The Joy Dare for February

I loved the idea of having a separate blog for Ann Voskamp's Joy Dare, but it's just not working for me, so I've gone and moved it all over to here instead. Then to really change it up, I did it by the month for this post. To top it all off, I had a difficult time coming up with all of the topics this month. Not that I'm feeling ungrateful or even miserable. They were just hard thinking! I also apologize for the lack of photos. I just can't seem to get at the desk top. I kept hoping I would and it didn't happen and now it's April and I still haven't posted February. So here's February's and hopefully later this week, I'll get March's posted too -- maybe even with some photos ;o)!

So, finally February's Joy Dare (and the last three days of January):

January 29 a song heard, a soft word, where you saw light

• Oh Come All Ye Faith. Off key and really loud by two little girls
• Quiet chatter as the two Littles play in the same room, but separately
• Dancing across the fireplace in the great room

January 30 three old things seen new

• Dresser. Bought at a garage sale almost sixteen years ago. Looking forward to paint and new handles.
• Glass jars made colourful.
• Fabric made into something for some special people (I can't say what or whom because they read here regularly.)

January 31 a gift found on paper, in a person, in a picture

• wisdom from the scriptures
• warm words from my husband
• seeing photos of all the changes in our family

February 1 A gift found at 11:30 am, 2:30 pm, at 6:30 pm

• sporadic sunshine for the girls to enjoy while playing outside
• a quiet moment for tea
• children happily playing downstairs while another one dries dishes with Daddy

February 2 Three things overheard today, all gifts

• I can read to you
• I like your hair, Mommy
• Your kids are so well behaved (Hah! You don't live in my home ;o)!)

February 3 Three gifts found in writing

• A letter from one of our Compassion children
• An evening devotional that applied directly to one of our children
• Daily encouragement from a devotional sent to my inbox

February 4 Three gifts found when bent down

• Crumbs under and around the table. It means everyone ate today
• Dirty footprints on the floor. It means that it still not really that cold out
• Socks found under chairs. It means our home is warm

February 5 One gift stitched, one hammered, one woven

• A cross stitch I have been working on for years. If I ever get it done it will be very fun to have hanging on my walls.
• Coffee table (and end tables) made many many years ago by my dad that have stood the test of time.
• A mat at the kitchen sink given to me by my mom.

February 6 Three gifts found outside

• moonlight on the water.
• another dandelion in bloom.
• increasing birdsong.

February 7 Three gifts red

• a wooden box made by one of my Middles.
• a beaded heart made last year.
• red velvet cupcakes made by one of my oldest girls.

February 8 A gift broken, a gift fixed, a gift thrifted

• A ceramic bird that belonged to my Oma.
• One of Squirts favorite toys -- fixed by Grampa!
• A special dress for a special girl.

February 9 Three gifts that were surprises -- unexpected grace!

•  Seeing my orchid every morning and having to remind myself that it's not real.
• a matching bunny for my frosted glass one that I've had for at least fifteen years.
• realizing how tall and slim my three oldest are getting. They change so quickly!

February 10 Three times you heard laughter today

• The two youngest giggling at the antics of Little Bear on their DVD.
• Big brother teasing sister number three.
• Oldest two daughters chatting and giggling when they're supposed to be in bed and off to sleep.

February 11 Three gifts found in working

• three sparkling bathrooms.
• shiny floors.
• the contented hum of the washing machine.

February 12 Three hard eucharisteos

These come in the bodies of three beautiful little girls named:

• Bella
• Bright Eyes and
• Peanut

February 13 Three gifts you found behind a door today

• my lint mop (aka the second dog as it's usually loaded with black fur when in use).
• leftover chocolate chunk cookies
• big blue buckets for washing floors and soaking dirty cloths. I love my buckets!

February 14 Three ways you feel the love of God

• through children who forgive when I lose patience.
• a husband who uncomplainingly does dishes every night after supper. Yes, he does!
• weather that surprises. (Waking up to freshly falling snow).

February 15 A gift in losing something, in finding something, in making something

• dare I say it. My missing flute that still has not been found. At least I don't have to play for anything :oS.
• hair elastics everywhere. I'm abundantly blessed with daughters!
• a beach bag completed for a sweet friend.

February 16 Three gifts in shadows

• a sleeping doggie
• a basket with knitting treasures that awaits
• my devotional in the tentative early morning light

February 17 Three gifts found in giving/serving

• laughter.
• closer friendship.
• meeting new people/making new friends.

February 18 Three gifts on paper

• books that are hard to put down.
• school newsletters that (help) keep me on top of some things.
• encouraging notes from church family.

February 19 Three gifts that were "Plan B's"

• having friends over and
• keeping them extra long
• going to same friends for an evening. All these things weren't the original plan.

