Thankfulness for Grace

We named each of daughters to remind ourselves of God's grace. The other two require a knowledge of name "meanings" in order to know that grace is part of their names, but Gracie... it is right there. In many ways, I feel like she has a comprehension of God's grace the surpasses her age. She is (as all my daughters are) my teacher.

1. I am thankful that we waited to send Grace to kindergarten until this year. Not only was the year with the co-op amazing, Grace truly developed in her confidence.
2. I am grateful that she is thriving this year under the direction of her teacher, Ms. Polizzia.

3. I am grateful to see her budding engineer skills. She is very good at building her lego kits.
4. Her brain seems to wired for math concepts. She has been asking for "math" problems all summer. I am grateful that she enjoys school.

5. Grace is thoughtful. She thinks a lot about different things.
6. I am grateful for her serious side. I enjoy conversations with her.

7. Grace has a great smile. It shows her playful side.
8. She is so good with other kids. Whether the kids are much younger than she is or just her age, she is a good "mother" or friend.

9. Grace is willing to try new things. Cross country wasn't easy for her, but she did it and was so excited to receive her finishers medal.
10. Grace speaks her mind and because she has worked so hard with her speech the last several years, what is on her mind is very understandable.

My reminder of God's grace is a blessing to me.

Another day to be thankful

In the middle of last week, I needed to be reminded of why I am thankful for my youngest. Today I will turn my attention to my oldest. I have realized, recently, that I have been particularly critical of my 8-year-old. I am not sure if it is because we are so much alike or because I expect her to be more "grown-up" than she is or for some other reason that I cannot identify.

Whatever it is, I am so grateful for this little girl who made me a mom and who is growing up so fast before our eyes.

1. Curiosity: From the time she could talk, my girl was asking questions about the world. She loves to explore and discover new things.
2. Her eyes: Hannah sees art and beauty in the world, and helps me to see it too.
3. Adventure: She is interested in adventure, but sometimes holds back her excitement about it. Perhaps, like her mom, she fears being disappointed. My prayer is that we will encourage her adventurous spirit.

 4. Creativity: It doesn't take much for Hannah to be able to create. She sees possibility in scraps of fabric and some glue.
5. Trying new things: She is eager to try new crafting ideas and is grateful that Nana is like her in this!

6. Sense of style: Her style is her own. Bold colors and patterns is what she loves best.
7. Her hugs: Hannah is a full body hugger. Even at 8, she still loves to snuggle.

8. Family time: Hannah still loves being with her family. Recently we were able to go apple picking together.
9. Writing: She loves to create stories and has begun doing this with her spelling words. It is really fun to see what she comes up with when it seems she has a random word bank.

10. A hard worker: This was especially evident today when she competed in her first cross-country meet. It wasn't always easy, but she kept going. Our little girl is growing up.

My 4 year old

Ahh, the joys of a 4 year old. Elizabeth and I are still trying to figure out this thing of having/being an only child at home. I had no idea the challenges that would arise from Elizabeth losing all her playmates as her older two sisters went off to school. It hasn't been easy, but in the spirit of being grateful, my list today focuses on Elizabeth.

1. She is up for an adventure. Last week our adventure was riding bike (her)/ walking (me) out to Eastern Point lighthouse. She made it, despite an early run in with a bush. While out there, she and I collaborated on a drawing. This is one of my favorite times with her so far this year.
2. She speaks her mind. Although wearying, when I truly listen, it is a delight to hear how her mind works.
3. Determined to be with me. Again, this can be wearying, but there is something really special about this girl's hand in mind.

4. Good memory. This one keeps me on my toes for what she remembers... people, places and activities. The above picture is because "remember, mommy, we take the picture of me getting the pumpkin."

5. Busy. This one is on the go. She keeps me moving and I need that, especially on the days when an object at rest wants to stay a rest. I am getting back in shape because this one keeps me going.

6. Exercise buddy. I've been doing exercise videos at home and Elizabeth is right there next to me. Lifting her little dumbbell "just like mommy." 

7. Time with her one on one. I know time will fly, so it is nice to get to know Elizabeth all by herself.
8. Creative words. I love that she is developing new vocabulary so quickly and it is especially fun when she doesn't quite have it right. The other night she had a splinter that came out without extra help. "We didn't need to use the sneezers!" She still talks about the "aminals." "I don't like pomatos."
9. Creative storytelling. When she is able to settle down and play by herself, it is so fun to hear the stories she acts out with her dolls and animals.

10. Goofy grin. She has a beautiful smile, but sometimes you just need a goofy grin.

I am thankful for my little Elizabeth.

