Thanksgiving, #joydare

Our first Thanksgiving back in South Dakota. The guest list started small, grew, and then ended up very manageable with LOTS of leftovers.

Maggie and I started the day with a 5k with Tammy & her girls. This was a first for both of us. It was a lot of fun and I think will be a good tradition -- especially if we bring the whole family (including Rusty) next year.

I made my usual apple cider brined turkey (actually made 2), mashed potatoes, smashed sweet potatoes, asparagus, green beans and, of course, gravy. The Moms brought dessert (Jessie enjoyed the Cool Whip). 

48. Extended family

49. Football

50. Turkey

51. The smells of the meal cooking

52. Mashed potatoes

53. Sweet potatoes

54. Bacon, bacon, bacon

55. Walking a 5k with Maggie, Tammy, Alyssa, Amy & Taylor

56. Peppermint Hot Chocolate

57. The feeling of being too full, so content

58. Spending the day surrounded by family, even unexpected family

#1000Gifts List, continuing

It's so interesting to take time to think about what I'm thankful for. I have been trying to take some time each day and am finally carrying my journal so I can update it.

16. A little girl who can get lost in a book.
17. Old friends
18. Feeling like part of a team.
19. Lazy Sunday at home with popcorn & hot chocolate
20. Teaching Maggie to make chocolate chip cookies -- and she did most of it herself!

21. Meeting people from the neighborhood
22. A tower of beer!
23. Bowling
24. Maggie making bacon & eggs for breakfast.
25. Leftovers for lunch.
26. How much Jessie loves her school
27. Getting bacon from the Meat Lab at SDSU
28. A new Muppet Movie
29. Watching Wild Kratts with the girls each morning (and learning something!)
30. Jessie's school picture (so cute)
31. Jessie-ism "I love Cheetos! Cheetos ROCK!" And then she plays air guitar.
32. Spin class - though I haven't yet noticed any bodily changes in how my clothes fit, I am looking forward to class more and more!
33. Jessie as "Star of the Week"
34. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
35. Visiting Mike & Bonnie for the day
36. Pomegranates and mangoes in the Bountiful Basket
37. Watching "Charlie & Lola" and seeing it as the British, cartoon version of my girls in a few years.
38. Jessie freestyle singing, just like Maggie used to. Singing about how strong the Spider-man phone is and how much she loves her family.
39. Listening to Jessie play with her Barbies & make up stories.
40. Automatic washer & dryers
41. Jessie's day care teachers
42. The Boys & Girls Club -- after school care for Maggie.
43. Marvel Movies: no one leaves until all the credits are over.
44. Date Day and THOR 2 The Dark World.
45. Artifical heat -- winter has arrived in SD.
46. Playing Monopoly with Maggie (even if we don't finish the game)
47. Popcord & Elf

30 Days of Thanks

So, it's that time of year again. Suddenly, everyone on Facebook is Thankful. And everyone takes time each day to post about how amazing, super-fantastic their life is. And I get that Facebook can feel like your high school class reunion where we hide the bad thing, the hurt things to make life sound better than it actually is. But you know what, who cares? Counting your blessings makes you happier, more thankful, more content. And I've gotten away from that. I can feel myself falling into old patterns, old discontents. So I think it is time to revisit being thankful, deliberately thankful. Last year, I got to 500 August - December. Starting here, I'm going to see how long it takes me to get to 1000 and then perhaps continue.

To kick start, I'm going to take my days of thanks from Facebook:

1. My girls who continually keep life entertaining!
2. My husband. No specific reason, too many to count.
3. A house starting to feel like home.
4. Antibiotics
5. Great job with a supportive leader.
6. SNOW!
7. Playing in the snow before school/work with Rusty.
8. Spin class
9. Cooking day!
10. Lunch with Maggie (because she took 2 AR quizzes)
11. Rocky's dream job.
12. A fun Halloween
13. Excellent first Parent-Teacher conference for Maggie (our star reader!)
14. Catching up with an old friend/co-worker
15. Sunshine

1000 Gifts, New Year, New List

As the new year began, I anticipated continuing with my list as I had before. It was a good process. I would list out my gifts as they come to me, sometimes on paper, sometimes on Twitter. And I still do that. But I needed a little more "help," and so while following Ann Voskamp and One Thousand Gifts on Facebook, I decided to take her challenge to the next level and download her daily prompts.  Her prompts are for 3 gifts.  Sometimes it is easy to see the gift and, as usual, sometimes the gifts are trickier to find.  So I decided to change how I was posting my gifts, and will now post monthly, following her calendar.  I will still list gifts as they come to me on Twitter, which if you are there, feel free to follow me and start your own list there.

