A Week of Blessings

February 25: A gift worn out, new, made do
An old tattered housecoat that Arianna "adopted".  Worn out for me, new for her and I made do without.

February 26: 3 gifts seen as reflections
Sarah watching the kids outside, writing about our journey through depression, reading a parenting book.

February 27: 3 ugly-beautiful gifts
sloppy wet snow that makes everything so dirty, drywall dust that is everywhere

February 28: 3 gifts from the past that help you trust the future
doctor appointments ensuring Sarah's growth, re-reading my marriage vows, necklace with my kids' names

March 1: 3 gifts at 3 pm
Red, flushed cheeks from my kids playing outside, a quiet coffee date with my mother in law, encouraging messages from friends

March 2: 3 gifts green
The abundance of fresh produce in the fridge, soft flannel material ready to be sewn, the ribbon of support for cerebral palsy

March 3: 3 gifts wore
Fuzzy, fleece sleepers, soft and warm boots, flip flops that sit in my back porch... longing to be worn.

1000 Gifts

February 18: 3 Gifts on paper
My busy calendar that keeps my days organized, love notes on recipe cards from Doug, long letters from my kids

February 19: 3 Gifts that were plan B


February 20: 3 Gifts at breakfast, lunch, supper
Coffee, yummy greek salad, sitting down with all my kids and talking about the day

February 21: 3 Gifts white
The snow on the ground that is melting, the walls of my house that are mudded and ready to paint, my washer and dryer... I love those appliances.

February 22: 3 Gifts that changed today
Fresh paint on the walls, new tires on the van, muffins made without wheat flour

February 23: A gift of tin, glass, wood

One of my favorite things at my in-law's house!

February 24: 3 Gifts before 11am
Hugs from my four year old, hot coffee and fresh blueberries in my breakfast

1000 Gifts

February 14: 3 ways I feel the love of God:

Forgiveness over and over, hearing Him continue to call me back, His waiting patiently for me to lean on Him

February 15: A gift in losing, finding, making something:

Slowly shedding a few unwanted pounds, finding a new (healthier) way to eat, making the changes to better myself.

February 16: 3 gifts in shadows:

Sarah watching a Curious George movie early in the morning, the silhouette of my 12 year old who is growing up too fast, the early morning shadows as the sun is up a few minutes more each day.

February 17: 3 gifts found giving/serving

Doing laundry and errands for my mother in law who recently had surgery, watching my kids help each other with their school, Brian S. willing to come on his own time and help with fixing the walls.

1000 Gifts

February 10: 3 times you heard laughter today

First thing in the morning as Sarah excitedly stumbled into my arms, early afternoon as Andrea easily won our tickle fight, while watching Back to The Future II and their misconceptions of what 2015 will look like!

February 11: 3 gifts in working

Doug as he faithfully gets up every day to provide for us, allowing me to fulfill my childhood dream of being a stay at home mom, my sweet son who, every chance he gets, helps me in the kitchen, pencils on paper as the kids work on their school.

February 12: 3 hard eucharisteo

I am thankful for road trips because it means my husband is working. I am thankful for my sister living in Calgary because it means our visits are longer and more intense.  I am thankful for Sarah as she has taught me so much about unconditional love.

February 13: 3 gifts behind a door

Sleeping kids, a pantry full of food, a van sitting in my garage

1000 Gifts

February 7: A gift found at 11:30am, 2:30pm and 6:30pm

11:30 - lunch preparations, 2:30 - watching Sarah and Lucy play together, 6:30 - a couples only dinner out with Doug, my sister and brother in law

February 8: A gift broken, fixed, thrifted
The doll that was my moms which has now been "adopted" by my daughter, a soft, much loved teddy that was losing it's stuffing, my Starbucks cup that I added glitter to.

February 9: 3 surprised gifts, grace unexpected
Sarah ate pasta and meat sauce, she slept in her own bed all night and birthday cake at my sister's (I do think birthdays should be spread out over a few days or more!)

 My workout plan/goal for the next month

 She was trying so hard to open the banana on her own

 Sledding can be fun...

... until you hit a bump and fall down. :(

1000 Gifts {Days 35, 36 & 37}

Three gifts found when bent down:

The beautiful faces of my children, the rising cookies baking in the oven,

A gift stitched, woven, hammered:

Sarah's baby Emma, made my my good friend, crocheted afghans by my grandma, the hope chest that Doug made me for my birthday many years ago.

Three gifts found outside:

The puddles and melting snow, kids skating on the rinks in their new skates, the sun rising earlier and setting later.

1000 Gifts {Day 34}

Three gifts in writing

Note from my kids telling me I'm the best, hundreds of love letters from the boy who turned out to be my partner for life and the Bible which I know I need to read more...