Counting Gifts Archives • Page 4 of 12 • New Nostalgia

Counting Gifts/ FAMILY

Our Captured Life-The Gifts Of August

So thankful for these moments– these tidbits–that make up life.

Capturing the moments visually is a gift.

It keeps me present, it keeps me thankful, & reminds me to live NEW!

………………..
Gifts #1020 – #1044

Nutrition & mason jars. Two of my favorite things.

How broken can be beautiful. A reminder of God’s heart on a downtown window.

The pure joy of sneaking cookies to my little niece. Our secret.

a picture of silly text from daughter to mother

Sweet silly texts from my Colsie

a nine year old girl playing soccer at soccer practice

Having an athlete in the family. Wearing my Soccer Mom title proudly.

a messy livingroom, a sink full of dishes

Messes. Energy to clean them. A home to clean. A family to pick up after.

Giving purple highlights to a girl I call “my heart” I watched hers break as cancer took her Mom. How the steps she takes to heal her broken heart teaches mine.

a girl with short pixie cut and blond highlights in the bangs

My Lil’ Colsie. Her cutest pixie cut. Giving her fun highlights in the bangs.

Her confidence to wear such a bold look. How God made her quirky and unique.

a clean girls bedroom with polkadot bedspread

A room cleaned without prompting from me.

Jesus calling devotional for kids at breakfast table

Morning breakfast and devotions everyday with my Lil’ One after older sisters are off to school.

How God speaks clearly to me through a kids devotional.

Living in Nebraska. Loving my city. Loving the people in it.

chocolate birthday cake with four candles

A surprise birthday cake made by Lil’ sister for Older sister.

a teenager with green eyes taking photos of herself.

My oldest & the selfies she leaves on my phone. Those eyes!

A Sunday afternoon. Lil’ One doing art in the backyard.

Our fire pit. Romantic moments of sitting by it with my man.

Long hair! 3 years ago I was bald…not a stitch of hair on my head. Healing.

Family who come out to watch Lil’ One’s soccer game. The surprise cold drinks they bring.

seagrams sparkling key lime seltzer water

A bubbly drink with no sugar and no artifical sweeteners. Yes!

S'mores made with apples slices instead of graham crackers

Making s’mores with the family.

Visits from my sister and her kids. How her forgetfulness of little shoes and bloomers makes me smile for days as they sit on my dresser.

Being forced to slow. Being challenged to practice what I preach. Being thankful for the hard. Figuring out supplements that help with fatigue. Hope that it will get better.

My Mother-In-Law, her willingness to learn social media so we can connect even more. Having her for lunch. Her willingness to help me clean my wood floors. Her love.

babysitter with little boy and girl in a stroller

My middle girl & her first official babysitting job. Her dedication to being a blessing of a babysitter. Her love for kids. My darling nephew and niece and the absolute joy they bring into our home.

Happy To Be Linking Up To Ann Voskamp’s 1,000 Gifts

Counting Gifts/ FAMILY

Our Beautiful Summer In Pictures-Captured Life Tidbits

So thankful for these moments– these tidbits–that make up life.

Capturing the moments visually is a gift.

It keeps me present, it keeps me thankful, & reminds me to live NEW!

………………..

My nephew who brings me so much joy and makes me so proud.

He’s holding my little niece. I’m truly the most blessed Aunt!

A little project we did together. Post coming soon!

Girls perched watching the thunderstorm roll in.

Girls going to the mall and eating frozen yogurt

Mall with the cousins on a rainy summer day.

Date night with husband and Starbucks cake pops

Date night. Salted caramel chocolate cake pop!

A place of resting, chilling, thinking & praying.

Making a face out of food and a vegetable spiralizer

Fun with our vegetable spiralizer!

Computer and veggie quiche and iced almond milk vanilla toddy latte.

Working at my fav coffee shop. Veggie quiche and iced almond milk vanilla toddy latte.

Saving money by doing my own highlights…

…for my big date night with my Honey.

Husband and wife driving to Omaha in a car.

