more gifts

I woke up this morning before everyone else in my home. I get to sit on my couch, drink yummy coffee and stare out of the window- all alone, in the silence. This is a gift. I am thankful for this. This makes me giddy happy inside. Thankful. Joyful. This is my own special time... a gift, a treasure that I embrace.

As I look out said window, it is dreary, sprinking rain. And I see growth in me because I didn't get grumpy about the poor weather for the BBQ we are going to today, I didn't even think about it... instead I saw the ducks livin it up in our pond... the lines in the lawn from the grass being freshly mowed... the way the grey sky makes all the greens look more vibrant... the water in the puddles on our laneway. It was not my first inclination to see the bad, I choose to see the beauty and be happy about it.

This is, in another way, my personal challenge. I have started a page on my blog called "my one thousand gifts" and it has been awesome for me to be seeing, looking, noticing those things of beauty that surround me day after day. It has shown me a new life filled with wonder and expectation. Take a look at my list, read the book I've been referring to, "One thousand gifts," by Ann Voskamp and watch your life be changed too. This list, is just some of the simple everyday things that I am loving, and that I am thankful for. Gifts given to me by the creator who loves me.

freshly mowed green grass

ducks playing in our pond

water in puddles

Usborne books sticker dressing books!

first spray park visit of the year

stillness of the morning

robins on my lawn

My iphone

kittens meowing

expectations for a new day

Singapore math textbooks

coffee hot in the pot

long bike rides with my beautiful kids

Fresh bread
Norwex face cloths

taking care of our trees

Bear Brownie

Narnia audio series by Focus on the Family

first camp fire of the year

a child's excitement over roasting marshmellows

creating and crafting

holding babies

coloring and drawing with the boys


free glasses from Clearly Contacts!
watching my garden change and grow

lily of the valley

"Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
His faithful love endures forever,
Give thanks to Him who alone does mighty miracles,
His faithful love endures forever,
Give thanks to Him whe made the heavens to skillfully
His faithful love endures forever
Give thanks to him who place the earth among the waters,
His faithful love endures forever
Give thanks to Him who made the heavenly lights-
His faithfullove endures forever." (Psalm 136: 3-7)