Catching Up: A Heart of Gratefulness

The gifts continue to pour in each and everyday and every time I pick up the the pen to remember them I am reminded of His great love. God is great and God is so good!!

#106-#145

A stop at daddy's office to visit
Eating lunch with great-grandma
Lots of family to visit nearby
Slipping and sliding on ice covered roads
A warm fireplace to cuddle by at my in-law's
My little ones joy over spending a few days with grandparents
Measuring six inches of snow in our area
Homemade rolls and cookies baking
Beautiful sunshine making the snow sparkle
Eric taking a day off work to play in the snow
Fun times with four-wheelers and sleds
Going inside to warm up
Lunch with friends
A warm bowl of chili
Picking out birthday gifts for my sister
A phone call to wish her a Happy 7th Birthday
Cuddling with Olivia while Noah sleeps

A day spent our after snowed in for three

Birthday parties

Lacey's excitement over princess sheets

Little girls running around in pajamas
All of us cuddling in bed on Saturday morning
Finishing a few home projects
Beautiful, warm weather
A wonderful Valentines present from Eric
A sickness that left as fast as it came
Long walks outside everyday
A great husband to comes to my rescue :-)
Lovely pictures that inspire me to bake
A fun park near our house
A sweet little girl who loves to bake with mommy
Wonderful children's books found cheap at our local thrift store
Meeting Eric for lunch
A date night out with my love
Family who offered to babysit
New spring clothing for everyone
A day spent shopping and talking with a dear friend...
...and my dear husband who watched the babies while I was away
A little girl begging to go bounce on her new trampoline
A delicious chocolate cake still warm from the oven

Learning to Stay: A Heart of Gratefulness

The snow has flown and the cold has crept in this past week. Trying to leave my home with little ones is hard during this time of year so we have learned to be content at home. Praising God for my sweet, beautiful babies that bring such joy and laughter. So I continue to count my blessings during this season of “staying” just where He has me…

77. Special times of quiet with my love

78. Babies playing outside on a blustery day

79. A clean, warm home

80. Groceries in the fridge

81. Some alone time while the kids are in bed and Eric is at the gym

82. Seven hours of uninterrupted sleep

83. Waking to my little girls sweet voice

84. Homemade rice crispie treats for breakfast

85. Rain pouring down on the roof

86. Eric coming home for lunch

87. Chocolate cake in the oven

88. Snow falling while the sun is shining

89. Sunshine on a freezing cold day

90. Morning flurries

91. Little ones reading books on a cold day

92. Clean laundry folded and put away in drawers

93. The free gift of eternal life…Romans 6:23

94. Time for cuddling with my wonderful husband

95. A little girl who loves to splash in puddles of water

96. The smell of pumpkin bread baking

97. Chili simmering on the stove

98. House sitting for Eric parents

99. A wonderful husband who braved the snow to get me coffee

100. Slow, lazy Saturdays

101. A family dinner out

102. Praise music floating through the house on Sunday mornings

103. Sweet little voices singing praise to the Almighty

104. A wonderful evening spent with friends

105. Waking to the sight of another winter wonderland

Slowing Down: A Heart of Gratefulness

It seems like the blessing have been overflowing this week and then I realize that they are nothing new only recognized. Sickness invaded last week and I found myself thankful for the time to slow and just linger in the moment. Praising my Father for more blessed gifts…

33. Olivia’s joy over spending the day with her friend.

34. Noah licking a spatula while I made a pie

35. Music playing softly through the house

36. Twelve people laughing around a table together

37. Little girls who empty off entire bookcase to the floor

38. Taking a meal to a friend who just gave birth

39. The beauty of a newborn baby…



43. A sick little boy cuddled up in my arms


44. A cool cloth on a feverish brow

45. Baby Motrin

46. Baking cookies with my little girl

47. Two dozen warm cookies

48. Pulling a little red wagon around the neighborhood…

60. Messy, spaghetti loving kids

61. Bath time

62. Fever breaking in the night

63. A grandmother who came to watch Noah for me

64. A time of prayer and encouragement with friends

65. A smile on Noah’s face

66. Skin cool to the touch

67. Eric cooking breakfast

68. Sunlight streaming through the windows

69. Scripture flowing through the house

70. Seventy-five degree weather in January…



75. Bread broken as a symbol of His broken body

76. Juice in the cup to remind me of His saving, grace-giving blood…





Continuing On: A Heart of Gratefulness

8. Time spent discussing His Word with Eric

9. Overcooked muffins that still taste yummy

10. Dinner with friends

11. A day spent with my little man

12. Insurance that pays for check-ups and shots

13. Early bedtimes for babies and parents :-)

14. A little girls excitement over night at her grandparents

15. Errands to run for my little family

16. Storytime fun at our local library

17. Snow falling slow as we drive to my parent’s home

18. A quiet night at home with my husband and littles

19. Homemade rolls rising in the oven

20. Lunch with my grandmother

21. Laughter of little girls over a game of Candyland

22. Singing along to love songs while holding the hand of my love

23. The warmth of a sleeping child cuddled up to by my side

24. Peace found in the reading of His Word

25. Warm coffee in hand on a cold morning

26. A fun birthday dinner out with the in-law’s

27. A day cuddled up with a blanket and book

28. A slightly warmer day and a long walk in its sunshine

29. Sunday dinner with family and friends

30. Babies splashing in the bathtub

31. A two-year-old quoting scripture

32. Fun had with Playdoh

Change I Desire: A Heart of Gratefulness

I want a heart of gratitude to grow in my life. Why is it that I don't think to jot down the wonderful blessing throughout my day?? These are things to remember and cherish. Things that should make you stop and smile or maybe sing praise to your Creator for the blessings he has seen fit to bestow on you!! Why are we so blinded by the fast pace of life?? I am broken in this area and I want things to change. I want to redeem this area of my life. I have missed so much and lived in so little of the moments. I don't praise His name enough, I don't love enough, I don't cherish the gifts of marriage and motherhood enough!! I want to smile with my babies and laugh with my love. I want to glory in His creation more, I want to know Him deeper, I want to send thanksgiving to the heavens each and everyday.



I want to be grateful and so I will count....



1. A toddler who wakes at 5am



2. A husband who forgives my un-submissive self



3. A day spent celebrating another year of life



4. My loves arrival home each night



5. A messy kitchen after a family dinner



6. A mother who blesses me with her words of encouragement



7. Our first snowfall of the season

I have been reading Ann's blog Holy Experience for quite some time now and each day that I set down and log on she has blessed my life with her words. I have been looking forward to her book release and I actually ordered mine today.