One Thousand Gifts (151 - 160)

151.  Uninterrupted conversations with my husband.  (They sure don't happen often)

152.  Six, count 'em, six hours all my myself!

153.  Opportunities to learn to trust God more.

154.  The health of my family

155.  Ted and Judy - such wonderful and godly friends who bless us constantly. 

156.  Surprising the kids by going out to their favorite breakfast restaurant.

157.  Bubbles - big handfuls of bubbles that I blow all over my grand daughter and Boo while they are in the tub. They squeal with laughter at the "snow"

158.  Hot baths

159.  A good book

160.  My first real attempt at bokeh.  So much fun!

One Thousand Gifts (141 - 150)

141.  Surprise birthday party for my bff

142.  She really was surprised!  (She's very hard to fool)

143.  Bff's strength and unwavering faith in the midst of crisis

144.  Puppy love.  So sweet!

145.  Warm, winter days

146.  Little E (my grand daughter) turned 3.  She is the best thing since sliced bread!

148.  Custody issues with Little E have been completely, and favorably, resolved.  Thank you Jesus!

149.  Lost In Space.  So corny that I can't help but smile.  "Danger, Will Robinson!"  haha!!

150.  Watching my kids serve at the assisted living home.  

One Thousand Gifts (131 - 140)

131.  Slippers!

132.  Birds, other than sparrows and pigeons in my yard. 

                    

134.  The whole family running our first 5k together.

          
135.  Finally got my macro lens today.  Woo Hoo! Can't wait for daylight so I can play.

136.  My boy got to go to his first concert - Winter Jam.  He's growing up.  Sniff, sniff.

137.  Alone time with my Ladybug.

138.  Our new puppy!

139.  The smell of farm fresh apples.  Brings back wonderful memories.

140.  The taste of farm fresh apples!

One Thousand Gifts (121 - 130)

121. My eldest daughter, who just turned  24!

122. Safety for family and friends on the east coast

123. These words: "What you think you can’t handle — might actually be God handing you a gift." - Ann Voskamp

124. God is still in control.

125. Tender hearts as they care for an injured butterfly.

126.  My kids, standing united, against their peers.

127.  New contact lenses.  Never had them before!

128.  Sleeping kids.  They are sooooo cute!

129.  Being able to stay home and witness ALL the "firsts" 

130.  Cooler weather.

One Thousand Gifts (111 - 120)

111.  Finally!  Kids in our cul-de-sac!  And nice ones, too!

112.  Baseball season is almost over.  My boys aren't thankful, but I am!

113.  Hope for healing.

114.  Impromptu massage from my kids.

115.  Silly, homeschooling days.

116.  Halloween candy.  (well, that is both a blessing and a curse)

117.  A sweet friend who, out of the blue, asked to borrow ALL of the kids for a day

118.  A wonderful and romantic day alone with my hubby.

119.  My kids having a fun filled day baking cookies and making customized      t-shirts.

120.  Dayquil

Make a wish

Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper 

and be in health, even as your soul prospers.

3 John 1:2

"T" turned 9 a few weeks ago.  I am so proud of the young man he is growing to be.  When he walked through our door nearly three years ago, he brought with him pages and pages of negative diagnosis from so-called professionals.  I was really worried that we had gotten in over our heads.  But this boy continues to amaze me!  He is so kind and gentle.  He loves to share with all of us.  When he gets snacks from baseball, he has been known to give away all of his cookies just to bless his siblings.  He is sensitive and a little shy.  And did I mention handsome?  Just look at that face!  God is doing a work in this young man's heart.  I am so lucky I was chosen to be his mama!

My baby Boo is 5.  I know it's silly but age 5 is kind of like a turning point for me.  It's the age where they move out of babyhood in to full fledged childhood.  She even lost her first tooth not long ago.  I'm a little sad but I guess she'll always be my baby.  Boo has really blossomed in the last few years.  We welcomed her home when she was just barely 4 months old.  Life had not been good for her up to that point.  She was very fearful of everyone except us. It took nearly two years for her trust in people to be restored.  She is now silly and outgoing, even a little daring.  At the same time, she is so sensitive.  She breaks down into sobs if I look at her cross.  I love her with all my heart and I continually thank God for bringing Boo to us.

GRFT

Girls Running For Truth

A friend told me about this group last summer.  I got the girls signed up and, let me tell you, it is amazing!  They have been going for 4 or 5 weeks now.  I am loving this group.  Coach Anna is so good with the girls.

Girls Running For Truth is a Christian running club for girls 6 and up.  They begin their class with a biblical character trait teaching.  So far the girls have learned about humility, leadership, sacrifice and "real" beauty.  

Then they do some warm up games.  After that they run.  They are up to a mile and a half.  Most of the girls can't run that without stopping but that's okay.  I finally don't have to fight the Bear to run more than 3 feet!  

The season will end on November 17 with a 5k.  This year they will run in the Color Me Rad race.  I can't wait!  I signed up the whole family (except Boo).  It's going to be so much fun, and so messy!  Hopefully, I can get someone to take pictures of our messy selves and I'll post them.