The sweet and the bitter, mixed together

My heart is a little burdened today. We buried a wonderful man with whom we attended church. He was almost 90 but was the giver of hugs, love, "I love yous" and "God Bless yous". So mixed with sadness is also gladnesss for his love of God and God's love for him.

We made it thru the Christmas season with our new foster daughter, age 9. She is a sweetie and easy to have. She has one emotion: happy. Well, that is the only one she allows. The other eek out thru her eyes and other things I observe. Someone said that fostering is like "putting a bandaid on a broken leg". She said it having been a foster parent and adopting, so it wasn't a statement of hopelessness. Again, in the depth of my sadness for this girl and all broken children, I find hope knowing that I am not the solution, but God is the creator of miracles and I believe in Him! It is only through faith in God that I can do this foster parent thing. I love reading the verses of Jesus's dealing with children and his soft heart towards them.

Merry Christmas time!

Wyatt and his Papa giving one of our pet cows some Christmas cake.
Bringing sexy back...??? or something like that. In reality, taking a load to the dumpster while modeling several Christmas gifts.

"Helping" with Christmas cookies!

Ashton and Jamie

I think this is what a group food hangover looks like.


and then there is Ty who was "takin' a shower"

we come from a family of nerds.

See? I toldja so!

Here is Kurt and Jennifer

Tyleigh admiring the ornaments

It has been a very, merry Christmas indeed!

Finally to 1000!

Okay, I don't know if you feel this way, but during the holidays there are lots of Saturdays and Sundays and very few others days...say...Mondays! So, Mulitude Monday passed me by. However, I'm very thankful even though today is NOT Monday!

951. For another year of life
952-982. For my family: Mom, Dad, Lori, Shari, Danny, Justin, Daniel, Brayden, Lorna, Lorin, Brandon, Toni, Wyatt, Baby B, Jamie, Ashton, Tyleigh, Jennifer, Kurtis, Laytin,Vicki, Jeff, Nate, Madi, Jerry, Cody, Jessie, Matthew, Selina, Skyler....

983. And for all of my friends who are just as loved and held close as blood relatives.
984. For Soldiers who have come home.
985. For the ones who didn't come home alive..for their sacrifice.
986. For God given talents and abilities.
987. For green
988. For Christmas cards from old friends.
989. For the gifts of kindness and friendship
990. For new chances
991. For a good 4 month report...2 biopsies, both negative.
992. For unconditional love
993. for big open spaces and blue, blue skies.
994. fresh ground coffee beans
995. green chili on a cold day
996. children's laughter
997. songs!
998. memories brought back by old photos
999. The hope that the future holds.
1000. The opportunity to count my gifts and the reality that there are way, way more than 1000!

more gift counting....

951. Today I'm thankful for the nagging feeling that I haven't finished my 1000 gifts and I've taken time off of blogging!
952. I'm thankful for quick healing, thanks to Young Living oils.
953. For my new foster daughter, Skyler
954. For the little things she says that remind me that not everyone lives in a big world.
955. For Christmas lights
956. For kindness
957. For GENTLENESS in leadership of churches.
958. For new days and new opportunities
959. i'm thankful for my daughter's and my son's personalities..for their differences and the beauty in both.
960. For St. Judes
961. For my green flannel blanket from the Taos arts and crafts show.
962. For thing to hope for.
963. I'm thankful for today. It was a good day.
964. I'm thankful for a commitment I heard a church make to its new members. Usually it is expected the other way. It was amazing.
965. I'm thankful for Bible verses that give me peace.
966. ...and for all of the verses that guide me and help me know what to do.
967. For every laugh and giggle in my classroom.
968. my grandmothers birthday is in 2 days. I'm so thankful for every single memory of her. every. single.one. And there are many, many.
969. for our friend, Rob. he is amazing.
970. And our other friend Rob too.

A little Catchup....

My nephew and my kids.

Yesterday, they were all just little tikes! Sure are good lookin', great kids

though!

Jess, diving for the ball in one of her games. She played varsity this year and did great!

Dancin' back to her position! State tournament!