1000 Gifts. 93 Gifts in January

3 Gifts heard: Jessica's laughter, Maggie's singing, Rocky's snoring
A Gift outside, inside, on a plate: Beautiful blue skies, returning to work after a long weekend, leftovers for lunch!
3 Graces overheard: Praise songs playing in the background, prayers that will be said, "If we are the Body"
A gift old, new, blue: Leftovers, a new leather chain for my cross, my new travel coffee mug
Something you're reading, making, seeing: The Confident Woman, prayer journal, a prayer I needed at the right time.
One thing in your bag, your fridge, your heart: A coupon book, a bottle of bubbly wine, ability to forgive
3 Graces from people you love: Snuggles with Jessie, giggles with Maggie, another chance from Rocky
Dusky light, surprising reflection, lovely shadow Watching the sun rise as I take Maggie to school, catching her eye in the rear view mirror, the shadow of Rusty - always ready
A gift held, passed by, sat with Maggie's hand, passing by the crowd at the press conference at work, sitting by the tub as the girls play
A gift sour, sweet, just right Sourdough toast for breakfast, my husband's sweet kiss, date night
3 yellow gifts of fresh mercy Looking for yellow clover seeds (flowers blooming as a sign of renewal), the sun hiding behind the clouds as the snow falls, the lemon in my water - refreshing!
Something above, below, beside The bright sun shining from above in the cold, Rusty at my feet -- nibbling at my socks, sitting beside my husband on a date night
3 things about yourself you are grateful for My faith, my voice, my curiosity
3 startling graces of God  The bitter cold wind - for I am safe & warm in a house with a working furnace and plenty of food!
A gift worn, given away, shared My W2E cross a reminder of the weekend filled with grace; giving my gloves to my daughter who left hers in school; sharing music with Maggie on the drive to school
3 witnessed blessings seeing Rocky at his work, Maggie & Jessie sharing a bowl of chips, sunset
A gift bringing laughter, prayer, quiet Friends in prayer group, first day of counseling, sleep
3 Gifts from God's Word Isaiah 43:2, Job 37:5, Mark 11:24
3 gifts that might never have been Jessica (we would have someone else if I had not miscarried), our marriage (if someone else had been chosen to go to HOBY from my school or Tammy's), who I am today (if not for Christ)
3 gifts only seen close up Details on my W2E cross, words in my Bible, Clover seeds
A gift in sky, water, memory The moon & Jupiter, so clearly seen; cold refreshing water, summer camp
A gift wrinkled, smoothed, unfolded: the lines on my face, the comforter on my bed, the laundry that needs to be folded (so blessed to have so many clothes!)
3 gifts found in Christ comfort in his Word, joy in Christmas & Easter, time of reflection as we approach Lent
3 things Blue: Rocky's eyes, my coffee mug from the girls, the Montana Big Sky
A grace borrowed, found, inherited helping at W2E, our new awkward attempts at communication, the love of singing his praises (inherited from my grandmothers)
A gift before Dawn, at Noon, after Dark The full moon shining in our room, lunch with my family, date night!
3 Gifts in the Kitchen planning, cooking, tasting
3 Graces found in Friends Diane, Alyssa & Chris who can be my electronic confidants -- quick responses via text or social media; My prayer group -- understanding without judgment; Michelle, Lori & Shannon -- godly work friends
A song heard, a soft word, light seen Majestic! by Lincoln Brewster, Jessie's soft "wake up Sissy!", a meeting in the Commons
3 Old things seen New hand-me-down clothes, marriage, South Dakota
A gift on paper, in a person, in a picture Maggie's story about her future cat; Rocky helping out a friend; Maggie & Ainslee being silly at lunch.

500 Gifts

I hit 500 gifts on my list yesterday; a great way to end 2012.  I do plan to continue the list, with a goal to get to 1,500 gifts by the end of 2013.

