the summer days

270.  my mom, my children's grandmother for loving, feeding, entertaining, scolding, swimming, sliding, jumping, reading to, with and on my children these summer days

271.  my husband for doing the same!

272.  my husband for braving to Shreveport August heat to mow the yard

273.  my husband for cleaning the house after keeping the kids and mowing the yard

274.  words from a coworker friend to treasure these times when my people are  young as she watches her baby start her senior year of high school

8/3/05

262.  the opportunity of a new day, to start fresh

263.  a day full of family outings

264.  ring around the tub indicating I know have 3 very clean kiddos 

265.  deliciousness of homemade shrimp tacos

267.  seeing in retrospect You Lord all over August 3, 2005 as we began our hospital journey

268.  fulfilling a promise to my kids despite my exhaustion resulting in yummy brownie pops!

269.  new pillows and a good nights sleep. 

relief

258. our dishwashing machine that cleans dishes while I sleep

259. relief from skin irritation thanks to a cortisone shot and antibiotics!

260. an evening with Jack and Candace

261.  the gift of friendship 

Be Thou My Vision

252.  abundance of "stuff" resulting in a garage sale and a hefty Goodwill donation

253.  simple joy found running through a sprinkler

254.  pleasant July weather making a Saturday afternoon run bearable

255.  a wonderful end to the Sabbath soaking in a low humidity evening outside with my mom while the kids swim

256.  good report from the eye doctor that scar tissue from two NICU eye surgeries is gone in both girls' eyes

257. clarity received from two new pair of glasses 

sunrise

251.  a glorious sunrise!

(photo courtesy of Candace Chaney Photography :))

Cicadas and slides

246. the buzz of the cicadas at dusk

247.  the twists and turns of the Southern Trace swimming pool slides bringing hours of entertainment to my children and hours of peacefulness to my mom

248.  clean, easily accessible water - my children learning that it is not so in Haiti. Thank you VBS

249.  fresh homegrown peaches

250.  ability to serve my church

I give thanks

239.  "Breathe in: Lord, I receive.

Breathe out: Lord, I give thanks."

240.  cousin collaboration on grandparents' anniversary gift 

241.  VBS - Presbyterian style

242.  unity in Christ

243.  a dance party in our living room

244.  Grace's tender heart

245.  an evening walk with the man I love

3 weeks worth of euchariesteo

I kept thinking I didn't want to post without the photos to go along with everything that has been happening the last three weeks!  But here I am with still no photos loaded so I'll proceed with the list as I haven't stopped counting my many blessings...its just been in the good ol' pen and paper fashion!

206.  a successful end of the school year
207.  three amazing teachers
208.  family filled wedding weekend
209.  a friend of a friend of a friend willing to babysit my three + Avery so my sister and I could enjoy an adult evening at the rehearsal dinner
210.  an afternoon nap!  H, G, S and me piled in a king size bed catching up on zzzz's
211.  Aunt Becky & Avery as travel companions from Natchez to the beach
212.  the beach house!
213.  excitement and joy of being by the sand & surf
214.  beach sunrises and sunsets - the hues so artistically designed by the Creator
215.  morning runs by the ocean
216.  ages 7 & 6, maturity that makes being at the beach house easier than years past
217.  a surprise beach wedding for a friend of many years; the details coming together in 2 weeks - all ordained by your Lord and felt by bride and groom
218.  Sambo & Dear providing us the ability for annual beach trips
219.  30+ years of memories made on Pensacola Beach
220.  Jenny & Brian for Peg Leg Pete's outings, golf cart riding, bunk bed playing , kitchen counter dancing, and firework viewing fun
221.  the sparkle & shine of fireworks over the bay
222.  a pleasant 8 hour drive home, just me and the kids.  a vast improvement over that same drive 6 years ago
223.  10 years of marriage
224.  Colossians 3:12-14
225.  4th of July run remembering those who sacrificed for our freedom in this nation while listening to Jesus Paid it All remembering Christ paid the ultimate sacrifice
226.  words of encouragement from my husband
227.  vulnerability expressed in a post dinner conversation
228.  afternoon frosty delivered by my love
229.  the gift of forgiveness
230.  VBS teachers and volunteers
231.  insights from my 6 year old - doing all the stuff the Bible says is hard!
232.  lessons and future impact of learning to stand strong in God - prayer helps us
233.  sour bearing, soul enriching early morning conversations, bathing in prayer
234.  new summer scarf handcrafted in Guatemala and delivered with love from Bethany
235.  dinner date full of great food and even better company
236.  colorful zinnias
237.  celebrating the impending birth of little Henry Harper complete with a mustache theme
238.  humility found in handstand push ups