Gratefulness from where I sit

I am embarrassed to say (but obviously not too embarrassed since I am posting this on a blog) how easy it is to get knocked off the gratitude journey. I was doing so well and could feel my contentment increasing and then BANG I am grumpy and giving my husband the silent treatment. Sigh. Like Peter taking his eyes of the Lord while walking on the water, as soon as my eyes drifted to my circumstances I was floundering in discontentedness up to my neck.

So in an effort to get back on track, here is my gratefulness from where I sit.

1. Quiet: Even though Elizabeth was up early complaining that "she couldn't smell," she fell back asleep. It is now 9 am and she is still sleeping.
2. Warm winter coats: The temperatures dipped yesterday and I am thankful we have coats to bundle up in.
3. Checkbook: While we are not wealthy by American standards, we have enough, actually we have more than enough, and I am grateful.
4. Field trip permission slip: The girls have gotten to experience field trips already this school year. I am grateful for the "out of school" experiences they get to have.
5. Books: for the books we own and the ones we check out from the library, so grateful to be able to feed my reading habit.
6. Sunshine: The sun is breaking through the early morning clouds. It makes everything seem doable.
7. Red Sox Hat: Gift from my husband. He has always been a thoughtful gift giver.
8. Games: We have a family that loves to play games. It is a great way to connect with one another.
9. Untidy playroom: The girls live here.
10. Meal plans: A fully stocked kitchen ready to prepare meals for the next two weeks.

I am grateful.

Grateful for what I have

“If we do not feel grateful for what we already have, what makes us think we’d be happy with more?” — Unknown

Last weekend I deactivated my facebook account. There is nothing wrong with facebook in and of itself. But, I found that when I was feeling dissatisfied with my life, facebook fed that dissatisfaction whether it was looking at what other people had or did or searching for people in my past and imagining a different life than the one I have now. Dissatisfaction is a ugly housemate and the only thing I have found to combat it is gratitude, hence my 30 days of gratitude.

Today's list is a reminder of what I have, especially in light of what facebook was telling me I needed.

1. A loving husband: The longer I am married, the more I realize that "tried and true" love is much better than young love, despite what the world might tell you. The feelings may not be as high and low, but faithfulness is a beautiful thing.
2. 3 daughters: Yes, I still have moments of "the ache," times when I think "just one more" or "what would a son be like," but each day I get to know these wonderful little creatures God has given me. Hannah's full body hugs, ability to be distracted with books in an instant, and her sometimes "out of left field" questions that make us say "mmm." Grace's well ordered, mathematical brain, and ability to see "that's not fair" wherever she looks. Elizabeth's high energy, deep into the "why" phase, and ability to exhaust me in her unique way.
3. A home that is enough: I need to remind myself of this, especially when I spend too much time on zillow looking at all the beautiful homes out there. Enough really is enough and I am content.
4. Loving family: My parents, in-laws, brother and his family, brother-in-law and his family, and my extended family... this past summer we were blessed by many encounters with our family and I was reminded again how blessed I am.
5. Friendships: I think I have said this before, but it needs to be repeated and often. God has blessed me again and again with people who he brings into my life, some for a lifetime and some for a season.
6. Drinking water
7. Inside bathrooms: as much as I love pioneer and frontier stories, I am very grateful for this modern convenience
8. Reliable transportation: Often I do not think about this until we do not have it, but for today, I am grateful that our vehicles are reliable.
9. Growing contentment: This isn't always a part of my life, but for today I am grateful.
10. Ability to read: the last month and a half have been filled with times to read. I know this is a luxury to have all this time to devote to reading and I am grateful.

Today's gratitude in 25 words

Rain to Sun

Zoo with Friends

Beautiful Colors

Majestic Lions

Playful Gorillas

Lunch Outside

Playground

Kangaroos

Nap Coming Home

Bed repaired by Daddy

Friday's gratefulness

The day started before the sun rose. The sky was grey, hinting at the rain to come. I was 31) warm in my bed, waking up from a dream I cannot quite remember, except for the fact that it was 32) not stressful or scary. I relief from the dreams of late.

While the rest of the family slept, snug in their beds, I was up making lunches for Grace and Hannah, 33) grateful for the food available to keep them alert and ready to learn at school. 34) Elizabeth skipped into her classroom without a backwards glance, eager to engage her teacher and discover what was set out for her to explore. Gordon-Conwell Nursery School is such a blessing to our family. I was able to come home for some 35) quiet time with Daryl before heading off on a 36) birthday breakfast with my church colleagues. During that breakfast of much laughter and catching up, 37) God provided a wonderful display of his creativity in a rainbow that pointed to a treasure at the edge of the marsh.