451. The church Christmas program – Maggie singing her heart out!
452. A glass of Red Velvet, “White Christmas” and pizza
453. Jessie waking up Maggie, a gentle whisper “Wake up, Sissy.”
454. Ice skating with Girl Scouts
455. Maggie reading “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”
456. The quiet of the office after everyone else has left.
457. Laying in my bed, looking at the stars, marveling at Jupiter
458. Barenaked Ladies Christmas music
459. True White elephant party at work – lots of laughter & food
460. Office closing early
461. Wendy’s hamburgers for supper
462. The whole family pitching in to clean – even Jessie!
463. Maggie cleaning her room without prompting
464. Cooking for the week
465. Maggie eagerly awaiting Grandma Alana’s arrival
466. Both girls’ excitement when grandma finally got here
467. Jessie calling for Grammy
468. Zoo Lights – the girls’ excitement at the “peddy lights”
469. Picture with Santa and a pony
470. All the presents that Grammy brought – the tree looks like it exploded!
471. Awaking to a small dusting of snow
472. A lazy Sunday
473. Decorating cookies
474. Watching Christmas movies
475. Christmas Eve candle light service – those wonderful old hymns and beautiful renditions of them. Listening to Maggie sing “Silent Night”
476. Maggie praying for snow – and it snowing on Christmas Eve!
477. Gift opening lasting all day
478. Maggie’s joyful face when she opened her American Girl doll, Josephina, from Grammy. Her first reaction was to run over to give Grammy a hug!
479. Maggie and Jessie playing with Maggie’s new Barbie dolls
480. Ornaments made in school and daycare
481. The mess of all the wrappings
482. Gifts for the whole family
483. Our own picture board from Grammy
484. Playing outside in the single digit weather with Rusty
485. A lazy Christmas day
486. A girls’ day with Maggie & Grammy, lunch, shopping and a movie “Wreck-It-Ralph”
487. Maggie picking out 2 board games with her gift cards
488. Playing Mouse Trap with Maggie
489. Jessie playing in the bathtub
490. A night out with Mark & Kristi
491. Seeing the right thing to read at the right time; God’s intentional timing
492. Romans 15:13: May the God of hope fill you with all joy & peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
493. Old pictures of my girls, Maggie’s round face, chubby cheeks, seeing the little girl Jessie will become in her tiny baby photos
494. Jessie napping on my lap
495. Snuggling with Rocky, watching “The Avengers” again
496. Hand-me-down clothes
497. Jessie hiding Grammy’s bookmark in her diaper
498. Following the Vikings’ game on Twitter
499. A quiet New Year’s Eve day at home watching movies
500. A quiet New Year’s Eve dinner with friends, chili & wine

Christmas Present

Pictures from our wonderful, blessed Christmas. My #1000gifts in photos!
Leaving food for the reindeer

 
Christmas Eve candle light service:

Santa left an after church surprise in our stockings:

Ready for bed (kind of):
 
SANTA CAME!

Joy to the World

Almost to 500!

421. 3 gifts from my savior: This wonderful blessed time of Advent/Christmas/his continuing to walk with me; his ongoing love for me and my family
422. Maggie's Christmas letter to Santa, which included a family gift and one for Jessie.
423. Answers at work
424. Watching "The Nightmare Before Christmas" with Maggie
425. Jessie playing Barbies while dressed as Spider-Man
426. Rocky starting my car to warm it up for me -- his continued thoughtfulness
427. A husband who makes me want to be a better wife.
428. Setting new year's resolutions
429. Time to do that last Christmas shopping
430. Being DONE Christmas shopping
431. Getting caught
432. Forgiveness
433. Mercy
434. Protection over Maggie at school
435. Jessie singing Jingle Bells
436. Godly friends to pray over us.
437. Time with Rusty in the backyard
438. Cold fresh air to clear my lungs and head
439. Jessie's pretty ponytails
440. Painting Jessie's finger- and toe-nails
441. Trading in shame for the Joy of the Lord
442. Excellent time with Cheryl
443. Free counseling
444. A promotion for Rocky!
445. Lunch with my prayer group
446. Planning time out with Mark & Kristi
447. Looking at a situation in a new light, with optimism.
448. Maggie singing "The Friendly Beasts"
449. Singing along with the great Messiah choruses
450. Jessie getting caught singing and her wild hair

Joy Dare

I can't believe it's Christmas season.  This time of year simply speeds by.  I've been remiss with keeping up with my list, but my book is ever at my side, reminding me to look for those things to be thankful for.  While I am keeping this list, I do have to remind myself to stop and actually thank God for these gifts.  I truly have been given much and the opportunity to be able to look for these gifts, these joys, I hope are helping me to drink in this season in a way I haven't been able to before.

