One Thousand Gifts (878. - 885)

 10/2022

878 Heaven has many good friends

879 The kittens I didn’t want but now make me smile everyday 

880 Autumn colors on the trees

11/6/22

881 My coffee cup that Kellie gave me. It’s my favorite and I think of her every time I use it. It’s a little chipped now but I still love it.

882 The leaves raining down

883 My morning quiet time 

2/25/24

884 New church (Victory).

885 Saturday night services

886Standing date night with Bob every Saturday 

887 Heaven’s first job. I’m so proud of her. This is such a scary part of growing up.

888 My annoying animals. The way they climb all over me. 

889 Ali is driving.  Still scary for me when she drives away in my car but I love this next step toward adulthood for her.

890 Friendship with Crystal. Our Bible studies together. 

One Thousand Gifts (861 - 877)

 2020

861 Millie joined our family.  Not sure this is a good thing. She is VERY vocal and she hates everyone but Ali.

862 Staying healthy during the pandemic 

863 A slower pace to life

864 Chelsea and Heaven only had a mild case and no one else got it

865 Bob works from home

866 Chelsea was accepted into YWAM for the fall

2021

867 Bob gets to work from home permanently 

868 We get to move!

869 Found a house in Georgia

870 Offer was accepted

871 Safe, even somewhat fun, trip across country

872 Green!!!!

873 Rain!!!!

874 My hair stopped falling out….mostly

875 Loving my new town

876 Love my new home

877 Heaven chose to stay home for school

One Thousand Gifts (841 - 860)

 ALOT has changed in the 5 years since that last post.  A lifetime of changes - good and bad.  That’s life, right? I’ve still been keeping my list of gifts (sporadically) in the notes app on my phone but I’m transferring them here now. Unfortunately, there are very few pictures. 

So finishing up 2019….

841. Canadian geese - they make me think of dad

842 The adorable white, fluffy dogs I saw on my walk today

843 A cool breeze on a warm day

844 An afternoon nap

845 Laughing with my husband - seems like a rare thing these days.

846 The softest part of my dog’s ear 

847 The way my dogs look at me with absolute love and trust (In reality they probably just want food )

848 The silly selfie that my youngest put as Lock Screen on my phone. Makes me smile every time I look at it.

849 Lunch with my estranged son.  It hurt to see him leave again but maybe communication can begin.

850 My C-Bug called me when she was feeling bad and needed to talk. Out of all the people she could have dialed, she chose me. ❤️

851 Helping hubby put up Christmas lights

852 The peanuts tree skirt that hubby surprised me with

853 Seeing my Boo with one of her bffs. Such a sweet and healthy friendship.

854 Rocking out to music from back in the day - fun memories!

855 Church  - Especially when I don’t feel like going

856 My prodigal boy is coming home!

857 My hubby who usually does our laundry ❤️

858 A lazy, relaxing Sunday

859 11/2019 Remembering Dad on his birthday.  He would have been 83. Miss him and mom so much.

860 Sweet note that Boo left on the window

One a Thousand Gifts (831 - 840)

831  My boy is graduating this year! I have no doubt he will accomplish great things. His determination, love for Jesus and work ethic are amazing!

832.  Softball queen got her first job. She didn’t want to give me a picture.  😊 Now she comes home smelling like cookies!

833.  When dad was alive, he would often say that someone was smarter than the average bear. (A yogi bear reference). Sometimes it was said with admiration, sometimes with sarcasm.  I haven’t heard that phrase in about 5 years.  When my sister came to visit about a year ago, she brought me my mom’s old hope chest. I placed it in the hallway and went on with life.  A few weeks ago I opened the lid for the first time. I expected it to be empty but I found this shirt inside all folded nice and neat! What a wonderful surprise that brought so many happy memories of my dad. 

834.  Yet another beautiful reminder that God is still here and still in control.

835.

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.