Out of Practice

It really doesn't take long for me to crawl back into my self-destructive hole of self-pity, self-loating and despair. Amazing what a little thankfulness does to make me see OUTSIDE of me!

This past month, I'm thankful for:

421. Glorious fall leaves over the lake

422. Undeserved flowers from a gracious husband

423. TWO little boys, running, playing, cuddling me

424. Sandhill cranes calling as they wing their way south\

425. Five or six eggs each day from the Girls

426. The WORK that is homeschooling

427. Facing fears

428. Wendy's Berry Almond Chicken Salad

429. A new writing group

430. My sister moving here

431. The sweet crunch of snap peas in the garden

432. The mirror that counseling provides

433. A Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns

434. Picnics in the backyard

435. A chicken that loves me

Treasuring My Children

The Winner Creek Hand Tram near Girdwood, AK

Summer 2010

I had asked my Bible study to pray a few weeks ago that I would delight in my children. Last week, God answered in a very unexpected way. We hiked to the hand tram with some dear friends and their family, and had to ferry across in various groups. Gus was waiting for Squirt Boy, Fuzzy, myself and some other kids on the far side, and stepped forward to help pull the rope. Study the photo above, taken last year. There is not a guardrail. To my horror, Gus slipped off the platform and fell down that cliff face, 45 to 50 feet. God put all the trees and bushes in all the right places, breaking his downward descent, and He cradled Gus in the V-notch of 6 inch logs laying on the ground. Gus was conscious and crying. I monkeyed down the cliffside after him, following my friend's teenage nephew, and found Gus, wild-eyed with fear, sitting, crying, complaining of leg pain, tummy pain, and dirty hands. 911 was called immediately, my main concern being internal injuries, as no broken bones were apparent. Within an hour, Gus and I were in a helicopter bound for the hospital.

Today, Gus is sitting next to me, asking to play with his neighbors, smiling, laughing, walking with a slight limp from a bruised/slightly fractured leg. The way he's acting, you'd never know.

Am I thankful? Beyond belief.

Is this a poignant opportunity to treasure every moment with my boys? Absolutely.

I'm sure I could max out my thousand gifts with just this post, but I will just list a few.
I am thankful:

398. That Gus is alive and well

399. That trees and bushes were growing in all the right places

400. That I didn't fall on the way down

401. For peace and presence of mind through it all

402. For cell phone reception at the bottom of Winner Creek Gorge

403. For an EMT and WFR who happened to be on-site at the time

404. For the kindness, care and efficiency of the Girdwood Fire Department

405. For my friend's nephew and his calm, cool assessment of the situation

406. That my friends were there to take Squirt Boy, Fuzzy, and my car home

407. That Papa wasn't out of town, as he was schedule to be

408. For Tim, Brian and Mark on the beautifully smooth and scenic LifeMed flight

409. For the looks of wonder on the ER staff's face as they examined Gus and found nothing immediately life threatening

410. For the immediate, effective, powerful prayers of God's people

411. For Phil's support and bringing us dinner

412. That I didn't need to leave Gus alone in the hospital

413. That Granny flew back from vacation to help

414. For the kind and competent care we received in the ER, the PICU, and the Children's Hospital

415. For health insurance

416. For friends who've fed us

417. That Squirt Boy didn't see his brother fall

418. That the boys recognize God's protection of Gus

419. For the gift of more time with my little boys

420. That Gus fell in the first place, so God could show how awesome He is

Summer Thankfulness

Where in the world did summer go? I've misplaced my thankfulness journal, but that's a lame reason to stop being thankful.

Off the top of my head, I'm thankful for:

374. Hugging old teacher friends
375. Seward in the sunshine
376. The Cousins and Aunties and Uncle who visited
377. Gus getting charged by a moose
378. EGGS from our chickens!
379. Red tomatoes in the garden
380. A sick dog and library books
381. The money to pay for said library books
382. Sweet friends in Valdez, moving to Montana
383. Papa being gone so much
384. Papa being HOME for three weeks
385. The nip of fall in the morning
386. Starting kindergarten and preschool at home with the boys next week
387. A well trimmed dog curled up in my bed
388. Shorter hair
389. Little boys in the dirt pile
390. Walking our canoe to Cheney Lake
391. Baby grebes, baby ducks and baby geese on the lake
392. A huge blue dragonfly perched on a post
393. Precious neighbors that enjoy my children
394. Little House books and a boy that begs for them
395. Many do-overs!
396. Letterboxing
397. Charlotte Mason

This week...

