Thankful Thursday

755.  Watching Ben make a conscious effort to make good choices, even when it's painful.
754.  Abby's helpful spirit.
753.  The reprieve from the heat when the sun momentarily goes behind a cloud.
752.  Those four funny long hairs on the top of Leah's head that qualify her as not-completely-bald.
751.  Debt-free living.
750.  Free Kindle books.
749.  Anne Graham Lotz's God's Story and how it has helped me to listen while reading scriptures.
748.  Sam's latest stir-fried zucchini concoction.
747.  The relaxation of a rare commitment-free Saturday.
746.  Parents who may be hundreds of miles away, but who are always as near as a phone call.
745.  The feeling of community on our little cul de sac.
744.  The drenching rains from Tropical Storm Beryl that crossed over so many areas of extreme and severe drought.
743.  The ability to stay home, even though I never knew I wanted to.
742.  A 30-minute massage and pedicure for Mother's Day.
741.  Summer days so full that Sarah goes straight to sleep at naptime.
740.  Mornings where the temperature takes its good ol' time getting up into the 90's.
739.  Bike rides at the park.
738.  Shampoo & conditioner samples from hotels.
737.  My own shower after being away from home.
736.  The little sighing noises that don't quite qualify as snores Leah makes while sleeping away.
735.  A temporary reprieve in gas prices for Memorial Day weekend.
734.  Aldi grocery stores for their inexpensive produce and seasonal items like sunscreen and inflatable waterslides.

Because a spirit of gratitude is a lifelong commitment...

It's been a really long time...but that doesn't mean I haven't been recognizing the things for which I'm thankful...I just haven't been documenting them on this blog.  I suppose it's okay to pick up where I left off?

733.  The way little kids legs don't reach the ground when they sit in a chair.
732.  Surprise visits from friends who stop by with coffee and donuts "just to cheer me up."
731.  The chubby thighs, triple chin, and dimpled elbows on my gorgeous newborn.
730.  The way Warner Robins rallied to find a missing 10-year-old this week - I'm proud to be a part of a community that came together with all of their resources to do what's right...and even more than that, knowing how many prayers were said for this boy by name.
729.  The way even a brief rainfall can turn a crunchy brown landscape green.
728.  Freshly baked chocolate chip cookies - especially as a "Welcome Home from the Hospital" surprise from an amazing husband.
727.  Hand-me-down clothes.
726.  A kidney-stone-FREE pregnancy.
725.  The peace I have about "giving up" my career.
724.  A Bible Study that didn't teach me "something", but gave me the ability to listen to God through reading His Words.  Super awesome.
723.  The process by which God brought me home from work.
722.  The incessant smiles of my happy two-month-old Leah which can be prompted by the simple sound of a "goo" or "guh".
721.  The five and two year old sisters who safely occupied themselves while I fought a kidney stone last Friday waiting for Grammie to arrive.
720.  The rare sight of not one but two chickadees at our bird feeder today.
719.  Days like this where the breeze and lower temperatures make me forget that summer is around the corner.
718.  The windows in my kitchen that look out on the playground in our backyard where I can watch our girls enjoying themselves until the dark makes them come inside.
717.  Freshly mowed and trimmed grass.
716.  Seeds Family Worship CDs
715.  A husband who can handle it all with ease - even four kids, an ailing wife, a disastrous house, and a demanding job.
714.  In-laws and parents who are willing to hop in their cars from 2.5 hours and 12 hours away at the first phone call for help.
713.  A cul-de-sac full of playmates for my children.
712.  Amazing neighbors who step up not just willingly but eagerly to help us in emergencies.

Linking up today with Jade at Constant Chatter for Thankful Thursday.

After Way Too Long...

