count 'em up.

• safe road trips
• running into random folks at the gas station in newnan...nothing like hearing "i think i know you..."
• daniel tiger and his ability to help emma process her feelings
• leaving a certain little one crying (so that i can go and compose myself) and coming back to this (it really is best to walk away sometimes):

• painting the fence with nick
• eli's chance to go to the auburn game
• acknowledging my issues
• truth quotes

• fun pens made from recycled water bottles
• "have no motivation other than to know your Father in heaven." - oswald chambers
• amish friendship bread and cinnamon roll flavored coffee
• when a brother and sister play together in harmony (have pokemon, will travel)

• eli's excitement over "manly mondays"
• a delightful morning of life/school at home (can they all be like that one, please?!)
• the chance to wear my african fabric dress
• how easy it is to make images with the youversion bible app
  
• lists and charts and figuring things out
• the kids' delight in going through the car wash
• polar pops
• the inevitable jokes that accompany a "boston butt" fundraiser

waffle makers and whiteboards.

• "...if i can raise them to be thinkers who love learning, then i will have done my job well. " maandpamodernhomeschool
• crave at ccc
• UGA game watching with the Bakers
• stepping out after hurricane irma (and the incredible lack of disaster)

• friends who are getting closer and closer to bringing their son home from china
• mercy me's happy dance
• getting more and more settled in our home schooling
• waffle iron worship instruments

• the sweet friends that hurrican irma brought to columbus (lauren and carey!)
• when my kids request to listen to really good songs
• pepper jelly + cream cheese + crackers
• caroline's cuteness in her jeans and boots

• the way God has been using the whiteboard this week
• lunch with dee dee...such easy and meaningful conversation
• Truth shared and Holy Spirit confirmation
• felt like getting up to run again.

He is such a good gift giver!

• cali n tito's with joy (the person and the fruit of the spirit!)
• time in athens with amy
• fun lights strung in the trees

• live music
• moments that make me think and weep (and friends who understand)
• kool-aid dyed hair (and the friends that first introduced us!)

• kids sleeping in (after late nights)
• cheesestraws and rice krispies and chocolate cake slyly snuck into the car
• nick and eli working on eli's fantasy football team (the thankfulness is about the time together...and the way they coordinate with the decor more so than the football :))

• molly & ritchie's generosity and the God-cidence that the house was available
• ship friends that come for a visit
• time at the infantry museum

• big drink and even bigger popcorn
• God's creation on display in the IMAX theatre
• the men and women that have so selflessly served our country as soldiers

• 2 early morning walks with ann-marie
• oh this weather. 
• outside + acrobatics + trampoline + green grass + picnic blanket + blue skies

• flair pens on sale
• goats milk soap that is a call to prayer
• kids in cages and lion faces

• time in the prayer room at CCC
• listening to God's truth
• "i forgive you, mom."  (if my kids know anything it's how to receive an apology...wish they didn't get to practice forgiveness quite so much!)

lifestyle of giving thanks.

• hamburgers by the pool (especially once the sun was behind the trees)
• a mailbox full of mail
• clean clothes
• an incredible act of generosity in a funky homemade box

• celebrating meme and papa - siblings who love each other
• being close enough to partcipate in family gatherings in person
• sugar babies and hot tamales
• getting to see charles play ball

• late night at waffle house
• kaycie - amazing girl who hangs out with her boyfriend's family even when her boyfriend isn't around (and gives away really great hats)
• hearing about the dreams and passions of others -- take the city
• the loveliness that is the swedish "fika" - and the friends who introduced us

• meaningful conversation and a run around maple ridge with tiffany
• seeing sam & christy (no matter how short the visit)
• global stamps
• mail from a south african friend!

• open door kind of morning - coolness in the air!  
• time to talk and walk around heath lake park
• "free us for joyful obedience" (part of the responsive reading at CCC) 
• speaking of south africa, the peachtree mall has cinnabon!!!!

• so much rich and meaningful time with the whites...seems like we would get tired of each other...but we don't.
• jesus we love you - bethel song
• school on the trampoline.  feels so right. 
• how much caroline enjoyed buying and eating her cfa - and the tiny container of pickles!  

• easy and excellently timed delivery of the couch for the cottage
• when a friend starts "feeling like herself again"
• an introduction to zoe's kitchen
• sweet time with sweet katherine 

always more to be thankful for.

• catching up on correspondence (i really like sending mail....and using the word correspondence makes me feel like someone in a jane austen novel)
• easy plan B for dinner when the chicken was smelling funky
• dinner with twinkle and her girls (best butter chicken since benin!)
• henna!  i am addicted to this word:

•  king of my heart  - such a good song. 
• solar eclipse viewing..."sun, moon and stars in their courses above"
• "trust me and don't be afraid." - jesus calling
• girls & gummi worms & swimming & cupcakes

• when an errand goes exactly as planned
• the courage of a friend to be honest
• kind words in blogs and fb posts
• routines and backyard performances by the white & cash kids

• "kind people are my kind of people."
• the publix gift card that just keeps on providing
• ballet unto the Lord
• CCC youthgroup

• thoughtful gifts from grandaddy for caroline
• having sweet caroline to celebrate
• time at lakebottom with the whites.  so much goodness, indeed. 
• good quotes

• .50 corndogs at sonic!
• date night!! (and it included fried pickles and a capp blast - not together, thankfully - and really good rolls that are pretty much dessert...and time with nick. that's the best part.)
• more lessons in trusting God - being obedient and doing what He asks and not being concerned with the results.
• my african fabric bag.  

so many gifts in all sorts of shapes & sizes.

• sweet open house at Clement Arts
• helpful & kind neighbors
• peaceful start to school

• it's all God's money anyway.
• making lists & taking notes on cardboard with sharpie
• popcorn pot!

• giftcards in the mailbox
• loved so much about Sunday at CCC - broken projector didn't hinder worship, praying for and commissioning students and teachers, a leader who is unafraid to address racial issues, youth party with a rock climbing wall and bouncy obstacle course (and lots of water balloons)
• puzzle piece prayers

•  super kind welcome basket from the radney family (especially the chicken salad!!!)
• "do not let unexpected problems distract you from my presence." - jesus calling
• the cashier at Burger King spelled my name right! (it's the little things that are really kind of big things!) 

• library cards for everyone!!
• nick's truck is fixed and papers are found
• celebratory doughnuts!

cultivating that thankful mindset...

• surprise BOGO free at starbuck's
• getting to swing by and drop off a coffee 
• oh that cake pop
• sweet event on sunday afternoon

• celebrating poppa's 90 years of life!
• cash cottage waffle friday (messy though it be)
• friends who don't mind the mess
• seeing shipmates in a magazine and reading her incredible words

• beautiful moon
• the gift of worship
• the rain that came the day after the furniture was moved
• the silly ridiculousness of the game "speak out" 

•  marco's pizza. matt the generous strikes again.
• generosity in the form of an anonymous visa gift card
• AB's joy in climbing on the stool
• "working the land" (as a family to boot!)

• Emma's excitement over the "grand opening of iris the octopus's house"
• "is the Lord Jesus Christ being abundantly satisfied by your life?" - oswald chambers
• family mario chase (boy i'm bad at video games though)
• trying to practice "delighting in the one in front of me."