I am thankful for:

361. Baby smiles
362. Happy chicken sounds
363. Moose roast
364. True stories of God's work
365. Dishwasher detergent
366. New mercies every morning
367. Little wrestlers
368. Neighbors that like chickens
369. Reading Acts in The Message
370. Sharing in 105 salmon
371. Potter's Marsh
372. Boys that are bigger now
373. Breakfast with my honey

Accountability.

When I'm not giving thanks, it really shows. Thank you to those who say they are blessed by "my lists"; know that I'd love to read/hear/share yours, as well. I want to do a better job with sharing with you, and of being mindful that God really IS in everything.

Over the past MONTH, I've been thankful for:

318. Girls in the coop
319. Sworls on a red, ripe watermelon
320. Reading books together in backyard sunshine
321. Danedelion-eating machines
322. Camping with Granny and Grandaddy
323. Treasures found: an owl feather, a broken robin's egg, a squirrel skull
324. Boating together
325. Ducklings, goslings AND a loon on the lake
326. A sorted closet
327. Envelopes
328. Charlotte Mason
329. Dog stuck under the porch -again
330. A vacuumed van
331. A little boy's new library card
332. "I can ride on two wheels now, Mama!"
333. A dance with my husband
334. Working on rhythms
335. Paint chip possibilities
336. A timely phone call
337. The little boy inside my husband
338. Helicopter rides
339. Making freezer room for salmon
340. Journaling again
341. Orb webs and the spiders who weave them - at face level
342. Popcorn
343. A day of rest
344. Light outside at 10:30 PM
345. A yard stocked with dandelions for the Girls
346. His sweet encouragement
347. Helping me to offer what I have
348. Little boys swapping beds
349. HOPE
350. Chatting with neighbors over the fence
351. Homemade bread PBJs
352. Clean boys in warm towels
353. Garden sprouts
354. Rhubarb!
355. Happy flowerpots on the fence
356. Butterflies and ladybugs
357. Mystery envelope on the windshield
358. "Two mooses!" Mama moose #23 (on her collar) and her twin calves trotting into the neighbors' yard and down the street
359. London Fog and quality time
360. Cuddly naps on rainy days

Allergic to Chickens?

Yes, I think I'm allergic to the Girls. Something else to be thankful for this week, no?

I am truly grateful this week for:

293. Soaking rain
294. Watering cans
295. Spying a robin singing his heart out
296. Rhubarb bursting from the ground
297. Chicken class
298. Ice-free lakes
299. Gebes and loon on the ice free lake
300. Marble paintings
301. Chocolate chip cookie breakfast
302. First mosquitoes
303. Opprotunities outside myself
304. Happy healthy chicks
305. Sponge baths
306. Cuts, scrapes and Band-Aids
307. A day to catch up on laundry
308. Computer garden planners
309. Impromptu friend visits
310. Seeing friends on the road and chatting a few minutes
311. Chocolate milk and squiggly straws
312. Freckles on cute noses
313. Clean sheets
314. Change
315. Mini dominoes
316. Knitting spools
317. Being allergic to the dusty Girls in my living room

Thank You

Sometimes, the simplest two words are the hardest to say. I can't say that my circumstances are even marginally bad right now - but my attitude towards even the sweetest blessings stinks. Perhaps I need to just say two words over and over again?

