Counting Blessings on a Monday

198.  A relatively successful church attendance for the family.
199.  The way Kai takes charge and organizes his day, filling it with fun and productive activities.
200.  Play-fighting with lots of laughter.
201.  The silliness of these boys.
202.  Prayers and advice at women's Bible study.
203.  Hide and go seek at the park.
204.  Writing in my journal consistently again.
205.  Your powerful majestic lightning and thunder.
206.  bookshelves
207.  re-arranging furniture.
209.  benadryl
210.  Walking with my neighbor.
212.  My neighbor starting to homeschool.
214.  Provision
215.  rain, rain and more rain.
217.  Our awesome backyard.
219.  Getting our brakes fixed on the car so quickly.
221.  Christians in Jaco.
222.  Our amazing hermit crabs that are somehow still alive.
223.  Never having to even think about trash or stress about dishes because my husband is so on top of it.
225.  Feeling a flow with homeschool.
226.  Finally, a flexible schedule that Kai likes and sticks to.
227.  Little boys washing dishes.
228.  Koa learning to swim.
229.  Finding a little soccer club for Kai and he loves it.
230.  One-on-one time with Jude.

Multitude Monday

I haven't been keeping up online, but here's a peek into my gratitude journal...

130. Jude jumping up and cheering for Ezzy when he stood up on a surfboard.
136. Stressing for no reason because God has it totally under control!
138. Ezzy and Jude's creative play and laughter.
139. Being told by a stranger how much she enjoyed watching my children play.
141. Ezzy and Jude playing duck duck goose by themselves - funniest thing I've ever seen!
143. Time with just Ezzy playing in my room.
145. Playing "hermit crabs."
146. The whole family snuggling up and laughing watching Goofy cartoons in bed.
147. Speaking Spanish.
148. Lessons learned and being applied to a new situation. The past not repeating itself!
149. Hosting our first missions team.
150. Cooking with a huge block of California cheddar cheese.
156. Reading Proverbs with Scott.
159. Good books challenging my thinking and stretching my brain.
160. New ideas for homeschool.
161. Free surf camp for the boys!
165. Fireworks and good friends on the fourth of July
170. A small living space that gets messy fast, but also cleans up very fast.
171. A house that is very lived in - every inch of space is used- I love that!
174. Jude washing dishes.
175. Being a part of a woman's Bible study.

Still counting...

66.  I rearranged my furniture and feel like I have a new home.
67.  I cut off some pants into shorts and feel like I have a new wardrobe.
68.  The way my husband makes me laugh til I cry.
69.  The amazing feeling of riding a bike to pick up some groceries.
70.  Free health care and medicines.
71.  Kind doctors.
72.  I needed to take two children to the clinic and right when I was trying to figure out what to do two friends stopped by right at that moment and were able to babysit, making a stressful situation un-stressful!  I love that.
73.  The way my kids are so snuggly when they're sick.
74.  Blood tests for dengue coming up negative.
75.  Fevers breaking.
76.  Waking up to see the sleepy sweet face of Koa gazing at me.
77.  Conversations with Kai covering so many different topics.
78.  Feeling sore from exercise.
79.  Fevers breaking.
80.  Learning patience.
81.  Koa's little bald spot.
82.  Ezra's amazing imagination.
83.  Jude transitioning from his little potty to the real toilet - finally! phew!
84.  An afternoon with bubbles, hermit crabs, umbrellas, a hose and warm drizzling rain.
85.  Feeling so much better - probiotics and rest seemed to do the trick!

Way behind...

I've been counting my way to 1,000 gifts, taking time to give thanks each Monday. I got waaaay behind on my list in the last month or two, but I've been doing some in my journal and thought I'd get back to gratitude on my blog. What a difference it makes to give thanks!

56. Whirring of fans.
57. Freshly cut grass.
58. Spontaneous scissor projects.
59. Sandbags ready for the next big rain.
60. Tax Return!
61. More bike riding and less driving.
62. Homemade get well cards when I'm sick.
63. Chubby baby legs.
64. The way the afternoon rain cools things off.
65. A wrist roll tan line.
66. Geckos in the house.
67. The thrill of a hermit crab changing shells.
68. Kai's soft, high singing voice that is amazingly on key.
69. Leggos - what a great toy.
70. A cool shower after a long, hot day.

71.  Trusting my husband.

72.  Extended baby days with this one.

73.  The way an iguana can captivate their attention so fully.

74.  This face.

75.  The incredible kid he's becoming.  Those moments when I look at him and I'm just amazed.

76.  Older brothers loving and caring for their baby brother.
77.  Fitting into non-maternity clothes - finally!

My mom sent me this article, which lead me to this blog, and this post (watch the video - it had me in tears!) - all with some great thoughts on gratitude with our children and science of the amazing difference this can make in the lives of parents and children.  The Bible exhorts us many times to "give thanks" at all times, in all circumstances.  How amazing to find science that backs this up.  God in his goodness doesn't command us to do things with no reason, but because of His great love for us and because He wants good things for us.  And so it is with giving thanks. 

Our new place... i LOVE it!

Gratitude

I'm lifting my heart in thankfulness and finding the gifts - sometimes obvious, sometimes hidden - in each day. Counting my way to 1,000....

45. Sounds of imaginary play.
46. New recipes that turn out great.
47. Pressure Cookers.
48. Waiting on God and trusting in his provision.
49. Praying with my boys and their sweet prayers of faith.
50. Weekend guests.
51. My hubby's amazing heart.
52. Rainy afternoons.
53. Drinking rooibos tea, eating cookies and playing the card game "war" with my boys last night.
54. 8 amazing years. What an adventure.
55. Babysitters.