382. Friends coming over for Thanksgiving

383. The anticipation of cooking for Thanksgiving
384. A husband who still desires me
385. The twinkle in his blue eyes
386. Automatic dishwashers! Magically cleaning my dishes, even when I'm not around
387. A new recipe to try for Thanksgiving
388. 3 gifts of traditions: The big turkey dinner (with enough for leftovers!); putting up the tree the day after & watching Christmas movies; a new tradition for our advent calendar
389. "Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me, Let me be singing when the evening comes." 10,000 Reasons
390. A plan put into place, awaiting more details, but there is a path
391. Putting up the Christmas tree
392. Maggie's Positive Power Award

393. Watching "A Christmas Carol" with George C Scott
394. Jessie giving us a "report" on Rusty -- his eyes, ears, nose
395. Jessie singing her ABCs
396. Maggie & Jessie giggling

397. Maggie is most thankful for her school.
398. The smell of turkey roasting
399. Watching football with Rocky
400. Watching Super Hero movies with Jessie
401. Visiting Maggie's class with Rusty
402. Maggie's teacher, Mrs. George.
403. Finding little stocking stuffer gifts
404. Prayers answered for a softer heart (for me!)
405. A prayer to remind me from whom I should find my confidence!
406. Breakfast with Maggie
407. Putting up the Christmas tree at work
408. Time to be silly and laugh with my co-workers
409. Prepare ye the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Isaiah 40:3
410. The struggle to make Christmas meaningful (and what does THAT mean?)
411. Maggie reading Christmas books
412. Maggie's Girl Scout Troop - each girl bringing something different to the group!
413. Maggie's Girl Scout Troop leader, Jean
414. The parents of the girls in Maggie's Troop
415. Jessie's ever changing desires, Spider-Man, Cinderella!

416. Maggie's curiosity
417. Listening to VeggieTales Christmas
418. Maggie singing along to the Christmas Cantata song "Fear Not"
419. Maggie & Jessie singing along to the Chipmunks Christmas album
420. Jessie loving the "pretty lights" "Wook, Mama! Peddy lights!"

Gifts This Thanksgiving Week

336. An amazing, giant flock of birds, soaring, searching. No bird flies out of sync. A large black cloud of birds, calling to each other until it is time to move on.
337. A beautiful fall afternoon, nice enough to be outside.
338. The first cold of the season, a good reminder of how healthy I really am.
339. Taking Maggie with me to vote.
340. Teaching Maggie way it is do important to vote, especially as a woman.
341. Voting; my right, my duty.
342. Obama winning, watching the results in real time
343. Watching more women head to the national stage as leaders.
344. A chance, a duty, to pray for those who are so broken hearted over the election.
345. A day at home, just Maggie & me.
346. Watching Harry Potter movies with Maggie
347. Time with Rusty
348. The light scratch, tickle of Rocky's beard
349. A lighthearted bet with Rocky
350. Maple bacon cupcakes
351. Playing in the snow
352. Playing fetch with Rusty
353. A good morning Tweet from Diane
354. A fun evening with Girl Scouts
355. Maggie trying something new: peppermint tea in a beautiful tea set
356. Making beautiful hats
357. Lessons in taking turns
358. A reminder to take a pause at work before reacting
359. Watching birds Flying V-formation
360. Jessie, just being Jessie, climbing into the sink to play
361. Rocky taking Maggie to her choir practice
362. Phone call with Mom
363. Making Christmas plans
364. Putting together our Thanksgiving shopping list
365. Seeing the crossroad and wondering which direction God wants us to go
366. Co-workers who care about me
367. Co-workers I care about
368. Philippians 2:3-5  don't be selfish, don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself.  Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
369. Time with my sisters in Christ in a short Bible study
370. A quiet way to tell my co-workers I am thankful for them
371. Sitting in the car after arriving at my destination to listen to the rest of a song
372. 2 boxes for Operation Christmas Child from Maggie's Girl Scout troop
373. The early morning sun, shining golden on the fields ready for winter
374. The flocks upon flocks of Canadian geese migrating over our house, calling to each other. Hearing them long after I can no long see them
375. Seeing the hawk watch the geese, high on his perch
376. Girls night out!
377. Pastor Tim's corny jokes
378. Thanksgiving hymns
379. Matthew 6:25-33 "don't worry"
380. Maggie and Jessie watching "Arthur Christmas" and saying along "a child's been missed!"
381. Jessie singing "'inder-Ella!"

