One Thousand Gifts (821 - 830)

821.  Boo was blessed to get to go to Disneyland for the first time with her aunt.  Rather than spend all her money on souvenirs for herself, she put back the things she wanted so she could buy her dad and I gifts.  What a beautiful girl - Inside and out ❤️

822.  This is my awesome sister who took Boo to Disneyland - well, it’s kind of her.

 Well... here I am again forgetting that I have this blog.  It’s now the end of February 2020. This season of life is still tough, and likely will be for a while.  But there are so many bright spots! So many little ways that God shows up and pours out His love on me through others ❤️

824.  My boy has found his soul mate. She’s such a sweet girl too! I couldn’t be happier for them.

825. I was upset one day and left the house in tears. I came home an hour later to find the bear and an envelope stuffed with letters from my kids telling me how much they love me. What a blessed mama I am!

826.  My baby had her first school dance.  She is growing up so fast! I am not ready for this.  

827.  God really out did Himself with this sunset! 

828.  Snow day with the whole family! It was Wolfe’s first experience with snow and he had a blast!

829.  My bible study buddies! Well, most of them.  Missing one lady.  So thankful for this group that I can do life with.

830. My guy.  Nothing sexier than a guy who folds laundry!! I definitely don’t give him enough credit. 

One Thousand Gifts (814 - 820)

814.  So blessed to have grown closer to my mom before she passed away. I was her primary caregiver and driver for the last few years. I was honored to be there as she left this world. I miss her like crazy.

815.  My sister moved closer to help with moms’s estate. I adore having her closer. I wish I could spend every day with her!

816:  Ms. Softball  and Mr. Baseball are off on an adventure to the. Philippines serving the Lord.

816.  Ladybug started her first real job AND she started an Instagram ministry to encourage other teens in the Lord.

817.  MyBeautiful Boo with her bffs aka “Larry, Moe and Curly”

818.  Ms. Softball taking time out of her day to help Boo with math.

819.  My beautiful Bear is back home for schooling.  She’s my wild child and challenges me in every possible way. She makes me laugh like no one else can. 

820.  Anime Boy.  He is most definitely the comic relief around here.  He is goofy and sarcastic and has impeccable comedic timing.  

One Thousand Gifts (804 - 813)

804.  A much needed relaxing afternoon with my girl.

805.  My sweet Boo who made me 3 cards for Mother’s Day 

806. My Ladybug is on a 5 week mission trip. I miss her so much and the time is dragging (for me, not her). But she is doing the Lord’s work. 

807. Ms. Softball is here to stay! Although we are still praying for her family, she will be with us indefinitely. I love her so much!

808.  My Anime Boy is such an amazing artist. His talent boggles my mind. Can’t wait to see where life takes him.

809.  Anime boy and  Bear are on their way home after a 2 week camp in Missouri. The camp appeared to have had a profound impact on their walk with God. I am so excited to talk with them more. I still have 6 hours to wait.

810.  Kamp Kanakuk is without a doubt an institution used mightily by God to turn the hearts of young people back to Him. The counselors truly love Jesus and all the kids. I’m praying we can send all the kids next year!

811. God is really working in Ms Softball. She is healing and opening her heart more to the Lord. I am so honored and humbled to watch this and to be a part of it.

812. In doing life with Ms. Softball, I have gotten to know her older sister and brother in law a little better. These are 2 people who I’ve watch grow up in our church but have never really spoken much to them.  These young people just ooze the Holy Spirit! What a privilege to know them!

813.  21 years of marriage. The last couple have been rough but we are coming out of it stronger ❤️ I just realized that I have no pictures of him, or of us. I must rectify that.

One Thousand Gifts (797 - 803)

Another six months have passed. I had good intentions but life happened hard and fast. Not gonna lie, I haven’t been able to find many things to be thankful for these past months. Life has beat me up pretty bad. There are times when I walk through depression, anger and self pity. Things begin to look pretty dark and hopeless.  Then there are times when I take my eyes off myself and look up.  That’s when God speaks.....

He (God) heals the brokenhearted

and binds up their wounds.

He determines the number of the stars

and calls them each by name

Great is our Lord and mighty in power;

his understanding has no limit.

