counting a few of the blessings that make this world o' mine vibrantly alive

• clarity and direction
• 2 naps & early bedtime
• strawberry pie from erin

• the way whipped cream makes a cup of coffee so very delicious
• emma & caroline playing so beautifully and creatively together on deck 8
• "My power flows most freely into weak ones aware of their need for Me." - jesus calling
• long term crew gathering - the joy and dancing and fellowship! (and a great excuse to make "cookie cake cookies" -2 chocolate cookies sandwiched together with vanilla icing --  i just decided that's what they are going to be called)
• special dinner with the walls and stulls

• "the earth is vibrantly alive with My blessings, giving testimony to My presence." - jesus calling
• the creativity of "box day" in the academy

• the leadership and example that the oldest students in the school set.  so proud of them and their participation.  (favorite quote:  "...so i'm an ocean goddess...or something...i just wanted to make a crown.")

another thankful list.

• a whole pan of mr. josh young's cinnamon rolls
• friday morning off with nick
• blessing upon blessing upon blessing (note from KJ, granola from Krystal, treats from KJ...triple K blessing)

• 4 sweet hours in reception (2 of which were spent with a lovely friend)
• "strong work" (translation:  good job)
• finding my laundry folded in a pile in the laundry room (that's much better than finding it tossed into a basket)
  
• 2 super sweet videos that remind me that i'm the mom God wants my children to have
• different views
• blindfolded kids
• fantastic malagasy milkshake with an even more fantastic friend

• listening to katie read to caroline
• naps
• the fabulous barstools at adam & eve

• spur of the moment participation (and victory!) in trivia night
• 3 cashes do not have pink eye
• seeing josh callow worshipping on the dock - the instrument happens to be his camera 

things i'm thankful for...

• goldfish and cheez-its 
• nick's creativity in teaching

• the way KJ ran to open the door for me
• successful daddy daughter dance

• being considered/thought of
• erin's sensitive and kind spirit (and chocolate covered espresso beans)

• conversations/prayers after community gathering
• those parenting moments that are SO HARD - yet so necessary and so good.
• sweet moments between sisters

• the moment after all (or at least most) emails are caught up on and before any replies come back in
• tuesday night's run to the port gate
• jar of granola stuff and note from mirjam

• "mom, can you take me and mark to the weight room?" - eli
• how one little "tip" can make such a difference (highlight the downward strokes...font life)
• emma's doing math

• the way Amy Kay chooses thankfulness and positivity
• making cookies with my pink starburst friend
• talking to nick
• the relationship ally and emma have

• having mr. josh back on the ship and over for lunch
• the academy creative arts night

'tis thursday...a good day for giving thanks.

• we are in Easter people
• He is ALIVE!
• opportunities to die to self
• glowsticks (and surprise pictures of letters made from glowsticks)

• cadbury creme eggs
• watching KJ work her starbuck's magic
• field trip to the lemur park

• little strong bits of Truth scattered here and there...written on coffee cups, said in passing, said during communion
• 7:56am on a ship holiday monday morning and everyone is still sleeping
• "though you are an earthen vessel, I designed you to be filled with heavenly contents." -jesus calling
• getting to spend most of the day outside

thankful i am

• "you are all i long to see in me." - rend collective song
• the softest pieces of tasty beef jerky
• recognizing passionfruit flavor in the skittles
• cookie dough for snack

• caroline's courage to be in the play
• just enough time to get things done for the support raising seminar
• aforementioned seminar is done...and seems to be bearing much fruit.
• eyeliner from amy

• "you make it easy for me to want to do for you" - such encouraging words
• the way Kayla's teaching style so beautifully lines up with caroline's learning style
• the way a space can be transformed (the queen's lounge into the upper room)
• date night at darifify
• getting to be a part of one man's incredible display of obedience, honor, thoughtfulness & excellence

• wanting only apples & water when so much junk was on the table (that was a first...made me wonder who i was and what had happened to the real dianna)
• laughing
• remy's dessert treat
• emma's notes (and rings and rocks and all kinds of other thoughtful things) on our pillows

• a nap in the shade on the beach
• the way the man helped get the vehicle unstuck - so quickly, so expertly
• really good hotdog (on the beach, no less)
• nick's excellent teaching abilities

• eli's help making the easter cookies
• mada 3 mixed tape CD
• "low maintenance fashion"