some of the gorgeous-ness

• all the abatement went quicker than expected (what a rare thing to say)
• a really beautiful breathe event - i wish everyone could hear leah's story and perspective!
• noteworthy sharing (from previously mentioned story!) (sharing that was so good i took notes!)(and a sweet sneaky note from amy g.)

• generosity towards jeeah's hope that is so incredible it makes me shake my head in disbelief, immediately burst into tears and double check the number of zeros
• time with beth at botanic
• such good chocolate and INCREDIBLY encouraging words from my wonderful husband

• getting to see the callows! friday night frozen pizza and saturday morning waffles were such a treat with this precious ship-friends family! 
• walking in the rain
• good reminders written on mirrors in a wedding dress shop (or shoppe if you will)

• we're back in our house (no floors or ceilings in the big room and only some of the walls....but we're here! grateful to be in our beds and have access to most of our stuff.)
• the cottage icemaker seems to have sorted itself out
• these 2 (though it's not the best picture. i was trying not to be obvious).  the way they laugh together is special. 

• sweet dinner at cracker barrel (and all the funny things in the store)
• tuesday's "overwhelmed" didn't last 
• logan found a dress!! eli's bride-to-be is stunning...inside and out!

• sourdough from ella grace
• randy & jen wenndt...especially their help finding and putting together office furniture
• knowing these 2 were having such a sweet time together 

always gifts along the way. always.

• clay bucket borrowed from addie (and that she texted to check on zoe)
• getting to stay in the cottage
• spaghetti in a yeti and meatballs
• the cottage bed is comfy! 
• cottage coffee and tasty pastry

• access to the laundry room and sunroom
• nick & emma got to go to laura lane's game!
• eli and logan are starting to receive wedding gifts in the mail at our house.
• blueshield's excellent and fast work
• he's posting the sidekick!  (i would've been ok if he never did...but i'm thankful that he did)

• hot spot for internet
• sucessful winter retreat for the CS youth! 
• another successful water pick up for CS
• amy's phone call - checking in/asking questions
• sweet surprise of re-finding a christmas gift

• diverse power's quick response
• emma's sweet texts and cute honks
• walking with a friend who is trusting God with all she's got
• date night - time to connect and converse with nick
• just right picnic 

• chris & charles mitchell's help with the tree.  so refreshing to see something taken care of/all cleaned up.
• caroline's heart and tenderness
• insurance checks
• dr. keller's continued kindness and generosity - and same day appointments!
• getting to work with lisa williams on jeeah's hope things

so many good gifts. so many.

• lauren's excellent care of the kitties while we're away (complete with pictures and updates)
• tim keller's sermon on contentment
• post-its on a certain daughter's wall

• caroline surprised us and came home for 24 hours!!
• dakota got the promotion!
• lightboard artwork creations

• "i'm so glad it's sunday." - joseph
• delicious cups of coffee (and one last boberry biscuit!)
• yes. this: 

• sharing about missions and ministry
• getting to see jacob play soccer
• the way he loves us all 

• the dominos seem to be all lined up and ready to be set in motion
• peace and patience in the process
• the wildcats!! 

• all my favorite chocolates in one perfect bundle!!  i have THE BEST valentine. 
• well on our way with renewing all the things for everbe (and it's not making me cry)
• one of the jeeah's hope stories
  

here are some things i'm thankful for.

• when discipleship happens through coffee making
• friends who do hard things (really hard things) for the sake of obedience
• gathering ingredients for evil brownies

• cut up fruit
• bucket o' banana laffy taffy
• tables are set 

• long nap (just so right on a sunday afternoon)
• jeeah's hope 15 year celebration family dinner went well!
• so many beautiful stories shared

• welcoming joseph to the cityscape team
• all the things got done/taken care of before leaving town
• double date with eli and logan!

• sleep. rest. naps. walks. a break from regular. 
• time away with nick. 
• zoe's sewing lessons with yaya - pearly grace has a new blanket

things i'm thankful for.

• having eli, logan and talia around
• purposeful water bottle collecting
• folks that invest in my kids with kindness and food (the big kids in the background and the littlest kid in the middle of katie's lap!)

• all of nick's reading time with zoe (and with all of our kids through the years!)
• laughing with the folks at the jokes
• so much flip seven!

• southeast restoration.  grateful to know who to call. 
• tre's chocolate croissants
• the fairy house building and rebuilding

• jacob and emma brought panda express
• carrying cares with folks
• late night recital in zoe's room

• francis chan and Joni Eareckson Tada interview
• ct scans that come back clear
• the first daffodil of the season

• "i've never had a full tank of gas." (being reminded of things that i take for granted)
• the way mrs. jean kent poured so much love into me as a kid and teenager
• this (and getting to practice it): 

• watching step sing...cutest sheep ever. 
• "i know the Lord will provide...my God is not empty handed....everything i need, my Father has it!"
• nick is only gone a few days...not a whole year. 

 

blessings and bright spots

• reading through old journals (and laughing)
• zoe's enjoyment of online piano lessons
• pearly grace arrived...and she loves skyjo!

• daily devo - sing! 
• fancy dinner (thanks to jonathan & katie!)
• waking up to a winter wonderland sunday morning

• doughnuts and coffee
• fun friends who bring yummy food to watch the national championship game
• it's just so pretty!!!!!

• good turnout for Breathe
• watching katie steward infusion days so well 
• grilled cheese and tomato soup

• new to me toyota camry (grateful for nick's research)
• brioche buns
• the tiniest of touches....perfect magnetic sparrow

• rental car is back safe and sound
• raising boys and girls podcast
• monday waffles/ray's reading of the MLK day prayer

• "dressed in His righteousness alone faultless stand before the throne."
• JH 15 year celebration dinner is coming together
• beautiful prayer initiative by clement arts

• emma got her license!
• safe people to share stories with
• azul! 

• "i'm grateful for all the time i've spent laughing this week!" - caroline
• matt and sarah's willingness to share their house
• Shalom - good song
  

list of thankful things

• aldi had all the muffins and doughnuts! (super cute doughnuts)
• plenty of sunday after the 8:00 service
• testing out some office/school hours at cityscape

• sunday afternoon panda express and matcha with eli
• i can trust God with all the hearts and all the things
• good reminder:

• hearing the steiner's life stories
• tasty pizza at community group
• a little flower mister with cleaning spray in it....makes life a little more delightful

• fettucine alfredo.
• walking in the CS parking lot 
• the deer and the damage (practicing giving thanks in all circumstances!)

• french onion dip
• free shipping and $10 off 
• celebrating yaya

• 9 years of the pilot!
• tre's treats! (bread and cookies and such)
• little jason's surgery went well!