Continuing Thanks

Sometimes it is hard to give thanks when you are upset because your beautifully crafted plan went awry... typical of motherhood!

It was supposed to be my time alone, my quiet time, to sit and rest and read and write and be with God. I was going to write out my latest thoughts of gratitude, peruse a few books I had just grabbed off the shelf, and other such wonderful blessings of this peaceful time of afternoon naps at our house. And then, it happens! Oldest boy wakes up youngest boy who was already asleep, and all of my well-laid plans fall by the wayside. What is more, Momma flips out and gets so bummed it was all I could do to keep my mouth somewhat shut...

Well, I guess this is the art of true gratitude -- giving thanks when you don't feel like it one bit and you're so mad it almost hurts to count your blessings... I suppose that's when God can really come in and meet you in a new way!

103. a faithful husband (this means a lot more after hearing from my friend that her husband of just a little over a year cheated on her)
104. the many times all children have fallen asleep and taken naps at the same time
105. the few times it has been in the same room!
106. God's faithfulness & trustworthiness
107. fall - new seasons in general just bring joy to be as they mark a change of some sort
108. Samuel writing his name by himself for the first time!
109. children's Bible songs
110. joyful, energetic, happy children
111. harvest time
112. pumpkins and all you can create with them!
113. new babies being born all around me!
114. a schedule in the making
115. meal planning
116. the hope of a less stressful, more simple life
117. finishing "Farmer Boy" today with Samuel
118. Hope's funny faces, funny words, and funny dance moves
119. the chance to learn daily how to be a better mother
120. Christ's death on the cross and the forgiveness He purchased for me!
121. the gift of repentance available 24-7
122. continual healing by God at work in my life
123. Goat's milk kefir on sale, & that is it a treasured treat to the kids, especially when bee-pollen is added!
124. the continual chance to learn new things, like how to be a better wife
125. Hope's excitement over purple pants and Christmas dresses
126. "I can't wear the winter dresses yet?" humorous quotes from an almost 3-year-old that I often don't even know how to answer

So much to be thankful for...

84. homeschool in the front yard
85. Hope's orange rainbow that she painted for a good 10 minutes (it only took a fourth of a bottle of paint too!)
86. collages of the letters A and B
87. Hope's new found love of beading and jewelry
88. Jeremiah's excitement at getting to use a crayon for the first time
89. homemade bread in the bread maker, with almost every grain except wheat
90. a trip to Redding this weekend with my hubby and baby J!
91. surprises God has waiting for us on this trip... what all do you have for us Lord?!
92. a beautiful warm October day
93. Jeremiah's birthday tomorrow -- thank You God for giving me such a wonderful baby in Your perfect timing that I would have never planned for on my own!
94. Isla Vista & the co-op!
95. farmer's market!
96. Solvang and picking apples and seeing miniature horses and getting to go to a super cool park all in one day!
97. birthday cakes made with just brown rice flour, apples, and carrots!
98. MOPS
99. God's divine direction and provision in every way in my life
100. simplification...getting rid of things...getting organized
101. meal planning
102. a husband with a lot of wisdom