February 20 A gift at breakfast, lunch, dinner

• frozen blueberries in my oatmeal 
• grilled cheese sandwiches on bakery white bread
• rhubarb crisp for dessert

February 21 Three gifts white

• seeing at least some snow this winter
• mounds of crisp white fabric to hopefully be made for a project I have in mind
• new t-shirts for the girls and I

February 22 Three gifts that changed today

• sunshine -- improved the mood.
• a good book
• a HOT cup of coffee (those are rare in my life)

February 23 A gift of tin, of glass, of wood

• a container that belongs to my mom on the mantle.
• pretty little jars thrifted
• the handmade cross on my wall from a sweet friend

February 24 Three gifts before 11:00 am

• coffee
• quiet time
• exercise

February 25 A gift nearly worn out, a gift new, a gift made-do

• my hot pink house coat. I continue to appreciate its warmth every morning.
• my  Life Application Study Bible. It's so good to be able to apply what I'm learning in Bible study with the help of this Bible.
• the coffee pot. It's over twenty years old, missing the lid to the reservoir, and the carafe, but stills makes a mean cup of java. I chose to make do until it quits working.

February 26 Three gifts seen as reflections

• moonlight dancing off our "pond"
• sunlight sparkling on our "pond"
• reflected trees dancing in the wind on the computer screen

February 27 Three ugly-beautiful gifts (see beauty in ugly)

• broken and dirtied fingernails -- usually means I've been doing some work around the house
• fingerprints on windows and walls -- means a houseful of busy happy children
• scratched and dented table top -- lots of meals, stories, and laughter shared around the table

February 28 Three gifts from the past that help you trust the future

• Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.
• Proverbs 3:5&6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
• Isaiah 40:31 but those who wait up the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

February 29 A gift dull, a gift shimmering, a gift cleaned

• new spoons for stirring big pots 
• sunlight dancing off the coffee table and end tables
• the stove top

1000 Gifts

This has been worked on since the beginning of the month of February. It was a post I forgot to publish, so now I'm just continuing it.

1255 Post exam lunch treat with my Boy.

1256 He passed French by the skin of his teeth!

1257 A successful dental trip with Bright Eyes.

1258 A winter cold that was only really bad for one day.

1259 Tissues for dripping noses.

1260 Lots and lots of liquids -- both hot and cold.

1261 Lots of good eats made to be shared.

1262 Safe travels to Collingwood,ON and back.

1263 Safety on the slopes.

1264 The wonderful group of grade 10 youth that our son spends time with.

1265 I'm thankful there is no pairing off and that boys and girls alike simply enjoy spending time being with each other.

1266 Yet another week of mostly mild weather.

1267 A smaller than normal grocery bill.

1268 Flowers blooming in winter :o).

1269 Excellent medical care.

1270 Continued good driving weather.

1271 Vacation time for my parents.

1272 Seven healthy children. Yes, we have continual sniffles and coughs running through the house, but it doesn't seem to slow anyone down -- except for the odd missed day here and there so they don't infect their classmates.

1273 Good friends that my girls love to spend time with as often as possible.

1274 Pets. I do believe the quote, "until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened" is true. There is nothing quite like having a warm breathing ball of fur to whine to, or rant at, that simply continues to wag its tail and breathe dog breath all over you. That quote is by Anatole France.

1275 Knowing with complete confidence that God planned three little girls for our family. Despite many habits and behaviours that drive me crazy with them, I still see regularly that they are exactly who God planned for our family!

1276 Early bedtimes for young ones who really need it.

1277 A fun shopping excursion with my two oldest.

1278 Making due with the food on the shelves and in the freezer. Challenging, but fun!

1279 Getting small projects completed.

1280 Feeling like I'm getting caught up on a few things again.

1281 A day bright enough and mild enough to hang laundry on the line.

1282 Parents who arrived home safely from their vacation.

1283 Children who love to read.

1284 Kids who are healthy again.

1285 Antibiotics.

1286 Sweet after church fellowship with church family.

1287 Children who think about and discuss issues of social justice. (More on this in a later post).

1288 Daffodils that are poking their first leaves out of the ground.

1289 Evening sunshine dancing off the trees in the back yard.

1290 Hearing and seeing the first spring robin on March first. The earliest I've ever marked that one on the calendar!

Gratitude is the memory of the heart.  ~Jean Baptiste Massieu

Have a blessed week, dear readers!

1000 Gifts

I know there was no lack of gifts this week, but truthfully, I didn't take the time to record them diligently, so it will be a shorter list than usual.

1240 snow! lots of it falling softly as I type.
1241 warm, comfortable,yet  stylish boots.
1242 time for sewing.
1243 listening to the Engineer singing made up songs and talking to the dog.
1244 Peanut's ability to make us laugh almost constantly.
1245 hazelnut spread. I don't know who loves it more. The kids, me, or my friend, Julie who gave me the idea. :o)
1246 a husband who realized he should see the doctor and went without my encouragement.
1247 antibiotics.
1248 homemade hamburgers by the Engineer. Now if I was really good, I would have thought to make homemade buns to go around them, but I didn't.
1249 an interesting sermon by a guest speaker.
1250 pizza in bed while watching a movie. we felt so evil :oD!
1251 working out almost every day this past week.
1252 going shopping with the Engineer and seven children (trust me, this rarely happens!!). They all behaved very well and I had to laugh at the faces of people mentally counting. You could tell that they were trying to figure out if they were all ours.
1253 our big van. I like it that we can still go places together as a family.
1254 a funeral that reminded me again of how vast God's love is for us and that even in the depths He is there.