we are family

200.  celebrating my last kindergartner - he's on his way, first grade

201.  spicy little sweetie pie - Haley as described by her teacher

202.  hand delivered Hershey kisses

203.  how Jason speaks my love language - see above

204.  the cool, juicy goodness of watermelon on a hot summer day

205.  pool time with Aunt Becky, Martha and Avery!

new brake pads - yay!

195. worst case scenario averted - no major car work needed

196.  safety provided in new brake pads

197.  setting a goal and trying something new

198.  a yummy dinner prepared with love 

199.  children that eat and enjoy said dinner 

neighbors

191.  my 86 year old neighbor tending to her hard and loving on my kids even when they ring her doorbell at 7 am!

192.  Aidan's Place granola and the farmers market 

193.  a sunny Saturday swim 

194. memories made in photos

full heart

185.  a timely tweet, a reminder @Janet_Denison: When the trials come, remember that the Lord is full of compassion and mercy – and your job is to persevere. God’s blessing is ahead.

186.  a table full of family, enjoying the food and the company

187.  a slight reprieve from the June heat and humidity

188.  craft night with friends

189.  a heart full of love; so much healthier than anger, bitterness, hopelessness 

190.  Loosing my phone for 18 hours, one distraction averted for a little while

a busy Saturday

180.  His faithfulness, His peace, His healing

181.  ability to French braid two little girls'

hair, even if it took almost 8 years to figure it out!

182.  Brownie Troop 640's friendship, fun and learning

183. ending the day with chocolate dipped cones

184.  sinking into bed after a long day

strength in weakness

175.  warm coffee streaming down my sore throat

176.  the stillness and tranquility of 5 am

177.  For when I am weak, I am strong - 2 Corinthians 12:10

178.  little glimpses of The Lord at work

179.  the scent of clean laundry

morning prayer

170.  Bethany's morning prayer

171.  coolness of my office as a relief from the humid heat outdoors 

172.  Chris' motivation to keep us working through the CrossFit pain!

173.  caring and fun loving 2nd grade teachers - Mrs. Moore, Mrs. Williams

174.  a sunset run

Mission Shreveport

166.  a smooth Monday morning routine despite not hearing my alarm!

167.  Javen, Jake, Trey and the other kids I got to hang out with this afternoon

168.  day 1 Mission Shreveport

169.  a moment of practicing patience when my mind wanted to rally against it

Sunday sunsets

161.  a really fun Saturday with the trio

162.  a long run 

163.  blackberry picking 

164.  singing "The Gift of Love" during church; really hard Euchariesto this morning

165.  pink glow of clouds at sunset 

Friday's 5

156.  just the right words at precisely the right time

157.  a glowing report from Sam's teacher - such a bright kid

158.  a good night's rest

159.  Miss Shai always willig to help with the trio, a big big blessing in this busy mama's life!

160. windows down, music up, singing loud-TGIF!!

trusting times

151.  those challenging times that are oppurtunities for trust

152.  prayer in the park

153.  being surprised (when I shouldn't be) when Your fingerprints are discovered over various parts of my day

154.  clear ears to hear - thanks Dr. Ricky!

155.  the complexities of cat life - interesting little one that Jack the cat of ours

Come Monday

146.  being chased by grace (real grace, not my sweet Gracie Greer!)

147.  Jason's drive to exercise and eat healthy 

148.  pushing through with homework and the last 4 weeks of school

149.  big puffy marshmallow clouds floating through the backdrop of the blue blue skies

150.  lower humidity levels!