Squeezing in some time on the computer while my husband takes a break, so that I can give thanks for:
71. gap-toothed smiles
72. flowers carried home from a "guys' trip" to the mountains, now wilted, more beautiful for making it all the way home
73. a call from the son of the woman who we visited for the years before her death - he's found the funny papers she saved for the boys
74. alone time, praise music, updated lesson plans
75. a full bird feeder and a growing 2011 backyard bird list
76. Bach, tea, and poetry with the boys
77. clean counters
78. dermatology (we are a family with skin issues)
79. good tumor marker numbers and spirits in a precious pastor with cancer
80. a job for my husband!!
Check out A Holy Experience for a lot more gratitude.
61. the early spring garden
62. my husband doing all of the work on the early spring garden
63. eavesdropping on kindergarten playmates playing "I Spy"
64. miniature garden tools, muddy hands
65. mild, overcast, calm days
66. enough coolness at night to merit a cup of hot tea
67. new school room posters
68. sandalwood candles when the house smells like dog...or anytime
69. my kids eating the baking soda-missing-pumpkin-chocolate-chip "muffins" (hockey pucks) without complaining (the chocolate makes them bearable?)
70. a whole week without school!
Others are sharing their reasons to be thankful at A Holy Experience.
Although I don't really know my husband's full feelings about Valentine's day, he has always recognized it (well) for my sake. Also, I'm still in that phase when my boys (especially the little one) think I'm their Valentine. Regular girls are not gross yet, but they are inconsequential in terms of love. I'm the girl in all their lives, and I'm thankful for that especially.
Some other Valentine's Day gifts:
51. Tulips from my two boys
52. Comte Gruyere at a bargain from Costco
53. Homemade jewelry from Shortbread
54. A homemade valentine from Shortbread
55. St. Andre' cheese; also a bargain from Trader Joe's
56. Just enough leftover pancake batter to make impromptu heart pancakes this morning
57. The ultimate gift from my sweetie - running to Costco for me
58. A new one to love...Charlie! (still quaking if we bring out the camera, so this one's through a window)
59. An at-home date night, which can still be romantic with my guy and good cheese
60. That he's my husband AND my Valentine (even if he's not a real cowboy)
So many more gifts at A Holy Experience...
Shortbread turned six on Saturday, and after hosting a few little friends on Friday, we had a quiet family dinner complete with his birthday cake choice: coconut cream pie.
I am struggling a bit with the thought that if "we" are now six, "we" are no longer very young.
Seems that something helpful might be to focus on the multitude of things about my no-longer-very-young baby for which I am thankful. I'll dedicate this list of gifts to him:
46. his most frequent complaint or request: he wants to snuggle
47. his huge missing-tooth smile and his mousy brown hair
48. his "I love you" after asking "Mama?"
48. that he still has a wet thumb, a threadbare blankie (that smells vaguely of puppies and cheese), and a holdable frame
49. his wonderful creations, especially the ones he's made for me: bracelets, colored paper flowers, and the double-stick tape purse (It's picked up a little hair by now.)
50. that he counts his brother as his best friend and a perfectly wonderful sleep-over buddy (who would never make fun of his thumb or his blankie).
Happy Birthday Moochie!! XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
To join in listing your gifts or enjoy what others have to share, go to A Holy Experience.
I thought that with the New Year I might revamp or rededicate myself to blogging (was I ever REALLY dedicated?), and that I would post an entry about it first thing this new year. But then I read Ann's post today, and I was reminded that what I really need to do "first thing" is give thanks.
So many gifts as we enter 2011...
41. My sweet husband's unemployment means he's home, and it's way better than I thought it would be.
42. Big guy's willingness to eat kale soup without complaint.
43. A new devotional.
44. A finished novel. (Read, of course, not written)
45. This winter's pace, with time to stop, to linger, to listen.
More gifts of can be found at A Holy Experience.
I am still counting the gifts I see around me, but I missed posting last week. Hopefully, it was because I was fully engaged in enjoying His gifts.
We had a lovely Christmas, surrounded by family and friends, celebrating the One Gift that makes all the others possible. Here are some of those:
21. Energy to make just one more trip to the grocery store for more eggs, or mushrooms, or sugar, or batteries...
22. Grandma Marie's and my "secret recipe" soup for Christmas Eve eve
23. My mom arriving on Christmas Eve with tables, chairs, extra decorations, meatballs, cheese, and deviled eggs, and cookies
24. Children singing in the choir, the littles trying so hard (mostly)to be still in all the excitement.
25. The look on our children's faces as they sit in the candlelight, captivated, as the pastor tells The Story.
26. Friends, family, and laughter in every corner of this home.
27. The blessing of celebrating my birthday, too, while we all gather to celebrate His.
28. Butter Cake on Christmas morning.
29. Working with my in-laws, husband, and father (and occsionally the boys) to complete a 1000-oiece dinosaur puzzle that I puchased for the 5 year-old (!)
30. A white Chirstmas IN GEORGIA y'all!
31. When all is quiet and dark in the house, except for the crackling of the fire and the glow of the Christmas tree, and I can sit in wonder and awe that He came here.
32. Christmas day with all the busyness over and nothing left but stillness and joy (and cookies, lots of cookies).
To share your Christmas gifts, or peek at what others have received, visit A Holy Experience.
My brain doesn't work well past 9:00 PM, especially when it's cold, and we're into the final half-hour of Monday now. But I can't go to bed unless I've made time be grateful for these:
11. a mother-in-law who always finds time and energy to wash the dishes and snuggle the grandchildren, but has never found a moment to criticize in 10 years
12. that the unemployment that brings uncertainty and stress also brings my husband/their father home for a December with his family
13. 40th birthday gifts in the month I turn 41
14. mittens in the mail on the coldest day of the year
15. dry firewood
16. a broken fever
17. a young son who listens for hours to his papa, even when Papa can't remember the words...or sometimes, his grandson's name
18. the woman who went home to the Lord yesterday, who loved the boys like grandchildren, buying extra cereal she would have a toy from the box for each
19. Barney Butter
20. snow flurries in December...in Georgia
Please join me in making time for gratitude at A Holy Experience.
Thanksgiving Day has passed, and we've moved on to Advent, rushing to switch our Gratitude Tree for an Advent Calender. Don't get me wrong, I love the excitement and anticipation of this season. But I need more thanksgiving - more giving thanks.
I've felt a change within myself lately. I don't know if anyone else has noticed; it's internal mostly. I think my kids can tell. The change is that I am focused so much more than ever on praising God for all the grace he's given me (and it's all grace). I didn't decide to "work on gratitude" in order fufill a goal on a spiritual goals list. It's just come. It's just been given. Partly, it may have come through Ann VosKamp's offerings at A Holy Experience and those who have joined her. To look on the everyday with eyes that behold only what is beautiful and sacred. Not turning eyes from brokeness and pain, but finding the holy in it. Could that be how we're meant to see?
So it's the Monday after Thanksgiving, and I want to keep going. I'm joining in with Ann to list 1000 Gifts (and more).
- knowing Who to thank
- our soon-to-be nine year old still wanting me to sing (if you want to call it that) to him every night
- our kindergartener who is still small enough to be lifted, held, carried
- my husband smiling everyday (every difficult day) when he walks through the door
You can join in, too. Just use the link at the top to visit Ann's site.