May you all have a wonderful week!!

 

P.S. You can see my Joy Dare post here.

1000 Gifts

Last week was a very busy week. The Engineer has officially begun traveling again and was in Houston for the week. He got to spend an evening with my dear friend Annesta and her husband Gary, so that was extra special. One of these times I will go along too, but right now there are some children here that are a little on the needy side yet...

Monday was a fog day. That meant that if I wanted the children to go to school, I had to drive them myself. The buses would bring them home again in the afternoon. I had a nice long chat with a friend somewhere in that day. Then there was GEMS in the evening. I left Bub to babysit the two youngest and it was successful!

Tuesday was a stay at home (almost) all day. Usually I have Coffee Break on this morning, but there had been a funeral the day before and most of the older women in C.B. helped out at the funeral and were a little wiped both physically and emotionally, so they opted to cancel it for this week. I had to go to the YMCA to pick up Bub from swim team practice and later bring him to and from work.

Wednesday was the run-around-and-eat-improperly-so-I-end-up-with-a-big-fat-headache-day. Peach had grade eight day at the highschool, so I brought her in for that. I thought it was only going to be two hours, but when we got there I found out that it was actually going to be three hours. Happily my mom met me and we enjoyed some time together with Peanut, bargain shopping. I got a few things at 80% off to give my Great room a wintery look. It still looks nothing like my friend Julie's but I'm pleased to see some decor in the branches of my naked room. When I picked up Peach, I hopped on the 402 to stop to pick up the rest of the girls at school, and head back into the city to take all six of them to the dentist. We got home at 4:30. I took Bub to work, fed the rest of the crew supper (which I was brilliant enough to put in the crockpot that morning, yay me!), picked Bub up from work, gave him his supper, took him to praise team, and finally came home. I confess, I then sat and knitted while watching a movie.

Thursday, was music day. My parents came to watch the three Littles. I hopped on the 402 only to get detoured and sit in traffic for an hour. I concluded that perhaps I should listen to the local news on occasion. Although the afternoon turned out beautifully sunny, the morning had been quite snowy. There had been a multiple car pile up on the 402 and it was still under investigation and remained so well into the night. We shortened our music night, and arrived home safely again a few hours later. The Engineer also arrived home safely again later that night.

Friday was recovery day for me. I always crash after the Engineer arrives home again. I was only up for a couple of hours and went back to bed for a nap. In the late afternoon my parents once again came over to babysit so we could go out on a date! Our first REAL date night since the girls arrived home seven months ago. We went out for dinner (I can't tell you the last time that happened!) Then we went to The Newsboys God is Not Dead concert. Below is a song from a new to us group called The City Harmonic. They're Canadian :o). We really liked them so we bought their CD and have been playing it ever since. Below my gifts list is one of their songs and the lyrics.

1215 encouraging words from a friend who had no idea what it was I needed to hear

1216 a very encouraging word from a blogging friend

1217 extra chatting time with my boy as I drove him to school on a fog day

1218 a craft room getting tidied

1219 Bub's work is so nice and close to home

1220 one little GEMS girl who makes us laugh every Monday evening

1221 a successful babysitting the sister's evening for Bub

1222 girl's voices lifted in nonsensical song in the early morning

1223 good roads for traveling when I had to go out

1224 the arrival of a much anticipated DVD

1225 a daughter who is anticipating grade nine

1226 a morning bargain hunting with my mom

1227 a long chat with my sweet friend K.

1228 great new for dear friends adopting!

1229 pausing in my home keeping to watch the gently falling snow finally

1230 skating on our pond

1231 kids who spent more than five hours outside on Saturday

1232 first real date since the girls arrive 7+ months ago

1233 enjoying dinner at the Olive Garden -- just the two of us

1234 attending a concert -- just the two of us

1235 enjoying a new CD from one of the opening bands

1236 coffee after just at my parents' home

1237 the males of our family keeping us in stitches of laughter

1238 skating together for a couple more hours on Sunday afternoon

1239 home made hot coco




We believe in the one true God
We believe in Father Spirit Son
We believe that good has won

And all of the people of God sing along

Amen, amen
Amen, amen

We are free He died and lives again
We will be a people free from sin
Well be free a kingdom with no end

And all of the people of God sing along

Amen, amen
Amen, amen

Our Father, which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth,
As it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
The power, and the glory,
For ever and ever.
Amen.

To see my responses to Ann's Joy Dare, pop over here. Wishing you all a fantastic Monday!