More Joy!

So here we are in November.  And I'm not even up to 500 yet. I don't think I'm going to make it to 1000 by December 31. I'm a little disappointed to not reach the goal, but I do not plan to stop. Looking for the joys in everyday life has been such a blessing that I can't imagine stopping. So I will celebrate when I get to 1000, but I do not plan to stop there. I will continue to look for the blessings in the everyday.

287. I have a reputation at work for not being a gossip
288. Starbucks coffee with Rocky
289. The awe of every fall morning, of the beautiful sun ruse, pink clouds and baby blue sky
290. The vibrantly colored leaves. The red contrast against the yellow
291. Dinner ready when I get home from work
292. Maggie's whispered I love you
293. Maggie wanting to snuggle "I just want to touch you."
294. Jessie's giggles with Papa
295. A fun work celebration
296. New paint in our office
297. Dinner out with friends
298. Laughing a silly things
299. A beautiful evening for a walk downtown
300. Fresh donuts
301. Watching a cattle drive through downtown Billings
302. The corn maze with Girl Scouts
303. Watching the girls enjoy the slide
304. Jessie telling me I'm pretty, she loves me, and singing in my ear
305. Fetch with Rusty in the morning
306. Quiet evening at home
307. Singing with the choir
308. Girl Scout leadership training & sharing ideas
309. The Girl Scout mission: courage, confidence & character
310. Watching Halloween shows with the girls
311. Maggie in costume 4 days before Halloween
312. Planning a Halloween themed supper
313. Going to Boo at the Zoo
314. Maggie & Ellie running together & Jessie playing on the playground
315. Jessie falling asleep on the way home
316. Snuggling with my girls
317. Breakfast in the kitchen while watching Treehouse of Horror
318. Halloween candy after breakfast
319. The courage & opportunity to speak up at work.
320. Maggie taking Jessie trick or treating
321. Jessie telling Rocky & me to kiss
322. The sounds of Jessie playing
323. All the Halloween parties!
324. The Girl Scouts bobbing for apples
325. The Girl Scouts in costume
326. Watching The Great Pumpkin and listening to the girls giggle
327. Jessie "getting" Halloween: saying trick or treat, thank you, hanging on to her bucket, pouring out her candy when we got home
328. The girls' excitement when a trick or Treater would come to the door
329. The full moon hidden by clouds making the night extra "spooky"
330. Maggie singing in the shower
331. Jessie's laughter when she licks someone and says "I lick you me!"
332. Andre memories if when Maggie used to do the same
333. The attempt to imprint each girl into my memory -- their voice, their smell, the feel of their hand in mine
334. A quiet weekend to look forward to.
335. Jessie asking to watch the "Panna an a sneek!" (Kung Fu Panda)

#JoyDare

I'm getting closer to the end of the year and while I'm getting closer, I'm not quite as far along in my list as I expected to be able to hit 1000 gifts by December 31.  Perhaps that's what I will be doing on December 31: looking back on 2012 for the gifts I may have missed.

It is interesting what this is doing to my train of thought.  I was feeling frustrated at work earlier, so I made myself come up with 4 gifts in my job.  I didn't allow myself to go on to anything else until I completed that task.  Coming up with just 4 small things was easy.  And that's really the point of this exercise.  To make seeing the gifts easier.