The Lord sustains the humble

but casts the wicked to the ground.

Psalm 147:3-6

He may not change my circumstances but He gives me strength to walk through them and He uses the negative to refine me and make me into the person He created me to be. What an amazing God I serve!

The first three photos are from six months-ish ago. The rest are more recent.

797. My little grandson Wolfie! Love him so much! I am so blessed to be able to be with him every day. He's going to be moving across town soon so I won't be seeing much of him.  But I know he will love his new home!

798.  God's creation.  I am continually awed by the way He paints His world.

799.  My boys got to go to their first Homecoming dance.  They are so handsome!

800.  We have been blessed to share our home and lives with this amazing girl. I love her more each day. The selfish part of me never wants her to leave.

801.  My beautiful niece.  Her life here on earth was much too short but I am so grateful to have had her in my life.  She was (is) so very loved.

802.  My mom. She's had such a rough year.  But, the result of her recent PET scan are in.  Drum roll please!  NED! No Evidence of Disease.  Take that, cancer! Now, other meds can be resumed and life can be enjoyable again for her.  

803.  More of  God's creation....

Blood Moon

Hawk circling over the softball field.  I missed my girl's at bat cause I was so focused on this guy.

No clue what kind of bird this is.  It's a beautiful change from sparrows and pigeons though.

Ladybug loves soccer

One Thousand Gifts (787 - 796)

Fast forward 2 years from my last post.  So much life has happened. Its hard to remember all the great gifts that God has given me.  Which, of course, is why I need to continue posting here.  It also will get me to pick up my camera.  Its been sitting, unused in its case for months on end. I miss capturing those wonderful, silly, meaningful moments.


787.  My mom moved back here!  We found her a house 2 blocks away.  Its been so wonderful having her near.  Although life is so crazy that I still can't get over there as much as I would like. (She's gonna kill me for posting this picture!  It's ok mom, no one reads this anyway  😊)

My beautiful mom and Aunt

788.  God's amazing creation!

789.  Family reunion!  My sister, niece & her kids and nephew and came to town and we were able to put together an impromptu reunion.  We were missing a bunch of people but were totally blessed to share the afternoon with the ones who made it.

790.  Watching the sunrise from the top of Lone Mountain with my son.

791.  Our new dog.  Not really sure if I'm really thankful for her.  We got her a little over a year ago and she is kind of a jerk.  Some days I like her.  Other days I am willing to give her to anyone who will take her. 

792.  Our new (to us) house.  We were so blessed to be able to upgrade to a bigger house.  With the kids getting bigger, we were not even all able to sit the same room in the evening.  I thought I had a picture but I seem to be missing a whole years worth of photos. 

793.  Cooler weather.  Oh my goodness, I can't deal with the heat anymore.  When the temperature gets below 70, I feel like I come alive.

794.  My Boo got baptized!  I told her she was not allowed to sin anymore since she got baptized (haha). She didn't buy it. But I'm proud of her for deciding that a life with Christ was the best way to live.

795.  My beautiful daughter, who is also one of my closest friends

796.  This boy.  He has put me through the wringer, but the Lord used it to grow me into a better mom and person, and he is now a young man with a more godly character.

365:167 - and One Thousand Gifts (781 - 786)

So, I just remembered that I have a blog.  LOL! I pop on here mostly because I need some refreshing and reminding about things I'm thankful for.  The post below was in my "to be published" area.  So, here it is, only 2 1/2 years later!

Princess turns 11

She's so beautiful!

My bff from the time I was about 5.  Still a great friend and godly woman

Bear turns 10

This was a fun day!

Got to share it with my eldest, Mrs. M and Wolfie

Almost all my loves

Valley of Fire.

Wolfie is fearless and decided to climb a very steep rock.

781.   A wonderful, cool and rainy spring.  That NEVER happens here!

782.   My Princess is 11 now. I've been blessed to be her mom for 6 years.

783.  Bear is now 10.  She has such a big heart for the underdog.

784.  Spending the day at Valley of Fire with my first born.  I so rarely get to spend time with my big girls.

785.  Late night talks with my teens / pre-teens

786.  Catching up with my childhood bff.  So many fun memories!