1000 Gifts

1175 a long walk to take advantage of the balmy weather

1176 a good chat with a good friend

1177 back to routine

1178 hot water for showering

1179 the contented song of a little one

1180 sunlight warming the master bedroom

1181 grilled salmon and a salad for lunch

1182 Sunny, sunny, January days making lot of gorgeous

1183 sunrises and

1184 sunsets.

1185 lunches made without rushing

1186 GEMS girls whose chatter make me smile

1187 a mid afternoon cup of coffee

1188 sitting outside on the porch reading a book in January

1189 longer days of light

1190 a new routine slowly being put into place

1191 a grocery store close by to pick up those things that often disappear so quickly

1192 farm fresh eggs

1193 happy children who are enjoying school

1194 oldest daughter's sense of humour

1195 a picnic lunch out on the porch in January

1196 a package in the mail from sweet friends with lovely things for my kitchen.

1197 evening quiet

1198 a roast cooking in the crock pot

1199 friends in person and via internet who "get" me

1200 a fun shopping excursion with the Engineer and the Littles

1201 a too short, but laughter and joy filled visit with friends

1202 Christian radio

1203 a boy who given permission to make a choice, still ultimately makes the right choice

1204 birds at the feeder

1205 finding tasty uses for leftover fruit

1206 candle light on a dreary day

1207 a surprise visit for coffee from my brother

1208 Fridays off from cooking. The Engineer always makes pizzas

1209 sharing several hours of fun and laughter with just my two oldest

1210 much needed items purchased at affordable prices

1211 fireplace warmth

1212 absorbed in a good book

1213 the scent of warming citrus wafting through the house

1214 anticipation of leftover cheese tortellini for lunch

May your week be filled with blessings!



*** You can find my Joy Dare post here.

1000 Gifts

It's January and that means life resumes it's normal hectic pace, but at the same time is the month of the blahs for me. That means it's a great time for me to keep working on my 1000 Gifts. Those moments that catch me unaware, the moments that make me smile, that give me peace, that give me hope, and fill me with joy!

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 116:11

• Glorious winter sunshine
• Mild temperatures
• Laughter
• Dancing
• A fallen camera that didn't break
• Joy renewed
• Broken heart, mending
• Rest and relaxation
• Belly laughter
• Lazy dog
• Fleece sheets
• The scent of pine (even if it is candle induced)
• Housecoats
• Rediscovered chocolate
• A new board game
• Good books
• Pizza
• Blue blue skies
• Medicine that does what it's supposed to do
• Children who show kindness to one another
• Church family
• Blissful uninterrupted sleep
• Grilled cheese sandwiches on bakery bread
• Movies that enable at least a few consecutive moments of quiet
• Easy care floors
• The last of the candy canes to be enjoyed
• Healthy holidays
• Snow falls that haven't made driving treacherous

Happy Monday everyone!

The Joy Dare

I'm going to take Ann Voskamp's Joy Dare this year. It will be a good thing to encourage my walk with Christ, my heart, and my photography. (I was looking for something that would encourage me to pick up my camera daily, and I think this is it). I haven't decided whether to post here, on our photo blog, or on a separate blog entirely. I will let you know in a few days. For now I have some catching up to do.

If you're interested in doing this too, pop on by Ann's blog (click on link in first paragraph) and see what it's all about. I guarantee you will find Christ right where you are and feel the joy!

Blessings!



*** I decided to create a separate blog just for The Joy Dare. It can be found here.

Multitude Monday

watching my Boy get on the bus in the breaking dawn.

holding a mug of strong hot (almost black) coffee.

listening to the non-stop) chatter at the breakfast table.

hearing my Oldest Daughter sing "All is Well".

watching the lights sparkle on the tree

seeing the apple peeler send a spray of juice as I peel apple after apple

the sent of apple crisp baking

doggie affection

curling up in the soft light of the great room with a good book

sharing eye contact with Bella at GEMS over something that only she and I get

doing three heads of different blonde hair and three heads of different black hair

watching the sunlight dance on our giant puddle

listening to Peanut call the dog and

watching her growing affection for him

seeing the girls line up from oldest to youngest (tallest to shortest) as they dash for the warmth of the bus.

morning sunlight dancing across the floors

getting out the door unrushed for church

a conversation at church about adoption from someone who gets it

spending Sunday afternoon reading (and finishing) a good book

my last born baby who is nine today.  Nine!! How did that happen?!?

yesterday's sunrise over our frozen pond.
 

(Sorry it took me so long to post it.)

It's just a short list (#'s 1125 - 1144)  and the first one in a very long time, but it was very needed to help me put some things into perspective again.

Have a beautiful day!

Abundant Blessings

Every day there is something to give thanks for

something that brings joy to our souls.

Some days these joys

small or big

just have to be consciously  looked for

other days they over flow from the moment we awake.

Continuing to count God's gifts to us...