226. Jessie pooped on the potty!


227. Jessie wanting to tell Grandma that she pooped on the potty

228. Shiraz!

229. Jessie picking out her own clothes

230. A picture of the 4 babies, who aren’t babies anymore!

231. Celebrating another 2 year old’s birthday (happy birthday John!)

232. Maggie buying her own Halloween costume

233. Onions carmelizing, soaking up flavor

234. Smell of beef roasting

235. A crockpot with a timer

236. Chicken soup & grilled cheese

237. Blue skies against a snowy field

238. The first snow fall, so pretty, but quickly gone

239. #joydare: 3 gifts baked, stirred, eaten: Euchrist, the bread, my soul, my mind

240. My beautiful daughters

241. Finally finishing reading “One Thousand Gifts” (the book that started this all)

242. Picking up with the Psalms online study

243. Psalm 41:9 Though people may betray me, God never will.

244. A prayer group for Rocky

245. Lunch with Diane at Uberbrew

246. Smell of pine which can take me back instantly to summer camp

247. 9 years of marriage

248. Rocky putting the phone charger in my car

249. Watching Rocky play with the girls

250. A husband with a sense of humor

251. Knowing my husband will be there when I get home.

252. That even in the exasperating times, he still chooses to love me.

253. Time in my prayer journal

254. A cool, foggy morning

255. Getting out the good china, Grandma’s chine, for dinner

256. God has saved the best for NOW

257. Dinner with Tim & Diane

258. An evening with our church group, times too far and few between

259. Pumpkin bread

260. An adorable picture of Jessie, John & Eli

261. Lots of laughter with a new game

262. Jessie’s first haircut

263. Jessie playing with Eli & 2 year old giggles

264. Maggie watching “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and knowing all the songs

265. A cool afternoon with the windows open

266. Playing Battleship on the iPad

267. Playing Life with Maggie

268. Making the video of Jessie’s first haircut

269. Social media, the ability to share Jessie’s and Maggie’s milestones with everyone in an instant

270. Watching the Avengers, again.

271. Great wine!

272. Taking the Girl Scouts to Scott’s to learn about bees

273. Scott’s wonderful ability to interact with the girls

274. Sweet, golden, candy-like honey

275. Maggie’s delight in the honey

276. The girls playing in the leaves, 7 year old laughter

277. Family photos

278. Jessie’s determination to do things for herself, putting on her own clothes

279. Blowing kisses

280. Jessie wanting to give dog treats to Rusty

281. Maggie wanting to take on more responsibility

282. In laws coming to visit!!

283. Work: given responsibility over the recruitment ad budgets

284. Work: job scope has expanded beyond recruitment

285. Work: Flexibility in work hours to be able to participate in Girl Scouts

286. Work: A manager who does care about me as a person.

Seeking His Gifts in the Trying Times

This past week it was difficult to see the gifts, and even more difficult to be deliberately thankful.  We said goodbye to Wiconi.  I’m not quite ready to write her post yet.  She was a wonderful dog who surprised us in many ways.

I did add to my list though.  It helps.  Even when it hurts, even when it’s hard, finding things to be thankful about, finding the little gifts in life help me understand that this truly is all worthwhile.

143. Sunday School!
144. Lunch with friends, Becky & Barry
145. Vikings win their season opener!
146. Time outside with Wiconi
147. Wiconi’s smile
148. Playing CandyLand with Maggie
149. Cucumbers from the garden
150. Snuggling with Jessie watching “Finding Nemo” clips on YouTube
151. New coffee mugs
152. A little extra cash from selling things on eBay
153. Quality time with Wiconi & Rusty this morning
154. A 2-headed sunflower
155. A new, full-filling job for Rocky
156. Flexibility in my work hours to be able to participate in Girl Scouts with Maggie
157. My phone was able to be repaired!
158. A beautiful morning
159. Lunch with Rocky
160. Leading the league in Fantasy Football
161. Teaching Maggie about the Rainbow Bridge
162. Girls’ day with Maggie & Jessie
163. Bright red sunset
164. Smiling dogs
165. Playing fetch with Rusty
166. Puppy kisses
167. Resisting the temptation to gossip
168. Job interviews, new opportunities
169. A reminder of a difficult time in life, but also being able to see how that time has put me where I am today.
170. Watching the girls play in the tub
171. The right decision, no matter how difficult it was to make
172. Jessie making faces in the mirror
173. Fried chicken
174. Challenging discussions in Sunday School
175. Maggie being thankful for the Dinosaur Museum
176. A 2 year old, a puppy and bubbles!
177. Listening to Jessie tell Rusty to sit
178. Realizing that in God’s telling me to “Fear not,” he is really telling me “Don’t run.”
179. The smell the first time you turn on the furnace.
180. Taking Rusty for a walk in the morning sun with Maggie.