Jess with Emerson at Emerson's first volleyball game. Isn't she precious? Her parents, Steve and Kelly are pretty special too. Steve is my "brother" that I work with. It started as a prank on some 6th graders and went from there....

Jamie, Jess and Skylar during a bedtime story.

Multitude Monday, multiplied after skipping..and a day early!

931. heat from the woodstove
932. smell of wood smoke
933. posole on a cold day
934. the gentle light of candles in my living room
935. lazy days of doing not so much
936. those times when God winks..some people call it coincidence.
937. For the times when there is balance and everyone is on the same page, emotionally.
938. For the funny things kids say and write.
939. For little Haley the second grader who is "quite sure" I'm 22!
940. ....and for the days I'm also quite sure I'm 22!
941. I'm thankful for opportunities
942. For small town tactics
943. For purple. My favorite color for many years, when I had favorite colors...deep, rich, mystic purple.
944. For peppermint tea in the perfect cup.
945. For memories of a year ago and for one particular little heart that I pray has healed lots since then and doesn't have reopened wounds. We drank many a cup of peppermint tea between tears, kleenex and words.
946. for little nudges that come unexpectantly..nudges to do something just a little differently.
947. for answered prayers this week. and peace that come in the recognition of them.
948. I'm thankful for my Mom and Dad who step in to take care of my teenagers..even though they don't need taken care of! Home cooked supper sure beats frozen pizza, though.
949. I'm thankful for dates with my kids. One on one, time to peek into their hearts and dreams.
950. For love, faith and peace.

What are you thankful for today?

Multitude Monday--Counting my first 1000 gifts

916. For silly, goofy, funny times.

917. For a new little 9 year old who brought out the kid in the teenagers!

918. For my kids' music choices.
919. For cats. I don't like cats. They make me sneeze and make my eyes swell. But they are so cute and lovable....even when they are dropped off on your doorstep by someone. I enjoy this kitty...and I will make 920 my thankfulness for the laughter I've had watching our cat hating dog snuggle with her!


921. birthdays. This year, this boy's birthday means more than ever. we are on borrowed time, no matter who we are. we had a scare this summer....and he's fine...and he's 16. Thank you, God. Thank you so much. (923)

924. for grandma's banana cake that everyone loves.

925. for my mom who made it without me asking, because she knew....

926. for memories of every turn of my children's childhood and how birthdays bring those back.

927. for foster children.

928. for the tears in church today because this new one made me hurt for every.single.one. out there. Lord, use me as a tool, because I know YOU are the solution.

929. for turkey cookin' bags. Thank you, inventor of those!

930. for a big cooked turkey in my fridge...lunchmeat and quesadilla meat for the week.

I hope you are feeling blessed today. thank you for stopping by.

Multitude Monday...the last 100 1

901. Wow. Hard to believe I've counted so many little gifts! They are endless, aren't they?

So today, I start with being thankful for quiet days of nothingness.

902. For the 50 years my parents celebrated, as a married couple, this past week!

903. Lunch with Vicki and the kids

904. Parent conferences that went so well! I love that my students are happy.

905. That I'm a teacher, even though I never meant to be! God has sense of humor and he wanted me to smile everyday!

906. for safe places for my children to hang out.

907: For family (again, I know..) that keeps growing. For the memories we make.

908. For WT Homecoming and the dreams my kids have of going there.

909. For rainbows that promise gold if you just go a little bit further down the road.
910. And for the gold. I just love when God drops the sunshine down and pours it on the trees.

911. For the curious nature of children and the excitement they find in the little things.

911. For my son. for my daughter. for getting to be here and share their day to day lives.

912. for cotton tee shirts and comfy sweatpants.

913. for tennis shoes

914. clean sheets and warm blankets

915. for going to bed in a peaceful place with my needs met.

Multitude Monday

It is Monday again! Time to count my gifts, officially, anyway. Everyday is full of many counted blessings.

891. I'm thankful for friends we choose as family. "add ons", so to say.

892. For crisp, fresh apples.

893. For hand me downs.

894. For hope.

895. For those who go to school to become people we need. Who have taken the time to learn so that they are professionals. For their wisdom.