Warm days
Watching the kindness of strangers to other strangers
Falling asleep to the sound of rain
Colour!! It's everywhere now -- inside and outside
My new stove top and ovens (yes ovens plural)

Two cakes baked by Peach
Nesting robins
The little finch that serenades us off and on all day. Talk about put her heart and soul into song!
An encouraging phone call from our adoption agency
Big kids playing with little kids
Our plumber who goes above and beyond the call of duty to give us a working kitchen sink on a Saturday
Pizza night with my brother and family
Sleepovers
Jump rope songs being sung constantly around the house
Various coffee dates with various friends
Awesome neighbours
Weekends with blogging friends visiting
Sermons that speak to our hearts
Nursery duty for sweet baby fixes
A house that is beginning to look like a home again

Safe travels for the Engineer
rhubarb pie
modern medicine
easy clean floors
rubber boots
umbrellas
fantastic teachers and coaches
flannel to cotton sheets
productive days
learning of the call to travel for another adoptive family! So excited for them!
curling up with a good movie to watch
sleep -- sweet blissful sleep

Counting our blessings #'s 1138-1173

May your week be filled with abundant gifts too!



Join us?

Easter Weekend!

See what a morning, gloriously bright,
With the dawning of hope in Jerusalem;
Folded the grave-clothes,
Tomb filled with light,
As the angels announce Christ is risen!
See God's salvation plan, wrought in love, Borne in pain, paid in sacrifice,
Fulfilled in Christ, the Man, for He lives:
Christ is risen from the dead!

See Mary weeping, 'Where is He laid?'
As in sorrow she turns from the empty tomb;
Hears a voice speaking, calling her name;
It's the Master, the Lord raised to life again!
The voice that spans the years,
Speaking life, stirring hope,
Bringing peace to us,
Will sound till He appears,
For He lives, Christ is risen from the dead!

One with the Father, Ancient of Days,
Through the Spirit
Who clothes faith with certainty,
Honour and blessing, glory and praise
To the King crowned
With power and authority!
And we are raised with Him,
Death is dead, love has won,
Christ has conquered;
And we shall reign with Him,
For He lives, Christ is risen from the dead!

~lyrics by Stuart Townend

Our tradesmen worked like crazy on Thursday to have a least a couple of rooms ready for us to move into on the weekend.

Here in Canada, Friday this past Friday was a holiday. It is called Good Friday and a good Friday it was. We began the day with a very meaningful church service. It was simple, beautiful, and done in such a way that young and old would not forget that Jesus came down to earth to die a cruel death on the cross to save us from our sins. Even little E, who is not quite three years old, who was sitting in the pew behind us said, "whoa!"

So it wasn't until after church and a post Tim Horton's trip (an unspoken Good Friday tradition) that we began to clean, and organize, and move stuff around. We have moved our bed and few other pieces of furniture into our new bedroom. It feels like an oasis! It's so clean, and roomy, and bright.

I scrubbed all the windows and the floor in our great room and then we moved in the furniture. The baseboards in there all need their final coat, but the furniture is arranged in such a way that the only thing the painters will have to move is our fig tree. (A little aside here. Our fig tree is doing remarkably well considering the poor thing has been moved from room to room, covered in drywall dust, and then unceremoniously dumped outside to receive a bath in icy cold water from the hose. Poor thing!)

Our new appliances arrived on Thursday and are sitting on plywood in the middle of our dining room. The kitchen was originally supposed to go in last week, but it got postponed after the deadline for us to change our appliance delivery day. Our new fridge looks like a monster next to our current one. The standing joke is that when I do groceries I will still get all frustrated that the fridge is not big enough. Let's hope not.

Saturday was spent cleaning, organizing, and generally moving things around. Groceries were done for the first time in weeks, lights were bought for a couple of rooms we had forgotten had needed lights, and somewhere in there I attempted to conquer Mt. Laundry. It was a perfect day for line drying clothes!

On Sunday, we were at church for 7:30 am. The Engineer and three of the children are on the praise team, therefore we were asked to help prepare the Easter breakfast. Muffins, loaves, yogurt, fresh fruit, coffee, tea, and juice.  It was another beautiful and meaningful service. Our service finished with a liturgical dance to this song (not this exact version, but very close). I love the words (they're at the top of this post)!




We had lunch at my parents and a good chat with family and came home to pick rocks off of our lawn. The construction lane had left piles of rocks all over the lawn after the first big snowstorm in December. Once all the rocks were picked, the kids enjoyed their ice cream treats and everyone scattered to do their own thing. I crawled into bed in our new room. It was so peaceful!





So it was a busy weekend and flew by rapidly, but it was also a meaningful weekend. A weekend filled with blessings and thanksgiving.

