holy experience

Monday, January 31, 2011

More than Grateful Monday

537.  Being the recipient of someone else's hand-me-downs.
536.  Finding a home for our hand-me-downs.
535.  Jogging with no traffic to speak of.
534.  Good, old-fashioned hymns in a world of contemporary praise & worship.
533.  Discovering new foods my kids like.
532.  When the hardest-to-get-out stains come out in the wash.
531.  A phone message from my traveling princess.
530.  Outsmarting, if only temporarily, a 20-month old escape artist.
529.  A pediatrician with night and weekend hours.
528.  A husband whose flexibility allows me to attend non-optional, mid-day meetings.
527.  A full pitcher of tea in the fridge.
526.  My old, worn-in green chair.
525.  An organized pantry.
524.  Comfortable conversation.
523.  Warm brownies, straight out of the oven.
522.  Finding a long-lost puzzle piece.
521.  Feeling optimistic about the future of American politics - even if those moments are few and far between - at least they still exist.
520.  How excited I get about Thursday mornings since being out of work.
519.  What a blessing it has already been reading through the first 26% of the Bible.
518.  Benefiting from the wisdom of men and women who have been there and done that so that I don't have to.
517.  Attending a truly rewarding and eye-opening marriage conference.
516.  The rare times I am able to fall asleep when my head hits the pillow.

Monday, January 24, 2011

I Remembered! Monday

515.  Christmas villages lit-up at the end of January.
514.  Just driving around with the radio on.
513.  How de-fusing the words "That's life" can be for a moment of perspective.
512.  Forgiving Kroger managers (for when your 4 year old breaks a glass spice bottle on the floor).
511.  Keebler's new Somoas-knock-offs.
510.  Fresh air.
509.  Inspiring my seven year old to take on his own household projects - this time, alphabetizing his bookshelf.
508.  Getting to leave a message on voice mail and avoid my normal awkward phone conversations.
507.  The freshness of the garden after clearing it of the crunchy brown winter-ness.
506.  Nap time.
505.  The countless unlikely heroes God chose in the Bible and still chooses today to work for His purposes.
504.  Being content with less.
503.  The hawk that sits in the same spot on the power line every day, surveying the expansive field across the highway.
502.  Unreal skies.
501.  A son who reaches for the apple in his treat bag before the Twinkie and Handi-snacks.
500.  Finding endless things to laugh about.
499.  A clean floor.  
498.  Ladies night out.
497.  Encouraging words from unsuspecting sources.
496.  Surprise phone calls about jobs I'd long since given up on.
495.  The luxury of a mid-day nap, however rare and coveted.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Because doing this on Monday is too hard for me, apparently.

494.  The cool, crisp Georgia winter we're having this year.
493.  McDonalds' indoor playground.
492.  The serene silence of naptime.
491.  How small I feel as a part of this world, but how important I am in spite of that fact through God's eyes.
490.  Hard lessons in humility - especially for my children.
489.  Surprise good news.
488.  Recycling facilities.
487.  Close calls that I got through unscathed.
486.  Leaving the playground without one single protest or tear.
485.  A pediatrician with night and weekend hours.
484.  Thus far escaping the rampant flu bug.
483.  Bacon.
482.  The public library and inter-library loan.
481.  Independent kids who don't need me to help, even when I want to.
480.  Cold weather jogs.
479.  Phone calls - just to check in.
478.  Homecomings.
477.  My favorite coffee mug.
476.  Watching my toddler rock and "shhhh" her babydoll.
475.  $10 Sneakers for the kids at Target.
474.  Progress at basketball practice.
473.  A husband who encourages me even when I have no idea what direction I'm going.
472.  A candid, meaningful conversation with Ben about equality on MLK Day on the way to basketball practice.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Mellow Monday

471.  The genius work of Dr. Seuss.
470.  Any size coffee for 99 cents at Dunkin Donuts just because we get our electricity from the right power company.
469.  Spontaneous eruptions of laughter.
468.  The fact that my girls prefer blueberries to oreos for dessert.
467.  Pancakes and bacon on the griddle.
466.  Salads with the perfect blue cheese dressing.
465.  Matching outfits on my girls.
464.  How good it feels to have my four year old brush and brush and brush my hair.
463.  Fluffy little birds, keeping warm under their feathers.
462.  101 assorted cookie cutters, complete with alphabet and number 0-9...for half price.
461.  Great American heroes like the late Major Winters who served this country to the best of his ability simply because it was the right thing to do - without requiring or even desiring recognition for his heroic acts.
460.  Having my husband home for two consecutive long weekends.
459.  A new bullet for my resume.
458.  The January Marriage Series.
457.  Pixar.
456.  Three kids improvising new ways to entertain themselves amid Day 1 of cabin fever.
455.  An untainted, pristine blanket of snow (or, in this case, ice) on the front lawn.
454.  Tiny icicles hanging from our backyard birdfeeder - like little sculptures gifted to us overnight while we were sleeping.
453.  Hand-crafted tents made from blankets draped over chairs.
452.  Homemade hot cocoa whose pleasant aroma permeates the entire room from the ziploc bag on the counter.
451.  A heated home.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Tardy Tuesday - But Still Grateful!

450.  Encouraging blog comments. ;)
449.  The ability to fill up my gas tank to "F".
448.  Listening to my toddler say "yes" instead of "no".
447.  Recognizing small successes instead of concentrating on repeat failures.
446.  Spiritual growth.
445.  Physical health. 
444.  The power of "word of mouth".
443.  Being able to channel the confidence that others have in me.
442.  The public library.
441.  The people who aren't free to be Christians, but don't fear death as a result of believing.
440.  The freedom to be a Christian without fear of death.
439.  The safety of my suburban neighborhood.
438.  Fresh beginnings in 2011.
437.  A free ESV Bible for my Kindle.
436.  Expecting one thing, but witnessing another.
435.  The questions my kids ask that challenge me.
434.  Seeing my girls share with each other.
433.  Thank you notes.
432.  Unexpected compliments.
431.  The time spent at the Department of Labor to help me realize how good I have it.
430.  Prayer warriors.
429.  The words, "Congratulations!  You passed."