711.  The gift of my next breath.
710.  Spontaneous, deep, belly laughs from my precious Sarah.
709.  Ladybugs landing on me while I cut the grass.
708.  A surprise purple cone flower amid a patch of yellow cone flowers.
707.  The fact that Sarah sleeps with my baby blanket every night.
706.  Summer Reading Programs and the Perry Library.
705.  Being able to stay home with my children this summer.
704.  The privilege of seeing God's beautiful artwork from the vantage point of the Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego, California.
703.  The inspiration of a team of knowledgeable Sunday School teachers with a passion for the Word.
702.  A husband who delightfully prepares delicious food for our family.
701.  A toddler who is learning to use her words.
700.  A chorus of snores from the hallway of children.
699.  God's work through prayer - not necessarily how He answers them, but that He uses them to prepare me for His Will.
698.  This man's testimony  
697.  The sense of urgency to share Jesus when I really stop to think that this could be my last breath.
696.  The moments where God strips everything away that just doesn't matter and exposes my heart.
695.  Dental insurance.
694.  The fortitude and generosity of a friend for organizing and opening her house to moms and kids for a summer Bible study.
693.  The cooperation of 3 awesome kids as we got locked out of our car on one of the hottest days of the year.
692.  Time with great friends, to the point that you don't realize how much time has passed and you don't want them to have to leave.
691.  Desiring to listen for God's voice - because I know He's trying to tell me something.
690.  Vacation Bible School!
689.  The opportunities to be still and hear God speaking to me.
688.  The conviction on my heart today.
687.  The opening of an Aldi in our town.
686.  Watching Abby set an example for her parroting baby sister.
685.  The tenacity of my toddler, though  it frustrates me now, I know I'll be grateful she's this way in the future.

Wonderful Wednesday

684.  The opportunity to stay home, however unanticipated and unlikely it was for me.
683.  Watching my girls become best friends - right before my very eyes.
682.  Seeing my toddler gently swaying her baby dolls to sleep.
681.  Arriving home to a yard full of blooming azaleas.
680.  The clouds that help me appreciate the sun.
679.  The extra-greenness of an overcast day.
678.  Upward Soccer.
677.  Selfless offers of help from friends.
676.  Free parking.
675.  Carpooling.
674.  Safety through the storm.
673.  The ability to comfort my kids during a wicked display of nature overnight.
672.  Reuniting with my toddler after a week away and watching her dance with excitement over seeing her brothers and sisters.
671.  Meeting new friends that feel like old ones.
670.  Seeing living examples of God's grace acted out through other people.
669.  Introducing my kids to the wonderful world of foot massages.
668.  Free coffee round-the-clock in the hotel lobby.
667.  The back roads.
666.  Stepping right into puddles for the fun of it.
665.  Being able to calm my kids' fears with the simple holding of their hand.
664.  Hearing my toddler yell "Mommy, Mommy" over the phone.
663.  Bone lessons from a non-fiction-loving seven year old.
662.  Ponchos and umbrellas.
661.  Spontaneous giggles from a happy-go-lucky four year old.
660.  Happy kids swimming in the rain.
659.  Log-cutting snores.

Totally Thankful Tuesday

658.  The creativity to invent games no matter where we are to entertain the kids.
657.  Dirty hands, feets, and faces.  Hello spring time.
656.  Not crying for the duration of the phone call during which I was informed that I did not get the job I hoped for.
655.  A candid chat with my former boss to let me know he's not avoiding my phone calls.
654.  The perks of civil service employees.
653.  Remembering not to raise my voice and seeing it work when I don't.
652.  Finding relevance in every lesson I study in Seeking A Heart Like His by Beth Moore.
651.  Free samples of coffee.
650.  Notes of cheer in the mail.
649.  The sacrificial help of family.
648.  Aptly revealed Scripture passages.
647.  A lucky winning streak on door prizes at the Sunday School teachers meetings.
646.  Watching my little girl bounce around playing soccer.
645.  All 3's on my first grader's report card.
644.  The predictability of my son's first question in the afternoon, "When we get home, can I play outside?"
643.  Cool mornings, warm afternoons, and pleasant evenings.
642.  Allergy medicine.
641.  The re-birth of spring time.
640.  Experiencing peace in the midst of bad news.
639.  Getting to see the wheels turning in my toddlers brain as she learns to mimic everything her older siblings say and do.
638.  The patience-building exercises God has given me, otherwise known as naptime with Sarah.
637.  A gentle husband who reminds me time and time again of the ineffectiveness of raising my voice.

