One Thousand Gifts {part 20}

As January comes to a close, I pause to reflect on the many blessings this Wintery month has brought. From the beauty of nature to the wonderful people in my life, grace is all around. So I continue to count the ways the Lord fills my life with good things, blessings from above:

564. "I Love You Because..." board. So many smiles and laughs we've had!

565. "MOPS Swap" de-cluttering the house while blessing others!


566. Luke remarking on the beauty of snow twinkling in sunlight, "like a bunch of diamonds shining!"


567. Letter from one of our sponsor children

568. Still a little light out past 5:00pm!


569. waking up to a Winter Wonderland

570. mugs of hot cider after playing in the snow


571. family game day


572. coyote passing through the woods in our backyard. Breath-taking.


573. "snow faces"

574. my 2-year old saying grace


575. Cinnamon rolls in the oven


576. meeting a wonderful new friend!


577. Chinese New Year celebrations

578. cold egg rolls


579. playdate: legos, crazy costumes and catching up with wonderful friends

580. answers to prayers far better than I ever imagined


581. handsome little heads of boys with fresh haircuts


582. Megan using the potty for the first time!

...more to come

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1000 Gifts {part 19}

I haven't posted my 1000 gifts list in awhile, although I have been continuing to capture these blessings in my personal journal. It has been such a blessing to live a life of gratitude with intention. As I make my way toward 1000, my heart continues to swell with thanksgiving at the many blessings all around me:

544. Feeding ducks, geese and seagulls spontaneously. So thankful for crackers in the car


545. whirlwind trip to Doctor's office, well-checks for 3 healthy growing kids


546. dance party in the kitchen with the littles to liven up pre-dinner hour


547. feel-good music that boosts spirits


548. new craft ideas


549. The kids practicing "good manners scenarios" together--so many giggles and such a joy to watch


550. engaging conversation with someone new


551. paper snowflakes in sunlight





552. fresh berries in January-delicious and sweet


553. the boys using their money to buy jelly beans--sharing a sweet treat together, so proud that they earned it


554. Bird Song book-- joy of listening to springtime chirps and dreaming of the day we'll hear them again



555. waking up to blanket of white


556. boys romping in the snow, all soggy and red-cheeked


557. boys' invented game of "Pirate Chess" complete with set of rules

more to come...

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One Thousand Gifts (part 18)

As the seasons shift from golden autumn to pale winter, the beauty of the Lord is ever-present in both bold and subtle ways. And so I continue to the count many blessings from God above, making my way to 1000:




412. Nature crowns!







413 -419. Date night: delicious dinner, sleeping in, feeling like newlyweds, talking without interruption, going to church together--able to actually pay attention!


420. nighttime snuggle under blankets watching October snow fall with 6 year old son


421. reading Halloween stories to excited little boys


422. joy of painting


423-427. moms night out: glitter pumpkins (fun!), mulled cider, yummy treats, lots of laughs



428. homemade kettle corn


429. pinkish first morning light against rare October snow-so still and peaceful


430. warm house with electricity while many Connecticut residents go without power--ability to offer house to others in need


431. thick crusty morning frost on grass


432. husband's new job! Such a blessing!


433. warm toasted pumpkin seeds




434. jack-o-lanterns all aglow




435. The last golden colors of Fall set on fire by afternoon sun




436. October snow on holly




437. popcorn, hot cocoa and movies with cousins

...more to come

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One Thousand Gifts (part 17)

As the Autumn trees blaze fiery red and orange here in Connecticut, I am filled with awe at the beauty the Lord gives each day. And so I continue to count these blessings--the beauty and grace of the Lord all around me--making my way to One Thousand...

387. party preparations--making the house festive and fun in anticipation of celebrating two birthdays!



388. connecting with an old friend-catching up on life together


389. being reminded of the many blessings in my life-heart swelling with gratitude


390. son's spontaneous art projects-joy of watching creativity blossom


391. making "rain art" together with the kids--turning rainy day into joy!


392. 6-year old son earning his first Cub Scout beads--witnessing his face beaming with ear-to-ear grin


393. the feeling of renewal and energy that comes from exercising


394. birthday celebration: day of fun, good food, family and happy happy kids









395. finding a grasshopper on our car after church-fun of examining it together


396. tiny red heart leaf on walk



397-401. fall walk with family on gorgeous sunny day: waterfalls, animal barn, orange sugar maple ablaze from afternoon sun, gathering leaves to identify and etch


402. finding a wonderful homeschool co-op that's a great fit for the kids


403. evening prayer and cuddle with my 3-year old


404. pumpkin french toast with real maple syrup


405. yellow mums in sunlight




406. still getting ripe garden tomatoes in October!



