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!