A drive to Omaha

Dates in the storm

A fun BBQ with my husbands work..City Impact.

Young child wearing a balloon hat and eating frozen yogurt

Isn’t she beautiful?

Large bouncy house being enjoyed by kids.

BBQ City Impact. Kids delight.

Fires & friends & apple s’mores.

Date night with husband and eating sushi and fun desserts

Sushi & pretty desserts.

Friends eating different plates of sushi

More sushi with the dearest of friends. God double blessed us.

Gifts.

Summer camp

Missing them before they even drive away.

Women attending business retreat and drinking cofffee

Sister time. Business retreat with sisters. Learning and growing together.

Sleepover with blankets, pillows, and sock monkey

Sleepovers!

Little girls growing up.

Cancer Journey/ Counting Gifts/ FAMILY/ HEALTH/ Love/ Spiritual

PET Scans, Cancer, & Looking At The Insides

I just learned that my dear friend Karen’s PET scan came back clear. Oh how I am rejoicing! Karen blogs over at I Choose Hope and if you don’t know her story, you are missing out.

Karen and I met through this blog while we were both in treatment for cancer. She is a California girl, and came all the way to Nebraska to meet me. Since then our hearts have been bonded, never to let go. I have visited her in Cali and she has been here twice. I have fallen hard for her family and she has done the same with mine.

Girls receiving gifts, lotion and smoothies

{Karen visiting, loving on my girls, and bringing gifts}

Hearing that Karen is NED (no evidence of disease) is some of the best news I have ever received. You see, I worry about her. She had triple negative breast cancer, which is a type of breast cancer that is aggressive and there is not as many treatment options for. Not only that, but it has shown her just how aggressive it can be. We finished treatment about the same time, but, my dear friend ended up having to get double treatment. After reading a post here at New Nostalgia about survivors checking lymph nodes, she reached under her arm and found an almond shaped lump. Her cancer was back already. She went on a little get away with her husband to process this awful news, and ended up getting in a car accident there. She had to learn how to walk again before starting another tough regimen of cancer treatment. She is the strongest woman I know, both inside and out.

{Silliness at a retreat we both attended in the spring}

Black and white photo of two women at a retreat

{She supported me through my first speaking engagement. Her calm presence melted my nerves}

Waiting this last week, holding my breath with her as she prepared to know what was on the inside, reminded me of this post I wrote early in my battle with cancer. I thought I would share it with you again.

So many body images taken

Vulnerable insides exposed

Ultrasound

X-rays

Cat scan

Bone scan

Pet scan

MRI

Images show so many shades of grey,

Sliced shapes of organs..

Tell me they are ok?

Images of this body of mine

Fragile with disease yet so strong

My brain works, fingers move

Digestion. Menstruation.

Walking. Talking. Fine.

But not.

Images show a cluster of cells that don’t belong

Cells that have the ability to meander

To go with the flow and end up where they may.

They multiply and make friends,

Their celebrating clusters destroy my tissues.

So we take images..

We peer into the insides

Looking for the “don’t belong’s”

I lay on display, cold and in dismay,

Enveloped in large, rotating tubes

Small tubes inject a solution

So we can find a solution

Tubes rotate

I lay and pray

For what my 3 girls will learn

At the end of this day.

The same 3 girls

Look at their own body image

So many times I’ve whispered,

“my lovelies, its what’s on the inside that matters“

This is one moment when I wish that were not true.

I peer deeper,
I see Him in whose Image I am made.
I find the solution.

———

Thank you Lord, for keeping my friend safe and NED. Thank you for being close and with us, in control, always bringing hope no matter what our insides are feeling or showing. Thank you for ALWAYS being the solution. Amen.

Get to know my friend Karen

{Website}

{Facebook}

{Pinterest}

Counting Gifts/ FAMILY/ Spiritual

He Knows What Fills Me

We recently took a trip to Branson, Mo. My in-laws treat our family to a beautiful family vacation every 2 years. This is a gift that is just…beyond. The joy these trips bring & the memories with brothers, sisters, parents and cousins are absolutely priceless. I can’t explain the gratitude I feel for this time with family.

