1000 Gifts (2)

21. hearing the boys laughing at Joe in the baby monitor
22. silence
23. breastfeeding - it never ceases to astound me that God desined mothers so that they could sustain their baby's life with their own body
24. the smell of freshly baked bread
25. pictures that hold so many memories
26. living close to family
27. my wedding ring - a beautiful reminder to love and to honor
28. hearing the Word of God on Roman's lips
29. our amazing house
30. the teens in our youth group
31. the promise that the word "divorce" will never even be spoken in our home
32. the sound of the plastic covers on library books
33. the smell of the pages in an old book
34. opening a new book (can you tell I like books??)
35. sunshine
36. evening - when the sun is slipping down in the west but there is still just enough light to see
37. the faint smell of leaves burning
38. natural childbirth
39. Theology of the Body
40. CHOCOLATE

1000 Gifts

1 Thessalonians 5:18

In everything, give thanks; f9r this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you

Colossians 4:2

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

Psalm 105:1

Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!

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

-John Milton

Some will be large. Obvious. Some small...seemingly insignificant. All are mine...and they remind me that I am His.

And so I begin...

1. a God who is faithful
2. a husband who is Godly
3. Roman James
4. Judah Gerard
5. family
6. friends who might as well be family
7. the sound of rain on my window
8. autumn leaves...especially the bright orange
9. music that captures your exact thought or emotion
10. the mistakes I have made in the past. they have helped me grow
11. that God doesn't remember my mistakes
12. honey crisp apples...seriously...they will change your life
13. combines harvesting tall, golden stalks for corn
14. Natural Family Planning
15. the sound of little feet running across our hardwood floor
16. Roman's almost-not-breathing laugh
17. Judah's hiccupy, squealing laugh
18. being cuddled up in a blanket and listening to the wind blowing outside
19. when someone says just the right thing at just the right time
20. candles

The Rundown...

I have started to write several posts and just haven't been able to quite say what I want to say in any of them. So, hopefully one day, I will be able to spit out exactly what I would like for you to read.

In the meantime, here is a totally random rundown on what's going on in our house:

• I am sick. Sad day. It was really bad last night but I am feeling a little better this evening. However, if I haven't mentioned it, I have the best husband EVER. He stayed home from work today to help me with the boys. He took both of them (and brought Judah to me so that I could feed him every couple of hours) so that I could sleep most of the morning. Then he took Roman to the library while Judah and I rested. Then after lunch, he made me take another nap and brought me lots of juice. He is amazing. :)
• I am thankful for so many things. God has really been convicting me to have a thankful heart. I need to rid myself of a complaining spirit. I need to be satisfied in all that He is and in every way that he chooses to reveal himself in my life. I have been reading a new blog, Holy Experience, where the writer has posed a challenge to record 1000 things you are thankful for. I am going to start, so I may be sharing those things periodically.
• I have been reading a FANTASTIC parenting book, Instructing a Child's Heart. Two things I am going to work on: 1. making the gospel the center of everything that we do as parents. It has given me some great ideas on how to bring discipline, daily life, and difficult times back to what life is really about. I want to be purposeful in everything I do and say in my home. 2. I want to be truly present with my kids (and in all of my conversations and realationships, for that matter). I don't want to be distracted. They will only be little for a short time and I want to savor every moment. In the same way, I have incredible friends...and I want them to realize how important they are to me when we are talking.
• Roman is still awake - kicking his wall as we speak. How do I make that stop??
• I really need to put some new videos up...you have to see how cute it is when Roman and Judah start laughing at each others' laugh and can't stop. :)
• I love fall. I will save the details for part of a "thankful" post coming soon!
• Let me know how I can be praying for you this week...I would be honored to lift you to the Most High.

Can't Resist.

So, I know that this is my blog and all. And it might not technically count as my post if I constantly link to someone else's blog...

But seriously, I can't resist.

http://catholicmutt.blogspot.com/

Check out "More Congagious than the Swine Flu".

Perfection.

My Favorites

Roman quote of the day (after getting soap in his eye in the bath):

"That was very hurting."


And last night's quote (after catching a ball):

"That was very perf-tec!!" (if you're good at deciphering code that means "perfect"). :)


Judah laughs really hard when you "baa" at him. I won't tell you how I know this...

Just Another Reason That I Love My Friends

Thanks, Mon.

http://catholicmutt.blogspot.com/2009/09/wound-inside.html?showComment=1254162503463#c8031988878042916332

My Boys

Judah Laughing

Judah's Words of Wisdom....

Oh, Ro...

Today while we were on a walk, Roman was enjoying the view from the stroller. We passed some lovely homes, some beautiful flowers...you know...the typical sights of the neighborhood.

As we passed a couple of mailboxes, he said "I should probably get the mail".

Not sure that the neighbors would have appreciated him getting their mail. :)