896. For aspen yellow and greens and reds, orange and brown....the colors of fall as it stretches into its final days.

897. For people who stand firmly in what they believe..and search it out to make sure it is what they believe!

898. for the 'helmet of salvatioin'...the head knowledge of its surety, safely protected by the armor of God. For the peace that comes knowing He WILL finish what he started in my life.

899. For my children's laughter. Hard, tearful, contagious laughter.

900. For today. Yes, it is Monday and the weekend is over, but the outlook is pretty good and we are all still alive! This day will never come again, so let's make it matter most!

And now...the last 100....

Multitude Monday--counting my gifts

876. fall

877. 64 degrees. In the spring, it means "warm". In the fall, it means "Brrr!" Humans are so funny, aren't we?

878. Essential oils and yet one more miracle from them!

879. 2nd hand stores! FUN!

880. The comfort of prayer. (I may have counted this before..?? but it is new right now.)

881. Wyatt's goofiness and fun words. 2 year olds are the funnest people.

882. iced tea in glass jars. with lemon.

883. zuchinni! YES! I'm thankful! Grilled, grated, fried....it is my friend.

884. Red, yellow, orange, green...mixed with crisp mountain air.

885. My 5 senses. I love the overwhelming experience of life that they take in for me to digest in my heart and mind.

886. Wild cherry lifesavers. The memories they bring.

887. For open ended questions.

888. Barefoot wine.

889. Tight "Mean it" hugs.

890. flannel night shirts of the well worn kind!

Thank you for peeking in on me!

way behind but still counting my gifts! Up to 875 now

you know those times when you are sure you've been cursed and your world has been rocked?..and then you realize it is a big ol' blessing instead? Yeah, Lizzie and I are thankful for those times.

I'm thankful for my daughter who is so great at loving. And for her lapful of boys this weekend. They were only ours for a short time, but we fell in love. I love falling in love!
And I'm thankful for the times I heard "Mama" when my babies where hurt, hungry, scared etc. I'm thankful I was/am their Mama and Im get to see them grow up. I'm very thankful for that!
For ability and the beauty of athletes!

For the programs at our high school. My son is the voice of the rams and they broadcast on the internet for far away people to watch. He is good. It is a gift, and I'm thankful. I love when my children feel success.

I'm thankful we are a foster family. It hurts to think of the lives of the children, but I realize we are not the solution but just a tool in the process.

I'm thankful for cool evenings and warm fall days. For colors in the canyon. I'm not ready for winter but I love the distinct expression of the seasons.

I'm thankful for the way friends come together in crisis.

....for bugling elk, as they play out their annual love stories.

...and the song of the geese who sing words when others are taking a breath. And yet, it is a beautiful harmony.

....For rain. The sound on the roof, the lightning in the distance and rolling thunder.

...for hope

... for prayer..both given and asked for.

...for moments of peace when my soul can rest, even if it is just short moment.

What are you thankful for today?

Multitude Monday--counting my 1000 gifts

Another Monday rolls around and more blessings to be counted. They never, ever run out!

851, 852, 853 854: These particular four kiddos who spent Jamie's 16th birthday evening roasting marshmallows and relaxing around the campfire.

855. For teenage laughter

856. For good, wholesome friendships that last.

857. For Brayden's laughter
858. For sharing moments of "toffee" drinking with Great Grandma

859. For beauty on the inside and out.

860. For friends who share more than just sports. Sisters at heart.

861. For men who aren't afraid to wear PINK...even when it proudly sports his sister's name on it! I

Working towards 10000

840. For the millions of stars shining down in the country sky!

841. For the milky way, directly above my home.

842. For long weekends

843. For refreshing and resting.

844. For children. Specifically for Brayden. What a sweetie!

845. I am really thankful for essential oils! Young Living oils that are doing wonderful things for us!

846. For David.

847. For the memory of teenage emotion, felt first hand, and how it helps me to be a better mom....I hope.

848. Temperatures in the 80s. Ahhh....

849. For four day school weeks.

850. I'm thankful for today..the only today I'll ever know.

Multitude Monday..counting 1000 gifts from God

#792--828....each one of the 36 kids I will be teaching each day this year. each of them is a blessing..a gift with special qualities..a creation of my God and whose soul was created by Him, with love. I will also love each soul, deeply.

