365: 21- 27

365 - 21

Bear and her bff.  They have been friends since they were infants. 

365 - 22

 Desert wildflowers

365 - 23

 I followed this little bird all over the park trying to get a decent picture.  Every time I would get close enough, he would fly to the next tree, or rock.  I was using my telephoto lens too, so I didn't have to get too close.  I'm sure he was laughing at me in bird talk.

365 - 24

 Boo and the other kids were playing as though they were living in the wild, like the early american settlers.   Boo had just found some treasure that would aid in their survival in the harsh world.

365 - 25

 Hummingbird!

365 - 26

 These ants made their home at the base of a large rock.  Bear was going to play on that rock.  I told her not to do it, and walked away to chase my bird.  The next thing I know, I hear her screaming "Get them off, get them off!"   Yup, you guessed it.  She didn't heed my warning and the ants took revenge.  Thankfully, she was only bitten twice that I could see.  I bet she won't be playing around ant hills for a while!

365 - 27

Mr. Baseball is practicing for tryouts on Saturday.  He'll be drafted into the majors in Little League this year.  He will become "property" of whatever coach picks him up.  That means that he has to stay with that coach until his days with Little League are finished.  Praying he gets a good coach.

And with that, I am caught up!  Woo hoo!

365: 16 - 20 and One Thousand Gifts (281 - 285)

365-16

E Baby got this necklace for Boo for Christmas.  On the other side it says "Best".  I love that they are related and the best of friends.  

365-17

These are my kefir grains.  These wonderful little white, squishy crystals make an amazingly delicious and healthy drink, chock full of probiotics.  Bonus:  The kids love it!  

365-18

This one is kind of gross looking.  Its a Scoby (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast).  It also is responsible for a yummy probiotic drink that tastes a little bit like wine.

365-19

We are learning to navigate the strange and frustrating world of celiac disease.  My poor little LadyBug gets terrible tummy troubles anytime she eats gluten.  

365-20

Aren't they cute!?

So many gifts............

281.   A wonderful husband who comes home tired, takes one look at my face, and offers to go get take out.  I love him!

282.   My funny little Tigger.  He can drive me crazy and make me laugh all at the same time!

283.   Feeling hopeful that we might be on the road to change with one of my little Gems. 

284.   Warm winter days

285.   Quiet evenings

365: 12 - 16 and One Thousand Gifts (276 - 280)

365 - 12

Wolfie is starting his learning early!  

365 - 13

Molly and her BFF Nala.  We get them together about once a week (saves me from having to go to the dog park!).  These two play non-stop for hours.  Then after Nala goes home, Molly collapses from exhaustion and I don't see her again til the next morning.

365 - 14

This is the face of a little girl trying really hard to continue being sad and mad.  It didn't work well.  When I showed her this picture on the camera's screen, she busted up laughing.

365 - 15

I look like I'm puckering up in this picture.  Hilarious!

My friend took these pictures.  These Rip Riders are so much fun!  Even though my rear doesn't fit in the seat well, I can't help but jump on them a few times per week.

365 - 16

E Baby on her big girl bike.  She fell off at least 3 times.  Balancing is an elusive skill.  She decided that she'd had enough and went inside to watch tv.

A few more gifts...........

276.  I love spending time with my grand kids!

277.  Hugs from my Knight.  

278.  Talking with my big girls.

279.  Bible study in the morning with all the kids.  

280.  Email from my mommy.

365: 7 - 11

365 - 7

Boo and E Baby at the park today

365 - 8

Birds...obviously

365 - 9

LadyBug, at home in the tree.  She's so sweet.  There was a little girl who was new to our homeschool group today.  None of the kids really made her feel welcome, and she was just wandering around alone.  They weren't being mean but they were just off doing their thing.  I called LadyBug out of the tree and asked her to go talk to her.  Within minutes, they were off playing soccer and were fast friends.  I love her sweet heart.

365 - 10 

D, and E Baby.  My baby, and her baby.  

365 - 11

Wolfie.  He looks surprised about something.

365: 1 - 6 and One Thousand Gifts (271 - 275)

I'm starting a 365 project.  A photo a day for 365 days.  Hopefully it will help me improve my skills a little.  Since I'm coming in 20 days late, I'm going to be a picture taking fool for a bit to catch up.  So here goes.........

365-1

Reflective glasses are so much fun.  You an see his brother riding the 360 scooter in the lens. 

365-2

My sweet fuzzball of a kitty all snuggled up for a nap.  By the way, she's sleeping smack in the middle of the very large dog's bed. 

365-3

 My kids germinated and planted beans in Botany class.  They actually managed to keep a few of the plants alive.  To date, we have harvested one (1) black bean.

