plain english: "i am thankful"

• ches's character and maturity and integrity and generosity
• just the right lunch at iguana's (thanks, amy!!!)
• oh dem cousins

• non-stop service from SSI to Columbus
• rain as we came back into town
• fireworks + glow things + icecream (and again being blessed by such generosity and hospitality)

• nice walk with mr. peabody
• little loads to the cottage
• molly + coffee + meaningful conversation + totally bearable being outside in july 

• molly's starbucks giftcard kindness
• tony hale interviews
• "do things to actively get your eyes off of yourself.:
• "...known by people who know us and known by God...that's all the known you need."
• fun and fabulous trip to aldi

• "you have no rival.  you have no equal."
• the moments that feel normal (they may feel kind of few and far between right now...but that's ok)
• another good introducion: 2nd & Charles
  

• jacob wanted to come with us!  (major win in my book!)
• when my dad calls for no particular reason
• windows down + sunset + kids in the car + roar 

keeping track of the gifts

• "the path I have called you to travel is exquisitely right for you." -jesus calling
• nick's perfect response.
• pretty smells
• how quick and easy renewing my driver's license was.  way to go DDS.

• being at st. simons
• everybody is here for the whole week
• umbrella walks on the beach
• cousins on the kayak

• how talented nick is (playing guitar, singing/leading worship, speaking...and not thinking that he's doing anything remarkable)
• bits of independence for eli and caroline
• rocking chairs + coffee + muffins + front porch + amy
• barbara jean's "chocolate stuff"

•  long walks/runs + podcasts
• "not only did God send His only Son, He also sent us His Spirit so that we could understand spiritual things." - Francis Chan
• getting to be present...and trying to be helpful....even if i wish i had more to say
• low country boil

i am thankful

• popcorn picnics
• figuring out an easy "plan B" when the caravan park wasn't quite what we were expecting it to be
• King John's castle (kids' activities, head sized cookies, talented people who are passionate about what they are doing)
• that amy noticed the empanada stamp
• the life, faithfulness, service and Christ-like love of Tom Waechter

• peaceful train and plane rides
• pictures to help with the remembering
• finding free books to read online
• traditional first meal at chick fil a 
• pretty toes again (and yaya's generosity that made them possible)

• 85 thank you books and letters were located (and sent back out)
• "tomorrow's freedom is today's surrender" - all sons and daughters
• .95 bag of french fries (and just the right amount of oil to fry them)
• white noise app
• the ice famine is over (granted, it was only about 7 days...but 7 days without ice is serious business!)

• wonderful welcome home
• getting to open the little treats and treasures that were waiting for me on champions way
• such soft sheets
• grandaddy's homemade beef jerky
• delightful time with such delightful friends 

• yaya & caroline's shopping trip
• fresh supply of socks and undies for the cash kids
• knowing that we're walking along the path that the Lord is establishing
• remembering that we won't have to get on a plane anytime soon (no more tough good-byes for the time being!)
• the cottage looks fantastic!

táim buíoch

• "increasingly released to become the one I created you to be..." - jesus calling
• the really fun japanese place in the london airport (terminal 2!)
• pastry and coffee (many,many times)

• so much good time with amy
• fairy forests and wooded walks
• exploring castles

• RV adventures
• the way emma's hair goes even curlier in the irish rain
• windy roads and beautiful views

• waddle waddle duck song and panda puppies
• josh's burgers
• sweet little girl enjoying a basin of soapy water

• playgrounds. 
• sitting between 2 of my favorite people in the middle of the front
• blue-tiful skies (and eli's wit)

• the way the kids just start playing with other kids in the caravan parks
• nick's planning and orchestrating of this trip
• fun times at the westport house/pirate adventure park - and especially the laughter on the helter skelter slide and the cannonball run

• being cool (in regards to temperature ;))
• quality time with katie
• when all the internets finally cooperate and the thankful list is posted, pictures included