829, 830. For my 2 closest co-workers/teachers. they are awesome!

831. for compliments. one little compliment can be the warmth of a day, the confidence that was lacking, the strength to carry on...

832-833. for Daelena and Robert. they are such a blessing to our family!

834. fresh peaches. and the ones in the freezer that we'll enjoy in mid winter.

835. For rehab. For the fact that Matt is still alive and aiming for better. I love that boy so very much!!

836. for August rain.

837. for sunsets...

838. for thunder

839. for campfires, at home. Are those homefires?

Let's keep those burning.

I'm thankful. Thankful feels good. today was a rough day. some days are like that. I'm glad that I can be thankful, even on the roughest days.
what are you most thankful for today?

Multitude Monday---Counting my 1000 gifts

A new week, a new school year. Summer vacation is over and now time to reflect!

777. I'm thankful for a summer with positive outcomes!

778. Thankful for friends who love me as I am, without wishing to change me/heal me...who love me and let God do the work.

779. Where would I be without the unconditional love of parents? I'm so thankful for that!

780. For camping!

781. For warm sun that soaks deep into my soul.

782. for neighbors

783. and laughter

784. for iced tea on the porch

785. for every single of the millions of stars in the country sky!

786. for elk songs

787. river sounds

788. night sounds that are never man made.

789. for my job...a new school year, yet unknown.

790. for honest people who thrive even amongst dishonesty.

791. for one more year with my Jess as co-pilot.

Multitude Monday

This week has contained at least a million blessings! Way, way to many to count! I'll count a few for you as I recount a bit of the week in pictures:

We met with my Uncle Clifford's kids, grandkids and great grandkids for an evening of catching up. Growing up, these were the cousins we were closest to. We really want a time when ALL of the cousins can be there as well as Uncle Clifford and Aunt Esther. But...until then, we had this:

#777: Family fun!

#778 and 779: My parents who planned and hosted this event! They are the best parents and most awesome people!
#780 and 781: Broden, my cousin's adopted son. I'm thankful for big hearts that adopt!
782: Jess's love for children. She's always got a baby on her hip.


#783-791: Eight cousins..the offspring of two brothers. (I'm counting my missing sister also.)

#792: Caleb! We finally met him after a whole year of life! (I don't know how to spell it, Jeanette, I'm sorry.)

And then we came home....every year, we celebrate Laytin's birthday. Here he is with Grandpa and Bill. #793: Laytin! #794: Grandpas of all kinds!
#795-796: Ty and Cody reading a bedtime story. Love the family bonds and stories that never wear out! This was MY favorite story as a child.

797: healing! First we had angel wings and now we have a heart. This arm is healing despite a wild and crazy lifestyle of its' owner!

And then we went on a camping trip with the kids' youth group.....

#797: the group and its leaders

798: Thankful for Jerry and his love of fun!

#799 and 800: Selina and Jess! Yes, I've counted them, but each new day is a new blessing! Love these monkeys so much!

800 and 801: Cody and my kids' sibling love. They are both so adventurous and athletic! I love that!

#802-803: We have the greatest friends in Jolene and Barry! This couple gave their whole day to drive our kids around on their boat, entertain and give a BEST time! Then, they brought this fancy frying machine over to our camp and fry us fish, hushpuppies and fries. All of this with refusal to take our money. This friendship came about through hunting and Barry has become like a brother to Jerry. It is no coincidence...and their friendship is a huge blessing! Let's make that #804!

This is just a tiny sampling of the week! What are YOU most thankful for today?

Still Counting!

748. family reunions of all kinds.

749-750. My Uncle Clifford and Aunt Esther

751-755. My five first cousins (and their spouses), from that family.

756-763. And the offspring from them, my second cousins.

764-768. And THEIR children!

769. For how I, as a cousin, became an auntie to some of them, somehow.

770. For shared memories that span 70 years, and hearing them from two brothers.

771. For generosity.

772. For continued traditions and family bonds.

773. Laughter

774. Tears

775. Differences

776. Rain! Rain is a good thing.

Have a great day! I sure am planning to and am looking forward to a mini reunion today!

