Playing catch-up

115. easy day: one baby, two naps
116. maybe answers to baby health issues
117. change in energy after one dose of antibiotics
118. realization that the run was longer than I thought
119. accomplishment of packing boxes, clearing messes
120. tulip sunshine on a cloudy walk
121. half price decaf java chip lite goodness
122. in & out of Walmart in less than 10 minutes!
123. phone call from twin friend
124. 2 hr nap laundry marathon success
125. dready day out, cozy day in
126. Chick-fil-A pig out
127. going to bed together a little earlier
128. smiling, laughing interactive baby
129. soft new diapers
130. all the diapers ready in the drawer 2 by 2
131. just called to tell you something funny calls
132. clear polish shiny nails
133. dreams that make you laugh (brother pregnant belly)
134. lazy morning breakfast in bath
135. prospect of a day with the funnest 4 yr old at the zoo
136. forecast of sunny and mild after cold and rainy
137. evening of honest theological discussion and alien zombies
138. wet black tongue snatching lettuce from my hand
139. soft giraffe nose like a big dog
140. grizzly bears in the water
141. cotton candy and carousel ending to a zoo day
142. helping friends
143. cinnamon crunch goodness
144. perfect baby pink paint
145. friends who care enough to pry
146. relief from nausea enough to nap
147. phone chat for no reason
148. satisfaction of boxes filled to the top
149. home to rest when sick
150. movie expectations exceeded
151. nephew discovers remote control car
152. affordable A/C estimates
153. morning of reprieve from vicious stomach bug
154. husband who thinks of me along with himself
155. presence of all-loving Almighty in my most vulnerable moments
156. sharing good news with people who care
157. persistent birds trying to build a home on our milk box

tulip sunshine on a cloudy walk

Sick and Tired

The past week I was sick with a cold and even took a day off work to recuperate. As a result, I spent a lot of my week in a haze, and some days had to go back and add to the list for the previous day b/c I'd forgotten to write anything. But still managed to hit the 100 mark and then some; hooray!

85. Tylenol, Benadryl, Sudafed
86. job that lets me nap if needed
87. parents willing to pay sick days
88. Afrin to sleep at night
89. friendly customer service guy at checkout
90. fruity fro-yo for lunch
91. weather paradox - white peak and wearing shorts
92. purple blooming lilacs
93. invitation to hang out
94. bananocado success!
95. banana yogurt all gone
96. birds singing of summer's approach
97. waking up to the goodness of God
98. silly girl naming flowers on our walk
99. conversations with strangers over ice-cream treats
100. curly bark tree
101. breakfast and catching up on life
102. sharing new memories with dear friends
103. celebrating their eventual addition to the family
104. bumping into kindred heart at church
105. long conversation with half my family
106. puppies groomed and bathed so soft
107. chance to comfort the abused and pray
108. strength for the run
109. pink and white blossoms blow in the wind
110. peekaboo blossoms between fence planks
111. green trees on blue skies beautiful
112. sleepy snuggle kiss from loving nephew
113. aroma of lasagna fresh and hot
114. chaos of friends, our new family

curly bark tree

The perfect weekend

62. sunshine awake at 7:00am
63. forecast : rain/snow , reality : blue sky sunshine
64. productive morning, busy fun Saturday
65. uncharacteristic guilt-free shopping spree
66. trying new things
67. gyoza with perfect flavor and crunch
68. fro-yo in every delicious flavor
69. Starbucks date to grow a friendship
70. the most meaningful kind of compliment
71. luxury of sleeping in together
72. hot bath quiet time
73. nearly perfect weekend
74. lazy morning resting
75. beginning of the month balanced budget
76. delicious deviled eggs
77. blue sky sunshine snow paradox
78. sense of accomplishment after running
79. hub's muscular arms
80. fellowship fun with friends
81. hilarious fill-in-the-blank humor
82. climbing into cozy bed exhausted
83. stolen hat sideways

84. pictures from his perspective

A workweek of worship

I have to confess I've struggled with my attitude a little this week.  The weather was gloomy and moods were too.  But I've still found plenty to appreciate.  I've also noticed that I'm much more in touch with God's gifts outside. And I've uploaded some pics that I added to previous entries, so scroll down if you want to see them.

36. scrunchy-nose baby faces
37. "piano" playing
38. mid-day check-in phone calls
39. rain becomes snow
40. two bottom-toothy grins
41. leftover ham
42. berry season
43. one-on-one time
44. hello smiles first thing in the morning
45. successful meatLOAF (not crumble)
46. meatloaf sandwiches
47. baby sitting on her own - achievement!

48. tulips in every color all in one place
49. warm sun, cool breeze
50. blue richness at the top of the sky
51. baby snuggles during our walk
52. 70 degrees just days after snow
53. cloud shadows play on the mountains
54. appreciation wave for common courtesy
55. aroma of Starbucks fills the car
56. knotted roots like a tree skirt
57. yellow daffodils with orange cups at their prime
58. the fattest robin I've EVER seen
59. smiles from passersby
60. friendly neighbor and possibility of free flowers
61. sidewalk chalk brick path

62. a new favorite toy

Reflections on a Weekend

18. Easter morning, quiet and white
19. Starbucks soy latte after Lent's discipline
20. upcoming sermon series perfect for now
21. sleepy Sunday snuggle with man and dogs
22. the tongue out that always makes me chuckle
23. children joyful on the way to school
24. caramel light frapp
25. the nubbin wag
26. the harmony of rolling thunder
27. passionate sky-crying-with-my-heartache run
28. smell of rain and dirt
29. baking for friends
30. song from a friend that speaks Truth
31. remorse for not trusting His goodness
32. amazing white-Peak blue-sky commute
33. pink-, spring green-, white-blooming trees
34. approach to Union, Garden of Gods in view
35. a relaxing day with sweet husband

Easter Saturday

10. true understanding through shared experience
11. hello from horses
12. family of deer peaceful at our passing
13. ten mile accomplishment
14. thanks-for-cooking kisses
15. nephew in the stitch hat

16. snow on Easter Sunday

17. perfect metaphor for my life

The first gift

When we first moved to Colorado, I started a new blog to keep friends and family updated on the exciting changes in our lives.  In my mind I was going to post pictures of the new house, pictures of things we did to the house, and soon be making announcements about additions to our family.  God has not yet seen fit to bless us with children to add to the mix, and I've had to adjust my expectations.  I've also spent the past couple years dealing with the impact that two miscarriages have had on my relationship with Him.  And this week the next step in my journey arrived - a gift from a friend, a book called One Thousand Gifts.  In it, the author embarks on a dare to create a list of 1,000 things she's grateful for, and in the process learns God's goodness enough to trust him through tragedy and the stresses of life, learns to become a blessing to others, and learns communion with God in a whole new way.  She's human, and faces the same setbacks and distractions we all do, but refuses to quit counting the gifts he brings to her, day by day, moment by moment.

I have decided to follow her lead and begin my own list.  And for accountability, for my own processing, and hopefully for your encouragement I've decided to post my list here.  And hopefully I will find in my life - like hers - growth into the woman of grace I'm straining to become.  I won't expound here, but if you're curious about any of the items on my list, I'm not a private person, so feel free to ask.  And without further ado:

1. packages in the mail
2. the continuation of a theme
3. waking to play
4. baby hand reaching for palm kisses
5. running into the breeze
6. the difference a week makes
7. fragrant blossoms wafting
8. hidden beauty inside a tulip
9. berries and cream dessert

....

the difference a week makes

hidden beauty inside a tulip