26 October 2017

another week full of gifts


  • nick's consistent accountability to ROCON
  • the end may really really really be in sight
  • sweet conversation with the "other" diana
  • shaved ice treat
  • the enjoyment of washing dishes in someone else's sink
  • CFA chicken biscuit and sacred conversation
  • shakespeare simply put
  • fantastic slimy time with the walls




  • chalkboard globe from raven
  • "reset" buttons
  • "...we want to live in such a way that the power on the inside is not dependent on the power from the outside." -tony evans
  • hearing about the lives saved through Sound Choices Pregnancy Clinic
  • finding what we were looking for - and a few extras - at Heal the World thrift store
  • free chicken sandwich meal at Zaxby's (and an incredible date to share it with!)
  • middleschoolers
  • treat yo'self/polar pops with nick



  • 7:22 prompt to pray for the wells
  • french pressed coffee + english muffin + apple butter
  • "the goal is to be true to Him" - oswald chambers
  • the enjoyment of washing dishes in someone else's sink
  • CFA chicken biscuit and sacred conversation
  • puns and wit
  • shakespeare simply put
  • caroline's enjoyment of mangoes


19 October 2017

always more gifts.


  • "He sees each tear that falls and He hears me when I call" (or cry/scream in this case)
  • seriously significant and wonderfully amazing turn around for emma as far as school goes
  • time with the phillips - and her thoughtful "krispy kreme cake" making



  • bikes for everyone (due in large part to the maple ridge yard sale)
  • rocks at CCC
  • the Lord's Prayer from the Message

  • worship...focus is where it should be
  • laughing at stupid movies with my favorite person
  • date night at krystal with aforementioned favorite person

  • early morning run with shelley (and getting to go back to bed afterwards!)
  • "let's be part of tomorrow not being like yesterday." - cameron strang, relevant podcast
  • floors are going in!


  • feels like fall
  • nick's ankle isn't broken
  • rails to trails - pretty place to run


  • brownie picnic with incredible kids
  • finding a new sweet spot in the backyard
  • writing back and forth with the littlest cash


  • cash/white kid sleepover...and molly's willingness to host it - making a date night with a sleep-in possible!  
  • soft sweatshirt from solehope
  • dr. keller's excellent dentistry skillz 

12 October 2017

on and on and on

  • meaningful conversations and authentic hearts
  • how hard my husband works to bless and serve us
  • snack time at the river with yaya
  • a fork, a knife and a unique napkin


  • safe and easy trip home from bulgaria (jet lag is so much easier coming west)
  • time to talk with nick
  • quarterly pest control
  • sweet friendships
  • spinning chair negotiations
  • giraffe coffee quote
  • mama suzanne's generosity to get emma a bike
  • emma's bike riding (and her courage to try even in the midst of feeling unsure/unsteady)


  • my home can be settled even if my house is not
  • parkour for eli and caroline
  • my friend that runs a honking good shuttle service...and allows me to crash family dinner
  • AB's "i love you biggie" 

05 October 2017

thankful in Kyustendil

  • Messaging with Nick, Emma and Eli
  • Safe trip to Bulgaria!
  • Finding quiet spots of solitude
  • Making boats with beautiful children 
  • Jeannie’s kindness...and her extreme generosity in gift giving.
  • Peaceful easy going team...and trip
  • October!!
  • Coffee & doughnuts (won’t ever stop being thankful for that!)

  • Good night of sleep
  • Busting out with “have a little talk with Jesus” (amazed that others know that song)
  • Day with Hollie and the girls
  • OCOTOBO running
  • Walking to dinner
  • Found wallet
  • Impromptu childrens’ program
  • Corn in a cup, coke and a nice stroll (picture goes here!)
  • Good questions/conversations
  • “Georgia duners” (Duner = Schwarma)(Schwarma = wrap with chicken and fries....)(Georgia duner = burrito)
  • “You are like Deborah” - word for the little girl in the Roma Village
  • Beauty in the midst of it all