Summer stuff

Summer lightning storms are just part of it, where I live! This summer has been no exception. Many evenings have been spent watching the lightning in the eastern skies. Last night, we got our cameras and tried to lasso it!

Porch sittin' and crazy games are common in this neck of the woods!

This one held inthe sky for a loooonnnnnggg time! Beautiful from a distance but would have been scary to have been there!

My Jess and Bug. Bug leaves to boarding school in about a month. They've been best buds for about 10 years. I think I'm gonna cry!

Multitude Monday--ON TIME! woot!

732. For being on time on a Monday morning instead of a Wednesday!

733. I'm thankful for my family of four, again.

734. Selina's was reunited with her family. Some kids never are.

735. She made an impression on my heart and will grow there as a flower forever.

736. I am thankful I can love other people's children and enjoy it.

737. For continued healing.

738. For the realization that there are those around me whose pain and struggles are bigger than mine and they need my energy so I shouldn't be selfish.

739. For garage sales and my finds there!

740. For time with my sister, an old friend.

741. For baby's words and their sweetness. Like "jedada"...or "jeta" when it is fast. That would be my daughter's name, given by her new owner. Smiles.....

742-743. For the colors pink and orange. They make me feel happy today.

744. For plans and hopes.

745. I'm thankful for the ability to learn and the desires that drive that.

746. I've counted coffee before, but not THIS cup.

747. For a lower number after six days.

What are you thankful for today? Littlest things? biggest things? Lots of things? Is it a day that you are digging deep to thing of things and coming up with pocket lint? We have those days....

Emotions

Foster parenting. Am I any good at this? I am wondering.

Nine months ago, she came to live with us. We barely knew each other. Different cultures, different expectations, morals, religions, everything. Everything.

Anger came, trust built, feelings poured out. I'm good at nurturing. I love loving. I'm a mother.

Today, it is time to give back. Reunite.

My heart is torn. I love this girl! She's partly mine. I miss her. I will miss her. I love her.

Healing. That was the purpose of it all. Healing and a better time. We were a bridge between a bad and a better time.

I want to keep her. I want to keep them all. It is hard to open my arms to heaven and let her fly back home. I trust. He will watch over her. She loves Him.

But it is really hard, on both of us.

Multitude.... Monnesday??

(I was thankful on Monday but I just didn't get around to blogging about it! It is summer and I'm off the clock AND the calendar for the time being!)

#732(TODAY'S BIGGEST) I'm thankful for the time left. The years my kids have left in school, the time left of summer break, the rest of my life...etc.

733. I'm thankful for extended family. For safe places for my kids to stay a while.

734. and mostly for when they come back home!!

735. I'm thankful for my love of cooking and for colorful, tasty veggies.

736. Sometimes experiences make us not only thankful for what we have, but realize we were so irrational..yesterday. Thankful for that.

737. I'm thankful for old friends that make me feel young.

738. For Janet Evonovich books every summer!

739. For hope. Despair is easy. wallowing in self pity is easy. Hope isn't always easy, but it sure is refreshing and energizing!

740. For memories of Maw Maw and Baw Baw. I went there today.

741. For how a child's eyes don't see a grandparent's faults.

742. For continued healing.

743. I'm thankful for apricots! I love those little fruits! I wish I could find apricot bubble bath.

744. (the littlest today)For hummingbirds.

745. For citronella coils and our nightly meeting on the porch swing. A coil, a flannel blanket, myself and occasionally a dog or a comfortable person. For the sounds of coyotes, the river running, bulls doing what bulls do, lightning in the distance, comfortable darkness. Wait..746 would HAVE to be the flannel blanket. The green and white one with wildlife on it. Handstitched by some little lady in Taos. If she only knew that craft show find is my all time favorite! (747-751 are in there too)

752. I'm thankful for dumb humor. Like this: Selina (hispanic) says to me, "I'm making chicken noodle soup". I said, "Perfect meal when you are in a house full of crackers".

Thanks for stopping. What are you thankful for?

Do you see why?

Well, do you? I do.