THANK YOU, God, for:

244. Sleeping in
245. A place to curl up in the warm sun
246. A honeybee in the house today
247. Leaf buds growing bigger
248. Beautiful blue skies
249. The movie Paddle to the Sea
250. Free pens
251. Geese winging their way back
252. Early morning birdsong
253. Waking up rested
254. A new razor
255. Opportunities to serve my children
256. Letting go
257. That my significance is in You
258. Tulips emerging from winter sleep
259. Moose who do the pruning for me
260. My new large bar pan
261. Unmerited favor
262. Yo-yo Ma
263. Kay's pizza recipe
264. A coop in progress
265. A sandill crane's call
266. Circling eagles
267. Seven baby chicks peeping in my living room
268. The perspective shift a nap provides
269. Leaf buds almost popping
270, Richard Stearns and The Hole in Our Gospel
271. "I won't wipe that kiss off, Mama."
272. Stamps to send notes
273. Dancing music
274. Only 2 more Isaiah chapters
275. A reading plan for the summer
276. My baby is three!
277. My elder caring for a little friend, tenderly
278. Neighbor kids who play outside, too
279. Open water on Cheney Lake
280. That You make all things new
281. A wiggling worm in my adventurous boy's hand
282. Living soil
283. Hoop houses over garden beds
284. A growing season that waits for me
285. Legalized chickens!
286. The wonder of feathers growing
287. An early morning walk
288. Two Stellar's jays greeting me one morning
289. Marcia's faithfulness
290. No more snow in the yard!
291. Nail guns
292. Two words: THANK YOU

Still here....

A friend asked me if I'm fasting from the Internet. Um, no, not really. I'm avoiding the computer because I lack self-control. I'm not an on again-off again type of web surfer. I get completely sucked in. I'm sorry I haven't posted for a few weeks; I will try to be better!

God, thank you for:
200. Cuddling my black dog on a sunny bed
201. Diane's love, friendship and hospitality
202. Caribou (8 of them!)
203. Bubbles flowing under ice
204. Green grass shoots by the fence
205. Catch-up time with Holly Jo
206. The chance to educate my children
207. A date with my little boy - ducks on the lake and ice cream!
208. Glorious sunshine streaming in dirty windows
209. Thinking about Sabbath
210. Kisses from my boys
211. A fun igloo adventure
212. Neighbors who vanquish winter
213. That Lisa can fly instead of drive
214. Grandparents that love their grandbabies
215. Swedish pancakes with Swedes!
216. Windchimes jangling
217. Shifting perspective
218. My yellow mug
219. Zephaniah 3:17 - for me, for you
220. The gift of time to read the entire Bible
221. Greek salads
222. His smiling eyes
223. Health insurance
224. A debt paid off
225. The will AND desire to give thanks
226. Warm pj's from the dryer
227. Only ONE bathroom to clean
228. Mud - outside, inside, everywhere...
229. Homer's Odyssey
230. People Mover
231. Free museum nights
232. Puddle stomping
233. Bikes to ride
234. That He was pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our sins....and by His wounds we are healed
235. For meeting little Helen
236. For speedy, uncomplicated recoveries
237. Sarah at the park
238. A real belt
239. LOOOOONG evenings
240. Bunk bed
241. Sweet morning cuddles
242. Justice, mercy and humility
243. Last minute invitations

A little early...

Since last week's list was UBERshort (as in nonexistent), I figured I'd post a day early this week!

Giving thanks to God for:

