one more...and one more...and one more...

• watching gilmore girls with caroline
• when the Holy Spirit gives the right question at the right time
• good and helpful inhale/exhale prayer

• practical faith podcast!
• burgers and fries and watermelon in honor of grandaddy's birthday
• emma's sign language class with/for aaron and jacob :)

•  hearing what brings joy to my friends
• a mom who says yes to some pre-bedtime-already-in-pajamas swim session
• zoe's enjoyment of the rocking chair that team marquez rescued from the side of the road 

• d-a-t-e night.  so grateful. 
• fun youth event at the cash casa
• lovely ideas 

• nick showed up with clearview bar-b-que
• candy bag that is ready for our road trip to the beach! happy early birthday, caroline!!
• sweet cash sisters and their "i love you" hands 

• the excellence with which eli straightened his room (surprisingly straight!! :))
• super fun water play mat thingy for zoe (sweet aldi find!)
• easy conversations with teenagers. i like 'em. (most of 'em)

all the more. and more. and more.

• "i just want to throw a piece of individually wrapped cheese at that truck." - caroline
• comfy face mask
• incredible book that came in the mail from my favorite tank driving (or maybe just tank riding?!) hannah

• getting the chance to hear nick's heart and thoughts and feelings #datenight 
• "the God of a trillion stars knows my name." - i still believe movie
• this reminder:

• good sleep 
• jj heller's rendition of blowin' in the wind
• the life, service, passion, faithfulness and all-around-awesomeness of billy gross. so grateful for his 16+ years of service at CCC...and thankful that his service to the kingdom is not over...just relocating a bit. 

• the possibility of writing a prisoner on death row
• yaya and emma's trip to target (and them picking up band-aids in the nick of time :))
•  zoe's help with the trash

• rend collective journal entries (especially this one)
• hearing sweet sisters praying with the littlest sister 
• good quotes that come across as IG ads

• ok sun's on a random wednesday evening. so delicious.
• caroline and AB baby's games in the pool...(especially the laughter from hide and seek)
• tuesday morning cookie making

• less than a week until caroline's birthday beach trip!  
• refreshing walks and talks with treasured friends.
• movie that made me think all the more about foster kids and group homes (short term 12)

seeing what we're looking for...looking for the gifts

• hearing about friends experiencing health and wholeness and wellness and growth
• a husband who cares about date night and helps make them happen
• date night view

• pursuit youth bike ride! 
• getting started on our 2018 photo book.  it's happening. 
• new favorite IG thing 

• multiple conversations the involved sharing about mercy ships
• easy slow start mornings (thanks in part to zoe's boz watching)
• strong truth - "God is more powerful than the world is broken." (not sure who chuck mingo is...but i sure like this quote) 

• the way CC has already been such a source of fellowship and community for caroline
• salted caramel biscotti
• all the cuteness. 

• nick's willingness to facilitate important conversations
• getting to share things...and being the recipient of others who share. 
• sweet sisters coloring together (really i'm thankful for the way all of zoe's siblings invest in her and spend time with her...in the their own ways, they each love her so well)(and give me much appreciated breaks!) 

• 2 good movies in a row -- "i still believe" and "american son"
• the ease of the eberts
• the shower seems to have magically fixed itself and is draining properly again

paying attention and practicing gratitude

• Psalm 138 (NIV, MSG and TPT)
• the reminder that it's ok to feel feelings! 

• our country may be broken and in chaos...but we still live in an incredible country.  i'm grateful for the freedom we have as Americans. 
• happiness is right in front of me if i will just pay attention and practice gratitude

• trusting God with my children (it's hard when their hearts are hurting...but He has still got them and He is good and trustworthy!!)
• pictures of cats are way better than racist rubbish

• INCREDIBLE friends to go blueberry picking with
• going to dinner with folks who just wanted to take us to dinner and get to know us....laughing at all the stories (while eating loaves - and loaves - of incredible bread)
• zoe enjoying the amazing book Miss Mary gave us so many years ago

• community group.  finding a hybrid of in person and zoom that worked beautifully tonite
• hearing hearts and minds on things that are going on in the world
• my amazingly talented daughter

so much to be thankful for. so much.

• "You are my soul's celebration!" Psalm 103:2 TPT
• airplane naps...it's like being in the very center of a white noise machine
• getting to be with my best friend in an incredibly beautiful place for 3 days...Niagara Falls, you were just right 

• how easy it is to vacate with nick..no need for fancy things or high priced tickets or expensive food...
• watching nick skip rocks
• the falls, the river, the lake

• we don't have to live in fear. 
• frankie's doughnuts.  good stuff.

• previously shown doughnut enjoyed with a delicious cup of hotel room coffee 
• clever signage 25/8 :) 

• amy and carey's willingness to take care of kids and make this trip possible
• the lights shining on the falls monday night were for scleroderma awareness (of all the things...and of all the nights...they were shining for one of the main illnesses that my mom suffered with)
• finding warrenton on the mailbox 

• perfect picnic in the shade alongside one of my favorite parts of the water
• none of the birds pooped on us during our picnic
• fun reports and pictures from life back at home

• the amazing things clement care is helping make possible - i loved reading about 16 churches coming together to FULLY furnish a home for a family, provide meals and stock the pantry with plans to come around them with a care team (to hopefully help keep these kids out of the foster system).   the body of christ is beautiful!!! 

• spur of the moment pizza and doughnuts (good ideas, emma!!)
• an afternoon FULL of pool time