Counting Gifts

~ a daughter who is so very brave while getting 9 stitches in her injured toe

~ lidocaine!

~family

~holding hands with husband on date night

~the joy I have found in having my kids off school for the summer

~the gift of helping a loved one, drying her tears, calming her thoughts

~the perspective that pain brings

~despite a week that these eyes have seen too many hurting, I know that God is good & able

~the promise in Romans that “He is able to work all things together for good for those who love Him.”

~nieces and nephews

~delicious iced green tea and amazing sushi, two highlights of a very hard day

~a brand new baby niece.  The miracle of birth.  The gift of life in a week that brought death.

~how family huddles around when a loved one is lost.  Love shines even in tragedy.

~hope

~a debt paid off, finally!

~a husband who ALWAYS has a listening ear.  What would I do without that?

Counting the gifts in my life has changed me.  I feel like I see the world through a different lens.  I find myself noticing and recognizing even the small things.  I find myself whispering words of thanks all throughout the day.  My mind has been training, trained to zoom in on the moments and small details that might have been missed had I not started counting the gifts.  To count the gifts IS a gift.

#866-#888

~facebook chat.  Honest words of love with a friend.  A precious friendship build through words typed and a reply button.

~ my 2 youngest on rollerblades and helmets that make their heads gigantic.  I jog behind them.  I can’t help but smile at the way their little buns move.  Their effort, legs pumping, arms swinging.

~words of encouragement from them as we go up a hill..”you can do it mom, keep running.”  One circles back.  Her roller blades make her tall and eye level.  She pats my shoulder to emphasis her support.

~beautiful spring evenings.  The sounds of nature.

~yellow daffodils dancing across a brunch table.  Faces of women I have grown to love surround.  Ambassadors who make me feel so supported.

~the pride and excitement in my child’s eyes as she talks long and serious to her Science Fair Project judge.  She is confident and I am proud.

~a wonderful weekend, focused in on my kids.

~trying on vintage wear at a boutique with my girls.  Oh the giggles!  Grown up dress up.

~a whole week without coffee.  I did it!  The gift of coffee entering my world again this week, in moderation of course!

~freshly juiced plant juice.  The energy it brings.  How it transforms my taste buds and makes me crave more plants.

~a garden planted.  The feeling of cool, moist soil in my hands.  The smell of earth. The anticipation of growth.

~eager little hands who hold out ready for seeds.  Little fingers carefully place the seed in the ground.  Gardening memories made.

~a chart system, made by husband, working wonders.  (posts coming up soon!)