#1000gifts …

1 – 24
25 – 47
48 – 80
81 – 111

112. Watching the bees go from flower to flower
113. Another opportunity to seek God’s hand in a difficult situation
114. Sitting downtown Billings and listening to the quiet – just me, the breeze and the bugs.
115. Being a servant to my family by folding laundry
116. Being a servant to my family by making dinner
117. Lots of fresh fruits & veggies in my fridge
118. Volunteering bright & early at Bountiful Baskets
119. Hot, fresh, delicious donuts at the Farmer’s Market
120. Complaints about #firstworldproblems – complaining about these things helps me to remember I am truly blessed
121. Three day weekend!
122. Singing “Everlasting God” with the Praise Team at church, feeling a part of the heavenly choir
123. Trying a new recipe (refrigerator dill pickles) and being okay with them not turning out.
124. Fresh peaches and cream
125. First crushes on my little girl
126. A car repair that was less expensive than expected.
127. A glass of wine after a long day.
128. Jessie helping me write my list
129. Maggie telling me all about the baking soda volcano her class made and all the colors they used.
130. Crisp mornings with that “fall” smell
131. Football & chili!
132. More time outside as the weather cools down.
133.  My marriage growing closer to each other & God
134. Good results from a Tim’s Cardioversion procedure
135. Making freezer meals with Chris & Alyssa
136. Morning pastries with Maggie at school
137. Red red wine
138. Maggie singing as she gets ready for bed
139. Ability to complain about work, for it means I’m gainfully employed and I care about what I do
140. Playing with Jessie & the dog toys at Bed Bath & Beyond
141. Spending a wild Saturday night in the bathroom watching my girls play together.
142. Afternoon lunch with Diane, Yvette & Wanda

The Ever Increasing List #1000gifts

81. Late evening chocolate cupcakes
82. Listening to Jessie count: “Seese, senen, eeght, ninne, teen!”
83. Maggie doing a mime show just for me!
84.Drinking coffee out of a mug from our wedding reception hall
85. Maggie setting the table
86. Jessie helping to empty the dishwasher
87. A new feeling of calm, no matter what happens, God will provide and we will be more than just “okay”
88. Time to sit just with Maggie to talk about her day
89. Learning just how much Jessie already knows
90. A treat before school and work
91. An easy drop-off with Jessie, even a kiss on the cheek!
92. Planning Maggie’s birthday
93. Lots of prayers of thanks at prayer group
94. Opportunity to volunteer at the next Walk to Emmaus
95. Cool evenings spent outside
96. The way Maggie tells a story
97. Maggie telling me the story “If You Take a Mouse to School”
98. Realization of how truly safe from harm I am
99. Little loose teeth
100. Good meeting with my managers, projects and opportunities are forthcoming!
101. Confidence to take my career to the next level
102. Extra time with Maggie each morning
103. Baby bunnies
104. A soup lunch with my husband
105. The little hand that holds tightly to mine.
106. Blowing bubbles
107. Watching Rusty try to catch bubbles
108. Watching Maggie & Jessie try to catch bubbles
109. Jessie asking to wear elephant socks
110. Commuting as a family this week – figuring out the best way to get everyone to work and school on time
111. Visiting Maggie’s classroom to see her projects.

One thing I have already learned with this little project is that I am in complete control in how I respond to a situation.  I can either look at a problem as that or as an opportunity.  It was said best by Joyce Meyer’s prayer for the August 24th devotional:

Lord, I can’t change the world around me, but I can bring my life and requests to You.  May Your peace guard my heart and mind today.  Thank you that I can rest in Your arms. Amen.

#1000gifts; More thanks!

