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.