- coffee brought to my bedside
- exercise
- a smiling face asking for breakfast
- clothes on the line
- kids rolling down a hill, laughing uncontrollably
- sunrise
- boy with book, "Mama! Wead!"
- a new calf
- nature walk with my kids
- a stream etched through the pasture- endless fascination
- my mop
- my vacuum
- a free highchair
- wind chime
- a tall glass of sweet tea
- a table and area specifically for school
- changing diapers on my precious and oh so funny boy
- new carpet
- friend Tami
- friend Brenda
- friend (and volunteer babysitter) Melissa
- clean counters
- my church family
- tickling Reagan
- watching 3 older ones pulling the youngest in a wagon
- a 10-year-old who still calls me "Mommy"
- surprising a friend with a gift
- at Awana Cubbies, little Hailey calls me "Ms. Dul-slee"
- opinionated, strong-willed girls (future strong women!!!)
- in the midst of sickness, a warm bed, a cool cloth, & husband-turned-nurse
- in the wake of wrenching sickness, relieved wellness
- houseplants flourishing despite neglect
- unexpected hugs
- clean floors, be it ever so brief
- boys' "battlefield" (aka dining room)
- a dishwasher
- my parents, their guidance... sometimes gentle, sometimes not
- my sisters & what they show me... about life, about myself
- leftovers
- loud music in the car, air guitars in the back seat
- classical music at home, dancers awhirl in the living room
- "I just love you, Mama." ...just
- canning jars
- long phone call with Mom
- Mom's perspective
- Cheerios-- what toddler could survive without them?
- husband -- farmer, accountant, Mr. Fix-It-- strength, doing whatever it takes
- husband -- lover, friend, dreamer, heart
- children -- mirrors, showing me myself (not usually the good part) and my place in God
- my children, caring for each other
- singing solos at church
- singing duets with Marian at church
- just singing!
- homemade pie crust
- church potluck dinner
- fellowship with precious ladies
- peanut butter
- having enough money at the grocery store
- "Will you read me a story, Mama?"
- "Can I help you cook, Mama?"
- "Can I go with you, Mama?"
- laundry, me-- dirty made clean, get it?
- memories of life before kids-- and not wanting to go back!!
- God is in control-- nothing escapes Him.
- homeschool and how it has changed my life, my perspective
- homemade bread-- the making, the smelling, the eating!
- teaching my daughter to make bread
- boy's first haircut
- a hymn, a prayer, "Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart..." Be my eyes, Lord...
- baby boy "lost" at church-- and my church family just as sick as I was until he was found
- spring breeze through open windows
- watching sleeping children
- husband's shoulder rubs
- Awana Cubbies-- I'm the teacher, but oh how much I learn!
- telling Bible stories to young children-- and seeing them anew
- hand-me-down clothes, given and received
- shiny sinks and faucets
- Christian radio
- "Wow!" moments-- when my kids 'get it', that look on their face
- realizing how poor I am, how rich God is, and how willing He is to give
- celebration at church, 17 years with Bro. Jimmy as pastor!
- tiny, bare feet slapping the floor as they run to find ME!
- birthdays
- flower gardens
- vegetable garden
- working as a family-- willingly or not!
- friends with problems just like me
- late nights with a quiet house
- long days with an active house!!
- God's creation: Seemingly infinite variety!
- God's creation: He spoke. It became. Down to the tiniest detail.
- God's creation: From nothing, everything!
- God's creation: Us-- formed by God himself with loving hands.
- dear friends around our table
- Easter. Alleluia! He is risen, risen indeed!!
- sisters playing Barbies
- a good parking spot!
- giving a smile to a stranger--- and getting one back!
- hearing my kids memorize Bible verses
- made-from-scratch chocolate cake
- the ability to list 100 blessings!! Ain't God good!
- the garden... soil, seeds, tiny life pushing through dirt
- baby talk
- my special homemade Mother's Day card, yearly
- ticklish kids
- playtime for the whole family
- 11 years watching Marian grow beautiful
- peanut butter frosting
- sweet words from a near-stranger
- fresh broccoli and cauliflower from the garden
- time to yard sale
- learning history with my kids
- a washing machine repaired!!
- gifts from Amy
- Fact: God always provides.
- card games
- Ellie-- 6 years of sunshine
- Reagan, a constant question, "Wha's 'at?"
- imagination
- a good book... and the time to read it
- warm days, however scarce
- cold days, earth's yearly rest
- discussing and explaining Romans 12:1 and seeing it with new eyes
- fresh tomatoes.. in November!?!
- Andrew, vibrant and strong, my soccer champ
- clean hotel rooms!
- somewhat dingy hotel rooms when you just can't drive another mile
- vacations at my old homeplace
- detours with purpose, aka field trips
- kids' fort, rebuilt and better than ever!
- just-right pillow
- encouragement
- apples, tart, crisp
- homemade soup on a cold, rainy day
- children washing dishes, bantering
- dark moods conquered
- biscuits, jam-- need I say more?
- our pediatrician, friend, willing to take my calls personally
- curtains
- crock pots
- sheet-tents spread over living room furniture
- Marian, warm and friendly, making others feel welcome
- Friend Kim
- no-spill cups
- pumpkin cookies-- unbelievable yum!
- autumn days, running over with joyous activity
- 2 of my kids swept and swiffered my floors to surprise me!
- 10 years of life with our gift Andrew
- friends on Thanksgiving
- Marine Thomas home on leave
- clean sheets
- soft answers-- turning away wrath
- 10 pounds lost!!
- new socks
- New Year's Eve party-- friends, games, laughter
- being a homeschool mom!..
- ...and learning so much more than I did the first time around!
- bird feeders
- cheerful helpers in the kitchen
- kids' humor
- giving my 3 fellas haircuts
- Marian's first vocal solo
- Friday visits with a dear friend
- uplifting words from that same friend
- baby calves
- bulbs, pushing new growth up through frozen soil
- Reagan, "Stay me, Mamma."
- soapy, silly, splashing kids in the tub
- new friends
- 11 years with Andrew, thoughtful, hard worker, generous brother
- field trips
- hiking
- running in the early morning
- health
- decorating the Christmas tree with my kids
- fruit baskets at church
- Christmas shopping with my husband
- bird feeders
- coffee, friend, laughter
- 7+ New Year's Eve parties with friends
- a dusting of snow...
- ...and kids so excited to see snow that they attempt sledding and snow angels even in such a meager covering!
(Inspirations for this list are found here at Ann Voskamp's site. It may take me a very long time to log 1000 things, but here I go!)
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