48. A visit from an old friend
49. Being able to count on someone
50. A wonderful, faithful husband, knowing I can always trust him
51. An early rising daughter excited for school
52. Sunrise on the start of a new school year
53. The sparkle in my 1st graders eyes
54. The flash of my camera to capture the moment
55. A painful drop off at daycare – knowing the wonderful lesson that Mommy will come back
56. A new idea that is accepted with enthusiasm
57. Girl Scouts and Maggie’s excitement for the group
58. Spending time searching for the lesson I’m supposed to be learning
59. Recognizing something, a feeling within myself that I don’t like and adding it to my prayer list
60. Blue sparkly toes
61. The realization that my happiness, my joy does not need to depend upon my job
62. Smores bars
63. A little girl who makes adjustments easily, most of the time
64. Free movie tickets
65. Jessie bringing home a correctly colored “Brown Bear” paper
66. Opportunity to trust God with money
67. Half day of work
68. A new found ability to look at a tricky, difficult work situation as an opportunity
69. Taking time to humble myself at work to be able to work as if I am working for God and not man
70. Time with friends
71. Celebrating Rocky’s birthday
72. Delicious microbrews
73. Getting a table big enough for everyone
74. A delicious burger
75. The look on Rocky’s face when he saw Dave
76. Watching Rocky with Dave
77.  Old friends
78. New friends
79. A yard sale more successful than I could have believed
80. Time to think about that next step

More Thanks

25. The Fair!
26. Hot, delicious tomato basil soup
27. A walk in the sunshine
28. The song “Beautiful” by Mercy Me at just the right time
29. Lunch with my friend Diane
30. The way Jessie says “Mag-gie!”
31. The way Jessie says “Mom-my!” when I come home from work
32. The golden light of sunrise on the fields behind the house
33. Cool mornings that signal fall is on the way
34. A sure sign, the sign that a decision was the right one
35. Iced coffee on a hot day
36. Daycare & afterschool care all lined up
37. Mickey Mouse pancakes
38. Taking a lesson learned and doing it again, doing it right
39. Hugs for no reason
40. Jessie singing along to “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse”
41. Action songs with Jessie
42. A fired up preacher man
43. Joyfully singing with an open heart
44. A little boy wanting to be just like Daddy
45. Emerging bravery
46. High-pitched joyful giggles
47. Hot coffee on a cool morning  

Slowly, but surely, I’m getting there.  I think I need to step it up to get to 1000 by the end of the year.  I have, however, caught myself saying Thank You for various things as I have quiet time.  The author is getting more into Grace and how to say thank you when things are difficult.  This is definitely a book to read many many times.

I wanted to Thank You

Since starting on my little challenge, this is the song that has been going through my head.  I believe I heard on K-love Radio that he sings “Thank You” over 30 times in this song.  How very appropriate. In less than a week, I have 24 gifts, blessings, reasons to Thank God:

1. Watching “Curious George” with Maggie
2. A kiss before work
3. Toothless grins from my almost 7 year old
4. Little girl giggles
5. Snuggles from my Jessie
6. A husband who still finds me sexy
7. Purple daisies
8. Time in prayer with girl friends
9. Planning surprises
10. The smell of dry erase markers
11. A cancelled obligation & the gift of time
12. Cold, refreshing water
13. A free lunch
14. Early morning snuggles watching cartoons as a family
15. Fresh smell of rain
16. Raindrops causing ripples in the swimming pool
17. Giant sunflowers just starting to bloom
18. Cupcakes baking, smell wafting throughout the house
19. A whispered “I love you,” secret, seemingly stolen in time
20. Jessie saying “Oh pretty!”
21. Popcorn, the timeless snack
22. The smell of sunshine still in Jessie’s hair
23. Splashing water on a hot Sunday afternoon
24. The hint of pink against a leaving storm cloud at sunset

I think I’m off to a good start and will hit my goal in no time!

Thankful

For my birthday, I received 2 books: the first was the Joyce Meyer devotional I mentioned last week, the second was "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp. And today, I am compelled to make a commitment to myself based on what I have read this morning.

The devotional was about not letting the little things get to you, as that is how we lose joy each day. Little things can frustrate us, me, in ways the big things can't. And in the book, the author is writing about how to be thankful, grateful, truly in everything. And to be grateful for the big things we, I, must be grateful for the little minute everyday things.So, if I am thankful in the little things, the little things will not sap my joy, but give me joy.

And so today I commit that I will write down the little things I am thankful for each day, with the goal of getting to 1000 before then end of the year. To keep myself honest, each week I will publish the list in the blog.

1000 seems so daunting and easy all at the same time. Can I do it? Can I learn to be truly thankful in all the little things God provides to me each day?

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