading many books, picking out his favorites to take home

23. playing with icicles, watching them drop, hearing the giggles

24. spending the day with my sister

25. a morning visit with friends and their cute new little boy

26. bible study with friends

27. wearing my sleeping girl in our wrap

28. my littlest sister, now a senior, watching her swim on senior honor night

29. leftover chicken pot pie

30. sore muscles, in a good way

The Thousand Gifts
Care to join the Gratitude Community?

Gratitude

to glorify Him in all things!

daily noting the gifts I have!

I don't know how long it will take me to get to 1000. Only time will tell.

I really enjoyed listing things I was thankful for during November. and now I will continue.

Gifts from God. Seeing Him in the everyday.

Pausing to look from Him. His grace. Endless blessings.

1. reading in my rocking chair with warm slippers and hot tea
2. a day at home. the whole family. with no place to go.
3. our very happy, smiley little girl
4. our talkative 2 yr old, saying more and more new words that we can understand everyday!
5. reading with my husband. (we're currently reading this.)
6. swimming again. racing again.
7. a broken furnace that is still able to keep us warm
8. new cookbooks with many more ideas of healthy meals!
9. the fresh new year

The Thousand Gifts
Care to join the Gratitude Community?