146. Purple, pink and orange sunsets

147. A friend's dog come home

148. Weariness from the time change

149. Waking up without an alarm

150. Octopus art

151. My mother-in-law's love and grace

152. My blue bowl, home again

153. Cuddling sweet Kajsa

154. Joy and peace while giving thanks

155. A washing machine and dryer that work

156. A field trip to Petco - the wonder of every precious creature

157. A parrot with my birthday

158. Little fingerpints on my fridge

159. Fresh basil and oregano in tonight's soup

160. Over two weeks of sunshine

161. A man who perseveres, despite pain

162. A mini-chef cutting carrots, zucchini and his finger

163. Sharp knives

164. A boy drawing his hike, and overflowing with excitement to show me

165. Time to read this morning

166. A jar of pickle juice that reminds me of a dear friend

167. Trash service

168. A kind mailman

169. Cuddle requests

170. Catalogs and possibilities

171. NOT running out of gas

172. My sister's sweet pickles

173. Worms still squirming

174. Sweet mint tea...MMMM

175. Warm towels from the dryer

176. Amazing neighbors

177. Reminders of a country at war

178. Dry dirt melted out under the spruce tree

179. Masking tape roads

180. Lime green

181. Grace for unfinished lessons

182. Uninterrupted conversation

183. Remembering my mama

184. Living room picnics

185. A little boy's "I love you, mama!"

186. Anticipating a haircut

187. Medicine to ease sickness

188. Brothers looking out for each other

189. Chalk rainbows on ice

190. Little boy haircuts

191. Beautiful (if not welcome) snow

192. Uninterrupted sleep!

193. Bubbly oatmeal

194. Exultant driveway shovelers

195. Biscuit glue

196. Happy harmonicas

197. Eating more slowly

198. Having my hair washed

199. Heading to Delta on Monday

Short List

Hmm...finding myself short on thanks this week. Perhaps that's why I've been grumpier than usual??

I am thankful for:

138. A plethora of toy poppers

139. Leftovers for lunch

140. A toaster-warmed teapot

141. A choice word of encouragement

142. Joyful boys on ice

143. A decision made

144. Locksmiths who work on Saturday

145. Health and sunshine

Warmth and Light

I don't know about you, but I LOVE this time of year - despite snow on the ground, the sun soaks in and warms my winter-weary bones.

This week, I'm giving thanks for:

120. Moms that have the time to bless other moms with school stuff

121. Peanut butter and banana sundaes

122. Brothers playing well

123. Fresh basil's fabulous bouquet

124. A cheery orange teapot

125. The dishwasher's hard work

126. Watching chickens watching me

127. Another cold, another slow day

128. Yellow friend-flowers in a yellow pot

129. DVDs from the library

130. Warm wind blowing

131. An opportunity to trust YOU

132. "I love you" hearts

133. "Zs" that go the right way

134. The bread winner who is the bread baker

135. WANTING to be right here, right now

136. Friends for dinner

137. The hulabaloo of a little boy band

A little late...

but glad to be here.

This week, I'm thankful for:

106. A new journal

107. Dave's Killer Good Seed Bread

108. Hot showers

109. Squirt Boy's Tower of Babel picture

110. Sun-kissed snow caps

111. Snow that brushes right off

112. Ginger molasses cookie

113. Happy faces laughing through the window

114. Frozen stars falling in sunlight

115. A match for every sock!

116. Funny faces, drawn for me

117. Daniel, Cyrus and Isaiah

118. My papa's 75 years

119. A husband who speaks truth gently

Sunshine and shadows

Brilliant sunshine swirls into my window this morning, casting rainbows on the wall that makes little boys squeal with delight. What a gift today is!

Thankful for...

84. Rotisserie chicken

85. Owl Moon by Jane Yolen

86. "Kiss your nose?" and being kissed by my youngest

87. A chat with a friend I haven't spoken to in a while

88. Smiling turning situations around

89. Brownies for everyone - right after breakfast!

90. Our library

91. This season, when I WANT to read the Bible

92. Homeness

93. Boxes checked off

94. Soft snow falling

95. The forced slow down sickness provides

96. A fridge full of food

97. Options for dinner, options for school

98. Warm blankets and cozy naps

99. The boy who LOVES to send letters

100. Big pillows cradling little bodies

101. The deep belly laugh of a tired boy

102. The dog that loves sweet potatoes

103. Chicken plans - coops and chicks and brooders, oh my!

104. Chicken stock for a sick day

105. Rainbows on the wall

February is here?

It's a new month! Thankful this week for...

74. A Monday when we actually did school!

75. Time to fold laundry.

76. Time to menu plan, write a grocery list, mail a letter.

77. To SIT for a few minutes.

78. To ride on the boys' boat to Seattle.

79. Little helpers to shovel the driveway.

80. Little boys that still WANT to be with their mama.

81. Winter sunshine that finally WARMS my black jacket.

82. Thai food and encouragement from a precious friend.

83. A peaceful evening after a chaotic weekend.

A grumpy morning...