I’m eager to share more of our family trip photos with you…here are a few to start.

Who am I that you are mindful of me?

So many blessings as far as the eye can see.

Your creation speaks to me.

Your open hand holds gifts & you whisper “Delight in them, my child… I love you.”

Gifts of birds singing. Chirps, tweets, & caws all singing in harmony, yet each taking its turn.

Gifts of calm waters reflecting early morning light. Gentle ripples coming towards, bringing your love.

Surrounded by trees, fresh wet with rain, limbs cracking adding to the chorus.

Baby deer stare, also mindful of me. Your creation creatures.

This place of rest, a cabin holding so many I love. My deep love grows even deeper for them, the gift of people, my family.

Little niece in a polka dot robe, another holding her polka dot blankie, sleepy just waking.

Cousins gather at the crack of dawn, ready to fish with Grandpa. Cereal spoons clinking making their own song as children sit staring, trying to wake up.

The noise leaves with Grandpa, parents left behind hold mugs of steaming strong coffee, a shared pot.

This gift of quiet shows how mindful you are of me. You know what fills me. You give me what I need and beyond. You are the gift giver & your hands are full. You offer, I receive. I am grateful.

Counting Gifts/ FAMILY

Have You Missed Me? -Captured Life Tidbits

I’m on a super special trip with my Dad, Mom, Grandma, 2 Sisters & a family friend. My Dad grew up in Minocqua, Wisconsin & wanted to show us kids where he grew up. 3 of us 5 kids were able to go & the only thing that could make this trip better is if my younger sister and brother could have come, too.

We arrived on Saturday & have had lots of great family time so far. I have loved hearing the stories of my Dad as a boy. I have loved the quality time & precious moments.

Here are some tidbits of our trip so far.

Our rental car.

Road trips are so much fun when you are with people you love.

We’re finally here!

My Dad & I at a lake he spent hours at as a kid.

Dinner. “Enter Traveler & Be Replenished”

The Pointe Hotel & Suites…our home for the week.

My sister enjoying our own private deck.

My sisters & I.

Quiet morning moments. Lake Minocqua peeking at me through the trees.

The family after a great lunch at Minocqua Brewing Company.

Veggie wrap and sweet potato fries with a lemon ginger aioli dip.

Veggie wrap for lunch. Those sweet potato fries had an amazing lemon ginger aioli dip. Mmmm.

Clear Lake. A childhood picnic spot for my Dad.

A beautiful church.

A beautiful Sunday morning.

Facetime with my youngest daughter.

Waking up my Colsie to face chat…doesn’t she look happy to see me?

Rainbow aviator glasses with attachable mustache

She “mustache” you a question. Life is never dull with my sister Kathy around.

All of us eating breakfast at Paul Bunyans.

Time to kayak Lake Minocqua.

Relaxing after time at the lake.

I hope you enjoyed looking at these photos.

I feel so thankful to have these captured life tidbits…these memories made with my family.

I’m so very blessed!

Counting Gifts/ FAMILY

Captured Life Tidbits – Our Life In Instagram Photos

So thankful for these moments– these tidbits–that make up life.

Capturing the moments visually is a gift.

It keeps me present, it keeps me thankful, & reminds me to live NEW!

………………..

Signs that my daughter is doing her homework. Thankful that she cares.

Say hello to Snippy our guinea pig.

Being silly on the way to piano recital.

Words of truth. He makes all wrong, right, in His time.

Saturday Breakfast date with my Avery.

Working late on a Friday night to live music and dancing.

Sister designed and gifted my very first business cards. Meet her here.

Candy date with my Teagan

Bowling date with my Colsie

Our Karen Cali friend came to visit and brought gifts. Meet her here.

Being goofy at the Jumping Tandem Retreat. Read more here.

Preparing to speak at the retreat. My very first workshop.

Quiet moments alone with God in my car. A nice view.

The one who dreamed big and made the retreat happen. Meet her here.

Another heart friend. You should know her. Meet her here.

This pic was taken by the one and only Dan King. Meet him here.

