I Choose Joy! Counting 1,000 Gifts (483-517)

483. Ponds 1st open water of the spring.

484. New piano books.

485. Snow melting low enough to swing again!

486. Whole foods.

487. Fresh made Strawberry Lime Sorbet.

488. New neighbors happily honking horns as they turn into the neighborhood.

489. Wind-stopper hats.

490. All the amazing colors splashed across the sky.

491. Smell of all natural tea seeping.

492. Juicy pears.

493. Spring showers.

494. Smell of warm cookies fresh out of the oven.

495. Warm woolen socks.

496. Teen Challenge and its positive impact in so many lives.

497. One on one time with the kids.

498. Fresh snow.

499. Long fruitful conversations with friends.

500. Kids playing board games in harmony.

501. Play-doh cookies.

502. Frost on the window panes.

503. Popsicle stick, dental floss, q-tip bow and arrow projects.

504. Photos and hand-prints from Ethiopia.

505. Knock/knock jokes.

506. Soft gentle hands folded in prayer.

507. Swings blowing in the breeze.

508. "Aha" moments.

509. Excitement over granola!

510. Steam rolling out of the mug inviting me in for a hot drink.

511. Glow in the dark stickers.

512. Popcorn made in coconut oil.

513. Trips to the island on the 4-wheeler.

514. Winter scuba divers.

515. Spring chicks.

516. A donkeys brays.

517. Palm branches waving in the air.

I Choose Joy! Counting 1,000 Gifts (451-482)

451. Counting by 8's.

452. Being covered by thousands of hand stitches done in love. Miss you grandma!

453. Days stranded at home.

454. Mentoring from an experienced trusted Godly friend.

455. Ice cold water.

456. Fresh paints "new look".

457. Mr. willing to run errands.

458. Waffles with a great deal of butter.

459. Treadmills (there is a foot of new snow outside).

460. Eagerness to do History lessons.

461. A fresh look with rearranging old furniture.

462. The twinkle in his eyes as he watches momma play the leg guitar.

463. Boys clapping along with praise music unashamed to praise Him.

464. Dished done when I return home.

465. Weekend with girlfriends.

466. His hug.

467. Amazing speakers (Ann Voskamp and Liz Curtis Higgs).

468. A dear friends very pregnant belly.

469. Fresh flossed teeth.

470. the sound of rushing water from melted snow down the street to the storm drain.

471. Starting the day with a song of praise for the mouth of my youngest.

472. Cordless hot pots! So excited!

473. The smell of gingerbread baking.

474. Salty hard boiled eggs.

475. Spring sunshine streaming through the windows first thing in the morning.

476. Imagination writing of a 7 year old.

477. Morning run in the undisturbed snow.

478. Peace of a new day.

479. Quiet home in the early morning hours before dawn.

480. Open days on the calendar.

481. Hot soothing tea.

482. His hands of love that wipe a child's tears one minute, then fix the car the next.

Joy and Thankfulness!

Thanks to Ann Voskamp's book 1,000 gifts and her amazing blog I have started seeking joy/thanks in everything that I do, everywhere I am, and in everything I see. "If you want to be happy - give thanks." Ann Voskamp.  I am blogging my gifts occasionally as I have time to transfer from my journal to the blog.

I attended an amazing conference with some Christian friends to see Ann Voskamp speak. I was so excited, I also got to meet her. What a joy and blessing this wonderful woman is! She speaks like she writes, smooth, heartfelt, joy filled and loving. What a gift!

Pretty sure I was in the middle of saying something when the photo was taken (I know hard to believe).

The other main speaker at the conference was Liz Curtis Higgs. What an amazing woman! One moment I was laughing so hard my side hurt the next weeping. She has a unique gift for speaking truth and teaching straight out of the bible. Praise God for her, Ann, and the many other speakers that allowed God to speak through them to the over 1,000 women that were there.

I Choose Joy! Counting 1,000 Gifts (402-450)

402. Big boys learning to drive the four-wheeler.

403. Snow wet enough to build forts!

404. Made-up silly songs.

405. Purging "junk".

406. The way an orange smells while you peel it.

407. Substitute teachers.

408. Doughnuts!

409. First thoughts of the day being God's promise.

410. The feel of spring coming.

411. Confirmation from God!

412. Bike rides in mid Feb.

413. Melting ice.

414. The pink hearts everywhere reassuring that He loves us.

415. Hot peaceful showers.

416. Valentines parties with friends.

417. Afternoon sledding.

418. Days off school to party and play.

419. Godly friends who lift you up and hold you accountable.

420. Cards and flowers from the Mr.

421. Sunshine streaming through the windows.

422. Popcorn/movie night.

423. Homemade bird feeders.

424. Fresh haircuts.

425. The "fingers" of snow made by the blowing wind.

426. Broomball/hockey with friends.

427. Squeals of delight as they travel down the luge track.

428. Fresh painted walls.

429. Anticipation of a date.

430. New red pens.

431. Bedtime tea.

432. The excited anticipation of a visit to my sisters.

433. Winning a game squeals.

434. Doing math in his head.

435. Convicting sermons.

436. Groceries gotten.

437. Red leather.

438. Cousins 7 and 9 years old getting baptized and publicly showing their faith!

439. Snowmobile rides.

440. Big brother reading books to little brothers.

441. Beautiful sisters inside and out.

442. Prayers felt in the middle of the night as my sister misses sleep to pray.

443. Godly friends.

444. Family members who love God and show evidence of this love through the way they live.

445. Sisters hospitality.

446. Sleeping in my own bed after being gone.

447. Wonderful neighbors willing to watch the dog.

448. The dogs "hot laps" in excitement when she sees you.

449. Friends willing to share some organizational ideas.

450. Frost covered trees.

Ready, Set, Go!

The numbers selected and blocks of wood and wheels purchased, they (with dads guidance) were ready for the fun to begin.  Our two oldest boys spent the month of January gearing up for the AWANA derby. They LOVE to spend time with dad in the "man-cave" doing guy stuff. Building derby cars was no exception.

After hours of sanding, painting, laughing and eating peanuts the cars were ready.

Noah made a good run last year and had high hopes for another good race. This was Jacob's first year - he and Noah were excited about every aspect of the event. The day of the race came and the boys decided to dress in colors to match their cars. I am not sure what was more fun, watching the cars race down the track (each car raced down 4 times - once on each lane) or watching the excitement of the kids.

In the end Noah won 1st place for the Sparks group and Jacob's car won 1st place for the Cubbies group. They were all smiles. They had the 3 top cars (Noah's, Jacob's, and the T&T winner) race each other for the fastest car of the day. The first time down all three cars tied.

Their number 1 fan wanted to get in on the action as well. Jonah really looks up to his big brothers and was just as excited as they were.

 Noah winner two years running ;)

Jacob all smiles as usual!

When all was over, the boys still talk about the best part. It was not the trophy or the actual race, but instead it was the time with dad, spray painting. My heart is full. What fun memories in the name of Him who created all things.