Multitude Monday is here

Gratitude

I'm lifting my heart in thankfulness and finding the gifts - sometimes obvious, sometimes hidden - in each day. Counting my way to 1,000....

35. My husband waking me up with coffee in bed every morning.
36. Our neighborhood street where the kids can ride bikes and skateboards and run free.
37. New books and clothes from my sister-in-law - it's like Christmas!
38. A donation specified specifically for "household help." Yeeehaw!
39. A cooler day today after some really hot ones!
40. my boys, my boys, my boys! I love them so much!
41. Jude's little voice and new words he says each day - so much enthusiasm! I'm particularly enjoying the way he says, "yes." It's so cute!
42. Ezzy's profound statements and prayers continue to amaze me.
43. Kai's kindness and sensitivity.
44. Koa's smiles, giggles and cuteness - his dark hair and blue eyes.

multitude monday is here

Gratitude

I'm lifting my heart in thankfulness and finding the gifts - sometimes obvious, sometimes hidden - in each day. Counting my way to 1,000....

24. Good sleep this weekend - it makes all the difference.
25. Short, cute haircuts on all my boys.
26. Sharing hot rooibos tea this morning with my boys.
27. A sweet gathering last night of people with hearts full of compassion, hearts ready to go, do, believe and see change. I love these people, handpicked by God for this time.
28. An amazing adventure on the horizon (more details coming soon).
29. Though things are uncertain, I have a great God in whom I can trust.
30. A sweet, sweet baby who loves to snuggle and makes people smile.
31. A Costa Rican driver's license in my hand!
32. Parts for our car arriving today in vans that drove down from California.
33. Saturday afternoon babysitters so my hubs and I could sneak out for a few hours together.
34. A new week! I continue learning, adjusting and getting into a rhythm with my children, myself, my life, my God.

Gratitude

I'm lifting my heart in thankfulness and finding the gifts - sometimes obvious, sometimes hidden - in each day. Counting my way to 1,000....

23. the sound of distant thunder rumbling.
24. a cool breeze.
25. A great time processing with a friend who came from very far away to help us. So thankful for the input in our lives.
26. Thankful that I had a very helpful friend stay with me this weekend while Scott was away.
27. My husband who helps me get perspective when I have a stinky attitude.
28. Kai is doing so great with his writing we're able to move forward with copywork and math.

Gratitude community is here

Gratitude

I'm thankful this morning....

11. That I got a goood night's sleep! I have a lot of trouble sleeping, so good sleep for me is a blessing, and I got a good one last night - went to bed reeeeaally early. I'm so thankful - I was so tired..

12. Good books to read with my little ones today.

13. Kai's great attitude this morning towards school - he's prepped and ready to learn today!

14. Singing "twinkle twinkle" with Ezzy and Jude - several times a day, it's about the cutest thing to hear their little voices.

15. Finding and reconnecting with an old friend through facebook - and we have more in common now than I could believe, what a blessing.

16. I'm thankful that as other children are heading off to school this morning, I get to keep mine here at home with me and learn new things together. Amazing! When making the decision to homeschool I wondered if I could handle it and I never expected to love it this much.

Gratitude

7. Healthy children
8. Fresh coffee to start my day.
9. children quietly playing with leggos.
10. Even though my house is a complete disaster there is hope that today I can tackle the loads of laundry and get things in order.
11. Our portable DVD player broke (we don't have a tv) forcing me to live life without the option of movies to fall back on. This pushes me to be more creative, read more books and engage more with my children.
Here's to a new week! I feel cloudy and foggy from taking Benadryl last night, but this coffee should kick in soon. A new week awaits - another chance to do things well and learn new things. I'm grateful.

For the gratitude community click here: Holy Experience

Gratitude

I want to lift my heart in thankfulness and find the gifts - sometimes obvious, sometimes hidden - in each day. So I'm starting my list, I'll see if I make it to 1,000 eventually, I'm not in a rush.

1. The feel of Koa in my arms.

2. The sunlight shining through the trees.

3. Seeing my husband at the end of a long day when my patience is wearing thin and I'm starting to be a really "mean mommy." The relief I feel when I see him coming through the door.

4. Experiencing the heart change that comes with obedience. I recently did something that I felt God wanted me to do. Even though I put it off for months because my heart wasn't in it - the moment I did it I felt an immediate change in my heart and entire disposition! Sometimes feelings follow actions, not vice versa (*sorry for being so vague here - email me if you want the whole story).

5. Clothing. I made a New Year's resolution for 2008 not to purchase any clothing for myself for a full year. I made that resolution again for 2009 and now I'm starting my 3rd year for 2010. This has been so freeing for me and a way to let go and let God take care of me.

"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?"
Matthew 6:28-30

In the last two years I have been given bags of clothing! It's almost like God knows that desire in me that sometimes wants to wear something different or "new," which seems so silly or selfish. Why would God even care about that? And yet I see His hand of provision and I am blessed.

3. Waking up with Koa snuggled in my arms (and sometimes Jude on the other side).

4. Hearing Jude learn how to speak and saying new words each day - the silliness and laughter that this brings to my heart.

5. All the books I received from my Amazon wish list, which totally, completely surprised me. I never expected to receive them and I love them so much.

6. A new week starting. The feeling of a Monday morning - a week full of promise and challenge and a chance to do things better.