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?