365-4

I will never be confused with a fashionista!  No, I did not go anywhere in these, except outside to take pictures.

 365-5

Pretty bottle brush plants in my neighbor's yard.  I can't believe its January and some of the plants are blooming!

 365-6

Homeschool P.E.  They are getting ready to do relay races.

My gifts.................

271.  Catching up with an old friend

272.  Taking pictures again.  I forgot how much I love the feel of the camera in my hand!

273.  Chocolate

274.  Fun girls night out

275.  My wonderful hubby that let me sleep in an hour and a half on Saturday!  He's the one who deserves to sleep in.  He's up at 4:30 am every day.

One Thousand Gifts (257 - 270)

Well, I have realized that I stink at being intentional!  My goal was to find just one thing for which to be thankful each day, and write it down. Shouldn't be too hard, right?  That lasted about 1 day.  Then life got busy, and stressful.  The kids acted up, and so did I.  Then I forgot to be thankful. 

Check out the updated pictures of the kids over on the right. -->  
A few are entering into a new and slightly scary stage of life!


Still counting my blessings.............. 

257. Being able to babysit my precious grandson a few days each week.  I could just sit and stare at him all day.

258.  Also watching my granddaughter while my daughter goes to school.  She's a hoot and the best thing since sliced bread.

259.  A much needed week off school.

260.  Actually being on track with school.  In the 6 years we've been schooling, I think this is the first time EVER that I've kept to my initial schedule this long.  I'm very impressed with myself! 
   
261.  Rain, rain and more rain!  I love rain!

262.  Joy, and contentment

263.  I am so thankful for a warm house.  Its been so cold outside at night lately - down below freezing.  There is a homeless woman who has made her home behind a power box across the street from the library.  We made her a meal and brought her a blanket one evening but she very politely refused both.  I think of her often.  I wish there were something we could do for her.  

264.  E Baby turned 4.  I can't believe that she's that old.  I remember, like it was yesterday, getting the call.  "Mom, I think I'm in labor." I jumped in the car and drove the 125 miles as fast as I dared, praying the whole time that I would get there in time.  I walked into the hospital just at the doctor was giving her the epidural.  What a blessing to be able to be with my baby as she was having her baby.

265.  My kids had such great fun going to the dollar store and picking out gifts for E Baby.  They used their own money.  Those who didn't have enough, did chores to earn money.  I love their generosity!

266.  Playing games with the kids.

267.  Good day with school - no attitudes!!!

268.  A wonderful Christmas.

269.  Making amends

270.  New friends

One Thousand Gifts (246 - 257)

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will 

for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

~1 Thessalonians 5:18

A friend told me today that I need to be intentional about making changes in my life.  That word really stuck with me.  

I am a "glass is half empty" kind of girl.  I wish I weren't.  I can think of a million negative things and sometimes I would be hard pressed to come up with one blessing. Sad.  Truth is, I am so amazingly blessed.  The Lord has not only provided all that I need, but so much of what I want too!  

So, I'm on a mission to be intentional about really seeing the gifts that God has given me, and letting that thankfulness change my outlook.

246.  Got my computer fixed!  Yippee.  Its been on the blink for several weeks and blogging on an ipad is just not possible.

247.  Sweet friend loaning me videos for a great bible study. 

248.  Ladies Tea Party.  Great time of fellowship and rejuvenation.  

249.  My cast is off!  I go back to the Dr. tomorrow so my thankfulness might be short-lived.  My arm has been hurting really bad and I'm afraid that I might re-injured it.  :(

250.  We got our dog a pet.  An adorable bundle of fuzz, named Sully (nicknamed Fuzz Butt)

251.  Molly didn't eat the kitten!  In fact, she is very gentle.  Makes me quite nervous though to see the kitten's head in my dog's mouth.

252.  Silly times with Boo and E-Baby.  I love that they are bff's. 

253.  My sweet, sweet grandson; hereafter known as Wolfie.  

254.  Knight is 10 now. I met him when he was 4. He moved in with us at 6.  He's such a great kid.  I can't imagine how hard it must be to separate yourself from one family and become a part of another one.  I have been amazed at how he has embraced us and bonded with us.  He has overcome so much.  I'm proud of my boy. He is turning into a wonderful, godly young man.  And very handsome too!

255.  Another birthday!  Boo, my baby, is now 6.  I can't believe that its been 6 blessed years that she's been mine.  She's my "S" kid...Sweet, smart, sensitive and sassy.  A great combination.  

256.  Went to the Winter Jam, and got to see a few of my favorite Christian bands.  

257.  Watching my girl, hands raised, worshiping Jesus!