Retreat workshop. So glad I didn’t bomb.

Avery concoctions from the kitchen. Love!

A meeting of sweet women hosted by this sweet woman. Meet her here.

The blessing of reconstruction. Even if it is never-ending & ongoing!

The bathroom at my plastic surgeons office. The fountain makes me happy.

I could sit in there all day. Ok, maybe not ALL day…

My Zy. Celebrating her birthday. Being girly and dressing up. Precious dinner conversation.

Remembering her Momma. Missing her. Thinking of how proud she would be.

My first celebrity tweet! Weee!!

Best book. Buy it here.

Pancake bites. Recipe here.

My 2 youngest getting better every year!

My jammies and my king- size fuzzy grey blanket.

I may or may not carry it everywhere & call it my blankie.

My Colsie being leader at City Impact. Learn more here.

Fast food breakfast run when we ran out of groceries on the weekend.

Mother’s Day bike ride with my Avery

Finding flowers on Mother’s Day.

Potted plants on patio.

Throwback Thursday. My Avery as a babe.

The view I am greeted with every morning when waking up my Avery.

I then tickle them, and get this. She wakes up with a smile EVERY morning. Who does that?

These words, reminding me to smile. Reminding me to make memories & capture life’s tidbits.

Reminding me that each day is a gift, and that we are created for eternity.

Thank you, Kristi, you will be so missed.

Counting Gifts/ Easter/ FAMILY/ Kids/Family

Our Easter Sunday & A Powerful Video

I didn’t know what to expect this Easter, as I have not been feeling well and our usual family extended family plans didn’t happen this year. I did have a sense of relief that I could rest if I needed to, but I wanted the day to feel important…because it is.

The Easter bunny usually is on top of things at our house and has the baskets ready and waiting when our girls wake up. This year I woke up in a panic, realizing I had completely forgotten to get their baskets ready. I made an announcement that they would receive their baskets after they got ready for church to buy myself some time!

Our baskets contained jelly beans, some chocolate, & a golden egg with a few bucks in it. Our girls are getting older and prefer cash instead of junk food or gifts, so that makes things easy.

Church this morning was amazing. Our 2 older girls sat in with us this week. I loved having them next to me. We also got there early enough (miracle) to say hello to my in-laws. I love them so much and it was good to see them on such a special day. The service was beautiful & a highlight for me was a video that they showed, which I will share below.

Another highlight for me was listening to my sister-in-law play the violin. She played through the whole service, but her part in the song “In Christ Alone” was my favorite. It gave me chills.

I felt a bit lightheaded during the service and had to hold on to my Todd or sit down for a few of the songs. I didn’t like that and hoped that food would help.

We went to the early service, so we were out of church by 10:30. We planned to go out for brunch. My goal is to only cook hard boiled eggs for coloring later this afternoon, so going out to eat was perfect.

I enjoyed my veggie omelet. My little one loved her silly face pancake. I definitely felt better after eating and continue to feel better this afternoon than I have in days. Maybe eating all this high-potassium food is working?!

My middle girl was not too into having her picture taken, so I had to be sneaky. Isn’t she cute?

We got home and it has been a beautiful, super chill afternoon. We have the windows open and everyone is just hanging out. I put some eggs on to boil and my girls are dipping them as I type. I plan on using the extra eggs to make egg salad sandwiches for tonight’s dinner, which we plan on eating while watching recorded episodes of The Bible. Seems appropriate for the day, don’t you think?

I’m sitting by an open window and I hear my Todd busy outside. One of my girls just told me he is getting our bikes all pumped up and ready to ride. This makes me very happy and eager to get my energy back up!!

Oops..got girl drama at the Easter egg table so I need to sign off. It is a good reminder of how broken we all are, especially me, as my blood pressure starts to go up at the first sign of bickering.

I’m also reminded of this beautiful video that was shown this morning at our church service. It shows how broken is made whole in such a beautiful way. I’d love if you took the time to watch it.

I would love to know what you think of the video.

I’d also love to know what you are up to this Easter day!

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