Many Thanks Monday

228.  A seven year old who admits being nervous before singing in children's choir.

227.  A random card and email to let me know that someone is thinking about me and rooting for me.

226.  Inspirational quotes.

225.  A toddler who can amuse herself with nothing but her own belly button.

224.  The beautiful weather and time that enabled us to make said progress.

223.  Visible progress on household projects.

222.  Finding my son's dream costume buried in a clearance box for $5.

221.  Skipping opportunities to burn bridges.

220.  Silent glances of complete understanding from other moms that help me feel like we're all in this together.

219.  Seeing someone who is working in their calling.

218.  The perfect banana bread recipe.

217.  Semi-homemade recipes like oatmeal cookies from a bag...with lots of raisins added.  

216.  Not sleeping through the alarm clock.

215.  Federal employee benefits.

214.  Longer than an hour lunch hours.

213.  Upward Basketball.

212.  The warm and helpful staff at Second Baptist Church.

211.  The accommodating Victory Sports program that allowed Ben a spot on the basketball team despite having missed the sign-up deadline by a day.

210.  The hand-me-down study materials lent to me by my now-Professional Engineer-brother-in-law.

209.  Spontaneous thank you's from a gracious four year old.
208.  Better yet, the surprise was chocolate.
207.  A surprise "good luck" present from a former coworker.

Multitudinous Monday

206.  An empty laundry hamper.
205.  Being called by name by someone I've met only once.
204.  Every time my kids try a new food and like it.
203.  How this "big city" I live in feels smaller and smaller every day as we dig our roots in.
202.  The opportunity vote in the upcoming election and let our voices be heard.
201.  The people who have been through tremendous hardships, only to cling tighter to their belief in God and strengthening their faith rather than turning from it.
200.  A husband who can fix anything, and if he doesn't know how to, he'll figure it out.
199.  A son who loves reading for pleasure.
198.  Reaching the season in my life where my parents are my friends.
197.  My retired dad who can talk a blue-streak on the phone - like a man who has nowhere else to be.  And I love it.
196.  A husband who complements my volatile emotions with his unfailing voice of reason.
195.  The PINES library system for allowing me to borrow all kinds of books from across the state.
194.  A judge who heard my circumstances, promised to "take care of" me, and followed through with the promise.
193.  The opportunity to sit through jury selection and not be picked.  Maybe next time, but this week would have been just too stressful.
192.  Nighttime temps in the 40's.
191.  Daytime temps in the 70's.
190.  Wearing pajamas all day long.
189.  Productive weekends.
188.  Kisses from a belly-laughing baby through the slats of her crib.
187.  The numbing power of ibuprofen.
186.  The rare indulgence of a Sunday afternoon nap.

Thankful Thursday

185.  The streets lined with proud & grateful Americans who showed up to honor the service of a fallen 21-year old marine as his processional went from Robins Air Force Base to his small south Georgia hometown.
184.  The camaraderie of the mining industry that pulled together an international collective of intelligence to meet and surpass the expectations of the rescue effort.
183.  Seeing the Chilean president unashamedly thank God for His part in the safe return of the miners to their families.
182.  The blessing of being able to witness the amazing, emotional rescue of 33 Chilean miners on live television.

Internet Hiatus Monday, errr, Wednesday

181.  Being noticed during an absence.
180.  Short-lived stomach bugs (as opposed to the lingering variety).
179.  The pain that comes from a good workout.
178.  Bed head - for never failing to make me laugh.
177.  Finding out new things about my husband after all these years.
176.  The perspective I've gained by living in the South.
175.  The perspective I've gained from being a female in a male-dominated field.
174.  Test references donated to me by my brother-in-law.
173.  Free propane cylinders.
172.  The peace of mind afforded by solar powered calculators.
171.  The excitement of unfamiliar mornings.
170.  The comfort of a familiar morning routine.
169.  Programmable coffee pots.
168.  Extended flip-flop season.
167.  Stripling's Beef Jerky.
166.  Droopy eyelids on sleepy children.
165.  Four year olds who can entertain themselves for hours with nothing more than a notebook and a pen.
164.  Hand-me-down clothes.
163.  The support of a husband who allowed and encouraged me to study for the entire 5-hour drive home.
162.  The amazing power of God's design to compensate for man's many failures.
161.  A beach whose sand and water were just as pristine as the first time I laid eyes on them.
160.  The salty scent of the gulf breeze.
159.  The safe return of my camera before vacation.
158.  The safe return of my camera.

Overflowing Cup Monday

157.  Sixteen month old's deep belly laughs while playing "Pick boo!" (peekaboo)
156.  Seeing my son hold the door for the people behind him.  Without being reminded.
155.  Pumpkins.  Just every single thing about them.
154.  The burning sensation from cold air entering and exiting my lungs while jogging on a cold day.
153.  Brad Paisley's "Little Moments"
152.  Political discussions that transpire without heated debate.
151.  A four year old who sat quietly and contentedly through a one hour worship service instead of going out to play.  (Though she probably would have preferred the latter, she went with the flow.  I just love that little girl.)
150.  Discussing part of a sermon days later with a seven year old who must have been paying attention after all.
149.  A mother-in-law who was able to make us feel genuinely welcomed into her home, even when she was under the weather and probably even wishing we weren't there.  (You rock, Mrs. Lisa!  Hope you make up for your less-than-happy birthday the rest of this week.  You get a do-over, in my book.)
148.  Knowing that treating everyone nicely (most of the time, no one is perfect) is never wrong.
147.  Coffee at the cookout house overlooking the pond.
146.  A good haircut.
145.  Needing a jacket in the mornings.
144.  Using the oven without fear of over-heating the house.
143.  Sleeping with the windows open and a big heavy blanket on.
142.  Knowing whole-heartedly that when someone says they will pray for you, they mean it.
141.  Five cousins, all looking at the camera.  That was nothing short of a miracle.
140.  The urging of my husband to get me in gear to take initiative and study.
139.  Confidence building moments....like the realization that I know more than I thought I knew.  And I've forgotten less.
138.  Moments of peace in a world full of stressors.  (We know where that comes from don't we?  Thank you, God.)
137.  Borrowed cameras.
136.  Seeing gratitude embodied in your four year old princess with as simple as an enthusiastic and completely spontaneous proclamation of "I'm enjoying this party!"
135.  Four year old princesses.