I Choose Joy! Counting 1,000 Gifts (700-731)

700. Family Camp!

701. Books, blankets and snuggles.

702.Butterflies emerging from their cocoons.

703. The bright green on a grasshopper.

704. The smell of tomato soup cooking.

705. Fresh green beans.

706. Apples right off the tree.

707. Cool breeze unexpected on a long run to give me energy.

708. Crow of a rooster in the early morning/

709. Thumbs up from a stranger while running.

710. The smell of hay in the barn.

711. Sunrise over the lake.

712. Deer (buck) drinking from the still pond.

713. Fog on the lake.

714. Geese flying overhead.

715.Encouraging words from those I love.

716. Geography songs.

717. Warm laughter from like minded moms during a meeting.

718. Hundreds of birds flying together in harmony.

719. Purple mums.

720. Tassels at the top of corn.

721. The smell of apples cooking into sauce.

722. Leaves crunching under foot.

723. The smell of the Teavana canister when opened. YUM!

724. Fresh maple syrup.

725. The smell of coconut oil.

726. Hard working boys.

727. New mowers.

728. Soil prepped for fall/winter.

729. Fuzzy caterpillars.

730.The jump of a frog.

731. Basil and Rosemary drying in the shop.

I Choose Joy! Counting 1,000 Gifts (663-699)

663. Baptism of my dear 7 year old.

664. Hot sunny days.

665. BWCA

666. Canoe rides.

667. A wink from across the room.

668. Sand between my toes.

669. The quack of a duck.

670. Fireflies.

671. Thousands of twinkling stars.

672. Big fluffy clouds.

673. The sound of jars sealing.

674. The smell of fresh dill.

675. Sailboats.

676. Whispers from the other room.

677. Song birds morning greeting.

678. Rain so soft you can hardly feel it.

679. Red reflecting through the house from a colorful sunset.

680. Cool summer nights.

681. BLT's.

682. Juicy peaches.

683. New shrubs with flowers.

684. Fresh cut garden flowers for the table.

685. Bubbles escaping from fermenting sauerkraut.

686. Hint of pink on the top of the sedum.

687. New school year beginning.

688. Happy dances that are close to requiring a helmet.

689. Super hero capes and masks.

690. Zucchini bread in the oven, filling the house with a wonderful aroma.

691. Cords on the piano in the other room.

692. Girlfriends.

693. Giant slides.

694. Evenings at the beach.

695. School in action at the park.

696.  Hiking and silly faces with number 3.

697. Ripe tomatoes.

698. Orange blossom honey.

699. Sun rays filtering through the clouds.

Summer Baseball

What do you do on a hot day mid summer? Watch baseball of course! With three active boys we love anything outdoors and/or any game that involves a ball. What could be better than a Sunday afternoon outside watching baseball? With tickets for our family and 2 extra we were blessed to have grandpa and grandma join us.

Of course the boys were delighted to get their photo taken with Madonna the team mascot!

 It was a hot day, but with the help of some shade from our trusty umbrella and a lot of water to keep us hydrated fun was had by all.

Post game the kids were able to go down on the field and run the bases (always a big hit for our crew)!

 

 

There is something extra special about being down on the field. 

What a great day! I am constantly reminded just how blessed we are to have opportunities to enjoy some family time. My heart is full.

Baptism

“Baptism is faith in action.”  ~ Watchman Nee

 Romans 6:4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
 
After accepting Christ into his heart a couple years ago, our oldest was baptized today in an act of  public obedience to God and what He calls us, as believers, to do.

Before he was baptized he quoted one of his favorite verses. Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

My heart is full and my cup overflows. I am so proud of the young man that Noah is and cannot wait to see what God has in store for him. 

I Choose Joy! Counting 1,000 Gifts (601-662)

601. Lunch with grandma and grandpa.

602. Kids joke books.

603. The way kids love to play with boxes.

604. Tomato plants ready to transplant.

605. Stop watches.

606. A good friends laughter.

607. Anniversary cards and encouragement.

608. 12 years of marriage to an amazing Godly man.

609. Hot soup on a cold day.

610.Flights that are on schedule.

611. Playdates at the park.

612. Christian friends.

613. Fishing floats.

 

 614. Fish on a hook.

615. Nets.

616. A day with an uncle we don't see nearly enough.

617. Bob of a line in the water.

618. Wood-ducks sitting on top the wood-duck house.

619.Documentary on Beavers and ducks! The love of nature!

620. The smell of lilacs.

621. Mazes made of tall shrubs.

622. Boardwalks through the bog.

623. The sound of water over the rocks.

624. The many colors of tulips.

625. My dad in uniform.

626. The National Anthem.

627. Bright pink flowering crabs.

628. Ropes courses.

629. Sleeping in.

630. Date nights.

631. Games at grandma and grandpas.

632. Tents in the back yard overlooking the pond.

633. Beaver tales.

634. Springs green grass.

635. Ambitious boys.

636. Gluten free salads.

637. Family bike rides.

638. Ripples on the water.

639. Morning song birds.

640. Bluebirds.

641. Riding bike to church.

642. 3 hard working happy helpers.

643. The smell of mulch.

644. Overalls.

645. Rain boots.

646. Crayfish.

647. Ponds.

648. The call of the loon.

649. Still lakes.

650. Praying together with friends.

651. Beaver wood.

652. Sunsets on the water.

653. Trail runs.

654. Family hikes.

655. Family breakfast parties.

656. Play dates at the swim pond.

657. Sandcastles.

658. Cannonballs.

659. Bacon.

660. Fire pits.

661. Wide open fields.

662.Velvet on a deer antler.