407. 3-year old's drawing of baby Jesus



408. daughter's sweet tired toddler babbles just before bed

409. bouquet of beautiful roses from husband



410. maple leaf falling slowly, gently fluttering to the ground--a simple moment of pure beauty


...more to come

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One Thousand Gifts (part 16)

This week the beauty of Fall has been all around. From gorgeous sunshiny afternoons outside to apple-baked goodness, we have been soaking up every bit of this golden season while it lasts. And so I continue to count the many ways the Lord blesses me each day:



365. Thrill of finding a bird's nest!

366. Halloween craft fun

367. a good night of sleep

368. sunshine after several days of rain

369. gorgeous afternoon outside with the kids gathering up the beauty of God's creation





370. getting "filled up" by good friends


371. looking through old artwork with the kids--Laughing at toddler projects and enjoying the wonder of development



372. husband's help with housework

373. getting help from others where it was needed!

374. homemade macaroni and cheese--so gooey and delicious




375. the smell of Fall in the air

376-386. birthday celebration: Gorgeous weather, Fall fun at the farm, corn maze, apple cider, pumpkin latte, hayride, pumpkin patch, presents, and popcorn. Such an amazing day of gifts!

...more to come

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One Thousand Gifts (part 15)

The seasons are definitely changing. With Fall's arrival there's a shift in the air. While flowers in the garden wilt and fade, hints of autumn's splendor come creeping in-- cool crisp nights, the smell of wood stoves burning. With this season of change, of shifting, I continue to count the ways the Lord is always present, always giving:

332. New year of MOPS beginning--new friendships, connections and growth


333. tear-talk with sister


334. Adam's self-portrait



335. the smell of scotch tape


336. sunny September play date of baked apples and new friends. Seeing the Lord working His miracle of connecting new lives.


337. a tidy house at the end of a full day. Ready for another dawn.


338. Gorgeous sunlight on a day that called for rain


339. the fun of trying new recipes


340. discovering new blogs that encourage and inspire-kindred spirits across the expanse


341. finding a rhythm for the new school year, settling into new routines


342. homemade French Onion soup to chase away the sniffles



343. sweet precious daughter turning 2



344. 3 year old son's sudden and unexpected interest in learning to read!


345. daughter's pronunciation of "mohhh-key" (monkey) and "puuuhhh-kin" (pumpkin)-so hilarious and adorable


346. husband's second interview for new job!


347. tomato plants continuing to give ripe juicy tomatoes though vines yellow and wilt



348. cricket song


349. old photos and the reminiscing that comes from them


350. foot rub from husband-feeling so loved


351. ice cream cake for daughter's birthday. Orange everywhere!



352. tiny new nephew brought safely into the world


353. cold medicine that makes the symptoms better


...more to come

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One Thousand Gifts (part 14)

It's been awhile since I last posted my gratitude list, although I've been trying my best to record His gifts in my personal journal at home. It's been neat to look back on a Summer full of captured grace. Even in a season of sorrow (Sadly, I experienced a miscarriage over the summer) there has still been so much to be thankful for...some of it the hard eucharisteo, as Ann calls it. As a new season begins-- both in nature and in my own life--I pause to ponder the wonder of the everyday gifts from above. And so my list continues, an entire Summer of gifts:

299. long soulful walk with friend

300. lightening behind nighttime clouds, illuminating black sky with electric energy

301. Hostas in full bloom with fuzzy buzzy visitors

302. Ben and Jerry's ice cream!

303. a clean kitchen (a rare occurrence!)

304. Son telling me in expressive tones, "the garden Lillies are so beautiful!"

305. morning sunlight filtered through trees

306. Watching thunderstorm with the kids--power and beauty of nature, and the awe of it

307. 3 year-old son telling me he hopes I sleep well as I'm tucking him in

308. 6 year old son exclaiming he loves to read!

309. brain-storming, bursts of creative energy

310. little boy squeals of delight as brothers swing together outside on playset

311. falling asleep to cricket song

312. apple walnut cake fresh out of the oven

313. ripe garden tomatoes

314. apple trees ripe with fruit

315. iced pumpkin lattes from Dunkin Donuts!



316. little girl snuggles with baby dolls

317. new winter hats for the kids that they've been wearing around the house in 70 degree weather!

318. sweet and salty corn on the cob dripping with butter, color of sunshine



319. laughing hysterically with the boys playing charades

320. refreshing evening walk with the kids-relaxation after a full day



321. Trust, connection and heart-healing conversation with an old friend

322. Cub-scout son's ear-to-ear grin at Raingutter Regatta-joy of victory!



323. Laughter over painfully hot buffalo wings(a restaurant mix-up!), not enough milk in the world cool the mouth burn!

324-330. Date Day: gorgeous weather, popcorn on a wooded bench, walking hand-in-hand, great conversation, soul connection

331. Renewed inspiration after season of rest and recovery

332. Crock pot cooking-easy and delicious!

333. Muffin tin meals-fun for the kids and easy for mom!

334. Fall craft days with the kids

335. discovering new music artists that stir the soul

336-340. The life lessons that only come from sorrow, renewed sense of what matters most in life, strengthened bonds with family and friends, outpouring of love from surprising places and over-whelming sense of hope in the midst of it all

341. son running in to bring me first colorful fallen leaf of the season





...to be continued...

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