The afternoon was spent preparing for trunk or treat at the girls' school. 38) Daryl's creativity was evident in the garden scene he created in the back of our van. 39) The girls, dressed as a ladybug, a butterfly and a dragonfly, enjoyed collecting treats and interacting with friends. 40) The weather was perfect as the rain had stopped much earlier in the afternoon and the evening was a hit!

I am so grateful for today!

Prayer leading to Thankfulness

Several friends have been praying for me this week. Just knowing that has a way of pointing my spirits towards gratitude.

21. Early morning discussions about the prodigal son. What do you think the son was feeling after receiving the response of his father?
22. A text from a sweet friend
23. Silly time with Elizabeth
24. Finding pieces of the girls' costumes at Second Glance
25. An excited, brave girl wanting to go into her dentist appointment "just like her sisters," meaning she wanted mommy to stay in the waiting room. This was after asking all day (and week) if it was time to go to the appointment.
26. A good report from the dentist
27. Hannah enjoying time playing a pick-up game of soccer with her friends after afterschool Spanish
28. Connecting with the other moms and sharing some laughs
29. Sharing thankful stories at supper
30. Hearing about a positive email concerning Daryl and his team's hard work over the long weekend

Gratitude is contagious!

Being thankful when you don't wanna!!!

The kids were up way too late last night and had trouble falling asleep. I was up way too late last night. None of us really wanted to get up this morning, but there were lunches to make, breakfast to eat, and school to go to. Elizabeth was particularly grumpy to get up, but I figured a field trip to Russell Orchards with her class would snap her out of it. Nope.

She was whiny and clingy. She didn't want to play with her classmates or talk to her teachers. She especially didn't want me talking to other parents. She generally LOVES school, but not today. Instead of a pleasant morning, I got whine.

But, these are the days when you need to look for things to be thankful about.

11. Beautiful weather: the day was warm and the sky was clear
12. Bountiful apples: the crop is just amazing this year
13. The feel of a little girl's hand in yours
14. Apple Cider Donuts
15. A husband who comes home early from work
16. Same husband reading stories to the whiny one
17. That same husband getting whiny, tired child to take a nap
18. New "for fun" books from the library
19. A quiet evening to read
20. Anticipation of discipleship group in the morning

I am so grateful!

Being Thankful

Life hasn't been easy these days... not in the ways that make life physically hard, but in the ways that make life mentally and emotionally hard. Until today I haven't been able to put my finger on why, but today the answer came at me loud and clear... DISCONTENTMENT.

The only way I have found to combat this feeling is through gratitude, so for the next 30 days I am going to challenge myself to identify 10 different reason why TODAY I am thankful. 300 reasons sounds like a pretty good start to me!

1. Morning prayer with my husband: over the last 3 months Daryl has been so good about calling us into prayer together. I am so grateful!
2. Friends up the street and all morning playdates: Elizabeth had a friend all morning to play with which allowed me to make some needed phone calls. I am so grateful!
3. Phone call with mom and dad: It has been a while since I talked to them and it was so good to hear their voices and to just share every day stuff. I am so grateful!
4. Phone call with a good friend: It is good to have a friend to share heart stuff with and for her to pray. I am so grateful!
5. "Play a story with me": Elizabeth wants me to play with her and it is good when I stop long enough to join her. I am so grateful!
6. Clothes shopping for me with the girls: This went surprisingly well! They had fun finding clothes for me and even though I mostly bought the stuff I picked out. It was fun to see what they chose. I am so grateful!
7. Several new shirts and a long sweater: I am so grateful!
8. Home group tonight: I am so grateful!
9. A walk home with a friend: I am so grateful!
10. First night of my desire to get fit, exercises I can do at home while watching something! I am so grateful!

Photo taken during one of my morning walks.

Psalm 19

This morning I was up at 5 am to go to my discipleship meeting. This has been such a life-giving time for me. I get to meet with two ladies who have committed themselves to walking through a year together, sharing life and the Word.

As I got out of my car, it was "O-dark thirty," the stars were magnificent! Truly...

"The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands."

Psalm 19:1

Sketching by the Sea

Today was a half-day for Hannah and Grace. I have been trying to get the girls outside on Tuesday afternoons to get some exercise and enjoy the beautiful fall weather. We have gone hiking/running at Ravenswood; Biking/running at the O'Maley track; and today we went hiking/sketching at Halibut Point State Park. It was a gorgeous day!

The waves were crashing on the rocks. I had brought each of us a notebook in case the girls wanted to sit and draw. Two of them LOVED doing this! The third one was much more interested in wading through(and slipping into) the tide pools.

Elizabeth did sit for a little while and then she was off exploring.

Elizabeth's thoughts are summed up perfectly here.

Grace was focused on the different colors and shading in the sky, sea and on the rocks in front of us. 

Hannah was our detail person.

I was amazed by the many things that captured our senses.