For the record, I am having a hard time being thankful this morning, but am humbled and grateful for the reminders of abundant blessing in my journal this last week. How quickly I forget how truly blessed I am!

Thank you...

48. For being a God who sees and knows my selfish heart and still loves and treasures me.

49. For knowing all our circumstances - and for orchestrating them!

50. For tender reminders that I am loved.

51. For the older brother helping the younger.

52. For a husband cooking dinner - again!

53. For creative ways to love my boys.

54. For time to read.

55. For feeling better.

56. For friends with new babies - Bethany Joy, Helen Ragna, Paisley Spring.

57. For the gift of new life.

58. For Donna in Kenya and her healing.

59. For Joanne's life and all you've done and are doing to heal her.

60. For better sleep.

61. For tea.

62. For books that have come!

63. For a clean kitchen in the morning.

64. For helping me get up.

65. For our walk Thursday night - snow soccer on the ice, the wonder of seeing constellations and satellites for first time, for discovering mouse tracks in the snow, for relaxed time with a little boy's hand in mine.

66. For knowing what schooling will be best for the boys.
.
67. For being a God of order.

68. For being Creator - and making me creative.

69. For my two boys and their laughter, creativity, cuddles, wonder, compassion for one another, and cuteness.

70. For Sunday school.

71. For time to talk with my parents and ALMOST taste their fresh strawberry shortcake.

72. For the coming year's garden.

73. For this magnificent reminder by Christa Wells:

Still thankful...

This week, even after a whole household of sickness, I am still thankful for much.

36. Gus giggling in his sleep

37. Libraries and books, books, books!

38. My fuzzy dog

39. Sworls of ice on the wall of the shed

40. You caring enough to make every snowflake different

41. God being GOD.

42. The sense that I need to NOT be too busy - to pull back and minister to my boys, my husband, my home

43. Clippers for haircuts

44. Little boys coming back for one last snuggle before bed

45. Michele passing her exam

46. Hezekiah's example

47. Indoor plumbing and easy-clean floors

Grateful for

27. Drummers singing to God with spoons and laundry baskets

28. The garbage truck driver that smiles, honks and waves at the boys every week

29. Breathtaking cold, breathtaking mountains

30. A date with my husband

31. Precious friends caring for my boys

32. A gift of housekeeping from a friend

33. Seeing the bigger picture of Your Word

34. For 13 days of consistency

35. For thousands who pray for Joanne

Thankful this week for...

5. New mornings - do overs - a chance to walk in and extend grace and mercy

6. Reminders to have POSITIVE expectations of God, and others

7. Glorious sunshine

8. Squirt Boy's courage as he splashed in the pool and on the water slides

9. Sweet invitations by handsome young men preparing for a winter walk

10. Reminding me Who's in charge of life and plans

11. The new gift of a baby neighbor - that she came safely, that I could hold one of your newest

12. Delight, smiles and laughter in my home

13. Chocolate chips

14. Homemade pizza every Friday

15. Your magnificent creation

16. Women who love on my boys every Thursday

17. Time to drink tea that's still hot the FIRST time around

18. The whisper of the Spirit as I seek to change - or is that His shout?

19. Seed catalogs and thoughts of summer to come - verdant and delicious

20. Ann's book coming soon

21. Music that seeps into my head and my heart

22. You being so much bigger than me

23. Hoar frost and sunshine

24. A peaceful start to this morning

25. The gift of grocery shopping without my kids

26. Delight of pink skies and frosty trees - an eagle outlined in the early morning light

2011: A New Beginning

Yes, I'm back in the blogosphere, and looking forward to sharing life with you more regularly.

In 2011, I want to practice thankfulness DAILY, and share with you that for which I'm thankful each week. Ann Voskamp @ Holy Experience inspires me to "dismount stress with gratitude;" perhaps you'll join me?

In everything, give thanks, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Giving thanks this week for:

1. Time to plan, pray, ponder goals for the new year

2. A pre-dawn hike with headlamps and boys in the wonder of wintery woods

3. The courage of a young violinist

4. His Word in giant print for tired mama eyes