Mostly Absent Monday - It's been a while!

636.  Two precious, little girls who would swing all day long if I let them.
635.  Watching the kids have "flower picking contests" in the backyard among the weeds.  
634.  The times where I feel energetic and industrious - and actually make the most of them.
633.  The privilege of living in a military town - where I am reminded of how great it is to live in this country every single day.
632.  A friend's brilliant advice on how to contain my monkey-like toddler.
631.  Accepting God's plan for my life.
630.  Experiencing the peace that is most definitely not of myself, when it comes to hearing about the job I so badly desire this week.
629.  Having time to sit at all.
628.  Having time to sit at the kitchen table and color with my girls for an hour.
627.  Realizing my four year old can write and identify all of her uppercase and lowercase letters.
626.  Flowering Bradford Pear trees.
625.  Brilliant blossoming spring time.  
624.  Sam's delicious grilled burgers.  
623.  Having to wash clothes by hand and gaining an appreciation for third world living and my modern conveniences at the same time.
622.  The spirit of helpfulness embodied in my four year old.
621.  Spending time with other couples and getting to just talk.
620.  Daylight savings time for fixing the sleep quirks my kids had developed.
619.  Running the car battery dead in a restaurant parking lot and having no trouble at all finding someone to jump us off.  (Thanks, friendly citizens.)
618.  Running into friends all over town.
617.  Interviews that feel more like a friendly conversation.
616.  The ability to play airplane with each of my kids...doubling as leg exercises.
615.  How thrilled our little family was to eat at Taco Bell the other night....simple pleasures.
614.  A seven year old with a penchant for non-fiction.
613.  Progress towards not-escaping during sleep time on the part of a deviant toddler.
612.  ...only to wake up and find that Sam had cleaned the entire house.
611.  Sunday afternoon naps.
610.  E-coupons.
609.  A seven year old who came to the conclusion on his own that playing with a fourth-grade neighbor isn't as cool as he thought it was.
608.  Laughing myself silly with my husband over nonsense - like, "He must be using his GPS."
607.  Promising phone calls on the job front, with such phrases as "You will hear from us."
606.  Semi-spontaneous trips to Disneyworld.
605.  Fellowship with good friends - whose kids play well with my kids.

Totally Late Tuesday

604.  Feeling "at home" at church.
603.  Helpful, wonderful neighbors.
602.  The perfect intervention of a Heavenly Father when all heck breaks loose.
601.  'Round the corner medical care.
600.  Bowling parties.
599.  Fake, hilarious giggles from deep within my chunky toddler.
598.  A sweet playlist on an XM player that keeps its charge long enough for me to finish my run.
597.  The final game of basketball season.
596.  The opportunity to see my dad truly relaxed for the first time in his life.
595.  Feeling empowered - by the Holy Spirit, by my husband's encouragement, by wanting to be better for my kids.
594.  Finding the strength to push myself beyond previous physical limits.
593.  FREEbruary at Chili's.
592.  Unprecedented achievements in my husband's career at such a young age.
591.  Friendly faces at the pediatrician's office.
590.  The first signs of spring.
589.  30% off Kohls coupons.
588.  All day bike rides.
587.  The opportunities to explain right and wrong to our seven year old son.
586.  The solidarity between Sam and me when it comes to parenting choices.
585.  Safe travels for my retiree parents.
584.  Unprecedented calm in a scary situation thanks only to the Holy Spirit.
583.  Sunshine, temps in the 70's, and a beautiful breeze...in February.