• God's gift of salvation
• Jesus' sacrifice for us
• Joy in His resurrection
• Reverent worship
• Meaningful worship
• Communion of the saints
• Grace
• Easter breakfast shared
• Laughter shared picking rocks
• Light bulb moments
• New photos of wee ones to enjoy
• A warm day filled with sunshine
• Rain to make things grow
• Fellowship over coffee
• Sweet friendships
• Moving into our new bedroom
• Moving furniture into our great room
• New floors
• Precious window light
• Organizing
• Washing windows
• Clean floors
• New life
• Abundant life
• The beauty of child-like wonder

And so the list continues to grow with God's abundant gifts to us #'s 1138 - 1162. Join us?

Be blessed this week.

Multitude Monday (in Photos)

An attitude of gratitude rids our lives of the film of frustration, the rust of resentment, and the varnish of vanity -- all destroyers of self esteem. When we count our blessings, we multiply harmony and good feelings, and the lamp's flame burns higher once again. ~Daily Splashes of Joy by Barbara Johnson

 The amazing animals in God's creation that make us laugh!

 Four healthy children who teach us to love life.

 My man who shares my passions.

 A puppy whose crazy love for water makes us laugh.

 Children who love music.

 Watching Franseca Batistelli in concert!

 Watching the Newsboys in concert! Still love them -- even if Michael Tate is the lead now because I like him too.

Spring flowers beginning to bloom.

Budding maple trees.

Glorious sunsets!

My dear husband who makes me laugh. He just had to get the leaves off my rhubarb, Sunday best and all.

Jumping rope with the Girl Cousin.

Boys!

Giving thanks for God's gifts #'s 1125 -1137. Would you like to join in?

Multitude Monday

Giving thanks awakens me to a God giving Himself, the naked unashamed passion, God giving Himself to me -- for me -- a surrender of love. "Gratitude is the most fruitful way of deepening your consciousness that you are... a divine choice," wrote Henry Nouwen. A divine choice! He chooses His children to fully live! Fully live the fullest life: the astonished gratitude, the awed joy, the flying and the free. The discipline of giving thanks, of unwrapping one thousand gifts, unwraps God's heart bare: I choose you. Live!
~Ann Voskamp 1000 Gifts pp. 205-206

warm weather today. It felt soooo good!

the most awesomest tradesmen.

long walks with the doggie.

watching the dog delight in playing in the creek.

much laughter shared at the dinner table.

romaine lettuce finally down to a dollar a bunch.

fresh salad for supper.

simple meals.

first spring flowers.

a family night at another fabulous concert.

crisp apples.

a very valid excuse to have a messy and dirty house ;o).

crossing small things off my to do list.

Giving God the glory for His gifts to us #'s 1112-1124

Join us?

Be blessed today!

1000 Gifts

Some days I just feel grumpy. Coming off of spring break here and seeing and hearing everywhere of people's travels to warmer climes had me feeling a little jealous. Wouldn't it be nice to be rich, I thought to myself. After hashing it around in my brain for awhile, I realized that even if we had crazy money at our disposal, we likely wouldn't go to some resort or on a spendy vacation. Yes, we like the break, we like the heat and sunshine, and yes, we've gone away on some neat vacations (with a little help from the Engineer's work) and some thriftiness on our part. Thinking about it further, I also realized that as many or more folks stayed home and have never even been out of our province. We've already been blessed to travel far more than I'd ever dreamed of. It's one of those things that again boils down to priorities. Our children, home,  and church and Christian worldview are our priorities. So after giving myself a little slap upside the head I am reminding myself once again of how blessed my family is by continuing my list. Simple joys. Simple gifts. Isn't it true that the best gifts are the simple gifts?

A new letter to read from one of our Compassion children. She has such a beautiful heart!

Coffee. I so need it today.

Dog funnies. Mavy finds some very ridiculous ways to amuse himself.

Robin morning song.

The call of the red wing blackbirds.

The pip of the tundra swans flying overhead.

First laundry of 2011 drying on the line. I love my clothesline.

Time with just my baby girl and I.

Medicals being done for our Wee Three. Praying all went well!

Successful flooring shopping. We almost have it narrowed down. Paint colours on the other hand....


Morning light casting shadows and bright patches.

Reading to our youngest.

Rocking with the youngest in the rocking chair that is awaiting the Wee Three's arrival.

Homeopathic options for migraine prevention.

A much needed Sunday afternoon nap!

The hum of the space heater in the addition's basement.

Sunshine -- lots of sunshine!

Mild weather. Hooray for no woolies!

Melting snow.
Photography project completed.

Round two of drywall mudding.

