31 March 2022

gifts.gifts.gifts.

  • Steffany Gretzinger's Faith of My Father
  • one of my favorite Sundays at CityScape yet
  • sweet sweet time at the Jeeah's Hope spring bonfire
  • giftcards for sharing...if you can't join them, send a gift card :)
  • the TRUTH being prepared for CityScape Youth
  • exchanging one Daniel Tiger toy for another at the Kao's (plus DD coffee + friendship)
  • nick and eli restringing the guitar together
  • getting to trust God even when things don't turn out the way we were hoping
  • talking about mercy ships with Cheryl...goodness, what a special time and place. 
  • lovely flowers from the previously mentioned lovely lady
  • grilled hotdogs eaten outside (and 2 for taking home and having later)
  • we have an infinite number of do overs with God
  • double date + Jeff's story telling + cheddar bay biscuits
  • molly's impromptu taking of 2 sweet cash girls...gave me 2 hours all by myself!  
  • Zoe and AnnaBeth!

24 March 2022

continuing to keep a count of all the gifts...

  • grandaddy + emma + midland market
  • any time a kid chooses reading a book over screens
  • i got to experience the taco shed!! 
  • watching a dad make 2 girls' hopes and dreams come true :)
  • Caroline and Charlotte's enjoyment of the field of wildflowers (at sunset!!  such perfection!)
  • all the food was ready at just the right time for lunch
  • airbnb guests that leave places in phenomenal shape
  • enjoying the first melted haribo gummi bears of the season....and that Lauren knows my love of them...
  • twizzlers peel and pulls + a well lit parking lot 
  • tea parties and open mic afternoons
  • "we feel like we've hit the lottery and we want her to feel the same way." - KK
  • sweet sisters sliding on a sorta sketchy playground
  • impromptu nachos with the faircloths
  • ice.  i'm really grateful for it. 
  • emma + friends + the tennis tower tournament
  • the joy of licking the spoon and the bowl
  • walking with nick
  • good reminders and information about TBRI at Breathe
  • solid sleep
  • good words from tanner olson/written to speak

17 March 2022

some more of the things

  • the fun of the tennis tower game
  • testimony of God saving a marriage through a worship night
  • nick's eye is better!!! 
  • funny things with cute couches:
  • finding good books in good shape at Goodwill
  • gas prices are a smidge lower
  • quite possibly ridiculously close to J and A bringing a baby home!
  • celebrating eli and nick

  • evenings that stay lit longer
  • all the cake! 
  • Eli got the Relient K guitar pick! (randomly thrown into the audience)
  • birthday brunch!
  • successful jeeah's hope dad's event! 
  • Teen Advisor's Friends and Family night...something so special about the heart of that room full of folks...such a special organization
  • Dee Dee's hug (and her sharing about her pocket) and fatherly welcome kisses from Richard
  • wonderful and enjoyable friends to share life and conversations and treats with.  i am very grateful. 

10 March 2022

letting Goodness tell me what is true about the world

  • perfect mornings on the porch 
  • Caroline's soccer game didn't get rained out. not even close. 
  • delicious nap in the car on the way to Albany (jMo is rubbing off on me...I'm describing non-food things as delicious)
  • calvary girls got a win
  • getting to stand by this guy at soccer games
  • cookies with nick and zoe on the porch
  • Sunday filled with CityScape community
  • free ice cream in our pajamas - with fantastic friends and fabulous memories
  • lovely yellow flowers snuck in by the ever thoughtful lis
  • Wednesday afternoon coffee and treats and conversation and friendship
  • Saturday morning painting session
  • Zoe's winking (video may appear on instagram, we'll see)
  • Zoe + Caroline's dancing
  • date night with my fella
  • good quote:
  • Monday muffins with the cash girls (who needs a preschool program?!  we make our own)
  • the dance party that helped get the grumpy out
  • finding a good fiction book on our shelf to read
  • beautiful African fabric...and a unique portrayal of a beautiful continent
  • BOGO free buffalo wild wing boneless wings on Thursday nights (good use of a gift card)
  • imploring to the Lord with friends on behalf of a friend
  • talking to my mcmichael men.  hearing about their Cracker Barrel adventures.
  • heard something back from Shannon!
  • way to go Harris county parks and rec:

03 March 2022

blessing after blessing after blessing

  • Maverick City's song Jireh - "already loved, already chosen.""you are enough, more than enough, always enough." "I'll never be more loved than I am right now."
  • losing track of time at church
  • Cali n Tito's for lunch on Saturday
  • how Zoe was so excited to see nick (no apprehension or hesitation)
  • 2 daddy daughter duos


  • dance party/car jams with Emma
  • all of Emma's cleaning up/cleaning out of her room
  • the Lord cares for my kids...and will care for them.  He's got them.  
  • when ordering online is easy/goes well
  • impromptu pizza picnic at double churches playground

  • garbage collectors having so much fun...it's just fun to see people enjoying life
  • the way Tim Butterfield runs Sheffield's...he has such a way of making people feel welcomed and heard and cared for (not to mention their cars)
  • tasty cup of coffee at the previously mentioned mechanic shop
  • convoy of UPS trucks...reminder of logistics and processes that work pretty well for the most part - amazing that I can order something and it shows up on my front porch or in my mail box.
  • "open up the curtains and let the light in" - Holy Spirit speaking
  • clean car
  • every single time Caroline comes in our room late at night and jumps in bed and starts talking
  • nick is HOME.