Onward weary soldier...Counting, counting the gifts!

17. Dirt under fingernails

18. Dimples on the back of 50% of the hands in my home

19. Caring that takes nothing, but only gives rich grace

20. Patience to wait for a heart to soften

21. Haze on my backyard mountains

22. Movie night with girlfriends

23. Nailpolish on little girl fingers

24. Over watered herbs by my over zealous garden helpers

25. Cotton anything

26. Clean sheets to rub my feet on next to my best friend

27. Heat that slows everthing down to a crawl

28. Anticipating the arrival of dear friends from a far off land

29. Time alone with a child

30. Grace that is greater than all my sin!

Counting the blessings

5. Psalms, all of them! But 123 is a current favorite

6. Sunshine after a powerful storm

7. Girlfriends

8. Weakness made perfect in His strength. Exposing my clear need

9. Uncertainty that keeps me dependent and hopeful

10. Mountains in my backyard... Don't let me take your beauty for granted, as I clearly may not have you in the months to come.

11. Blue jeans that wear out in fun

12. Quilt forts

13. Post Easter, egg hunting

14. Cash in the laundry; feeling so much like a tip that says: "Go get yourself something pretty!" Or from a soda fountain.

15. Knowing who to pray for during a storm. Knowing the fears of those closest to me; being able to trust them to Jesus. The gift of knowing a heart. Truly knowing it.

16. The pool season that is fast approaching! I can hardly wait to slather my babies in sunscreen!

Counting the Blessings!

I have decided to count the specific blessings and moments for thankful praise here. So here it goes all the way to 1,000... Not all at once certaninly.

1. Jesus, and his plucking me from the mundane and having more imagination for this heart than I ever could.

2. My guy, my grass mowing, hard tickling, blue eyed, tender hearted, gray chest haired, full of God's grace man.

3. My toe headed brood of babies. Full of fullness and life. Eager to love and share, Mexican food loving, light hearted gang of misfits.

4. My now, grace everyday for my now. Living present in today with grace and not worry. Greatest today gift I could ever ask for.

Best day EVER!

I remember when I was first married; I put such unrealistic expectations on Jason in the gift department. My daydreaming hopes of every holiday always left me grumpy and discouraged. Now that I've grown a little bit older and maybe a little bit more...hmmm, less selfish and full of myself, I see fun days like Mother's Day with more grace.

My weekend was fantastic, full of snuggles, gooey glue cards and time. Time with my husband, time with my kids, and time to nap. It was fantastic. I think of the holidays that I felt so let down; I regret the selfish heart I took into those holidays.

I'm so richly blessed as a mama. Blessed beyond all understanding. Truly, everyday is my day. Everyday I get to have a sleep over with my best friend. Everyday I get to have my favorite people to dinner! Everyday, I get to fold the endless mounds of blessings given to my children from friends. Everyday, I get to witness the Lord provide for my heart, the hearts of my family and the community around us.

My cup is running over! When I think it isn't; I'm not looking... Blessed! I'm so richly, richly blessed!

I'm on Jason's computer, found these old pictures! I love my job!

Tired Thinking

I'm tired today. Weary even, but I'm thankful. I have the song outside of my wind chime, the sleeping sounds of my baby and the untamed cowlick of my son. I'm watching my love study, waiting for my big girls to come home.

Tired mama not knowing what to cook. Tired mama, confused by this day. I read Proverbs 4 and found much comfort.

Proverbs 4:20
My son, be attentive to my words;
incline your ear to my sayings.
Let them not escape from your sight;
keep them within your heart.
For they are life to those who find them,
and healing to all their flesh.
Keep your heart with all vigilance,
for from it flow the springs of life.
Put away from you crooked speech,
and put devious talk far from you.
Let your eyes look directly forward,
and your gaze be straight before you.
Ponder the path of your feet;
then all your ways will be sure.
Do not swerve to the right or the left;
turn your foot from evil.

How can it be?

I don't know where time went..
How are you two?

Your squishy nose smiles
Your baby girl curls
Your chubby baby thighs
Your bright bright blue eyes
Capture me
Melt me

Your constant hand in my shirt
Need for my lap
Love for time
Quiet ways, but ever need to be present

I cannot remember life without
you in it.
Yet, I have only known you for two years.

Two happy years!
I love you sweet Story Jane!
Happy Birthday!

Too shy to blow out your candles
this year,
Who knows what another year will hold?

Come Awake!