***Giving thanks for God's gifts to us: #'s 1091 - 1111.

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Multitude Monday

Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world. ~Sarah Ban Breathnach

• Freshly fallen snow. Even though I am (very) tired of winter, it's still beautiful.
• The soothingly beautiful voice of Paul Potts.
• A very relaxing weekend.
• Swimming and coffee with friends on Friday evening. It was so good to see them again!
• Coffee with other friends on Saturday. The second time in less than a week! Fun! They're really more like family.
• Blogging friends who bless with their words, prayers, and posts.
• Hair colour. It makes me feel pretty.
• Compliments brand kettle cooked chips. Yes, they're bad for me, but oh so good!
• Our big comfy chairs that are honestly big enough to hold two of us. So cozy.
• Praying for our children thanks to my friend Julie's blog.
• Watching my children play.
• Seeing Bub's artwork. Incredible!
• Listening to Squirt do her speech in front of her whole school. She did so well!
• Seeing men take pride in their work.
• Hearing the song, banter, and laughter of the tradesmen as they work on our addition. Yes, they actually burst into song on occasion (and they make me smile because of it).
• Ducting for heating is all in.
• Insulation is all in.
• Bathtub/shower is in.
• Wiring is all in.
• Kitchen is being readied for installation.
• Counter top is chosen.
• Looking forward to a busy, but good week!

Giving thanks for eucharisteo #'s 1069 - 1090

If you would like to join the Gratitude Community or see more lists like this, join us at Holy Experience. It will change how you see life!

Multitude Monday

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. ~ Melody Beattie

Even though I wasn't blogging for a bit, I was still counting the gifts God has given:

• singing girls while doing dishes
• timers to help keep my helpers moving
• safety for the boy on his first ever ski trip
• the sound of the Engineer's voice
• doggie footwarmer
• hand lotion
• roof trusses going up
• shingles going on
• safety for our construction crew (one took a fall)
• a kitchen design that we LOVE
• BIG windows for amazing natural light photos. Can hardly wait to try them!
• windows going in
• apple crisp leftovers
• delicious tummy warming soups for kids' lunches
• my fellow GEMS counselors.Oh can we laugh!
• travel vouchers from our 2010 vacation passed on to others who can use them
• a very busy week completed by a restful Sunday
• five girls laughing in the kitchen while baking cut out chocolate chip cookies
• more fresh snow
• neighbours (yes plural) who clean our lane for us when needed
• extremely successful retail therapy
• jeans "made just for me". I DON'T wear jeans (until now).
• birthday excitement
• band aids
• libraries
• post offices
• rice cookers
• successful business trips for the Engineer
• safe travels for the Engineer
• sunshine!
• above freezing temperatures
• washed, dried, folded, and put away window treatments in anticipation of the work to be done in the already existing part of our home.
• organic lavender hand and foot lotion -- heavenly!
• a Saturday away with our family listening to some awesome Christian bands
• new music to listen to and be inspired by
• a clean from top to bottom bathroom
• praying friends (You know who you are)!
• travelling husband meeting precious blogging friend  and her husband for a delicious home cooked dinner (I still would have shared the chocolate pie with you, Annesta :o). Yum!)
• a much anticipated book arriving in the mail
• the nighttime sound of dripping. It means it's almost ten pm and it's still not freezing out
• much anticipation for blogging friends who are flying to the PI as I write (on 02/16/11) to meet their adorable and precious little boy who spends his days playing with our daughters
• excitement for another couple who have after much anticipation flown to the PI to meet and fall deeply in love with their beautiful little girl 
• meals shared with both sets of parents
• freshly falling snow (again). It is so beautiful when the world is a blanket of white!
• laundry days. I love doing laundry!
• freshly laundered flannel sheets
• lavender fabric softener. (The only scented laundry stuff I will use).
• finally finding a second fleecy soft blanket for each of the Wee Three's beds.
• a third (and final) quilt being worked on for a precious little girl.
• suitcases that are starting to be packed (Yes, I'm a little OCD that way).
• phones that work -- even though I want to check it a hundred times a day to make sure it's working
• answering machines to catch the all important call (which has not come yet) in case we aren't home
• email that tells us that we'll be waiting for awhile yet
• an evening reading in our favorite bookstore
• a trip with gramma to pick up 'Monster' who accidentally didn't have his plates yet, so he gets delivered to our door today
• roll up the rim to win. We're hoping for the car :oD. Just kidding!
• coffee beans, freshly ground 
• friends over for a relaxing lunch and some great laughs
• the God given strength of a blogging friend during a time of loss and sorrow. Lifting up prayers!
•  a head injury on our little girl that was only minor

Thanking God for His gifts to me #'s1009 - 1068.

If you'd like to find joy in the everyday, join us at Holy Experience. You'll be glad you did!

Multitude Monday

I seem to be lacking words today, or at least coherency. Let's just say that I am hitting the ground running this week. Dentist appt's, doctor's appt's, picking up a boy from his last exam of his first high school semester (already), picking up replaced frames for broken glasses, picking up doggie's special "I'm a chubber" dog food, errands for our HUGE GEMS chili supper on Saturday, and finally an adoptive family get-together on Saturday night. Add to that the usual running around that happens every week and well, I'm already tired thinking about it. Thankfully, (#995) God's grace is sufficient and His mercies are new every morning.


#996January drawing to a close
that February is a short month
some birthdays coming up soon
stud walls up on our addition
the big windows on three sides of our new family room. (They're not in yet, but the holes show where they are).
listening to the joyful sounds of children playing in the snow after dark
day after day of gently falling snow
snuggling up with the Engineer
butter tarts
royal gala apples
the continued question of "have you heard anything yet?" It means there are people who are as excited as we are to be traveling to the PI soon.
lots of photos of our girls to pour over. It makes us feel closer to them. (It also makes us ache to hold them).
#1008 I have surpassed my 1000th gift!

Blessings, my friends! May you all have a great week!

Multitude Monday

I am in the home stretch with counting my gifts. I am amazed at how cultivating an attitude of gratitude helps me get through these long winter days. I'm thinking that once I reach my 1000th gift that I will continue.

This past week was a little crazy! The Engineer was in Houston all week which meant I was on Mama duty 24/7.  I am very blessed to generally not have to do any taxiing (gift #966) in the evenings as the Engineer does most of it, but of course when he is gone, all this then falls to me. That being said,

• #967 that my first ever car accident ( dumb, dumb me!) was in a church parking lot.
• was with a level headed fellow believer.
• that all five children remained very calm and
• it was really a non issue to them.
• very thankful that we were not out on the road!
• best yet, he doesn't want to repair it because his car is old, so we have no expenses as a result! Thank you, Lord and dear kind gentleman!!
• a husband who is passionate about what he believes
• traveling mercies for the Engineer
• the Engineer also got to meet and had a wonderful evening with my blogging friend Annesta and her husband.
• he brought home for me a very special gift from her
• she and I will, Lord willing, get to visit in May when she comes this way
• a good albeit busy week single momming -- despite car accidents and driving in heavy snow streamers coming off the lake.
• a youth pastor who is passionate about the youth in our church and our sister church with whom we share him.
• parents who care enough to go out in -20 degrees Celcius weather to learn more about our youth programs
• dollar days at the grocery store. I have nicely stocked up on a few items.
• more narrowing down for our new kitchen. I just do NOT enjoy this sort of thing. I'm way too practical and financially wary.
• two coffee dates with two different friends last week and a coffee date and a lunch date coming up with two other friends this week. I am so blessed in the friendships I have in real life and in the blogosphere.
• crisp squeaky snow
• bright sunshine all day
• evergreen laden with snow
• children laughing, running, and screeching while playing with the dog
• a daily dose of hugs from my 14yo.
• glorious sunsets
• the wonders of meeting new people who share a common bond or interest via the internet.
• aside from the occasional winter cold, everyone is staying very healthy.
• #994 we are getting ever closer to travelling to the Philippines. Each day that goes by brings us closer to our girls!

Psalm 100

A psalm. For giving grateful praise.  

¹ Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
 ² Worship the LORD with gladness;
   come before him with joyful songs.
³ Know that the LORD is God.
   It is he who made us, and we are his^[a];
   we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
 ⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving
   and his courts with praise;
   give thanks to him and praise his name.
⁵ For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
   his faithfulness continues through all generations. 

 If you would like to be part of the gratitude community, feel free to join us and link up here. We'd love to have you!

Be blessed today!

Mulititude Monday

• gentle snow falling almost everyday
• Sunshine-y mornings
• skating outdoors at night
• long Sunday afternoon walks
• kind and encouraging emails from special blogging friends
• no more chocolate in the house (yes, it is a good thing)
• exercising again
• irons and ironing boards (can you imagine heating a heavy lead iron over the woodstove?)
• children who share their fears
• a teenager who loves to argue. It means he's still talking
• comfortable running shoes (finally!)
• awesome finds at the thrift store half off day. (I've already started my Christmas shopping :O))
• solitude
• grocery dates with hubby
• a family who is not picky at all about what I put on the table
• a music teacher who encourages our girls to stick it out
• safety for a boy who thinks we'll assume he's at school waiting to be picked up
• grade five GEMS sweetness. They are all so unique and so fun!
• beginning to gather ideas for our kitchen reno. (Let's just say I know what I don't want)
• warm, comfy, albeit ugly winter boots
• a gift of some amazing photos of our girls looking at our package we sent them. Thank you Renee for emailing us them!
• an impromptu family movie night in the middle of the week due to yet another snow day.
• some small household projects completed by the Engineer.
• a Friday lunch date with the Engineer at our favorite local small town cafe.
• relaxed post church coffee time at Mom and Dad's
• the beach even in winter. It's so beautiful!
• snow squeaking under my boots. It's bitterly cold and sunny today.
• books that rivet me, strengthen my faith, and make me cry
• Proverbs. There is such wisdom there!
• Looking forward to several different coffee dates with friends. Can't wait to catch up on life!
• the hissing of the washer as it gets our clothes clean for another week.
• the clunk of the dryer as it means I don't need to freeze dry our clothes.
•  making lists oh how I love lists
•  healthy, sleepy, sneaky puppies
•  down time to pursue creative interests

Thanking God for blessings 931-965!

Wishing you all a week of small (and large) blessings! If you would like to become part of the gratitude community, go here! We'd all love to have you join!

Blessings!